Addiction myths permeate our entire culture, even news coverage of the World Series. Which falsehoods are being spread, and how can we debunk them? Does pain medication cause “addiction” or “relapse”?
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Critique Of Relapse Prevention Therapy Part 1: Fire Drills For Arsonists
Relapse Prevention Therapy has fast become a popular addiction treatment approach, but is it all it’s cracked up to be? Relapse Prevention may actually create a self-fulfilling prophecy whereby people expect to relapse.
The Danger of The “Patient” Role In Addiction
Is it good to be a “patient” in regards to solving a volitional problem such as excessive substance use? Obviously, I say no.
The Twisted-Arm Error
The Twisted Arm Error is a phenomenon whereby failure in coerced attempts at addiction treatment confirm the notion that addiction is an incurable disease which requires ongoing cycles of treatment and a lifelong effort at “recovery.” This causes hopelessness for the plight of people with substance use problems and their loved ones.
Surviving Straight Inc, a Controlling Approach To Addiction Treatment Brings Disastrous Consequences
Straight Inc is one horrific example of what a controlling approach to rehabilitation results in: physical and psychological abuse. A new documentary uses survivor stories to bring you into the world of Straight Inc. Explore the “control model” approach to addiction treatment. We contrast the effects of a control model approach and efforts at self-change through personal stories of a Straight Inc victim and his younger sister.
The Stolen Concept Of Neuroplasticity In The Brain Disease Model Of Addiction
The brain-disease model of addiction destroys itself because it denies the very concept of neuroplasticity on which it is simultaneously built. Drug addiction is not a brain disease, it’s a choice. Learn how the brain disease argument uses the fallacy of the stolen-concept.
Ending Your Desire to Use is a Myth?
One “recovering addict’s” idea of a myth kicks off an important discussion about attitudes towards sobriety. Unfortunately, in the recovery culture, sobriety is seen as a sort of punishment, and they still conceive of the high as a great temptation to be avoided. Meanwhile, many people outgrow such desires by realizing that there are better things in life.
Backwards-Land: The Revelation of “Rewards”
The addiction experts have finally begun to admit the real meaning of their theories – that addiction is about competing rewards – immediate versus delayed long-term gratification. If this is what it’s all about, then it’s clearly quite idiotic to insist that addiction and alcoholism are diseases. Indeed, if we accept this logic, then we’re all born diseased and nearly every bad decision is the result of a disease. Addiction is a choice.
Music, Addiction, And Imaginary Diseases
If we are to believe the argument that addiction is a disease, then we should also believe that the ability to play improvised jazz, conduct an orchestra, or freestyle rap is a disease. Indeed, if mere measurements of brain activity are sufficient proof of disease, then anything and everything we do is caused by disease – the term loses all relevance, and our society gets further and further away from real solutions to behavioral problems. Being an expert musician is not a diseased state – nor is being an expert drug user.
Review of a SMART Recovery Meeting
SMART is a great alternative to 12-step and conventional treatment programs for addiction, alcoholism, substance use, and substance abuse problems. Read my review of a recent meeting here.