First, a post on American use of and beliefs about marijuana: There has been a significant increase in the number of Americans using cannabis, rising from 21.9m in 2002 to 31.9m in 2014. The number of regular users doubled over the same period to 8.4m. This coincides with an increasingly liberal approach to cannabis regulation … Continue reading Food for thought on marijuana
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.
Who’s “we”?
This article (free with free account) is making the rounds and getting some attention. The post below addresses the issues raised. (originally posted on 10/31/2014) ==================================== This article has been forwarded to me by several people. Its author has been writing a series of articles that seek to redefine addiction and recovery. As Eve Tushnet recently … Continue reading Who’s “we”?
Why Does Alcoholics Anonymous Work?
This video addresses two important questions: Can evidence be trusted if it's not from a randomized controlled trial? Does Alcoholics Anonymous involvement really help alcoholics stay sober? Or, do AA attenders just stay sober because they are more motivated than non-attenders to stay sober? https://youtu.be/IIsYoiljrjQ
“Growing a Healing Forest is a mentality”
“What’s called for in this metaphor is treating the soil — creating a Healing Forest within which the health of the individual, family, neighborhood, community, and beyond are simultaneously elevated. The Healing Forest is a community in recovery.” Derek Wolfe, a recent University of Michigan grad (soon to be a medical student), just posted an ambitous series … Continue reading “Growing a Healing Forest is a mentality”
The “rat park” guy
Several recent books have attempted to refute the disease model of addiction over the last few years. (See here, here, here and here for some examples.) All of these books cite Bruce Alexander's "rat park" experiments as important evidence that addiction is not a brain disease. If you've ever been curious about Bruce Alexander, here's your chance … Continue reading The “rat park” guy
Does “stigma reduction” miss the point?
A provocative interrogation of stigma reduction campaigns: Once we declared a war on stigma, I knew we were screwed. Like poverty, racism, drugs, terror and obesity before it—fighting stigma ensures that we will likely make little progress. Instead of doing anything about the things actually killing drug addicts and alcoholics, we focus on something vague … Continue reading Does “stigma reduction” miss the point?
Does rehab kill?
“Rehab kills people,” Willenbring said Dr. Willenbring is right that bad and/or inadequate rehab is dangerous. HOWEVER, this is true of a lot of treatments. For example, an inadequate course of antibiotics is dangerous. So, what does good treatment look like? He suggests it comes in the form of medication. Another way to identify what … Continue reading Does rehab kill?
Update 7/26/2016. FULL 911 Good Samaritan Legislation in Michigan
Great news!! Both 911 Good Samaritan Bills have made it out of the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee. Now is the time to contact your State Senator and ask her/him to vote yes on these bills. Find the contact info for your State Senator here. ============================== (The rest of this post was originally posted 5/12/2016. It … Continue reading Update 7/26/2016. FULL 911 Good Samaritan Legislation in Michigan
Addiction is disordered learning AND much more.
I've had a lot lot requests to respond to this recent piece in the NY Times. A Personal Narrative or Universal Model? The piece is interesting and well written, but it focuses on the experience of one person. I get the impression that she's frustrated that most people would say that her experience with heroin … Continue reading Addiction is disordered learning AND much more.
Senate sits on opioid investigation report
The Senate Finance Committee has buried an investigative report on financial ties between drug manufacturers and medical organizations that were setting guidelines for opioid use. In 2012, the chair and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), launched an investigation into financial ties between drug manufacturers and medical organizations that … Continue reading Senate sits on opioid investigation report
Recovery Review 