As a young child I developed a kind of emotional void. This was not from a lack of being loved, or from not having food, toys, or a roof over my head. The best I can describe it, this void was just within myself. Of course, being a… Read More
When a loved one can no longer live at home and must enter some type of facility, it can be traumatic for everyone. Regardless how much research is done, and how wonderful the chosen place seems to be, there may still be nagging fears, such as “How can… Read More
On Tuesday, June 1, Open Door Recovery Center will host a mental health and substance abuse forum for military veterans and their families. The public also is welcome and encouraged to come. This will be an opportunity to learn about post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and other war-related… Read More
I have always liked superheroes. Superman, Underdog and of course, Batman and Robin, whose show I rarely missed as a child. No feat was too tough. They all did the undoable. It is not often in life that you come across someone who is reminiscent… Read More
While politicians thrash out the future of the DirigoChoice insurance plan in Augusta this week, Mainers who have signed up for the health care coverage seem, by and large, to be happy with their investment. As of mid-April, more than 9,700 Maine people had purchased… Read More
Editor’s Note: Toxic Guru is a new monthly column. The author, Mark Mitchell, is a board-certified industrial hygienist, registered occupational hygienist and certified safety professional. He worked as a high school science teacher before that. Dear Toxic Guru, googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var… Read More
We have been reading the Finding a Fix column since it started. We feel this is a much-needed resource and a forum where members of the community can share their thoughts and their experiences with substance abuse. We are writing to express our feelings about using methadone to… Read More
May is Older Americans Month. Established in 1963, it was designated as a time to celebrate and acknowledge senior citizens for their past and current contributions to their communities and the country at large. Today, one in six Americans is at least 60 years of… Read More
We are losing the war on drugs. No, not because Afghan opium poppy production is back to the levels that existed before the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001. And not because 98.2 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide recently described marijuana… Read More
I have been called a bit of an alarmist at times – putting the horse before the cart, that sort of thing. But hear me on this: Monday, May 15, is the deadline for enrolling in the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Now, as you may… Read More
Editor’s Note: “Finding a Fix” editor Meg Haskell is away this week. The weekly column will resume next Thursday, May 11. On this day, Elliott Haynes prayed and danced and pledged his love to a godly woman. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Being ill can be stressful for anyone, but especially so for seniors. It can be physically and mentally exhausting. But there is a way to relieve some of the strain. Visiting nurse agencies truly make a difference in health care. Imagine being treated right in… Read More
A mother’s questions I am having a very big problem with my 17-year-old daughter. She goes from smoking pot to drinking, and I assume she uses other drugs as well. She is skipping school. We have no control over her and feel very helpless. She… Read More
National Volunteer Week is April 23-29. This week is also the kickoff for Eastern Agency on Aging’s Volunteer Recognition events, which go through the spring. As Roberta Macko, director of volunteer services for Eastern Agency on Aging, gets busy planning and preparing for these parties,… Read More
Editor’s Note: The following are “From the Heart” letters written in response to recent Finding a Fix columns and related stories in the Well-Being section. A miracle googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false;… Read More
Living alone can be great. You can do what you want, when you want, and no one is hogging the remote. It’s not like living completely alone if you have furry roommates, but unless they are well-versed in 911 calls, they are basically there for… Read More
Our children live in an alcohol-saturated culture. The threat of alcohol abuse is so pervasive that we don’t even see it anymore. But with 80 percent of Maine high school seniors having started to drink and nearly half reporting that they drink regularly, alcohol is by far the… Read More
“Running the roads” is a common phrase in Maine, and now that it’s spring, people are out in full force. And you heard it here first – people are crazy. I won’t regale you with my own trials and tribulations of driving on the interstate or busy streets. Read More
My heart goes out to the mother from Caribou hoping her son can find a doctor to prescribe Suboxone for his opiate addiction. Currently there are only 40 doctors statewide qualified to prescribe, and as she said, they are each limited to 30 patients each. Anyone familiar with… Read More
How’s this for a statistic? “Eighty percent of older adults suffer from at least one chronic condition, and the average 75-year-old has three chronic conditions and uses five prescription drugs,” according to the American Public Health Association’s Web site. And as we are in the… Read More
Many parents here in northern Maine are struggling to help our sons and daughters who have become addicted to the drugs that are present in our community. This area does not have enough doctors to treat our addicted children with Suboxone. The law allows any doctor to treat… Read More
Every time I go with a volunteer driver to deliver a meal to a homebound senior, I am struck by how happy the person becomes when we arrive. Smiles and pleasantries are shared before we are off to do it all again somewhere else. Another home, another meal,… Read More
BANGOR – As the country of Jordan was added Monday to the ever-growing list of those with reported cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, Maine officials continue to monitor closely the state’s massive poultry industry. “It will eventually be here in the U.S.,” Dr. Read More
Adolescence is a time of exploration and risk-taking. In our culture, experimenting with drugs and alcohol is normal – almost a rite of passage. Youth who have no drug experience at all are in a minority. Not surprisingly, then, most of the young people incarcerated… Read More
Do you go to bed early only to wake up feeling tired? Are you constantly nudged in the night by an impatient spouse because you are snoring? Do you fight nodding off in the middle of the afternoon? If you answered yes to any of… Read More
When you need help to face your drinking or drug use problems, it can be hard to know where and how to begin. Ask a hundred people and you will likely get as many different responses. Professionals who work in the treatment field tout the scientifically proven practices… Read More
April is fast approaching. If you are like me, and your birthday is in April, this pleases you. If not, the month may only signal tax time. Seniors may not need to worry about this. However, sometimes it pays to check things out. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
When alcoholics or drug addicts reach out for help, it is the recovery community’s responsibility to be there for them. No one seeking recovery should ever be turned away from any meeting. We never know how – or when – the seed of recovery will be planted. Read More
I was talking about Medigap coverage to a friend and her teenage daughter overheard me. She asked, “Medigap? What’s that – a trendy clothing store for medical workers?” She burst out laughing at her own wittiness and her reference to an imaginary version of the popular store at… Read More
I have great news for the people on treatment waiting lists, for the addicts still out there and for friends and families affected by substance abuse and the disease of addiction. There is an answer! The answer is right under our noses, in our own communities. There are… Read More
Julie Mallett and Eleanor Bruchey sit in side-by-side offices at Eastern Agency on Aging. Each maintains a mild manner that belies the passion and tenacity she draws upon to serve a senior in need. Mallett and Bruchey are but two of the dedicated staff at… Read More
In a recent column, “Anonymous” – a soon-to-be-released inmate at the Mountain View Youth Development Center in Charleston – described her path to addiction and her fears about re-entering society from a drug-free environment. Bangor psychologist Jack Keefe responded to her letter in the same issue. We received… Read More
There is no denying it – we have had a mild winter. But don’t be fooled. Being from Maine, I am sure we have not seen the last of winter. So with that in mind, clip and save this column. “Shoveling can be good exercise… Read More
If you or a loved one had a life-threatening disease and knew there were two types of medication available for treatment – one with serious risks and one without those risks – which would you choose? I am writing to express my concern about the… Read More
We’ve almost made it through another winter. It’s now time to think spring, get out of the house and try something new. Taking a fun-filled, no-pressure class on an interesting topic might be just the ticket to chase away the last of the winter doldrums. Read More
Editor’s Note: This week’s column features a letter we received recently from a young inmate at the Mountain View Youth Development Center in Charleston, a state-run correctional facility for juvenile offenders. We found the letter so compelling and honest – and so troubling – we passed it on… Read More
I have always thought that the United Way was aptly named. The organization unites individuals, businesses and nonprofit agencies to form a better community in which to live. The United Way of Eastern Maine, which covers Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, Washington and Hancock counties, exemplifies the… Read More
Each front tooth was the shape of an apple core, with the rotten enamel eaten away and the exquisitely sensitive central nerve exposed. The back teeth were decayed beyond repair as well. The patient lived in a constant vigil of pain, unable to chew, drink or even speak… Read More
Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s not over, ’til it’s over,” indicating that while the outcome of an event may seem obvious, often perceptions are wrong? Take Anne Piper, 76. Due to some medical complications such as dehydration and confusion, which prohibited her from… Read More
I am a 38-year-old woman from Bangor. I am a recovering addict, just restarting my life. I’ve been clean for a year, and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I want teenagers and people of all ages to know that if you think using drugs is fun… Read More
My mother has a great smile that she flashes frequently. You’d be fairly hard-pressed, however, to find something that can make her giddier than saving money at the grocery store. Coupons. The word alone is enough to make her face light up and send her… Read More
Last fall, the Bangor Daily News initiated this weekly “conversation” about the substance abuse problem in Maine, and all of us have benefited from that effort. Multiple perspectives have been shared, including those from former addicts now in recovery, family members of addicted individuals, treatment providers, interested residents… Read More
The middle of January is prime time for the winter blahs. The excitement of the holidays is over, the days are short and it’s cold, snowy and icy. Typically these blahs manifest themselves in a variety of negative ways. Craving comfort food, which is usually… Read More
There is an illness in Maine that affects more than 100,000 individuals, but only 15 percent are able to access treatment. The illness I’m referring to is chemical dependence – substance abuse and addiction. How frustrating and heartbreaking it is when someone you care about can’t get into… Read More
OK, the holidays are over and winter has settled in for the long haul. There’s not much to do but try and stay warm until spring. Unless, of course, you are a winter sport lover. But let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that you… Read More
I applaud the new public service announcements dealing with alcohol abuse announced last month by Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe’s office. People need good information about the damage, both physically and legally, that can result from alcohol abuse or underage drinking. The hard data cited… Read More
Outpatient surgery. It’s becoming almost as commonplace as a doctor’s appointment. I sometimes actually hear people say, “Oh, my surgery is no big deal, it’s just outpatient.” Think again. Outpatient though it may be, there are still things you should keep in mind. googletag.cmd.push(function ()… Read More
I read the obituaries just about every day. It’s a habit I’ve had for years, starting back in the 1980s when I was a practicing nurse. In those days, I looked for the names and faces of my mostly geriatric patients, noting when someone whose bedside I had… Read More
Have you ever had this experience? You need some help – could be anything from heating assistance to handicapped-accessible transportation to finding an adult day program for a disabled loved one. You’re not really sure who to call, so you get out the phone book and start flipping… Read More
I am writing in response to Tasha H. of Bangor, who wrote about the legalization of two drugs, marijuana and Ecstasy. I think it is very important that I present the well-researched facts about these two drugs. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
Christmas is timeless. The ghosts of Christmases past rise and bring with them the memories of youth, and a time when the holidays were brimming with anticipation and wonder. A time when our biggest concern was composing the perfect letter to Santa and finding the perfect Christmas tree. Read More
Some drugs should be legalized googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) { if (isMobileDevice()) { if (slot_sizes[i][0] googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
The hustle and bustle and ribbons and bows, not to mention the traffic, is enough to take the wind out of your holiday sails. And then there is the pressure of finding just the right gift. This can be especially taxing when the giftee is… Read More
Surgeon Michelle Toder, on a recent Monday morning, sat at a boxy control console in the corner of a surgical suite on the first floor of Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. She peered intently through the goggles-shaped eyepiece at a three-dimensional digital image of Amy Webb’s small… Read More
I have been suffering with a drug problem for the last 12 years, and finally realized I desperately needed help. My life was turning out to be a mess. Eventually the drugs totally took over and had me doing things I’d never do sober. I… Read More
Bing Crosby and Santa Claus have nothing on Eastern Agency on Aging. Silver bells and sleigh bells may be ringing throughout the land but here at EAA, it’s the ringing of the phone that is most pervasive. The explanation for this phenomenon is the new… Read More
I am currently incarcerated at the Aroostook County Jail. I am being held on the charge of possession of scheduled drugs, a Class C felony. At the age of 13, I began smoking marijuana and drinking occasionally. I was hanging around with older people, mostly… Read More
It’s December and the temperature is dropping. Time to shop, not only for Christmas gifts, but also for practical and fashionable hats with coordinating scarves and gloves. This is my yearly ritual, one of the few that helps me survive the season. There is something… Read More
Editor’s Note: Last week in this space, “Hope from Maine” wrote that her former husband’s incarceration on drug-related charges allowed him to take the first step toward recovery from addiction. Today, a reader responds to that column. Your letter could have been written by me,… Read More
Feet get no respect. You have probably put your foot down or even put your foot in your mouth. But how often do you actually think about that foot? Probably not much, until it starts to hurt, that is. “The most common foot injury I… Read More
I was married for five years to an OxyContin addict. My heart goes out to all of you who have been affected by addiction. I want to share my story and send the message: Don’t give up. … there is hope out there! My husband… Read More
I was chatting on the phone with a friend who seemed to be in quite a state. Nothing was going her way, and the only thing that could bring her comfort, she said, was to make cookies. I know what that really means. She will… Read More
Where do you go when you need a dose of hope? I recently joined close to 80 people at Capitol Park in Augusta to celebrate recovery. Perhaps you saw me on TV with the others who were walking to proclaim that it’s possible to heal… Read More
Libraries have always been wondrous places, where literally a world of knowledge can be found in one building. Libraries can provide a comforting place for everyone, from children seeing “Spot run” for the first time, to college students doing research, to seniors reading magazines and newspapers, and dabbling… Read More
We encourage readers to share their personal stories in this space, where they may provide information and support to others affected by substance abuse and addiction. A letter to young users googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var… Read More
Remember a couple of weeks ago when I told you about the Medicare prescription drug benefit educational sessions being held at the Bangor Civic Center on Oct. 19? Well, with the sign-up for the new Medicare drug plan beginning Tuesday, Nov. 15, Eastern Agency on… Read More
Think about a movie script. Think about a pretty Dutch girl living an ideal life in Haaksbergen, until the Nazis invaded and took over her father’s hotel and placed her in jail for her outspokenness. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]];… Read More
Editor’s Note: Last week’s Finding a Fix by Ellsworth-area prevention educator Jessica Naylor drew heartfelt responses from readers. We encourage people to share their personal stories in this space, where they may provide information and support to others affected by substance abuse and addiction. You never… Read More
There is nothing quite like the crackle and glow of a fire in the fireplace. Or how about the soft flicker of candlelight at a carefully set table? And then there are bonfires in the country. Let’s face it: Fire has been mesmerizing human beings since its discovery… Read More
I work as a substance abuse prevention educator in the Ellsworth area. I teach sixth-graders about the dangers of drug and alcohol addiction as well as ways to say no and make choices for a healthier life. In the course of my work, I have become increasingly concerned… Read More
If you close your eyes and listen to Raymond Butera reminisce about his childhood in Bangor, you can almost hear the laughter of children playing ball safely in the streets and the clanging of trolley cars. Butera, 76, paints a vivid and colorful picture of… Read More
The concern about substance abuse and dependency is not new. It is not about good or bad or right or wrong. It is not about a bunch of Puritans that don’t want anyone to have any fun. The concern is that for individuals, families, communities and our state,… Read More
It is already the middle of October. This time of year is fraught with decision making – what Halloween candy to buy, what to make for Thanksgiving, and of course, what to get friends and family for Christmas. This year, however, there is an even… Read More
Remember some of the old sitcoms on television where the parents would gather the kids together for a “family meeting” to discuss something important? While you may be all grown up, family meetings may still be necessary if you are a caregiver for an aging parent. Read More
Editor’s Note: Jonathan B. lives in the Los Angeles area and found “Finding a Fix” online. We of Pills Anonymous are men and women who no longer want to use prescription drugs to provide an illusion of pleasure or to overmedicate a perceived problem with… Read More
Bangor is booming. If you have taken a ride out Stillwater Avenue in Bangor lately, you know what I mean. There is a new mall in town. It’s not even fully open yet, but boy, oh boy, it seems the traffic has really increased. Or maybe it’s just… Read More
There are all kinds of disasters in this world, and all manner of recovery. From the intensely personal to the global, what they have in common is a small kernel of hope – an unlikely survivor of tragedy that takes tentative root and is nurtured over time into… Read More
Don’t let Drew Matlins’ age fool you. This “30-something” is dedicated to the health and wellness of seniors, and he takes his job as director of the Senior Sense program very seriously. The program, which is funded by a three-year AmeriCorps VISTA grant from the… Read More
The bad news about addiction comes in many forms. You know the problem list: car wrecks and overdose deaths, burglaries and assaults, promising lives wasted and families torn apart. But there is good news, too – longtime drug users who finally acknowledge their illness, young… Read More
Myths are circulating that getting older is the sole cause of countless varieties of aches and pains. Nothing to be done, as they say as it is a “normal part of aging.” Take painful cramping in the legs or hips while walking; or numbness, tingling… Read More
Editor’s Note: The many responses we’ve received to “Finding a Fix” have included some very personal accounts from former drug users, family members and others whose lives have been affected by substance abuse. We invite you to read their stories here from time to time, and to consider… Read More
There is nothing quite like a new, slightly stiff backpack, shiny notebooks filled with crisp white paper and lethally sharpened pencils to ignite the thirst for learning. While the sound of a school bell may be a faint memory, these items could still be useful if you register… Read More
Editor’s Note: The many responses we’ve received to this new feature have included some very personal accounts from former drug users, family members and others whose lives have been affected by substance abuse. We invite you to read their stories here from time to time, and to consider… Read More
Never mind water, blood is thicker than paint, it turns out. The three Nickerson sisters can vouch for that. They take art classes together at the Hammond Street Senior Center in Bangor. “It’s our way of getting together because we all live in different towns,”… Read More
Last week, Meg Haskell introduced and accurately characterized the problem of teen and young adult drug abuse and dependence as “an epidemic.” This week, I’d like to discuss the fastest growing element of this epidemic, the abuse of prescription drugs. From 1992 to 2003 in… Read More
Eastern Agency on Aging is abuzz with activity. We have important dates for you to remember and information to share regarding the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, part D. We also are offering to help people complete their Tax and Rent Rebate forms. But before… Read More
Can we talk? There’s a long-overdue conversation we need to have, about drugs. As citizens of the beautiful state of Maine, as summer residents and visitors, we share a huge problem. Right here – where our families have lived for generations, where we have chosen… Read More
On Aug. 26, Gloria Cote, nurse for the city of Bangor, will hang up her stethoscope for the last time. She is retiring after 17 years of service to “the adult and geriatric population” of which she has grown so fond. “I have loved every… Read More
A hot cup of coffee and the Bangor Daily News is a non-negotiable morning routine for me. Regardless of the time I have to get up, that half-hour is factored in. Even with Dixie-Cat lying across whichever section I am attempting to read, the experience is an enjoyable… Read More
Sitting in an eye doctor’s office, in front of a rack of brochures, can be a bit unnerving. Given enough time, it is possible to begin imagining symptoms for whatever disease pamphlet has been pulled off the shelf. But some diseases have a quick test… Read More
Forget the dog days of summer – for me, it’s all about the cats. As I put Mona on the bed with her special blanket, underneath the ceiling fan to keep her cool, I thought how different, and yes empty, my life would be without her and Dixie,… Read More
It happened again. I was on my way to an interview at an elderly person’s home, with fairly good directions I might add, but I still drove past the residence. Not just once either, but twice. The only identification for the house was a small number on a… Read More
Looking for an excuse to buy new running shoes, get in shape and make a difference in the world? Get in the “pink,” with ribbons that is, by participating in the Komen Maine Race for the Cure. Sadly, as women age, the risk for breast… Read More
Home may be where your heart is, but it’s also the site of numerous accidents. Personally, I think this is because we are less careful at home. We know where things are – such as furniture, steps or uneven floors – and we are used to the surroundings. Read More
Accidents can happen at any time. For example, I stubbed my toe to the breaking point recently by running into a heavy piece of furniture, which I confess was protruding into the pathway between the living room and kitchen. Aside from the pain, I also felt very stupid,… Read More
AUGUSTA – There are now just two spots on the planet – the jungles of Vietnam and the demilitarized zone in South Korea – where exposure to Agent Orange is officially recognized as the presumed cause of a host of devastating illnesses in American military personnel. Read More
Northern Maine’s only providers of open-heart procedures such as cardiac bypass surgery will soon leave the provider network of the state’s largest health insurer. The change means that Mainers enrolled in any of the plans offered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine, including self-insured groups… Read More
Petite and delicate, with face-framing soft curls and a stylishly coordinated outfit, Doris Maher is easy to picture as a lady who frequents tea parties and fills her afternoons with good friends and bridge games. But Doris doesn’t have much time for such things. What… Read More
It’s almost barbecue season. Actually, I’ve been to a couple already. While waiting for my veggie burger to cook on the grill, I overheard something that made me nervous. The hostess asked a guest if maybe a certain food (I can’t remember what) had been… Read More
The best-laid plans can often go awry. Yet the right attitude can turn personal tragedy into triumph. After retiring, Betty Pickering, 72, and her husband, Alton, sold their home and bought a 35-foot fifth-wheel trailer and a truck. They had a grand design in mind… Read More