Author: billstaufferpa

William Stauffer is the Director of Pennsylvania Recovery Organization Alliance (PRO-A). In recovery for well over 3 decades, he is a nationally recognized trainer and writer addiction and recovery. He has testified to the US Senate Special Committee on Aging and in 2019, he organized a hearing with the PA House Human Services Committee to expand opportunities for young people. He is a past co-chair of the public policy committee for Faces & Voices of Recovery and the 2019 recipient of the Vernon Johnson Award Individual Recovery Advocate of the year. He teaches Social Work at Misericordia University. He was recently named to the Leadership Council of Foundations for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS) a national think / do tank where he serves alongside some of the most respected leaders in the SUD service system. In December 2022, Mr. Stauffer was invited to serve Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro & Lieutenant Gov-Elect Austin Davis on the state Human Services transition team.

2023’s #10 Post: Cerebral Hypoxia & the “Opioid Epidemic” – An Elephant in the Room

~ billstaufferpa

Addiction is a vexing challenge in our society. One it is prudent to look at what is not being spoken about, perhaps with as much or more focus than what is getting attention. Where are the proverbial elephants in the room?  Cerebral Hypoxia and related brain injury associated with overdoses is one of those elephants … Continue reading 2023’s #10 Post: Cerebral Hypoxia & the “Opioid Epidemic” – An Elephant in the Room

Recovery is __________ Scope of Practice Podcast with the Connecticut Certification Board

~ billstaufferpa

Recently, I did a podcast with Jeffrey Quamme of the Connecticut Certification Board on the piece below and why we need to stop saying recovery from addiction is Possible or Expected in America. The piece that was posted here on Recovery Review on October 12, 2023 and is clipped below.  It was a great discussion … Continue reading Recovery is __________ Scope of Practice Podcast with the Connecticut Certification Board

Establishing a Recovery Community Bedrock of Mutual Interest to Build a Future On

~ billstaufferpa

"The beauty and the tragedy of the modern world is that it eliminates many situations that require people to demonstrate a commitment to the collective good.” ― Sebastian Junger, Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging Structures of healing and circles of recovery support have long been built on shifting sands, necessitating deep foundations. We have had … Continue reading Establishing a Recovery Community Bedrock of Mutual Interest to Build a Future On

Every Stick Has Two Ends – A Discourse on the Consequences of Drug Use Normalization

~ billstaufferpa ~ 3 Comments

Recently, the founder of Recovery Review Jason Schwartz penned an important piece on the polarization of current drug policy, Protecting autonomy by denying it? Undermining autonomy by asserting it? He notes that at one pole, multiple states are proposing and passing legislation to allow involuntary treatment. At the other pole, normalization advocates framing drug use … Continue reading Every Stick Has Two Ends – A Discourse on the Consequences of Drug Use Normalization

Restoring American Community – Recovery Community as a Catalyst 

~ billstaufferpa

“Let us use whatever power and influence we have, working with whatever resources are already available, mobilizing the people who are with us to work for what they care about.” – Margaret Wheatley We are losing community and connection with each other across our nation. It is a key driver of drug use. People cope … Continue reading Restoring American Community – Recovery Community as a Catalyst 

Cerebral Hypoxia & the “Opioid Epidemic” – An Elephant in the Room

~ billstaufferpa

Addiction is a vexing challenge in our society. One it is prudent to look at what is not being spoken about, perhaps with as much or more focus than what is getting attention. Where are the proverbial elephants in the room?  Cerebral Hypoxia and related brain injury associated with overdoses is one of those elephants … Continue reading Cerebral Hypoxia & the “Opioid Epidemic” – An Elephant in the Room

Can We Please Stop Saying Recovery from Addiction is Possible or Expected in America?

~ billstaufferpa ~ 2 Comments

Imagine this scenario. You get the frightening diagnoses of cancer, like addiction, it is often terminal if left on its dreadful course unimpeded. You are in the depths of despair, facing everything this terrible diagnosis means for your life and the lives of people who love and do not want to lose you. Consider: The … Continue reading Can We Please Stop Saying Recovery from Addiction is Possible or Expected in America?

Reflections on the Newly Released Recovery Among Adults in the US Report from SAMHSA

~ billstaufferpa

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released the Recovery from Substance Use and Mental Health Problems Among Adults in the United States. It provides data from 2021 through the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The press release is here. It is exciting for several reasons. Central among them … Continue reading Reflections on the Newly Released Recovery Among Adults in the US Report from SAMHSA

Caring Enough to Count – How We Die from Drug Misuse and Addiction in America

~ billstaufferpa ~ 4 Comments

We improperly characterize what is occurring in America as an opioid epidemic, what we are experiencing is much broader than that. It is well past the time to properly account for how else the millions of Americans like me die from substance use disorders (SUDs). We fail them by not adding all the causes up … Continue reading Caring Enough to Count – How We Die from Drug Misuse and Addiction in America