by Rachael Rettner For more than 100 years, alcoholism has been viewed as a disease; however, this framing has created barriers to diagnosing, treating and even understanding the condition, one psychologist argues. “By adhering so strictly to the disease model…I think that we miss the opportunity to frame alcoholism in ways that could help some…
by Richard RidderinkhofProfessor of Neurocognitive Development and AgingUniversity of AmsterdamOctober 8, 2011 Evidence shows that heavy alcohol use modifies the structure and physiology of the brain, although the extent of recovery after years of abstinence is unclear. Recent neuroimaging studies have revealed that chronic alcoholism can damage the cerebellum, which plays an important role in…
A new study of teens undergoing substance abuse treatment finds helping others helps the adolescent helper by reducing cravings for alcohol and drugs, a major precipitator of relapse. These novel findings stem from the “Helping Others” study led by Maria Pagano, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Results…
Influence of Religiosity on 12-Step Participation and Treatment Response Among Substance-Dependent Adolescents by John F. Kelly, Maria E. Pagano, Robert L. Stout, Shannon M. Johnson Objective: Religious practices among adults are associated with more 12-step participation which, in turn, is linked to better treatment outcomes. Despite recommendations for adolescents to participate in mutual-help groups, little is…
The Christmas Season is a magical and special time for millions of people world-wide. We each have our unique version of storied memories of lights, food, music, sacred ritual and festive gatherings of friends and family. All seemingly gathered around a central birth narrative. Yet, this narrative too has its versions and unique interpretations through…
Written by William L. White, MA Keith Humphreys’ sustained clinical, research, consulting, policy development and prolific writing activities qualify him as a pioneer in the modern history of addiction treatment and recovery. His work has bridged the worlds of clinical research, clinical practice, social policy and the lived experience of addiction recovery. His studies, perhaps…
by David Lundberg Over thousands of years, different beliefs, priorities, ways of thinking, and religions emerged from various cultures. Yet differences in religions were never meant to fuel hatred and wars, or breed discord and violence. While seeming differences exist among the world’s great traditions, their most important principles are, in fact, universal. They can…
By Melissa HealyLos Angeles TimesFor the Booster Shots blogJanuary 5, 2012, 1:27 p.m. Eight months after wedding England’s Prince William, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge (formerly Kate Middleton), has revealed she will become a patron of the British charity Action on Addiction, which supports research, prevention and treatment of addiction, support for addicts’ families and…
Available now in Paperback or E-book editions – links below by Rev. Dr. Andrea Travers Beneath the well-known twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) are concealed the universal principles of spiritual practice as they are expressed in traditional religions and wisdom traditions; including Buddhism, Christianity, Cosmology, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Native American Spirituality, and Taoism. This…
by William L. White, MA For nearly five decades, Rudolf Moos, PhD, has focused on questions of great import to addiction counselors and the individuals and families they serve. His published studies (15 books and more than 450 articles) have dramatically expanded our knowledge of addiction treatment and the processes of long-term addiction recovery. Dr.…