It is amazing to know people Support Recovery!

The N.O.P.E. (Narcotics Overdose Prevention Education) candlelight vigil and Rockin' for Recovery went so well!!

 There was a good amount of people who made it out to Support Students in Recovery! It's very positive to know that other students on our campus are supportive to those in recovery. The rocking raised awareness about Recovery and helped new students to learn that we are there for them.

Other organizations on and off campus came to support and Rock with us! Thank you to Everyone it truly means a lot!

Thank you to everyone who came out or stopped by!! We all can make a change by letting others know there is always HOPE!







Our speaker and new found friend shared her story before the NOPE Vigil. Hearing the perspective of a mother who had lost her college age son to drugs was all to familiar.  I had the pleasure of introducing Deanna Uhler, a very strong woman who chose to overcome her nerves and share her experience, strength, and hope with us. I opened by sharing some letters that were written by Alex's(Deanna's son) friends after his passing. It really puts in perspective of why we do what we do. By telling her story in hopes of helping others she also brought awareness to this epidemic harming our youth all around. By educating people we hope to help others receive the proper treatment and care in all aspects of the continuum. Recovery being the piece that was missing for so long.

Her message was very strong, there was not a dry eye in the room. By telling her story she touched souls and helped so many people. Thank you Deanna! You are truly an amazing woman! We are here if you need anything.

The voices of Eden Choir sang so beautifully. It was very amazing that they were there.

https://www.facebook.com/voicesofeden

To remember the souls lost to addiction and overdose we held the candlelight vigil.

The Voices of Eden sang another song while we prayed for those who have been lost.

Know that Addiction is a disease just like cancer is a disease the loss of a person from one or the other should be treated the same. The sigma that is placed on Recovery makes it harder. Recovery is very positive and should not be a shameful thing.



If you are struggling and don't know what to do we here at The Center for Wellness Promotion in the Collegiate Recovery Community. Student Health Center Room 121. If we can not help you personally we can find out who can.

Center for Wellness at UNCC
https://wellness.uncc.edu/

N.O.P.E.
http://www.nopetaskforce.org/candlelight-vigils.php

If you are find someone who is overdosing or passed out and are afraid to get them help because calling for help might get you or them in trouble.  Please know that the 911 Good Samaritan law has been passed in NC as well as other states and you are protected. Please save a life the consequence of losing a child, sibling,  parent, or friend is way worse. DON'T HESITATE TO GET HELP!

911 Good Samaritan Law
http://www.drugpolicy.org/911-good-samaritan-fatal-overdose-prevention-law

Ikea supporting the CRC
http://inside.uncc.edu/news/item/ikea-provides-more-furnishings-collegiate-recovery-community

Remembering those who have been lost

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Police chief remembers his son

By Brian Uhler
Guest column

Alex Uhler is shown in July.

Brian Uhler

Editor's note: South Lake Tahoe police chief Brian Uhler's son, Alex, died last week. He has asked that this be shared with the community.

I thought it of value to write colleagues in public safety about my son so you might recognize our important role in helping families and people with addiction problems. I do not ask for specific action but hope you seek to make a positive difference in your own way when the opportunity comes.

Alex was the rare sort of person, having a pure and good heart who truly cared about others even more than he did about himself. Those who met Alex casually would know him as a highly regarded student at Queens University where he worked on special projects involving gene mutation and the probable pigmentation of the eyes on dinosaurs. One professor recently wrote, "I'll remember Alex for his unending curiosity and his wonderfully dry wit." He added that Alex "had a love of learning that was unsurpassed by his peers." He explained that he liked Alex for his "sharp mind, his interest in science, his interest in issues of the world, but also for his unassuming manner."

When he was about 10 years old, I was driving past a homeless man holding a sign "hungry, please help." Alex asked, "daddy, can we give him some money?" To this, I explained, that giving him money will just lead to him buying beer or something. Being quick of mind, even at this young age, Alex said, "well, can we buy him a hamburger then?" Touched by his sweet nature, I said "sure, son," and we helped that homeless man with a burger.

As a boy scout, Alex would take special care of the younger scouts. He would never belittle or make fun and was known to help the "underdog" without second thought.

One day, about two years ago, Alex came home beaming that he had just eaten 10 tacos at Taco Bell. When I asked, he explained that he was driving in San Francisco and he saw a man trying to push his broken-down Cadillac from the road. The man couldn't push hard enough so Alex stopped his car and offered a helping hand. When they finished, the man unexpectedly and insisted that Alex take $20 dollars for his kindness. Alex immediately rewarded himself with as many Tacos that he could eat.

Growing up, Alex was always a great helper, ever ready to help lift something or participate in a project. I came to respect his intellectual abilities many times over. Typically, I would be struggling with a problem and Alex would glance at it, without any effort at all, and say, "maybe you can..." Sure enough, more often than not, his suggestion would be right. When he was young, I would tend to dismiss his ideas, but as I progressed in life, I learned that I should listen to Alex.

His sharp mind and amazing ability to recall information was very clear to people who knew him well. You could ask Alex a question about some obscure fact and chances are he would recite an answer like he was reading it from a textbook. As we who were closest to Alex have come to know, his brilliant mind was often racing and restless. Even as a young child, he found it difficult to go to sleep. His mother and I would take turns laying with him combing our fingers through his hair until he would drift off to sleep.

Many years ago, when Alex was young, he said, "Mommy, I think there's something wrong with me." We didn't think much of it because every visible indication was that Alex was fine (good grades, scouting, sports, etc). Later in life, we learned that Alex struggled with anxiety that was most troubling when he was alone. As a family we helped him in many different ways. Unfortunately, each time we did things to help Alex, we unintentionally burdened him with an inner conviction and determination that he would not hurt us more.

This is what led Alex to conceal his addiction to virtually everyone. I believe with all my heart that he didn't want to be the cause of anyone's pain, let alone those he loved most.

On the day the photo was taken, Alex and I started the hike at about 5 p.m. We took a little less than three hours to make it to the top. At first, he took the lead, boldly making progress up the mountain. Each time I'd fall a little behind, Alex would stop and wait patiently. This happened a couple times, then he stopped and fell in behind me. After about an hour of more hiking, I asked, "Hey, buddy, you staying back there so you don't make your old man feel bad, right?" He said, "Yeah, dad, something like that." Later that evening, it got cold, we got lost and had only cell phones to light the way. At one point, he said we should find shelter and wait for daylight. Stubbornly, I refused. Now, I'd give anything to huddle with my buddy on the side of a cold mountain.

Specific Information about the memorial service to be held this Sunday will be forwarded later. The family asks that no flowers be sent. Instead, a donation in Alex's name to a Queens University scholarship fund will be appreciated. This information will be forthcoming.

— Brian Uhler is the chief of the South Lake Tahoe police and fire departments.

Deanna Uhler, Alex's mother will be our guest speaker at the Candlelight Vigil at the Student Union for the Candlelight Vigil.

Rockin' for Recovery!

Rockin' for Recovery

Come out and support recovery!!

TODAY!

4-7 pm at the Student Union

Followed by the NOPE Candlelight Vigil

 The vigil is to remember the hundreds who have died from substance related incidents and to show support for families and friends. This event also recognizes those who are suffering from the disease of addiction. Support your fellow 49ers by attending!

Remember you are not alone! There are people all over to help and support you on your journey of recovery.


https://www.facebook.com/pages/UNC-Charlotte-Center-for-Wellness-Promotion/173795386055127

Just for Today

       Today has been a bit crazy. Remembering where I was back 12 years ago. Sitting in a chair at school thinking what was playing on TV was just a movie, not a live news cast from here in the U.S. Probably still in a drunken stupor from the night before. Even at a young age I still manged to have no control over my disease. I felt I could hide when I was drinking before or during class. The complete insanity in my head. Today I am much clearer! It feels good to feel true emotions and realize what they are coming from. I pray for those people who were in NY and those families who were touched by the tragic events.  It is a fact that stress and trauma can trigger the disease of addiction.  Knowing my triggers was one great step in my recovery. Being able to talk about my past and present with another person. Getting a real perspective on my screwed up thinking.  

How We Cope: What Do Addiction Rates After 9/11 Tell Us?

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/09/09/how-we-cope-what-addiction-and-recovery-rates-after-911-tell-us/#ixzz2ecFfZeqs


If you are feeling like you are all alone and there is no other way.  You are not alone! I am here to say it can get better! It does get better!! People can live a life of Recovery! We offer a few different kinds of meetings here on campus.  We also have a safe place where you can go talk to people who have been through similar experiences (SHC room 121.) Addiction is a deadly disease. I've seen people who never made it out. It hurts to know that the disease of addiction is nondiscriminatory and non-bias, but there is hope!

My life has never been so filled with so many amazing opportunities.  Sometimes it can get overwhelming but I have to remember my problems are "problems of privilege." For example I've got an exam tomorrow and still feel like I know absolutely nothing about the subject. The problem of privilege would be that I'm privileged enough to be in school. Not everyone has that opportunity! I need to be grateful for this second chance recovery has given me. Sometimes I can just get caught up with things that are really not even an issue. That is where my friends in recovery come into place and set my crazy thinking back and bring me back to the moment I am in. 

Every Wednesday night SHC(Student Health Center) CRC room 121 we have game night for those in recovery and those who support recovery. This is to bring a little stress relief and fun into our recovery! Being in Recovery is fun! Haha I thought there was just going to be a bunch of boring people when I was first sobering up. Come to find out, a lot of what I thought was very wrong. My outlook on life was very skewed I now can see that a lot more clearly. Come stop by and join in on the great fun we have!

As a good friend always says "Thank you for baring with my sharing"

Young People In Recovery
http://youngpeopleinrecovery.org/

UNCC CRC
http://wellness.uncc.edu/collegiate-recovery-community-crc

Faces and Voices of Recovery
http://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/about/

Free adiction Hotline
http://www.freeaddictionhelpline.com/

Collegiate Recovery Day!

     September 5th is Officially "Collegiate Recovery Day"!!!!! It is amazing how many schools in North Carolina are seeing how much these programs are needed! The first North Carolina CRC program was started here at UNC Charlotte!! It is now growing on campuses such as UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, Duke, and UNC Wilmington!! All who were represented on Thursday at the proclamation signing! Thank you to Governor McCrory and Speaker of the House Thom Tills!! We look forward to working with them again very soon!! The Govornor spoke and told us how important recovery is to him and how many people are getting on board to help colleges such as ours and students such as myself.  He had also asked to have all of us back to help with a task force for recovery he is putting together!

Governor McCrory telling us how important recovery is and how everyone knows someone in recovery or still in active addiction. It was really good to hear that!! It seems like most people do not even realize the amount of people recovery actually touches. 

All of the ladies from UNC-Charlotte and Thom Tillis

Susan, Hillary, Carol, Thom (Speaker of the House), Chelsea

I am truly blessed to have been present for the Proclamation signing it was truly watching history come alive.  I do not believe I could have ever imagined being part of such great things a few years back.

I am Chelsea a student here at UNC Charlotte and a young person in recovery. My recovery has given me so many great opportunities to be the person I always knew I could be. I am still working on my undergraduate degree. I am working in the Center for Wellness Promotion here at UNCC in the CRC.  It really is so amazing to know there are other students on campus working towards bettering themselves while managing a class schedule and jobs.  Being a student these days can be very stressful but adding drinking and drugs can complicate it even more. Well at least it did for me. I am very excited to continue my recovery journey and be a part of all the great events that are placed into my life.

The Proclimation

http://p1.governor.nc.gov/newsroom/proclamation/20130905/collegiate-recovery-day

UNCC CRC

https://wellness.uncc.edu/collegiate-recovery-community-crc

Mission statement:

The Collegiate Recovery Community at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte provides a nurturing, affirming environment in which students recovering from addictive disorders can successfully pursue academic, personal and professional goals for the purpose of enhancing their quality of life and becoming productive members of society.

UNCW CRC

http://uncw.edu/crossroads/about.htm

UNC-Chapel Hill CRC

http://campushealth.unc.edu/student-wellness/alcohol-and-other-drugs/carolina-recovery-community.html