PowerfulMy name is Elizabeth Quiroz and I am a Human Trafficking Victim Advocate/Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I am also a human trafficking survivor, a former Foster youth and a formerly incarcerated student. The picture on the left is a broken woman. The picture on the right is who I am today. Growing up, I endured so much physical abuse that I landed in foster care. I come from a family of gang members, child molesters, drug addicts and alcoholics. I ran away from everything at 15 years old and right into the arms of my trafficker. My trafficker got me hooked on meth and my family supplied him with the drugs. For 12 years I was addicted and sold on the streets of San Francisco. I endured physical abuse and sexual assaults beginning at the age of 4 and rapes from the age of 14 to 26. Throughout the years I went to Valley State Prison and in and out of numerous correctional facilities. At the age of 26, I lost my son and was arrested for the final time. I was numb from all of the horrific abuse. That day brought me back to life though. I did 18 months prison term in the county and completed 2 programs. I decided to change my life around.
Today, I have 8 years clean and I graduated last May with 3 AA degrees with the highest honors. I am currently at Sonoma State University obtaining my bachelor's and Master's degree. I will be the first person in my family to obtain a degree! I am breaking generational curses! God, the programs, and the arresting officers gave me a new life. I am also on the Sonoma Counties Human Trafficking Task Force and I have been featured in multiple articles and newspapers. I was granted a full and unconditional Governors Pardon from Governor Jerry Brown on Christmas Eve. My long term goal is to become a probation officer and start non-profit housing for Human trafficking victims here in Sonoma County. If I can turn it around to help others then there is hope for the broken! #TheAddictsDiary
Proud to be spreading the Nacoa word at Insightful Families conference on the 'impact of alcohol on children' at Alexandra Palace today. Wonderful on #alcoholawarenessweek to see so many people now talking about children affected by their parent's drinking. When wonderful films by Nacoa volunteers like Ceri Walker's 'Understanding Mum' come on the screen, it all begins to feel real. Sharing experiences is so powerful. ALL COAs should be heard, as well as those whose parents thankfully are in treatment. #childrenofalcoholics #coaisathing
I am a recovering addict, and raging alcoholic. 4 years 3 months sober, 1,563 days of nothing but good times and bad, went through a heck of a time on my road the last few years and the last year.. I have hurt others and myself with my past choices, even after I decided to get sober I still had some upsetting times and things I wish could have been better. But I am here, I am standing and I am breathing and I am coming for my future with arms wide open. #theaddictsdiary
Kingsgate Counselling and Addiction Services Thank you for visiting our page
Good work keep it gong congrats
amp.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/nov/13/tv-tonight-the-grim-truth-behind-county-lines-drug-d...
TV tonight: the grim truth behind county lines drug dealing
amp.theguardian.com
This documentary seeks out the youngsters trapped in this terrible trade and those trying to help th...
Why we need a better understanding of how PTSD affects families
medicalxpress.com
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term "post-traumatic stress disorder"? W...🤬
Boy died 'after taking drugs given to him by his mum'
metro.co.uk
Holly Strawbridge allegedly gave her son and his friend a cocktail of drugs at their home.So many people feel unjustified in their struggles with their childhood or believe there can be no link between their difficulties today and trauma because they didn’t experience anything traumatic.
This is a misunderstanding of what trauma actually means.
In this video I take deep dive into what we mean when we talk about trauma and how most of us have experienced trauma to some degree.
Link in comments 🙌🏼👌🏼👍🏼
🙏A year ago someone took a photo of me passed out on drugs and posted it on social media. Everyone saw it and I broke my mother’s heart. I decided to go back to the same exact spot and take a NEW photo for my mom. Today, I am 62 days clean. How about you make that go viral!
#TheAddictsDiary
www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-50045739
'We're here to make money and not get killed'
www.bbc.co.uk
How violent gangs put vulnerable young women and girls at "the forefront" of their business.alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/alcohol-awareness-week-1
Alcohol Awareness Week | Alcohol Change UK
alcoholchange.org.uk
Alcohol Change UK is the new charity formed by the merger of Alcohol Research UK and Alcohol Concern...www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-50351868
Two cannabis medicines approved for NHS
www.bbc.co.uk
The drugs, used to treat epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, are recommended for use by the NHS in Engl...
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Siblings also struggle when addiction strikes a family
whyy.org
The basic issue is trust, one expert says: A trust that’s been broken by a brother or sister, and ...
I’m Tiffani and I have nearly 4 years sober. I turned to drugs in my late teens after suffering many years from mental illness. My life continued into a downward spiral from trying new drugs, co-dependent relationships, and homelessness until I was finally arrested. I have remained sober since the day I was arrested and have slowly began to achieve my goals and dreams ever since. I am now a wife and a mother to a sweet baby girl. I will soon be a college graduate and my mental health is finally stable. I am thriving and loving life but my journey isn’t over yet. I’ll keep moving forward. Can’t stop, won’t stop. #TheAddictsDiary
youngminds.org.uk
If you are thinking about taking mental health medication, here is some general information which mi...www.theguardian.com/society/2019/nov/03/medical-cannabis-uk-clinical-trial-patients-nhs?CMP=Share...
Medical cannabis trial will target 20,000 UK patients
www.theguardian.com
Project backed by Royal College of Psychiatrists aims to be largest on drug’s use in Europe
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/gambling-killed-our-son-more-needs-to-be-done_uk_5dba9e4ce4b066da5...
‘Gambling Killed Our Son' – This Is the Unseen Addiction Crisis Spreading In Britain
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
Britain knows it has a gambling problem. One mother wants to know why nobody is talking about its li...
Report reveals severe lack of services for UK opioid painkiller addicts
www.theguardian.com
Only two free centres exist in UK as experts warn of hidden epidemicReferrals for our Emotional Resilience support group close today!
Emotional Resilience is an 8 week group which covers topics such as understanding and identifying emotions, the physical effects of anger and anxiety, triggers, self-awareness and self-esteem.
To find out more visit: www.nolimitshelp.org.uk/get-help/emotional-resilience/ phone: 02380 224 224 or email: enquiries@nolimitshelp.org.uk.
What Causes Borderline Personality Disorder?
www.psychologytoday.com
New research finds a "two-hit" model that may uncover the link between trauma and BPD.
Scottish government urged to declare drug addiction emergency
www.theguardian.com
‘Substitution is not the same as treatment’ says charity as death toll rises across country🙏
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We’ll walk 10km together. But it’s not a race - this is about standing up and being counted.
Why we need to let young people who self-harm lead the way in their treatment
medium.com
Youth mental health problems are increasing. It’s important they have access to support that works...
www.kingsgate-counselling.co.uk
A plan of Coping With Christmas just round the corner many families will already be thinking of invi...
How a drug gang devastated our helpless family
www.theguardian.com
Joe, 15, was an A-grade pupil. Now he’s being groomed, brutalised and terrified by a county lines ...
Spice is more than a deadly drug – it's a window on our society
www.theguardian.com
Soaring use of the ‘zombie drug’ is an inevitable response to a systemic failure in social care ...
Drug debts: First come bullets in the post. Then the family home is firebombed
www.irishtimes.com
Criminals’ primary targets are not the addicts who owe them money but their mothers🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏They say it is RARE that couples who use together are able to get clean and STAY together. The statistics may be low but it is possible. My fiancé and I are living proof!
We met on December 11th, 2014. We were both homeless—injecting Heroin and Methamphetamine. We entered a detox facility on December 26th, 2015. After 5 days of detox, we then were transferred to a residential treatment center TOGETHER! We graduated from that 90-day program, completed an outpatient aftercare program, and then moved into sober living. We are coming up on 4 years of 100% complete sobriety.
I want our story to be an inspiration for all of the addicts who are still suffering. I want you ALL to know that if we can do it you can too. Don't be a statistic, fight and fight HARD. Life is waiting for you!
#TheAddictsDiary
Spice saliva drug test 'could save lives'
www.bbc.co.uk
A new handheld saliva test could be used by emergency and homeless services as a harm reduction tool...Its fuking mental
www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/28/risks-of-cannabis-use-for-mental-health-treatment-outweig...
Risks of cannabis use for mental health treatment outweigh benefits
www.theguardian.com
New study shows evidence of positive outcomes is scarce while symptoms can be exacerbated
At the age of 18, I started injecting heroin and meth into my body. Two years later, I was diagnosed with HIV because of my drug use. That caused me to go further down the rabbit hole. At age 25, on December 12th, I was left in an ally to overdose and die, but by the grace of God a woman found me and happened to have Narcan. On December 17th, I decided to get clean. I've now been sober for 17 months and 15 days. I am living proof that Narcan is not enabling or a waste of money. I am living proof that we do recover. If you need help send a message into the page.
#TheAddictsDiary
Adults 'ignorant' over children's access to drugs
www.bbc.co.uk
Carson Price, 13, is one of at least 12 under-16s who have died since 2017 after taking ecstasy.
The complicated relationship between depression and your sleep
ow.ly
The effect of depression on your sleeping patterns can often be horrific, but there are ways to try ...🙏
Nextdoor is the free private social network for your neighbourhood community.
nextdoor.co.uk
Many communities throughout the United Kingdom are using Nextdoor to strengthen their neighbourhoods...When it comes to dealing with a loved one’s substance use, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But family members have a wealth of experience on how to respond, rather than react, in the face of challenging behaviour. Here are some of their top tips: bit.ly/33hEMDz
When Someone You Love Is an Alcoholic or Addict
www.psychologytoday.com
What to do if you're living with substance abuse
The Effect of Childhood Abuse on Women Who Become Mothers
www.psychologytoday.com
Changes in brain activity, PTSD, and "Parental Reflective Function."
‘Codeine luring people into drug abuse’
www.irishexaminer.com
Over-the-counter painkillers that contain codeine are ‘tip-toeing’ more people into addiction, a...amp.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/14/secret-life-high-functioning-drug-user
My secret life as a high-functioning drug user
amp.theguardian.com
From midweek binges to the dealer with a loyalty card, one twentysomething asks when a habit becomes...
Harrowing last letter of Iraq war hero before he took his life in PTSD despair
www.mirror.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE: The Sunday People is demanding better mental health treatment for soldiers and veteransGet no proper help they do their job then get shot on the scrap heap
Over the Christmas period, we expect to welcome and support 68 young people who are street homeless or sofa surfing at our Advice Centre, as well as many more vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people for whom Christmas is just another day.
Please help us to give them a taste of Christmas, comfort for the winter and hope for the future by making a donation.
- £5 could pay for a gift for one of our service users
- £10 could pay for a Christmas meal at our Advice Centre
- £20 could pay for an emergency pack containing a sleeping bag, warm clothes, everyday essentials and Christmas treats for a young person who is street homeless or sofa surfing.
You can make a donation on this post, or via Just Giving: www.justgiving.com/campaign/nolimitschristmas2019
Thank you for your support.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏My drug use caused me to go septic and the infection in my heart left me with endocarditis. The doctors told me I had 12 months to live if I kept using. They said my heart wouldn’t hold up after that. Here’s a picture of me at my college yesterday. I have 11 months clean today!
#TheAddictsDiary
Have you lost a loved one due to drugs or alcohol?
Visit www.beadproject.org.uk to find information, advice and personal stories.
GUILT, RESENTMENT, AND GRUDGES | Saturday 26 October 2019
mailchi.mp
CPD workshops designed to help qualified counsellors and trainees develop their therapeutic awarenes...Back up and running 🙏👊New website gone live for "Kingsgate Counselling and Addiction Services" - www.kingsgate-counselling.co.uk/
Treating trauma for public safety
ow.ly
The contribution of psychological support for patients in high security hospitals. Estelle Moore exp...
Great charity 🙏We have our charity dinner and dance coming up. If you would like to join us please contact Rhona or myself to purchase a ticket, will be a fantastic evening. Rhona.hawkins@pslcharity.org.uk or admin@pslcharity.org.uk
Telephone 02380230645.
bit.ly
Sharing advance review copy endorsements of the 10th Anniversary Edition "If You Loved Me, You'd Sto...
Why Some People Change and Some Don’t
bit.ly
Is it possible to truly change? Some people do and some don’t. Find out why and steps you can take...I spent the morning with my mom and the rest of my family at a festival. For years stuff like this wasn’t possible for me. I either was too paranoid to leave whatever room I had barricaded myself into from using cocaine all night, or too dopesick to do anything besides search for heroin. If I wasn’t too drugged up to spend time with my family I was most likely in a rehab somewhere. This went on for ten years and was a nightmare for everyone in my family. This morning I am reminded how grateful I am not to be the center or attention in my family. Nobody wonders if I’m high anymore. Nobody worries if I’ll show up. They know I’ll be there. They know I’m going to be present. Days like this are priceless for my family. I wish the same for you and yours.
#TheAddictsDiary
🙏I remember when I was using heroin I would see people smiling and wonder how they could be happy. I'd see people enjoying their lives and hate them for it. The things that made people smile had no effect on my emotions. Honestly, I had no emotions. I didn't cry, I didn't smile, I didn't laugh, I didn't believe in anything or anyone. I literally felt NOTHING. I spent years wondering why I always had to have something just not to be sick. I hated myself for that. Whether it was the needle in my arm, the methadone pill dissolving in a Dixie cup in front of me, or an orange film of suboxone under my tongue, I always needed something. Whatever method I attempted to get clean from drugs failed. An embarrassment to my family, and an embarrassment to myself things continued to get worse.
One day, beaten and broken I crawled out of a stairwell in the Bronx and decided to try again. I went against my own sick know it all type of thinking for once. When they said talk I talked when they said sit, I sat, and when they said write, I pushed that pen with the same ferocity I pushed the syringe into my veins. I chased my therapist like she was the dope dealer, and I chased recovering addicts like they were bundles of heroin. I chased my old life like it was the last hit in the crack pipe. I ran from my old friends like they were the police, and I avoided negativity like it was a debt collector. I searched for myself like there was an Amber Alert out for me. Making those sacrifices have brought me many great things from family to friends, and the respect of others. I have learned to smile, to laugh, to cry, and to feel. I have learned to love life.
#TheAddictsDiary
www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-freedom-change/201910/cheating-the-effects-anxious-and-avoida...
Cheating: The Effects of Anxious and Avoidant Attachment
www.psychologytoday.com
People cheat for different reasons. Find out why, and what to do about it.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Interdependence between alcohol use and mental health — NHS SMPA
bit.ly
Today is World Mental Health Awareness Day, and this year’s theme is suicide and suicide preventio...
Middlesbrough launches heroin-assisted treatment programme - Drink and Drugs News
drinkanddrugsnews.com
A pilot heroin-assisted treatment (HAT) programme is being launched in Middlesbrough, it will concen...
So true
My alcoholic mother - sister-hood magazine. A Fuuse production by Deeyah Khan.
t.co
I was fortunate enough to grow up with my mother around, and I know I should be grateful for that. B...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/newsbeat-49965086/dream-state-from-drug-addiction-to-touring-the-world
'I was taking MDMA alone, now I tour the world'
www.bbc.co.uk
CJ dropped out uni with drug problems - the music she's written about it has had millions of views.
North Wales police to offer drug users rehab instead of prison
amp.theguardian.com
People arrested for possession will no longer be automatically prosecuted under new scheme