Thinking about what it means to advocate publicly for recovery. To me, this means showing that recovery is not only possible for persons with substance use conditions, but that given the proper care and support, recovery is the probable outcome for persons with a substance use disorder. As a person in long term recovery, I … Continue reading Walking the talk of recovery advocacy
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.
Marketing Marijuana to Children: Meet Stinky Steve, the Joe Camel of Cannabis
We need to be really careful as medical marijuana and legalization of cannabis becomes more prevalent. We must protect our children from marketing efforts that encourage them to use drugs, including cannabis. Before I start, I want to emphasize that I do not believe that cannabis is a demon drug and will readily acknowledge that … Continue reading Marketing Marijuana to Children: Meet Stinky Steve, the Joe Camel of Cannabis
We are the Cavalry that the next generation is waiting for
I want to call readers attention to a post on this site that really resonated with me. My colleague, Mr. Austin Brown, posted “Back to Basics 2” on January 20, 2020. If you have not read it, I encourage you to do so. He hits some very important points, you can find his post here. … Continue reading We are the Cavalry that the next generation is waiting for
SOR & STR Funding – A high-speed entrance ramp to a one lane road with an uncertain destination
It is common knowledge that are substance use care system infrastructure is in disrepair. This is particularly true on the public funded side, were funding, including our federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant has historically been dwarfed by the magnitude of the service need. It has lost even more ground in recent … Continue reading SOR & STR Funding – A high-speed entrance ramp to a one lane road with an uncertain destination
Battling deaths of despair with the contagion of hope – priming a discussion on expanding recovery at the level of community
As many readers may know, decreasing life expediencies in the United States has been associated with what are being termed deaths of despair. That life expectancy in the United States is decreasing has significant implications for our society. As noted by NBC News, “the last three years represent the longest consecutive decline in the American … Continue reading Battling deaths of despair with the contagion of hope – priming a discussion on expanding recovery at the level of community
Addiction treatment is broken. Here’s what it should look like
Good morning readers - I just wanted to share my first opinion piece for STAT News that was published this morning. " few Americans get anywhere near 90 days of care. Within the confines of existing insurance networks, short-term treatment of 28 days or less is all that most Americans are offered — if they can … Continue reading Addiction treatment is broken. Here’s what it should look like
Reflections on Recovery at the end of the decade
New Year’s Raven - artwork by Julie Miller of Haggis Vitae Studios, used by permission Sitting here on the last Sunday afternoon of the decade, I find myself reflecting on recovery and where we are at this moment in time. Much has occurred to expand recovery opportunities for every American with a substance use condition … Continue reading Reflections on Recovery at the end of the decade
Houston, we have a problem – narrowly focused care is not the bridge to recovery we need
Reflecting on articles on addiction and recovery that has come my way over the last week. Some encouraging, some more than a bit worrisome. In this post, I will try to weave them together in the context of long-term recovery. History shows us that framing addiction in narrow, single drug strategies sets us up time … Continue reading Houston, we have a problem – narrowly focused care is not the bridge to recovery we need
The neurology of addiction – never enough and no easy pathway of quick fixes
I wanted to post this February 2019 NPR interview with Neuroscientist Dr Judith Grisel. She is a scientist studying addiction and also a person in long term recovery. She confesses that after she got into recovery that she pursued studying the neuroscience of addiction in the hopes she could figure it all out and use … Continue reading The neurology of addiction – never enough and no easy pathway of quick fixes
Disparate Care Reinforces Low Expectations of Recovery
Earlier this week, the Washington Post published an article on how affordable treatment for mental health and substance use is getting harder to find. The article, published December 1st can be found here. It does not paint a pretty picture of our care system and shows that the main law, intended to protect persons seeking … Continue reading Disparate Care Reinforces Low Expectations of Recovery
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