Marc Lewis's Blog, page 4

Steering out of Addiction: Practices that Work

In my psychotherapy (and chats, consultations, etc) with people in addiction, I combine skills I’ve picked up over 35 years studying clinical psychology, developmental psychology, psychoanalysis, and neuroscience. But it’s not enough. I need retooling. I’ve developed some good intuitions about how to do psychotherapy…mostly by doing it, putting theory into practice. And I can […] (Read the rest.)

From Recovery Supergirl to Harm Reduction Warrior: My journey from 12 Steps to HAMS

…by April Smith… What’s HAMS? If you don’t know about it yet, this guest post says it all: HAMS stands for Harm Reduction, Abstinence and Moderation Support. I’ve recognized and admired this organization for years, and I’m delighted to have April tell you more about it. ………………………… I was walking home from an AA meeting, […] (Read the rest.)

Happy New Year: Drugs that can help

Happy New Year! I’m sure we’re all hoping that this year brings renewed optimism, through the creative, caring, and sensible use of all that’s available in this era of rapid change. In that spirit, I discuss my thoughts about “good drugs” and share my recent experience of DMT. My twin boys are now thirteen, so […] (Read the rest.)

From alcohol addiction to social drinking: a taste of Heaven or return to Hell?

…by Kate Benet… Marc here: Perhaps the one question I get asked most often is whether it’s possible to go back to safe use (of alcohol or other substances) after being addicted. So, after reading Kate’s story, please reserve half a minute to read my comments at the end. It seems crucial to embed the […] (Read the rest.)

Drug addiction across the animal kingdom: Are we any different?

I just got back from a two-day meeting on animal models of addiction. And here’s what I learned: animals way way down the evolutionary ladder also like opioids and psychostimulants. And flies like alcohol. That should make us feel less lonesome. I was asked to be the keynote speaker for the meeting, because the organizers […] (Read the rest.)

Doctor’s orders: Don’t quit drugs without me

Doctors are taught from year 1 Medicine (if not before): First, do no harm. And yet, in treating addicted individuals, doctors often do more harm than good — by obstructing or totally derailing the recovery process. That should never happen! I want to show you what I mean by telling you part 2 of Sally’s […] (Read the rest.)

The opiate rainbow and the pot of gold

I haven’t been blogging since last spring, and even then it was pretty sketchy for a couple of months. Why the melt-down? For one thing, I was on drugs. Uh-huh, it’s true. And I was in pain and fairly miserable. So today’s post is about my own drug use, not anyone else’s. No theories to […] (Read the rest.)

How the shift to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) influences (or doesn’t) conventional views of addiction and treatment

After nearly 80 years, addiction treatment in America is slowly warming to the idea of multiple pathways to recovery, after viewing the 12 steps as the only “real” way to recover. MAT (medication-assisted treatment) is among the most promising. This is a guest-post by Nick Jaworski, owner of Circle Social Inc., a marketing and consulting […] (Read the rest.)

Opioid substitutes: Take as needed

Last post I shared a conundrum with you. I’d written a chapter for a book for addiction doctors. But when I learned the title of the book I decided (after all that work!) to withdraw it. Was that the right thing to do? Your comments convinced me it wasn’t. My chapter urged practitioners to view […] (Read the rest.)

Do I have to think like a doctor to help heroin addicts?

Hi again. I know I haven’t been posting much lately, but it’s time to get back on that horse. One thing I did in the interim was write a chapter for a volume on addiction. Which led to a strange conundrum…and some soul searching. But before getting to that, I’ll tell you what inspired me […] (Read the rest.)