Welcome to Rising Above Addiction
With Rising Above Addiction, we'll provide thoughtful commentary on addiction-related issues from industry leaders and members of the recovery community.
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Lindsay Lohan no longer has Robert Shapiro in her corner, but what she really needs is a “dream team” of a different sort. I’m not talking about agents or PR reps who could remake her image. I’m referring to a dedicated team of treatment professionals and other recovery supporters who could help her get back on track. read more
Earlier this week, I saw Winter’s Bone, a chilling film that chronicles a teenage girl’s search for her missing father in the bucolic, yet hostile world of the Missouri Ozarks. While the film, which won the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Festival, is ultimately about perseverance in the face of incredible odds, it is difficult to separate the narrative from the meth-ravaged landscape in which it unfolds. read more
While teens’ reasons for trying heroin are diverse, one element of their addiction stories remains consistent: heroin isn’t just a drug for them. It is a culture, a lifestyle, a full time job—from buying it, to ingesting it, to financially supporting the growing quantity. It’s the first thing they think about when they wake up and the last thing they think about before they fall asleep. read more
Although heroin use in general has declined or leveled off in many areas, the rate of heroin use among teens has increased dramatically—especially in the suburbs. And they’re not the kids you’d expect. read more
Last week, I was moved by Clinton McCracken’s brave essay in The Journal of the American Medical Association. His courageous piece hit me on a gut level, not only as a fellow researcher in the field of addiction, but also, as a person in long-term recovery who must constantly remind herself not to approach her illness intellectually. read more
Last week’s People magazine cover featured the beautiful University of Virginia lacrosse player Yeardley Love, who died when her ex-boyfriend, George Huguely, reportedly hit her head against a wall in a fit of rage. When reports of the killing surfaced earlier this month, the media quickly latched onto a possible connection between Yeardley’s death and George’s history of bad-boy behavior, namely his heavy drinking. read more
On Monday, actor Michael Douglas appeared on The Today Show for the first time since his 31-year-old son Cameron was sentenced to five years for heroin possession and conspiring to sell crystal meth. What he, and others struggling with substance abuse, need is comprehensive drug treatment, not simply a long stint in jail. read more
In this week’s Science Times, I was heartened to see the spread “Second Life: Moving Beyond Cancer.” Seeing the photos and reading the accompanying stories online, I was inspired by the celebration of cancer survival. And it made me look forward to a time when we might a see a similar article, celebrating people in recovery from substance abuse. read more
Last week, our first lady Michelle Obama took an important step in raising public awareness of a chronic health condition that affects 23 million Americans, with devastating consequences for them, their families, and communities. I’m talking about substance abuse—a problem for which only one in ten affected adults and only one in thirteen teenagers receive the treatment they need. read more
According to the survey, about one girl in four between the ages of 12 and 17 was involved in a serious fight, participated in a group-against-group fight, or intended to hurt someone badly at school or at work in the past year. So, parents and other community members want to know, what’s fueling girl fights? Are young girls today more violent than in the past? And, what can concerned adults do about it? read more