I recall Susan Cheever's revelation, but missed this at the time: On May 3, the Washington Post's David Von Drehle wrote a Style Section profile of Susan Cheever, biographer of Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson. In Drehle's article, we learn that as Wilson was dying of emphysema, the man who has inspired millions to kick the bottle, asked … Continue reading Puritanism?
Month: November 2011
The story of my life
Nic Sheff arrives at a conclusion that many of us have reached: So that means the drugs actually weren't the problem—it was the drugs and my goddamn genetic code. It’s ridiculous, really, to think about how long I’ve fought to deny that simple fact. And, honestly, I’m not even sure why that is exactly. Maybe … Continue reading The story of my life
Needle exchanges won’t solve Hep C crisis but recovery will
From Keith Humphreys: Needle exchange and other programs that attempt to promote safer injection rely on behavioral change. Anyone who has been on a diet knows that behavioral change is hard to do lastingly and perfectly, even for people who are not addicted to a drug. It is therefore unsurprising that research using DNA samples from needles … Continue reading Needle exchanges won’t solve Hep C crisis but recovery will
Recovery is everywhere
From friends in Japan. It's difficult to overstate how awesome this is. Here's a little context: The US population is about 300 million, Japan's population is about 130 million AA membership in the US is estimated to be around 1 million, Japan's AA membership is estimated to be around 5000, with another 5000 to 10,000 … Continue reading Recovery is everywhere
Transformation of the Culture of Recovery in America by William White
Bill White at the Dawn Farm Education Series:
Too expensive?
I frequently point to health professional recovery programs when discussing the effectiveness of drug-free treatment when it's delivered in the appropriate dose, frequency and duration. They have stellar outcomes. The programs were abstinence-based, requiring physicians to abstain from any use of alcohol or other drugs of abuse as assessed by frequent random tests typically lasting … Continue reading Too expensive?
Goodbye detox, hello maintenance
“If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” — Abraham Maslow There's a new push to promote buprenorphine maintenance. If you believe that drug-free recovery is not possible for opiate addicts, headlines like "For Painkiller Addicts, Suboxone Means Freedom, Dependence" and "Prescription Opioid Addiction Can Be … Continue reading Goodbye detox, hello maintenance
Intervention!
Presented by Jeff and Debra Jay at the Dawn Farm Education Series:
Helping and Owingness
A couple of items caught my eye because they illuminate some of the spiritual principles of AA. First on the magic that happens when a group of drunks get together and emphasize serving others: "I'm a churchgoing Catholic, and I do that as a matter of, it's good to stand with my family. It's good that I … Continue reading Helping and Owingness
Chantix should be a last resort
A new study suggests that Chantix should be a last resort tool for smoking cessation: The psychiatric side effects of a popular quit-smoking drug make it too dangerous to use as a first attempt to kick the habit, according to a new study. The authors suggest the drug should eventually be taken off the market altogether. … Continue reading Chantix should be a last resort
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