We saw a huge surge in alcohol misuse from the very earliest days of the COVID 19 pandemic. Americas most socially acceptable drug of misuse helped sooth a lot of rattled nerves. But, if one argument for normalizing drugs use stems from the belief that doing so will decease problematic use, we may not want … Continue reading Life, Death, and Recovery, Right Under Our Noses
Tom Hill – Interview on Recovery Values & Government Service February – 2022
Forward – I recently learned that Tom Hill was retiring from government work and concentrating on his art, another one of his many talents. My first reaction was a feeling of abandonment. We tend to see some people and the roles that they serve almost as permanent fixtures. Tom Hill has been that kind of … Continue reading Tom Hill – Interview on Recovery Values & Government Service February – 2022
Legitimacy, the Bedrock of Consensus Building
"...legitimacy is based on three things. First of all, the people who are asked to obey authority have to feel like they have a voice--that if they speak up, they will be heard. Second, the law has to be predictable. There has to be a reasonable expectation that the rules tomorrow are going to be … Continue reading Legitimacy, the Bedrock of Consensus Building
Rehab works!
When it comes to trying to improve access to residential rehabilitation in Scotland, one thing I’ve heard too often from doubters is: ‘there’s no evidence that rehab works’. Ten years ago I was hearing the same thing about mutual aid, which was recently (at least in terms of Alcoholics Anonymous) found to be as effective, if … Continue reading Rehab works!
Our Unconscious Relationship with Tobacco
In the first part of this article, I’ll note one particular barrier I have heard expressed about the idea of changing an addiction treatment campus to “tobacco-free” or to the idea of a tobacco-free model of care. And then I’ll discuss a few responses to that barrier. In the second part of the article, I’ll … Continue reading Our Unconscious Relationship with Tobacco
The First Step in Healing – Robin Spencer Horston of Message Carriers of Western PA
Forward – Robin Horston Spencer, MHS, MS, MBA, OWDS, RCAT is in long term recovery since 1991. She has done so very much for her community. She is well known for her collaborative efforts with churches, agencies, 12 Step communities and even ballroom dancing! Presently, she sits on several advisory boards locally, statewide, and nationally. … Continue reading The First Step in Healing – Robin Spencer Horston of Message Carriers of Western PA
Three things about recovery that are really worth knowing
1. Hope matters in recovery I’ve been musing a bit recently on the place of hope in addiction treatment and in recovery journeys. Researchers from the USA[1] identified that hope, although recognised as essential for recovery, was not well researched in terms of how it helps recovery progress. They used validated tools (questionnaires) to assess hope … Continue reading Three things about recovery that are really worth knowing
Addiction: Understandings and Enactments of the Current Era
Preface: I see a lot of change going on. Sometimes I like to take notes and get things down on paper in an organized way so I can clear my mind and try to make better sense of what I am noticing. This article is that. I share this writing for the sake of the … Continue reading Addiction: Understandings and Enactments of the Current Era
Comments On the Practical Use of Spiritual Care
Disclaimer: nothing in this post should be taken or held as clinical instruction, clinical supervision, or advisory concerning patient care. Spiritual care is a clinical discipline. Spiritual care can be a clinical team member in the separate settings for physical health problems, psychiatric problems, or substance use disorders. And spiritual care can be a member of … Continue reading Comments On the Practical Use of Spiritual Care
Sober living houses – life worth living
Recovery journeys can be long and involve several attempts in order for people to resolve their problems. Treatment can be part of this for many, but there are multiple factors outside of treatment that also influence outcomes. One of these is housing. Homeless people with substance use disorders have higher risks, exacerbated further if there … Continue reading Sober living houses – life worth living
Recovery Review 