Enabling vs. Helping My simple definition of enabling is when we do for others what they can – and indeed should – be doing for themselves. In my view, what’s happening on some of these worksites is enabling at its worst. At a deeper level, addicts know exactly what they’re doing – they know they’re crippling their own lives and continually hurting the people who love them. Show me an addict who doesn’t know that they now risk dying every time they use because of the toxic supply, and I’ll show … [Read more...] about Overdosing on the Job? Naloxone to the Rescue! Part Two
Addiction
Overdosing on the Job? Naloxone to the Rescue! Part One
In the last few months, I have been posting articles about addiction that have come straight from the news. I am deeply worried about some of the things we’ve been hearing about, and most of them have had a harm-reduction slant, rather than a full-recovery perspective. There are many approaches to addiction counselling and recovery – many different viewpoints about what might create the best results. I’m going to share mine here. My perspective is one that comes from lived experience. As an … [Read more...] about Overdosing on the Job? Naloxone to the Rescue! Part One
Covid, Addiction – and You: You’re Not Alone
Just like most of us these days, I’ve been getting email after email – from all the lists I’ve ever been a part of and from many I never signed up for – all about the coronavirus – complete with reminders to wash our hands and maintain social distancing. This article will not tell you to wash your hands – because you already know that. It will not tell you to self-isolate or to stay 6’ from each other – because you know that too. What I do want to talk about today is what it’s like to have an … [Read more...] about Covid, Addiction – and You: You’re Not Alone
“Should I Stay or Should I Go?” The Dilemma of Addiction
In the early 1980s, a musical group called The Clash released a song whose title went on to become almost an anthem for many people in a variety of situations. The song was called “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” and it truly sums up the multitude of dilemmas that people experience in life. Today we will be looking at how this simple question presents itself when focusing on addiction – both for the addicts and for their loved ones. Is Addiction Actually a Disease? As many of you know, I … [Read more...] about “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” The Dilemma of Addiction
“A Star Is Born” and “Beautiful Boy”: Two New Films about Addiction are Released
SPOILER ALERT! Read no further is you haven’t seen these movies—but are planning to do so. But—for all of you who have seen them both . . . keep reading! MY OPINIONS (aka “I’m just sayin’ . . . ”) I’ll begin by saying that these are my opinions and I understand that yours may be different. That’s okay with me—it’s fine for us to have our own points of view, and to agree to disagree. Addiction is a subject that triggers a lot of people and can cause many rifts, and I believe that there are as … [Read more...] about “A Star Is Born” and “Beautiful Boy”: Two New Films about Addiction are Released
