Consequences don't stop our using. They promote it." When I first heard Dr. Holman say this (around 2009) or so, it really struck me. Why? It had an entire feel about it. Not how she said it, but the words themselves. And the message was pretty specific, too. For decades I had of course heard … Continue reading Sentences to Ponder (Susan Holman, MD)

Disclaimer: Nothing in this document should be taken or held as clinical instruction, clinical supervision, or advisory concerning patient care. There’s a classic practice in addiction counseling I first saw in the late 1980’s.  But I’ve never seen it written up.  Not in the clinical-applied literature, practice guidelines, research studies, or anywhere else I can think … Continue reading A classic practice in addiction counseling: the group or house checking the “we”

I love this paper for a lot of reasons. It's the first meta-analysis on this topic, by the way. Here's the link and citation for this open access paper: Koh HK, Frederick DE, Balboni TA, et al. Spirituality and Harmful or Hazardous Alcohol and Other Drug Use: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies. JAMA Psychiatry. 2026;83(4):363–378. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.4816 Below, I'll present a … Continue reading Research Article Review: “Spirituality and Harmful or Hazardous Alcohol and Other Drug use: A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies”.

Mistakes are the location of learning. And we give them no regard. The first time I heard the world-class electric bass player Jeff Berlin say this in an interview, I was really struck. What Jeff was describing was the emotional part of the process of any player at any level improving their craft. He pointed … Continue reading Sentences to Ponder (Jeff Berlin)

Addiction counselors meet with addiction treatment patients on a regular basis.  Do those interactions provide a complete understanding of addiction?  Does that add up to seeing, hearing, and feeling addiction in its fullness?  Or measuring addiction in its totality?  One counselor’s reply might be, “Of course not.  We’re not with the patient while they’re using.”  … Continue reading Developing a More Complete Understanding of Addiction

I am delighted to cross-post this paper by Dominic McCann, with his permission. Dominic is the CEO of Castle Health. His full bio highlights his work in Ireland, Sweden, and London, as well as his work with charities in the UK, Eastern Europe and Africa. This paper was written by Dominic McCann, CEO of Castle … Continue reading Does Rehab Work? How It Works, For Whom, and Under What Circumstances

Going over to their friend’s place, they arrive and seem to land in a different scene.  The beads hanging in the doorway are parted.  The lava lamp is on.  And that certain album is playing.  A package of taped-up cellophane holds powder, and is sitting on the avocado-colored kitchen counter.  The ritual of cooking and … Continue reading Conditioning Theories of Addictions: A Story

From the Preserving the Message YouTube channel: "Un miembro en Costa Rica ha traducido al español la presentación de Boyd y Chris sobre la historia de Narcóticos Anónimos (NA - La Historia de los Inicios). Boyd y Chris están muy agradecidos por su trabajo de servicio, el cual está logrando que esta presentación histórica sea … Continue reading Preserving the Message: 2026 La Historia de Narcóticos Anónimos