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Do you know someone with a substance abuse problem and don't know how to approach them? We have an answer.

Sometimes the simplest idea can make the biggest difference. Is it possible for one idea to change the world? Have you heard? Our world as we know it is experiencing an 'epidemic'. The very nature of addiction is about isolation, hiding, secrecy and cover up. With that in mind can you begin to even imagine how extensive and prolific the real numbers are? As a drug and alcohol counselor for the last twenty-five years I have experienced what a difference a mentor, way-shower and educator can do for the alcoholic/addict who silently suffers. Look at the statistics; we are not talking about the bag lady on skid row or the addict who breaks the law to get more drugs. We are talking about our children in our own communities, our sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, neighbors and co-workers. Epidemic is an accurate statement because one drug affected/alcoholic person adversely affects an average of nine people. People who live with and around the relentless obsession of addiction become as sick, alone, frightened and helpless as the person abusing chemicals. They experience the same losses as the chemically affected person. It is the only malady in our universe that affects every area of life: financially, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is terminal in that the final outcome is guaranteed insanity, institutions or death. Honestly look at the estimated numbers of the affected people in our world. We pretend as a society that the heart attack, domestic violence, calling in sick every Monday morning, financial instability, physical problems, marital problems and depression are only symptomatic of the core issues of chemical abuse and dependency.

In 2005, 19.7 million (8.1%)'used an illicit drug, 71.5 million (29.4%) used a tobacco product, and 126 million (51.8%) Americans aged 12 and older used alcohol currently (that is, in the month prior to the survey).' The rate of current marijuana use among youths aged 12 to 17 declined from 7.6% to 6.8% between 2004 and 2005.' Although the number of current methamphetamine users has remained steady since 2002, the number who were dependent on or abused some illicit drug rose significantly from 164,000 to 257,000 between 2002 and 2005.' September 2006 the National Drug & Alcohol survey complied statistics that validate 12.3 million of our youth have experimented with methamphetamine before the age of twelve.

As a 'Community Support' effort each and every one of us can target the number one trait of addiction, Denial. Denial is the traditional favorite of chemically dependent people and their loved ones everywhere. The person in denial refuses to admit the possibility that a problem exists, despite all evidence to the contrary, and everyone else endorses the irrational beliefs. Denial binds us all to the extent and severity of the illness. There are not enough institutions, state and federal funding, treatment programs and mental health professions to begin to address the numbers of people affected by this increasing epidemic.

Each and every one of us can now do something so simple, loving and direct that at first glance it may appear to be so easy we dismiss the impact of how one person really can change the world. You can do a loving, nurturing anonymous intervention. The waiting lists for our treatment programs, our over crowded juvenile halls and city jails with first time offenders with drug/alcohol related charges, families who don't have insurance for treatment, families waiting for a legal intervention to save their loved ones, and those of us who don't know where to go and what to do for the chemically affected person to help break through the illusions of denial. I had a vision of how to touch the masses and we created a individual self-help all inclusive treatment program for an affordable price. Because of the wonderful capabilities of the internet we can now send this innovative, easy reading, humorous, educational, whimsical and fun journaling process to anyone without them ever knowing who their anonymous friend is. We have created inspirational cards which state that you care and know about their secrets. Included is a loving message to the drug affected person that you are not judging them and respect them enough to honor their privacy and that is why you are sending a gift of truth and compassion. The truth is the antidote for denial. You can pull the covers off of the hidden secrets for someone you know and they will never know who sent it. I cannot emphasize how valuable this kind of impact will have on denial. Even if they don't react immediately I can promise you after working with thousands of alcoholic/addicts these books will take the hiding, secrets and illusion of having fun away from the using person. Hundreds of recovering people have shared with me that my words lived in their heads from our very fist encounter and it just wasn't for free and for fun anymore. Denial is the lie that the addicted mind listens to. Truth cannot be compromised when it relates to each persons individual experiences because life is the true teacher.

The workshop series is totally non-threatening with a message of hope. Send a message of hope to someone you know who needs to address their chemical dependency problem. It is now so easy. The titles speak for themselves: Taming the Beast Named Habit and The Addictions Monster Doesn't Live Here Anymore. The humor, art work, inspirational message and education will come from the heart that connects with the heart. This series contains a mammoth amount of wisdom in tried and true, tested and refined personal formulas. Having walked the walk and talked the talk, published author, and inspirational speaker, Mikki Alhart takes the serious progression of addiction to another level.

To reach the masses in a community support effort we knew certain criteria's needed to be met. Number one, it has to be something that really helps people. Number two, something they can't do by themselves. Number three, If I do it for them, they will automatically be assisting at least nine other people. This is a true gift of life that doesn't need to be paid back. The theme throughout these workshops is how to discover your own recovery.

The message that needs to be made public is the Recovery Works. Millions of men and women are in recovery. They are your mailmen, hairdressers, and next door neighbors, friends in church, teachers, policemen and bankers. People don't talk about their recovery they just joyously and productively live it. Due to the stigma still prevalent in our society of being weak willed, shamed, guilty, and immoral it continues to keep successful recovering people silent. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of the 12 step programs and now there is a way to be an anonymous messenger of hope and encouragement without judgment.

One person can make a difference. Be that loving person who will reach out and give the gift of truth and recovery. Remember the addiction monster demands to be fed on a very regular basis, it will not just disappear by itself. Addiction has a voice of it's own that talks to it's captives''.Be a new voice, be a helping hand that can bring someone out of the bondage of addiction. Dare to believe that if we build it one by one by one we can change our world. Visit the New Hope center at and be willing to take a chance carrying the message of hope because you know you can make a difference in someone's life.