Allen Frances, Chair of the DSM-IV Task Force lets loose on the DSM-5. He acknowledges the noxious effects of professional interests on research and practice in a way that is rarely seen from leaders of his stature. [emphasis mine] This is the saddest moment in my 45 year career of studying, practicing, and teaching psychiatry. The Board of … Continue reading Intellectual conflicts of interest
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.
The DSM-5 is coming
Change is coming, but is it good? At its December meeting today, APA’s Board of Trustees approved the final diagnostic categories and criteria for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The trustees’ action marks the end of the manual’s comprehensive revision process, which has spanned over a decade and included … Continue reading The DSM-5 is coming
hope is a function of struggle
From On Being, some insight on hope and how people can foster it or inhibit its development: Ms. Brown: You know, one of the most interesting things I've found in doing this work is, you know, something the wholehearted share in common is this real profound sense of hopefulness. And as I got into the literature … Continue reading hope is a function of struggle
Shame and Addiction
Analysis of a recent study on shame and addiction suggests that shame may play a helpful role in getting alcoholics to initiate recovery but, once they're sober, it's associated with relapse. Two psychological scientists at the University of British Columbia -- Jessica Tracy and Daniel Randles -- decided to see if alcoholics' feelings of shame … Continue reading Shame and Addiction
Lines are being drawn
A major treatment provider, Caron, weighs in on Hazelden's adoption of buprenorphine maintenance treatment: We use buprenorphine (Suboxone) to assist with the detoxification process from opioids and the length of time can vary depending on the patient’s progress and additional medical issues, such as chronic pain. However, unlike Hazelden’s goal as stated in … Continue reading Lines are being drawn
More evidence for 12-step approaches
Another study finding the 12-step involvement is associated with continuous abstinence: Abstract A longitudinal analysis of 12-step involvement was conducted among a U.S. sample of patients exiting treatment for substance dependence. Categorical involvement in a set of 12-step activities and summary scores of involvement from the Alcoholics Anonymous Affiliation Scale were examined in relation to … Continue reading More evidence for 12-step approaches
Why does gratitude help us?
Greater Good explains "why gratitude—an emotion that can seem hokey—actually provides a significant boost to our happiness and life satisfaction."
Mark and Ryan’s story
My job allows me to meet some really wonderful people. Sadly, I meet some of them under really terrible circumstances. Mark Rudolph is one of those people. He lost his son to opiate addiction 5 years ago and has chosen to make meaning of it by educating others about opiate addiction in the "safe" suburbs … Continue reading Mark and Ryan’s story
Legal weed
Fresh Air recently aired a great interview on the marijuana legalization. It spent a lot of time looking at the medical marijuana regulation in Colorado and how that will be the model for full legalization. The interview was balanced and informative. (A very rare thing for drug policy discussions.) He also wrestled … Continue reading Legal weed
Motivational Interviewing works, but no better than other treatments
Cochrane conducts a meta-analysis of motivational interviewing (MI) and concludes that it's no more effective than other treatments. More than 76 million people worldwide have alcohol problems, and another 15 million have drug problems. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a psychological treatment that aims to help people cut down or stop using drugs and alcohol. The … Continue reading Motivational Interviewing works, but no better than other treatments
Recovery Review 