Note:  nothing in this post should be considered clinically instructive or supervisory.  Rather, I wanted to simply share an inspiration and my thoughts about it with others in our field. Back in the early 2000’s, the organization where I worked joined the Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx).  For those that might not … Continue reading Gathering Ideas From Outside the Field:  Lessons from Jackson Pollock 

I have been thinking about “psychological dependence” and "physical dependence” a lot lately. It seems to me our field is losing these concepts. Psychological Dependence Back in the late 1980’s counselors and patients alike would bring up “psychological dependence” from time to time.  But over the last 20 years this concept seems to have slowly … Continue reading The Concepts of Psychological Dependence and Physical Dependence Are Being Lost

The topic of this article concerns defects in the alcoholic family system that are caused by the birth of a well baby. This article is not about defects found in a newborn. As we consider the topic of defects in the family system, for the purposes of this article, let’s consider the family system as … Continue reading Birth-Related Defects in the Alcoholic Family System

A few days ago David McCartney posted an interesting piece titled "Choice in addiction treatment." That post got me recollecting about clinical practices in our outpatient methadone maintenance program that I thought I would briefly share - in case this historical information is somehow helpful or interesting to someone. Our methadone maintenance program began operation … Continue reading Choice in addiction treatment: A little more. Recovery-Oriented Methadone Maintenance?

Prevention of substance use is probably more important than ever.  And the relevance of prevention across the lifespan (including among those who have already initiated use) has probably never been more important.  Why would I say that?  The purity and potency of substances have increased so much that preventing even a one-time use of certain … Continue reading We All Need to Learn “Prevention”

If you were asked to physically point to the location of a person’s addiction illness, where would you point? My answer might surprise you.  Where would you point if you were asked?  Have you ever thought of that question?  I’ll share my answer to that question a little later in this essay.  But first, try … Continue reading WHERE is Addiction?

One of my favorite resources pertaining to the 12 Traditions is the simple list of the "Spiritual Principles in the Twelve Traditions" provided by OA. That simple list can be found here. Many are familiar with the spiritual principles of the Steps, but are not aware that there are spiritual principles identified for the Traditions. … Continue reading My favorite resources on the Twelve Traditions

Yesterday I was sent a report of a “preprint article” about some interesting research results.  (The report states a preprint article is one that has not yet been peer-reviewed or evaluated and should not be used to guide clinical practice).  The article reported on a study that asks and answers if there is a “safe … Continue reading No Safe Level of Alcohol Use for Brain Health?

Earlier today Jason Schwartz posted about the active ingredients and basic framework of a multi-year clinical and recovery support model.  The information he shared included elements from Robert DuPont, MD and William White, MA.  Jason included a statement Dr. DuPont made about the short length of even our longest treatments (such as outpatient methadone or … Continue reading What should be the gold standard for addiction treatment: A little more.

During their ugliest, most severe, and worst stage of their addiction, the start of their recovery is invisible to everyone else.  The nascent recovery within them (perhaps nothing more than a simple moment of clarity) seems to have its own voice and is already speaking to them.  Later, that suffering person speaks to others about … Continue reading Recovery Orphans