Resources

Here you will find essays addressing topics within the same subject areas that I am blogging about: addiction and recovery, counseling issues, and thinking God’s thoughts. There is also a section with brief descriptions and links to web sites I recommend. Below are the most recently updated materials within the various Resource sections.

 

 

12/27/19

2019 World Drug Use Summary

Globally, an estimated 271 million people, about 5.5% of the world population aged 15-64 used an illicit drug in 2017. The number of people who use drugs is now 30% higher that it was in 2009. Data shows a higher prevalence of the use of opioids in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America and a higher prevalence of the use of cannabis in North America, South America and Asia compared to 2009. Here is a summary of findings from the 2019 World Drug Report.

2019 World Drug Report

01/23/17

Marijuana Research findings

Cannabis (Marijuana) with microscope in laboratory research. © Puntasit Choksawatdikorn | 123rf.com

There seems to be a growing consensus on the medical and mental health concerns associated with smoking marijuana. Beginning in the summer of 2007, a series of research studies into the health risks of smoking marijuana began to appear in medical and research journals. Several of these are summarized here for your convenience. I will periodically update this synopsis of research findings as new studies on marijuana are made public. This was last updated in December of 2019.

Marijuana Research Findings

11/16/15

AWARE Questionnaire for Monitoring Relapse Warning Signs

This is a revised version of AWARE Questionnaire (Advance WArning of RElapse). It was originally designed as a measure of the warning signs of relapse as described by Terence Gorski. This instrument was developed through research funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA, and is in the public domain. So it may be used without specific permission provided that proper acknowledgment is given to its source. See this copy for the correct citation.

AWARE Questionnaire

07/3/15

Coping with Cravings

It is possible to understand drug craving and to learn how to manage craving without returning to use. A model that allows people to identify set-up behaviors, trigger events, and the cycle of craving itself, and intervening upon this process has proven effective in reducing relapse among addicts.

05/26/14

RxISK

RxISK is a free, independent website where patients, doctors, and pharmacists can research prescription drugs and easily report a drug side effect — identifying problems and possible solutions earlier than is currently happening.

Visit the RxISK site.