Whitney Houston was brilliant, had an amazing gift of vocal ability and she was a drug addict.  She squandered her wealth, fame, voice and eventually her life with her addiction.  Everyone around her enabled her behavior by not stepping in and helping her. Classic case in point of not enabling and intervention working–Britney Spears.  We all watched her spiral out of control and everyone thought she would wind up dead as a result of her use.  Instead, her family stepped in, went to court on her behalf and saved her career but more importantly saved her life. Being honest about addiction and doing everything we can to call it what it is and try to help, is the best way to avoid headlines like the ones that are everywhere today about Whitney.

Her death is horribly sad, I will not contest that, but it is an outright lie to call it an accident. The sooner we begin to speak frankly about addiction and the dangers of mixing legal and illegal drugs, the sooner we will be able to save lives.

I was very fortunate to be interviewed at length for this new book to be released in April on the Sandusky case and the culture of silence at Penn State, something I am all too familiar with as a alumni there who was also a victim of a crime on the campus. I spent years at PSU watching the administration do all they could to cover up the crime and culture of hate on the campus.

The book comes out in April, you can pre-order it now by clicking here.

Jennifer was interview by ABC 27 News about the importance of reporting crimes to help save further victimization of child sex assault victims.

Penbrook man charged with child pornography after repairing comp – abc27 – Harrisburg, York & Lancaster News & Weather.

What Sandusky and his attorney have done over the course of these past weeks is nothing short of public bullying of these victims. Each having done their own set of national media interviews where they both have challenged the credibility of the victims statements and had both stated on numerous occasions how much they looked forward to cross-examining the victims. So was it all a tactic?  A ploy in the hopes the victims would get scared and decide not to show up? I believe so.

The best part was…it didn’t work.  It only further deepened the resolve of these amazingly brave young men to stand their ground and speak their truth. The defense plan back fired and today when Sandusky and his attorney walked into court they were informed that there were 11 people prepared to testify to the abuse witnessed and endured.

No wonder they waived.  They know they are in trouble.

But what about the victims.  Imagine the roller coaster these individuals have been placed on over the past years since this investigation began. They have been forced already to recount horrific details of the abuse to their attorneys, both civil and prosecutors, and to a grand jury. But not once yet have they had the opportunity to face Sandusky, the monster in their lives, and tell their truth.  Instead, they have had to endure seeing his face on the cover of every magazine, newspaper and TV news and entertainment show. They have had to worry that every time they leave their home they could run into him, as he was until a week ago out free on bail with no restrictions, they have to worry that the media will chase them and expose their identifies.  In fact, for one victim who was all but totally exposed by the media, he had to leave his high school as he was being bullied, harassed and threatened horribly.

And they cannot speak out publicly, for if they do, each and every word they speak will be ripped to shreds in the court of public opinion. If they say one word that is different than their grand jury testimony, their credibility will be attacked, as we have already seen with the star witness in this case.

Yet today, every one of them was ready to take the stand and face their abuser, they were ready for their day in court but at the last minute, Sandusky had the chance to re-victimize them one more time by taking that chance away from them.  Rightfully, some  are angry, frustrated, annoyed, upset. They had to go home and now must wait again.

Victims have few opportunities in the criminal justice system to be heard. Their testimony is the key opportunity to be heard but they do not have a say at all in how the case proceeds. Otherwise, they hurry up and wait, prepare and wait, and wait.

I do hope and pray the resolve of each and every victim is just as strong as it was today.  That they know their truth will be told and at the end of this trail…justice will prevail.

They will have their day in court, their voices will be heard even if Sandusky take a plea, the victims will have an opportunity to state on the record how they have been affected, abused, terrorized and victimized by their abuser.

I implore the media to allow the victims peace over the holidays.  To let them move through the next weeks free from observation and intrusion so they may try and enjoy the holiday season with their families and friends.

Most people don’t realize they have rights unless they unfortunately they are faced with the trauma and crisis of being victimized. My new book, Picking Up the Pieces Without Picking Up and here for you as a guide through that process. It will guide you through every feasible situation you may have to face as a crime victim, not only the emotional healing components but navigating the arduous criminal justice system. Forget what you see on TV, none of it is a true reflection of what you are about to experience.

Additionally what this book will help you with it maintaining or finding recovery. Victimization can be a life altering event and hands down the most stressful situation you will ever face. It is a time when you will need to pull together every recovery tool you have learned or to find as many as you can through the pages of this book so you don’t fall back onto old behaviors such as picking up a drink or a drug to deal with it all.

This book, with the help of positive affirmation and exercises will educate you on your rights as a victim, on ways to overcome the tragedy you are facing and vital lifesaving tools to ensure you do it all without relapsing into a negative coping mechanism.

This book will empower you to seek the assistance you are entitled too by law to engage the process you now find yourself in with the criminal justice system, you are not just a piece of evidence–you are a key player and this book will teach you how to ensure you aren’t left in the dark about YOUR rights as a crime victim.

Jennifer Storm exposes a very real problem facing thousands in recovery today. Being victimized by a crime can be a life-altering, traumatic experience—one that can divert the course of recovery, pitching many back into the throes of addiction.

Rebuilding one’s life after the devastation of a crime or trauma, while avoiding relapse and promoting healing and self-awareness, is not easy. Through guided exercises, journaling, recovery reminders, and other helpful tools, readers will be empowered to move through their victimization with grace and strength.

Picking Up the Pieces without Picking Up offers a caring voice and expert guidance for those struggling with victimization and addiction, and also serves as a valuable resource for professionals in the treatment field, the criminal justice system, and the counseling arena.

“Hats off to Jennifer Storm for creating an educational tool that is both insightful and inspiring. She takes difficult subject matter and makes it relatable and meaningful to readers, nurturing and applauding their progress all throughout.”–Kim Goldman, New York Times Bestselling Author and Victims’ Advocate

Q & A with Jennifer Storm

Why did you write Picking Up the Pieces without Picking Up?

I wrote this book because there currently exists nothing like it on the market. There are no resources that walk a person through the criminal justice process and the healing journey, all while addressing co-occuring issues of substance abuse. I wanted to take what I do on a day-to-day basis in my work as an executive director of a victims services organization and put it in print. Books have always been my go-to resources, especially when I am not ready to talk to someone or reach out yet, so I wanted this guidebook to be available on bookshelves for people to access.
What makes this book unique?

There is not a workbook like this on the market—not one that addresses all of the issues I address in one clear and easy-to-read book. I make this book very concise, as to not add to the overwhelming nature of trauma and the effects it can have on a person. As a survivor and person in recovery, I have looked to guidebooks to aid me on my journey, and I have had to turn to multiple books to find all of the information I have included in this book.

Additionally, most “healing workbooks” I found were large and overwhelming just to pick up. I literally and figuratively felt the weight of these books, so I wanted to provide something more simple but effective.

How does Picking Up the Pieces without Picking Up address recovery?

In many instances, trauma and/or victimization is at the core of a person’s addiction and abuse history. For me, secrets kept me sick, and finding ways to heal from the reasons I used was a foundational piece of my long-term recovery. I truly believe that people who don’t fully address the “why” of their addiction are at a high risk for relapse.

Who is your target audience for this book?

All crime victims or witnesses and their loved ones who wish to heal from their experiences and maintain their recovery while doing so. Also, counselors, therapist, advocates, and anyone who works with victims to help them heal and recover will find this to be a book they will recommend or give to clients as an effective recovery tool.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7357765n&tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesArea.0

Book Review by Suzanne K of “Leave the Light On: A Memoir of Recovery and Self-Discovery” by Jennifer Storm.

This is the second memoir by Jennifer Storm. Her first, Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America, depicted her haunting descent into addiction which occurred after she had been raped at age twelve. In Leave the Light On: A Memoir of Recovery and Self-Discovery, Storm picks up where the first book left off. Even without reading her first memoir, readers will be captivated by Storm’s account of life in recovery.

Anyone who’s been through treatment for addiction knows that recovery is a scary time. You worry about it when you’re nearing the end of your treatment, and you worry constantly about it during the early days of your recovery. This happens regardless of what your drug or addictive behavior of choice is, how long you’ve been addicted before you seek and go through treatment, whether you’ve relapsed once or several times since treatment, who you are, where you live, how much money you have, how old you are, your sex, religious, political or any other type of affiliation. In short, recovery takes some getting used to.

And there’s no better primer than reading Storm’s tale of making it through the period of early recovery – without losing her sanity.

This is not to say that there weren’t some tenuous moments. Whose recovery is smooth sailing, anyway? Not anyone that this writer has heard about. Truth to tell, however, Storm’s account doesn’t veer into details about protracted and numerous relapses. She does say that she did relapse at one point, but got back into treatment and subsequently was Keaable to maintain her sobriety.

The fact that Storm survived her addiction and suicide attempt (she cut her wrists) is a testament to her underlying courage and determination to live. The memories of the rape, the guilt and shame and self-hatred that plagued her for years and she buried with alcohol and drugs took a lot of therapy and many hours of 12-step meeting attendance and one-on-one discussions with her sponsor to overcome.

You often read in articles and advice about recovery that you should follow a regimented schedule in your first weeks and months after treatment. With no more 24-hour monitoring or every minute accounted for with therapy, meetings, or scheduled lectures or activities, the sudden freedom of recovery can throw anyone into a tailspin. Storm tells readers she very much needed the comfort of stability, and keeping to a regular daily schedule helped her begin to climb up from the depths of self-doubt and despair. Reciting the Alcoholics Anonymous Serenity Prayer also kept her from losing her grip.

Newcomers to recovery will find helpful tips scattered throughout the book. For example, Storm says that it’s a good practice to mix up your 12-step meetings. Why should you do this? For one thing, it helps to keep things fresh. You won’t be hearing the same people tell the same stories over and over again. By attending different meetings, you’ll also be exposed to more people in recovery. Since it’s tough to meet new people when you’re still feeling raw and vulnerable, this is an excellent and non-threatening way to get to know new people who are clean and sober.

Another tip is to be cognizant of the so-called 12-step rules. Every fellowship has a few of them, whether they’re called rules or just recommendations. Did you know that you shouldn’t make any major life changes in your first year of recovery? This includes getting married or divorced, selling your house (unless you have to for financial reasons), and so on. You shouldn’t date in the first year – so, no love interests (especially for women who have been traumatized). You also can’t share your story until you’ve got a full year of recovery under your belt. And you can’t lead a meeting or sponsor anyone until you reach your first year recovery milestone.

Attending 90 meetings in 90 days (the “90 in 90” rule) is also strongly recommended for newcomers. The first 90 days are the most critical for newly sober individuals. This is a time when internal self-worth issues are most common. Storm found her salvation in keeping herself busy and involved in the 12-step program. She relates that in early recovery it’s easy to get sucked back into negative thoughts or wallow in self-pity of depression that follows such a major life change (going through addiction treatment and starting recovery).

Early recovery is also a time when panic attacks frequently occur. They usually come and go quickly, but can be devastating nonetheless. Storm recounts she committed to her Higher Power and just rode it out whenever panic overwhelmed her.

Desires and cravings, as every addict who’s gone through treatment knows, are two different things. They’re both tough to deal with, no matter when they occur. When old triggers resurface, Storm advises those new to recovery to recite the Serenity Prayer over and over. In addition, take deep and cleansing breaths while you say the words. You also need to avoid old people, places, and things that caused you to use in the past. And you simply must remain vigilant about your disease. You have to put your needs and your recovery above everything and everyone else.

In an easy-to-read style, Storm takes the reader through her early days in recovery. As she recounts her struggles to move into her own place, overcoming her conflicting thoughts of her own sexuality, dealing with old and new friendships, her up-and-down relationships with her parents and siblings, going on to college, starting a career, and, ultimately embarking on intimate relationships, readers cannot help but find insights into their own lives.

This memoir is not a manual or workbook for how everyone should manage their recovery. Each person is unique and must take his or her own path. But the book is a page turner, and Storm’s fresh and sassy style is completely engaging.

As for Storm, we’ll probably hear more from her in the future. As Executive Director of the Victim Witness Assistance Program in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, she has put her passion into helping others. She remains clean and sober – and happy at last.

Non-Fiction: Leave the Light On by Jennifer Storm