March 24th, 2008 khoward
The Mental Health Aspects of Crystal Meth Recovery
Perhaps no issue is hotter in the gay community these days than that of Crystal Meth. It seems everyone is either doing it themselves, or knows someone who uses regularly, and almost everyone knows someone who “has a problem” with it – from problem use that affects their job or relationships, to full-on addiction that has the same effect as a major medical illness. In my work as a psychotherapist, nearly one-third of my practice consists of gay men who are trying to get off, and stay off, using crystal. While various drug treatment centers exist (including the promising and innovative Prometa Center), and while AA and CMA are vital resources in the community, the mental health aspects of crystal use deserve more attention and discussion in the community. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Art & Science of Therapy, Drugs/Alcohol/Addictions: Living in Recovery | No Comments »
December 7th, 2004 khoward
In considering the combination of gay men, sex, and crystal meth, a number of considerations come to mind for mental health professionals and researchers. For the first part, discussing gay men and sex, care must be taken to avoid generalizations, just as care would be taken to demonstrate cultural competency and absence of prejudice in discussing any subgroup of the general population. Why is it that gay men (excuse me, “men who have sex with men”) are still subject to a certain scientific, distancing condescension that is widely recognized as off-limits (rightfully so) for any other American minority? Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Drugs/Alcohol/Addictions: Living in Recovery, Self-Sabotage Behavior | No Comments »
September 15th, 2003 khoward
Ever since the days of Prohibition in the 1920’s, or the 1938 camp film, “Reefer Madness”, substances and American politics have clashed in a way that goes far beyond the actual health risks of alcohol or “recreational” drugs and into a moralistic quagmire that leaves people confused and conflicted about just what to believe. I have seen this frequently in my work as a therapist with people who are living with HIV and have issues, or even just questions, about substance use, abuse, and addiction. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Drugs/Alcohol/Addictions: Living in Recovery, HIV: Living Successfully, Self-Sabotage Behavior | No Comments »