Philip Seymour Hoffman: Talent taken through succumbing to addiction

I was initially shocked to hear of the death of one of my favorite screen actors. However, as the information surrounding his overdose grew, I was not surprised that Mr. Hoffman met such an early end to his life. It appears that Philip was addicted to opiates, amphetamines, and other mood-altering substances at the time of his overdose. He was first treated for addiction over 20 years ago and reportedly was able to maintain sobriety.  After a brief stay at a rehab last year, it appears that he relapsed and struggled with maintaining recovery from these substances.

We are currently in a very toxic arena of synthetic and warehouse-made "street drugs." Dr. Drew Pinsky reported this morning on CNN, that more people will die from an overdose from opiates in the U.S. by March 2014, than were killed in the World Trade Center disaster.  Too many people are taking very serious and deadly drugs with, or without a prescription. The combination of some of these drugs are deadly. We've seen it time and time again in the news with other deceased celebs!

The disease of addiction does not discriminate. If you find yourself, or a loved one, seeking drugs or alcohol to change their mood with noticeable behavioral or personality changes, then please contact a professional today and get help! We are here at Main Line Recovery to assist you and your family member affected by alcohol or drug addiction. Contact us today.

May Philip's children, partner and family be supported in this time of grief.

Dr. Heran

Fall 2012 Retreat: Quieting the Restless Mind

Main Line Recovery is excited about our Annual fall Retreat scheduled for Friday, October 19, 2012 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County in Media, PA. This retreat is focusing on a topic that is capturing the attention of millions of people both from the East and the West. Mindfulness meditation is an ancient practice of "seeing" things as they are and aiding the person to train their mind to more limitless consciousness and a deeper connection with the Self.

Janet Castellini, MSS, LCADC, CGP  and Dr. Heran will be this years' presenters. Go to our website and learn more about the retreat. Please register and join us for this most meaningful retreat. You deserve it!

Pax.

Gratitude: The Preferred Attitude

"I must be grateful to God and to those members of Alcoholics Anonymous who knew A.A. before me." The Story of Dave B. 

A simple "thank you" can go a long way.  In today's complex society, often people do not practice gratitude as an expression of a positive attitude. Instead, many of us either expect others to extend gestures of kindness and assistance, or more likely, it is not a part of our regular interpersonal practice. 

Gratitude is less about the other. It is about us! When we practice gratitude we benefit from the psychic and spiritual gains of being a grateful person. What are the characteristics of a grateful person? Here are some: 

• Humility - people who are grateful do not see themselves in a superior position to others. They are rooted in the earth and understand the importance of "give and take" in civil society. 
• Contentment - Counting your blessings and all the good things present in your life enhances contentment. Conscious awareness of the people and things in your life makes you less focused on future ambitions and material wants. Focusing on your blessings can assist in mood stabilization.
• Non-Judgmental - Grateful people are less to focus on the flaws of others. Its not easy to have a predisposition of kindness and judge people at the same time.  
• Less Gossip/Chatter - Gossip often destroys people's character with destructive chatter. Grateful people less often will engage in, or seek out gossip settings. 
• Encouraging/Optimistic - Being grateful brings into focus all that you should be thankful for and extending your attitude towards others in the form of encouragement and optimism. People like to be around others who are grateful.

Are you grateful? Do you make a conscious effort to express gratitude for all that you have and who you are? Do you incorporate gratitude in your prayer? You may want to contemplate this.

Pax,

Dr. Bill Heran

Seriously? Creating Baby Vicodins

Baby Vicodin: Are we creating future society of addicts?

I read this article on CNN.com today. I truly hope the FDA understands the implications of prescribing such an addictive medication at a young age may affect their lives and those who love them.  Please read and comment... Dr. Heran

The maker of the prescription painkiller OxyContin confirms that a clinical trial is currently underway to measure the opioid's effects in children.

Although doctors can prescribe OxyContin off-label to pediatric patients, the drug - which was overwhelmingly tested in adults – is not approved for use in children by the Food and Drug Administration, and Purdue Pharma says it is not seeking that approval. To qualify for the study, patients must be between the ages of 6 and 17, have moderate to severe pain, and have already demonstrated a tolerance to opioid painkillers. The study will include 154 children. "These children have diseases such as cancer or sickle-cell anemia, post-operative pain, injuries such as severe burns causing this degree of pain," said Jim Heins, senior director for public affairs at Purdue Pharma. "The studies are evaluating the safety of OxyContin tablets in these young patients and the way the drug is absorbed, broken down and eliminated to see if there are any significant differences from the way the drug is handled by adults." About 50% of drugs prescribed to children have no pediatric information on their labels, according to the FDA. "One of FDA's top priorities is giving pediatricians and parents the same level of tested and researched information on drugs used to treat children that is required for drugs used to treat adults," writes the FDA on its website. "This effort ensures children are not denied therapies because we do not know how to properly dose or use them." As an incentive, the FDA could grant Purdue Pharma a 6-month patent extension on its original OxyContin formulation in exchange for conducting the pediatric study, which is set to expire in April 2013. The extension would come only after the FDA receives the completed pediatric study, regardless of the outcome. "Whether the results are positive or negative, we [Purdue Pharma] feel it is beneficial for clinicians who are treating pediatric patients with chronic, moderate to severe pain to have access to this information in scientific publications and in the product’s label, so they can make better decisions about the care of their patients," said Heins. The FDA has a long list of drugs approved for adults for which it is seeking pediatric studies. In 2010, Purdue Pharma updated its brand-name OxyContin with a new formulation intended to curb abuse, and that formulation has patent protections already in place until 2025. In the past year doctors have written 5.6 million prescriptions for OxyContin, with only 17,000 of those prescriptions for patients under the age of 19. Oxycodone, the main active ingredient in the brand-name drug OxyContin, also is not approved by the FDA for use in children.  It also is on the list of drugs for which the FDA is seeking pediatric studies.

SHHHH! Using Silence as a Tool for early Recovery from Addictive Behaviors

Most addicted people have a great deal of noise to battle. Noise both inside their minds and noise around them in their troubling relationships with others. The noise can lead to negative emotions and thoughts that make it difficult to proceed living without resorting to your addiction of choice (e.g. alcohol, drugs, sex, internet, gambling, work, etc.).

Take a moment and sit or lie down alone in a quiet room. Turn off your cell phone, computer, television, ipad, ipod, pager (if you still have one) and any other distractive external noise. Now all you are left with is yourself. Your Self. You may notice when you do this that once you eliminate the external noises what you left with are the noises you've made in your mind (along with some physical noises you may experience). Now you have removed the external noise, focus on your breath. Breathe in and experience the movement that sustains your life and most living beings on the planet. If your window is open, listen to the trees, the birds, a dog barking. Just listen. Don't judge.

When we practice silence we are practicing listening. One of the key factors in early recovery from addictive behaviors is the ability to listen: to a sponsor, a friend, your family, other people in recovery, testimonials, your Higher Power! Without the ability to listen, we are fooling ourselves that we are in recovery. Take time each day to practice a silence exercise that can build a strong sense of listening and feeling more and more comfortable with your Self -- your True Self.

If you, or someone you love is seeking addiction treatment, call us today at (215) 834-7979 and speak with a listening, caring professional seeking to help you in your time of need. Call us today!

Peace,

Dr. William J. Heran
CEO and Founder
Main Line Recovery

Inspirational Painter overdoses: Thomas Kinkade dies at age 54.

(Reuters) - "Painter of Light" Thomas Kinkade died of accidental acute intoxication from alcohol and an anti-anxiety medication, according to autopsy report made public on Monday by local NBC Bay Area TV.

The Santa Clara County Coroner's Office reported Kinkade's cause of death as "acute ethanol and Diazepam intoxication" and manner of death as "accident," according to the NBC station. Diazepam is the active ingredient in Valium.

A Santa Clara County Coroner's investigator confirmed to Reuters that the autopsy report on Kinkade had been completed but said he could not release it after business hours.

Kinkade, the self-proclaimed "Painter of Light," whose works captivated millions of Americans despite the scorn of many art critics, died in April at his home in Northern California at the age of 54.

His brother told the San Jose Mercury News newspaper that the painter had battled alcoholism for several years and suffered a relapse before he died.

Patrick Kinkade said his brother had been burdened in recent years by a separation from his wife, financial troubles and the low opinion of his work by critics.

Thomas Kinkade was arrested for drunk driving in 2010, the same year his company filed for bankruptcy. Art galleries reported a surge in sales of Kinkade's paintings following his death.

Rodney King: Finally at Peace! (1965-2012)

Imagine being on a roller coaster ride without any safety mechanisms and shifting, turning and twirling at high speeds. At first you are charged and your adrenaline spikes, but shortly you realize the danger of the ride and wish to get off...however, the ride continues, continues and continues.

This is the image I have when I think of Rodney King's life. I did not know Mr. King personally, but I've known thousands of addicted individuals who experience a very chaotic and unsafe life; never knowing when the dangerous ride will end. From what we've seen on television from the beatings to the Celebrity Rehab episodes, Mr. King appeared to be a gentle, but troubled soul. I'm sure we all pray for his family and loved ones.

Maybe his life can touch someone today and initiate a call for help. Addiction is unrelenting and will not give up without a true mind, body and spiritual transformation! Call today and speak with someone at Main Line Recovery and we will assist you in getting the help you truly deserve and want. Call us at (215) 834-7979 today!

Pax,
Dr. Bill Heran