Serenity prayer

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
Reinhold Niebuhr

DIE RUSTIGHEID WAT GOD GEE

God, skenk my die kalmte

om die dinge te aanvaar wat ek nie kan verander nie

die moed om die dinge te verander wat ek kan

en die wysheid om te weet wat die verskil is.

Skenk my die kalmte om een dag op ‘n slag te leef,

een oomblik op ‘n slag te geniet,

swaarkry te aanvaar as die weg na vrede

die sondige wêreld te vat soos dit is

en nie soos ek dit sou wou hê nie,

in die vertroue dat God alles ten goede sal laat meewerk

as ek in oorgawe aan Sy wil leef —

sodat ek redelik gelukkig sal wees in hierdie lewe

en vir ewig die hoogste geluk by Hom sal ervaar.

Niebuhr se gebed om kalmte uit Leef in God se liefde van Nina Smit 

Celebration time

CELEBRATION TIME!! by Marietjie Landsberg

It is with great pleasure that the Management and Staff of the Aurora Centre congratulate Maritsa Ells and Elmari van der Walt on achieving their Master degrees in Social Work.

When Toni Morrison graduated from the Wellesley College in 2004 she said the following: “From my point of view, which is that of a storyteller, I see your life as already artful, waiting, just waiting and ready for you to make it art”.

This great achievement is part of Maritsa and Elmari’s journey to making their lives art. We thank them for ha-ving the privilege of enjoying these great works of art.

In life you will find many who dream but only a few who achieve. You can be proud in calling yourselves achie-vers now.  Being successful in life, starts with always being a student. By always being a student you will find the secrets to success and travel on the golden road to peace and happiness.

In the Bible Timothy wrote the following; “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

We are looking forward to following your example in working hard to change our dreams into reality.

Tips to stay sober

GUIDELINES (TIPS) FOR THE DEPENDENT TO STAY SOBER  

1. A family contract should be drawn up outlining the steps to be taken in the recovery process and the roles of each fa-mily member and the dependent.

2. Review the contract with support systems on a regular basis and ensure that stipulations are being adhered to.

3. Stick committed to the after-care program.

4. Maintain the use of Antabuse for at least a year.

5. Join an after-care group.

6. Put quality into sobriety.

7. Absolute honesty with self and others is vital.

8. Recovery is a family process.

9. Work towards total acceptance. Develop the “so what!” approach. So what if you are an addict.

10. Enjoy your sobriety – live life!

 

Please share your tips on sobriety and a healthy life style with us!

A birds view on the annual statistics 

It is that time of the year again! Time to account for the work that was done and how the available resources was utilised to meet the demands that the organisation was faced with. All the information obtained is then put into reports and statements for members, state departments, donors and the general public to view. At the AGM which will be held on 13 June 2012 a full report on all activities and services will be made available.

Without revealing too many statistical information, the following general trends can be given.

· The number of adult in-patients increased slightly whilst the number of youth in-patients decreased slightly.

· In total 103 patients were treated as subsidised patients compared to 98 in the previous year. (Only 84 patients are state subsidised!) The demand for state subsidised beds are increasing at an alarming rate and since this service in not fully subsidised, an additional amount of R 154,756.46 had to be found by the Aurora Centre to assist 23 more indigent patients.

· The number of out-patients and community based patients were less than the previous year.

· Training was offered to 10 groups of professionals and CBO members, 2 student groups, 4 groups of crèche owners and teachers, 5 CPD groups and 2 other professional groups. Prevention services targeted 21 school groups, 10 student groups and 21 adult groups.

· The Centre’s Lotto application was turned down due to the centre’s availability of reserve funds. An appeal was lodged, but no reply has been forthcoming since January 2012. Assistance to indigent patients will be affected severely as a result of this.

· The financial position of the Centre deteriorated during the financial year, but recovered towards the end of the year. A smaller than expected deficit was recorded.

· The staff turnover was very low which can be interpreted that personnel enjoy job satisfaction.

Die voorafgaande is voldoende bevestiging dat die Sentrum sy mandaat om hierdie dienste te lewer, met onderskeiding uitvoer! Dit sou egter nie sonder die span bekwame en toegewyde personeel en bestuurslede moontlik gewees het nie. Baie dankie vir jul onbaatsugtige diens aan die Aurora Sentrum.

G.H.J. Kruger

THE MOST POPULAR DRUG IN THE WORLD?

THE MOST POPULAR DRUG IN THE WORLD?

Resource: Use your brain to beat addiction by

Susan Aldridge

Caffeine is one of the most widely-used psychoactive drugs in the world. It is the main active ingredient in tea and coffee and is found in over 100 different plant species. The related stimulants theophylline and theobromine occur in the cocoa plant from which chocolate is made. Coffee contains 100 milligrams of

caffeine per average cup; tea maybe half as much. And a square of chocolate contains as much stimulant in the form of caffeine, theophylline and theobromine as a cup of tea. Caffeine is added to various soft drinks, as well as being a component of some pain medications. Caffeine pills are also available without prescription.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Test

THE CAGE ALCOHOL AND ALL ADDICTIONS TEST

With just 4 questions, this simple Cage self-test has nonetheless proven accurate in identifying usage patterns that may reflect problems with alcohol. The second test focuses on other drugs.

TEST 1: The CAGE Alcohol Addiction Test

This simple alcohol test is surprisingly accurate. Answer yes or no to each question.

1. Have you ever felt that you should Cut down on your drinking?

2. Have you ever been Annoyed when people have commented on your drinking?

3. Have you ever felt Guilty or badly about your drinking?

4. Had you ever had an Eye opener first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

Your score: Score one point for each yes answer

If you scored 1, there is an 80% chance that you’re addicted to alcohol

If you scored 2, there is an 89% chance that you’re addicted to alcohol

If you scored 3, there is an 99% chance that you’re addicted to alcohol

If you scored 4, there is an 100% chance that you’re addicted to alcohol

TEST 2: The CAGE All Addiction Test

This simple drug test is surprisingly accurate. Answer yes or no to each question.

1. Have you ever felt that you should Cut down on your use of drugs?

2. Have you ever been Annoyed when people have commented on your use?

3. Have you ever felt Guilty or badly about your use?

4. Had you ever used drugs to Avoid the low feeling you get after using, or to avoid withdrawal symptoms? (previous test eye-opener)

Your score: Score one point for each yes answer

If you scored 1, there is an 80% chance that you’re addicted to drugs

If you scored 2, there is an 89% chance that you’re addicted to drugs

If you scored 3, there is an 99% chance that you’re addicted to drugs

If you scored 4, there is an 100% chance that you’re addicted to drugs

If you feel that you are in trouble and need to talk to somebody don't hesitate to contact Aurora Centre at 051 — 447 4111 or 0861 4 SANCA for your nearest SANCA in-patient Centre.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

  

WARNING SIGNS of PROBLEM GAMBLING:

· Spend more time and money on gambling than was intended

· Borrowing or stealing money to fund gambling

· Missing work or school or other commitments to gamble

· Gambling more and more to recover loses (this is called 

      (‘chasing’)

· Feeling worried, anxious and moody when you are not gambling

· Family relationships breaking down because of debt and dishonesty

· Hiding your gambling from others, but unable to stop  gambling

· Gambling with ever bigger amounts to reach the desired level of excitement (the ‘high’) 

KNOWN RISK FACTORS for ADOLESCENT PROBLEM GAMBLERS:

· Male

· Substance use disorders

· Deviant peers

· Family history of gambling

· Impulsive behaviours

· Declining school performance

(Gambling is recently being seen as the gateway drug for adolescents)

HELP CONTACT NUMBERS:

· Multilingual National Counselling line 0800 006 008 available 24/7

· Postal address: P.O Box 16331, Vlaeberg 8018

· Confidential e-mail: counsellor@responsiblegambling.co.za

· General information: info@responsiblegambling.co.za

· Website: www.responsiblegambling

· Your are also welcome to contact Marianna Van Dyk at Aurora Centre.

(Information: NRGP)