MEDIA: Little Sister, by singer-songwriter Jewel

Despite the acoustic tune being released approximately 25 years ago, I think "Little Sister" is artfully realistic.  Even the way she frantically picks out the melody and sings those endearing words denotes sensitivity towards addiction.  Plus, it has always been one of my many absolute favorites on this classic record.  In fact, Jewel's debut album …

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ENTRY: Patients inflate use history to ensure treatment

Being in recovery myself, I tend to notice certain behaviors of the folks seeking recovery themselves as they proceed through the intake process at work.  In case you weren’t already aware, I work as a peer recovery coach at a treatment center specializing in MAT therapy (we offer both methadone and Suboxone) and mental health …

MEDIA: Little Boy Lost, II

The little boy is crying, crying inside the man! The little boy is crying, he can only do what he can! The little boy is crying, there’s so much shit in this life! The little boy is crying, not for himself, but for his wife! The little boy is crying, while lying in bed at …

ENTRY: MAT Protocol in Need of Empathy–NOT Sympathy

As a person facing true substance use disorder, you do in fact have many options when it comes to attaining sobriety, and in turn a life built around everlasting recovery.  Inpatient rehabs are widely considered the gold-standard when it comes to initial sobriety.  I say 'initial' since, just as with any option for treatment, getting …

FO’REAL?!?: Examining the potential impact of cold weather on opioid use (NAN)

A new study finds that cold weather snaps are followed by a marked increase in fatal opioid overdoses. A research team led by Brandon Marshall, an associate professor of epidemiology at Brown University’s School of Public Health, found a 25 percent increase in fatal opioid overdoses after periods of freezing temperatures compared to days with an average temperature of 52 …

CHECK THIS: Living life with bipolar, med-free

Since a few of my fellow bloggers have asked me how I manage day to day life “medication-free”, I thought I would blog about how I cope from one day to the next without popping the pills. Please don’t get me wrong, just because I’m managing life without the meds, that doesn’t […] via Living life …

ENTRY: Figuring out my own grief, placing spotlight on homemade “liquid benzos”

Right now, I am attempting to process my thoughts, general feelings, and spiritual inclinations, if you will.  And, as you might imagine, I'm trying to do that without foreign substances.  It has been an extremely difficult, trying week. As some of the readers on here might know, I work at a treatment center in greater …

MEDIA: How to Cope with Lying and Addiction

We’ve all been challenged by our kids lying when they have a substance use problem. Your child may tell an outright lie, or they may omit information. Either way, it is a struggle to deal with.  I recently spoke with a mom who was frustrated with her son’s lying. “I want him to admit the …

From1-2-1: Addiction & Mental Health… The Toll it Takes

When I was 15 years old, I took my very first drink of alcohol. It was the weekend after I was abused and it tasted so good. I never realized a drink could diminish and even erase feeling associated with the trauma I had gone through. That was it; I knew the solution to all …

sizzlin’STORIES: Opioid Rx misuse higher in LGBTQ people, study finds

A new study on prescription opioid misuse rates by sexual orientation confirms what earlier, less comprehensive studies suggested: Lesbian, gay and bisexual people are at a higher risk for misusing opioids, according to researchers. But the study also raises questions about a worrisome trend in one subset in the LGBT community. If opioid abuse rates …