I am pleased to turn over this space to reprint a recent blog post from recovery historian William L. White, MA, a long-time contributor to this magazine.– Gary Seidler, Consulting Executive Editor The field of ...
Many patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) have significant medical and psychiatric problems. SUDs can cause or worsen numerous health conditions related to the central nervous system (e.g., impaired memory or seizures), digestive system (e.g., ...
Of considerable concern, particularly to general or acute care hospitals, are patients who are high medical service utilizers (HMSUs), particularly those admitted for withdrawal management (i.e., detoxification). Staff complain that they see these people—who they ...
One of my favorite songs from the 1960s is “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy),” originally released by Simon and Garfunkel in 1966. I was mesmerized by the lyrics, which I still sing daily ...
The attempt to address addiction effectively, and to prevent it when possible, has spawned the development of multiple “movements” over the past century. Most have responded to the times in which they were created, and ...
Therapists and counselors can have very different opinions on the role of psychotropic medications in mental health care. The majority of mental health professionals appear to agree that medications are necessary in the most severe ...
Dear Dr. Toni,I’m a recovering love addict and per my program took a year off from dating. I went online with a dating service and have been really shocked at how quickly men expect you ...
In April 2018, both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) advanced legislation to address the opioid epidemic. Addressed were issues pertaining to workforce, recovery ...
Like Sunday afternoon visits to London’s fetid insane asylums, we stare and gawk, fascinated yet repulsed, at unfortunates like Joseph Merrick (1862–1890). Joseph Merrick—incorrectly identified as “John Merrick” and also known as “The Elephant Man,” ...
After years of continuous recovery from heroin addiction, Daryll had dental surgery and received prescription opioids for postsurgery pain. His addiction was reignited after several days of using the drug.Beth, addicted to methamphetamine, developed “meth ...