Matt is looking for fun and adventure. What he finds is a deadly addiction to spice, an unregulated party drug. As his life spirals out of control, his family race against time to prevent the inevitable - death by overdose. This is a true story of hope and perseverance.
"Born the child of a poor farmer in Missouri, William Stoner is urged by his parents to study new agriculture techniques at the state university. Digging instead into the texts of Milton and Shakespeare, Stoner falls under the spell of the unexpected pleasures of English literature, and decides to make it his life. Stoner is the story of that life"--
"Michael Stratton is a psychotherapist who loved marijuana. Eventually it became a problem. He quit using and then learned how to help others quit. He also learned and then taught evidence based techniques to other therapists in how to effectively work with those who are beginning to wonder about their relationship with cannabis." -- Back cover.
In this revelatory and original book, award-winning author of the acclaimed surf memoir On a Wave illuminates the connection between waves, addiction, and recovery, exploring what surfing can teach us about the powerful undertow of addictive behaviors and the ways to swim free of them. Addiction is arguably the dominant feature of contemporary life: sex, gambling, exercise, eating, shopping, Internet use—there's virtually no pleasurable activity that can't morph into a destructive obsession. For Americans under the age of fifty-five, the leading cause of death is drug overdose. But there is another side of addiction. In some instances, the very activities that can lead to addiction can also lead out of it. As neurologists have recently discovered, surfing is a kind of study in the mechanism of addiction, delivering dopamine to the "pleasure" center of the brain and reshaping priorities and desire in a feedback loop of narrowing focus. Thad Ziolkowski knows this dynamic intimately. A lifelong surfer, he has been surrounded by addiction since his boyhood. In this unique, groundbreaking book, part addiction memoir, part sociological study, part spiritual odyssey, Ziolkowski dismantles the myth of surfing as a radiantly wholesome lifestyle immune to the darker temptations of the culture and discovers among the rubble a new way to understand and ultimately overcome addiction. Combining his own story with insights from scientists, progressive thinkers and the experiences of top surfers and addicts from around the world, Ziolkowski shows how getting on a board and catching a wave is a unique and deeply instructive means of riding out of the darkness and back into the light. Yet while surfing is his salvation, its lessons can applied to other activities that can pull us free from the lethal undertow of addiction and save lives.
“Hart’s argument that we need to drastically revise our current view of illegal drugs is both powerful and timely . . . when it comes to the legacy of this country’s war on drugs, we should all share his outrage.” —The New York Times Book Review From one of the world's foremost experts on the subject, a powerful argument that the greatest damage from drugs flows from their being illegal, and a hopeful reckoning with the possibility of their use as part of a responsible and happy life Dr. Carl L. Hart, Ziff Professor at Columbia University and former chair of the Department of Psychology, is one of the world's preeminent experts on the effects of so-called recreational drugs on the human mind and body. Dr. Hart is open about the fact that he uses drugs himself, in a happy balance with the rest of his full and productive life as a researcher and professor, husband, father, and friend. In Drug Use for Grown-Ups, he draws on decades of research and his own personal experience to argue definitively that the criminalization and demonization of drug use--not drugs themselves--have been a tremendous scourge on America, not least in reinforcing this country's enduring structural racism. Dr. Hart did not always have this view. He came of age in one of Miami's most troubled neighborhoods at a time when many ills were being laid at the door of crack cocaine. His initial work as a researcher was aimed at proving that drug use caused bad outcomes. But one problem kept cropping up: the evidence from his research did not support his hypothesis. From inside the massively well-funded research arm of the American war on drugs, he saw how the facts did not support the ideology. The truth was dismissed and distorted in order to keep fear and outrage stoked, the funds rolling in, and Black and brown bodies behind bars. Drug Use for Grown-Ups will be controversial, to be sure: the propaganda war, Dr. Hart argues, has been tremendously effective. Imagine if the only subject of any discussion about driving automobiles was fatal car crashes. Drug Use for Grown-Ups offers a radically different vision: when used responsibly, drugs can enrich and enhance our lives. We have a long way to go, but the vital conversation this book will generate is an extraordinarily important step.
Addiction is the Biblical plague of our time, and the battle against it is up to each one of us. Although it may seem hopeless, every single person can take actions to fight this scourge that is killing an American every five minutes. This book offers real, hands-on answers about what can be done, what works and what does not, and how Americans can regain a sense of control over the addiction epidemic. This practical guide is for parents and grandparents, school personnel, employers, faith leaders, elected officials and policy makers, and others who want to make a difference against this cruel blight. The answers were gained through the long and painful experiences of a mother whose son died as a result of his opioid addiction. The story told here is a dramatic, page-turning, and real account, with heart-stopping fear, cliff-hanging rescues, periods of despair and respites of relief and joy that the son and his mother shared. Their love for each other was strong, but the mother learned that love is not enough to fight a terrible disease. As a professional researcher and writer, she sought answers after her son’s death in science, history, public health policy, and spirituality. In this book, she shares what she learned and brings the reader inside one of the most important and timely topics in the nation today.
Perspectives on Substance Use, Disorders and Addiction, Second Edition, is a philosophical and clinical text that suggests new ways to think about the relationships, enjoyment, and troubles with substances of pleasure. The book is designed for students and clinicians who come in contact with and treat individuals and families struggling with the causes and consequences of substance use disorders and addiction. The second edition of Perspectives presents a refreshing blend of ancient and contemporary ideas on the natural pleasures and potential powers of alcohol and drugs in our everyday individual and collective lives.
A poignantly funny account of renowned writer and humorist Neal Pollack's years as a marijuana addict. Beginning innocently enough in his 20s, Neal Pollack discovers that pot makes everything—food, music, sex—better. Getting married, having a kid, and enjoying professional success do nothing to dampen Pollack's enthusiasm for getting high. As cannabis grows stronger and more widely available, the expansion and acceptance of marijuana Big Business shadows Pollack's dependence. By 2014, Neal is a correspondent for a national marijuana newspaper, mostly because it means free pot. Diving into the wild, wicked world of weed with both lungs, Pollack proceeds to smoke, vape, and eat his way to oblivion, leading to public meltdowns and other embarrassing behavior. After his mother dies in 2017, he spirals out of control, finally hitting bottom during a reckless two-day gambling and drug-filled binge, culminating in a public crack-up at the World Series in Dodger Stadium. Three weeks later, he quits. After joining a twelve-step program, Neal outs himself as a marijuana addict in a 2018 New York Times op-ed piece, leading to his decision to document his experience as a cautionary tale for the millions of recreational users in the hazy age of legalized weed.
Similar to The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, Life with Hope thoroughly explains the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions as they relate to marijuana addicts and those with cannabis use disorder. This is an essential resource for anyone seeking recovery through Marijuana Anonymous (MA). "How can we tell you how to recover? We cannot. All we can do is share with you our own experiences and recovery through the Twelve Steps of Marijuana Anonymous." Similar to The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, Life with Hope thoroughly explains the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions as they relate to individuals with cannabis use disorder. The text includes the 12 Steps and the 12 Traditions, fifteen personal stories from Marijuana Anonymous members, and the section, A Doctor's Opinion about Marijuana Addiction. Life with Hope is an essential resource for the marijuana addict and for anyone with a cannabis use disorder who is seeking recovery through Marijuana Anonymous (MA). The text is ideal for newcomers, people who are in active addiction, and anyone interested learning more about how marijuana addiction affects people’s lives.
Just as there are responsible drinkers and alcoholics, there are those who can moderate their cannabis use and those who cannot. If you are struggling to quit and you want to learn how to quit successfully, this book is for you - you'll never look at cannabis the same way again. Learn about the science and psychology of cannabis addiction - understand what drives your addiction Understand cannabis withdrawal symptoms and how to best treat them Know what to expect during the quitting process - relapses, self-doubt, emotional ups and downs Understand how to overcome the obstacles to sobriety - mental gymnastics, social pressure, boredom, nostalgia Embrace the Quitting Mindset - discover the knowledge and approaches necessary for maintaining long-term sobriety Life is too short to be a slave to a plant. Begin your recovery journey today. Quitting Weed: The Complete Guide is the definitive book on overcoming cannabis addiction. A former addict himself, Matthew Clarke provides an easy-to-follow, comprehensive guide for understanding how cannabis addiction works, and most importantly, detailed advice on how to conquer addiction - permanently.