Today is Thursday, the 4th day of Red Ribbon week. Please be sure to ask your kids what they learned at school each day this week.
Research shows that if someone is genetically predisposed towards having mental illness, they are also prone to use licit and illicit substances and develop problematic usage patterns,” says Caitlin E. Carey, a PhD student in the BRAINLab at Washington University in St. Louis. “This is important because if a mental illness, like depression, runs in your family, you are presumed at risk of that disorder. But we find that having a genetic predisposition to mental illness also places that person at risk for substance use and addiction.” (Medical Xpress.com, Oct. 6, 2016)
When we were doing the interviews for Not Me, I was amazed that each person had some form of mental health diagnosis. There was ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, and disorders such as Eating Disorders. Then you throw in any type of Trauma, and it made me understand why they used. They just wanted to feel normal, or should I say, Not Feel. One of our youth was asked what she will do different for her children, and her answer was “I will make sure they see a counselor from the 4th grade up”. With all that I see and learn about substance use and mental health, she is spot on. We get well check ups, but ignore the mental health.
Addiction is a disease, NOT a moral failure. The brains are different in addicts. Can you imagine not being able to stop doing something that you know is not good for you? Can you imagine waking up sick every morning knowing that you will get worse until you get more drugs? I have heard people talk about the beginning. Shoulder surgery, knee surgery, wisdom teeth, peer acceptance, boredom, and other reasons that people begin down that path.
Here is a story that was in the paper. The author honestly tells what her life is like.
Feeding a vein is not a life choice.
Is the Brain of an Addict Different from Non Addict? (1:17)
Methamphetamines are very dangerous drugs. You can snort, smoke or even shoot with an IV needle. Interestingly, if you are not familiar, there is little odor if someone is smoking it, making it easy to get away with at home. Below is a documentary showing the many problems associated with use of the drug.
How meth can destroy your life (10:37)
Taylor Hooton Foundation educates on the dangers of steroids and OTC Supplements. These are very quietly abused drugs and supplements.
See the Video (4:35)
Soccer Ball Lesson
Soccer Ball is a game that you throw a ball that has words on it. Whatever word your thumb lands on, you learn about that word. Today’s words are:
Be careful with your words, they can only be forgiven, not forgotten.
