“If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” — Abraham Maslow An addiction physician says: Over the past two years, I've witnessed a worrisome trend: the medicalization of addictions. Some of this makes no sense to me. Let me explain. He describes the emerging norm of discharging patients … Continue reading Doctors against medicalization
Category: Policy
The Emperor of All Maladies
I've been reading The Emperor of All Maladies and I've been very struck by the parallels between the is philosophical and practical challenges faced by cancer and addiction researchers, advocates and practitioners. One of the pioneers of cancer research, treatment and advocacy faced difficult decisions about whether to disclose his own illness: Proud, guarded, and secretive—reluctant to … Continue reading The Emperor of All Maladies
Addiction in the News
From the director of a Maine OD prevention project: Katz cited Suboxone as the latest drug to be abused. The trend is particularly unnerving because of Suboxone's importance in treating opiate addiction when used for its intended purpose. “Suboxone can turn people’s lives around,” Katz said. “Pharmaceutical companies assured everyone it couldn’t be abused. All … Continue reading Addiction in the News
Does Insite save lives?
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?
Addiction and Segregation
Tom McLellan (Who I have a lot of respect for.) has a provocative column about the categorical segregation of addiction treatment. He suggests that this plays an important role in the low numbers of people who identify their own substance use problems and seek help for it. Imagine if we began to treat diabetes in … Continue reading Addiction and Segregation
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?
This was no honest mistake
What is there to say? Not shocking and very ugly.
Yes, Ta-Nehisi, Treatment Works
Ta-Nehisi Coates (One of my favorite bloggers.) highlights the following from the NY Times: Nearly 1 in 10 babies born last year in this Appalachian county tested positive for drugs. In January, police caught several junior high school students, including a seventh grader, with painkillers. Stepping Stone House, a residential rehabilitation clinic for women, takes … Continue reading Yes, Ta-Nehisi, Treatment Works
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 Review 