Addiction is a pediatric-onset disorder." Hearing her expound that, the accuracy of the statement became obvious when looking backward from the disease end-point of addiction to the person's initial use. Initial use at or before age 13 she described as a benchmark of risk for development of the full disease.
Overdoses in Decline – Progress on a One-Dimensional Measure
The other day, I saw this media clip, CDC: Opioid overdose deaths decline nationwide from PBS. It notes that according to provisional data, we have the lowest rate of national overdose related deaths in three years. It describes a 10.6% decline in overdose deaths from April 2023 to April 2024. The article frames naloxone as … Continue reading Overdoses in Decline – Progress on a One-Dimensional Measure
the evolving drug tastes of society
Here are a few sentences to ponder, as we process the latest data on the overdose crisis: Most drug epidemics don’t simply disappear: they transform themselves into something else. For example, periods of excessive stimulant use are often followed by periods of rising alcohol, sedative and opiate use. There are drug-facilitated cycles of stimulation, introspection, … Continue reading the evolving drug tastes of society
Standing Up for Recovery: the Example of Mercedes McCambridge
Looking back on the history of American recovery efforts, one can see waves of grassroot groups coming together in distinct movements that rise and dissipate over time. Some rise and collapse quickly and others slowly swell and dissipate as momentum is lost, conditions change and key leaders are lost. Our modern era of recovery advocacy … Continue reading Standing Up for Recovery: the Example of Mercedes McCambridge
Sentences to Ponder (addiction medicine physician)
Several years ago I was at a national conference in our field. It's a very well known conference with thousands in attendance. On one of the mornings in particular, I was 2 minutes early for the 7:00am breakfast in the giant ballroom. One person was there, seated, and just starting to eat breakfast. It was … Continue reading Sentences to Ponder (addiction medicine physician)
As federal government supports recovery, it should encourage expungements of substance use disorder-related arrests and convictions
by guest contributor Mitchell Berger, MPH In recent years, federal agencies have increasingly emphasized supporting those in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), for instance, formed in 2021 an Office of Recovery to “forge partnerships to support all people, families and communities impacted by mental health and/or substance use conditions … Continue reading As federal government supports recovery, it should encourage expungements of substance use disorder-related arrests and convictions
The Devolution of PRSS and the Lost Lessons of Earlier Eras
“The service commitment of recovering people can be exploited within rising or expanding systems of care in ways that undermine both role performance and the personal health/recovery of these workers. The modern system of addiction treatment was built on the backs of people in recovery, many of whom were then discarded through the professionalization and … Continue reading The Devolution of PRSS and the Lost Lessons of Earlier Eras
Sentences to Ponder (Thomas P. Murphy)
We admitted we were powerless over our client - and to the extent we try to control the client, our work becomes unmanageable. I'll never forget Tom telling me this in the hallway at White Oaks Center during my graduate internship in 1988. He expounded it so clearly and so well that it only took … Continue reading Sentences to Ponder (Thomas P. Murphy)
Topic from the field: “Should artificial intelligence replace the addiction counselor?”
I’ve recently been presented with the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) replacing addiction counselors. This post constitutes the current condition of my thinking about that question. By the way, I’ll say that artificial intelligence is an interesting topic on its own. And on its own it’s one I’m not prepared to comment on in a … Continue reading Topic from the field: “Should artificial intelligence replace the addiction counselor?”
Bias Against Recovery in PA Cannabis Certification Program
There is a recent story that originated out of Spotlight PA by reporter Ed Mahon that keeps intruding in my thoughts as quite disturbing, Prior misconduct rarely an obstacle for doctors in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program. Before delving into the details and why it is one that I find so troubling, first I would note … Continue reading Bias Against Recovery in PA Cannabis Certification Program
Recovery Review 