Monthly Archives: August 2008

I was just reading…

Posted on August 31, 2008 by Bill

…a comment on another site, and was totally taken by the following. We deserve lovers and friends that hurt when we are hurting, not leave us alone (sitting with their backs to us) when they hurt us. Wow! How like … Continue reading →

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AA Membership Survey Is Out

Posted on August 31, 2008 by Bill

Periodically Alcoholics Anonymous conducts a survey of members to determine basics such as who A.A.s are (age, sex, occupation — no names) and how they got to A.A. The current survey in PDF form can be downloaded here.

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Alcohol deaths common among American Indians

Posted on August 29, 2008 by Bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Alcohol-related causes such as liver disease and car crashes account for nearly 12 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native deaths, 3-1/2 times the figure for the overall population, officials said on Thursday. Alcohol deaths common among … Continue reading →

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Lots of Denial About Alcohol-Cancer Link in Developed Countries

Posted on August 28, 2008 by Bill

…people in high-income countries were least likely to believe that drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancer, when, in fact, cancer risk rises as alcohol intake increases. Specifically, 42 percent of the people in the high-income countries said alcohol does … Continue reading →

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Let’s have a sober discussion of campus boozing

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Bill

Editorial: Let’s have a sober discussion of campus boozing – San Jose Mercury News College presidents generally are loath to take stands on hot-button issues. So it speaks volumes about the extent of underage alcohol use that 123 college presidents … Continue reading →

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Jonesing for a rogering? You’re not alone

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Bill

Sex addiction:Jonesing for a rogering? You’re not alone. “My drug of choice was whatever you got – a smorgasbord of pornography, hookers, anonymous partners. My goal was (to score) every day. It was like being a junkie,” says Jim, a … Continue reading →

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Study may point way to addiction treatments

Posted on August 25, 2008 by Bill

Addiction causes molecular changes in the brain, most notably in the regions that release dopamine, a messenger molecule involved in reward-seeking behaviours. The neurons of drug addicts are modified in such a way that they can transmit much stronger dopamine … Continue reading →

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Nevadans debate gambling addictions

Posted on August 25, 2008 by Bill

“They would be better served if they were candid and admitted it was a choice they made,” said John Helzer, Washoe County Assistant District Attorney. “I think everyone has experienced a moment of extreme excitement like when they watched their … Continue reading →

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Why Don’t I Feel Good Enough?

Posted on August 22, 2008 by Bill

Chris M. writes for The Second Road, a website devoted to recovery from addictions of various kinds, and the man can write! He’s currently in the process of looking for a job that suits his talents. Here’s some of what … Continue reading →

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Alcohol Before 21?

Posted on August 21, 2008 by Bill

Do you remember your first taste of alcohol? How old were you? Twenty-one? All 50 states currently demand that their citizens reach age 21 before they can legally drink. But there’s a growing movement that says mandatory minimum laws may … Continue reading →

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We won’t mention the word…

Posted on August 19, 2008 by Bill

Sittin’ here watchin’ th’ rain. And th’ wind. And th’ radar — and thinking about how lucky I am to be sober, and able to avoid the drama and bullshit with which I would have surrounded an occasion like Tropical … Continue reading →

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Know when it’s time to fire your doctor

Posted on August 16, 2008 by Bill

This issue is especially important to people in recovery. Many doctors make it clear by their statements and attitudes that they know little or nothing about addiction. I was once sent by my dentist (25 years sober) to an oral … Continue reading →

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Dog Days

Posted on August 15, 2008 by Bill

We’re well into the Dog Days – an interesting time of year for a number of reasons, from traditional harvest festivals to hot nights and their well-documented ill effects on our tempers. I’m therefore honoring the effects on our minds, … Continue reading →

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Hacking Memory to Break Drug Addiction

Posted on August 14, 2008 by Bill

Hacking Memory to Break Drug Addiction: Scientific American Using a chemical that blocks the creation of memories, scientists have prevented rats from using cocaine after they had become addicted to the drug.

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Well, almost…

Posted on August 13, 2008 by Bill

I was sorta back Tuesday, but not here. Here’s a letter I got yesterday. It’s also on the Q&A page, but it was pretty good so I thought I’d post it here. Names and identifying info omitted, of course. Im … Continue reading →

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