While Hopeful Way House is independent from Alcoholics Anonymous, we do collaborate and we plan to have AA meetings in the House. Below is an e-mail that we received from an American AA who was visiting Accra last month.
"Dear Friends in Accra, I have told everybody who would listen about my amazing experience with A.A. in Accra, Ghana. When I walked into the meeting on Friday March 20 at 11:30am and saw the Big Books lying on the table, I had this overwhelming sense of comfort and good will. I thought, "I'm going to have a wonderful time in Ghana and I'll be safe!" All of which was true. Thank you so much for being there for me, so that I could attend not one BUT TWO meetings in Accra. I talked to Charles C. since I've returned and told him of my awesome experience.If you need anything at all - Big Books, Twelve and Twelve, anniversary coins, etc. - please let me know and I'll see that you get them.Thanks again for being there for me so that I could attend A.A. in Africa. Ghana is an amazing country - so rich in culture, history and heritage, which we hear very little about in the USA."
Your sister in sobriety,
Rena
Monday, April 13, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
HOPEFUL WAY WEB SITE TO BE ESTABLISHED
In order to provide and receive more information on alcohol and drug issues, Hopeful Way Foundation has set up a web site: http://hopefulway.webs.com. The site is being established with the assistance of Dr. Shawn Reynolds. This Blog will be maintained in order to encourage communication but the web site will enable us to provide longer and more technical information. Dr. Reynolds will explain in more detail how the web site will be useful and how it will work. Please go to the web site and make comments.
Dan
Dan
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Training Course in Addiction & Recovery
The Hopeful Way Foundation and the Addictive Diseases Unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital will conduct a training course in addiction and recovery from 20-24 April at the National Museum in Adabraka-Accra. The course is intended to improve the counseling skills of those dealing with addiction, and to open the possibility of organisations putting in place systems that will help prevent and deal with addiction. The draft programme for the training is as follows:
PROGRAMME FOR TRAINING
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the training, participants will have adequate/working knowledge of alcohol and drug abuse with its associated physical, psychological & social complications and will be able to:
1. Easily identify persons with alcohol and substance/drug use disorders in their organisations
2. Determine which persons with the disorders will need hospitalisation and refer appropriately
3. Adequately manage most cases of alcohol and drug abuse in their organisations to improve productivity
4. Put in place measures to maintain sobriety of addicts and prevent relapse
5. Adequately manage most cases of relapse
Monday, 20th April, 2009
9:00 – 10:00 am Introduction of Participants and Facilitators
10:00 – 11:00 am Overview of Drug Abuse in Ghana - Dr. J B Asare
Snack Break
11:30 – 1:00 pm Drugs, Brain & Behaviour - Dr E K Dordoye
Lunch Break
2:00 – 4:00pm Comprehensive Social Data Construction - Mr L Amegashie
Tuesday 21st April 2009
9:00 – 10:00 am General Guidelines & Types of Psychotherapy - Dr A Sefa-Dede
10:00 – 11:00 am Identification of The Addict/Misuse &
Techniques to get Clients accept their misuse of drugs - Mr Amegashie
Snack Break
11:30 – 1:00 pm The Effects of drugs on the Brain,Body & Social Function – Dr Sammy Ohene
Lunch Break
2:00 – 4:00pm Workshop on Identifying and Getting Clients to accept – Mr Amegashie
Management for Substance Misuse Disorders
Wednesday 22nd April 2009
9:00 – 10:00 am The Disease Nature of Addiction (& the 4 “P”s) – Dr Akwasi O Osei
10:00 – 11:00 am Laboratory Investigation of the Addict - Dr A Puklo-Dzadey
Snack Break
11:30 – 1:00 pm The 12 step Counselling Paradigm - Mr L Amegashie
Lunch Break
2:00 – 4:00pm Workshop on the management of Addiction - Dr Dordoye
Synopsis on Hospital Management of Addiction
Thursday 23rd April 2009
9:00 – 10:00 am Introduction of EAP, AA, NA & Al-Anon - Mr Dan O’Laughlin
10:00 – 11:00 am Motivational Enhancement Therapy - Mr Nortey Dua Edwin
Snack Break
11:30 – 1:00 pm Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy - Dr Sefa-Dede
Lunch Break
2:00 – 4:00pm Workshop on Formation of EAPs, AA, NA & Al-anon
Friday 24th April 2009
9:00 – 10:00 am Causes of Relapse, Prevention & Management – Mr L Amegashie
10:00 – 11:00 am Pastoral Counselling of alcohol & Drug Misuse Pastor H P N Augustt
Snack Break
11:30 – 1:00 pm Assessment & Feedback
PROGRAMME FOR TRAINING
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the training, participants will have adequate/working knowledge of alcohol and drug abuse with its associated physical, psychological & social complications and will be able to:
1. Easily identify persons with alcohol and substance/drug use disorders in their organisations
2. Determine which persons with the disorders will need hospitalisation and refer appropriately
3. Adequately manage most cases of alcohol and drug abuse in their organisations to improve productivity
4. Put in place measures to maintain sobriety of addicts and prevent relapse
5. Adequately manage most cases of relapse
Monday, 20th April, 2009
9:00 – 10:00 am Introduction of Participants and Facilitators
10:00 – 11:00 am Overview of Drug Abuse in Ghana - Dr. J B Asare
Snack Break
11:30 – 1:00 pm Drugs, Brain & Behaviour - Dr E K Dordoye
Lunch Break
2:00 – 4:00pm Comprehensive Social Data Construction - Mr L Amegashie
Tuesday 21st April 2009
9:00 – 10:00 am General Guidelines & Types of Psychotherapy - Dr A Sefa-Dede
10:00 – 11:00 am Identification of The Addict/Misuse &
Techniques to get Clients accept their misuse of drugs - Mr Amegashie
Snack Break
11:30 – 1:00 pm The Effects of drugs on the Brain,Body & Social Function – Dr Sammy Ohene
Lunch Break
2:00 – 4:00pm Workshop on Identifying and Getting Clients to accept – Mr Amegashie
Management for Substance Misuse Disorders
Wednesday 22nd April 2009
9:00 – 10:00 am The Disease Nature of Addiction (& the 4 “P”s) – Dr Akwasi O Osei
10:00 – 11:00 am Laboratory Investigation of the Addict - Dr A Puklo-Dzadey
Snack Break
11:30 – 1:00 pm The 12 step Counselling Paradigm - Mr L Amegashie
Lunch Break
2:00 – 4:00pm Workshop on the management of Addiction - Dr Dordoye
Synopsis on Hospital Management of Addiction
Thursday 23rd April 2009
9:00 – 10:00 am Introduction of EAP, AA, NA & Al-Anon - Mr Dan O’Laughlin
10:00 – 11:00 am Motivational Enhancement Therapy - Mr Nortey Dua Edwin
Snack Break
11:30 – 1:00 pm Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy - Dr Sefa-Dede
Lunch Break
2:00 – 4:00pm Workshop on Formation of EAPs, AA, NA & Al-anon
Friday 24th April 2009
9:00 – 10:00 am Causes of Relapse, Prevention & Management – Mr L Amegashie
10:00 – 11:00 am Pastoral Counselling of alcohol & Drug Misuse Pastor H P N Augustt
Snack Break
11:30 – 1:00 pm Assessment & Feedback
PROGRESS AT HOPEFUL WAY?
It has been
over a month since our momentous event at the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana.
Among our distinguished guest speakers that evening was Mr. Lee Manley. Mr.
Manley hosts a local radio show called “Lee’s Happy Hour” on Rock the Flow’s
website at http://rocktheflow.com. The show
airs from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. (EST) each Saturday. The show’s themes
center on treatment and recovery, with an emphasis on living happy and
productive lives without alcohol or drugs. On Saturday November 10th, Byron Merriweather
and some of the residents from the House of St. Francis will call into the show
from Ghana!! We encourage you to tune in if you can! Dan called into the show
last week.
The direct
link to Lee Manley’s show (please scroll to the bottom of the page):
Theresa
Friday, April 3, 2009
United Methodist Publishing House - Oxford House
The Oxford House Model for Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
WHEREAS, 12.1 million U.S. citizens have one or more symptoms of alcoholism; and
WHEREAS, Oxford Houses are self-run, self-supporting, nonsubsidized shared-residence programs utilizing ordinary rental housing in order to provide effective peer support (rather than governmentally, or institutionally, or staff-dependent support) for persons in recovery; and
WHEREAS, a 1988 poll of some 1,200 persons who had lived in Oxford Houses for some period during the previous twelve years showed that some 80 percent had maintained sobriety (as contrasted with the 20 percent rate of the abuse-free maintenance that is customarily reported for those who have completed rehabilitation programs without subsequent residence in Oxford House); and
WHEREAS, a 1991 survey of forty-five residents of six newly formed Oxford Houses by Dr. William Spillane of the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., indicated a relapse rate of only 9.3 percent;
Therefore, be it resolved, that General Conference hereby encourages each of its member congregations to become knowledgeable about the Oxford House model so that these congregations might provide all feasible support and assistance in the creation and maintenance of such recovery houses in their respective local communities.
Be it further resolved, that the General Conference direct the Health and Welfare Department of the General Board of Global Ministries to provide appropriate informational assistance in this effort, within the constraints of the current budgetary allotments.
ADOPTED 1992
Copyright © 2000 The United Methodist Publishing House.
WHEREAS, 12.1 million U.S. citizens have one or more symptoms of alcoholism; and
WHEREAS, Oxford Houses are self-run, self-supporting, nonsubsidized shared-residence programs utilizing ordinary rental housing in order to provide effective peer support (rather than governmentally, or institutionally, or staff-dependent support) for persons in recovery; and
WHEREAS, a 1988 poll of some 1,200 persons who had lived in Oxford Houses for some period during the previous twelve years showed that some 80 percent had maintained sobriety (as contrasted with the 20 percent rate of the abuse-free maintenance that is customarily reported for those who have completed rehabilitation programs without subsequent residence in Oxford House); and
WHEREAS, a 1991 survey of forty-five residents of six newly formed Oxford Houses by Dr. William Spillane of the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., indicated a relapse rate of only 9.3 percent;
Therefore, be it resolved, that General Conference hereby encourages each of its member congregations to become knowledgeable about the Oxford House model so that these congregations might provide all feasible support and assistance in the creation and maintenance of such recovery houses in their respective local communities.
Be it further resolved, that the General Conference direct the Health and Welfare Department of the General Board of Global Ministries to provide appropriate informational assistance in this effort, within the constraints of the current budgetary allotments.
ADOPTED 1992
Copyright © 2000 The United Methodist Publishing House.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Drug Traffficking - A Threat to Ghana's Stability
Drug Trafficking – A Threat to Ghana’s Stability 27 March, 2009
A member of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and Chairman of Hopeful Way Foundation, Dr. Joseph B. Asare, said that drug trafficking poses a serious threat to Ghana’s stability. He was speaking at the Government of Ghana-United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) conference on “Ghana Against Drugs and Crimes”. Speaking on the topic “Ghana: From Trafficking to Consumption”, Dr. Asare warned that the growing drug trade was a threat to Ghana’s national security. He added that bribery and corruption associated with the drug trade could undermine the rule of law, threaten national security and make the country ungovernable.
Dr. Asare warned that gang warfare, money laundering and organised crime would escalate “if we do not put our heads together to stop or reduce this menace”. He asked that additional resources and the political will to be made available to combat the growing abuse of illegal drugs in Ghana.
Dr. Asare recently chaired a one-day gathering on Addiction and Recovery at Hopeful Way House in Oyarifa. At the meeting he said that “I commend Hopeful Way for organising this very important meeting with the main objective of introducing workers in the field of alcohol and substance abuse to their House, to get to know ourselves better and to facilitate the exchange of practical experiences. It has to be recognized and appreciated that strategies and interventions addressing alcohol misuse must be considered and implemented in ways that are sensitive to our cultural systems.”
In addition to the establishment of Hopeful Way House to provide a drug and alcohol free environment for recovering addicts, the Hopeful Way Foundation is also planning to develop outreach programmes to reach the youth on the dangers of drug and alcohol.
Dr. Asare will be a key resource person at a training course to be held from 20-24 April, 2009 sponsored by Hopeful Way Foundation and the Addictive Diseases Unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The course will be on addiction, recovery and counseling, and will place emphasis on reaching workers and young Ghanaians.
A member of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and Chairman of Hopeful Way Foundation, Dr. Joseph B. Asare, said that drug trafficking poses a serious threat to Ghana’s stability. He was speaking at the Government of Ghana-United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) conference on “Ghana Against Drugs and Crimes”. Speaking on the topic “Ghana: From Trafficking to Consumption”, Dr. Asare warned that the growing drug trade was a threat to Ghana’s national security. He added that bribery and corruption associated with the drug trade could undermine the rule of law, threaten national security and make the country ungovernable.
Dr. Asare warned that gang warfare, money laundering and organised crime would escalate “if we do not put our heads together to stop or reduce this menace”. He asked that additional resources and the political will to be made available to combat the growing abuse of illegal drugs in Ghana.
Dr. Asare recently chaired a one-day gathering on Addiction and Recovery at Hopeful Way House in Oyarifa. At the meeting he said that “I commend Hopeful Way for organising this very important meeting with the main objective of introducing workers in the field of alcohol and substance abuse to their House, to get to know ourselves better and to facilitate the exchange of practical experiences. It has to be recognized and appreciated that strategies and interventions addressing alcohol misuse must be considered and implemented in ways that are sensitive to our cultural systems.”
In addition to the establishment of Hopeful Way House to provide a drug and alcohol free environment for recovering addicts, the Hopeful Way Foundation is also planning to develop outreach programmes to reach the youth on the dangers of drug and alcohol.
Dr. Asare will be a key resource person at a training course to be held from 20-24 April, 2009 sponsored by Hopeful Way Foundation and the Addictive Diseases Unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The course will be on addiction, recovery and counseling, and will place emphasis on reaching workers and young Ghanaians.
Prayer of An Alcoholic
My Lord, you know how hard I tried to break free from this habit that controls me. You know how hard I tried to resist this temptation, this momentary pleasure whose price I cannot afford to pay. I tried so hard my Lord, but I have failed you over and over and over again. Because every time my loneliness haunts me, every time my fears arouses panic within me, every time I’m hurt and confused and I don’t know what to do, every time I’m miserable deep inside and I need real help, I run to the bottle that has long been my sole friend and savior. I run to the bottle instead of running unto you.
How I wanted to run to you, but it seemed so much easier to reach for the bottle than to reach out my hand to you. It seemed so much easier to escape, to numb my senses as though I were already dead. It seemed so easier to pretend nothing’s wrong, to act out courage at times when I have so much fear within me. I thought that by trying to run away, I can forget my troubles. I thought that by numbing my senses, I can completely escape from the pain.
But O, how wrong was I indeed! For in exchange for brief moments of forgetfulness, my troubles return with twice the problems I already had. In exchange for brief moments of relief, I end up hurting myself more and those that I love so much. How can I even take back the curses I gave my children? The violence I’ve allowed my wife to suffer? How can I ever respect the man who has allowed himself to be enslaved for a few moments of illusion and relief? There is no real relief except that which comes from courageously facing one’s problems. There is no real salvation except that which come from a true change of heart.
Help me O Lord, that I may break free from this habit that enslaves me. Let me not exchange my royal heritage for a mere glass of wine. Save me from the monster I become whenever I fail to recognize the child of God that lives in me. Indeed, you have not given me a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power to overcome my troubles, of love to be responsible for the lives of those whom I touch, and of a sound mind filled with wisdom, capable of choosing the things of eternal worth over the things that will not last. It will not be an easy task, and I know that I will die for every cup of wine I will refuse with my thirsty flesh. But I dare to reclaim my soul O God. I dare to drink from the well of salvation from which I shall never thirst again.
Submitted by
Nicole
My Lord, you know how hard I tried to break free from this habit that controls me. You know how hard I tried to resist this temptation, this momentary pleasure whose price I cannot afford to pay. I tried so hard my Lord, but I have failed you over and over and over again. Because every time my loneliness haunts me, every time my fears arouses panic within me, every time I’m hurt and confused and I don’t know what to do, every time I’m miserable deep inside and I need real help, I run to the bottle that has long been my sole friend and savior. I run to the bottle instead of running unto you.
How I wanted to run to you, but it seemed so much easier to reach for the bottle than to reach out my hand to you. It seemed so much easier to escape, to numb my senses as though I were already dead. It seemed so easier to pretend nothing’s wrong, to act out courage at times when I have so much fear within me. I thought that by trying to run away, I can forget my troubles. I thought that by numbing my senses, I can completely escape from the pain.
But O, how wrong was I indeed! For in exchange for brief moments of forgetfulness, my troubles return with twice the problems I already had. In exchange for brief moments of relief, I end up hurting myself more and those that I love so much. How can I even take back the curses I gave my children? The violence I’ve allowed my wife to suffer? How can I ever respect the man who has allowed himself to be enslaved for a few moments of illusion and relief? There is no real relief except that which comes from courageously facing one’s problems. There is no real salvation except that which come from a true change of heart.
Help me O Lord, that I may break free from this habit that enslaves me. Let me not exchange my royal heritage for a mere glass of wine. Save me from the monster I become whenever I fail to recognize the child of God that lives in me. Indeed, you have not given me a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power to overcome my troubles, of love to be responsible for the lives of those whom I touch, and of a sound mind filled with wisdom, capable of choosing the things of eternal worth over the things that will not last. It will not be an easy task, and I know that I will die for every cup of wine I will refuse with my thirsty flesh. But I dare to reclaim my soul O God. I dare to drink from the well of salvation from which I shall never thirst again.
Submitted by
Nicole
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