Earlier today Jason Schwartz posted on the notion that the word “relapse” is stigmatizing, that the preferred term is “recurrence of use”, and the lack of empirical evidence addressing this topic. I will add a little more. "Relapse" is currently my preferred term rather than “recurrence of use". Why? In clinical work focused on relapse … Continue reading Stigma, humanizing terms, and taking on hostility: A little more
Stigma, humanizing terms, and taking on hostility
I've posted quite a bit on language in advocacy over the years. Most recently I posted about the choice between words ("chronic brain disease") that evoke less blame but more pessimism about change, or words ("problem") that evoke more blame but more optimism about change. A couple of months ago, I examined a few examples … Continue reading Stigma, humanizing terms, and taking on hostility
The More Things Change…
Our systems of care have never actually been designed to meet the needs of persons with substance use disorders. I am not disparaging those early pioneers or those that came after who have worked very hard to implement even small elements of what an effective care system should include. All the way back to the … Continue reading The More Things Change…
Addiction in animation
An oddly affecting video from Studio Filmbilder that captures some of the elements of substance dependence that will strike a chord with many. https://youtu.be/HUngLgGRJpo
Wiping out stigma
Reducing the stigma associated with addiction – the word itself now tagged with a degree of stigma – is a priority in drugs policy. Stigmatising attitudes contribute to drug harms and deaths through delaying access to treatment, leaving treatment early and increased risk-taking behaviour. Brea Perry and her colleagues at Indiana University took a look[1] at … Continue reading Wiping out stigma
Pushing the Gear Shift of Conduct Back from Neutral to Good
The recovery connection to this post may be a bit tangential, but I do see the processes of critical thinking, self-evaluation and a stance of empathy towards others as vital to the recovery process. As a person who has lived in addiction and experienced conducting myself in ways that were far out of my value … Continue reading Pushing the Gear Shift of Conduct Back from Neutral to Good
Opioid replacement treatment. Great! What’s next?
In opioid use disorder treatment, there’s been a persistent (though not always acknowledged) tension between what’s good for public health and what individuals and their families want from treatment. I’ve written about it before. For public health, there’s plenty of evidence that MAT (medication assisted treatment) reduces illicit drug use, improves health and reduces crude mortality … Continue reading Opioid replacement treatment. Great! What’s next?
Residential rehabilitation: powering up in 2021
Our contributor David McCartney has a post over at the Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems blog. It's worth your time. “Rehab? What’s the point of it? There’s no evidence that it works. I don’t refer anyone to rehab. Do you?”The addiction worker was talking to a colleague – another practitioner working in the field. … Continue reading Residential rehabilitation: powering up in 2021
Loneliness in the pandemic: risky times
Loneliness and isolation are bedfellows of addiction. Anything that intensifies loneliness will come with increased risks in tow. Of course, it’s not just those with substance use disorders who suffer from loneliness. In 2014, Professor John Cacioppo presented at a conference in Chicago, pointing out that that the impact of loneliness on premature death ‘is nearly as strong … Continue reading Loneliness in the pandemic: risky times
Meaning and purpose in the context of opioid overdose deaths
Austin Brown recently tweeted a link to an editorial from Drug and Alcohol Dependence which is, unfortunately, behind a paywall. The editorial was written by Eric Strain, the outgoing Editor in Chief, reflecting on the research he's observed in his 15 years as an editor. Coincidentally, it articulates the core message of my blogging over … Continue reading Meaning and purpose in the context of opioid overdose deaths
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