Are you passionate about South San Francisco? Interested in providing opportunities for young people? Would you like to get involved and help make a difference?
Join the North County Prevention Partnership (NCPP) as we kickoff a South San Francisco focused network-ing event to explore the ways in which we can collaborate with each other to provide young people with meaningful opportunities so that they avoid the pitfalls of alcohol and drug use, and realize their full potential.
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Join your neighbors in South San Francisco for National Night Out, on Tuesday August 5th 2014. NCPP Staff will be tabling and conducting CMCA interviews. Stop by our table to take the CMCA interview, and you’ll receive a $10 Jamba Juice gift card for participating!
Although the rate of alcoholism within the Asian American community is lower than the rate for the general public, it is still a significant problem, with 13.3 percent of Asian Americans classified as binge drinkers, and a 3.6 percent lifetime incidence of alcohol use disorders according to the NIH. Problems exist for family members of those with alcohol dependence in the Asian American community. Asian Americans with alcohol use disorders receive treatment at a far lower rate than other ethnic groups, according to the NIH. There are several possible reasons for this. Most Asian Americans strongly value family members and ties and don’t want to risk damaging these ties by bringing up topics like alcoholism. There is also a strong emphasis on saving face in most Asian cultures, which makes it hard to confront someone with alcohol addiction, especially if the sufferer is older. That is why it is especially difficult for many within the Asian American community to deal with family members who have substance abuse problems. We’ll look at some problems relatives of alcoholics face, what are some treatment options, and some of the resources available to help relatives of people with alcohol abuse problems.
Often, family members of alcoholics are afraid to confront their loved one. Family members are afraid they might lose the relationship, as they do not want to be seen as causing trouble within the family, or they don’t see the harm in protecting and rescuing their loved one time and time again even though it allows their loved one to avoid facing the consequences of alcohol dependency. There are several possible solutions to these problems. If family members are afraid of losing the relationship with their loved one suffering from alcohol dependence, they can practice compassion while setting boundaries. This means being able to say “No” and not financially supporting their family member while they suffer from alcohol problems. Another problem family members face when confronting a loved one suffering from alcohol issues is the fear that they will be singled out and criticized within their family if they confront their loved one about his or her alcohol problem. This can be counteracted by discussing the problem with other family members, building support for action, and possibly staging an intervention. A lot of times, family members who rescue their loved one time and time again, which can be problematic as it allows people suffering from alcohol dependence to continue in their path without facing responsibility for their actions. The solution is for concerned family members to stand their ground and be prepared to lose the relationship temporarily. An intervention or other strong action may be necessary., and professional guidance may be needed. Overall, alcoholism creates a difficult situation for families who struggle with loving a person but not their disease.
There are many treatment options that may be engaged for someone suffering from alcohol dependence. Treatment may involve a brief intervention, counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay. Detoxification at an inpatient treatment center combined with treatment with drugs might be necessary. Sedatives are sometimes necessary to control tremors and shaking and other symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Drugs such as naltrexone are often used to remove the pleasurable sensations alcoholics get from drinking. Family therapy is also sometimes used to help the entire family cope with the problem.
In addition to professional counseling services, there are also several non-profit organizations that help and support family members who have alcoholics in their families. Al-Anon and Alateen are two good support groups for family members of alcoholics, as is ODASA, an Asian American Recovery Services program.
Here is more information about ODASA.
Some websites with good information about alcoholism are listed below.
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/dealing-with-the-elephant-in-the-roomalcoholism
http://psychcentral.com/lib/when-family-members-protect-alcoholics/0002847
http://www.hazelden.org/web/public/hff80302.page
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
The California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Control Program (CDPH/CTCP) is launching “Tobacco and Its Impact in My Community”, a photo contest to promote awareness of how the presence of tobacco is still a problem in our state. Their goal is to showcase images submitted by California students that “tell the story” about tobacco control issues significantly impacting youth and disadvantaged communities. These issues include exposure to secondhand smoke, cigarette butt litter, and tobacco marketing in the retail environment.
As a sponsor of the photo contest, the American Cancer Society, California Division (ACS) is providing $1,000 in cash prizes for the winning photo entries! CDPH/CTCP will announce the photo contest winners during the week of November 18, 2013, to coincide with ACS’ “Great American Smokeout” on November 21st.
Middle and high school-age students are highly recommended to enter because they represent an important age group to engage in anti-tobacco use activities and, in the past, have demonstrated strong participation in similar contests conducted by CDPH. CDPH/CTCP is proud to partner with the California Department of Education, Coordinated School Health and Safety Office, Tobacco-Use Prevention Education Program (TUPE) to promote the photo contest to middle and high schools throughout California. All photo submissions will be exhibited online (this may include the Fight Tobacco Facebook page, the TobaccoFreeCA Facebook page, as well as the CDPH and CTCP websites).
Submit your photos for any of the four following categories!
1. Stores near schools
2. Secondhand smoke (outdoor and indoor)
3. Cigarette butt litter
4. “What’s wrong with this picture?”
Click the image below to download the PDF.
Click on the image below to download the PDF flyer for information on how to enter, contest requirements, eligibility, prizes, and limitations of liability and release.
Not sure where to start? Looking for advice on how to take better photos? Click the image below to learn more!
TECHNIQUES FOR ABUSE RECOVERY (LGBT 4800)
Depressed? Anxious? Angry? Confused? Experience bullying, gay bashing, gender/sexual abuse or domestic violence? Release the past and connect with a deeper sense of self though self healing Techniques in Abuse Recovery
HEAL YOURSELF FROM TRAUMA & ABUSE. Learn recovery skills to assist healing and increase resilience to the physical and emotional trauma of violence and social prejudice.
Click on the image below to download the PDF flyer.
Register: www.ccsf.edu or come to the first class session and sign up. For questions: Dr. Trinity Ordona, trinity.ordona@mail.ccsf.edu, (415) 452-4895. To reserve a space in the class: http://tinyurl.com/LGBT4800-Fall2013