Can the surgery be considered a success if the patient dies? An article in Forbes responds to the coverage of Matthew Perry's death. Specifically, the references to buprenorphine (Suboxone) in his system. Several articles about Matthew Perry’s death have focused on ketamine, and justifiably so, as it was the ultimate cause of the actor’s death (drowning also … Continue reading Successfully treated for OUD, but the patient died of addiction?
Coopted and Colonized – Lessons from the Washingtonian Movement
History is not linear. Our movement, the New Recovery Advocacy Movement, like many social movements in the course of history develop and are then subject to decay. This history is important. The past is the pathway that has led to every door available to us in our current era. We can learn from history to … Continue reading Coopted and Colonized – Lessons from the Washingtonian Movement
2023’s #1 Post: Portraying Abstinence Recovery as Puritanical Is in the Interest of Those Who Sell Addictive Drugs
“I never trust a man who doesn't drink.” – John Wayne People do not trust people who moderate or abstain from substances, particularly alcohol. There is a sense that those of us who do so are looking at everyone else and judging them. I suppose some do, but I don’t think most of us do. … Continue reading 2023’s #1 Post: Portraying Abstinence Recovery as Puritanical Is in the Interest of Those Who Sell Addictive Drugs
2023’s #2 Post: Hot topics in addiction and recovery
What were the hot topics, burning themes and searing subjects in addiction recovery in 2022? I thought it might be interesting to take a look at the talking points on Recovery Review in 2022. Although the writers are very different people and we span the Atlantic, all of the contributors to Recovery Review have a … Continue reading 2023’s #2 Post: Hot topics in addiction and recovery
2023’s #3 Post: “His mom sold the suit she bought for his funeral.”
A colleague spoke these 10 words during group supervision the other day. Ten words that encompass decades. Ten words that could fill a book or a semester. Ten words that describe addiction, trauma, loss of hope, resignation, preparation, change, belief, and somewhere new. Ten words about two actions – the purchase of a suit and … Continue reading 2023’s #3 Post: “His mom sold the suit she bought for his funeral.”
2023’s #4 Post: Zero Sum, Destructive Treatment Marketing
(Screen captured from https://ophelia.com/rehab-relapse on 01/21/2023) Ok... let's talk. A company called Ophelia Health has launched a new marketing campaign focusing on the message "F*CK REHAB". On the one hand, there's A LOT to criticize in the addiction treatment world. At the provider level, there is a long history of really bad, predatory, poor quality, … Continue reading 2023’s #4 Post: Zero Sum, Destructive Treatment Marketing
2023’s #5 Post: Lessons from Rehab
Residential rehab for drug and alcohol problems is a long-established treatment. Recent research has added to the evidence base. In this article, Dr David McCartney passes on the lessons learned from rehab at LEAP, taken from evaluation, research and experience.
2023’s #6 Post: It Is Time We Seize the Opportunity to Address SUD Stigma in the U.S. Healthcare System
Across our nation, far too often patients are treated rudely or provided inferior care when their healthcare provider learns that they use drugs, have a history of using drugs or are in recovery. Stigma is often the primary barrier for people seeking help. To shift these negative perceptions and improve care within our healthcare systems, … Continue reading 2023’s #6 Post: It Is Time We Seize the Opportunity to Address SUD Stigma in the U.S. Healthcare System
2023’s #7 Post: Effective Drug Policy Must Look Beyond Life Preservers!
An oft quoted observation by Desmond Tutu: “there comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” We seem to be stumbling on even the first measure, pulling people out of the river. We simply toss in … Continue reading 2023’s #7 Post: Effective Drug Policy Must Look Beyond Life Preservers!
2023’s #8 Post: Every response is incomplete
Over the last decade, as faith in the effectiveness of drug policy, addiction treatment, and drug enforcement diminished, interest and hope in harm reduction grew. Harm reduction was once a last resort response to drug problems and in recent years has become the first line response to drug problems. Harm reduction is now receiving the … Continue reading 2023’s #8 Post: Every response is incomplete
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