In the context of climate change, mental health and addiction services must be an integral part of the preparation for catastrophic events such as Hurricane Michael. The Florida Panhandle is a place of beauty and humility, with coastal towns graced by blue waters and white-sand beaches and a population of mixed income Floridians, natives and… Continue reading How Climate Change Affects Mental Health and Addiction
Tag: Features
4 Helpful Tips for Managing Finances in Recovery
When it came to deal with my finances in recovery, I knew I needed to stop living the way I was living, knew I needed to regain control, but I battled my pride when it came to asking for help. About three years ago, I was drowning in student loan and credit card debt, making… Continue reading 4 Helpful Tips for Managing Finances in Recovery
"Dopesick Nation" Shows Reality of Treatment Professionals Who Struggle with Addiction
Dopesick Nation explores addiction treatment and the thin line between interventionist and client, recovery and relapse. Note: This piece contains spoilers for Dopesick Nation As a former social worker in recovery from addiction, I was initially skeptical of the VICELAND Series Dopesick Nation because I thought it would follow the familiar formula of A&E’s Intervention… Continue reading "Dopesick Nation" Shows Reality of Treatment Professionals Who Struggle with Addiction
My Journey from Heroin to Prison
As soon as I was out of prison, it took one argument with a girlfriend for me to go running right back into the arms of the one that always made me feel better: heroin. I have been a man of many realities. I’ve been a son, a student, a friend, a lover, a brother… Continue reading My Journey from Heroin to Prison
The Other Side of the Opioid Epidemic: Chronic Pain Patients
“It is borderline genocide,” said DeLuca, 37. “You are allowing [chronic pain patients] to go home and essentially suffer until they kill themselves.” Last year, Lauren DeLuca went to the emergency room in the middle of the night, violently ill and in pain with a pancreatic attack. Despite the fact that she was passing out… Continue reading The Other Side of the Opioid Epidemic: Chronic Pain Patients
Hunger of the Soul: Sensitivity, Intelligence, and Addiction
Peck observed that it is our sensitive/creative nature and intelligence that make us more susceptible to alcohol, drugs, and other addictions. Being human means having attachments. On some level, we’re all addicted to something. We’ve been addicts for ages. Coming to terms with this truth means we’re changing our perception of what being an addict… Continue reading Hunger of the Soul: Sensitivity, Intelligence, and Addiction
One Simple Decision: Gratitude and Sorrow
My sobriety cost too much; I have always believed this and now, after 15 consecutive years, I am sure that I always will believe this. It’s eight o’clock in the morning and I am sitting at the desk in my office. I’m not at work officially yet, won’t be for another hour or so. Then… Continue reading One Simple Decision: Gratitude and Sorrow
Homelessness and Mental Health: On the Front Lines
Officers Armond and Dodson, whose personal histories uniquely qualify them for this outreach effort, have personally gotten 49 people off the streets and into drug and alcohol treatment. As someone with an extensive rap sheet, it was strange for me to be voluntarily climbing in the back seat of a police vehicle with two officers… Continue reading Homelessness and Mental Health: On the Front Lines
Munchausen by Proxy: Mental Illness or Child Abuse?
Feldman has seen horrific cases of Munchausen by proxy, from mothers injecting their children with bacteria to cause infection to parents suffocating their infants. But most perpetrators are not motivated by a desire to see their child in pain. “That Bitch is dead!” The post would have been alarming on anyone’s Facebook page, but it… Continue reading Munchausen by Proxy: Mental Illness or Child Abuse?
5 Myths About Leaving 12-Step Fellowships
We have a responsibility to do whatever we can — even if that means pointing someone to an alternative (non-12-step) pathway of recovery. I’ve lost count of the number of conversations I’ve had with people who are frightened to leave 12-step fellowships. They contact me because they heard that I left Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics… Continue reading 5 Myths About Leaving 12-Step Fellowships