Below is a list and the links for some of my favourite addiction related sites. I have found these sites to be interesting, informative and useful. I don't agree with everything they may say, but at the very least they have lead me to ask new questions, which is always a good thing in the pursuit of understanding. Of course, if you don't have time to wade through these and all the other sites about addiction, you can always subscribe to my monthly newsletter where the really good stuff is summarised and links provided.
General Addiction Sites
Marc Lewis - Memoirs of an Addicted Brain
General Addiction Sites
Marc Lewis - Memoirs of an Addicted Brain
Marc Lewis is a distinguished neuroscientist. And, for many years, he was a drug addict himself, dependent on a series of dangerous substances, from LSD to heroin. His narrative moves back and forth between the often dark, compelling story of his relationship with drugs and a gripping analysis of what was going on in his brain.
Scott Kellogg has some great ideas about how to treat addiction. He talks about three possible treatment goals: Abstinence, Moderation and Non-Addictive use. He also provides some clear ideas of what addiction treatment should look like.
TRI is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to translating research into improved policies and programs to address the devastating effects of substance abuse on families, schools, businesses, criminal justice and healthcare. Lots of links to useful research.
The UK Drug Policy Commission
The UK Drug Policy Commission operated between 2007 and 2012. UKDPC commissioned research and collected evidence about what works to inform and encourage good decisions about all aspects of drug policy. The Commission was independent of government and special interests, both in its funding and work programme. It was not a campaigning body and did not come from any particular standpoint.
Dr Samantha Brooks
Dr Brooks is a colleague at the University of Cape Town. Samantha is a psychologist and neuroscientist specialising in the neural correlates of impulse control. Her current work is looking at cognitive training tools for addictive disorders. Have a look at the Curb Your Addiction, or CYa! smart-phone application. Preliminary results look really interesting.
Kent Berridge
We aim to improve understanding of neural mechanisms of emotion, motivation, learning and reward. Our topics include the psychology and neurobiology of pleasure and desire, with implications for motivational disorders such as drug addiction and eating disorders. We also study how brains produce the detailed structure of natural behavior.
NICE
NICE Evidence Services is a service that provides fast access to authoritative health and social care evidence and best practice through a web-based portal. In one place, you can simultaneously search over 250,000 resources from hundreds of trustworthy and accredited sources including The Cochrane Library, NICE and Royal Colleges.
Blogs
Substance Matters
Mark Willenbring is an addiction psychiatrist focused on transforming treatment for addiction in America by offering a comprehensive continuum of care based in science, compassion, consumer choice, access and affordability.
Chris Arnade's brilliant series of photos of addicts in the poorest sectors of New York. With a PhD in physics and a history as a Wall Street Banker, Chris now works as a photographer and journalist. He takes portraits of drug addicts and prostitutes, giving them a voice and letting them tell their story.
SMART Recovery Tools
SMART Recovery is the leading self-empowering addiction recovery support group. This research based approach is non-confrontational and uses the principles of Motivational Interviewing and has a strong CBT focus. Well worth investigating.
If you want to help get your loved-one sober, this is the place to go. Community Reinforcement and Family Therapy really works. Forget "tough love" and the likes. This requires some effort, but in the majority of cases it will help your addicted family member seek help.