I was reading a health blog in one of the addiction forums the other day and the author was explaining some basic routines for staying healthy. “Exercise. Try to eat right. Do the best you can to take care of yourself, etc. And if you are a drinker or use drugs, try to stay healthy anyways”. He said something along those lines and even though I’ve given up … Read More
I find myself now at age 52 quite happy, though definitely not content. I grew up in a privileged home, and after spending 20 years on Wall Street and working my way into the million dollar club, I fell into a deep depression. I was in a bad marriage and when I started on Wall Street before the internet, it was fun and I enjoyed it. As the internet boomed and the public’s confidence … Read More
I have included a video presentation about depression, because I believe that most alcoholics and some drug addicts are simply depressed. I say “simply depressed” — but nothing is simple. Convincing an alcoholic or addict they need help is very difficult. Make no mistake about it, however — the disease of addiction is as bad and as serious as having cancer. If you let it go long enough and don’t “catch” it, like cancer, it … Read More
I wanted to write about a simple, straightforward, “just do it” topic today. It has to do with dogs and how important they can be to us.
First of all, briefly, in an earlier post I suggested that anybody who is depressed should try to create a mission in life. Well for me (with the help of my dog) the entrepreneurial project I have been working on for 18 months launched this week. It is … Read More
You were probably discussing the subject at some point in the past when someone remarked “oh, he’s an addict” or “she’s an alcoholic” in an accusatory tone. If they had been talking about almost any other medical problem and said “he’s diabetic” or “she’s got cancer”, however, their tone would probably have been different — likely more sympathetic. This is because addiction is generally not viewed as a disease, unfortunately, but is perceived by many … Read More
Major Depression affects 15 million people, or 7% of the U.S population every year. Translated, this effectively means that 1 in 14 people suffer at least 1 major depressive episode that lasts two weeks or more each year. Given the severity of the illness in terms of how disabling it can be (you may find it almost impossible to get yourself out of bed in the … Read More
The key to long term successin recovery is beginning with a solid treatment program. It is critical that you develop a solid foundation from which you can start working to get better, and proper treatment is the only way to build that foundation. Simply detoxing to break the addiction cycle cannot substitute for a longer term treatment plan, and by just detoxing and then installing yourself in a sober living you are putting … Read More
Suboxone is becoming a somewhat controversial treatment for anybody who is trying to kick an opiate addiction. It almost completely removes the awful pangs of withdrawal and powerful cravings from opiates (Vicodin, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Heroin. etc). The controversy is arising over the fact that people are saying even though you do not experience the euphoria with Suboxone, you can get addicted to it. Worse, the withdrawals from Suboxone are supposedly harder to deal with than … Read More
My name is Tom Rees and I have been invited to introduce myself to the group. All of life’s other “stuff” you can find on my Linked page; I joined you all because I was adopted at birth and thought it would be interesting to share with other adoptees or people in the field.
I was 6 years old when I understood what adoption meant. My … Read More