Frederick Douglass is reported to have said, “It is easier to build strong children than to fix broken men.” It is something I think about often in my work as an addiction researcher. When I hear the life stories of those who seek treatment for their addictions, if I am not careful to do my […]
Recovery from traumatic events is never easy. However, humans are amazingly adaptable. Unfortunately, survival does not mean thriving. A person can survive traumatic events and be scarred for the rest of their life. Trauma affects children particularly profoundly. Children do not just get over trauma; they live with the consequences for a lifetime. Children adapt […]
I am going to take a break from my regular blog posts about the latest research and developments in addiction treatment to write about something personal. If you have read the book, “Ending Addiction for Good,” which I coauthored with Richard Taite, a book that quickly became a #1 Amazon bestseller, you know that I […]
South Africa, a giant in the global drug trade, is at breaking point with the number of child addicts reaching an all-time high. Research has found that substance abuse in South Africa is double that of the global average and ranked in the top 10 countries concerning the amount of alcohol being consumed each year. […]
Our culture shows its acceptance of alcohol use by its positive and widespread depiction in movies and advertising, which more often than not, show young, happy people at celebrations, sporting events, or popular outdoor activities drinking some form of alcohol. More often than not, risky behavior is often shown being lightly treated when it comes […]
An alarming number of young people are consuming alcohol nowadays, often binging on the weekends and combining drinking with drug experimentation. These risky behaviors are causing health problems with consequences that will have to be dealt with throughout their adult lives. I should know. I was once that teenage drinker turned alcoholic. As such, these […]
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average 100 people die every day in the United States from drug overdoses. Most involve prescription drugs. This is a huge number of preventable deaths that unfortunately affects close friends and family members, including many children. Prescription drug abuse is a major growing public […]
The reality of living in our fast-paced, technology-filled, multi-tasking society can cause a lot of stress for everyone, including children. Our modern culture is affecting our human interaction and experiences; mindfulness and meditation could be good options for dealing with stress. Mindfulness is being aware of the present. Meditation is a tool to help bring […]
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. […]