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.

Marc Maron on AA and psychiatry

~ Jason Schwartz ~ 1 Comment

This is great. I love Maron's fearless questioning and the interviewer's (a psychiatrist) tolerance for vulnerability and honesty: Slate: How did A.A. figure into your getting sober? Maron:For practical tools to deal with the addicted brain, the stuff I learned in Alcoholics Anonymous and the community of A.A. just totally worked for me. If you would … Continue reading Marc Maron on AA and psychiatry

Tribes of the recovering community

~ Jason Schwartz ~ 4 Comments

The University of Michigan has a student organization called Students for Recovery. It was started several years ago by a recovering student and  spurred the creation of a Collegiate Recovery Program at the University. They are still very active, providing much needed support to recovering students on campus, as well as a lot of fun--dances, … Continue reading Tribes of the recovering community

Kako-what?

~ Jason Schwartz

I read this recently and wondered if it explains a lot of what's wrong with much of the treatment provided in the U.S. Kakonomics is the strange — yet widespread — preference for mediocre exchanges insofar as nobody complains about. Kakonomic worlds are worlds in which people not only live with each other's laxness, but … Continue reading Kako-what?

Addressing reality with a health-oriented approach

~ Jason Schwartz ~ 1 Comment

We know how to crackdown -- but we seem ignorant when it comes to what to do with all those addicted people we've "cracked down" on. You may thwart them with your database at the pharmacy, but they're still addicted. Now what? Abuse-deterrent formulations of drugs and prescription drug take-back days are well and good, but … Continue reading Addressing reality with a health-oriented approach

Feds won’t challenge states with marijuana legalization

~ Jason Schwartz ~ 3 Comments

This is big news. And, I think it's good news. The Obama administration on Thursday said it will not stand in the way of Colorado, Washington and other states where voters have supported legalizing marijuana either for medical or recreational use, as long as those states maintain strict rules involving distribution of the drug. In … Continue reading Feds won’t challenge states with marijuana legalization