Understanding Addiction

Hello all. I have to admit I’m becoming addicted (again!) — this time to addiction memoirs. I’ve read four in the last four months, all written by alcoholics: Drinking: A Love Story — Caroline Knapp. Drunk Mom — Jowita Bydlowska. Drunkard: A Hard-Drinking Life — Neil Steinberg. The Couch of Willingness — Michael Pond & […] (Read the rest.)

Here’s most of an email I recently received:   > Subject: why does the addiction resurface when we least expect? > Marc, > > I really enjoyed your memoir. In so many ways I feel I can relate…. > > So… Here’s my question… > > Why, after being sober for 7-months, did my craving […] (Read the rest.)

In the comment section following the last post, a fruitful dialogue sprang up between Matt (the author of the post) and Cheryl, a reader. In a comment following his post, Matt admonished us (addicts, ex and otherwise) to remain aware of our vulnerabilities (like fluctuating willpower, loss of perspective), to not get too cocky, to […] (Read the rest.)

Here’s another guest post, and it’s a winner. Sincere thanks to Matt Robert, a  SMART Recovery facilitator I met last June in Boston….   I’ve been spending a lot of time these days going in and out of locked detox units. And it’s interesting because, in most important ways, they haven’t changed very much at […] (Read the rest.)

The following is a guest post, composed by Julia Hammid. I’m grateful to Julia for her thoughtful and sensitive reflections….. Judging by the volume and intensity of the discussion around Harm Reduction (HR), both here and in many other venues, it seems to be a flashpoint for identifying some of the core issues driving policy, […] (Read the rest.)