Last weekend, Austin, Texas hosted the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival. Thousands of people descended upon the Texas state capital to enjoy good weather and good times. Some of them, like me, are recovered addicts. Back when I worked in the music industry, I couldn’t imagine how I might be able to stay sober […]
With drug overdose death rates up for the 11th consecutive year, 22,000 deaths alone from prescription medications, and high profile drug-abuse related deaths such as Mindy McCready’s recent suicide after failing to get the support she needed from specialists from Celebrity Rehab and other professionals, one has to wonder whether or not addiction treatment does […]
Alcoholics and drug addicts often erroneously believe that their drinking affects no one but themselves. However, those who are parents, especially if their children are still at home, are causing lifelong damage to their children. Children are the most vulnerable members of a family and are deeply affected by a parent’s drinking or drug use. […]
Years ago, scientists and medical doctors believed that once the brain was damaged, that was it; it could not be repaired in any way. However, breakthroughs in the study of the brain have proven that the brain actually has significant ability to repair and rewire itself. Though individual cells or even portions of the brain […]
There was an important article published recently by the L.A. Times about the dangers of prescription painkillers and the possibility of accidental overdose leading to death. Dying for Relief | A Times InvestigationLegal drugs, deadly outcomes A few statistics to consider: Though less than 5% of the world’s population, the United States uses 80% of […]
Prescription medication or “pharmaceutical” addiction is rising at an alarming rate. In fact, the Los Angeles Times reports that accidental pharmaceutical overdoses now outpace auto accidents as a cause of death. Why is pharmaceutical addiction so insidious? Leaving aside the fact that many prescribed drugs are incredibly addictive, those who take such medications often erroneously […]
Often family members are hesitant to confront an addict about the problems associated with her addictive behavior, out of fear that the addict will dissociate herself from the family. “It’s better that I know where she is…” is a comment made frequently by family members. However, if there are never any consequences in the family […]
The book, “Ending Addiction for Good,” which Cliffside Malibu Founder and CEO Richard Taite and I coauthored, is now available for purchase. I received my promotional copies a few days ago. Holding the book in my hands is an amazing experience. “Why was writing this book so important to you?” is a question I am […]
Someone I recently met called and asked me if I could help a loved one of hers who is an addict. She told me about his history abusing prescription pain medication and other substances. I’ve seen the man. He’s obviously high most of the time. This woman and the man’s mother both enable him to […]
Johnny Lewis, who played roles on the TV series “Sons of Anarchy” and “O.C.” was found dead in the driveway of a Los Feliz, California home yesterday. Allegedly, Lewis was high on either methamphetamine or PCP when he assaulted two men and presumably beat his 81-year-old landlady and her cat to death before either jumping […]