2025 has been a very challenging year for many organizations serving people with addiction and other vulnerable people. If you're the kind of person looking to share your blessings this time of year, I'd like to offer some worthy organizations I'm connected to as options. National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA) - Their mission … Continue reading Spread the cheer
Author: Jason Schwartz
I have been an addiction professional and social worker since 1994. I started blogging in 2005 as the Clinical Director at Dawn Farm. I currently serve as the Director of Social Work and Spiritual Care for a healthcare system. I've also served as the Director of Behavioral Health at another hospital. I'm also a lecturer at Eastern Michigan University’s School of Social Work.
Views expressed here are my own.
Keep in mind that the field, the contexts in which the field operates, and my views have changed over time.
“Who is missing from our meetings?”
Recently, I came across the 2026 Conference Agenda Report from the World Service Conference of Narcotics Anonymous. A recent post on Narcotics Anonymous sparked a lot of online discussion. It focused on professionals' lack of cognitive empathy and condescension toward NA. . . . they frame the ~250,000 Narcotics Anonymous members who are lay people, gathering in … Continue reading “Who is missing from our meetings?”
What does care for substance use problems look like?
What does care for substance use problems in the US look like? I don't really know. We hear a lot about substance use problem care dominated by an abstinence orientation. Is it? What form does most substance use care take? I don't really know. When these statements are made, they are often focused on specialty … Continue reading What does care for substance use problems look like?
The addiction must go; the person must stay.
I have no interest in commenting on the Reiner family tragedy. Nick Reiner has only been charged and is presumed innocent at this point. I know next to nothing about him. I don't know much about his addiction, whether he has had known mental health issues, or other problems that are likely to be discussed … Continue reading The addiction must go; the person must stay.
Involuntary compassionate intervention?
Source: wikipedia This blog has had several posts on drug use, addiction, liberty, and involuntary treatment. I've used the expression, borrowed from Keith Humphreys, of choosing between "hands on" and "hands off" approaches. A recent article focuses on the use of involuntary Substance Use Disorder treatment under limited circumstances. This is toward the far end … Continue reading Involuntary compassionate intervention?
Why Sharing Stories in Recovery Matters: The Hero’s Journey and the Identified Patient
Guest post by Melissa McGill [photo credit: Joshua Eghelshi] Why Do We Share Our Stories? The first time someone stands up in a recovery group and says, “This is what happened to me,” the room changes. Silence turns into nods, shame into recognition. Stories in recovery aren’t small talk—they’re lifelines. They are how we find … Continue reading Why Sharing Stories in Recovery Matters: The Hero’s Journey and the Identified Patient
A steady march toward the deconstruction of addiction and recovery
photo credit: Bart Everson I want to add one thought to Brian's recent post about the study of a residential SUD program integrating the use of cannabis as part of their care. For me, this is representative of a steady march toward the deconstruction of addiction and recovery. If addiction is a social construction and … Continue reading A steady march toward the deconstruction of addiction and recovery
She is still part of my support system today
I spent the first decades of my career at Dawn Farm, and I continue to stay involved. Our north star was to extend recovery support to 5 years through treatment, peer support, housing, and linkage to recovery-informed primary care. The vision was to be by the client's side through those early hours, days, weeks, and … Continue reading She is still part of my support system today
Shattering Stigma and Narcotics Anonymous
Why do professionals insist that NA change to meet the needs of their patients? Why not help create something else to meet the needs of their patients?
What is recovery, anyways?
This graphic to promote recovery month has been on my mind since September. Is recovery the foundation to a healthy and happy home? It kinda depends on how you define recovery, doesn't it? If recovery is akin to flourishing, yes. If it's "a voluntarily maintained lifestyle characterized by sobriety, personal health, and citizenship", probably. If … Continue reading What is recovery, anyways?
Recovery Review 