Alabama Northwest Florida Region of NA

April 22-25 2010

Friday Night: Linda D.  Atlanta Ga. 30 yrs
Saturday Night: Veto L. Miami Fl. 50 yrs
Sunday: BB W. New Orleans La. 23 yrs

Paradise Palms Inn
12907 Front Beach Road
Panama City Beach, FL 32407
1.866.821.9433 or 1.850.234.1700
www.paradisepalmsinn.com

Chair-Becky C. 205.427.9912
Vice Chair- Ron C. 205.240.4519                  Registration-David F. 931.580.7637

Room Rates per night:
2 queen~$69
2 queen /kitchette~$89
3 queen/family~$109
Reserve your room under Fun in the Sun convention!

Hope you can join us for NUACNA XVII.  March 19-21 2010. Speakers, Workshops, Comedians, NA Survivor and lots of fellowshipping. Pre-registration and hotel information can be found at www.northernutahna.org.  If you have any questions feel free to call me Brittany M. 801-309-0087.

Recovery In Paradise
April 23, 24 and 25, 2010
Registration opens up in January!

Sugarloaf Key, Fl.
NA is not affiliated with KOA
KOA Campground accepting reservations starting January 1st
(800)562-7731 (305)745-3349
(YOU MUST MENTION SPIRITUAL RETREAT WHEN CALLING)

Bessemer Group NA
6th Annual “Unity Weekend Camp Out”
March 26,27,28,2010
Tannehill State Park,
For more event information contact: Jennifer M. (205) 292-9514 or Chris N. (205) 966-7088
Camping & Cabin Info. Contact: Tannehill State Park (205) 477-5711
12632 Confederate Parkway McCalla, AL 35111
Mention: “Bessemer NA Unity Weekend”
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THE CINCINNATI AREA OF NA IS HAVING OUR FRIENDS OF JIMMY K IV EVENT ON FEB 6 2010. THE MAIN SPEAKER IS FROM ATLANTA GA. OTHERS ARE FROM ALLENTOWN PA., FLORIDA, CALIFORNIA, TENNESSE, AND OHIO.  LOCATION AND TIMES TO FOLLOW

San Diego XXV Milestone Year
SDICANA Convention
HonestyRecoverySurrenderUnity
Memorial Day WeekendMay 28-30, 2010
At The Town & Country Resort and Hotel
to book a room go to www.sandiegona.org
and you can get more information.
Golf Tournament at RiverWalk Golf Course
New facility holds over 5000 guests
Rooms are $109 a night, great price for Memorial Day Weekend
Speakers - fun - fellowship - Pool & Party - Comedy Show - Entertainment - Marathon Meetings 24/7 - Banquet Dinner - Breakfast, Meetings, DJ dances and much much more.  For more info call 619-584-1007 or go to our site at www.sandieogona.org

Multi - Regional Fellowship Development Days - March 26-28, 2010.
Rutland Senior Secondary School - 705 Rutland Road North
Kelowna BC Canada
Participation From:
Canadian Assembly of Narcotics Anonymous
B.C. Regional Service Committee of N.A.
Al-Sask Region of N.A.
Washington - Northern Idaho Region of N.A.
Participation reqested from Narcotics Anonymous World Service
Hosted by:
British Columbia Regional Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous
Contact:
Chair: Lester M.
250-808-1311
steppingfree@telus.net
Vicechair: Brendan E.
250-215-6211
scorch151@hotmail.com

Registration
Registration Fee until Dec 31st - 2009:  $20.00-cdn/person
Jan 01st - Feb 15th -2010: $25.00-cdn/person
After Feb.15th - 2010 - $30.00 - cdn/person
Cheque or money order only please, payable to:
Fellowship Development Days
Mailing Address:
MRFDD c/o C.O.A.N.A
PO Box 25060
Kelowna, BC, Canada
V1W 3Y7
For special accommodation rates please contact:
Manteo Resort: www.manteo.com
Chinook Oasis Inn: www.chinookoasis.ca

Submitted by TheDotMack on January 20, 2010

I woke up, just another day as a 12 year old boy.  I was living with my mother at the time, a few days after my parents first separated.  I was in limbo, waiting to move in with my Father, the healthier, more stable parent of the two.

My mother was sick her entire life; mentally ill and emotionally insecure - she never had the strength to live life on life terms the way I’ve learned to today.  Being 12 years old, the only thing I knew was what I experienced in my immediate family unit, I didn’t know the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships because I was only presented with the unhealthy.

For some reason or another, whether it be her marriage ending, her maddening depression, or who knows what, my mother cried out for help.  She put a knife to her throat and exclaimed “Why don’t you love me!”

This picture in my mind is very clear. I can remember seeing cuts on my mothers wrists for years and years and was haunted by this memory for a long time, before I went to treatment and started working a program to deal with it.

My sister, 15 years old at the time, had to call the police to intervene.  She surely wasn’t strong enough to deal with the weight of my mother’s life on her hands, and I surely wasn’t strong enough either.  Thank god my sister took that immediate action - I treasured the years I’ve had with my mother since then, albeit rocky, but still very important in my life.

You may have seen an email, a banner ad, and a bunch of posts on InTheRooms.com and our Facebook page about the organization, “To Write Love On Her Arms.” This organization is currently the front runner in the “Chase Community Giving” contest being held on Facebook this week, with a chance to win $1,000,000.

Their plan is to develop a website called IMALIVE, a place online where people can go 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and speak to certified crisis prevention counselors via instant message.  A large portion of the money won from Chase Community Giving will be used to train and certify people to answer messages on IMALIVE.  At InTheRooms.com, we know the power of the internet can be used to change lives, we know it can be easier to send a message online than it is to make a phone call or speak to someone in person, and we know that this can make a significant impact on the world.

This cause is very close to my heart - no one should ever live without hope.  Please click here to vote for To Write Love On Her Arms and show your support for preventing tragedies from happening to people’s families and lives.

Submitted by Arnie on January 20, 2010

Football’s biggest game offers greatest temptation to sports gamblers.

“Playoff games and the Super Bowl are to the compulsive gamblers what New Year’s Eve is to the alcoholic,” says Arnie Wexler, a leading expert on the subject of compulsive gambling and a recovering compulsive gambler himself.

According to the National Gambling Study Commission, there are 5 million compulsive gamblers and 15 million at risk in the U.S.

“I have spoken to more compulsive gamblers than anyone else in America and have gotten hundreds of phone calls after playoff games and the Super Bowl from compulsive gamblers,” Wexler says. “Some have spoken about embezzlements, white-collar crimes and destroying themselves and their families. Others were so desperate that they were contemplating suicide. “

“Over the years, I have also spoken to many college and professional athletes who had a gambling problem,” Wexler says. “In fact, an NCAA study a few years ago noted that there is a disturbing trend of gambling among athletes in college. Do you think that these people will get into the pros and then just stop gambling? “

“Compulsive gamblers are very vulnerable during the NFL post season because they are looking for the ‘lock bet,’ Wexler says. “The media hype juices the gambler and — as this is an impulse disorder — many compulsive gamblers will be in action. And I wonder if any players might have a bet on the games. “

“With all the games and the media hype about odds and betting lines, there is an explosion of betting on these games,” Wexler continues. “I can’t believe that newspapers carry ads from these so-called handicappers, who are really ’scandicappers.’ It’s also interesting to note how often the information is incorrect. “

“I remember when Skip Ballis, then of the Dallas Morning News, had a gorilla in the Dallas Zoo make football picks for them,” Wexler says. “The gorilla’s picks were doing better than the sports writers. I think the responsible thing to do would be for newspapers, radio and TV shows to carry a public service message. “

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Read more at Arnie’s New Blog, http://www.recoveringgambler.com

Submitted by MrClean on January 20, 2010

Since establishing The Academy for Addictions Professionals I have been constantly filled with joy and gratitude to see so many lives changed.  It is humbling to witness the work that former students are doing in and around the recovering community providing hope and encouragement.  We have seen individuals come to us seeking careers in Addictions counseling and/or seeking to enhance their current skill and knowledge base.  In the process, they have become much more valuable to their employers and clients.

The Academy offers comprehensive training and supervision for Addictions professionals in a setting that encourages learning and hands-on training.

I am looking forward to the New Year and enhancing the work we do and expanding the training to include more on-line interactive classes.

Ben Brafman, LMHC, CAP
CEO

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The Academy for Addictions Professionals offers comprehensive education and certification preparation for individuals seeking a career in the field of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

The Academy offers training in the following specialties:

Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC)

Certified Additions Professional (CAP)

Certified Addictions Specialist (CAS)

Certified Behavioral Health Technician (CBHT)

Each of the courses can be completed on-site or online at your own pace.  Instructors are patient, well-respected professionals who will be able to guide you through each step of the program including assisting with completing necessary applications and preparation for certification exam.

Classes are on Monday and Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

Course #    Course Description

AP001- CE Clinical Evaluation (35 hrs) 10 classes (no class July 4 – Independence Day)

July 7, 2010 – August 9, 2010

AP002-TP Treatment Planning (20 hrs) 6 classes

August 11, 2010 – August 30, 2010

AP003-RSC Referral and Service Coordination (10 hrs) 3 classes

September 1, 2010 – September 15, 2010

(no classes Sept. 6 - Labor Day and Sept. 8 - Rosh Hashanah)

AP004-C Counseling (50 hrs) 17 classes

*Includes HIV/Aids & Domestic Violence Education

September 20, 2010 – November 15, 2010

AP005-CFC Client, Family and Community Education (15 hrs) 5 classes

November 17, 2010 – December 6, 2010

(no class November 24 – Thanksgiving Eve)

AP006-D Documentation (15 hrs) 5 classes

December 8, 2010 – December 22, 2010

**NO CLASSES FROM DECEMBER 27 TO DECEMBER 31, 2010**

AP007-PER Professional and Ethical Responsibilities (30hrs) 10 classes

January 3, 2011 – February 2, 2011

AP008-UA Understanding Addiction (40 hrs) 13 classes

*Includes Sexual, Gambling, & Eating Disorder Addiction

February 7, 2011 – March 21, 2011

AP009-TK Treatment Knowledge (40 hrs) 13 classes (no class April 18 - Passover)

*Includes Pharmacology & Personality Disorders

March 23, 2011 to May 9, 2011

AP010-APR Application to Practice (40 hrs) 13 classes (no class May 30 - Memorial Day)

May 11, 2011 to June 27, 2011

AP011-PR Professional Readiness (40 hrs) 13 classes (no class July 4 – Independence Day)

June 29, 2011 to August 15, 2011

AP012-SUP Supervision (CAP only) (20 hrs) 5 classes – expanded hours

August 17, 2011 to August 31, 2011

Contact us at (954) 771-2091

Email: AltonS@destinationhope.net

www.addictionacademy.com