"For harm reductionists, addiction is sometimes viewed as a learning disorder. This semantic construction seems to hold out the possibility of learning to drink or use drugs moderately after using them addictively. The fact that some non-alcoholics drink too much and ought to cut back, just as some recreational drug users need to ease up, … Continue reading Sentences to ponder
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.
the gaping nothingness of one’s future
I just finished season 1 of the The Wire. (I know I'm way late to the party. What can I say? I have young kids and no HBO.) This Bill White post came out at about the same time I watched Bubbles trying to kick. It is one of the most beguiling qualities of the … Continue reading the gaping nothingness of one’s future
NY Times goes pro-pot
We've always argued that no one should go to jail for possession of marijuana and I agree that it makes sense for the federal government to step out of the way of states that want to try another path. The NY Times editorial board comes out in favor of marijuana legalization. I'm ambivalent about full … Continue reading NY Times goes pro-pot
Readiness for change and drug use outcomes after treatment
This week's Throwback Sunday is a post about a study on the Transtheoretical Stages of Change (TSOC). It's relevant due to the ongoing and recent media love for Motivational Interviewing (MI), which is fairly closely tied to the TSOC. (This is disputed, but the motivational interviewing website as 12 pages of search results for "stages of … Continue reading Readiness for change and drug use outcomes after treatment
Stanton, you have deep unresolved pain
I'm not a fan of either of these high profile addiction experts, but Stanton Peele's recounting of his meeting with Gabor Maté illuminates a lot about both men and their approach to addiction. It also helps in understanding the conceptual boundaries of harm reduction, at least as Peele sees them. The boundaries are more rigid than … Continue reading Stanton, you have deep unresolved pain
Characteristics of the best treatment programs
In that Points interview, Bill White is asked about the treatment provider that he would choose for a loved one. I receive calls every day from people asking variations of these questions. There isn’t a universally “best program.” What we are looking for is the best match between the characteristics of a particular person at a … Continue reading Characteristics of the best treatment programs
Mom loved us and hated the alcoholic also living in her body
From Humans of New York: "She was filled with regret before she died. She felt like she'd failed us as a mother tremendously." "Did she say something to you about it?" "She never said anything, so I don't have any tangible proof that she had regrets. But she had a very bad substance abuse problem. … Continue reading Mom loved us and hated the alcoholic also living in her body
the revolving door
Points has an interview with Bill White. He makes several points that his followers will be very familiar with, but I don't remember him putting it together so concisely. I've also heard him discuss recovery capital and acute care models, but never heard him frame the acute care model as working well for low to … Continue reading the revolving door
A sentence to ponder
“If they overdose and kill themselves, it just removes them from the gene pool.” State Senator Rob Schaaf, a family physician who argues that allowing the government to keep prescription records violates personal privacy. (Source: NYT; hat tip: @DavidJuurlink)
“not all marijuana users are of equal concern to us”
Keith Humphreys imagines the reactions of various stakeholders to this graph showing marijuana consumption Colorado. He imagines public health workers expressing concern about the bottom two bars and trying to promote policies that will reduce the amount these heavy users consume. Next, he imagines a corporate board room voicing interest in attracting users in the bottom two … Continue reading “not all marijuana users are of equal concern to us”
Recovery Review 