Of course it saves some lives. However, that's the wrong question. The right question is whether Insite is the best way to spend $3,000,000 per year to help addicts. Would another approach save as many (or more) lives and have a greater impact on quality of life for addicts, their loved ones and the community? I believe … Continue reading Does Insite save lives?
Category: Harm Reduction
Jason Schwartz… Binge inking interview Part 2
Here is part two of Pea Pod's interview with Jason Schwartz on the Binge inking blog. Also, I’ve learned that, even after 20 years or recovery, I am incapable of reliably picking out who will stay sober and who won’t. I’m left having to treat everyone like they’re going to make it.
Game changers and compassionate fatalism
Here is some follow-up on a couple of recent posts. First, compassionate fatalism. More on St. Anthony's. (Previous post) But Bill Hockenberger, a former alcoholic who manages St. Anthony’s, insists that he hasn’t given up on any of his charges and that about 3 to 5 percent stop drinking every year. Hope springs eternal. Next, … Continue reading Game changers and compassionate fatalism
no homilies about hope!
A Guardian article highlights a wet shelter in Minnesota: ...no homilies about hope or the future. Isn't that what we all want for ourselves and loved one's when we're struggling with a chronic illness? Can it be doubted, then, that such programmes provide a win-win situation? Note that on the program's website, they emphasize keeping them … Continue reading no homilies about hope!
Oxycontin babies?
[I'm sticking my neck out on this one. Take it in the spirit in which it's written—an attempt to unpack the issues involved rather than any kind of declaration of truth. Please, set me straight in the comments if I've missed big chunks of research.] This post in Time rightly chides those who invoke "crack … Continue reading Oxycontin babies?
The Suboxone “Solution”
The Fix has a provocative article on the growing use of buprenorphine maintenance. Over the last several years we've watched long-term maintenance become the norm and it has been a growing concern at Dawn Farm, particularly as we've had growing numbers of people misusing the drug and others seeking help getting detoxed from buprenorphine. She … Continue reading The Suboxone “Solution”
Recovery for me but not for thee?
PeaPod puts his finger on a very important question: Why is it that doctors turn away from an evidence-based intervention – one they are happy to prescribe to patients – and go for a route where the evidence base appears less robust? Why are they afforded access to residential treatment of reasonable duration and intensity … Continue reading Recovery for me but not for thee?
The best we can do?
“If you want to treat an illness that has no easy cure, first of all, treat them with hope.”—George Vaillant This is so heartbreaking. Communities should distribute naloxone to inmates as they leave prison? Really? I've grown so weary of the trite responses like, "You can't recover if you are dead." Of course it's true, … Continue reading The best we can do?
Treatment-oriented harm reduction
It's good to see a harm reduction message that also encourages seeking treatment. It's too bad that the treatment that is likely to be available will not be recovery-oriented.
Where’s your evidence?
PeaPod has a great post challenging evidence-based practices as a basis for harm reduction Now I’m pretty convinced by the wealth of evidence on methadone prescribing. It saves lives. But I’m always asking compared to what? No treatment? Of course. Stand alone detox? I shudder at the thought. But has anyone designed a study comparing … Continue reading Where’s your evidence?
Recovery Review 