JAMA has an article on cognitive bias as it relates to public health policy for COVID-19. These cognitive errors, which distract leaders from optimal policy making and citizens from taking steps to promote their own and others’ interests, cannot merely be ascribed to repudiations of science. Rather, these biases are pervasive and may have been … Continue reading Cognitive Bias and Public Health Policy

                                                                                                              … Continue reading Fostering Big Tent Recovery

A question has been on my mind for a while--what is the place of morality or moralizing language in addiction and recovery? Not moral? Bill White has been one of the most influential recovery advocates of the last quarter century. One could argue that, over that time, no one has done more to advance the … Continue reading Does morality have a place in discussions of addiction recovery?

I haven't posted for some time. The hospital I work at was hit very hard by COVID-19 and I'm still working on getting recharged for activities like blogging, but the pandemic did play a role in inspiring this post. I've been thinking a lot about the convergence of several cultural trends: historically unprecedented access to … Continue reading Follow the science . . .

Have been listening and reflecting as of late on where the recovery movement has come from and where we are headed next. We have faced and endured many challenges, both internal and external to the movement. We have done so by remaining focused on our common purpose. Basic tenants of recovery such as tolerance, humility … Continue reading Recovery Movement Ahead: Embracing Kindred Groups While Retaining Focus on Our Common Purpose

I recently attended  a webinar on loneliness and the COVID-19 Pandemic by the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness. The physical health and mortality facets of social isolation are jaw dropping. We need to focus more of our resources on recognition of social isolation as a health determinant in respect to substance use conditions … Continue reading On Improving Recovery Engagement In the Context of Increased Social Isolation and Loneliness

Definition of Custodian – a person who has responsibility for or looks after something. We are in a critical stage of the recovery movement in America, and we need to think carefully on what direction we go as a community and what we do to ensure that we expand recovery opportunities for the next generation. … Continue reading WE NEED MORE RECOVERY CUSTODIANS AND FEWER RECOVERY ROCK STARS (BILL STAUFFER AND BILL WHITE)

What are some things an addiction professional can do to become familiar with “Recovery”?  Suggestions include: Attend open meetings (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Smart Recovery, etc.)Read the Alcoholics Anonymous “Big Book” and the Narcotics Anonymous Basic TextListen to recovery Speakers on online media Read recovery memoirsSit in on a whole program length of a particular … Continue reading Addiction Counselors Should Become Familiar with “Recovery”

Last week I highlighted the recovery story as the chief substrate by which recovery scientists can define, operationalize, and create meaningful measures for the recovery process. We discussed the rationale for placing the recovery experience, as told by those who have recovered, as the primary source from which we can extract pertinent information that can … Continue reading Articulating Meaningful Measures of Recovery, Part II