Category Archives: drug abuse
Fear & Loathing in Hawaii
A year before I received Christ as my Savior, I was hospitalized in a U.S. Army psychiatric ward. My uniform was replaced with the distinctive attire of a mental patient. Ironically, I had been attached to the same hospital as a medic on the labor & delivery floor. And to make things only slightly more surreal was that [...]
Getting Both Barrels
Dual Diagnosis of Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Dual diagnosis services are treatments for people who suffer from co-occurring disorders — mental illness and substance abuse. Research has strongly indicated that to recover fully, a consumer with co-occurring disorder needs treatment for both problems — focusing on one does not ensure the other will go away. [...]
Chasing Euphoria
“That’s the difference between me and the rest of the world! Happiness isn’t good enough for me! I demand euphoria!” Calvin & Hobbes, comic strip _____ One of the blessings of turning 50 is to come to a place where I can sit and think about my life, and how it unfolded the way that it [...]
24/7 Crisis Lines
List of Hotlines–1-800 Phone Numbers In general, hotlines have three things in common: 1) they are available to call 24/7 2) they are 100% confidential 3) they are free Here’s a list of hotlines that may help you in whatever situation you find yourself in: Christian Counseling Services-General New Life Clinics 1-800-NEW-LIFE National Prayer Line [...]
Photo: Damaged People
— I found this while looking at an art site at www.laylasphotoblog.blogspot.com. And although it strains Christian theology a bit, the sentiment resonates with me. You see, I am a damaged person. I’ve gone through so much crap, a lot of it self-inflicted. My drug use and overdoses, mental illness, busted childhood and a brain [...]
Double Trouble: Dual Diagnosis
What is the relationship between drug abuse and mental illness? Many chronic drug abusers–the individuals we commonly regard as addicts–often simultaneously suffer from a serious mental disorder. Drug treatment and medical professionals call this condition a co-occurring disorder or a dual diagnosis. What is chronic drug abuse? Chronic drug abuse is the habitual abuse of [...]
The Lady and the Knight
“ Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph. 4:32 “It’s unfortunate and I really wish I wouldn’t have to say this, but I really like human beings who have suffered. They are kinder.” Emma Thompson Ms. Thompson has nailed down a thought here. It is only a starting [...]