tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1502224 2012-01-21T16:46:29+00:00 Reclaiming Lives. For Life. TypePad tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833016760e45526970b 2012-01-21T16:46:29+00:00 2012-01-21T16:48:28+00:00

It is one year since the Drug Strategy was launched. Gus Jaspert, head of drugs and alcohol in the Home Office, recaps progress to date – and identifies some of the challenges to be faced in the year to come*....<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/j0Mae84P7T0" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2012/01/drug-strategy-progress-home-office-view.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330162ffa84014970d 2012-01-16T09:46:25+00:00 2012-01-16T09:46:25+00:00

A common definition of prevention is “educating youth to abstain” – but this is doubly erroneous, explains Peter Stoker. First, all age groups can benefit. Second, education is only part of a process which also encompasses knowledge, attitudes and behaviour....<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/vOFRW9gLotQ" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2012/01/prevention-in-context.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330168e593d740970c 2012-01-15T17:50:14+00:00 2012-01-15T17:55:16+00:00

Leading personalities in the field of addiction treatment and recovery use their insights and inside information to predict what they consider will be the major opportunities and threats of the year to come. Prepare now. Print-friendly version: Download Addiction Today...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/jrhr0HjTsbA" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2012/01/predictions-2012.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330154372f6346970c 2011-11-21T23:06:40+00:00 2011-11-21T14:53:58+00:00

On 7 November 2011 with a deadline of 11 November 2011, Concordat members were emailed the question “How could/does NDTMS* artificially lower your successful completion rates?”. The overwhelming trend was patients waiting too long for referrals to rehab, during which...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/TBMQ5c5O01Y" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/11/rehabs-snapshot.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330154372ee533970c 2011-11-21T23:02:59+00:00 2011-11-21T23:05:12+00:00

Patients are arriving at rehab to quit their addictions far sicker, frailer and more physically damaged (than less than five years ago), according to a report commissioned by the Addiction Recovery Foundation and completed by members of the Concordat of...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/cNDjxnmwwPE" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/11/state-of-residential-treatment-england.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330162fc05931d970d 2011-10-31T10:11:34+00:00 2011-10-31T10:11:34+00:00

TREATING PEOPLE AS PAWNS Everyone involved in the treatment of addiction must know what works and what does not so that they can follow the best course of action for themselves, their patients, families, community and society. We all deserve...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/UaNEeCANyE8" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/lies-damn-lies-and-drug-statistics.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c5637883301543682fecb970c 2011-10-30T20:34:21+00:00 2011-10-30T21:06:01+00:00

PIECE TOGETHER A COHERENT PICTURE "We cannot overcommunicate with commissioners” – getting addicts into rehab nowadays means many organisations, people and processes all contributing to the jigsaw that makes up a complete person in recovery. Huseyin Djemil has guided both...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/QgM4rzQXhYU" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/commissioning-recovery-coherent-picture.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015436846e85970c 2011-10-30T19:27:50+00:00 2011-10-30T19:31:25+00:00

The American Society of Addiction Medicine has released a new definition of addiction, highlighting that it is a chronic brain disorder and not simply a behavioural problem involving too much alcohol, drugs, gambling or sex. Four years of work with...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/7bdJhU3X7Oc" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/latest-definition-of-addiction.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015436845fc4970c 2011-10-30T19:09:00+00:00 2011-10-30T19:13:24+00:00

To help implement the Drug Policy goal of getting more addicts into drug-free sustainable recovery -- and raise the number managing to get a referral to drug-free rehab from the current 2% to 10% of those 'in the system --...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/8VSY9rCDeF4" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/concordat-watchdog-launches-parliament.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015436844a1f970c 2011-10-30T18:46:58+00:00 2011-10-30T18:49:44+00:00

With only 2% of registered drug users getting the opportunity to benefit from residential rehab, the Concordat of rehabs formed in February to raise this number to at least 10% in the next few years. But the best ‘voice’ for...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/3CWotHy-H-o" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/concordat-graduates-launch-parliament.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330162fc04ae12970d 2011-10-30T11:49:46+00:00 2011-10-30T11:55:21+00:00

Laura Graham gives a personal perspective on the news, trends, people and events she encounters as she travels across the country. We preview her article in the November issue of Addiction Today journal. A close encounter places her in favour...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/gHSbyvqr61w" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/laura-loves-laura-loathes-2.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015392af5c6d970b 2011-10-21T11:35:00+01:00 2011-10-30T11:44:24+00:00

Laura Graham gives a personal perspective on the news, trends, people and events she meets across the country. In favour this autumn are legacies of hope - while out of favour is non-critical observation... Read her thoughts today: Download LLLL-legacies-noncritical...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/D9pPP8-xbu4" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/laura-legacies-noncritical-observation.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015392af54d9970b 2011-10-19T11:25:00+01:00 2011-10-30T11:33:28+00:00

Laura Graham gives a perspective on the people and events she encounters as she travels the country. This article was first published in Addiction Today journal July 2011. In this issue, she loves a state-of-the-art mental-health facility filled with hope...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/3MHvzcRFCM8" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/laura-loves-laura-loathes-1.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c5637883301543682bbf4970c 2011-10-17T11:21:00+01:00 2011-10-30T11:25:08+00:00

Laura Graham gives a personal perspective on the news, trends, people and events she encounters. This article was first published in Addiction Today May 2011. In this issue, she loves World of Difference philanthropy... but is riled by the injustice...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/yahA-8LiZFw" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/laura-worldofdifference-khat-condescension.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330162fc049cdf970d 2011-10-14T11:11:00+01:00 2011-10-30T11:35:12+00:00

Laura Graham gives a personal perspective on the news, trends, people and events she meets across the country. This article first appeared in Addiction Today journal March 2011. In favour is “hope, agency and opportunity in psychiatry”. Out of favour...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/Y6AOMWbpT-E" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/laura-loves-laura-loathes.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015436829a44970c 2011-10-12T10:28:00+01:00 2011-10-30T10:35:40+00:00

Laura Graham gives a personal perspective on the news, trends, people and events she encounters. This article first appeared in Addiction Today journal January 2010. She kicked off the year with a look at love – starting with building a...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/ntSW5P16d4Y" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/laura-love-yourself-financial-disincentives.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015436828ce9970c 2011-10-10T10:21:00+01:00 2011-10-30T10:24:53+00:00

Laura Graham gives a personal perspective on the news, trends, people and events she meets across the country. This article first appeared in Addiction Today journal November 2010. In favour is deconstruction of happiness. Out of favour is pharmapimping: ‘health...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/opAyN0Pu3hY" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/laura-happiness-pharmapimping.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330162fc046d1a970d 2011-10-05T10:16:00+01:00 2011-10-30T10:18:51+00:00

Laura Graham gives a personal perspective on the news, trends, people and events she encounters as she travels across the country. This article was first published in Addiction Today journal September 2010, and is now brought online. In favour is...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/KI_sc2o_Cow" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/laura-william-white-drugging-children.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015392af1395970b 2011-10-03T10:02:00+01:00 2011-10-30T10:12:08+00:00

The July/August 2010 Addiction Today journal debuted a regular column from Laura Graham who gives a personal perspective on the news, trends, people and events she encounters as she travels across the country. She now shares her thoughts online. In...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/W_8SKa0y0kc" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/10/llll-jentacular-enforced-sterilisation.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330153919362ac970b 2011-09-13T22:37:35+01:00 2011-10-17T20:59:35+01:00

REHABS PREPARE TO NAME AND SHAME LOCAL HEALTH AND COUNCIL CHIEFS - IF REASONABLE, PROFESSIONAL DISCUSSIONS FAIL - IF PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS IGNORED http://theconcordat.net/2011/09/concordat-watchdog-process/ The Concordat watchdog is officially launching on 14 September in the House of Commons. The event is...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/6y8GQ3vmI1A" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/09/concordat-watchdog-launched.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015391569923970b 2011-09-05T20:32:17+01:00 2011-09-05T20:32:05+01:00

The coalition government has articulated a clear policy for the reform of the drug- and alcohol-treatment sector to make it less bureaucratic, and more focused on producing outcomes in terms of individuals’ recovery from addiction. There are real concerns about...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/qUTwS93lT1o" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/09/concordat-watchdog-launches.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330153912e62f7970b 2011-08-31T21:41:31+01:00 2011-08-31T21:58:14+01:00

The oft-quoted recovery researcher, writer and advocate William White interviewed Laura Graham about UK grassroots recovery support and advocacy.Our definitive guide offers a wealth of resources. WW: Recovery advocacy movements can be difficult to track at a global level. They...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/AvRDdrOTSbo" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/08/grassroots-recovery-william-white-laura-graham.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330153909da135970b 2011-08-11T21:26:16+01:00 2011-08-11T21:31:03+01:00

The Concordat of providers of full recovery welcomes eATA following its leadership: the latter will set up a working group to meet in autumn “to advise its interim chief executive on issues affecting residential rehab providers”. The Concordat has been...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/Gl_LSGuHLss" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/08/eata-following-concordat-lead.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330154342a177e970c 2011-08-01T12:00:26+01:00 2011-08-01T13:00:58+01:00

Still grieving for his daughter Amy, Mitch Winehouse is today meeting politicians and the media to urge that waiting times for rehab be cut – and Keith Vaz MP has called for a formal review of waiting times. “But these...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/_IO2WggZvjw" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/08/mitch-winehouse-vs-paul-hayes.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015433f59a46970c 2011-07-24T11:21:26+01:00 2011-07-24T11:27:03+01:00

"Drugs Recovery PbR is to be tested out through eight pilot areas to run for one year from 11 October 2011. Problems are inherent from the start," stated a report by the Centre for Policy Studies's Kathy Gyngell. The PbR...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/jFkOhWINNZM" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/07/breaking-the-habit-pbr-pilots.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833014e89f507fc970d 2011-07-20T16:58:06+01:00 2011-07-20T17:54:56+01:00

Related story on National Addiction Centre and National Treatment Agency reports on Addiction to Medicine. Professor John Strang was lead author of the NAC report. Parliamentary question by Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what interests...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/K_XQLVGXB28" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/07/benzo-reports-2011-conflict-of-interests.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015433d4b674970c 2011-07-20T16:35:53+01:00 2011-07-20T16:53:54+01:00

Two reports on addiction to prescription and over-the-counter medicines have been created to help government develop policy and services – but they are fatally flawed, omitting critical drugs, ignoring treatment providers they were tasked to contact and hiding possibly 1.5million...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/6u03ObV-UrA" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/07/benzo-reports-2011.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833014e89f5136b970d 2011-07-20T16:32:52+01:00 2011-07-20T17:53:01+01:00

In June, Addiction Today was contacted by a 50-year old man, Josh, who kindly gave me permission to tell his story in the hope that it will help effect change and help others in a similar situation. Read related article:...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/G_YLLKlrXf0" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/07/iatrogenesis-and-our-benzodiazepine-secret.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c56378833015433700b8a970c 2011-07-03T14:58:36+01:00 2011-07-03T13:59:17+01:00

Half a year after the Drug Strategy was launched, stating that “supporting people to live a drug-free is at the heart of our recovery ambition”, what highlights and pitfalls have arisen? David Burrowes MP gives a personal and political overview....<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/Idj6W8VcXQg" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/07/1st-mp-article-on-coalition-drug-policy.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e54f8c563788330162ffd7efe7970d 2011-07-02T16:04:00+01:00 2012-01-19T16:20:50+00:00

The Addictions Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists held its annual conference in May. Laura Graham listened to psychiatrists’ advances in understanding and treating additions. Praise is due to Dr Alison Battersby and Dr Francis Keaney who organised this...<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AddictionToday/~4/v2yOiBmJhvE" height="1" width="1"/>

Deirdre Boyd http://www.addictiontoday.org/addictiontoday/2011/07/psychiatrists-to-understand-recovery.html