Over the last few weeks, there has been an expansive and dramatic shift to the provision of Substance Use Disorder services onto digital platforms as we move into the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Recovery community and treatment organizations would be well served to develop these services in a manner that supports safe, effective and individualized care. … Continue reading Ten Assurances for Conducting Effective, Safe and Ethically Run Virtual Recovery Support Services

All of us working in the field of alcohol and drug treatment will likely be facing the greatest challenges we have ever faced. Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), a partnership of the medical Royal Colleges and Faculties, has issued some new guidance for services which is well worth a read. Points that caught … Continue reading Alcohol Services in the Pandemic

In recent weeks I have been less focused on the science of recovery and more on the social connectedness elements of recovery. I hope that my colleagues writing here on this blog with me are ok with the direction I am taking as of late. I am focused here simply because I think that there … Continue reading Let’s focus the recovery community on hope, connection, and purpose

And just like that, overnight all of our worlds have changed. I already miss things that I did without a second thought less than two weeks ago before COVID-19 took hold. I am sure I am not alone in that. All of us are reeling from unprecedented change and disorienting events occurring wholly outside of … Continue reading Recovery Community: This can be our finest hour – let’s show the world what the recovery community is all about!

Does mutual aid work? If you are a member of a mutual aid group that you believe is keeping you sober or drug-free, then it's pretty much assured you will say ‘yes’. That’s understandably not good enough for researchers and some others. Nearly two decades ago, I asked a consultant addiction psychiatrist why he didn’t recommend … Continue reading Alcoholics Anonymous – the evidence

First things first. How we treat others says a lot about a us as people or organizations. Are our systems inclusive or persons in recovery at all levels of system design and implementation? How are we treated by these systems that govern care? As valued partners, window dressing or simply marginalized? We will not make … Continue reading The Golden Rule of SUD Treatment and Recovery Services

I have never failed to underestimate the depth of discrimination that surround addiction and those of us in recovery from addiction. It shows up in punitive policies, disparate funding, excessive barriers to care and the consistent discounting of our voices in policy matters that impact us. It is the last point I am writing about … Continue reading Discounting the Voices of Recovery