What Stephen Colbert got wrong about the opioid crisis.

It’s funny how the same old hysterical drug myths refuse to die. Back in 1992 former editor of the Journal Addiction Research & Theory John Booth Davies described the persistent tale of pushers and helpless addicts: “At the present moment, the standard line taken by a majority of people in the media, in treatment agencies,… Continue reading What Stephen Colbert got wrong about the opioid crisis.

Intervention Promises More Addiction Misinformation in 2017

90% of people with addiction are not getting treatment, and that needs to change – according to a new promo for A&Es long running show Intervention. It’s ironic that they’re coming out with this messaging now, because it’s exactly the message I’ve been fighting this year. See their promo below: I was tapped to give… Continue reading Intervention Promises More Addiction Misinformation in 2017

Russell Brand’s Ridiculous Testimony To Parliament About Addiction

Comedian and “recovering addict” Russell Brand recently testified in front of a committee in Parliament about drug policy.  If you want to watch it, here’s the full video, his portion goes 29 minutes long, or you can skip it and read my points below: What’s wrong with Russell’s pitch? I’m sure his intentions are nothing… Continue reading Russell Brand’s Ridiculous Testimony To Parliament About Addiction

Sleazy Tactics Used To Full Dramatic Effect in Kevin McCauley’s ‘Pleasure Unwoven’: The Choice Argument

Pleasure Unwoven is a slickly scripted and produced educational DVD presumably marketed to rehabs.  I can picture a room full of rehab patients being forced to watch it right now – but hey, it’s probably better than watching videos of that priest with a chalkboard from Hazelden.  I’ve digressed though – the website for Pleasure… Continue reading Sleazy Tactics Used To Full Dramatic Effect in Kevin McCauley’s ‘Pleasure Unwoven’: The Choice Argument

World Series Baseball, Pain Medication, Addiction Falsehoods, And Existential Questions…

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”?

Public Shaming In The Irish Times

An idiot alleged that an article in which I was quoted was guilty of shaming people with addiction. Then went on to shame the author and myself. I reply to it here, and show you how to see through the game played by such mental midgets.