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?

Steven Slate’s TEDx Talk Tahoe City

Addiction treatment, and our entire approach to “addiction” doesn’t help, and it doesn’t “cure addicts”, it only creates more of the symptoms of “addiction” – hopelessness and a sense of powerlessness to change and make different choices. This what I chose to demonstrate when I got the chance to give a TED Talk on addiction.… Continue reading Steven Slate’s TEDx Talk Tahoe City

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.”

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

New Alcoholism Study: Treatment Doesn’t Lower Mortality Rates

A new study concludes that getting treatment for alcoholism will not increase your chances of survival. Here’s why it’s important – we’re told all the time that there’s an epidemic of addiction, and that some astronomical figure of people who “need treatment” aren’t getting it. Most estimates range around 90%, such as this one, from… Continue reading New Alcoholism Study: Treatment Doesn’t Lower Mortality Rates

Colin Farrell and Madchild Mature Out of Addiction – Research Shows This Is More Common Than You May Think

I was reading two profiles of men in their mid-thirties who recently changed their problematic substance use habits, rapper Madchild, and actor Colin Farrell, and of course it reminded of the theory my friend Stanton Peele is so fond of – that people generally mature out of addiction, i.e. they grow up and change their… Continue reading Colin Farrell and Madchild Mature Out of Addiction – Research Shows This Is More Common Than You May Think

AA is Treatment? The Facts, and some tips for dealing with this harsh reality.

Treatment Sources - NSDUH - 2009

It’s impossible for a rational person to recommend that anyone get treatment for an addiction – because nearly every treatment program involves the faith-healing and dogmatic indoctrination into the self-defeating methods of 12-step groups. See the proof here, and learn some tips for dealing with it.

Musings On The NESARC Study, Authority, And The St Jude Retreat House

Here's some lab coats - now will you believe me when I say that addiction is not a disease and that you are capable of change?

See those pretty people in lab coats? That should give you cause to believe me when I say that 75% of people end their addictions on their own without treatment. Learn why this fact is so important. Also, learn more about how this knowledge applied to my work helping people with substance use problems at the St Jude Retreat House.