Learning to Focus Without Adderall
People often have trouble focusing after quitting Adderall or other stimulants. Adderall, in particular, is abused as a productivity drug because it allows you to focus intensely for hours with no effort. This isn’t always the best way to work, and it certainly isn’t healthy, but it is a way to accomplish a lot of tasks. When that crutch is [...]
Why do Anti-drug Campaigns Fail?
When President Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency, one of his suggestions was to start a "really tough, really big, really great" ad campaign to deter drug use, leading every American older than 10 to ask, “Wait, haven’t we been doing that for the past 40 years?” Indeed we have, so why don’t anti-drug campaigns seem [...]
Birth Order’s Effect On Addiction
Birth order does seem to affect personality to some degree. First-born children are typically more responsible and conscientious. They do better in school. They learn early on that they have to look out for someone else. They may feel pressure from their parents to excel. Youngest children tend to be more impulsive and self-centered. They are protected by both their [...]
Can You Overdose on LSD?
It is possible to overdose on LSD. You may have heard the urban legend about that guy your cousin’s friend knew who took too much acid and thought he was a glass of orange juice. He’s still in the local psychiatric hospital and he has to sleep sitting up because he’s afraid he’ll spill. In reality, taking too much LSD [...]
How To Know When Its Time To Find A New Therapist
A good therapist is a valuable asset in recovery. While meetings are great for social support, introspection, and inspiration, they aren’t really intended to provide help for specific mental health issues. However, about half of people seeking treatment for addiction have a dual diagnosis, often depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, or schizophrenia. Clearly, these issues require specific [...]
Can You Abuse Suboxone?
One of the common arguments against medication assisted therapy, or MAT, is that since methadone and buprenorphine are opioid agonists, they may be abused by the people they are meant to help, or diverted for use as illicit drugs. This is of particular concern when the question is whether the government should fund MAT, whether through clinics or prisons. Methadone [...]
Should Prisoners Get Addiction Medication?
Whether or not prisoners should receive medication assisted treatment, or MAT, while incarcerated is a contentious issue. Critics say that methadone and buprenorphine may be used to get high rather than treat addiction. Methadone in particular creates a liability for the facility, should a prisoner overdose while in custody. Taxpayers also object to the notion of paying for drugs so [...]
How a Victim Mentality Sabotages Addiction Recovery
A victim mentality is the belief that bad things are always happening to you through no fault of your own. You’re just the victim of someone else’s evil intentions, or maybe just the victim of rotten luck. There are many reasons a victim mentality can prevent you from getting help and otherwise sabotage your recovery. First, it has to be [...]
Why is Abstinence Easier than Moderation?
You may have heard some version of St. Augustine’s observation that “To many, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.” 12-step programs emphasize total abstinence from drugs and alcohol. This focus on abstinence, along with strong social support, may be why 12-step programs are effective for so many people. Abstinence is not only necessary for many recovering addicts, but it’s [...]
Antisocial Personality Disorder and Addiction
While only a small percentage of people with substance use issues have antisocial personality disorder, the vast majority of people with antisocial personality disorder have substance use issues, primarily alcohol. It’s estimated that nine in 10 people with antisocial personality disorder are addicted to something, a far greater percentage than any other mental health issue. Antisocial personality disorder is characterized [...]