Given that Secretary Kennedy attributes his recovery from opioid addiction to twelve steps and a belief in God, his promotion of “drunk farms” is curious. On the other hand, his frequent criticism of other, evidenced-based treatments in medicine might suggest that he would be supportive of these back to earth, therapeutic communities. We do not discount these rural community approaches but suggest that they should not come at the expense of continuing research and application of evidenced-based approaches that have emerged and are under study today.

We are occasionally asked, “what would you choose to pursue if we could do only one thing to impact drug abuse in America and its negative effects?”.  The answer; double down on tobacco cessation. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in America killing 480,000 Americans every year. That compares with 178,000 from alcohol and 105,000 from other drug overdoses. Nicotine, delivered by smoking tobacco is by far America’s most deadly drug

We hope to promote recovery. Realistically, though, that is still rare. If only 6% of all alcoholics and addicts achieve one year of abstinence, then 94% die of the disease. For alcoholics about one-third die from accidents, overdoses, violence, self harm, from a single episode of drinking. Two thirds last to middle age or old age and succumb to chronic disease. How do they experience their death? Is there reconciliation with themselves? Here is one story, based in a real life but, obviously, imagined.

We have made the point that the commonly held image of substance use disorder, alcohol and other drug addiction, as being a homeless person is vastly overstated. This is likely about 1% of the total drug problem in the nation. Yet there are probably 500,000 homeless in America with an alcohol and/or other drug issue. Too few find recovery. Here is the story of one who did.

In recovery from alcohol and other drugs people discuss their spiritual awakening. They have come to appreciate the ethical, right living side of their lives and how that brings quality to them. Often, but not always, this is wrapped in the religion of their youth. Many of these same people relate a spiritual experience. Usually, a sudden, physical and metaphysical event, a realization that reshapes them. For many this is the hand of God, others cannot explain it, nor do they have to. Here is Sharon’s version.

We learn through stories. For centuries those stories carried lessons, history, legend. “The Odyssey”, “The Iliad”, “Beowulf”, “The Tain”, the Old Testament. After a few articles written to expand thinking about alcohol and other drug abuse, now a few “stories” to normalize life in recovery. I have been trained as an academic, not as a storyteller. This will be interesting. To start, a professional man, notable among his peers, tries his first public event after a month-long visit to a noted treatment center.

Your loved one has made it through denial. Perhaps your help made the difference. Now they are clean and sober maybe a few days or weeks of months. But their behavior is unexpected, and you were not prepared. It’s confusing; you don’t know what to do next. Now what? Perhaps these suggestions will help

Given the extensive and historic interest in alcohol use in humans, and the growing popularity of marijuana for similar reasons, we might ask if either substance can be used safely. If not, and given that 180 million Americans use alcohol and 43 million use marijuana, then is responsible use possible"?

Anonymity and The 11th Tradition

While the homeless populate is about 1% of all alcohol and other drug abuse and addiction, rather than being the end stage for everyone, it is still the case that a good estimate is that there are somewhere around 500,000 homeless people with substance use disorder. My friend Bill Smith brings some experience to their issues.