Inside Rehab

Addiction

The Tricky Business of Defining Addiction Recovery

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on May 2, 2014

Who are we to decide whether someone else is sober and for how long? Focusing on what recovery is or is not and whether someone is or is not “in recovery” can actually get in the way of progress. You never lose any sober time you accrue, no matter what.

Who are we to decide whether someone else is sober and for how long? Focusing on what recovery is or is not and whether someone is or is not “in recovery” can actually get in the way of progress. You never lose any sober time you accrue, no matter what.

Addiction

Abstinence: The Only Solution for Addiction? Part 2

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on April 5, 2014

Since only about 1 out of 10 people with a drug or alcohol use disorder seeks treatment, it’s high time that we offer more flexible and inviting approaches for addiction, regardless of whether clients are willing or ready to be abstinent. With more roads to recovery, more people will be helped.

Since only about 1 out of 10 people with a drug or alcohol use disorder seeks treatment, it’s high time that we offer more flexible and inviting approaches for addiction, regardless of whether clients are willing or ready to be abstinent. With more roads to recovery, more people will be helped.

Addiction

Abstinence—The Only Way to Beat Addiction? Part 1

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on March 3, 2014

Some who struggle with addiction aren’t ready to commit to abstinence, yet they’re aware of their problem and want help. However, most treatment facilities require abstinence and see it as the only acceptable outcome. In fact, many of them will kick clients out of treatment for the very symptoms of their disorder—that is, using drugs or alcohol.

Some who struggle with addiction aren’t ready to commit to abstinence, yet they’re aware of their problem and want help. However, most treatment facilities require abstinence and see it as the only acceptable outcome. In fact, many of them will kick clients out of treatment for the very symptoms of their disorder—that is, using drugs or alcohol.

Addiction

When Quitting Drinking Is On Your Resolution List

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on December 20, 2013

Common myths about quitting drinking and overcoming addiction include the notions that you have to go to rehab and AA, you can't do it on your own, and you must be "in denial." When you're ready to quit, how do you know what's right for you?

Common myths about quitting drinking and overcoming addiction include the notions that you have to go to rehab and AA, you can't do it on your own, and you must be "in denial." When you're ready to quit, how do you know what's right for you?

Addiction

What Farewells to Monteith Don't Say About Addiction Rehab

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on October 17, 2013

It’s time for consumers to question what goes on in addiction treatment. And the industry needs to wake up

It’s time for consumers to question what goes on in addiction treatment. And the industry needs to wake up

Addiction

Glee's Farewell to Cory Monteith Leaves Addiction Questions

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on October 6, 2013

Could better addiction treatment have prevented Cory’s death? Part 1 explains why and how addiction "takes over" for someone who "has it all" and raises questions about Monteith's treatment, to be addressed further in Part 2.

Could better addiction treatment have prevented Cory’s death? Part 1 explains why and how addiction "takes over" for someone who "has it all" and raises questions about Monteith's treatment, to be addressed further in Part 2.

Addiction

Exercise: A Better Way to "Deal" Than Drinking (or Drugging)

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on July 9, 2013

Exercise is one of the more promising and least talked about tools for treating and recovering from addiction.

Exercise is one of the more promising and least talked about tools for treating and recovering from addiction.

Sex

Is Mad Men’s Don Draper a Sex Addict?

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on May 6, 2013

If living in today’s world, Don Draper may well wind up in rehab for “sex addiction” – but how can a rehab facility diagnose and treat someone with a disorder that's not recognized?

If living in today’s world, Don Draper may well wind up in rehab for “sex addiction” – but how can a rehab facility diagnose and treat someone with a disorder that's not recognized?

Addiction

Holistic Rehab Therapies: Do They Work for Addiction?

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on April 2, 2013

Do holistic interventions add to the quality of the rehab experience, increasing the chances of recovery from addiction? Could their benefit be in the user’s head—that is, just a placebo effect? Are they worth the added expense? Or could some of them pose harm?

Do holistic interventions add to the quality of the rehab experience, increasing the chances of recovery from addiction? Could their benefit be in the user’s head—that is, just a placebo effect? Are they worth the added expense? Or could some of them pose harm?

Addiction

My Take On Celebrity Rehabs for Addiction Treatment – Part 2

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on March 12, 2013

The intentions of Dr. Drew and most others who treat celebrities and other clients are well and good. They just need to get with the science, recognizing that more people would be helped if they were to step away from treatment-as-usual – be it in celebrity rehab or your neighborhood drug and alcohol treatment program.

The intentions of Dr. Drew and most others who treat celebrities and other clients are well and good. They just need to get with the science, recognizing that more people would be helped if they were to step away from treatment-as-usual – be it in celebrity rehab or your neighborhood drug and alcohol treatment program.

Addiction

My Take On Celebrity Rehabs for Addiction Treatment – Part 1

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on February 25, 2013

Although celebrity rehabs have many of the same issues endemic to the addiction treatment system in general, they have been given an unfair rap. They're not all glamor and glitz, and who says addiction rehab shouldn't be comfortable anyway?

Although celebrity rehabs have many of the same issues endemic to the addiction treatment system in general, they have been given an unfair rap. They're not all glamor and glitz, and who says addiction rehab shouldn't be comfortable anyway?

Addiction

When Addiction Treatment is One-Size-Fits-All

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on February 15, 2013

Shari P.’s mother told me, “All rehab programs basically offer the same treatments.” She should know – her daughter’s residential experiences added up to 20.

Shari P.’s mother told me, “All rehab programs basically offer the same treatments.” She should know – her daughter’s residential experiences added up to 20.

Addiction

Going Inside Addiction Rehab

Anne M. Fletcher M.S., R.D. on January 31, 2013

An author describes what motivated her to go inside the addiction rehab system and how she was received

An author describes what motivated her to go inside the addiction rehab system and how she was received

A health and science writer tells how and why she started writing about addiction and where her new blog on addiction, recovery, and rehab is headed.