Recovery is a Journey
Seems like what makes the news also makes the
history books. What we hear about is mostly bad news. History is full
of awful events - wars, famines, conspiracies, oppression, betrayal,
etc. We even celebrate holidays that are inspired by tragedy. We
individually observe the anniversaries of many tragic events in our
lives. Surely, on this journey of life there are daily moments of
wonderful events.
For those of us on the journey of recovery, we
celebrate our sobriety or clean dates. We say to live one day at a
time. Let's also celebrate one day at a time. Let's notice when another
person has been kind to us, when a cashier genuinely smiles and says
"Have a great day," or when a peer helps us with our work. Let's notice
the sound of birds singing or the beauty of a sunset or sunrise. Let's
notice and appreciate our own progress when we control our temper and
our tongue in situations we used to not handle very appropriately.
At the same time that I am suggesting we notice
and celebrate those happy occurrences in our daily lives, I am also
suggesting we forget about the awful past and move on down the road.
Too many of us dwell on and live in the past.
--Rick B.
Millions Are Driving Under The Influence
Nationwide, an estimated 30.5 million people age
12 or older drove while under the influence of alcohol at least once in
the past year. 15% of the current drivers age 18 or older drove under
the influence of alcohol at least once in the past year. In some states
the levels are higher, up to 25%. In addition, 20% of adult drivers age
18 and older drove under the influence of either an illicit drug or a
prescribed medication at least once in the past year.
Rates were highest in the following states:
Wisconsin |
26.4% |
North Dakota |
24.9% |
Minnesota |
23.5% |
Nebraska |
22.9% |
South Dakota |
21.6% |
Utah currently has the lowest rate of those 18
and older driving under the influence of alcohol at 9.5%.
Past year rates of driving under the influence of
illicit drugs among drivers age 18 and older were highest in the
following states:
District of Columbia |
7% |
Rhode Island |
6.8% |
Massachusetts |
6.4% |
Montana |
6.3% |
Wyoming |
6.2% |
New Jersey had the lowest rates for driving under
the influence of illicit drugs - 3.2%.
According the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, almost 17,000 deaths in 2004 were caused by those
driving under the influence.
Adapted from Samhsa News
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