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.

Should addiction treatment prefer abstinence (however we define it)?

~ Jason Schwartz

The is a post was initially published in 2018. Please note that abstinence can mean abstinence from illicit drugs, or abstinence from all drugs that produce euphoria or are commonly misused (including agonist medications, benzodiazepines, etc.). For the purposes of this post, this distinction is irrelevant because the arguments in the second article really apply … Continue reading Should addiction treatment prefer abstinence (however we define it)?

What to make of nicotine addiction?

~ Jason Schwartz ~ 1 Comment

Background David McCartney wrote a great post about the PHP model of care that addicted physicians receive and its outstanding outcomes. David framed the PHP model as the gold standard treatment. I also frequently call PHPs the gold standard. I recently shared an interview with Robert DuPont discussing his discovery that his methadone patients were … Continue reading What to make of nicotine addiction?

Addiction Professionals in the Pandemic – Josh Meisler

~ Jason Schwartz

Who are you? My name is Josh Meisler. I am a social worker and father of two school-aged daughters. What do you do professionally? I manage Recovery Support Services programming for Growth Works Inc. We are a non-profit agency based in Wayne County, Michigan. Do you have any personal interest in addiction and recovery that … Continue reading Addiction Professionals in the Pandemic – Josh Meisler

Addiction Professionals in the Pandemic – Kristal Reyes

~ Jason Schwartz ~ 1 Comment

A friend shared this video of Kristal. It's so great that I wanted to share it with you and re-up her interview. https://youtu.be/lWVbHjl8JS8 Who are you? That is a loaded question! My name is Kristal Reyes, and I am a person in long-term recovery. I am also a wife, I'm a mother, I'm the Director … Continue reading Addiction Professionals in the Pandemic – Kristal Reyes

“I was running a heroin treatment program, they died of alcoholism”

~ Jason Schwartz ~ 3 Comments

David's post from yesterday explored some of Robert DuPont's research on programs for addicted physicians. Here's a recent interview with Dupont that explores his experience as a pioneer in methadone treatment, the cultural specificity found in 12 step meetings, the disease model, the "hijacked" brain, physician recovery programs, prevention, and engagement in treatment.