The Recovery Alliance Initiative – Expansion and Clarification

~ Brian Coon ~ Leave a comment

In the first two posts of this series, I described the origin and then the early evolution of what we call the Recovery Alliance Initiative.  I encourage you to go back and read those installments before you read this one on the expansion and clarification of our model and methods.  Through our many conversations and … Continue reading The Recovery Alliance Initiative – Expansion and Clarification

Is rehab effective? The results are in.

~ Dr David McCartney ~ 1 Comment

This summary of the research evidence provides verification that “that residential rehabilitation is associated with improvements across a variety of outcomes relating to substance use, health and quality of life”. Rehab is linked to improvements in mental health, offending, social engagement, employment, reduction in substance use and abstinence. There is little research that compares rehab with other treatments delivered in the community, but where there is, the evidence suggests that “residential treatment produces more positive outcomes in relation to substance use than other treatment modalities.” The review also suggests that rehab can be more cost-effective over time than other treatments

Sentences to ponder

~ Jason Schwartz

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com To what extent does this tendency influence discussions around addiction and drug policy -- elevating counterintuitive and novel ideas? “Human attention is drawn to novelty, to things that are new and unexpected,” says Aral. “We gain in status when we share novel information because it looks like we're in the … Continue reading Sentences to ponder

Bill White’s website has moved

~ Brian Coon

Early this morning I noticed that Mike Dennis, the researcher at Lighthouse Institute, posted the following on his LinkedIn account: Researchers and practitioners who access Bill’s website, williamwhitepapers.com, will notice a new look effective May 24, 2022. Mike said the new address for Bill's content is: https://www.chestnut.org/william-white-papers/ and that users navigating to the previous web address … Continue reading Bill White’s website has moved

Grief and Depression as Factors in Addiction Counseling

~ Brian Coon

Disclaimer:  nothing in this post should be taken or held as clinical instruction, clinical supervision, or advisory concerning patient care.  In his 1916 article1 titled “Mourning and Melancholia” Sigmund Freud grappled with clarifying the differences between melancholy and mourning.  In his usage melancholy refers to what we would loosely call “depression” and mourning refers to … Continue reading Grief and Depression as Factors in Addiction Counseling

Loss of Institutional Knowledge – a Critical Tipping Point in the SUD Workforce Crisis

~ billstaufferpa

Our substance use care system workforce has long faced very high turnover rates. One of the studies from years ago that always stuck with me as framing out the challenges and value of working in our field, was from 2003, the toughest job you'll ever love: A Pacific Northwest Treatment Workforce Survey. It identified turnover … Continue reading Loss of Institutional Knowledge – a Critical Tipping Point in the SUD Workforce Crisis

Polarisation, tension and hostility: just another day in the field of addictions.

~ Dr David McCartney ~ 3 Comments

Someone relatively new to the substance use disorder area asked me recently why I thought there was so much division and hostility in the addiction and recovery field, compared to other parts of health and social care. Do we really have more conflict than in some other healthcare areas? There are strongly held positions which … Continue reading Polarisation, tension and hostility: just another day in the field of addictions.