Patricia R Olsen

About

Pat Olsen is a journalist, author and ghostwriter. She has blogged on addiction and recovery for treatment centers, written numerous personal essays on addiction in the family, and coauthored a book with an addiction expert, Sober Siblings: How to Help Your Alcoholic Brother and Sister ― and Not Lose Yourself. Pat was a freelancer for 20 years for the New York Times business section, where she had her own column and contributed to many others in the section. She can be reached at www.patolsen.com.

Books by Patricia R Olsen

Recent Posts

A Sibling’s Narrative of Recovery From Addiction and Loss

This psychologist has found that some girls and women suffer deeply when their brothers struggle with substance use disorder.

A Letter to My Nephew in Recovery

A Personal Perspective: My brother struggled with alcohol and substance use disorders. It was just as difficult for me when his son fell prey to them.

A Study on Siblings and Alcohol Use Disorder

Does one sibling's alcohol use affect another's? Yes and No.

An Interview With Someone Who Tried a Hallucinogen

Some people have found relief from past trauma (and been successfully treated for addiction) through the use of hallucinogens.

Letter to a Brother With Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders

A Personal Perspective: A counselor may suggest a sober sibling write a letter to someone who has passed away. You may be surprised at what you get from it.

More Changes to Addiction Terminology

When someone dies from taking fentanyl, is it an accidental overdose? An overdose? Or have they been poisoned? Which do you think fits best?

The New Definition of Sober

A standard word in the addiction field has a new meaning. How soon until everyone is on board?

What's New in Addressing Alcohol Use Disorder

There's something about hearing from experts that makes things clearer, and somehow even comforting. That's no small feat if you have a family member with addiction.

The Sober Sibling Belongs to a Club No One Wants to Join

A Personal Perspective: Are you the brother or sister of someone who drinks to excess? It's a complicated relationship.