Understanding Addiction

…By Shaun Shelly… Here is a very special guest post by Shaun, a frequent contributor to the blog. Shaun’s view of drug use is deeply humanistic — he goes well beyond “harm reduction” to urge sensitivity and respect for the needs of diverse individuals, groups, and societies. As the title suggests, he moves beyond labelling […] (Read the rest.)

…by Colin Brewer… Last post I suggested that we can attend to (rather than reject) our cravings and pursue integration rather than abstinence. Today, a contrasting view: Colin Brewer, a renowned and controversial addiction doctor, explains how Antabuse and naltrexone can free us from endless ruminations while new habits take root and grow. ……………………………… Having […] (Read the rest.)

Here’s a guest post by a therapist who has been using ACT for clients with addictions for many years. Jaime highlights core principles using examples from his practice. I follow with a longish comment on aspects of ACT that I find especially important.   …by Jaime Booth Jenkins BSW MAPP… “Between stimulus and response there […] (Read the rest.)

…by April Smith… What’s HAMS? If you don’t know about it yet, this guest post says it all: HAMS stands for Harm Reduction, Abstinence and Moderation Support. I’ve recognized and admired this organization for years, and I’m delighted to have April tell you more about it. ………………………… I went to rehab at age 40 after […] (Read the rest.)

…by Kate Benet… Marc here: Perhaps the one question I get asked most often is whether it’s possible to go back to safe use (of alcohol or other substances) after being addicted. So, after reading Kate’s story, please reserve half a minute to read my comments at the end. It seems crucial to embed the […] (Read the rest.)