Pubdate: Mon, 19 Sep 2011 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2011 The Tribune Co. Contact: http://www2.tbo.com/static/tools/contact-us/ Website: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446 Author: Mary Lynn Ulrey Note: Mary Lynn Ulrey is CEO of Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office, DACCO, funded primarily by federal, state and local governments. THERE IS HOPE FOR ADDICTS I was shocked to hear that 157 people have died just in Hillsborough CounA-ty from accidental overdose of drugs just since January. While I work in this business of substance abuse treatment, that number is still shocking, and I know it must be shocking to others. For years we have fought the 'new addiction trend' that was alcohol, heroin, then marijuana, then crack cocaine, and now Oxys and Roxies, short for oxycodone or Roxicodone. And we learned each drug is different and treatment needs are different. But with the right dose of treatment and the right intervention, recovery from addiction is possible. Most articles and news focus on addiction, the effects on society and the scourge of the disease and how it tears families and relationships apart. It is time that the focus of the disease is about recovery. Recovery is healing, recovery is fun, recovery is possible, recovery is change, and recovery is really what it is all about. My brother-in-law found recovery from this disease about 18 months ago. What a difference his recovery has made in the lives of our family. The changed person that he is resembles the much younger man I knew years before. He wasn't always addicted. He was a veterinarian, a father, a family leader for years. Then in his addiction he became hateful, sarcastic, self-abA-sorbed and out of touch with all of our needs or emotions. He avoided opporA-tunities to make his wife happy after being married for 38 years, and she found herself attending many events alone as if he just wasn't in her life anymore. It was sad. In fact, he was disinterested in 'anything family' or community. In his recovery, he has been a 'rock' of support for my son and his wife, who had premature twins. He frequented the neonatal intensive care unit during the infants' three-month stay, offering spiritual support. He certainly would not have been available the year before. We are all richer and happier because of his recovery, and we have found that he is the happiest. It hasn't been easy for him. He works the steps, he is spiriA-tually centered, which spills over to the rest of his family and friends. Recovery is work. He must keep working at reA-covery so the disease doesn't come back and take him away from us again. Recovery is wonderful. It is the other side of the mountain and brings happiA-ness not only to those who are recoverA-ing but change and happiness to those who love the addict. To celebrate and learn more about recovery please join us at our free celebration on Sept . 25 at the Straz Performing Arts Center in Tampa. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. so come with your family or friends and see the screening of the movie 'The Secret World of Recovery' at 1:15. You will be glad you did. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.