Flea, the legendary bassist for The Red Hot Chili Peppers, wrote an interesting essay on addiction for Time Magazine. It tells both his own experience of getting over his drug problems without professional help, and his own ideas about addiction. He has a lot of great things to say, but like so much of what… Continue reading Bassist Flea “recovered” from heroin “addiction” without treatment or 12 steps
Tag: self-change
75% of “Addicts” are “Recovered” at any given point in time – Most without treatment
A reader recently commented: I question the validity of your statistic that 3/4 of people with substance abuse problems achieved sobriety without any treatment I know it doesn’t fit with common wisdom, but I stand behind this basic statement that I’ve made all over this website: “at any given time, 75% of addicts have recovered… Continue reading 75% of “Addicts” are “Recovered” at any given point in time – Most without treatment
“In Recovery” or “Problem Free”? OASAS Distorts The Data With Manipulative Language
A new study finds that 10% of americans “used to have a problem with drugs or alcohol, but no longer do.” But somehow, this finding gets distorted to support the recovery culture. See how OASAS and Drugfree.org pull the scam and twist the data.
Letters: My Father Wouldn’t Allow Me To Go To Narcotics Anonymous
Jessie had a troubling crack and heroin habit. When she asked her father for help he told her she had the power to change and forbid her to go to Narcotics Anonymous meetings. She’s been clean for 2 years now.
Stop Recovering. Start Living.
I don’t spend a single day worrying about how to get through it without a drink or drug. I don’t spend a single moment thinking about it. I did, back when I was in the recovery culture. But then I started living – I started focusing on building the life I wanted. I haven’t achieved all of my goals, but I’ve stayed free of drug/alcohol use problems for 9 years now, and I’m a heck of a lot happier focusing on all my new interests rather than worrying about struggling with an imaginary disease. I am not “in recovery.” I refuse to struggle like that. I stopped recovering and started living my life.
Finally Some Real Reporting: Scientific American On “Curing” Yourself Of Addiction
Some honest reporting from Scientific American on the reality of natural “recovery” or self-change from substance use problems
No Negative New Years Resolutions
New Years Resolutions are often formed as negatives, form them as positives and they’ll more likely lead to actual change rather than disappointment. It’s easier to build new positive habits than it is to focus on not doing something all the time.
A New Hero for Addicts: Wendy Williams
A few years ago I was talking to a friend about my views on addiction, and won him over to my side. Eventually, he told me about an experience he once had reading a book by the popular talk show host Wendy Williams. In the book, she talks about how she was abusing cocaine, and… Continue reading A New Hero for Addicts: Wendy Williams
Promoting Self Change, Through Awareness
Research suggests that an initial positive encouraging message may be all you need to change your substance use habits. In fact, the stuff that comes later – the actual program of recovery and follow up material may not matter at all. This is according to a study done by groundbreaking researchers, Mark and Linda Sobell.… Continue reading Promoting Self Change, Through Awareness
Natural Recovery From Heroin Addiction
If you haven’t heard of Natural Recovery, it is the “phenomenon” where substance abusers stop abusing substances without having received any sort of treatment or 12 step group attendance. Natural Recovery is also known as Self Change, Self Recovery, Spontaneous Remission, Auto-Remission, and other names. There is a lot of peer reviewed research on natural… Continue reading Natural Recovery From Heroin Addiction