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Former Denver Fire Chief Blames Shopping Addiction

Posted on by Christy Weeks

“It’s painful to see how much my addictions have affected my life.” 

At first glance, one might assume this statement came from a smoker, drinker or drug addict suffering from physical, financial or social consequences of their addiction. In fact, David MacBean, a former fire chief said this in regard to his shopping addiction.

MacBean was the former Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District Chief of the foothills area west of Denver and is facing hefty sentencing for embezzling over $600,000 to fuel his shopping addiction.

He reportedly used the tax dollars to purchase personal luxury items like guitars, ammunition, photography equipment, ammunition, and guitars among other things all on the agency credit card. According to MacBean, “It was easy, and I was able to get away with it.” He then explained that getting away with it was just part of a larger host of issues he was dealing with such as depression and addictive tendencies; “I started to believe that if I could surround myself with stuff, that I could be happy,” he said.

MacBean faces up to 27 years in prison at his sentencing next week after pleading guilty for stealing from the Fire Protection District for over three years. “There is nothing I can say that would justify the decisions I have made. For me, it’s important for people to understand I feel terrible about this. And, most importantly, what I’m doing about it.” He is apparently seeking intensive therapy to deal with his behaviors.

Addiction can be very far reaching – and take shape in ways other than substance abuse, such as through compulsivity in spending, eating or in relationships. A common tool used in addiction recovery programs is to have those in early recovery reflect on how how addictions have directly impacted their lives- it sounds like MacBean has done just that.

Foods that Enhance Recovery

Posted on by Christy Weeks
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In active addiction, the alcoholic or drug abuser often reacts to a feeling by using their drug of choice. They may have used alcohol to lower inhibitions, opiates as an escape, benzodiazepines when anxious or amphetamines to wake up.

In active recovery, one of the first challenges an addict faces is that they start to feel feelings – and they are unable to cope with these feelings the way they used to by muting them with a substance. Soon they learn valuable tools that help them get through moods and emotions, many of which are learned in therapy or through a 12 step program.

One tool of recovery that is often overlooked is one’s diet and how it can assist and enhance their recovery by impacting their mood and overall balance. Here are six ways the sustenance of food can help aid problem feelings:

1. Problem: Brain Fog     Solution: Water
In recovery, we often hear people say, “the fog has lifted” referring to getting clean and sober. Depending on the extent of one’s drug abuse, this may take awhile. One way to speed things up is to stay hydrated. The recommended amount of water can be calculated by taking your weight, dividing it in half and drinking that number in ounces every day.

2. Problem: Bad Mood      Solution: Coconut
Coconut contains potassium, which is essential for supporting feel good chemicals like endorphins. They also are packed with fiber and protein, which helps you, stay “regular,” energetic and full for longer. Just a handful of coconut shavings on cereal or a cup of coconut milk or water may do the trick.

3. Problem: Stress     Solution: Dark Chocolate
Dark pure chocolate (not milk chocolate) assists the brain in releasing endorphins – the great mood enhancers. Endorphins also attack cortisol, the stress hormone in the body by slowing it down and eradicating the stress it creates. However, with any food item, moderation is key…especially with sweets that can elevate your blood sugar.

4. Problem: Hopelessness     Solution: Kale
If you are feeling like the future is grim, the antioxidants and carotenoids in kale may transform you into an optimist. A study looking at extremely optimistic people revealed that they had high levels of antioxidants and carotenoids in their blood. If kale is too bitter for you, most dark leafy greens will do. The phytonutrients they contain may just restore hope.

5. Problem: Sadness/Depression      Solution: Salmon
The omega-3s in salmon do for the brain what an oil change does for a car – allowing it to perform optimally. Regular consumption of omega-3s help balance the brain’s communication. That is why scientists are looking at Omega 3s as a cure for clinical depression.

6. Problem: Anxiousness      Solution: Green Tea
If you are angry or anxious, the theanine in green tea is a natural soother. Although often caffeinated, green tea simultaneously provides a calming effect while helping you focus. Achieving calmness while being efficient seems ideal for the anxiety ridden or those with too much on their plate.

If you are confused, anxious, depressed or hopeless, try one of the above. Want the cumulative effect? The sum total of all these would actually make an excellent meal…in fact here is a recipe for coconut salmon and kale.

The Marijuana Debate at 5 Months Post Legalization

Posted on by Christy Weeks

Yesterday the New York Times featured an article about the marijuana legalization debate. It covered the arguments on both sides five months after the start of recreational marijuana sales in Colorado. 

Although five months isn’t enough time to see real data, proponents and opponents have discerned some conclusions over whether legalization is helping or harming the state (and surrounding states). The main arguments surfacing – many based off of recent events – are as follows:

Opponents of Legalization

  • Hospitals are treating more adults and children after they’ve ingested potent doses of marijuana 
  • A Denver man killed his wife after consuming Karma Kandy, a potent marijuana candy 
  • A Congolese exchange student starting acting erratically and jumped to his death off of a hotel balcony after eating a marijuana cookie. The Medical Examiner’s Office said marijuana was a “significant” contribution to the accident. 
  • The number of stoned drivers coming from CO seems to be on the rise in neighboring states 
  • Purchased Marijuana from CO is moving across state lines 
  • More kids are using marijuana or accidentally ingesting products that seem kid friendly – i.e. gummy bears, cookies etc. 
  • There has been rise in home explosions across the state from people using flammable butane to make hashish oil according to police and fire officials 

Proponents of Legalization 

  • Hundreds of thousands of customers have purchased and used marijuana products without negative incidents 
  • The marijuana industry has generated over $12 million in taxes and fees to date 
  • Violent crimes and overall crime in Denver are down so far this year despite marijuana retailers being in “bad” neighborhoods 

Most of these incidents and anecdotes have limited hard data associated with them. Also, as the article pointed out, because health statistics can take awhile to be published, the impact of marijuana on child or teen drug use, arrests or car accidents may not be known for years.

One notable fact is that Justice Department officials warned that they would intervene in states where marijuana was becoming legalized if it proved to be contributing to violence, trafficking across state lines or directly impacting children. The big question is how many acts of violence, trafficking or incidents involving children will it take for them to intervene? It is also questionable if any real interventions will lag along with gathering and publishing hard data on these events.

For a more in depth look at how legalization has impacted Colorado, please read the article, Colorado’s Landmark Marijuana Experiment: A Journey Into the System Reveals Dangers and Opportunities. This two part article was written by Marvin Ventrell, JD Director of Community and Alumni Relations at Harmony Foundation. He will be speaking on these topics at the National Conference on Addiction Disorders in St. Louis in August.

Alcohol and Regret: CO Woman Arrested 3 Times in 1 Week for DUI

Posted on by Christy Weeks
We all know that alcohol lowers inhibitions. Young adults and college students are often warned of this when they become of legal drinking age. They are urged to drink responsibly so they don’t engage in irresponsible behaviors. 

Despite warnings, many have experiences where their inhibitions were lowered and they are filled with regret and/or shame. A regrettable night of drinking doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem with alcohol. However several regrettable experiences may point to a problem.

This is often referred to as the “built in forgetter” – when someone is faced with the decision to drink or have another drink they forget their previous regrettable experiences that resulted from drinking, With the problem drinker, this happens over and over. This was certainly the case with a Colorado woman who was arrested three times last week for drunk driving.

The 40-year-old mother, Kimberly Micheloni, was arrested on May 13th, 14th and 20th for drunk driving and is currently being held at the Douglass County Detention Center on 225K bail. She remorsefully stated “I am so sorry and if I hurt anyone it was wrong, it was just wrong.”

However, she also blamed it on medication, saying her reckless decision making may have been because she was on prescription medication at the time of her arrests. In addition to the DUI charges, she is being charged for child abuse because a child was in her car at the time of her first arrest. Why she wasn’t put in jail during the first or second arrest is still in question.

For those that have negative experiences as a result of drinking, there is usually one major experience that pushes them to seek addiction treatment. This is often referred to as their “bottom.” Thankfully Micheloni didn’t hurt anyone while driving under the influence, and hopefully the three arrests will be her bottom.

Here is an interview with her at the Douglass County Detention Center ….

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Fox News Anchor Greg Jarrett’s Public Arrest

Posted on by Christy Weeks

When public figures get arrested in public, it becomes very, well, publicly known.

By now, most have heard that Greg Jarrett the Fox News anchor was arrested yesterday at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. He was reportedly intoxicated and disturbing the peace at the Northern Lights Grill – an airport bar inside the main terminal. Minneapolis police responded to a complaint that Jarrett was drunk, belligerent and refusing to follow orders. Police detained him at the Hennepin County Jail that night, charging him with obstructing the legal process and interfering with a peace officer. This occurred just a week after he took a leave of absence from Fox News, for “personal reasons.”

Jarrett has been the weekend co-anchor for Fox News since 2002, but this role may be on shaky ground, as a Fox News spokesperson released a statement saying “We were made aware late last night that Gregg Jarrett was arrested in Minneapolis yesterday and charged with a misdemeanor,” and that, “He is dealing with serious personal issues at this time. A date at which Gregg might return to air has yet to be determined.”

The shame and guilt from acting out of character while intoxicated impacts many, this is likely compounded when it is in the public eye and impacts one’s professional and public reputation.

At Harmony Foundation a component of our alcoholism and drug addiction treatment is helping people through the guilt and shame they have from regretful actions while under the influence. We also treat professionals who are able to return to work after working on themselves and the root causes of their addiction.

College Students Abusing ADHD Drugs

Posted on by Christy Weeks

Several studies have shown that ADHD drugs can result in brain injury after long term use. The powerful ADHD drugs like Ritalin and Adderall have a similar composition and short-term side effects as cocaine – including anxiety, agitation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, insomnia and even heart attack or stroke.

Although drugs like Ritalin are short acting, they can cause long term changes in brain cell functioning – particularly in the frontal lobe or reward system of the brain. The frontal lobe system is responsible for controlling impulses and long-term use of ADHD drugs may inhibit impulse control and contribute to clinical depression as the reward system of the brain has been over stimulated and essentially worn out.

Considering the fact that over 3 million children take ADHD drugs, it is disconcerting g to know that their brains are still developing and more vulnerable to these long-term effects of ADHD drugs than adults are.

However, it is not just children who are impacted, the growing subset of the population abusing these drugs long term are young adults – particularly college students. A recent article published by Collegian Central says that up to 6% of Colorado State University students abuse ADHD drugs. Students start taking them to pull “all nighters” and to study for exams. They think because they are prescribed (albeit often to someone else) they are safe, but they can have the same effects as harsher drugs like cocaine and meth while being just as addictive as these controlled substances.

In the article, some CSU students describe their regrettable experiences with ADHD drugs, as one freshman who used it to study said “I only do it when I screw up big time and I have to and there is no way around it…When I took it for midterms, I was at the library and I was just shaking and I didn’t feel good, like I had too much caffeine and my heart was beating really fast. It was weird, I didn’t like it.”

Her circumstance echos the negative side effects listed above and many young adults that we end up treating here at Harmony Foundation’s addiction rehab. Many students continue to abuse these drugs despite the side effects and and eventually need addiction treatment after they begin to experience the long term impacts described above – including impulse control and clinical depression. Fortunately our young adult addiction treatment recovery track cater’s to their specific needs as college students and we help them overcome their addictions and return to student life drug free.

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How Dangerous is Vaping?

Posted on by Christy Weeks
e cigarette addiction

While most drugs are considered dangerous if abused, there are some that become more dangerous when they are masked as being “safe” because they are considered legal and less toxic than similar drugs.

This is the case for the abuse of prescription pills, which is now a national epidemic. Many adults, young adults and teens fell prey to prescription addiction by believing the drugs were safe because they were prescribed by a physician or FDA approved. People perceived that illegal drugs like cocaine or crystal meth were unsafe and prescription drugs were safe despite the comparable addictive qualities of both drug types.

This was also the case for synthetic drugs like bath salts and spice, especially among young adults who could easily purchase them at convenience stores. Many were under the false guise that these drugs were ok because after all, they didn’t even register on drug tests. Soon enough emergency personnel were reporting that these drugs were even more dangerous than commonly abused illegal drugs and their exact health consequences are still unknown.

Most recently the same debate has come up against vaping or e-cigarettes. Because e-cigarettes don’t contain the 60 plus carcinogens that regular tobacco smoke does, they have grown in popularity and perceived as the safer alternative with limited health consequences. Most vapor cigarettes are made with propylene glycol that the FDA has determined are generally safe. However, few know that these chemicals have been deemed safe for personal care products – not for inhaling. Also, few are aware that five minutes of vaping impairs lung function as much as smoking a regular cigarette.

A recent New York Times article outlined the dangers of the liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes, stating, “the key ingredients in e-cigarettes, are powerful neurotoxins. Tiny amounts, whether ingested or absorbed through the skin, can cause vomiting and seizures and even be lethal. A teaspoon of even highly diluted e-liquid can kill a small child.”

Because the e-liquids are not regulated by the FDA and legal to purchase, people don’t tend to consider their health liability and toxicologists fear that children are particularly at risk of being poisoned. In fact, there have already been several accidental poisonings reported with 1351 cases in 2013, many involving small children who innocently drink the chocolate or bubble gum flavored liquid sitting around the house. The e-liquid is considered more dangerous than tobacco because it is immediately absorbed. Children are not the only group at risk, as many adults have been admitted into hospitals for accidental ingestion. Recently a woman from KY was admitted to the hospital after e-cigarettes broke in her bed and was absorbed through her skin.

Often when addictive substances hit the market unregulated, it takes several poison control center or emergency room incidents to alert the FDA and public that health consequences exist. When addiction is in the driver’s seat, it is impossible for health to remain untethered despite substances being deemed or marketed as “safe” initially. We have observed this through treating all addictions at our Colorado rehab center and know that when it comes to addiction, there are always mental and or physical health consequences for the addict and loved ones.

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Spaces Left for Harmony’s Spiritual Renewal Retreat in May

Posted on by Christy Weeks

Weekend Spiritual Renewal Retreat, Estes Park, Colorado 

As a leader in the field of addiction treatment, Harmony Foundation recognizes the importance of consistently nurturing one’s spiritual practice. That is why we are offering a weekend Spiritual Renewal Retreat at the beginning of May. 
The retreat will be facilitated by Harmony Foundation’s spiritual advisors Marty Faraguna and Debra Avezzano who describe the retreat as a “weekend for participants will be a time to relax and step away from the day to day routine of life and refocus on and revitalize their spiritual journey. In a serene, intimate environment the spirit will be nurtured in relationship with others through meditation, laughter, discussion, and other activities.” 
Through several workshops, classes and opportunities for prayer and meditation, participants will have ample opportunity to rekindle, reflect and reprioritize their personal spiritual beliefs. The goal for the retreat is to offer each participant the ability to integrate their spiritual realizations into their daily lives after the retreat. Here are more details: 
Friday through Sunday, May 2-4 For Harmony Alumni and Friends 

Join us at the luxurious Fall River Lodge in Estes Park 
$225.00 per person $375.00 per couple 
*Retreat price includes: Meals, Lodging, Activities and more . . . 
Facilitated by Spiritual Advisors Marty Faraguna and Debra Avezzano 
For Information and Registration Call Debra (970) 577-3160or e-mail her at davezzano@harmonyfoundationinc.com 

Spiritual Renewal Retreat Agenda – May 2014 

Friday, May 2 
3:30 Participants Arrival & Room Assignments 
4:15 Meet and Greet 
4:45 Dot Dorman, Harmony CEO 
5:30 DINNER 
7:00 Music Therapy 
Saturday, May 3 

6:30 Yoga 
7:45 BREAKFAST 
8:45 Spirituality: A Larger Perspective 
10:00 Healing Touch Mini-Presentation/Chair Massages 
10:30 Guided Meditation 
12:00 LUNCH 
1:15 Labyrinth History & Meditation Walk 
4:00 Quiet time by the River 
5:30 DINNER 
6:30 Centering Prayer 
7:15 Buddhist Meditation 
Sunday, May 4 
6:30 Yoga 
7:45 Breakfast 
9:00 Participants Share their Journey 
10:15 Closing Prayer

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Meth Addicts Going to Great Lengths Poaching Redwoods

Posted on by Christy Weeks

People in active addiction to powerful drugs like heroin or meth often lose their moral compass in pursuit of their next high. They often do things they wouldn’t normally do, going against their own morals and deeply rooted belief systems. This is when addiction is real and all encompassing and drug addiction help is needed.

According to forest rangers in Northern California, methamphetamine addicts are losing their moral compass by engaging in theft and contributing to environmental degradation through poaching burl from redwood trees. Burl is the wood that grows in knobs on redwood trees and used for household items from coffee tables to decorative clocks. Addicts are reportedly poaching this rare material and selling it to craftsmen at cheaper prices. The considerable markdown of $2-$3 a pound is tempting for the craftsmen who are struggling in the current economy and used to paying much higher prices. According to the rangers patrolling Redwood National and State Parks they have known of burl poachers for awhile, but recently it has become such a growing problem that they have shut down the main parkway running through the 133,000 acre forest at night.

Burl from a redwood, used to clone another redwood 

According to Jeff Denny a Park Supervisor, “Originally there were 2 million acres of old growth forest that spanned the coast of Northern California…95 percent of that original forest has been cut. The only remaining old growth forest in existence now is almost entirely within the Redwood national park and the state parks.” The burl on redwoods are essential to growing more redwoods, as they part of the tree that sprouts a clone before dying. Poaching therefore threatens what is left of the redwoods.

In our residential addiction treatment programs we encourage those in recovery to go to great lengths for their sobriety. We remind them the lengths they went to in active addiction to attain their next high. Driving out into the redwoods on ATVs with chainsaws and contributing to degradation of redwoods for just $2-$3 a pounds is certainly an example of a great length that we hope some of these addicts will learn to channel toward their recovery from addiction.

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Drug Abuse Among Unsuspecting Professionals

Posted on by Christy Weeks

Addiction does not discriminate and our drug and alcohol programs here at Harmony reflect this fact well – with programs for young adults, men and women in all stages of life.

The need for more addiction rehabs to focus on professionals in their programs has been highlighted in the news recently with professionals under fire for drug abuse. Last week, a high school IT teacher in England was sentenced to over 3 years in jail and permanently banned from teaching after being caught with more than 100 grams of cocaine in a narcotics lab in his home.

His sentencing came after an investigation found that he was involved in high-level supply of cocaine leading to his arrest in 2012. At first the teacher denied being a distributor and said he was holding drugs as a favor but then later revealed that financial distress lead to his self-compromising actions. Steve Powell,  the chairman of the General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) said “The wellbeing of pupils must be protected and the reputation of the profession maintained” and permanently ban the teacher from teaching in the future.

In a similar story, a New York City music teacher was arrested last week for selling instruments to support her heroin addiction. The 30 year old elementary school music teacher began stealing the instruments last June and selling them at pawn shops.

Police caught wind of this last October and have been investigating her since. When she was pulled over last week a police officer found a tuba she said she was using for work – a story that wasn’t backed by her school district. In addition to the tuba, police found 12 of the instruments stolen from the school at local pawn shops. The teacher and her boyfriend, who helped her steal and pawn the instruments, are being charged with possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.

Although both cases pertain to teachers, other unsuspecting professionals battle addiction that place them in compromising situations that inflict severe legal and professional ramifications upon them. From airline pilots to anesthesiologists, professionals are losing their licenses and reputations because of addiction. Fortunately, some professions have system in place that allow staff to seek addiction treatment and return to their professions while others, like the teacher in England, lose their professions all together.

Addiction treatment programs are available to give all walks of life a second chance at life. This is because people are not themselves when in active addiction – they do things they would have never dreamt of doing before their addictions took them to a place of desperation. The case of the teachers is one example among many that exist. That is why Harmony Foundation has established drug rehab programs that help clients out of desperation and back to their true selves – the selves they knew before addiction took hold.