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About Addiction: marijuana, LGBT, national surveys, codependency and skittles?
This week we have an interesting mix of addiction news, from the new fad “Skittle parties” to the results from a national drug use survey and everything in between. If you want to stay current and up-to-date on everything about addiction, this week’s articles are must-reads! Perception of Marijuana– The perception of marijuana can be…
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The best addiction treatment option
I get asked which addiction treatment option is the best all the time. The short answer? Whichever one ends up working for the client. I don’t like being stuck in the corner, having to pick a “best of” option just because I’m asked. For some clients Moderation Management will work, others need intense day-treatment or…
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One day at a time, but not forever!!!
If you’ve ever gone to a 12-step meeting, you’ve heard the phrase “one day at a time,” so often as to make it a mantra. Personally, it always left me wanting more. Is “one day at a time” enough?! I think the notion is a correct one… when it comes to early recovery. However, once…
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Pathological Gambling- Is it an addiction? Part II
Michael Campos, Ph.D. This is part II in Michael’s series on pathological gambling (click the preceding for part I): The risk factors for pathological gambling There are a number of factors that are important in pathological gambling including types and number of games played, alcohol use, and socio-demographic factors. Some research suggests that casino gambling,…
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Replacement therapy as addiction treatment – Why it makes sense
I’m a little sick and tired of hearing discussions that continuously talk about opiate replacement therapy (think methadone, suboxone, subutex) as not being true addiction treatment because those individuals are still using a drug. While some recent advances will hopefully allow more and more people to achieve medication assisted recovery through antagonist therapies (like naltrexone…
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Are AA and addiction- or alcohol-treatment destroying the social life of Americans?
There’s no doubt that alcoholics, and addicts, keep life interesting for those around them. True, interesting doesn’t always mean fun, or good, but there’s no doubt that once you take the alcohol away from the resident group drunk, some parties tend to lose a little spark… Well, count on The Onion to give us a…
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Addiction Stories: Buzz Aldrin’s Alcoholic Buzz and Recovery
In the whole of human history, only twelve lucky, and brave, men can claim to have walked on the surface of the moon. Buzz Aldrin is not only one of those twelve, but the second ever, a West Point graduate, PhD from MIT and Korean War fighter pilot whose accomplishments place him firmly at the…
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How it doesn’t work – the dogma of the 12 steps
Imagine being diagnosed with cancer, going through a regimen of chemotherapy only to have the cancer return within months, and being told by your doctor that there must be something wrong with you and that he can’t treat you unless you let the chemo do its work. Absurd right? 12-Step dogma Unfortunately, if you replace…
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About addiction, my self, and the fight to be altruistic
One of the core personality traits that many addicts, including myself, eventually identify in themselves in a strong streak of selfishness. The question is: What do I do with this insight once I’ve gained it? I’m starting to come up with my own answer and hopefully my solution will help others find their own. The…