Did you know that the average cost of an American burial service is somewhere between$7,000 to $10,000? This is the range for the total expenses that appears after all details are finalized, including the burial plot, the flowers, the casket, and other associated services. In comparison, a cremation costs between$2,000 to $4,000depending on the services rendered by the crematorium or funeral home. When you factor in all costs, it makes sense that most families are choosing to honor the lives of their loved ones through cremation services in Miami. If you’re torn between burial and cremation services, here are some of the major differences between them: The Flexibility of Options Traditional funerals, which involve burials, must follow a strict series of events that all bereaved follow. There is no flexibility afforded by funeral directors to alter the schedule or augment the service. Even though, funerals may take place at different venues, like a cemetery, a place of worship, or a funeral home, all funerals are alike. There are obvious benefits to holding a regimented event, especially since it allows the bereaved to not worry about spending extra time or energy into organizing the funeral. In comparison, cremation services are entirely do-it-yourself.People can reserve their final wishes with the crematorium, so their loved ones have guidelines for respecting the rituals. Loved ones may also choose to hold ceremonies that feel comforting and are considerate of their needs in mourning. You can make a cremation service look exactly like a traditional funeral, and it can even look like a party in someone’s home. There are endless possibilities when it comes to cremation services in Miami, and you can hold a personalized service for the deceased’s life. Time Frame for Service Burial services tend to happen immediately after death, since waiting 2 or 3 weeks to inter a casket is disrespecting appropriate funeral behavior. Some religious and cultural traditional require that the deceased is committed in their final resting place within a day of their passing, while others expect that proper burials should take place within a week of death. The funeral ceremony must be held after the deceased is lead to rest, which allows the bereaved little time to prepare and plan their final goodbyes. On the other hand, cremation services can take place before or after the immolation to suit the busy schedule of the bereaved. Most family and friends live far and wide, and most are forced to forgo funerals because of difficulties related to travel and work. Cremation services in Miami offer a flexible timeline for all loved ones to attend and show their final respects for the deceased. Methods of Resting All traditional funerals end with interment, irrespective of whether attendees watch or not, because the deceased will be laid into their final resting place underground. However, cremation services in Miami may incorporate several ways to lay the ashes of the deceased to rest. Cremations also allow loved ones to hold onto their deceased before they deposit their cremains. If you want to learn more about major differences between burials and cremation services in Miami, get in touch withNational Funeral Homestoday!   ...read more

Sugar Addict: At The Addictions Coach, we treat sugar just like drugs or alcohol.  It’s an addiction, it’s legal and it will ruin your body. There is a 3-day detox idea going around, the basis? Eat clean, no sugar. The problem? The headaches, the cravings, the anger, sadness etc. You will detox off sugar just like drugs or alcohol. The more sugar you consume the worse your detox. We offer coaching and training to do it safely and teach others how to quit their sugar addiction.Www.theaddictionsacademy.com1.800.706.0318   The Sugar Detox: 3-Day Detox Plan To Kick Your Sugar Addiction Shanda de Vries    e-health 101       Excerpt from article:    It’s no secret that most people consume way too much sugar on a daily basis. I mean think about it – The (probably several) sweet cups of coffee that you drink every morning. The chocolate cake or donut you have around three o clock in the afternoon to get you through to dinner, the dessert you have after dinner, and the ice cream you get a craving for are all absolutely jam packed with the stuff (and I’m probably not even listing the half of it, not to mention the amount of it we consume on an exceptionally stressful day). And you can bet your bottom dollar that anything labelled low fat should just read replaced by sugar. Men should be getting no more than roughly 70g of sugar per day, women 50; most people exceed that before lunchtime. In fact, the average American consumes about 31 pounds of sugar a year. It’s not your fault. It’s an addiction that you’ve very likely been exposed to since you were just a kid. But like with every other addiction, there are a ton of risks involved with consuming too much sugar – Diabetes, heart disease, weight gain, premature aging, and even depression don’t even begin to scratch the tip of the iceberg. Brooke Alpert, certified nutritionist and dermatologist Dr. Patricia Farris, co-authors of the book The Sugar Detox understand exactly how you feel. They get where you’re coming from, and they have the solution: Sugar truly is addictive. Your body reacts to it like a drug and craves it constantly. What we’re asking you to do is to quit – cold turkey. Continue on to full article below: Http://www.e-health101.com/2014/12/sugar-detox-3-day-plan-kick-sugar-addiction/ ...read more

Los Angeles Sober Coach: A cure for binge drinking? Check out the article. What are your thoughts? Cali Estes, The Addictions Coach 1.800.706.0318 Scientific discovery could bring a cure for binge drinking and alcoholism The Telegraph   ByLaura Donnelly, Health Editor Scientists have pinpointed a protein in the brain which could be used to suppress the desire to keep drinking alcohol, and could even lead to a cure for alcoholism. Scientists have discovered a natural protein in the brain that could put the brakes on binge drinking, and bring about a cure for alcoholism. Bingeingis dangerous as vast quantities of alcohol are drunk in a short space of time. A study by the University of North Carolina School of Medicine found the brain protein can “put the brakes” onbinge drinkingand even stop some people becoming an alcoholic. Assistant professor Thomas Kash in the departments of pharmacology and psychology said: “Using a series of genetic and pharmacological approaches we identified how a compound in the brain, Neuropeptide Y (NPY), can suppress this dangerous behaviour. “Specifically, we found that NPY acted in a part of the brain known as the extended amygdala, or bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, that we know is linked to both stress and reward. “This anti-drinking effect was due to increasing inhibition (the brakes) on a specific population of cells that produce a ‘pro-drinking’ molecule called corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). “When we then mimicked the actions of NPY using engineered proteins, we were also able to suppress binge alcohol drinking in mice. “Finally, we found that this anti-drinking NPY system is altered by long-term alcohol drinking in multiple species, suggesting that this may be either a marker or treatment for alcohol abuse.” Professor of psychology Todd Thiele added: “The identification of where in the brain and how NPY blunts binge drinking, and the observation that the NPY system is compromised during early binge drinking prior to the transition to dependence, are novel and important observations. “What is particularly exciting is that these findings suggest that restoring NPY may not only be useful for treating alcohol use disorders, but may also protect some individuals from becoming alcohol dependent.” The study was published online by the journal Nature Neuroscience. Previous research has demonstrated the role that NPY can have in influencing the desire to drink. A study of mice who lacked NPY receptors found they were less likely to consume alcohol than others who had the receptors. Other studies have identified other proteins in the brain which appear to influence the desire to consume alcohol. A protein called RGS6 (regulator of G protein signaling 6) was found to control alcohol cravings and the likelihood of suffering damage to the heart, liver, and other organs. Last year the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said people drinking half a bottle of wine could be advised to start taking thefirst ever drugto help reduce alcohol consumption. Men drinking three pints of beer and women drinking two large glasses of wine per night and who do not cut down within two weeks should be prescribed a new drug, Nice said. The drug nalmefene, which costs £3 per tablet, is taken when people feel the urge to have a drink and stops them from wanting more than one. It works by blocking opiate receptors, stopping the endorphins otherwise be produced by alcohol, giving a feeling of reward and pleasure. Http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/11459207/Scientific-discovery-could-bring-a-cure-for-binge-drinking-and-alcoholism.html ...read more

MLB Sober Coach: Once again we have a sports pro that is using drugs. Given a ton of money and having been in ‘recovery’, the MLB has failed a player. The pro sports teams do not understand addiction and simply give big chunks of money to the players with no guidance, no handlers, no budget and then acted shocked when they party. Where are the sober coaches? What is wrong with this picture? In the interview below Josh Hamilton is addressed as ‘wondering what his punishment should be’. There should not be punishment for addiction, there should be help and education on the FRONT end Major League Baseball, not on the back-end.  We are here at www.theaddictionscoach.com and www.sportsobercoach.com to help out and get the players on the right track.  MLB, you need to invest in your players. Josh Hamilton suffered drug relapse ESPN Los Angeles AngelsoutfielderJosh Hamilton suffered a drug relapse involving the use of cocaine and alcohol in the offseason, according to aNew York Daily News report. Hamilton has a well-documented history of substance abuse problems dating to his days in the minor leagues, when he was suspended from baseball from February 2004 to June 2006, for issues related to cocaine and alcohol addiction. The Angels confirmed that he met with MLB officials in New York on Wednesday about a disciplinary issue but offered no specifics as to the nature of any offense. “We’re all waiting for some information to come out of New York,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Thursday. “He obviously went up there for a meeting, and we’ll see how everything unfolds. But right now, we’re just in a holding pattern like everyone else.” TheLos Angeles Timesearlier reported the meeting between Hamilton and the league. Hamilton’s agent, Michael Moye, did not return a call seeking comment Wednesday. MLB spokesman Pat Courtney declined to comment. The Daily News’ report follows tweets by Jon Heyman of CBSsports.com on Wednesday in which he wrote: “Hear hamilton had relapse. Believe occurred a couple months back. Involved at least cocaine.” In another tweet, Heyman wrote, “There’s no word of a failed test. Word is, Hamilton told mlb about relapse.” Hamilton,who underwent shoulder surgeryearlier this month and is expected to be out until at least May, has not been with the team at spring training in Arizona. The Angels have permitted Hamilton to stay at a friend’s house in Houston while he rehabs from the surgery, even though players typically stay with their teams in those situations. One of the conditions of Hamilton’s reinstatement in 2006 was that he undergo drug testing three times a week. He had alcohol relapses in 2009 and 2012, bouncing back in between to make back-to-back trips to the World Series with the Rangers and win the 2010 American League MVP award. He also took off the 2003 season, citing personal reasons. He did not play professional baseball from July 2002 to July 2006. Hamilton signed a five-year, $125 million deal with the Angels prior to the 2013 season. Roy Silver, a baseball academy owner who helped Hamilton about a decade ago, said that when Hamilton came to his facility nine years ago, there was no question about his level of inspiration back then. “He was inspired. But he was driven to get back on the field because he was getting out of the gutter.” Silver said. He told a story about how Hamilton was so driven back then, he’d dive for fly balls when Silver was just hitting him fungoes “like he was a 10-year-old kid. It was fun to watch.” Silver said Hamilton has never really grasped what an incredible talent he has. “You can’t get in his mind and understand what a big leaguer is going through,” he said. “It’s just a different place. .. To be as good as he is and not understand it — he doesn’t really understand it. Guys who do it at that level, it’s just normal to them.” He said he and Hamilton text and talk “about four or five times a year.” They’ve swapped a couple of “how-are-you” type texts in the last couple of days, but “I’m giving him space,” Silver said. “We’ll talk in the future. That’s basically it. Whenever he’s ready.” ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick and Jayson Stark contributed to this report. http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/12386742/josh-hamilton-los-angeles-angels-reportedly-suffered-cocaine-alcohol-relapse ...read more

Life Coach, Cali Estes: Are you in love with your life? Here are 10 things people who love the life they have created choose to do . Are you following these principles or do you need a tune up? www.TheAddictionsCoach.com 1.800.706.0318 call for a life coaching session today. 10 Things That The People Who Love Their Lives Are Doing Differently <img class="aligncenter wp-image-15003" src="http://higherperspective.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dngdff.jpg" alt="love" width="420" height="280" />Do you love your life? It’s a heavy question to ask in some light. If you think you might be having trouble truly loving yourself and your life, read on and see what some people who love their lives do with it. 1. They don’t bother trying to make others like them — mainly because they don’t care if they’re liked. For people who love themselves and their lives, they feel like they only need to answer to themselves. If you hate them, they couldn’t care less. They love their lives! 2. They do things because they want to do them, not because they believe they have to do them. Happy people don’t believe that they have to do anything than what is otherwise mandatory, like showering and paying your taxes. They don’t feel compelled to do things just because other people want them to. They don’t handle being coerced into doing things either. 3. They love their friends but don’t rely on them. This one applies very much to me. Of the friends I have, I care deeply about them. But when it come down to it, I never rely on them for much of anything. They’re friends, not tools in my life. My independence is important to me, and over-reliance on your friends can kill a friendship. 4. When you ask them what they do, they don’t give you a job title. If you were to go on a date with someone who loves their life, asking them what they do probably won’t result in being told that they’re an accountant. They’ll talk about projects they’re working on, maybe how they’re dealing with problems, or what they genuinely enjoy doing. 5. They live in the moment, but dream in the future. We’re always told of the importance to live in the moment, but people who love their lives dream of the future. It’s easy for them. They anticipate the future being a magnificent place for their life to be. 6. When you ask them where they live, they say, “At the moment…” “At the moment,” is such a fun sentence. It shows a deep desire for impermanence. Traveling does the soul some good, and the stagnancy of staying in one place can be a bit of a bore. 7. They have their own philosophies, their own religion they created and live by. Books aren’t needed for you to know how to go about your life. People who love their lives don’t require a book or philosophy or religion to tell them what to do. You can live your life by whatever philosophy you wish. You’re fortunate enough to have the faculties needed to know right from wrong. 8. They embrace their impermanence. People who love their lives have gotten past the fact that they’re mortal. Having that knowledge can feel cruel at times, but that’s all the more reason to love your life. Happy people don’t fear death. They don’t avoid the thought of it either. They can’t control death, but they can control life. 9. They see the world as their playhouse and their mind as the conductor. There isn’t a single way that the world is – a single reality in which you should live. And happy people who love their lives are all too aware of it. They’re the conductors of their own lives, and the world is their playhouse. 10. They don’t bother changing others, but instead learn how to deal with them appropriately. Not only is devoting your energy to changing someone worthless at the end of the day, but how would you feel if someone thought you were all wrong and tried to change you? If people want to change, they can, but they do it of their own accord. Source: Higher Perspective http://higherperspective.com/2015/02/differently.html?utm_source=HP ...read more

6 Signs you have a FOOD ADDICTION and what you can do to combat it by Cali Estes, The Addictions Coach. 1.800.706.0318 1. You sneak food. You find yourself hiding in the bathroom eating a cupcake so that no one else you work with will know that you are eating several cupcakes or cheating on your diet. You stick food from the buffet in your purse, hoard candy or snacks in your desk. You might starve yourself all day and find yourself alone at night eating pints of ice cream. 2. You are a serial dieter. You try all the fad diets, vowing to stick out the program, but fall short. You set up a new one each Monday and never seem to get past a few days before you ‘slip up’ and eat foods off the list. You ‘get back on the wagon’ and start over next week. 3. You use food as a reward. You get a promotion, you buy a cake and eat the whole thing. 4. You use food as a distraction.  You have a paper to write and you find yourself mindlessly eating while you type. You are not even hungry, but it is a good distraction so you can ‘work’ and before you know it you ate the entire bag of chips, box of cereal, pizza or whatever other food you are indulging in. 5. You plan activities and driving around food and where to buy it. You might deter your route so that you can drive by a fast food joint that has your favorite tacos. 6. You eat to remove a feeling that is uncomfortable, irritating or bothersome. Eating somehow stuffs the feelings down and makes you feel better for a short time. So what do you do? You get a Food Addictions Coach and start the healing process. We can help you with that. Call 1.800.706.0318 www.theaddictionscoach.com to get help today or to get certified in Food Addictions Coaching and help others! ...read more

Athlete Drug Addiction: Sports Sober Coach: Adderall causing a ruckus in the NFL because it is being handed out like candy for more wins and better performance. Call us at 1.800.706.0318 We handle sports sober coaching on and off the field. http://sportsobercoach.com/go/sports-sober-coach/ Adderall Adderall and its popularity among players has been an issue in the NFL during recent years. In the last 20 months, more than a dozen players have been suspended for using Adderall or Ritalin, which are regularly prescribed for attention deficit disorder. The drug even has been mentioned in HGH talks between the NFL and the Players Association, with the league proposing to ease restrictions on Adderall use. The Denver Post examined the use of Adderall in the NFL as well as other pro sports leagues. In 2012, the NFL handed out suspensions to 19 players for a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy; in eight of those, the player was linked to Adderall or publicly blamed it for a failed test. That number was more than double from 2011, when seven players had drug-related suspensions, one of which was linked to Adderall. One suspended player has been linked to Adderall in 2013: Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin. Adderall is known as a popular study drug among college students, and that trend has leaked into the realm of professional sports. It is classified by the NFL as a performance-enhancing drug and as a drug of abuse. Discipline depends on which policy a player is being tested under. Adderall also is banned by Major League Baseball, the NBA, Major League Soccer, the NCAA and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which regulates Olympic sports. The national prevalence of ADHD in adults is about 4 percent, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The number of exemptions granted by the NFL is confidential, but MLB granted 116 exemptions in the 2012 season, meaning about 9 percent of baseball had the exemption. The report reminded readers that many NFL players reportedly use Adderall as a cover-up for other drugs. That’s because the NFL drug policy doesn’t allow the league to say which drug caused a player to fail a test. Although he’s not able to discuss specific cases, Adolpho Birch, NFL senior vice president of labor law and policy, said the league saw an uptick in positive amphetamine tests during the 2012 season. The test doesn’t distinguish between Adderall and other amphetamines. The NFL would like to be able to publicly announce the causes of failed tests but hasn’t gained that concession from the players association. “We’re hopeful that we will be able to get to a point that we are able to do that, because we do feel that it has an educational and awareness effect,” Birch said. Many players still claim they didn’t know Adderall was banned, said Denver Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard. “I get an e-mail probably once a week or so (from the NFL) of a new drug or a new supplement that’s banned,” Woodyard said. “You’ve just got to stay on top of it. There’s a lot of stuff we really don’t know about, but that’s why you’ve got to use your resources.” Broncos rookie wide receiver Tavarres King said he had teammates at Georgia who were prescribed Adderall, though he didn’t know of any issues with misuse. NFL rookies are required to attend meetings that explain the drug policy. “The biggest thing they talk about in meetings is to know what’s going in your body,” King said. “If somebody’s doing that, they know what they’re doing.” Yet Birch said he reminds players that ignorance is no excuse. All drugs must be checked by a team’s medical personnel before they are ingested. “The key to understanding is to make sure people know they’ve got to get these things checked out and approved,” Birch said. “That’s a message we have to say constantly. There’s not much more that we can do, but you do have to be consistent with messaging. ...read more

Cali Estes — is Outpatient Drug rehab a Scam or a Rip OFF? Destination Hope weighs in and explains the pros and cons of Outpatient Care. Good information to read and add to your Continuum of Care. Pros and Cons of outpatient care verses inpatient care. Is Outpatient Drug Treatment a Scam? Destination Hope Treatment Center Outpatient drug treatment is not a scam. There are a few reasons why some people believe it to be ineffective and thus some sort of scam promoted to offer to people in lieu of inpatient drug treatment. This is simply not so. Outpatient drug treatment is an effective treatment option for clients with substance abuse and addiction. Myths about Outpatient Drug Treatment Being Ineffective There are a few reasons why some people believe that outpatient drug treatment must not be effective. Clients are able to be out and about in the real world every day. Clients are faced with many triggers during treatment. The relationships formed in the outpatient drug treatment program are sometimes not as strong as with the inpatient drug treatment program. Why Outpatient Drug Treatment Actually Does Work scamWhile outpatient drug treatment is structured quite differently from inpatient drug treatment, it is a viable option for clients. Clients are able to go home and into the outside world each day, leading their regular lives. They are faced with many triggers that simply do not exist inside of inpatient drug treatment programs. These are increased challenges but they do not have to disrupt treatment. For example, one benefit of the outpatient drug treatment program is that clients are already able to apply what they learn and achieve on a daily basis in their everyday lives. They are already exposed to their home and work environments and may get to work on removing serious triggers from their lives (such as friends who use or visiting places they typically use) and immediately begin to manage stress for health and stability in recovery. As far as relationships among clients in rehabilitation programs, it’s only natural that the bonds probably won’t be as close as the clients who live for a specified amount of time in the inpatient program together. However, the importance of these relationships are still established and worked on and clients still have the opportunity to bond through various program activities such as support group meetings and group therapy. Clients undergo the same effective treatment methods in the outpatient drug treatment program as clients in the inpatient drug treatment program. These tried and true methods include psychotherapy, support group meetings, relapse prevention strategies, lifestyle counseling and others. Psychotherapy is the main treatment method as it works to uncover the underlying causes of the addiction to arm clients with lasting answers, solutions and knowledge that can help them greatly with fighting addiction as well as with other areas in their lives such as their personal relationships. If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of alcohol abuse, substance addiction or any other type of addiction, please call us today at 1-877-380-9777. Our addiction treatment counselors can help you deal with physical, emotional and psychological consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. A substance abuse treatment program is effective, safe and has helped many men reclaim their lives. Destination Hope is a full service drug, alcohol and dual diagnosis treatment facility in Florida for men suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues. http://www.drugrehabfl.net/2014/03/06/is-outpatient-drug-treatment-a-scam/ ...read more

NEW YORK SOBER COACH: Mom sticks up for son who is selling drugs? This is a big problem. Parents do not see their kids as having a problem. They enable them and then call us to fix 21 years of bad parenting in 30 days. We offer it all. www.theaddictionscoach.com 1.800.706.0318 ‘My son likes his weed. I like my weed,’ Staten Island mom rants as son faces felony drug charge, report says By Maura Grunlund | silive.com STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Carol Bird of Staten Island claims that her son, male model Christopher Wetmore, does nothing more than toke weed even though he faces a felony charge in connection with a cocaine delivery ring, according to the Daily News. Ms. Bird was upset that a Manhattan judge on Monday declined to lower her 25-year-old son’s bail, which public records indicate is $300,000 bond or $200,000 bail. Wetmore, who was arrested Nov. 20, remains in the Manhattan Detention Complex, according to public records. “My son likes his weed. I like my weed. That’s it. Plain and simple!” Ms. Bird is quoted as saying in the Daily News. A posting on Wetmore’s Facebook page says: “Chris was arrested for a drug he doesn’t even do he’s at Manhattan detention he’s innocent of these charges.” Wetmore, who is easily identified by a tribal tattoo, has modeled for Rocawear and Diesel and has appeared in GQ Style and Vogue Hommes Japan, according to the United Kingdom version of Vogue. Wetmore, who lives in Chelsea, pleaded not guilty to drug-related charges Monday, the Daily News said. Public records indicate that Wetmore has been charged with felony criminal sale of a controlled substance, and he’s due back in Manhattan Supreme Court on Dec. 22. ...read more

NFL Sober Coach pain pills and pro players. What are the serious issues surrounding the games we enjoy? www.sportssobercoach.com We can help. 1.800.706.0318 Just as head trauma is coming into the light of day as a football problem, so is painkiller abuse. Professional football players are major consumers of three kinds of painkillers: Narcotic pills such as Vicodin, injected local anesthesia, and Toradol, an all-purpose pain reliever that a disturbing number of NFL players have injected even when they are feeling fine. Think about it for a moment from their prospective, their average career is somewhere between 4-6 years. And most players feel they prove themselves and make their money on Sunday. Do the math. There are 16 games in a season, the average lifespan of an NFL career is 6 years at best. That is only 96 workdays or game days that the NFL athlete has to make his money . One ex-Tampa player stated, “You’re competing against players on dope, so you have to be on dope,” . “The NFL absolutely does not want the public knowing the amount of narcotics used in the locker room. If the numbers were published, there would be intense pressure from Congress to reduce drug use by the NFL.” So it is easy to see how the athlete could develop a “get on the field at all cost” mentality. Ryan Leaf is renowned for being a draft bust. Chosen second overall in 1998, immediately after Peyton Manning, Leaf’s NFL stay was brief. He tried to play for the San Diego Chargers with a broken wrist, making an existing injury worse; to get through this, Leaf took lots of painkillers and became an addict. Since leaving athletics in 2002, twice Leaf has pleaded guilty to felonies involving theft or illegal possession of narcotic painkillers. Currently he is serving a prison sentence in Montana. Leaf is hardly alone among former football players in having problems with prescription narcotics. Tom McHale, who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles, died in 2008 of an accidental overdose of painkillers. Craig Newsome, a former Green Bay Packers defensive back, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2012 he became a painkiller addict. Newsome played in 53 NFL games, and left the sport with surgical scars on both knees and across his chest; Percocet was his response. Former Houston Oilers star Earl Campbell, who began walking with a cane in his 40s, left athletics as a painkiller addict: his scoliosis, which occurred naturally, was made worse by football contact, leaving him with chronic severe back pain. Walt Sweeney, a Pro Bowl offensive tackle for San Diego in the 1960s, in 1994 sued the NFL alleging his painkiller addiction was “directly related” to football injuries and to narcotics freely distributed by the Chargers. (Sweeney’s claim won at the trial level; the NFL won on appeal.) In 2012, Ray Lucas, a former quarterback, told Toni Monkovic of the New York Times that after back and neck injuries, he became addicted to prescription painkillers, taking as many as 25 tablets a day: three or four daily is a normal dose. Of course football players are hardly the only athletes to use pills to alleviate pain: tennis star Jennifer Capriati ruined a shoulder with high-velocity serves, became dependent on narcotics to dull the throbbing, and in 2010 was hospitalized after overdosing on prescription drugs. But incidence of painkiller use among football players is higher than among other athletes, given the nature of the sport’s contact. A 2010 study led by Linda Cottler of the University of Florida found narcotic painkiller abuse by football players was about three times that for men of similar ages. High school players seeking to obtain narcotic painkillers legally must get prescriptions at physician appointments that are not easy for minors to arrange, then go to pharmacies, most of which exact scrutiny on minors seeking controlled substances. Generally, NCAA team doctors prescribe narcotics grudgingly. These factors are thought to limit legal use of opioid painkillers among high school and college athletes. But in the pros, the pills are right in the locker room. All NFL teams retain physicians who examine players at team facilities, not at medical offices, and who may dispense painkillers legally from what is essentially a team’s private stash. So you can see that the problem of painkillers in sports has a wide range of victims and really has no boundries. Pain is our body’s natural way to warn us against further action that could cause permanent damage to us. So numbing this warning system to continue putting your body in harms way is incredibly dangerous. ...read more

Almost every child has had a dream of being a famous athlete or sports superstar, but only a small percentage actually achieves this dream. For the talented, lucky few who do make it into college sports and then on to the Pros, sometimes a wrong choice – abusing drugs or alcohol – can swiftly end the dream. A college football player spends his entire college career “building his stock” for the NFL draft. A single draft position can mean thousands of dollars to the player. The goal is obviously to be drafted as high as possible by a NFL franchise. If a player fails a random drug test or gets arrested for a DUI or a drug related offense, it can cause his draft stock to rapidly fall. Often times, repeat offenders don’t get drafted at all and become Undrafted Free Agents. This makes it extremely tough to make an NFL team. Up until recently, there weren’t many alternatives for the athlete to regain his “draft stock” other than the standard meetings and Substance Abuse classes. Now the player can work “hand in hand” with a sober coach and his agent to show potential NFL teams that they are willing to put in the Day to Day effort and work that it takes to maintain a sober life. NFL teams are starting to listen to the sober coach more and more and are putting faith in those recovering athletes who have brought on a sober coach and implemented a plan to stay clean. In the past 2 years, more than 10 top NFL prospects have greatly repaired their draft stock by hiring on an addictions coach and taking his plan to the team interviews during the draft process to address the negative issue before it gets addressed by the teams interested. Protecting draft stock should be looked at like protecting your wallet left on the kitchen table. Every slip in the draft means thousands of dollars lost. On the reverse, each jump up the board adds to the contract greatly and NFL teams are willing to invest more into those “flawed” players who have a set plan in place with an addictions/sober coach. www.sportsobercoach.com 1.800.706.0318 ...read more

When an addict is in active use, they do not eat properly. They survive on Hot Pockets, Pop Tarts, Fast Food and whatever else is quick and easy, if they eat at all. One of the big parts of a Sober Coach’s duties is to teach a recovering addict how to eat. Not just eat, but how to pick and chose healthy fruits and vegetables and what will make them feel better with less post acute withdrawal symptoms. A Snickers bar does not really satisfy, but to someone detoxing off heroin (with almost the same chemical make up as sugar), it will seem as though it does. Drug use is a huge problem; we are a drug culture, and literally thousands of substances are used extensively. Western medicine is likewise a drug-oriented system. We consume billions of pills yearly and spend many billions of dollars on them. These figures do not even include the everyday use of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Some preliminary concepts can help us prepare for drug detoxification. Most important is the relationship between states of being, symptoms, and our use of drugs. If we are slow or hyper, we may stimulate or sedate ourselves chemically. If we view a symptom as a problem, we may want to correct it with a drug. Although for immediate relief this may seem very practical, it is theoretically ludicrous and shows a complete misunderstanding of the design of the human body. Drug use and drug therapy rarely fix anything. Our symptoms are a warning sign of something wrong for which we must work to determine the cause. Symptoms are not the real problem, but results of deeper processes and causes. They are not an error on the part of our body; our body rarely errs. It responds to how we treat it. We must correct our internal imbalance by listening to our body and avoiding dietary and lifestyle abuses, which means limiting drug use. It is very important not to devitalize our body if we can possibly avoid it. The first step for many people is to learn again to care for and love themselves and reinforce their desire to live. Much of drug use, at least the habitual type, is part of a syndrome of self-destruction. Pharmaceutical prescriptions and most over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are designed to help us feel better, yet often they are used for problems resulting from abusive or misguided habits. Addiction is a tremendous personal, social, and economic problem in our culture. It both supports and drains our total economy. Our society and advertising world promote addiction. It begins with sugar, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and many foods, such as milk products. Our behavior regarding foods, particularly sweet ones, is conditioned very early and is very difficult to change. Later, the coffee break becomes a reward, a refueling and rest stop in the intense workday. The caffeine and sugar stimulants are the prime mind/nerve provocateurs to continue to work more. Nervousness and hyperactivity are often associated with productivity, though they are really not comparable to steady, healthful energy; trying to perpetuate that artificially stimulated productivity eventually leads to reduced capacity, time lost from work, wasted money, and increased illness. All drugs have some toxicity. Most have both physiological and psychological actions and addictive potential, with accumulated toxicity and some withdrawal symptoms when we try to give them up. Before going through any drug or chemical detoxification, it is wise to prepare and plan for it before we proceed. This is important both physically and psychologically. It is definitely helpful to have the aid of a physician, therapist, family member, or good friend for support. The withdrawal phase can be the most difficult time, and this can vary from a day or two to a week or more. It is often hard to differentiate the physical sensations from the underlying psychological involvement. The withdrawal phase is tied fairly closely to the drug addiction – the worse the withdrawal, the more likely we are to continue to use the chemical to prevent withdrawal. A psychological dependency easily develops. After initial withdrawal, which is often tied to detoxification – that is, the natural release of the stored chemicals from the body – we need willpower and commitment to our original plan for eliminating the particular substance from our life. We also need to work on new behavior patterns, avoiding exposure, such as the people and places associated with our previous problem substances, at least for a while, until we develop more deep-seated new habits so that we have the strength to say no when we are exposed again. Behavior modification therapy can be very helpful. Drug problems are common, and there are really no stereotypical drug addicts; they can be the affluent businessman, the housewife, the down-and-out “street” person, or anyone under pressure or with unmet psychological needs. Drug and substance abuse are an individual, family, and worldwide problem that can affect young and old, men and women. In addition to a decisive plan and the necessary psychological support, a wholesome, well-balanced diet and nutritional supplements can be very helpful. During the transition, fasting or at least a cleansing diet is helpful to enhance purification and lessen the severity and length of the withdrawal period. I have seen people make incredible lifestyle changes with a week-long cleanse. It is very empowering and allows them to clarify their plan and goals while strengthening their willpower. The key to dietary detox support is in increasing alkalinity and reducing acidity. Cravings and withdrawal are more intense with an acid state generated from an intake of acid-forming foods such as meats, milk products, and refined flours and sugars. All the fruits and vegetables are alkaline-forming in the body. A fruit and vegetable diet, juices and soups, or even water can be used temporarily. Call The addictions coach www.theaddictionscoach.com 1.800.706.0318 for further assistance ...read more

Addiction Conference: Boca Symposium Cali Estes of The Addictions Academy Partnered with Charles Davis of Behavioral Health Network Resources to offer the Behavioral Health Education and Marketing Symposium The duo are kicking off their National tour of cities with the first stop of The Behavioral Health Education and Marketing Symposium in August in Boca Raton, Florida. This event will be unlike any other behavioral health event in existence. It provides not only networking and marketing opportunities for industry professionals but also educational opportunities for therapists and clinicians. The symposium offers a new and unique platform that combines learning, marketing and networking all in one. “The best referrals come from the private clinicians,” Davis said. “Private therapists and clinicians are precisely the target market of drug and alcohol abuse treatment facilities, but behavioral health marketing events rarely attract them. I wanted to create an event that offered CEU’s and marketing all at once and filled the void.” The Behavioral Health Education & Marketing Symposium is the brain child of Charles Davis, CEO of Behavioral Health Network Resources. Davis has extensive experience as a Marketing Director with numerous addiction treatment centers and US Journal Training, which provides national addiction professional conferences, that enabled him to clearly see where there were voids in the education provided by addiction conferences, how centers are obtaining referrals, and the lack of marketing in the behavioral health field. Davis combined his experience with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in marketing to launch this major project. Since entering the addictions field, Davis has built an impressive marketing arm with an email database list of over 60,000 addresses, has the largest following in the field on LinkedIn with over 20,000 addiction professionals, and a total reach on LinkedIn of 18,000,000! The missing component was offering NAADAC CEU’s, and Estes was able to provide that through The Addictions Academy. “I wanted to team up with a pioneer like Charles Davis, “Estes said. “At The Addictions Academy we offer a much needed service to credential and standardize the industry. The Behavioral Health Education and Marketing Symposium is going to bring together the right key players and decision makers in the right platform. It is brilliant.” Education and Marketing SymposiumClinicians who attend the Behavioral Health Education and Marketing Symposium are able to earn between 8 – 12 Continuing Education Unit credits in one day for the minimal entry fee of $99.00. The CEU’s are offered through NAADAC and transferrable to every state. LMHC, LMFT, LSW, PHD, and Drug and Alcohol Addiction Therapists will all benefit from the CEU’s being offered. Facility marketers will have a chance to network with a number of fresh, new referral sources and truly viable contacts. The overall aim of the event is to create an experience that is both educational and enjoyable. Along with notable speakers such as Dr. Christopher LaRiche (Clinical Director of Lucida Treatment Center), Jonathan Benz (Clinical Director Three Sands Elements Property,) William McCormick (Medivance Billing Service Inc.) and Cali Estes (Founder of The Addictions Academy). In addition, there are a few giveaways including 10 free admissions to the Moments of Change Conference taking place from September 29th to October 2nd in Palm Beach, Florida, and a large flat-screen TV (valued at $1000). The Behavioral Health Education and Marketing Symposium takes place on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at Lakeside Terrace in Boca Raton, Florida from 8 am to 5 pm. The symposium is part of a nationwide series. The next event will be held in Houston, Texas in October 2014. For more details on future symposiums, please visit www.theaddictionsacademynetwork.com. 1.800.706.0318 ...read more

For people trying to quit an addiction, enrolling in programs with a “sponsor” is common. But often leaving addiction behind isn’t the only step to moving forward. Just as college students have counselors and life coaches as they make their transitions, so to do people battling addiction. Many have Cali Estes on their side. A noted addiction therapist with offices in California, New York and Florida, she is also a life coach, recovery coach and wellness guru. She blends cognitive behavioral therapy, psychology and life coaching as she unlocks the cause of addiction. Cali came to this field through criminal justice. Now along with her degrees, she’s earned 15 certifications, including California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors. Please share your decisions leading up to choosing criminal justice. “I had wanted to be a FBI agent when I started school for psychology. I did my internship in a male prison – State Correctional Institute Rockview – and loved it. I studied forensic psychology and wanted to continue into it; however, there was no program at the master’s level at that time so I chose criminal justice.” What are you glad to have in your “toolbox” skill set? What do you wish you would have learned? “I am glad I received body language training, how to read the cues. I wish I would have had more hands-on experience in school, not just in the classroom.” Do you have any advice for aspiring students? “Do as many internships as you can. Get hands-on work, volunteer and learn, and get a mentor.” Find Cali Estes at www.theaddictionscoach.com or call 800.706.0318 http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2014/07/28/sacramento-addiction-therapist-uses-criminal-justice-and-psychology-to-help-others-in-need/ ...read more

Building up the Stock in a “Flawed” Player Almost every child has had a dream of being a famous athlete or sports superstar, but only a small percentage actually achieves this dream. For the talented lucky few who do make it into college sports and then on to the Pros, sometimes a wrong choice – abusing drugs or alcohol – can swiftly end the dream. A college football player spends his entire college career “building his stock” for the NFL draft. A single draft position can mean thousands of dollars to the player. The goal is obviously to be drafted as high as possible by a NFL franchise. If a player fails a random drug test or gets arrested for a DUI or a drug related offense it can cause his draft stock to rapidly fall. Often times, repeat offenders don’t get drafted at all and become Undrafted Free Agents. This makes it extremely tough to make an NFL team. Up until recently, there wasn’t many alternatives for the athlete to regain his “draft stock” other than the standard meetings and Substance Abuse classes. Now the player can work “hand in hand” with a sober coach and his agent to show potential NFL teams that they are willing to put in the Day to Day effort and work that it takes to maintain a sober life. NFL teams are starting to listen to the sober coach more and more and are putting faith in those recovering athletes who have brought on a sober coach and implemented a plan to stay clean. In the past 2 years, more than 10 top NFL prospects have greatly repaired their draft stock by hiring on an addictions coach and taking his plan to the team interviews during the draft process to address the negative issue before it gets addressed by the teams interested. Protecting draft stock should be looked at like protecting your wallet left on the kitchen table. Every slip in the draft means thousands of dollars lost. On the reverse, each jump up the board adds to the contract greatly and NFL teams are willing to invest more into those “flawed” players who have a set plan in place with an addictions/sober coach. ...read more