On the one hand, we tell our young people not to take drugs and to keep away from people who are selling drugs. On the other hand, doctors and others are constantly encouraging us to take drugs produced by the pharmaceutical industry—some of which are addictive—for a variety of conditions. (1,121 words)
Articles
A selection of my articles about different aspects related to addiction recovery.
Drug Choices and the Loss of Choice
March 8, 2021
Various factors contribute to the initiation and early use of drugs and alcohol. As time passes, other factors also influence whether substance use continues. The vast majority of people who use drugs or alcohol do so without any problems. However, long-term drug or alcohol use can lead to addiction in a significant minority. (944 words)
The Nature of Alcohol Dependence
March 8, 2021
Looks at the cluster of seven elements that make up the template for which the degree of alcohol dependence is judged (900 words).
Journeys Into and Out of Heroin Addiction, Part 1:
March 8, 2021
Common themes that resonate about people’s journeys into and out of heroin addiction, and common factors that influence these journeys. This first part focuses on the descent into addiction (5,300 words).
Journeys Into and Out of Heroin Addiction, Part 2
March 8, 2021
Focuses on living with addiction and covers such topics as relationships, changes in personality and lifestyle, hustling, crime and prison, impact on health, and treatment (5,900 words).
Stopping Heroin Use Without Treatment
March 8, 2021
Research by Patrick Biernacki reveals important insights into how people recover from heroin addiction. It also illustrates the major challenges that people with a heroin addiction face on their journey to recovery (2,200 words).
Treatment of Substance Use Problems
March 8, 2021
Formal treatment can help the initiation of recovery from addiction, facilitating a self-healing process, and help a person minimise the harms from their substance use (2,600 words).
Impact of Substance Use Problems on the Family
March 8, 2021
This research aimed to look at how a loved one’s substance use problems can impact on the health and well-being of parents and siblings (1,400 words).
Reflections on Recovery
March 8, 2021
Looks at the development of the recovery paradigm and how solutions to severe substance use problems are manifested by millions of people who have recovered from addiction (1,800 words).
Factors that Facilitate Recovery
March 8, 2021
The importance of these factors has been demonstrated by listening to the narratives of recovering people about their journeys into and out of addiction (1,200 words).
