Freedom from Want for Christmas

 For Christmas, I want to be freed from my wants.Rather than fantasizing about and striving for things and events which bring pleasure and relieve discomfort, in recovery we act to give, rather than to receive. Our motives…

Ethical Informed Consent: “Medically and Financially Unnecessary?”

Is it ethically necessary for providers to inform the consumer and/or payer that medically and/or financially unnecessary levels of SUD treatment/ rehabilitation are optional or at best, elective?Looking through the ASAM Criteria for…

Sober in the World and Leather Soles

To protect your feet, is it easier to wear shoes or to cover the earth in leather?Alcoholics and addicts need relief from pain and pleasure. Without assistance, their brains don’t seem to sense relief and pleasure easily. Drinking…

Recovery = Release from Attachment

You are owned by your attachments and controlled by your needs.For what are you attached… approval, financial gain, prestige, power, possession, security, relief from discomfort, gratification, pleasure? Perhaps the means to maintaining…

What, Change?

Though some in recovery might practice “old behavior” for a while, patterns and consequences of the past return until they find their capacity to change. Those who help others recover can forget that they too are vulnerable to the complexities…

Traveling or Recovering- A Geographic Cure?

There exist many reasons why some people think that drug rehab requires travel, time away from home, at a significant financial burden.Most reasons involve money for the residential rehab and a belief in geographic cures.Much more…

Can You Trust Treatment?

Why is trusting addiction treatment providers a concern?The practice of business and personal ethics is essential when providing treatment for addiction. When patients become commodities to be traded and paid for on the open market like…

Being “Right” in Sobriety

In sobriety, is it important to find the “right” recovery program or “correct” addiction treatment? Isn’t it essential to find the “right” way of thinking and feeling?There exist many paths to recovery from addiction. What…

Drugged Buzzed Driving Surpasses Drunk Driving

Drug-impaired driving is more complex than alcohol-impaired driving for many reasons:Hundreds of different drugs can impair drivers. Some drugs that can impair driving are illegal to use, some are legal to use under certain conditions,…

Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehab at Home

People who have become alcoholic or addicted to drugs are familiar with using temporary solutions to fix their mounting and long-lasting problems. External remedies are sought to solve internal matters. “Take a pill”, “move”, “change…