Healing Scarred Hearts

Waves become one with horizon.

My art is on display and for sale to help benefit Flite to Freedom. Friends Lifting Others to Empowerment.

I love the freedom of a blank canvas to explore colors, motion, and shapes. I feel joy in creating art and I hope to spread happiness through my various styles.

Come enjoy the art and join me August 27th and 28th from 11:00-5:00 at the MillHouse summer Art Fest at the historic Cotton Mill at 610 Elm Street, McKinney, TX. This INDOOR event is inside the old historic cotton mill.

Here are a few of my artworks that will be displayed and for sale.

Hayden, I miss you. Too many other kids, teens and young adults are loosing there life to overdose. He**in took Hayden and today Fentanyl is taking many lives. We must continue to educate ourselves and our kids about the extreme dangers of drugs. Kids are easily buying drugs today. The more your kids know the better the chance they have to grow. Help them plan and protect themselves.

SOLD! 48” X 60” heavy acrylic on canvas.

Gum Tree

Ink on canvas. ‘Frequency’

Into the sunset. We can always learn from doing art. When breaking away from abstract, we must give ourselves time to learn. Art is teaching me patience and is always good therapy.

When I finished this painting and stepped back to name it, the shape and motion reminded me of the Bellagio chandeliers. Healing Scarred Hearts Art

My newest work of art is acrylic on canvas. Sharing the Sun

Fentanyl DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse

The death toll numbers from overdose on Opioids is heartbreaking. Prescription pain medications, Fentanyl and He**in are opioids. Fentanyl is the #1 life taker at this time and we all should be educating ourselves and our family members especially kids/teens. As a society we can not keep waiting and assume this will just go away on its own. Education and awareness of these substances is key to combating the crisis. Also, removing the shame and sigma associated with Substance Use Disorder/addiction will allow many to reach out for help. The article I chose today is about Fentanyl. Please take a few minutes to read over this. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl

Fentanyl DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse Offers basic facts about the synthetic opioid Fentanyl including how it is abused, its effect on the brain, and other health effects.

Healing Scarred Hearts Art, a new chapter of my life has begun. Art to bring joy to the heart. 😊

Overdose Deaths Reached Record High as the Pandemic Spread

While many of us enjoyed the holiday, many others struggled with Substance Use Disorder and even lost their life to overdose. This year, overdose deaths have reached a record high of over 100,000 which is heartbreaking. While Covid receives news reporting overload, many people do not realize that overdose is just as deadly for many people especially because of isolation and stigma. We must do more to stop the increasing death numbers from overdose.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/17/health/drug-overdoses-fentanyl-deaths.html

Overdose Deaths Reached Record High as the Pandemic Spread More than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in the yearlong period ending in April, government researchers said.

Be on guard parents and grandparents! Many kinds of drugs are pouring into the United States. We all must be more united to combat this crisis! I know firsthand how painful it is to watch a loved one suffer with Substance Use Disorder also known as addiction. We must educate ourselves and our kids and focus on putting an end to powerful deadly substances.

Take time to enjoy the simple things in life. 🤗

It has been such an amazing day to speak to many students at Highland Park High School as a kick off for Wellness Wednesdays. As we all work together to lift the stigma on mental health and substance use disorder the better our society will become.

I am delighted to be an artist this year who can support a wonderful cause. Flite to Freedom (Friends Lifting Individuals to Empowerment) partners with Mosiac Dallas to help women and children escape trafficking. If you are looking for an inspiring fun evening please join us this Saturday evening October 9th from 6-10 pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.flitetofreedom.com

A new school year has begun and while many parents have planned ahead to ensure school supplies, lunches, classes, sport tryouts, school clothes or uniforms, transportation, schedules, etc. for their kids, many have not helped their kids plan to stay drug free and KNOW why and how to say NO to drug products. If we do not teach drug education and help our youth plan ahead to be drug free, many will fall victim to some form of drug use/abuse. Help you kids today by using the IMAP Life online drug education program. IMAP stands for I Make a Plan. Help your kid map their way to stay drug free.
https://www.addictionimpacts.com/pages/families

When our kids are very young, we can not imagine them using drugs or alcohol. For too many families, the reality of drug use/abuse impacts one or more of them. Don’t wait to educate.

I recently came across an organization called Parents Against Illicit Narcotics (PAIN). I am sharing a page off of there website which can help educate others on drugs and alcohol abuse. Please take time to educate yourself and your family. Even if you believe your kids will never use drugs and will wait to drink alcohol, think of drug education and drug awareness like health insurance. You have it just incase you need it.
https://p-a-i-n.us/drug-education/

U.S. Drug-Overdose Deaths Soared Nearly 30% in 2020, Driven by Synthetic Opioids

U.S. Drug-Overdose Deaths Soared Nearly 30% in 2020, Driven by Synthetic Opioid is a headline in this NYT article. The increase in overdoses is disturbing and those who suffer with substance use disorder, anxiety and depression were mostly overlooked during the Covid-19 crisis. Substance Use Disorder/Disease of Addiction still seems to be ignored and a silent topic until lives are lost. We must as a society change this way of thinking or not thinking. These conditions are medical conditions and just as important as all other diseases or viruses.


https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-drug-overdose-deaths-soared-nearly-30-in-2020-11626271200

U.S. Drug-Overdose Deaths Soared Nearly 30% in 2020, Driven by Synthetic Opioids A proliferation of fentanyl, along with isolation and stress from the Covid-19 pandemic, drove the tragic increase, experts say.

What Is a Wet Drug, and Is It Dangerous?

Parents be ware of this old drug technique that has returned again. "Smoking a Wet Drug" is a cigarette or ma*****na joint which has been soaked in embalming fluid and PCP/Angel Dust. The mix of this chemicals are toxic and even deadly. Educate yourself and educate your family! Someone could encourage them to try and they need to KNOW what this is and why they will say NO.
https://www.mytimerecovery.com/embalming-fluid-smoking/
https://www.washburnhouse.com/addiction-recovery-blog/wet-drug/

What Is a Wet Drug, and Is It Dangerous? Wet drugs are extremely dangerous, with a long list of life-threatening side effects. Learn how ma*****na and ci******es become wet drugs.

Drug Education - IMAP (I Make a Plan) Program Advertisement

Are you a teacher, parent, counselor, educator or school admin whose school district has been impacted by drug use/abuse and mental health challenges? Too many communities are loosing teens to overdose or su***de. The time is now to implement more discussion on these topics with our youth and their families. We can not wait until a crisis has occurred to start drug education, drug awareness and self-awareness education. I paid the price of losing my son Hayden to He**in overdose because we as a family were not educated on Substance Use Disorder and mental health challenges. My mission now to help others and share all I learned the hard way. Plan as a family and discuss these tough topics to save lives. IMAP - I Make a Plan is here to help and can be found at addictionimpacts.com
https://youtu.be/qGRwy6WCvNE

Drug Education - IMAP (I Make a Plan) Program Advertisement The IMAP advertisement is to help parents, educators, guardians, counselors and any youth instructor know how the IMAP- I Make a Plan program can be used to ...

DEA Launches Project Wave Breaker to Stop Flood of Deadly Fentanyl

If He**in had not taken my sons life I believe Fentanyl would have. The pounds of Fentanyl flooding the US today are in the thousands and enough to kill millions of people. The numbers have doubled just since the amount seized in 2020. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and now being concocted by many people/drug dealers. This drug is too available and most people are not educated enough to know how deadly this drug is or to understand the diversity in Fentanyl itself. Educate your self and your family.
https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2021/04/27/dea-launches-project-wave-breaker-stop-flood-deadly-fentanyl-1

DEA Launches Project Wave Breaker to Stop Flood of Deadly Fentanyl Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Drug Education - IMAP (I Make a Plan) Program Advertisement

“All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.” - Earl Nightingale

Drug education and awareness is important for all of us. IMAP is an interactive program that gives parents and guardians the tools to discuss serious topics with ease. Parents and guardians become the teacher through the use of short visual aid lessons. The step-by-step lessons include topic discussion notes, colorful images, videos, worksheets, and more. Families begin by watching the IMAP video, which sets up the purpose and reason for this program. Then parents guide their children through ten drug education topics. Students learn the importance of planning ahead to avoid the impact of drug use/abuse while becoming comfortable discussing these serious topics.

https://youtu.be/qGRwy6WCvNE

Drug Education - IMAP (I Make a Plan) Program Advertisement The IMAP advertisement is to help parents, educators, guardians, counselors and any youth instructor know how the IMAP- I Make a Plan program can be used to ...

The role of drug education in schools - Alcohol and Drug Foundation

Have you talked to your kids recently about drug use, drug abuse and the consequences many people face when they try drugs? Are you kids prepared to recognize dangerous substances another kid might give them to try? Kids need to know why and how to say no to drugs and alcohol. We as parents, educators, mentors and counselors need to educate ourselves and be able to educate our youth.
https://adf.org.au/insights/drug-education-schools/

The role of drug education in schools - Alcohol and Drug Foundation Schools can play an important role, both inside and beyond the classroom, in preventing alcohol and other drug harms. While providing drug education as part of the curriculum is important, there is more that schools can do.

To improve life, we must be willing to discuss tough topics such as Substance Use Disorder/addiction. I am honored to share my familiy’s story so others can learn from our challenges.

Would you remove your front door and leave an opening for anyone to enter even though they could be carrying many drugs, weapons or harming those with them? Are you fine with your kids being around large amounts of drugs which are easy to access and can take their life? My son's life and many other lives have been taken by He**in, Fentanyl or M**h which most likely came in from Mexico. When poor decisions are being made by our government and you have no control over them you must prepare your family and discuss these issues. Educate your kids about the dangers of drugs, how to recognize drugs, overdose, substance use disorder, where drugs come from and the illegal status of drugs. Open discussions on these tough topics to save lives. The article I am sharing are stats from the past and these numbers will grow with an open border. Talk as a family and plan for your future together.

https://drugabuse.com/featured/drug-trafficking-across-borders/

Read ‘Healing Scarred Hearts’ to learn more about Substance Use Disorder and how this disorder can develop at a young age.

Drug overdoses an unintended consequence of COVID stimulus payments, experts say

I recently read that the stimulus checks being sent to help people are most likely causing the spike in drug overdose. Those that are struggling with Substance Use Disorder have an opportunity to buy large amounts of drugs with the check they receive. Many states are reporting a surge in overdoses just after the checks reach the hands of many. The Corona Virus has taken many lives but so has isolation, drug abuse and mental health struggles. As a society we must keep discussing these tough issues and break the stigma of these disorders to save lives.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/drug-overdoses-stimulus-checks

Drug overdoses an unintended consequence of COVID stimulus payments, experts say Substance abuse has surged across the U.S. as a result of coronavirus-induced isolation, but there is also a correlation between stimulus payments and overdoses, experts say.

Are you looking for a way to help yourself feel better and recover from a crisis or loss? Many of us go through tough times or live in situations which challenge us emotionally and mentally. Creative writing and/or art can heal your heart. Art or writing can offer a release and positive stimulation to the brain. I used poem writing to recover from the loss of my son and also wrote him letters. So, get our your pencils or paint brushes and began to share feelings through mixed medias.

https://art4healing.org/special-report-art-and-the-brain/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA4feBBhC9ARIsABp_nbW-LDeOS4wZAd8llCH7MSV72QWg62VmxL2fFFQuL5jd7-opCwQzGsEaAvLpEALw_wcB

Susán Hoemke - Reading in Recovery, 02-24-2021

My interview with Reading in Recovery to help others has been released. Please go to:

https://youtu.be/WWLTrYh-V_4

Susán Hoemke - Reading in Recovery, 02-24-2021 Jan & Robin sit down with Susán Hoemke to discuss substance use disorder/addiction as she bravely shares in her book, "Healing Scarred Hearts: A Family’s Sto...

My interview is being released today at 5pm. We discuss my family’s crisis which led to loosing my son to He**in overdose. We aim to educate and lift the stigma on the topic of Substance Use Disorder/addiction.

Are you familiar with Synthetic/Designer drugs? This class of drugs are sold legally under names that disguise them and packages that hide them. Head shops, Smoke shops, V**e shops and even some gas stations will sale these very harmful addictive drugs. These drugs are usually derivatives of their illegal counter parts, given names like Spice, Scooby Snacks, K2, Bath Salts etc., and packaged with "cartoon" images on them. These drugs impact the brain and body just as Ma*****na, Co***ne, He**in, L*D etc. does. Educate your kids and help them plan to stay drug free and alive.


https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/synthetic-and-designer-drugs

I have written a monologue and published a new video. Please watch and share 'I am Addiction Disease'.


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0PG7s7EujZ43VtpqiwwYvw

Coming soon!

Excited to announce next month’s Reading in Recovery guest Susán Hoemke. She will share her family’s story of addiction, loss, and finding light. Stay tuned for details.

Remember to keep your prescription medications and alcohol locked up and out out of teens and kids reach. Prescription drug abuse increased in 2020 among teens and many times they are abusing substances they find at home or a friends home. There is also a risk of abusing their own medication if they are prescribed ADD medication or pain relievers for an injury. Know the facts and manage medications wisely.
https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/hpr-resources/rise-prescription-drug-misuse-abuse-impacting-teens

While 2020 was full of uncertainty about Covid 19, there was much certainty about the drug abuse and overdose crisis as well as mental health challenges among hundreds of thousands of people. Isolation is brutal, lack of support and lack of human connection leads many to numbing their feelings and thoughts. Kids and teens also feel the tension which lead to trying pills and alcohol which many times is easy to access in the home. If you have begun drinking more alcohol, using prescription or illegal drugs, please know the risk of addiction and developing Substance Use Disorder.
Take a minute to think about yourself, talk to your kids about drug abuse and seek help soon if needed. Waiting to long takes lives.
I have lived through the destruction of drug abuse and witnessed the shock of loosing my son to overdose. Do not wait.
https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2020/overdose120320.html

My sons death from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) will help me help other people understand this complicated brain disease. I will continue to do research and pass on information with hopes to remove the stigma of addiction. Today I share a part of an article which caught my attention. Specifically, I have come to understand that my son was not using drugs to get high always but to remove the discomfort he felt within his brain. Please read the short information below to better understand those who struggle.

"The basal ganglia, which play an important role in positive forms of motivation, including the pleasurable effects of healthy activities like eating, socializing, and s*x, and are also involved in the formation of habits and routines. These areas form a key node of what is sometimes called the brain’s “reward circuit.” Drugs over-activate this circuit, producing the euphoria of the drug high. But with repeated exposure, the circuit adapts to the presence of the drug, diminishing its sensitivity and making it hard to feel pleasure from anything besides the drug."
"The extended amygdala plays a role in stressful feelings like anxiety, irritability, and unease, which characterize withdrawal after the drug high fades and thus motivates the person to seek the drug again. This circuit becomes increasingly sensitive with increased drug use. Over time, a person with substance use disorder uses drugs to get temporary relief from this discomfort rather than to get high."
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain