How to Talk to Your Kids about Drugs and Alcohol

How to Talk to Your Kids about Drugs and Alcohol

By: Brittany Ford

The “ignore it and it will go away” mentality does not apply to youth substance abuse. In fact, research shows that the earlier parents begin to talk with their children about drugs and alcohol, the less likely they are to struggle with addiction issues. Yet, many parents find themselves at a loss for how to pose such a subject.

Is there a right way to talk to your child about substance abuse, and how early is too early?

It is very important that children feel comfortable talking to parents about sensitive issues, such as use the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Too often, parents attempt to protect children from the realities of such issues through avoidance, unintentionally putting their children at greater risk of unsafe behaviors and drug experimentation. If children do not receive information about drugs and alcohol from their parents, they will seek information from other sources. Depending on which sources the information is received from, this alternative could be severely detrimental.

The Earlier the Better

Although it may seem pre-mature, research shows that parents should begin talking to their children about the dangers of substance abuse as early as preschool age. Conversations do not have to be formal and “scary”. In fact, they should be casual and worked into everyday occurrences. For example, if your child is prescribed an antibiotic or another medication, use the opportunity to explain the importance of following doctor’s orders carefully when taking  medication, and only taking medication that is “prescribed”. Other “teachable moments”, such as commercials on television about use of alcohol or drugs, should be taken advantage of. Keep in mind that children at this developmental level are especially impressionable and attentive to what they are told. After all, young children are referred to as “sponges” for a reason-they seek to find answers to inquiries and understand the world around them.

Keep the Talking Consistent

Don’t make the mistake of talking about drugs once or twice with your child and failing to revisit the topic. As your child gets older, keep conversations flowing and encourage your child to contribute. Ask your child what he or she thinks about drugs and alcohol, if his/her friends has experimented with such substances, etc.  Keep in mind that the more comfortable your child feels talking with you about such sensitive  topics; the more likely he/she will come to you when confronted with pressures and temptations. Always remember that as a parent;  you hold great power in determining whether or not your child will be “drug free”. Even if your child shrugs off your voice and acts as if he/she is embarrassed by you talking to him or her about a sensitive topic, odds are they are still listening.  Remember that the power of the “conscious” is powerful, and it is often your voice they hear when determining whether something is right or wrong.

Okay….But What Exactly Do I Say?

Be honest and direct when talking about drugs and alcohol with your child. When talking with pre-teens and teenagers, do not hesitate to talk about the legal ramifications of substance abuse. Find stories about individuals who have suffered from addiction. Use discretion on details based on your child’s maturity level, but do not “sugar coat” the facts. It is important for your child to understand the realities and consequences  of poor choices. Let them know that substance abuse ruins lives.

 Younger children and pre-teens may benefit from “role playing”. Put on “skits” by assigning your kids/kid’s friends parts and developing a scrip based on scenarios when they may be confronted with substance abuse or drug experimentation . You may choose to tape the “skits” using a phone, IPAD or another device to make it more engaging-your child can watch his/her work when done.

Keep in mind that children respond best to real-world stories that they can relate to, as most young people suffer from the “it wont happen to me” and the misconception that they are invincible. Pre-teens/ teens may benefit from a  Google search  for articles about teens affected by substance abuse. Focus on scenarios that you think your child may identify with. For example, if your child is a soccer player, you may find a story about a soccer player who suffered from addiction.

“Help! My Child or a Child I Know Is Suffering From a Problem with Drugs or Alcohol!”

Unfortunately, even the best parents may find that their child is suffering from issues with substance abuse, and may be plagued with addiction. Such realities are frightening for parents and may be associated with such emotions as fear , guilt and shame. At Self-empowerment, NH LLC, we are here to tell you to stop blaming yourself and stop living in fear for your child’s well-being. Seek addiction counseling and/or family counseling today. Lori Magoon, an MLADC, has helped many individuals whom suffer from addiction and offers a number of different services for both families and individuals.

For more information, contact Lori at (603)470-6938 or selfempowermentnh@gmail.com.

You can also visit our website at selfempowermentnh.com.

Open to the door to self empowerment. 

“She Was a Nice Girl”- A Heroin Addict’s Story

“She Was a Nice Girl”- A Heroin Addict’s Story

She appears clean, well-kept and is considered fashionable in accordance with Seventeen magazine standards, with a designer blouse, dark jeans, leather shoes and jewelry which ties her outfit together perfectly. Her nails are neatly polished and her hair appears smooth and silky, pulled back in a neat ponytail. Her parents are professionals, her father an insurance salesman and her mother a first grade teacher. She grew up in a nice neighborhood with one younger sister with who she held a close relationship. Her parents were very much involved in her childhood, even paying a rather high tuition for her to attend a prestigious private high school. Surrounded by tears of sorrow and expressions of shock and disbelief, in her coffin she lies. She is a beautiful seventeen year whom could have had the brightest of futures. But she has a secret. A secret no one came to terms with until it was too late. She is a Heroin addict.

She always said she would never try drugs, president of the ‘Teens Against Substance Abuse’ organization in middle school and consistent recipient of the high honor roll. She played sports, was even voted Most Valuable Player of the girls’ soccer team. A “nice girl”, she was well liked by her teachers and peers.

Like many teens, she went through a “rebellious stage” at around age sixteen. She began dating an older boy and surrounding herself with an older crowd whom challenged authority and abused high allowances from their wealthy parents. All it took was one party. One Percocet. One was enough. She was hooked.

Soon she could not go a day without at least one Percocet. And then she began needing one every twelve hours. Every six hours. Every three. She began needing more and more to get the same result the drug had initially given her. And soon, the “feel good” (high) of the Percocet pills no longer existed. She found that she needed Percocet just to wake up in the morning and carry out a day of basic tasks. A task as simple as brushing her teeth could not even be imagined without Percocet.

Her parents were well off financially and gave her money to buy things that she wanted. But even an unusually steep teenage allowance could not fund the high price of Percocet, especially as she continued to increase her dosage of the drug. Before she knew it, the “nice girl” was stealing to buy pills. From her friends. Parents. Grandparents. She even stole from her younger sister’s piggy bank.

Dreams of becoming a veterinarian and playing college soccer were put on hold as she found herself injecting Heroin into her veins. Another addict told her that the Heroin high was comparable to the Percocet high at less than half of the cost. She cringed at the idea of injecting a needle at first. She didn’t see herself as the type of person whom would do such a thing. But she needed it. Couldn’t live without it. Didn’t care about much of anything else. Just needed the high.

Her parents were in denial. As they had always been close with their daughter, they noticed uncharacteristic behavior. The school even called expressing concerns about their daughter, as her grades were declining and she had been kicked off the soccer team for failing to attend both practices and games. They addressed the behavior of course, “grounding” their daughter and providing standard lectures. However, at the end of the day, they shrugged it off, telling themselves that their daughter was simply going through a phase and would soon come out of it. They didn’t know that their little girl wore long sleeves, even in the hot summer, as a means to cover her track marks. Or that she had gone as far as having sex with a stranger for money to fund a Heroin fix.

Eventually, her parents recognized that a drug problem existed. But they loved their daughter and trusted her enough to believe her when she said that she was fine and could quit using without professional help. Her mother, in seeing how much her daughter was suffering from withdrawal, even gave her daughter money, knowing in the back of her mind that it would more than likely find the hands of a Heroin dealer.

It was her sister whom found her unresponsive on that rainy spring morning. Her twelve year old sister. She found her surrounded by syringes, her face lifeless and her body cold as ice. The discovery was enough to send her sister into a tale-spin of depression, a depression so severe that she spent a significant amount of time in a residential mental health facility.

This story may seem like a long shot. A rare incidence. But in fact, stories like this one are increasingly common. Heroin use has spread like wild-fire in the state of New Hampshire, affecting every population, even the “nice girls and boys”. And codependence is just as common, an understandable reality. Parents are instilled with the instinct to protect their children from pain, and there is no easy way to process and support a child’s struggle with addiction.

So How Do I Ensure that My Child Does Not Meet the Same Fate that the Girl in this Story Met?

Parenting is more stressful of a job than ever. As we continue to hear about the rise of such fatal drugs as Heroin in the state of New Hampshire; support from professionals trained specifically in working with families dealing with addiction issues is more important than ever. Self-Empowerment NH, LLC specializes in working with families suffering from substance abuse issues. Through both individual counseling and family counseling; Selfempnh is here to serve as an empathetic, confidential and non-judgmental support system.

Self-Empowerment NH, LLC is also excited to announce half and full day presentations, one in which is titled Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse in the Workplace. Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse in the Workplace is an interactive presentation geared for parents and educators seeking education about youth substance abuse. Learn about the signs and symptoms of youth substance abuse by drug of choice, and appropriate steps for intervention and recovery. For more information about the signs of youth drug abuse, counseling and group services and/or presentations, please contact Lori Magoon, MLADC, LCMHC at (603)470-6937 or selfempowermentnh@gmail.com.

You are not alone. Open the door to self empowerment. Open the door to a better tomorrow.

Scared for Our Kids: Rise in Youth Substance Abuse Numbers Concern New England Parents

Scared for Our Kids: Rise in Youth Substance Abuse Numbers Concern New England Parents

Substance abuse and addiction issues exist all around the world, and New England has certainly never been exempt from such trends. However, the law enforcement employed within New England states have been increasingly overwhelmed by rising numbers of substance abuse related crimes and incidents. Substance abuse issues exist in all populations,  but has become especially prevalent in youth.

In his state of address last week, Maine Republican Governor Paul LePage stated, “We must confront a troubling epidemic. It’s tearing at the social fabric of our communities. We are losing the war on drugs.”

Lepage requested the addition of an additional fourteen drug enforcement agents to the team of thirty two, four drug prosecutors and four judges to serve exclusively in special drug courts.

On the New Hampshire front, law enforcement has expressed that the largest issue they are facing is Heroin. According to The Associated Press, at least 61 people died of Heroin overdoses in New Hampshire in 2013, compared with 38 the previous year.

In a New Hampshire State address, Hassan stated, “New Hampshire has among the highest rates in the country of drug and alcohol abuse and dependence but ranks at the bottom in accessing treatment. We must focus on improving access to treatment for all substances, especially among our young people.”

So what does this increase in substance abuse trends and larger supplies of dangerous illegal drugs mean for New England families?  Parents are worried about their kids. And they should be.

“I am worried about my child experimenting with drugs and alcohol or have suspicions that abuse is already occurring. What can I do to stop this?”

According to The National Crime Prevention Council, the main reason that kids do not use tobacco, alcohol or drugs is because of their parents. Here are some ways in which parents can work to prevent youth substance abuse:

Ø  Bring back family dinner-Americans are busy people, (sports, activities, homework, work, you name it…). However, research shows that parents sitting down to eat with their children at least a few times a week serves as a means to facilitate stronger relationships and effective communication.

Ø  Ask quality questions- Most parents have asked their child a question only to be given a one word answer. Practice asking your child quality questions, open ended questions in which a one word or yes or no answer will not suffice.

Ø  Listen with a non-judgmental ear- If your child approaches you with something or answers a question in an unexpected way, practice responding non-judgmentally. Focus on the fact that your child felt comfortable coming to you and recognize the importance of maintaining an open line of communication.

Ø  Know your child’s friends- Peer influences are a large indicator of whether or not your child will experiment with drugs and alcohol. Always know where your children are, what your children are doing and with whom they are with.

Where Should You Turn if You or Your Child are Suffering from Addiction?

 Self-Empowerment NH, LLC specializes in working with families suffering from substance abuse issues and has supported a number of individuals whom suffer from even the most severe of addictions. Through both individual counseling and family counseling; Selfempnh is here to serve as an empathetic, confidential and non-judgmental support system.

For more information about counseling and group services and/or presentations regarding Substance Abuse in Youth and in the Workplace, please contact Lori Magoon, MLADC, LCMHC at (603)470-6937(603)470-6937 or selfempowermentnh@gmail.com.

You are not alone. Open the door to self-empowerment. Open the door to a better tomorrow.

Sources:

Ø  http://www.ncpc.org/topics/drug-abuse/alcohol-tobacco-and-other-drugs

Ø  http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20140210/THISJUSTIN/702109970/0/FRONTPAGE

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Heroin Robs Us of Philip Seymour Hoffman: The Frightening Reality of Substance Abuse and Overdose

Heroin Robs Us of Philip Seymour Hoffman: The Frightening Reality

of Substance Abuse and Overdose

On February 2, 2014, Hollywood and Broadway lost an exceptionally talented actor, Philiph Seymour Hoffman, to an overdose on the drug Heroin. Hoffman was highly respected, having won the Academy Award for Best Actor in the 2005 biographical film Capote, nominated three times for Best Supporting Actor and having received three Tony Award nominations for his work in theater. One might ask; how could such a talented, successful and obviously intelligent individual suffer such a death from a drug as publicly detrimental as Heroin? However, Hoffman is just one example of how even the most successful and highly-respected individuals are affected by the down-ward spiral of Heroin addiction.

In a 2011 interview with “60 Minutes”, Philip Seymour Hoffman expressed that he had struggled with substance abuse and drug and alcohol addiction in the past, but had fought this addiction. However, the power of addiction overcame Hoffman. By the beginning of 2014, Hoffman was back to his old habits. He was found unresponsive on February 2, 2014 and the cause of death was ruled to be Heroin overdose.

As an MLADC, it is difficult to come to terms with the fact that Hoffman could have been saved. Had he received adequate care and support, he may still be on the big screen today. It is too late for Hoffman. However, when it comes to others whom are suffering from Heroin addiction, (and there are many), it is not too late.

Years ago, before having entered the field of Substance Abuse Counseling, I did not think Heroin was common. I certainly did not think of Heroin as having a large role in the lives of many individuals within the state of New Hampshire. However, I now recognize the prevalence of this drug and the power it holds over individuals whom struggle with addiction.

Often, addiction to Heroin begins with the use of pain-killers or other Opiates. Since Opiates are highly addictive and very expensive, addicted individuals in “needing to get their fix” turn to Heroin. The effects of Heroin are similar to that of pain-killers and other Opiates at a significantly lower price. In other words, users do not often begin by injecting Heroin into their veins. Such methods are commonly taken after an individual’s body, mind and spirit are taken over by their drug of choice, often after having used the substance in pill form. The focus becomes getting their fix no matter the consequence.

Philip Seymour Hoffman is not the first celebrity to have passed away as a result of a drug overdose. Such individuals as Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole Smith, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain were also noted as having deceased as a result of drug addiction. And as for “non-celebrities” whom have deceased as a result of a drug addiction? Millions.

Where Should You Turn if You are Suffering from Addiction?

 Self-Empowerment NH, LLC specializes in working with families suffering from substance abuse issues and has supported a number of individuals whom suffer from even the most severe of addictions. Through both individual counseling and family counseling; Selfempnh is here to serve as an empathetic, confidential and non-judgmental support system.

For more information about counseling and group services and/or presentations regarding Substance Abuse in Youth and in the Workplace, please contact Lori Magoon, MLADC, LCMHC at (603)470-6937 or selfempowermentnh@gmail.com.

You are not alone. Open the door to self-empowerment. Open the door to a better tomorrow.

Sources:

Ø  http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/05/showbiz/philip-seymour-hoffman-death/

Justin Bieber Arrested for Drunk Driving: How Celebrity Influence Contributes to Substance Abuse Issues

Justin Bieber Arrested for Drunk Driving: How Celebrity Influence Contributes to Substance Abuse Issues

From the clothes we wear and the way in which we talk, to the food we eat and the unfortunate substance abuse habits we model after; it cannot be argued that youth and adults alike are influenced by celebrities. Since it is common for the “rich and the famous” to struggle with substance abuse and addiction issues, (perhaps due to pressures from the media, monetary resources, the non-traditional celebrity lifestyle or a combination of the three), celebrity substance abuse sends the message that the abuse of substances is acceptable, and perhaps even trendy.

When Justin Bieber was arrested on the morning of January 23, 2014 for drunk driving, resisting arrest and driving without a valid license, fans were sent the message that drinking and driving is okay, “Even Justin Bieber does it…” The smile in Bieber’s mug shot which went viral immediately after release sent the message “Yeah, I got arrested. No big deal…”

What is perhaps the most concerning of Bieber’s arrest, (aside from his acts of endangering others by driving while intoxicated) is that the majority of Justin Bieber’s fan base consists of young teens whom are especially impressionable and may have newly attained a driver’s license or are in the process of working to attain one. They are entering an age when the decisions they make have the potential for lasting impact and “role models” like Bieber are inadvertently destructive behaviors, especially in regards to substance abuse.Bieber is by no means the first celebrity to make headlines in regards to substance abuse and addiction related run-ins with the law. Such celebrities as Amanda Bynes, Kesha, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan (to name a few) have also been featured in the news as having substance abuse and addiction issues, as well as legal issues associated with substance abuse. It is very common for anyone whom suffers from addiction to experience legal trouble.

21^st Century society is plagued with pressures. Media influence has extended far beyond the tabloids in the aisles of the grocery store. Kids, teens and adults alike are all bombarded with messages intended to influence perception of the way in which they should live their lives. It is essential to recognize that there is nothing glamorous, romantic or admirable about substance abuse and/or addiction. What may begin as stress-relief (“self-medicating”) or a surge of pleasure/numbness quickly metastasizes into a downward self-destructive spiral. Addiction ruins lives.

Where Should You Turn if You are Suffering from Addiction?
 Self-Empowerment NH, LLC specializes in working with families suffering from substance abuse issues and has supported a number of individuals whom suffer from even the most severe of addictions. Through both individual counseling and family counseling; Selfempnh is here to serve as an empathetic, confidential and non-judgmental support system.

For more information about counseling and group services and/or presentations regarding Substance Abuse in Youth and in the Workplace, please contact Lori Magoon, MLADC, LCMHC at (603)470-6937 or selfempowermentnh@gmail.com.
 You are not alone. Open the door to self-empowerment. Open the door to a better tomorrow.

"Spice" in New Hampshire: Highly Addictive and On the Rise

“Spice” in New Hampshire: Highly Addictive and On the Rise

What is “Spice” and Why is it Dangerous?

The Drug “Spice” may look like the potpourri you buy your grandmother for Christmas and may sound like something to be added to food, but don’t be fooled. Spice, also known as “K2”, (“K2” being a popular brand of Spice), can be defined as Synthetic Marijuana. Often sold as “incense” in head shops, the Spice drug is most often abused by smoking, but can also be mixed with food or drink. Poison Control Centers whom receive regular calls from Spice abusers report severe withdrawal and addiction symptoms and such symptoms from users as hallucinations, confusion, agitation, vomiting and rapid heart rate which is associated with reduced blood supply to the heart and high risk for heart attacks. 

An increasingly alarming reality associated the drug Spice is that we are not exactly sure of the effects of Spice on the human brain. Scientists do know that the compounds found within Spice loosely resemble those within Marijuana, but may actually bind more strongly to the brain’s receptors. Reports have also been made which indicate the presence of unknown substances, chemicals and assorted additives. Such realities are associated with a “stronger high” than Marijuana and unpredictable results. Though the Spice drug is advertised as “natural”, this is far from reality. Spice is synthetic and thus it is not natural and certainly not safe.

Not only does Spice resemble Marijuana in appearance, the effects of the two substances have been reported as similar. Such effects include:

·         hallucinations

• paranoia
• relaxation 
•   extreme anxiety
• elevation in mood
• altered perception

Spice Sales in New Hampshire

The frightening reality of the Spice drug is that it can be found in stores around the state of New Hampshire. Despite efforts to ban the presence of this substance, (Spice is technically illegal), the drug is commonly disguised under different names and/or the ingredients are changed.

In 2012, the DEA seized both synthetic marijuana (Spice) and Bath Salts, (another dangerous and addictive drug often sold in head shops and convenience stores alongside Spice). 8.5 kilos of Spice and Bath Salts were confiscated from a New Hampshire self-storage locker. Hampton, New Hampshire police believed that before seized, such drugs were intended to stock New Hampshire convenience stores and New Hampshire head shops. On July 25, 2012, the DEA executed 265 search warrants in over 90 cities in 30 states. This was in an effort to seize both Spice and other brands of Synthetic Marijuana and Bath Salts.

Though the DEA’s large Spice bust occurred in 2012, it is important to note that prevalence of Spice and other synthetic drugs disguised as harmless substances, (such as Bath Salts) remain on the market. Many individuals right here in New Hampshire suffer from addictions to synthetic drugs, to include both Synthetic Marijuana (Spice) and Bath Salts.

We’re Here to Help!

At Self-empowerment NH, LLC, we take addiction issues personally. A counseling company located in Concord, NH; at Self-empowerment NH LLC, we understand how difficult addiction can be and have an extensive background in treating individuals suffering from the toughest of addictions, to include addiction to Spice and Bath Salts. We are outraged by the state of New Hampshire’s negligence in providing access to addiction treatment and adequate prevention measures. We have made it our mission to fight one of the most devastating of all diseases to ever be identified. Addiction. 

Lori Magoon is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician and a Master’s Level Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor. Lori’s effectiveness is based on providing a welcoming, supportive and non-judgmental environment for all clients; as well as use of innovative counseling strategies with scientifically proven effectiveness. Lori stresses that as long as the individual seeking treatment is invested in his/her recovery, recovery from even the toughest of addictions is possible.

 Self-empowerment NH, LLC accepts health insurance and does offer a sliding scale for those who qualify. A variety of services are offered at our Concord location, some of which include; individual and group counseling, evaluations and presentations for parents, educators and both large and small employers in reference to signs and symptoms of substance abuse. 

To schedule an appointment or to attain more information, please contact Lori at selfempowermentnh.com or by phone at (603)470-6937.

Open the door to self-empowerment. Open the door to a better tomorrow.

Sources:

·         http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/spice-synthetic-marijuana

·         http://www.wishtv.com/news/local/franklin-gas-station-shut-down-again-after-spice-raid

Overcome Addiction in 2014: Why Your New Year's Resolution Should Be to Get Clean

Overcome Addiction in 2014: Why Your New Year’s Resolution Should Be to Get Clean

If overcoming an addiction was easy, millions of Americans would not lose their loved ones, careers, homes, sense of self and sanity each year as a result of their drug of choice. Anyone who suffers from addiction to drugs or alcohol, or knows someone who suffers from addiction, understands that overcoming addiction is extremely difficult and may even seem impossible. Most individuals wait until they “hit rock bottom” to seek help or may not seek help in time to escape death and or dissipation of one’s “life as they know it”. The good news is that whether you have already “hit rock bottom” or have newly recognized that you have a problem, combating addiction is not impossible and makes for a fabulously rewarding New Year’s Resolution.

Why Quit?

To an addict, the mere thought of overcoming addiction may seem incredibly overwhelming. An addict’s drug of choice becomes the center of their universe, and life before the drug’s influence may be difficult to recall. When a person is addicted to a substance, they become both physically and psychologically dependent on their drug of choice. This means that not only does the body crave the particular substance’s effects, the human brain, (as an organ of habit), associates particular smells, sights, experiences and people with drug use. Such triggers activate chemicals in the brain which cause the body’s cravings. This is the same way that you may become hungry and crave chocolate when you smell brownies cooking in the oven, (only the cravings addicts experience are thousands of times more intense than a sweet tooth). 

Though difficult, there are many benefits of overcoming addiction. Some of these include:

The Opportunity to Rebuild Relationships- Whether introverted or extroverted, human beings are social creatures who are in need of companionship. No matter which relationships one values, (romantic, platonic, parent-child, brother-sister, boss-employee, owner-dog), almost all relationships are damaged by the presence of an addiction. Overcoming addiction provides an individual with the opportunity to rebuild all relationships, thus creating a higher quality of life for oneself. It has been proven that people are happier when they have healthy and strong relationships in their lives.

The Chance to Regain Good Health (and Stay Alive) - According to recent studies, life expectancy for an individual whom suffers from drug addiction is 15-20 years from the moment of addiction. Frightening much? And in the event that an addicted individual is able to beat the odds and outlive the 15-20 year predicted life span, he/she will undoubtedly experience devastating health issues which make living a regular and successful everyday life almost impossible. The good news is that the human body can do amazing things, to include recovery from the abuse drug and alcohol can inflict. However, in order for the body to repair itself and for good health to be restored, the addicted individual must stop using their drug of choice.

The Financial Gains- There are two main ways that an individual whom suffers from addiction can benefit financially as a result of battling addiction. Number one, both drug and alcohol abuse are incredibly expensive. There is a good reason why individuals whom suffer from addiction often default to a life of crime, (particularly in the area of theft). Just think of all the money you could save if you weren’t putting out a fortune to obtain your drug of choice! Number two, individuals whom suffer from addiction often find that their careers suffer. By overcoming addiction, you are providing yourself with the opportunity to become the professional you could not be as an addict and make money you could not make as an individual struggling with addiction, (keep in mind that to be successful in a career, you must have the ability to get out of bed every morning!)

The Opportunity to Get Yourself Back- Most individuals whom suffer from addiction express that they lose sight of themselves. They make choices they never would have made before “the monkey on their back”, (their addiction), made itself present. They lose sight of the things they love- their families and other loved ones, hobbies, passions, interests, goals. By overcoming addiction, you are unleashing the opportunity to “get yourself back”, as well as the chance to gain self-esteem and self-worth that may have been lost as a result of addiction. 

So How Do I Do it, (the quitting that is)? 

At Self-empowerment NH, LLC, we take addiction issues personally. A counseling company located in Concord, NH; at Self-empowerment NH LLC, we understand how difficult addiction can be and have an extensive background in treating individuals suffering from the toughest of addictions. We have made it our mission to fight one of the most devastating of all diseases to ever be identified. Addiction. 

Lori Magoon is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician and a Master’s Level Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor. Lori’s effectiveness is based on providing a welcoming, supportive and non-judgmental environment for all clients; as well as use of innovative counseling strategies with scientifically proven effectiveness. Lori stresses that as long as the individual seeking treatment is invested in his/her recovery, recovery from even the toughest of addictions is possible. 

 Self-empowerment NH, LLC accepts health insurance and does offer a sliding scale for those who qualify. A variety of services are offered at our Concord location, some of which include; individual and group counseling, evaluations and presentations for parents, educators and both large and small employers in reference to signs and symptoms of substance abuse.

To schedule an appointment or to attain more information, please contact Lori at selfempowermentnh.com or by phone at (603)470-6937. 

Open the door to self-empowerment and make 2014 addiction free.

Sources:

·        - Worldlifeexpectancy.com/addiction