Why Do People Use Drugs? The Relationship Between Emotions and Addiction, pt. 2: Anger
Why Do People Use Drugs? The Relationship Between Emotions and Addiction, pt. 2: Anger by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. For the first in-depth look at each core emotion we begin with anger. Few would object that anger is one answer to the question, ‘why do people use drugs?’ Anger tends to conjure potent associations like violence, […]
State of the Addiction Treatment Field: Where We Are and Where We Need to Go
State of the Addiction Treatment Field: Where We Are and Where We Need to Go by Tom Horvath, Ph.D., ABPP The following article is based on the presentation I gave at the Evolution of Addiction Treatment Conference in Los Angeles, February 2-5, in a Keynote Panel Presentation entitled “State of the field address: Where we […]
Why Do People Use Drugs? The Relationship Between Emotions and Addiction, pt. 1
Why Do People Use Drugs? Emotions, pt. I: Overview by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. Whether we want to admit it or not emotions run our lives. Reason and rationality can help us put on the breaks and make alternative choices, but emotions are the primary motivation for all we think and do. Emotions are the simple answer […]
Mental Health Diagnosis: History, Validity and Implications
The Mental Health Diagnosis: History, Validity and Implications by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. Today’s Diagnosis is Tomorrow’s Joke A former client recently sent me a list of reasons for admittance to a psychiatric hospital between the years of 1864-1889. The list was being shared on the internet as a joke, highlighting how many mental health diagnoses […]
High Sobriety: An Interview with Joe Schrank
High Sobriety: Cannabis Inclusive Treatment Opens in Los Angeles An Interview with Joe Schrank, by Tom Horvath, Ph.D., ABPP In an effort to offer another pathway to recovery, High Sobriety in Los Angeles opened last month a residential treatment facility that includes the option of prescribed cannabis. The home page states: “For generations we have been […]
Using Marijuana to Treat Addiction
Using Marijuana to Treat Addiction Cannabis: A Gateway to Recovery? by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. As the failed cannabis prohibition effort continues to die a slow death, some interesting new growth is emerging in the wake. One Cannabis friendly treatment center, High Sobriety, is already up and running in California and it may be a prelude to a much […]
How to Pick a Good Therapist
How to Pick a Good Therapist by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. One of my favorite professors often espoused that, “when it comes to therapists, the competition is at the level of mediocrity.” Finding the right therapist can be quite an undertaking. In the world of therapists there are countless therapeutic modalities, certifications, qualifications, and credentials. This […]
Rebound Relationships in Recovery
by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. If (as the current paradigm shift in recovery suggests) the opposite of addiction is connection not sobriety, then it makes perfect sense that initiating new romantic relationships early on in recovery is commonplace. As with so many facets of recovery, there is an abundance of “advice” on relationships. The recovery “wisdom” on […]
Highlights from The Surgeon General’s Report
Alcohol, Drugs, and Health: Highlights from The Surgeon General’s Report Tom Horvath, Ph.D., and Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health, released in November, has received considerable attention. The massive effort involved in creating this document is in itself worthy of respect. The opening pages list […]
Self-Care in Recovery: H.A.L.T. at the Crossroads
Self-Care in Recovery H.A.L.T. At The Crossroads by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. I recently received a request from a reader to examine H.A.L.T. in light of current research. H.A.L.T. is a commonly used acronym by 12-Step circles in discussions of triggers and relapse prevention, and it stands for hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. It is based […]