How many people recover from heroin / opioid addiction?

They say recovery from opioid addiction is impossible, but it’s not. 96% of people have gotten over their opioid addictions historically. Most people would have you believe that nobody ever gets over an opioid addiction. In fact, some of the nation’s most influential authorities on addiction are now saying that anyone who’s ever had an… Continue reading How many people recover from heroin / opioid addiction?

Addiction science exposed: recreational cocaine users’ brains are hijacked too!

A dramatic piece of addiction research used to prop up the brain disease model of addiction was blown to pieces this year: cue induced craving. You’ve probably seen this “science” portrayed on television over the years. Some very serious looking scientists in a quiet lab full of fancy equipment put a cocaine addict into a… Continue reading Addiction science exposed: recreational cocaine users’ brains are hijacked too!

Essential Reading List for the Truth about Addiction, Alcohol, and other Drugs

The hysteria and myths about alcohol, other drugs, and addiction runs deep in American culture – and I believe it is causing us to have more problems with alcohol and other drugs. The more people learn the truth, the more we can create a cultural shift that decreases these problems. The following is my study… Continue reading Essential Reading List for the Truth about Addiction, Alcohol, and other Drugs

Hate me all you want, but please read this piece by Dr Carl Hart

Carl Hart Phd is a neuroscientist, drug researcher, and Columbia University professor with 25 years of research under his belt. He wrote a book a few years ago that was fantastic. He discusses some of his research in it. He doesn’t really get into discussing treatment or support groups. He seems most concerned with spreading truth about the effects of drugs. He wants to undo the misinformation.

Mental Illnesses Don’t Cause Continued Addiction: NESARC Epidemiological Results

In an analysis of nicotine, cannabis, alcohol, and cocaine users (in which a vast majority were diagnosed with mood and anxiety disorders), the researchers found that: “No association was observed between mood and anxiety disorders and dependence remission for any of the substances assessed.”

Alcoholic Ex-Cons Become Moderate Drinkers

One fact that enough people clearly do not know is that moderation is a possible and probable outcome for people with substance use problems. I stumbled onto a good example of that today while looking through a great book published back in 1981: Controlled Drinking by Nick Heather and Ian Robertson. They reviewed a study… Continue reading Alcoholic Ex-Cons Become Moderate Drinkers

Do Alcoholics Lose Control? The Results of Priming Dose Experiments Say NO

The central claim of Alcoholics Anonymous and addiction / alcoholism treatment providers is the idea that “alcoholics” literally can’t control whether they drink or how much they drink. Some differ on the matter of whether alcoholics can even choose to have the “first drink” or not, but most seem to agree that once the alcohol… Continue reading Do Alcoholics Lose Control? The Results of Priming Dose Experiments Say NO

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