It seems to me that the 12 Traditions can serve as a bolt-on character structure. And that living within that bolt-on character structure (our own life on its own, our life in the fellowship, or both), can directly or indirectly result in character development that is helpful for recovery. A few points about personality As … Continue reading The 12 Traditions, character development, and personality
Author: Brian Coon
Listing tobacco use in “Social History”?
At this point in our field, tobacco use is on the checklist of topics barely addressed beyond the most mechanistic and minimal of ways – if at all. One evidence of this is a very large proportion of in-bound medical records I see from providers of all disciplines and settings where “Social History” is the … Continue reading Listing tobacco use in “Social History”?
Cochrane Review of cannabis-based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults
Before we get to the results of this Cochrane Review, let's ask and answer one basic question. What's a Cochrane Review? A Cochrane Review is a specific kind of meta-analysis: a study of available studies. It's one of the most rigorous methods in the research arena. The Cochrane Review website provides an easy to understand … Continue reading Cochrane Review of cannabis-based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults
N-Propionitrile Brorphine is here
On December 13, 2025 I posted about the emergence of Cychlorphine (N-Propionitrile chlorphine). Now we're hearing about another synthetic opioid in the group being called "orphines". This one is N-Propionitrile brorphine. It's been found as a contaminant in upstate New York. For a brief overview, check out this resource from the New York State Office … Continue reading N-Propionitrile Brorphine is here
Interview with Robert DuPont, MD
Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to interview Robert DuPont, MD for the Recovery Alliance Initiative. He was aware of RAI and dropped by one of our national gatherings. The interview was posted on YouTube shortly after it was completed. The interview was conducted for the purpose of showing it during an upcoming RAI … Continue reading Interview with Robert DuPont, MD
Recovery Alliance Initiative: Structural Flow Model
The model shown below for the Recovery Alliance Initiative (RAI) is already happening in part, and other parts are aspirational. I thought I would share this for everyone's consideration and ease of access. The diagram is immediately below. At the bottom of this post I've placed the one-page PDF. The front side contains this diagram. … Continue reading Recovery Alliance Initiative: Structural Flow Model
Episode 2: Protecting the Soul of Peer Support – Lessons in History with Bill Stauffer
This is a fantastic episode of The Peer Support Professional's Guide podcast. Click here to listen to this conversation. I just got done listening to this episode and had to share it. Here's the episode description: Recovery advocate and policy leader Bill Stauffer joins me to trace the evolution of peer support from its grassroots … Continue reading Episode 2: Protecting the Soul of Peer Support – Lessons in History with Bill Stauffer
Addiction and Alcoholism: The Form of the Disorder
Below you will find the PDF of my latest monograph. First, a brief excerpt: "...here, my main focus is the syndrome we all know as alcoholism (when present for alcohol) or addiction (when present for other drug classes). And what I address about addiction illness in this work is the form of the disorder." Anagha … Continue reading Addiction and Alcoholism: The Form of the Disorder
A wish list for the Recovery Alliance Initiative
Overview If you're not familiar with the Recovery Alliance Initiative (RAI), you could have a look at this post on its history, methods and purpose. It's an effort that has been underway from 2013 to the present. Here's the RAI website. What we try to do in RAI is build awareness, collaboration, advocacy (both between/among … Continue reading A wish list for the Recovery Alliance Initiative
Sentences to Ponder (Susan Holman, MD)
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)