In no other disease is there more noncompliance to be found than in the addicted population: addicts/alcoholics are notoriously difficult to treat. Addiction is a disease that affects the mind. It is a disease that is constantly trying to convince...
This blog deals with recovering addicted/alcoholic health care professionals who are frequently directed to health professional groups (HPGs) as one of the stipulated conditions necessary for them to be able to continue working in the health care field. One of...
The following guidelines are just recommendations and suggestions, not definite rules. There are successful exceptions to every guideline in this blog. A general rule of thumb in the 12-step fellowships is not to engage in new relationships in the first...
The wounded (burnt-out, addicted) healer may initially have great difficulty finding a safe forum in which to find Recovery. The resources available for sick healers may still not be adequately publicized in medical/nursing classes or in internship/residency or indeed at...
Although not all addicts/alcoholics are independently addicted to chaos, some of us seem to have this trait or tendency prior to developing substance dependency and even in Recovery; it is probably worthwhile examining the role chaos may play in our...
Past trauma sometimes plays a part in the emergence of substance dependency. The definitions of “trauma” and “stress” are evolving. However, for the purposes of this blog, I will derive their meanings from the familiar term “post-traumatic stress disorder”. This...
Relapse doesn’t just happen. It is usually the end-result of a deteriorating program of Recovery, ultimately leading to a return to alcohol and/or drug abuse. It usually occurs after a superficial introduction to Recovery although it may happen after many...
A secret is something we are unwilling to share with anyone. It implies lack of full disclosure. It is linked to shame. “We are as sick as our secrets”. This is a commonly-heard saying in the rooms of Recovery. One...
The term “concurrent disorders” is poorly defined. It usually refers to two or more mental illnesses. Usually, one of the mental conditions is substance dependency; the other condition is a psychiatric diagnosis. The term “coexisting mental diagnosis” is probably preferable...
This topic has been discussed briefly in previous blogs but it deserves another look. Harm reduction methods such as methadone and suboxone maintenance programs have reduced the risks of sudden death by overdose, hepatitis B and C and HIV transmission...
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