From the Dawn Farm Education Series:
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.
Stupid and driven by bad motives
I recently listened to an interview with a comedian who grew up in Washington DC at the height of the crack epidemic. It's a too rare inside perspective from someone inside a community ravaged by crack: GROSS: So how did the crack epidemic affect your neighborhood? THURSTON: It was - I think the first thing … Continue reading Stupid and driven by bad motives
A New Paradigm for Substance Use Disorder Treatment
From Robert DuPont, MD: Substance abuse treatment is committed to abstinence from nonmedical drug use. Yet, continued nonmedical drug and alcohol use and relapse are so common that they are often defined as part of the disease itself. A “new paradigm” for care management has been pioneered over the past four decades by the state … Continue reading A New Paradigm for Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Love First!
Our friends at Love First recently launched a major overhaul of their website. I has articles and a large collection of free videos for families who are concerned about loved ones. It's our top site for families asking questions about how to help a loved on with a drug or alcohol problem. Check it out … Continue reading Love First!
Primary care is good for recovery
Primary care visits are associated with better recovery outcomes: A yearly primary care visit was also positively associated with remission (OR, 1.39), as was continuing care (OR, 2.34), defined as: having at least 1 yearly primary care visit, completing substance abuse treatment or receiving further treatment, receiving alcohol or drug treatment when the alcohol or … Continue reading Primary care is good for recovery
effective…as long as it is maintained
This summarythat recent buprenorphine study suggests that the muddy waters are settling [emphasis mine]: This study shows, yet again, that buprenorphine / naloxone is an effective treatment for opioid dependence as long as it is maintained, and that a tapering detoxification strategy, regardless of duration, fails the majority of patients. The summary then goes on … Continue reading effective…as long as it is maintained
New-ish Recovery Coaching Manual
I'm about 6 months behind the times, but here's a recovery coaching manual and training curriculum from the McShin Foundation.
Ritalin Gone Wrong
Not surprisingly, we get a lot of clients who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Many are concerned about suggestions to discontinue prescription stimulants. This NYT opinion piece has gotten a lot of buzz over the last couple of days: In 30 years there has been a twentyfold increase in the consumption of drugs for attention-deficit … Continue reading Ritalin Gone Wrong
PROMETA ineffective…duh
PROMETA as been demonstrated to be the sham we all knew it was. Keith Humphreys offers a brief history of the "treatment" and some lessons: ...when the next wonder drug for addiction comes along (and it will), we must not yield to our powerful collective desire to believe before we have hard evidence of effectiveness … Continue reading PROMETA ineffective…duh
Everyone deserves a second chance
Reihan Salam directs us to this speech given by prominent Republican Chris Christie. What's so compelling is that this is a tough on crime speech by a rising and influential Republican governor who resume includes having been a prosecutor and he calls for diversion, compassion and treatment for addicts: At the same time, let us reclaim the … Continue reading Everyone deserves a second chance
Recovery Review 