Have medical marijuana laws created a new class of crimes for police to deal with?
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.
Sentences to ponder
From a commentary in Addiction: Pedersen's study is generally well conducted, but the silent paradigm around such studies is troubling. Why are questions of this genre so often asked, funded and published? The commentary is in response to a Norwegian study finding a relationship between marijuana use and poverty, but his observation and question could be asked about a … Continue reading Sentences to ponder
‘The Illusions of Psychiatry’: An Exchange
First, the NYT Review of Books published a review of three books that cast doubt upon our faith in psychotropics. Then, the Times published a defense of antidepressants. Now, the contentious dialog continues with three letters to the editor from very esteemed psychiatrists and then a response from the writer of the original review. (A former … Continue reading ‘The Illusions of Psychiatry’: An Exchange
Taking action with a child’s drug problem
One Dad shares his response to his son's drug use. I doubt I'd take identical measures, but every family needs to decide upon a course of action that makes sense for them. The important thing is that he took action and that he continues after the crisis ends. It’s been nearly a year since we … Continue reading Taking action with a child’s drug problem
Acquiring addiction?
Nora Volkow suggests that it is possible to acquire cocaine addiction from a combination of stress and exposure to cocaine: Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, has shown in several brain-imaging studies that people addicted to such drugs as cocaine, heroin and alcohol have fewer dopamine receptors in the brain’s reward pathways than nonaddicts. … Continue reading Acquiring addiction?
When words fail
This blog had previously explored the role of values in treatment and policy solutions, as well as excessive certitude. Here are some thoughts on the limitations of religious art that may have something to offer: When we reach for our most fundamental beliefs—whether these are beliefs about a deity, or politics, or family—we aren’t likely … Continue reading When words fail
Stop it – You’re not addicted to “The Bachelor”
Adi Jaffe channels my annoyance with the banal use of the word addiction.
Against every instinct
A powerful plea for compassion and understanding for parents of addicts: We seek advice from those who claim to know. We turn our backs on all our instincts and we let our children fall, and then ooze pain from our pores as we watch them suffer - dirty, hungry, helpless, homeless, hopeless - and when … Continue reading Against every instinct
Snap out of it!!!!
Advice for a new counselor: “It is tempting to want to confront addicts who are lost in lying and denial—to want to ‘snap them out of it’ because ‘anyone can see’ they need to change. This is probably the most damaging thing you can do to someone as a counselor. “It doesn’t count until they … Continue reading Snap out of it!!!!
Self-defeating recovery styles
Recovery and Me!, a new blog by a young recovering woman has a post about 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery: Dr. Berger also gives us recovery games people play (only going to list a couple): Next Time Ian: Ian’s game is to do better next time. He lives in the future. He can … Continue reading Self-defeating recovery styles
Recovery Review 