Heroin and its affects

1 Wake up call about heroin

In 2012 the annual report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction has stated that Ireland has the highest numbers of heroin users, along with Latvia, Luxembourg, and Malta in Europe. They state that we have 30,000 citizens addicted to this dangerous and overpowering drug.  In the EU the average rate of heroin deaths per one million people is 21. For Ireland, it is a staggering 68, three times that of the average.  For many years heroin was confined to Dublin, but that is no longer the case as heroin is freely available in every town and village throughout the country. The official name for heroin is Diamorphine and is made from morphine which comes from the opium poppy. It is usually a brown/white powder, smells acidic, and is usually mixed with substances like talcum powder, sugar, starch, or even powdered milk.  Recently it was found that dealers in Dublin mixed rat poison and strychnine to bulk up the heroin.

Heroin is either smoked, sniffed, or dissolved in water and injected. The effects of heroin last for up to three hours with the initial rush followed by a dreamlike state of peacefulness and contentment.  Pain is reduced as are aggressive tendencies and sexual drive.

First-time users, especially if the mix is infected, cause severe nausea, vomiting, and blinding headaches.  Experimenting with heroin is a risky business because it is highly addictive.  Larger doses of heroin can lead to drowsiness and can result in overdose and coma. It can and often is fatal and if you take heroin regularly you may build up a tolerance but if you stop taking it, even for a few days, your tolerance levels will drop rapidly and there is an added risk of overdose on the same amount. If alcohol is added to the equation an overdose is more likely.

The alarming fact is that the HSE has admitted that in some parts of our country there is no treatment available.  West of the Shannon there are no facilities for heroin users to get treatment.  Dr. Cathal O’ Sulliobhan of the HSE has said we are sitting on a “time bomb” where a mini HIV epidemic could easily become a reality, due to the sharing of needles and other equipment associated with injecting heroin.  There are approximately 9,200 Irish people on Methadone, ( which is commonly used to treat heroin or other opiate addiction and reduce the harsh withdrawal symptoms)  leaving 21,000 without help or care for their addiction. Less than half the General Practitioners in the country can prescribe methadone, but methadone has its own dangerous and fatal problems with 113 users dying in 2011.   There is a Pharmacy needle exchange programme with over 90 pharmacies offering assistance but this is nowhere near adequate to address this escalating problem.

An attitude exists suggesting that all people with a drug problem are criminals, rather than a person having a dependency issue, who have turned to crime to support and fund their addiction.  There is ample information to be found about heroin and its dangers.  Those who are using heroin are in daily danger of overdosing and dying or living a life of misery and challenge. Heroin is derived from the opium poppy and its abuse and dependence produce side effects which may result in a range of detrimental health problems like:

heart problems including infection of the heart lining and valves: infectious diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B, and C: chronic pneumonia and other pulmonary diseases: blood clots or tissue death, resulting in collapsed veins: bacterial infections; liver disease: arthritis and seizures.  Short-term physical effects also include depressed respiration, (shallow breathing) clouded mental functioning, uncontrollable feelings of itching or picking at the skin.

Because of the uncertainty of the heroin mixture that is bought from street dealers, addicts never know the strength of the heroin they are using or what it is mixed with.  Addicts are in constant threat of overdose or poisoning from heroin causing death. Another major problem is the growing tolerance of the use of heroin leading to the need for increases in the frequency and quantity of heroin consumption to get the same buzz and adds to the problems of the addict.

Symptoms of heroin abuse and addiction give definite physical symptoms like weight loss, needle track marks visible on the body, infections, and abscesses at the injection site, cuts, bruises or scabs from skin picking and for women the loss of a menstrual cycle.  Behavioural signs of heroin abuse and addiction include: lying and other deceptive behaviour, avoiding eye contact, increased hours of sleeping, increased slurred, garbled or incoherent speech, lack of performance at school or at work,  vomiting and diarrhoea, decreasing attention to hygiene and physical appearance, loss of motivation, withdrawal from friends and family and seeking out others not usually their associates, lack of interest in hobbies, stealing money or valuables to sell,  hostile behaviour towards loved ones including blaming and shouting obscenities, regular comments  indicating loss of self esteem and worsening body image, wearing log sleeves or pants even in hot weather to cover needle marks.

Heroin abuse is an extremely serious condition and requires specialists experienced in chemical dependency detoxification to deal with the patient.  Curtailing long-term use of heroin suddenly can cause serious medical complications including death. Heroin detox should not be attempted at home or without supervision from a doctor who understands dependence and withdrawal.

For an addict detoxing from heroin is the biggest battle that will ever be fought to get back to a life without heroin, but if you continue, then the prospects of death hang close-by every day and the only life you have will be controlled by the seeds of the opium poppy. It is extremely difficult to withdraw from using heroin and withdrawal symptoms start around 8 to 24 hours after the last fix. Symptoms are aches, tremors, sweating, chills, anxiety, irritability, loss of appetite,  muscular spasms, hot and cold sweats, cramps, sneezing and yawning, runny nose, diarrhea, fever, insomnia and crying.

If you are living or are looking at a loved one in the throes of heroin addiction, you should seek help for yourself, as the effects of the abuser will impact on your own life and make living full of anxiety and fear.  Any person addicted cannot be helped until they themselves want to quit and often the wait for that day is painful and extremely difficult.  But recovery is possible for everyone if they want it.

Peg Hanafin, MSc.Psych/ Rehab Couns.

Anticipation

Anticipation  

Think how happy you feel when you are looking forward to something, whatever that may be. Research has shown that anticipating something can be a powerful, positive emotion that can help us live happier lives. Anticipation is a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen in the near future.  People enjoy looking forward to things much more than looking back on them afterward. The enjoyment people glean from anticipation is also an important component of life satisfaction. To enjoy one’s life, one needs a belief in a hope for the future and to be able to suffer the pain of deferral of immediate gratification. Imagine if you had nothing at all to look forward to in life? You would likely be very miserable, upset, and even depressed. It is very hard to find the will to live if you cannot imagine that there is something positive waiting for you in the future.

Waiting may not be your favourite activity, but science and psychology both agree that if you can turn it into positive anticipation—an expectation of something good to come—anticipation can be beneficial for your mind, emotions, and even your physical health, and is a skill worth learning. Dr. Paul Hokemeyer, a Manhattan psychiatrist, suggests that learning to anticipate is a sign of maturity. “Our mind enables us to make sound decisions that enhance our being in the world, and keep us from acting in compulsive and destructive ways,” he says. To reap the benefits of anticipation, you have to learn how to delay gratification. “There are physical and emotional benefits to delaying gratification. When you anticipate something you want, even if you don’t know what the outcome will be, you activate your brain’s reward centre.  Of course, the other side of anticipation is anxiety. A lot of times people are afraid to anticipate because they don’t want to be disappointed.  Anticipation is based on a sense of personal hope and control. In a state of anticipation, we enjoy a sense of control over our lives. Anticipation also teaches you patience, and reveal how well you deal with a fear of not getting what you want.

All experts agree that there is more benefit than harm to anticipating good things, even if they don’t come to pass. The phrase waiting in anticipation is still used widely. Anticipation means the excitement, of waiting eagerly for something good you hope is going to happen. Anything that you are looking forward to, can be made even better by letting your anticipation build up.  A healthy amount of “anticipation” can be a very powerful emotion that has the potential to improve our lives. If you find it hard to think of something to look forward to, then why not create something to look forward to? Make plans: we all need something to look forward to. Find something to make your future look a little brighter and happier – and relish in the anticipation of good things to come.  In fact, a healthy sense of “anticipation” can often help energize our lives, and even help us get through tough times.  When we find ourselves in those less-than-ideal present moments, having something to look forward to in the future can give us the motivation and persistence to move forward even during those difficult times.

 

 

 

 

leaders

A leader 

Being a good leader is not easy, and requires many skills to carry out their role effectively. The best leaders exhibit certain qualities that make them hugely successful. They must have clarity, vision of what is needed and decisiveness. Courage is both something you can develop and something that is blessed as a virtue and passion is inspirational when seeing someone who cares about what they do. Humility and confidence are very attractive traits in leaders, there is nothing like a humble character for creating a lovable persona. Great leaders admit when they are wrong and take criticism as an opportunity for growth. They show great consistency with their decisions, rarely backing out or changing their minds unless it is absolutely necessary. While a leader’s actions may be scrutinized when things are going bad, it is their leadership qualities that shine through in the worst of times. It is these same qualities that others look up to, respect, and work very hard for. Great leaders have vision, courage, integrity, humility and focus, along with the ability to plan strategically and utilise the cooperation and wisdom of other team members. One of the more important qualities of a good leader is courage, because there is no certainty in life every commitment you make and every action you take entails a risk of some kind. The more a leader can contain their self importance, the more realistic they are about problems. They learn how to listen, and admit that they don’t know all the answers and can learn from anyone at any time. Pride doesn’t get in the way of gathering the information they need to achieve the best results. It doesn’t keep them from sharing the credit that needs to be shared. Great leaders are those who are strong and decisive but also humble in acknowledging mistakes.

Humility doesn’t mean that they are weak or unsure. It means that they have the self-confidence and self-awareness to recognize the value of others without feeling threatened. This is one of the rarer attributes – or traits – of good leaders because it requires containment of one’s exaggerated sense of importance. People who positively impact the world, not only obtain amazing results in their work, but their process of obtaining these is also inspiring and uplifting. They are happy to help and support others, and enrich the lives of everyone they connect with. They walk away from opportunities that may be hurtful and damaging to others, but be beneficial to themselves. They know that those unethical, demeaning or destructive approaches go against the very meaning and purpose in the upright life they are committed to.  Inspiring others is the mark of an effective leader and motivation is best done by example and guidance, not by issuing commands. Sadly, it is a common occurrence in powerful positions today, to witness power and influence being wielded as a weapon. It hurts and destroys. Positive leaders use their power well and wisely. They understand the influence they have to elevate, or tear down. Those who impact the world are careful and cautious with their words, actions and behaviours. They operate with understanding, and care deeply about how they are communicating and the influence they have. They take leadership seriously, as a special honour not to be flaunted or misused.

 

Debt

Debt

Those suffering from debt feel a combination of shame, disgust, depression, embarrassment, anger, and anxiety. Dept causes physical and emotional problems and for poorer people getting into debt and unable to pay, have many other negative side effects as well.  For any person, debt is like a constant fear that never goes away. It persists until you take action. Debt causes a great deal of suffering and pain to those who have trouble paying their bills late, or not at all. Immunity against debt is non-existent, everyone is susceptible. We saw that happen during the recession when the wealthiest of people lost out to large debts. Although unfortunate, thousands of people daily need to file bankruptcy, seeking protection from the law from banks and money owed, especially if it is for large amounts.
We all have known honest people who go into debt and who resorted to stealing, cheating, and lying in efforts to hide or eliminate their debt to perhaps save face from family and peers. The despondent feelings drive many people to self harm and even suicide. A person in debt may face eviction from their home because they have the inability to pay. In some ways that is different from running up debts beyond your means, and buying things you “want” rather than what you “need”.
To add to the lack of available money each month, creditors may sue and seek a judgment to have your wages garnished. Essentially, the judge has given your employer in order to make the payment directly out of your pay cheque to the creditor you owe. This is money you will never even see, because it comes out instantly.
Even the happiest of people can find the pressure and embarrassment of debt too much to handle. The pressure from creditors may be relentless, it starts with mail and telephone calls at all hours of the day, then it can lead to losing their possessions, such as their car, or other goods on hire purchase. Their inability to eliminate their debt drives them to suicidal thoughts and believing it is the only way out. Debt starts out as a good thing, allowing us to live the life we may not otherwise be able to live but cannot afford. No one has the luxury of endless spending of limited resources, though many act as if they do. They spend compulsively while ignoring their deteriorating position. They put off dealing with bills until some outside event like credit is denied, the threat of foreclosure, legal action, harassing phone calls from debt collectors that all forces change. Underestimating how much you owe, not answering the phone when you suspect a collection agency is calling, or leaving bills unopened or just stuffing them in a drawer promising yourself you will take care of them later, these are all danger signs and need to be attended to.  Opening a new credit card when your old one is maxed out and telling yourself that everyone is in the same situation, is a hazard everyone can do without. The problem is reality always sets in, then stress manifests itself in obvious ways – lack of sleep, loss of focus, a nagging worry. “Earn a pound, spend a pound and a penny, trouble, earn a pound, spend 99 pence, happiness”.

 

Debt

Debt 20

Those suffering from debt feel a combination of shame, disgust, depression, embarrassment, anger, and anxiety. Dept causes physical and emotional problems and for poorer people getting into debt and unable to pay, have many other negative side effects as well.  For any person, debt is like a constant fear that never goes away. It persists until you take action. Debt causes a great deal of suffering and pain to those who have trouble paying their bills late, or not at all. Immunity against debt is non-existent, everyone is susceptible. We saw that happen during the recession when the wealthiest of people lost out to large debts. Although unfortunate, thousands of people daily need to file bankruptcy, seeking protection from the law from banks and money owed, especially if it is for large amounts.
We all have known honest people who go into debt and who resorted to stealing, cheating, and lying in efforts to hide or eliminate their debt to perhaps save face from family and peers. The despondent feelings drive many people to self harm and even suicide. A person in debt may face eviction from their home because they have the inability to pay. In some ways that is different from running up debts beyond your means, and buying things you “want” rather than what you “need”.
To add to the lack of available money each month, creditors may sue and seek a judgment to have your wages garnished. Essentially, the judge has given your employer in order to make the payment directly out of your pay cheque to the creditor you owe. This is money you will never even see, because it comes out instantly.
Even the happiest of people can find the pressure and embarrassment of debt too much to handle. The pressure from creditors may be relentless, it starts with mail and telephone calls at all hours of the day, then it can lead to losing their possessions, such as their car, or other goods on hire purchase. Their inability to eliminate their debt drives them to suicidal thoughts and believing it is the only way out. Debt starts out as a good thing, allowing us to live the life we may not otherwise be able to live but cannot afford. No one has the luxury of endless spending of limited resources, though many act as if they do. They spend compulsively while ignoring their deteriorating position. They put off dealing with bills until some outside event like credit is denied, threat of foreclosure, legal action, harassing phone calls from debt collectors that all forces change. Underestimating how much you owe, not answering the phone when you suspect a collection agency is calling, or leaving bills unopened or just stuffing them in a drawer promising yourself you will take care of them later, these are all danger signs and need to be attended to.  Opening a new credit card when your old one is maxed out and telling yourself that everyone is in the same situation, is a hazard everyone can do without. The problem is reality always sets in, then stress manifests itself in obvious ways – lack of sleep, loss of focus, a nagging worry. “Earn a pound, spend a pound and a penny, trouble, earn a pound, spend 99 pence, happiness”.

 

Decisions

Decisions 25

All of us are confronted with various decisions to make on a daily basis. Some are small and of minor consequence, while others are challenging and potentially life-changing. Making good decisions is one of the hardest but most important things we do. In fact, anything that happens down the line can be seen as a direct consequence of earlier decisions.  Some are simple and obvious choices; others are more difficult and painstaking. For every option there are going to be advantages and disadvantages. Successful people approach decisions differently; they have a methodical way of looking at choices and understand there are no guarantees in life. You can never know for certain and in advance whether a decision will be correct, therefore, you must be prepared to take risks.  It is also important to recognize when your ability to make good decisions is vulnerable, such as when you are in a hurry, your pride is at stake, angry, lonely, rejected, inebriated, or tired. Successful people know when they are not in a good place to make a decision, and they say, ‘Let me sleep on that,’ or ‘Let me think about that. I’ll get back to you”. Making a decision when you are not in the right frame of mind leads to consequences. Consequences pile up and turn into regret. Regret has a big impact especially if it is due to bad decision-making. When successful people review disappointments, they learn from them and then they are done with them; they forget them.  Successful people are not willing to let others take control. If we make our own our decisions, we get what we choose. Good things come to those who decide.

Complex and difficult decisions need a process we can follow to help us come up with a good solution. Identify the decision to be made as well as the objectives or outcome you want to achieve.  Do your homework. Gather as many facts and as much information you can to assess your options.  Brainstorm and come up with several possible choices. Determine if the options are matching your values, interests and abilities. Weigh the probabilities or possible outcomes. In other words, what is the worst that can happen? What will happen if I do A, B or C and can I live with the consequences?  Sometimes when you match the pros against the cons you may find them dramatically lopsided. Look for opinions and obtain feedback from those you trust or have had a similar situation to contend with. There may be some aspects you haven’t thought about. Make the decision and monitor your results. If you make a mistake view it as an opportunity to learn what didn’t work and examine why. Many times decisions are reversible and you can change your mind. Sometimes people become so paralyzed with the fear of making a wrong decision that they panic and lose sight of what they are trying to accomplish. This hinders making any decision. Once you have made the decision, stick to it. At the very least, you will have learned important lessons. Do not underestimate the power of intuition, or your gut feeling. Decisions are crossroads. Life does not happen to us; we are an active participant. We get out of life what we choose.

 

Imagination

Imagination 

As adults we have been forced into a world of responsibility and practicality where money, bills, and jobs that many hate, the places we are forced to live in and dictate how we live, breathe, and experience the world. Dreaming of what could be allows us to tap into our imaginations reminding us what it feels like to be passionate about something. Somewhere along the line we have lost that connection to passion and purpose in life and replaced it with survival and responsibility.  It is a fact that thoughts must happen before things happen and our imagination is the very thing that helps make that possible.  Imagination is the ability to form a mental image of something that is not perceived through the five senses. It is the ability of the mind to imagine mental scenes, like objects or events that do not exist, are not present, or have happened in the past. Scientists and creative people have this amazing gift for thinking outside the box and allowing their imaginations the freedom to grow and evolve their thoughts, many of which have created products that have changed the way we live entirely. Without this creative power we may never have had the internet, smart-phones, airplanes, electricity, cars, television and all the other amazing technology we rely on every day. Imagination is the key ingredient to expansion and the advancement of our world. Watching the news and hearing about the violence, crime, sickness, and sadness in the world is enough to make anyone believe that things are falling apart. By falling into the trap of believing that this is just the way the world works, we become a victim and let go of all the dreams we try to achieve. Reality is merely an outward expression of what we have chosen to accept and focus on in the world. But when we turn our thoughts to that which we want to create in our lives, the possibilities are endless. With imagination  why would we waste it focusing on the mundane when we could dream of what the world might be. We have the power to create so much more and it is up to us to use our imaginations to change our lives and our world for the better. The ability to imagine things spreads throughout our entire existence. It influences everything we do, think about and create. It leads to elaborate theories, dreams and inventions in any profession from the knowledge of academia to engineering, the arts, ocean science and satellites in the sky. Imagination makes it possible to experience a whole world inside the mind. It gives the ability to look at any situation from a different point of view, and to mentally explore the past and the future.  We use our imagination whenever we plan a party, a trip, our work or a meeting. We use it when we describe an event, explain how to arrive to a certain street, write a book, inventing an instrument, designing a dress or a house, or painting a picture. The creative power of imagination has an important role in the achievement of success in any field. What we imagine with faith and feelings comes into being. It is the important ingredient of creative visualization, positive thinking and affirmations.

 

 

 

 

Limitations

Limitations 

Limitations in life are just that, life.  No one is born with every skill needed but we are all born with our own unique skills.  Even those with a diversity of abilities and restrictions live in their own comfort zone, maybe with extra help but still live. We are all limited in some way, by how we think, how we act, what we know, where we are going in the future. If you want to surmount a limitation it takes effort, dedication and sacrifice. That may sound discouraging at the start, but with conscientiousness you will find ways around anything that appear to limit how you live. However, it’s in the process, the trying, failing, falling on your face but retrying and trying again that you find your success.  Success is the gift you crave in the world to make the life you want.  It’s likely not going to win you an Olympic medal, but it will fill your life with contentment, and fulfilment. One can only realize their personal limitations by constantly testing these limits. This is usually done by stepping out of your comfort zone. However when doing this, we often surprise ourselves that we are actually capable of a lot more than we assume.  Ambition, achievement striving, and risk-taking are highly valued by our society, but they can come with a price. High achievers typically believe in setting themselves ambitious goals  but how do you know when you are pushing things too far?  If you are patient, you can get what you once started out wanting. Coming to terms with and accepting that you can’t get everything you want, can be difficult. It is also possible that you don’t want it badly enough to persevere. First of all stop comparing yourself with others and learn that everybody has different skills.  There are other things which are far more important, that are easily developed, but people do not notice so readily and are so important. Maybe you are good at understanding people, maybe you are good at consoling people or maybe you are good at making friends and being there with a helping hand. There are lot of things you have but are not able to find because you are just trying to achieve what others do.  Stop looking at others. Do what you want to do. And definitely you will find something that you are good at. Just give yourself some time and you will automatically figure it out. Most of us wish we could improve certain things about ourselves. Lasting change is difficult: Many of our habits are deeply ingrained, and certain core personality attributes may not be able to be changed. But even the oldest of habits and character traits can be altered to varying degrees, as it’s never too late to change; with effort and determination, it is possible to be the person you want to be.

Admiration and praise from others only boost one’s ego. For self-respect, you do not need admiration from others. As far as your potential is concerned, you need not compare yourself with others. Every individual has got a huge potential which remains untapped. These talents surface when you become stress-free and enthusiastic.
Remembering that not to have any special unique quality, is itself a unique quality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is important in your life?

  What is important to your in life

“Society is a wave. The wave moves onward, but the water of which it is composed does not.”  People have not changed. The problems you are facing today are not new. And one of those problems is that we are needy. And it is a big problem because without self-reliance, you can never be consistently happy. And even though being happy is still something that is important to us, it need not determine the quality of life. Examine the following and see how reliant you are on others;  Do you think your friends should always be there for you? Do you find it difficult to be alone?  Do you feel like a nobody when people ignore you at work?  Do you feel hurt when someone doesn’t invite you to a birthday or any other social event?  It is not surprising that we are this way. It all starts when we are born. We rely on our parents to survive. And when we become adults we should become self-reliant individuals, but funnily enough, we become even more dependent on others.   In life, we always turn outwardly for everything: Happiness, advice, affection, love, approval.  We ask experts for advice. We use drugs when we are in pain. We expect others to solve our problems. It is much better to rely on yourself. Not in a selfish way, but in an emotional way. You don’t need others to be happy.  The moment we lose ourselves and our identity, we can no longer be the person we want to be. When you are needy, you only damage your relationships in the long-term. But when you’re self-reliant, you can enrich the lives of the people around you much more. Self-reliance is a skill for everyone to learn.

How often do you think or feel something and you are afraid of speaking it? That makes us afraid of confrontation. Instead of being timid, stand up and say what you think without reservation. If you want to have a voice in the world, you can’t expect that will happen smoothly. Not in an aggressive way. But when you don’t agree with something; say it.  It is always hard to speak your mind and to stand for what you believe in.  We are too quick in expressing our emotions. Nothing’s going to change when you let out all your emotions. In other words: Speaking out your emotions is not always useful. Instead, learn how to become a master of your feelings and emotions. Are you sad? Are you in love? Are you mourning? Are you just annoyed? Don’t let worthless emotions consume you. Emotions need to be kept under control.

You don’t need to travel to the other side of the world to find yourself. Your problems will always travel with you wherever you go.  Face your challenges and demons head-on. Every setback is an opportunity to test your self-reliance. Nothing is forever. We forget that in daily life as we get attached to worldly things, people, and memories.  To truly appreciate something, you have to realize that you will lose it one day. If you believe that you will live forever or that you will be loved until the end of time—you take things for granted. I owe nothing, and nothing is owed to me.  Do you freak out when you are alone for a moment? Most of us can’t stand the thought of spending a day or longer alone. Instead of your phone and texting, call a friend, go for a walk. Maybe take a book with you. Daydream a bit. There are a million ways to spend your time. You don’t need others to have a good time. Just don’t waste it

Life is a series of unrelated events and decisions. You can’t change the past. So it only makes sense to live without regret. See things for what they are. Life just happens. You will never be able to explain everything with 100% certainty and proof. Just accept it. If you are unhappy or if you want to change, just change your attitude. See things for what they are. Stop looking for it outside of yourself, you will find that you rely on yourself —not because you need it, but simply because you can.

 

 

A belief in others

Values and their importance  

Every experience that you have had and every person that you have met will have, in some way, influenced your values and beliefs. What we value and the beliefs we hold have a profound influence on how we think about things and how we behave. We can all help others to change a limiting belief that is empowering and offer many opportunities to people. What you hold dear and what you believe to be important to you has evolved and shaped your life. Our values are what encourage our thoughts, words, and actions. When we make decisions they are a reflection of our values and beliefs. We all have our own values, beliefs, and attitudes that we have developed from our life experiences. Our family, friends, community and the experiences we have had, all contribute to our sense of who we are and how we view the world. When you work in the community we often work with people who are vulnerable and/or who may live a lifestyle that mainstream society views as being different or unacceptable. To provide a compassionate service that meets the needs of our target groups and helps them to feel empowered and respected, we need to be aware of our own personal values, beliefs, and attitudes, and not impose our own ideas on our clients. Values are principles, standards or qualities are what we hold to be how we want to live. They guide the way we live our lives and the decisions we make. A ‘value’ is commonly formed by a particular belief that is related to the worth of an idea or type of behaviour. Values can influence many of the judgments we make as well as have an impact on the support we give clients. It is important that we do not influence client’s decisions based on our values. We should always work on the basis of supporting the client’s values.

We have all been brought up with values that include good manners and being courteous. Pride in the way you live life, but with humility. Family life and the value you hold on always being respectful, giving good example and encouraging.  Values are stable long-lasting beliefs about what is important.  They become standards by which people order their lives and make their choices. A belief will develop into a value when one is  committed to it being important. Beliefs and values often motivate a person by defining what they see as being important. In turn, they influence a person’s attitudes, and how they behave. such as: concern for the well-being of others; respect for others;  trustworthiness and honesty;  compliance with the law;  preventing harm to others. Beliefs in general, and values in particular are motivational.  Because we tend to move towards what we value and away from what we don’t value, we put energy behind what’s important to us.  When beliefs are deeply held, they often lead to black and white thinking. words such as ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, ‘appropriate’ and ‘inappropriate’, ‘good’ and ‘bad’, ‘should’ and ‘shouldn’t’ and ‘important’ and ‘unimportant’ tell you immediately that someone is talking in terms of their values.  We acquire and develop them as we strive to make sense of the world. Sadly values today have eroded and we are left with questionable beliefs that are damaging to society at large.s

 

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