New Year resolution: To conquer substance use and mental health disorders

Pinellas County, Fla. – The New Year offers a fresh start, a clean slate and the opportunity to make impactful changes. Accompanied by millions of Americans embarking on new journeys with New Year resolutions, this is an optimistic and hopeful time for those battling substance abuse to join their community in achieving recovery.

In the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area, 188,000 persons (8 percent) aged 12 or older were recently classified as having a substance use disorder. Among adults aged 18 or older, 163,000 (7.7 percent) experienced a major depressive episode in the past year, according to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

“There are many people in our community battling mental health and/or substance use disorder,” says Daphne Lampley of the LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County, a non-profit coalition located in Pinellas County dedicated to helping prevent substance abuse and mental health issues. “As millions of Americans set out to achieve their New Year resolutions, for many, this can mean conquering their mental health and/or substance use disorder with the right tools and support in place.”

The four major dimensions that support a life in recovery:

• Health: Overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms, such as abstaining from use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medications if one has an addiction problem. For everyone in recovery, making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being.

• Home: Having a stable and safe place to live.

• Purpose: Conducting meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school volunteerism, family caretaking, creative endeavors, as well as the independence, income, and resources to participate in society.

• Community: Having relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.

About LiveFree! Coalition

LiveFree! Coalition raises awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse among youth, young adults and adults in Pinellas County. By offering trainings, advocacy, town hall meetings, a Speaker’s Bureau, environmental strategies and awareness events, LiveFree! encourages Pinellas County families to live safe, healthy and drug-free. For more information, visit our website at www.pinellascoalition.com or email us at livefree@operpar.org.