The Orlando CR Ministry

There are many legal ways to get high these days, including a new drug called K2 which is becoming popular lately.

It has been described as an herbal blend sprayed with chemicals that mimic the high from marijuana. It is marketed as incense but it is nothing like the stuff that makes your kitchen smell like potpourri.

“The possible side effects include significant hallucination, cardiac effects, seizures, rapid heart rate, hypertension, severe agitation, passing out, and panic attacks”. [Is this a quote?]

Recently a teenager committed suicide while under the influence of K2 (linked).

This drug has gained popularity because it will not cause a positive drug test. Though it has caused death, people are not deterred from trying K2.

Unfortunately, a drug addict will actually run to this drug, believing that he or she is unique and will not experience adverse affects. Even though others may die from this drug, they are convinced they will not.

I hope this information causes people to avoid and ban this substance.

Around 1986 Mike and Brenda Leatherwood, Sonny Sessions, and others started working with people who had addiction issues in Louisville, Kentucky. From that experience, the Chemical Recovery (CR) Ministry was started. The Leatherwoods moved to New York City and Sonny to Atlanta and the CR ministry continued to grow and develop into a worldwide ministry for the Church.

In 1997, the Leatherwood’s (and others) wrote a book entitled “Some Sat in Darkness”, spiritual recovery from addiction and codependency. This book includes great insights and helpful tools from the original CR ministry and is still available from DPI Books.org

The Leatherwoods stepped out of the CR ministry after the year 2000 and a committee was started In New York City to continue meeting the needs of those with addiction issues. The committee created the 12 traditions of CR and has developed a website www.chemicalrecovery.org . See the website for great information and articles.

While there have been many changes to the Chemical Recovery ministry, CR continues to help many people throughout the churches worldwide.

NYC has annual conventions in an attempt to unite all the CR ministries. They have a record of the cities that have attended their conventions and training. Like Orlando, CR still has a presence in many churches all over the world though all the cities may not be listed on the NYC website.

The Orlando CR Ministry and Leadership

I (Eric Rotmil) participated in the Chemical Recovery group and attended Chemical Recovery Leader‘s meetings while in NYC between 1989 and 1992.

In 1992, I moved to Orlando where the church had minimal CR presence and was asked to help with the CR ministry. Like other churches, Orlando’s CR ministry has gone through a few changes. While some changes have been made in other places, in Orlando we have maintained early CR traditions, relying on what has worked for us.

Different CR graduates have helped over the years because of their strong desire and heart to give back.  One year, just before the Leatherwoods left the CR ministry, under the leadership of Andrew Giambarba and Richard Runge, the Orlando Church officially kicked off the CR ministry in South and Central Florida. Since then we have had almost 100 graduations with many remaining faithful and repentant (clean, sober and faithful).

Presently we only have only a men’s group in Orlando, but hope to have a women’s ministry soon.

Some Statistics

Consider the following drug rehabilitation statistics:

According to the Center for Disease Control and other sources

• Over 8% of every person over the age of 12 years old has engaged in illegal drug use in the past month.

• Over 6% of every person over the age of 12 years old has used marijuana at least once in the past month.
• Over 3% of every individual over the age of 12 years old has abused a prescription medication in the past month.

1 in 7 people is effected by someone abusing drugs or alcohol

1 in 10 people is addicted to a mode altering substance.

Nicotine kills 500 thousand people a year, it is a very addicting, mode altering, narcotic
• As few as 3-5% of all those individuals who could be classified as having a drug addiction actually get the treatment they need in the form of a drug rehab program.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) adds more shocking statistics to the mix:
• Over half (51%) of all high-school seniors will have tried at least one illicit drug before they graduate their senior year.
• Over 14 million people in the United States are currently regular users of marijuana
• Over 17% of all 8th graders report having used inhalants to get high at least once in their life.

Finally, the United States Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMHSA) reports several disturbing trends regarding teen and adolescent alcohol and drug abuse:
• 66% of all high school seniors have used alcohol in the past month.
• 42% of all high school seniors have used marijuana or hashish at least once in their lives
• Prescription drug use in the fastest growing problem among youth substance abuse treatment centers, with 5% growth or more in each of the past three years.

SAMHSA does report that overall drug use numbers are declining across most age groups. However, as long as there are people who engage in substance abuse-related behavior and develop addictions, there will be a strong need for effective drug rehab and recovery programs.

Drug abuse is defined as the compulsive and habitual misuse of any drug or mode altering substance for various purposes, such as achieving calming or euphoric effects, an escape from reality, dulling anxiety, and fighting depression. Drug abuse victims need a support system to help them overcome this negative habit.

The rehabilitation of such drug abuse victims is conducted through special drug rehab programs that are designed to make the victim independent from the drug. Drug rehab statistics are an indication of the number of drug abuse victims and the common drug abuse methods.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it is estimated that almost 22.8 million Americans need treatment for either alcohol or drug addiction. Out of these 22.8 million people, only a small percentage received help from rehabilitation, and the rest were not exposed to any rehab programs. Around 1.2 million drug abusers who did not receive any treatment admitted to having felt the need for treatment at some point in time. A small percentage of these people disclosed that they made attempts to get some kind of help, but were unable to contact any rehab support group.

The percentage of teenagers reported to be victims of drug abuse is alarming. There were 2.3 million youth between the ages of 12 to 17 who were found to need treatment for alcohol or any other illicit drug abuse. Only 8.2 percent of these youths received any rehab help. An increased use of illegal substances such as cocaine, heroin, and other drugs among the youth is also observed.

It is possible to curb this menace if drug abuse is detected in its early stages. Behavioral change is the most reliable indicator of drug abuse in an individual. Drug rehab and a strong recovery program can help such people to overcome their addiction.

Inpatient Drug Rehab may be needed in some situations, outpatient programs also exist the most sucessful are the twelve step programs. And there are also Bible based programs like CR that have a great sucess rate for those that apply the principles on a consistent basis.

Drug rehab is a process that is specially designed to provide treatment in a safe and drug free environment where a former drug or alcohol abuser can be educated about addiction and how to get clean and stay clean. Although each drug rehab program may be different in their techniques and methods, all drug rehabilitation programs have the same motivating factor driving them, recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism.

Studies show that the success of one’s recovery is determined not only by the type of drug rehab program they attend, but the amount of effort put into applying what is learned in treatment when returning home and making the necessary changes in life to remain sober and be successful, happy, responsible and productive in life. Physical addiction is only one component of drug addiction; many addicts become so obsessed with achieving the next high that they must relearn appropriate behaviors for everyday life outside the context of drug use. A drug rehab program can go a long way in helping a person to realize that they are not alone in their struggle to overcome their addiction, and to address the underlying psychological issues that may have contributed to their addiction. Additionally, a drug rehab center will provide structured activities and predictable routines that have proven crucial to newly sober people.

Have you or your loved one become addicted to drugs or alcohol? Have you tried everything that you can think of yet the addiction continues or it has even gotten worse? Have you become hopeless in ever finding a solution to the life threatening situation of drug addiction and/or alcoholism? You are not alone! Deciding upon the correct drug rehab for yourself or a loved one is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It is important that you are well educated about addiction treatment options.

What is the success rate of the drug rehab program?

The typical success rate of most drug rehabs is 2% to 20%. There are drug rehabs with success

rates as high as 75%. But without a continued program of recovery the odds of success are diminished.

What is the cost?

When seeking the most successful treatment centers, cost can be meaningful only in the context of performance and quality of service.

There are free rehab centers , some accept insurance.

Is the drug rehab center properly licensed?

Most drug rehab programs are required to be licensed by a governing agency.

Drug Rehabs .Org is a searchable directory which includes more than 25,000 drug rehab programs, including long term residential drug treatment, out-patient treatment, detox facilities for drug addiction and alcoholism, and drug rehab for specific types of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, methamphetamine and prescription drug abuse.

Drug Rehabs .Org is part of a not-for-profit social betterment organization. Consultations are provided at no cost. They are there to assist you in finding a drug rehab for your specific alcohol or drug addiction problem. There are many different types of addiction treatment options, Drug rehab, Outpatient drug treatment, Inpatient drug rehabilitation, Long term drug treatment centers, Short term drug rehab programs, Counseling, Meetings, etc…

I Orlando there are a few options other than the mentioned website, “center for drug free living”  is one.

Do a google search for a rehap center in your area, look for a free one that provides enough time to fully detox preferrably without other mode altering medications being given.