The moral model of addiction is alive and well in the United States of America. Viewers of the Hulu series Dopesick learned something about this in episode four. It featured Purdue Pharma executive Dr. David Haddox. He is infamous now. He helped fabricate a condition called Pseudoaddiction. He did so to help Purdue Pharma sell … Continue reading Pseudoaddiction, Truthiness and the Moral Model of Addiction in America
Moral Panic? Replace ‘moral’ and ‘panic’ with what?
Sam Quinones' recent Atlantic article about methamphetamines came up recently in a conversation with a couple of friends recently. I hadn't read it, but one of my friends responded that it had elements of moral panic. This response was consistent with comments I had seen on Twitter. My reaction was that moral panic has been … Continue reading Moral Panic? Replace ‘moral’ and ‘panic’ with what?
On Pervasive Systemic Stressors and Restoring Safety
I was thinking about writing on something entirely positive in the recovery space, and yet here is the piece which does not fit that Bill, pun noted. All things considered, I am optimistic about our future, and underpinning this is the knowledge that a primary facet of recovery (and the recovery movement) is acknowledging uncomfortable … Continue reading On Pervasive Systemic Stressors and Restoring Safety
Gratitude Friday 10/22/21 – The Labor of Recovery Service
I have decided to post this on both blogs I write on, my own and Recovery Review it is a personal reflection on recovery service and related tribulations and what keeps me going. This week was my recovery anniversary. I am getting closer to two thirds of my life in active recovery. I got into … Continue reading Gratitude Friday 10/22/21 – The Labor of Recovery Service
An Open Letter to SAMHSA and the SSA’s On Inclusion – Our History and A Cautionary Tale
The redoubled focus on recovery within our federal administration is heartening. This is an area in which history is instructive. Many years ago, advocates from the recovery community, including those in my own home state of Pennsylvania met with SAMHSA and educated them on the value of creating a funding stream for recovery community on … Continue reading An Open Letter to SAMHSA and the SSA’s On Inclusion – Our History and A Cautionary Tale
Interview 12 – Betty Currier – Recovery Review Blog Series – Reflections on the Historic 2001 Recovery Summit in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and the start of the New Recovery Advocacy Movement
Forward: I am quite sure I had never met or spoken with Betty before this interview. She is 83 years young and her zest for life and learning came through the telephone line loud and clear.She was modest when sharing her significant life accomplishments. I felt like some additional context on what Betty contributed to … Continue reading Interview 12 – Betty Currier – Recovery Review Blog Series – Reflections on the Historic 2001 Recovery Summit in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and the start of the New Recovery Advocacy Movement
The tortuous routes to rehab
I’ve been reading a bit recently about the challenges of healthcare funding in the United States - an ‘international scandal’ according to Noam Chomsky. And although the problems are not the same, those issues have become linked with my thinking on the difficulties of accessing funding for residential rehabilitation in Scotland. The Lord Advocate’s recent statement allows … Continue reading The tortuous routes to rehab
It is Time to Reform Our Care System Inclusively To Save Lives and Communities
This week, I am attending Mobilize Recovery in Las Vegas. Recovery advocates from around the nation, have gathered together here for a third year through the Recovery Advocacy Project. PRO-A the statewide recovery community organization of Pennsylvania has been honored to participate in it since its inception. The message here is that together, we can … Continue reading It is Time to Reform Our Care System Inclusively To Save Lives and Communities
Spirituality – steer away or steer towards?
We can no more do without spirituality than we can do without food, shelter or clothing – Bruce Lipton Despite the fact that there are plenty of us about, we don’t have as much information as we would like on people in long term recovery. In one study[1], Mark Galanter and colleagues took the opportunity … Continue reading Spirituality – steer away or steer towards?
The Opioid Settlement, Stigma, Disempowerment, and Nonconsensual Third-Party Releases
“We have to hammer on the abusers in every way possible, they are the culprits and the problem. They are reckless criminals.” - Dr. Richard Sackler The multibillion-dollar Opioid Settlement. The infamous first family of overdose deaths, the real criminals get awarded immunity. The “abusers” get hammered, once again. Families lost their chance at justice. … Continue reading The Opioid Settlement, Stigma, Disempowerment, and Nonconsensual Third-Party Releases
Recovery Review 