Tag Substance abuse
The reality is that there are hundreds of ways to treat a substance abuse problem. The challenge for practitioners is which is the best? For me, approaches that focus on client empowerment and establishing meaning through the client’s perspective tend… Continue Reading →
There is a simple truth when dealing with Addiction: As long as the payoff for using is of high value AND as long as the negative outcomes are either insignificant or meaningless, there is absolutely no reason for an addict… Continue Reading →
During a recent consultation phone call, a mother of a young woman who was binge-drinking argued that her daughter was a full-blown alcoholic and needed intense treatment. “But,” I said. “Is she using alcohol compulsively?” Her brow furrowed and her… Continue Reading →
A study published at the end of 2015 (please see this article summary) showed that opiate addicts benefited more from extended release naltrexone treatment than they previously had with Suboxone. It appears that naltrexone with psychosocial therapy significantly reduced the… Continue Reading →
I first remember meeting The Addict when I was around 8 years old. My family was hosting a regular Friday night barbecue and, as usual, alcohol was involved. There weren’t many times when my dad chose to NOT drink copious… Continue Reading →
The simple truth is that there is something to my argument that an entire culture can become “traumatized” and then reflect PTSD symptoms. The drive for relief from the constant and seemingly nonexistent source of the anxiety that accompanies PTSD… Continue Reading →
It was a typically cold late-December afternoon, which meant the heaters inside the facility were on full blast. So much so that I shed my top layer and walked into the session wearing a simple T-shirt. I didn’t know the… Continue Reading →
The most difficult aspect of providing Addiction treatment and education isn’t the addicts. For me, the hardest part of treatment is the addict’s family and loved ones. The reason they are the hardest is because of their desperate desire for… Continue Reading →
He was in line at a local Starbucks when he noticed my new book on the table in front of me. “Hmmm,” he said to me. “Where’d you get that book?” “Well,” I responded. “I wrote it. I’m putting together… Continue Reading →
I am certain that Addiction is based upon a compulsive response to anxiety. By definition, a compulsive response is uncontrollable and should be treated a lot like a child throwing a temper tantrum. That is, if a child throws a… Continue Reading →
