The Stranger examines the Drug Policy Alliance's criticism of drug courts: "Drug Courts Are Not the Answer," blares the cover of a 28-page critique released in March by the Drug Policy Alliance. A similar critique, released this year by the Justice Policy Institute, declares that the American system for dealing with drug abuse is "addicted … Continue reading Drug courts are not THE answer?
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.
Addiction and responsibility
In another post referencing the new ASAM definition of addiction, Keith Humphreys steps into the murky territory of addiction and personal responsibility: It is reasonable to say to someone who is not addicted “Please be more responsible about your substance use — you are choosing to act in a fashion that may eventually get you … Continue reading Addiction and responsibility
Michigan marijuana dispensaries must close?
New ruling on medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan: Medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan may have to close their doors after a potentially far-reaching court decision Wednesday declared Compassionate Apothecary in Mt. Pleasant a public nuisance. The unanimous ruling by the three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeals was declared a statewide precedent by Attorney … Continue reading Michigan marijuana dispensaries must close?
ASAM’s definition. Utterly new?
Addiction Doctor offers a response to criticism of the new ASAM definition of addiction. First, on the issue of stigma being reinforced by the "brain disease" message: Ms Szalavitz misses the internal inconsistency in the data that stems from the “old” definition of addiction. Until ASAM’s new definition, every biological explanation of addiction as a whole or divided … Continue reading ASAM’s definition. Utterly new?
Will the truth hurt?
Keith Humphreys offers a personal anecdote to illuminate what we know and don't know about addiction: For a brief period of my life, I consumed far more opioids than the most hardened heroin addict. After a freak injury that left me with my femur broken into two jagged pieces that spiraled past each other, shredding … Continue reading Will the truth hurt?
Pot=child abuse or neglect?
I hope there's more to the story in these cases and child welfare's reaction is not as stupid as this article makes it sound: The police found about 10 grams of marijuana, or about a third of an ounce, when they searched Penelope Harris’s apartment in the Bronx last year. The amount was below the legal … Continue reading Pot=child abuse or neglect?
Drug courts reduce drug use, reduce crime and save money
Remember this Spring's reports that drug courts don't work? Well, a large study concludes the following: The most extensive study of drug courts—a five-year examination of 23 courts and six comparison jurisdictions in eight states—found that these court programs can significantly decrease drug use and criminal behavior, with positive outcomes ramping upward as participants sensed their judge … Continue reading Drug courts reduce drug use, reduce crime and save money
Addiction redefined
The American Society of Addiction Medicine has issue a new definition of addiction. The short version good, but the long version is REALLY good. Here are some of the new elements, some of them are followed by my responses: Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Nothing new … Continue reading Addiction redefined
Let’s not link everything to addiction
The Atlantic Wire summarizes a piece on the problem with the media linking everything to addiction: This week, people who enjoy tanning salons learned that their hobby was an addiction just like drugs or booze. Researchers behind the study, The New York Times relayed, noticed "that several parts of the brain that play a role in addiction were activated when the … Continue reading Let’s not link everything to addiction
Spiritual retreat reduces depression in cardiac patients
A little new age for me, but an interesting finding: Attending a non-denominational spiritual retreat can help patients with severe heart trouble feel less depressed and more hopeful about the future, a University of Michigan Health System study has found. Heart patients who participated in a four-day retreat that included techniques such as meditation, guided … Continue reading Spiritual retreat reduces depression in cardiac patients
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