by Jeanene Swansonwww.Substance.com Over the past decade, addiction has come out of the shadows and into popular culture as never before. This is a time when the very definition of addiction is hotly contested, and we appear to be a tipping point where the “spiritual” framing of addiction is fast yielding to the “scientific” one.…
by Jesse BeachOctober 17, 2014 We atheists and agnostics in AA have faced a long struggle for acceptance. But newer 12-step fellowships are leading the way to a more tolerant form of recovery—despite a “Back to Basics” backlash. God as we understand who? “AA is spiritual, not religious—now hold my hand while we pray.” This…
This guide is written for individuals, and their family and friends, who are looking for options to address alcohol problems. It is intended as a resource to understand what treatment choices are available and what to consider when selecting among them. Many people struggle with controlling their drinking at some time in their lives. Approximately…
Evidence Rating: Promising – One study – for reducing substance abuse among Native American adolescents Program Goals The Cherokee Talking Circle (CTC) is a culturally based intervention targeting substance abuse among Native American adolescents. The program was designed for students who were part of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, the eighth largest tribe…
By William L. White, MA In 1979, Dr. Ernest Kurtz published his now classic work, Not-God: A History of Alcoholics Anonymous. In the years that followed, he mentored a generation of addiction recovery historians, including myself, and broadened his investigations into the growing varieties of spiritual, religious, and secular frameworks of addiction recovery and the…
OVC Releases New Video Series: A Circle of Healing for Native Children Endangered by Drugs “There is hope for change and hope for a lot of healing, and re-learning how to live a good life.”—Misty Thomas Director of Dakota Tiwahe Social Services On December 11th, 2014 at the 14th National Indian Nations Conference, the Office…
The full story of Johann Hari’s journey — told through the stories of the people he met — can be read in Chasing The Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, published by Bloomsbury. It is now one hundred years since drugs were first banned — and all through this long…
By Robert J. Ackerman, Ph.D. Over the past couple of years there has been much discussion about the concept of anonymity in the treatment and recovery of addiction. This discussion has ranged from the very definition of anonymity to the important role that it plays in Twelve Step groups. Today more than ever the idea…
by Jennifer Conlin It started with a wine cooler, said Paige Cederna, describing that first sweet, easy-to-down drink she experienced as a “magic elixir.” “I had no inhibitions with alcohol,” said Ms. Cederna, 24. “I could talk to guys and not worry about anyone judging me. I remember being really proud the day I learned…
BY ELENA BRESANI We know that despite the staggering number of families affected by addiction, many families and loved ones of children struggling with substance-related problems often feel completely alone. And parents of children with substance use disorders often do not have easy access to a network of support in their communities. Parent groups, if…