Alcoholism and Addiction Community Forums http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, Drug Abuse, Treatment Center, Rehab, Family and Recovery Help en Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:05:01 GMT vBulletin 45 http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Alcoholism and Addiction Community Forums http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums CDawg http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13735&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:32:59 GMT I Just heard from a :shake::bye::bye:reliable source, that our resident dawg is OK. I Just heard from a :shake::bye::bye:reliable source, that our resident dawg is OK. ]]> Alternatives to the Twelve Steps Mustang1 http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13735 Welcome thomas raj http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13733&goto=newpost Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:29:00 GMT Hi thomas raj, Welcome to the sober village. Please make yourself at home. Glad you are here. Hi thomas raj,

Welcome to the sober village.
Please make yourself at home.
Glad you are here. ]]> The Doorstop Rocketman http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13733 3 silly ones http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13732&goto=newpost Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:03:09 GMT Tuning Up Arnold and his wife Florrie were walking across Southsea Common one Sunday afternoon. In the bandstand the combo was playing a catchy... Tuning Up

Arnold and his wife Florrie were walking across Southsea Common one Sunday afternoon. In the bandstand the combo was playing a catchy sounding tune, and Florrie said, "I wonder what the name of that tune is."

Arnold noticed that there was a sign posted near the bandstand and said, "It looks like they post the titles of the tunes they play. I'll go down and see."

A while later Arnold returned and said to Florrie, "It's one I don't know, it's called the Refrain from Spitting."

================================================== ==========
What's in a name?

Ron was walking down the street when he met a small boy. Ron asked his name.

The lad replied, "Six and seven-eighths."

Ron looked puzzled and asked him why his parents had given him such a strange name, and the youngster replied, "Oh, they just picked it out of a hat."

================================================== ==========

Fishy Story

An English tourist is on holiday in a Cornish village when he spots what he thinks is the village idiot sitting next to the horse trough. In his hand is an old stick, and tied to the end is a piece of string which is dangling in the water. The tourist decides to humour the fellow and asks, "Have you caught anything yet?"

The village idiot looks up and studies the stranger before answering, "Aye, you be the ninth today."

:HOThanksGHappyThank ]]> The Comedy Club indigo http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13732 Hope therapy? http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13731&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:14:57 GMT I figured I'd share this... if nothing else, there's enough good one liners in here to make it worth reading (dan opinion alert):

"Part 0ne: Hope Therapy
Excerpts:

"Cheavens measures hope in people using a 12-item questionnaire
developed by her mentor, the late C.R. Snyder of the University of
Kansas. In this measure, hope has two components: a map or pathway to
get what you want, and the motivation and strength to follow that
path.

“If you feel you know how to get what you want out of life, and you
have that desire to make that happen, then you have hope,” Cheavens
said.

"Hope is different from optimism, which is a generalized expectancy
that good things will happen, she said. Hope involves having goals,
along with the desire and plan to achieve them."

And:

“Many of the people who seek therapy are not mentally ill – they
don’t meet criteria for depression or other illnesses,” Cheavens
said. “So if you focus primarily on what is wrong with them, there
may not be much progress.”

“Hope therapy seeks to build on strengths people have, or teach them
how to develop those strengths. We focus not on what is wrong, but on
ways to help people live up to their potential.”

Source: Ohio State University

Released: Wed 13-Aug-2008, 18:00 ET
Embargo expired: Sat 16-Aug-2008, 09:00 ET

You've Got to Have Hope: Studies Show "Hope Therapy" Fights Depression

Description

A growing body of research suggests that there is a potent way to
fight symptoms of depression that doesn’t involve getting a
prescription. This potent weapon? Hope. “We’re finding that hope is
consistently associated with fewer symptoms of depression. And the
good news is that hope is something that can be taught, and can be
developed in many of the people who need it,” a researcher said.

Newswise — A growing body of research suggests that there is a potent
way to fight symptoms of depression that doesn’t involve getting a
prescription.

This potent weapon? Hope.

“We’re finding that hope is consistently associated with fewer
symptoms of depression. And the good news is that hope is something
that can be taught, and can be developed in many of the people who
need it,” said Jennifer Cheavens, assistant professor of psychology
at Ohio State University.

Cheavens and Laura Dreer of the University of Alabama at Birmingham
discussed some of the latest research on how hope can battle
depression during a symposium Saturday Aug. 16 in Boston at the
annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in Boston.

Cheavens measures hope in people using a 12-item questionnaire
developed by her mentor, the late C.R. Snyder of the University of
Kansas. In this measure, hope has two components: a map or pathway to
get what you want, and the motivation and strength to follow that
path.

“If you feel you know how to get what you want out of life, and you
have that desire to make that happen, then you have hope,” Cheavens
said.

Hope is different from optimism, which is a generalized expectancy
that good things will happen, she said. Hope involves having goals,
along with the desire and plan to achieve them.

The potential of hope as a way to fight depression is apparent in a
recent study of patients and caregivers that Cheavens discussed in
her APA presentation.

In this study, Cheavens and Dreer examined 97 adults, most over age
60, who had been diagnosed with macular degeneration or other
conditions that would cause them to lose their sight.

The researchers looked at measures of hope and depression in these
people with low vision, along with their caregivers.

As expected, the researchers found that, in general, caregivers were
more likely to have significant depressive symptoms if the patients
themselves had symptoms of depression.

But caregivers who scored higher on measures of hope showed fewer
depressive symptoms, even if the people they care for were depressed.
Higher-hope caregivers also showed higher satisfaction with life, and
felt less of a sense of burden.

“Hope seems to be protective for caregivers,” Cheavens said.

The good news is that hope is something that can be developed in
people, she said.

In a study published in the journal Social Indicators Research,
Cheavens and her colleagues tested a hope therapy treatment with a
sample of 32 people recruited through newspaper ads and flyers. The
ads asked for participants willing to attend weekly group meetings
designed to increase participants’ abilities to reach goals.

The researchers specifically looked for people who were not diagnosed
with depression or other mental illnesses, but who felt dissatisfied
with where they were in life.

“Many of the people who seek therapy are not mentally ill – they
don’t meet criteria for depression or other illnesses,” Cheavens
said. “So if you focus primarily on what is wrong with them, there
may not be much progress.”

“Hope therapy seeks to build on strengths people have, or teach them
how to develop those strengths. We focus not on what is wrong, but on
ways to help people live up to their potential.”

In this study, about half the participants took part in eight,
two-hour group sessions led by trained leaders. As part of these
sessions, they were taught new hope-related skills, including
identifying goals, ways to achieve them, and how to motivate
themselves.

Results showed that those who participated in the hope therapy had
reduced depressive symptoms compared to the control group that did
not participate.

“We’re finding that people can learn to be more hopeful, and that
will help them in many ways,” Cheavens said.

“What I think is exciting about hope therapy is the way we are
learning from people who are doing very well. We have been figuring
out what hopeful people are doing right, and taking those lessons and
developing therapies and interventions for people who are not doing
as well,” Cheavens said.

“And the great news is that it seems to work – we can teach people
how to be more hopeful.”


and:


Part Two: Self-help Interventions
Review
Self-help interventions for depressive disorders and depressive
symptoms: A systematic review
Morgan A, Jorm A
Annals of General Psychiatry, 2008 7:13 (19 August 2008)
Abstract http://www.annals-general-psychiatry.../1/13/abstract
Provisional PDF
http://www.annals-general-psychiatry.com/content/pdf/1744-859X-7-13.pdf"

Did you make it this far?

dan ]]> Mental Health Loft ExGrandPoobah http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13731 Man with No Legs Runs 100 Meters in Under 11 Seconds http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13730&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:14:03 GMT http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/man-with-no-legs-runs-100-meters-in-under-11-seconds/weird-science *Athlete Oscar Pistorius, age 20, is a double... http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/man-.../weird-science

Athlete Oscar Pistorius, age 20, is a double amputee — who runs on carbon fiber feet — that may be too fast for his own good. He’s already achieved gold medal status in the Paralympics, but aspires to run in the Olympics, Beijing just like any other man.
There’s been much contention whether he should be permitted to run in the Olympics against able-bodied athletes, because they feel he’s not your typical man, rather, an athlete whose prosthetics give him an unfair technological advantage. It’s ludicrous that a handicapped person would be seen as more abled than disabled.
It’s a debate rife with raw emotion over a tale of the conflict of technology and sport and what we understand as even competition or fair play, reports The Hindu.
Pistorius was born without fibulas and underwent double amputation below the knees as a baby. Now he’s fast enough to come second in the 400 meters at the ‘able-bodied’ South African nationals.
There’s speculation that Pistorius’ stride is longer and more repeated than for a man his height, that his prosthetics are lighter, and springier, and the fact of absence of lactic acid build-up. It’s agreed he starts slowly, but argued that he finishes too fast. Photo John Super / AP - Oscar Pistorius at approximate age 18.
This isn’t the first time for contention over handicapped athletes in competition. Casey Martin is a golfer with a degenerative leg condition that made walking 18 holes insurmountable. He appealed to the courts to be allowed a motorized cart in tournaments. Golfers with world-class titles objected, claiming that walking was elemental to golf, but a judge ruled in Casey’s favor.
Casey had the right to compete just like any other man, and the cart was an attempt to level the playing field. Likewise, wearing a hi-tech prosthetic might be the only way for Pistorius to hold his own. The argument to this is that none of these hi-tech aids are carried onto the field.
Pistorius presents a gripping quandary. Is it okay that he wears Cheetahs only for running? If an athlete is half-a-second quicker in 6 months, how much can be credited towards hard work and how much to an improved prosthetic? An International Amateur Athletic Federation official was quoted saying “We’re worried that he (Pistorius) could be in a situation where he could go to his manufacturer just as in Formula One and say ‘make me faster’.��?
So how fair is it to ban him for an advantage using a prosthetic without factoring the disadvantage of being a double amputee?
The IAAF will soon be making a decision whether or not Pistorius will be eligible for the Olympics. Either way, he’s still the epitome of an Olympian for his stamina and commendable spirit.
South Africa’s ‘Bladerunner’
Often called the ‘Bladerunner,’ Oscar Pistorius is dubbed by the media
as ‘the fastest thing on no legs’.



UPDATE
Track and field’s governing body ruled January 14 2008 that Oscar Pistorius is ineligible to compete this summer in Beijing — or any other sanctioned able-bodied competitions — because his ‘Cheetah’ racing blades are ‘technical aids’ that give him a clear advantage.
“An athlete using this prosthetic blade has a demonstrable mechanical advantage (more than 30 percent) when compared to someone not using the blade.” the International Association of Athletics Federations said.
His manager, Peet Van Zyl, called the IAAF ruling a “huge blow.” Van Zyl spoke briefly with Pistorius, saying he “could hear from his voice that he is disappointed.”
“He has been competing in South African able-bodied competition for the past three years.” Van Zyl said. “At this stage it looks like he is out of any able-bodied event.”
The 21-year-old runner said he would appeal “to the highest levels” if the ruling went against him. He could take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. The International Olympic Committee said it “respects” the IAAF decision.
South Africa’s national track and field federation says it is bound by IAAF rules and must keep Pistorius from some national races he has entered for several years.
“If we had our rules and our own competition it would be easier.” South Africa federation president Leonard Chuene said. “It is a huge problem.”
The IAAF based its decision on a study in Germany by professor Gert-Peter Brueggemann. He found several indicators the Cheetah blades provided an unfair edge.
The federation said Pistorius had been allowed to compete in some able-bodied events until now because his case was unique and such artificial prosthesis had not been properly studied.
“Now we have the science,” IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said.
The ruling does not affect his eligibility for Paralympic events, in which he was a gold medalist in Athens in 2004.
The runner worked with Brueggemann in Cologne for 2 days of testing in November. The goal was to learn how the j-shaped carbon-fiber extensions to his amputated legs differed from the legs of fully abled runners.
Brueggemann found that Pistorius was able to run at the same speed as able-bodied runners on about a quarter less energy. The professor said that once the runners hit a certain stride, athletes with artificial limbs needed less additional energy than other athletes.
The professor determined that the returned energy from the prosthetic blade is “close to three times higher than with the human ankle joint in maximum sprinting.” The IAAF adopted a rule last summer prohibiting ‘technical aids’ deemed to give an athlete an advantage. ]]> The Bistro Done-With-It! http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13730 Prayers please.. http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13729&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:34:17 GMT My cousin is in critical condition due to his alcoholism, they are giving him two weeks to live unless a miracle occurs, yet another in my family... My cousin is in critical condition due to his alcoholism, they are giving him two weeks to live unless a miracle occurs, yet another in my family taken by alcoholism. Please pray for healing and if Gods will a peaceful passing. Thanks. ]]> Peace, Serenity and Spirituality Chy http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13729 Our California friends http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13728&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:39:29 GMT Two of my friends have lost their homes out there; I am sure there are others on this site in the path of the fires. It is horrifying to watch and I... Two of my friends have lost their homes out there; I am sure there are others on this site in the path of the fires. It is horrifying to watch and I can only hope you are well...

Gianna ]]> The Doorstop Gianna http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13728 Welcome annerey http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13727&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:55:40 GMT Hi annerey, Welcome to the sober village. Glad to have you here. You might want to change your users name and not include your email address.... Hi annerey,

Welcome to the sober village.
Glad to have you here.

You might want to change your users name and not include your email address.
The people here at the village can be trusted, but we also get some unknown visitors.

Make yourself at home and let us know if you need help finding your way around.

PS, Happy Belated Birthday.
:icon_hug: ]]> The Doorstop Rocketman http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13727 Welcome manzanitaZ http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13726&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:48:09 GMT Hi manzanitaZ, Welcome to the village. Glad you are here. :yeah: Hi manzanitaZ,

Welcome to the village.
Glad you are here.
:yeah: ]]> The Doorstop Rocketman http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13726 Welcome arthur http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13725&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:44:04 GMT Hi arthur, Welcome to the Sober Village :bye: Hi arthur,
Welcome to the Sober Village
:bye: ]]> The Doorstop Rocketman http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13725 Annoying Boy On Bus http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13723&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:46:36 GMT A little kid walks into a city bus and sits right behind the driver and starts yelling, ''If my dad was a bull and my mom a cow I'd be a little bull.''
The driver starts getting mad at the noisy kid, who continues with, ''If my dad was an elephant and my mom a girl elephant I would be a little elephant.''
The kid goes on with several animals until the bus driver gets angry and yells at the kid, ''What if your dad was a drunk and your mom was a prostitute?!''
The kid smiles and says, ''I would be a bus driver!'' :Crash: ]]> The Comedy Club Leesa http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13723 Me http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13722&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:32:17 GMT I am 38 today. :) Pelicans and seagulls helped me celebrate . . . and some crab cakes. frita I am 38 today. :)

Pelicans and seagulls helped me celebrate . . . and some crab cakes.

frita ]]> La Fiesta! afrita http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13722 Leesa http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13721&goto=newpost Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:15:07 GMT Saw the news about the fires near LA and hope you aren't too close? Please check in when you can!

CD ]]> The Bistro Charlie_Dunver http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13721 jokes based on clever use of language: http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13720&goto=newpost Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:25:05 GMT 1) A linguistics professor was lecturing his class one day.
'In English,' he said, 'A double negative forms a positive. In some languages, though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative. '

A loud voice from the back of the room piped up, 'Yeah, right. '

2) Robert went to his lawyer and said, 'I would like to make a will but I don't know exactly how to go about it. ' The lawyer smiled at Robert and replied, 'Not a problem, leave it all to me. '

Robert looked somewhat upset and said, 'Well, I knew you were going to take a big portion, but I would like to leave a little to my family too! '

3) Two lawyers arrive at the pub and ordered a couple of drinks. They then take sandwiches from their briefcases and began to eat.
Seeing this, the angry publican approaches them and says, 'Excuse me, but you cannot eat your own sandwiches in here! '
The two look at each other, shrug and exchange sandwiches.

4) Brenda and Terry are going out for the evening. The last thing they do is put their cat out.

The taxi arrives, and as the couple walk out of the house, the cat scoots back in.
Terry returns inside to chase it out. Brenda, not wanting it known that the house would be empty, explains to the taxi driver, 'My husband is just going upstairs to say goodbye to my mother. '

Several minutes later, an exhausted Terry arrives and climbs back into the taxi saying, 'Sorry I took so long, the stupid idiot was hiding under the bed and I had to poke her with a coat hanger several times before I could get her to come out! ' ]]> The Comedy Club indigo http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13720 Welcome bystander http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13719&goto=newpost Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:05:28 GMT Hi bystander, Welcome to the Village. Please make yourself at home. Hi bystander,

Welcome to the Village.
Please make yourself at home. ]]> The Doorstop Rocketman http://www.thesobervillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13719