Tag: mental health

Chemsex Recovery & Harm Reduction


I’m preparing thoughts for an upcoming podcast conversation with Halle Pino on recovery and harm reduction. I want to bring in the aspect of Chemsex recovery & harm reduction, since that has been a part of my story and is something I don’t think we talk about enough – especially in the queer community.

I also fired my last therapist because I don’t respect him or his approach to therapy. After a month of waiting, I finally heard from my new therapist. So I feel like I’m going out on a first date, and it might be helpful to capture some of my story to know where to pick back up with therapy. So welcome to my TedTherapyTalk. Enjoy the ride!

Chemsex: How I Got Here

“Chemsex means using drugs as part of your sex life, and it’s most common among gay and bi men. There are typically three specific ‘chems’ (drugs) involved: Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth), Mephedrone (Meth), GHB and GBL (G).” – Source: The Rainbow Project

Chemsex is often referred to as “party and play” or “pnp” on gay hookup apps.

People participate in chemsex for various reasons. For many of us, these party drugs enhance our sex drive or allow us to keep at it for extended play sessions. For others like me, substances help reduce inhibitions. I have a lot of hangups about gay sex from my upbringing and society in general. So, using a substance helps me push off some of that internalized homophobia and stigma around gay sex, around butt sex, around sex in general.

Gay sex still makes me uncomfortable sometimes, but we need to get more comfortable talking about sex and sex education. My ignorance, fear, chaotic substance use, lack of routine STI testing and bad timing led to my HIV diagnosis in 2012. I’ve been undetectable ever since but living with HIV is an entirely different level of stigma, even today in the LGBTQ+ community. That’s why authors like Dr. Fawcett call this “the perfect storm” – the intersection of men, drugs and a virus. (I bring up his research later…) It shows up on all sorts of levels for many of us, particularly on a deeply personal level. So no wonder I choose to use substances that help me overcome all of these layers.

When I was hard into the party scene, I found that chemsex also gave me a heightened feeling of intimacy – at least in moderation or in the beginning. Sadly for many like me who may not be able to control our use of certain substances, it often leads to the antithesis of intimacy. In recovery from chemsex substances like GHB and meth, I’ve had to slowly relearn – or if we’re totally honest, learn for the first time in my adult life – what true intimacy is.

Like many gay men, I have always chased beauty and youth almost to a fault. I’m far from a natural beauty, so I’ve also struggled to connect with guys – particularly as I age. (Yes the irony of those two statements is not lost on me. I’m a product of my generation, coming out as a gay man in the 1980’s and 90’s). I’m socially awkward and not very good at flirting. Alcohol is a good social relaxer for me, and my drinking doesn’t cause major consequences in my life. But, when “pnp” was involved, everyone’s inhibitions were lowered and guys who might not otherwise want to play around with me were more likely to get naked with me if they were high. And since I was often the privileged white guy who bought the meth or GHB, I found a lot of beauty and youth!

The other aspect of my life that contributed to my addictive choices that led to a chemsex addiction can be summed up as relationship grief & loss as an adolescent and young gay adult, coupled with religious trauma during my college years. From my research, it isn’t uncommon to find some sort of abuse, loss, or trauma in the gay community that contributes to the higher rates of addictive behaviors.

Intersectionality: LGBTQ+ & Addiction

I know. Terribly cliche. But here’s what I found in my research:

From a 2023 SAMHSA publication on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Behavioral Health, we know that:

  • Gay and bisexual males and females were two to three times more likely than their straight counterparts to have used illicit drugs other than marijuana in the past year.
  • About one third of bisexual females, bisexual males, and gay males had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year. About one fourth of lesbian females had an SUD in the past year.
  • Bisexual females were three times more likely than straight females to have had an opioid use disorder in the past year.

Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20230613/samhsa-releases-new-data-lesbian-gay-bisexual-behavioral-health

Harm Reduction: My New Normal

I recently wrote an Arts for Awareness around Harm Reduction. I did a fair amount of research on harm reduction, particularly in the gay community and particularly in the Black community with men having sex with men. Sadly, we didn’t get the grant award but it was an amazing learning process for me to research more and form more of my own beliefs around harm reduction. I should publish parts of it some day just because of the research. But here are some quotes from what I learned.

“Together, we can challenge stigma, promote safer substance use practices, and pave the way for a future where harm reduction is not just an option but a fundamental aspect of addiction recovery”

Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach to addressing substance use disorder (SUD) that emphasizes minimizing the negative consequences of substance use rather than solely promoting abstinence. This strategy is supported by research, practical interventions, and endorsements from public health organizations. Harm reduction initiatives, such as needle exchange programs, have been effective in reducing the transmission of HIV and hepatitis C among injection drug users by providing access to clean needles. Additionally, naloxone distribution programs have significantly reduced overdose deaths by equipping individuals at risk of opioid overdose with life-saving medication and training. (I think I had help with that from ChatGPT…just being honest.)

Today, I stick to weed and poppers – so California sober I believe, that’s my harm reduction. And I do enjoy true sober sex – it just doesn’t come naturally for me anymore. It’s something I’m working on.

For me, harm reduction extends to almost every facet of my life. I’ve even navigated to a point where I’m ready to do some deeper work – and I’ve found a combination of choices and experiences around harm reduction and recovery that works for me. So let’s keep digging…

Harm Reduction & Chemsex Recovery

My journey wasn’t just about overcoming addiction; it was also about confronting the realities of ChemSex, a facet of my past addiction and recovery journey that remains largely unspoken, particularly within our local harm reduction landscape. Known colloquially as “party and play,” ChemSex presents unique challenges, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, where it’s prevalent among men who have sex with men. I’ve witnessed firsthand how much of our harm reduction efforts focus on injection drug use and needle exchange programs, often overlooking the complexities of ChemSex-related harm. – Todd Fuqua

Many individuals who combine sex and drugs do so safely, employing harm reduction practices to protect their health and that of their partners. These individuals often feel satisfied with their drug use and its effects on their sex life, seeing no need for change. Source:https://ourhealthyeg.ca/chemsex

And then there are the rest of us. For me, I am unable to combine sex and drugs like crystal meth or GHB and do so safely anymore. For me, it’s the combination of the two – the chemsex – that can be so debilitating and a difficult choice to recover from. I didn’t discover the concept of chemsex until around 2021 – a good number of years into my recovery journey. I discovered the book “Men, Meth & Lust: A Gay Man’s Guide to Sex and Recovery” by David Fawcett Phd – and got connected with a weekly online support group for chemsex recovery. There’s been a lot of growth since then, and I am always in a state of recovery and growth. But let’s go back to the early days!

When I first got into recovery, we didn’t know about chemsex – at least not here in Indiana. This was 2010. So like many who struggled with what I now know to be a chemsex addiction, I was stuck with siloed recovery settings. I could go to one twelve-step fellowship for my drug addiction, but to really understand and take control of my sexual addiction, I went to another fellowship. And people in one fellowship didn’t always understand or want to understand the other addiction. Like much of American healthcare, we act in silos in much of our recovery community, particularly here in Indiana.

For 11 years, I struggled with this “disconnect” until I came across the term “chemsex” in my own research. My therapist at the time and I brought Dr. David Fawcett’s research and book into our therapy sessions. We learned together how fused these two addictions really are and why it’s such a touch one to overcome, because it’s literally about rewiring our brains. I found insight, support and growth attending an online chemsex support group for a period of time in 2021-2022. The only thing I haven’t done yet is sit down with a licensed sex therapist or sexologist, to explore some of my sexual patterns and fantasies to grow as sexual person. Sadly, insurance doesn’t pay for that level of work. So, no sex education in school – leaving us all to stumble our way through and figure it out…but don’t help us unlearn the fucked up stigma that contributed to my own mental, physical, emotional and sexual health. It’s a wonder so many of us in the queer community struggle with complex addictions.

So I’ve come to a point that works for me that would get me kicked out of traditional 12-step groups if I were to be honest. So, I choose not to go anymore. But, I will say that I learned a LOT of recovery in each of the fellowships, and for the first 5-10 years of my life in recovery, I learned new skills and patterns for showing up in the world, in community and in relationships. This was all through the twelve step fellowships. So although I don’t practice it today, I found a strong foundation for my recovery today. Fortunately today, a good foundation can be found in many paths to recovery.

One of the tools I learned is The Three Circles, where we have an inner, middle and outer circle of behaviors that are literally “shades of grey” to help define tends or patterns in sexual health (or other forms of recovery and addiction, even substance use!) They’re not just circles, they are a part of your plan to avoid slipping back into old habits. (Check out this article on The Three Circles).

There are elements that are healthy for us (the outer circle) that we try to practice to the best of our ability. Then there are the hard boundaries or things we want to avoid or stop doing – these are the inner circle. In traditional twelve-step language, these would be considered a relapse. In harm reduction, I’m much softer with myself – but that’s with a strong foundation in more traditional “black and white” thinking. I’ve grown, as has our collective understanding. Then there are the “middle” circle behaviors, which can be thought of as warning signs or grey zones – things that could lead us to our inner behaviors or thinking. Some call this the in-between zone.

With sexual addiction and recovery, you can’t think “all or nothing” because we are sexual beings – one can’t give up sex completely. It’s about knowing our boundaries. Same holds true for chemsex recovery. For me, the inner circle would be using a chemsex substance during sex. But I’m ok with using weed – it helps me relax, reduces my inhibitions and feels good! I might put weed in the middle circle – a warning sign, but not an unhealthy practice. For me.

In true harm reduction form, a person might define “having anonymous sex” as any of these circles – depending on their life circumstance, beliefs, wants or needs. Where something falls, or if it’s even on the map, varies for each person. For me, pornography was never a thing – so it wasn’t even on the map. It just wasn’t part of my sexual patterning. For me, my middle circle might include time spent chatting on the apps. It’s not a bad thing – there are no real consequences in my life other than a lot of wasted time. But, it’s a bit of a warning sign. It’s a signal for me to catch myself and ask the questions – what’s going on? how am I feeling? why might I be feeling that way? Interrupt the cycle, the addiction thinking, the desire to numb or check out. That for me is what I’m wanting to avoid.

Another way that harm reduction shows up for me as a recovering chemsex addict is I practice ethical non-monogamy with my partner. He is my primary sexual and romantic partner, but we both have outside interests, sometime shared. I have a high sex drive, and haven’t found monogamy to be a helpful “black and white” thinking for my recovery. Dr. Fawcett talks about sexual patterning, and for me, much of my sexual patterns were formed in my early 20s, in reaction to deep relationship and religious trauma. I’m working on balancing that sex drive and curiosity with connection and intimacy – but I’ve come to accept that there are certain patterns I can’t change, or choose not to at this time. So, I’ve found a middle ground that works for me, keeps me in a healthy, balanced recovery.

With harm reduction from a chemsex addiction, the three circles can become quite complex to map out – but very helpful to do so! I think I just found my first assignment to do with my new therapist – a Three Circles on my harm reduction approach to chemsex recovery and ethical non-monogamy! I have it in my mind, and we’ve talked about it at home. But it would be helpful to write out.

There’s some really good research out there, including this article in the Lancet titled “HIV, chemsex, and the need for harm-reduction interventions to support gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.”

What’s my indicator of moving toward the center?

Degree of consequences
Can I put it down?

My consequences have always been during times of chaotic substance use with meth and/or GHB. My consequences in 2009 were much worse when I first entered treatment for an addiction to meth. I lost my career and my house. My consequences were difficult in 2012, when I was diagnosed with HIV and stage 2 syphilis. My consequences were rock bottom for me in 2014, when I was robbed twice and physically assaulted on once of those instances of robbery. Since then, I’ve crawled out of the meth pipe, finally putting it down in 2018.

Today, my consequences are much less severe. Worst case, seeking out new sexual encounters online adds to my depression, self-confidence and anxiety – or I might get an STI. I’m at least getting tested every six months, so that contributes to my health. Best case, it wastes a lot of time! And I’m ok with that – just for today.

Life in Recovery: We Do Recover

Even before I picked up my first substance at 33, I struggled with connection. I suffered from severe religious trauma during college, and suffered a tragic breakup with a guy I was dating at 22. I was a romantic at heart who boarded up his heart and didn’t let anyone get too close. I’m “attachment avoidant” and learning about true intimacy has been difficult to put in practice at times. Recovery is slow, and really a lifelong practice for me because my default it is to chase sexual activity over friendships, connections or intimacy. My therapist helps, as does my understanding and patient husband. And that book and those support groups.

Call to Action

Get help. Check out your area for in-person harm reduction support groups. Look online for harm reduction support groups, especially under the keywords Harm Reduction Works. There is an awesome Facebook group. I’ve found other local resources online. And if there is nothing in person, consider starting a Harm Reduction Support Group! I did in partnership with BU Wellness Network. We are currently reforming, and are meeting on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at noon at BU Wellness Network, 1712 N. Meridian, Indianapolis.

If you’re reading this and you’ve had experience with chemsex and are in any form of recovery, I strongly encourage you to get a copy of Dr. Fawcett’s book and integrate his approach into your own recovery program. It changed the lens through which I see my life in recovery and helped move me to a deeper understanding of chemsex addiction and recovery. When you’re ready, try out the weekly support group too. There are others – and other books. These are just the ones that worked for me.

Keep Tellin’ The Story

Lord Peacock

This I Believe…


Several years ago, I was given a gift for my birthday. It was a CD collection titled “This I Believe.” It was a collection of stories taken from the NPR radio series by the same name. The stories were from people from all walks of life – some famous, some not so famous, older, younger, etc.. The individuals talked about their personal beliefs – and often, why they had come to have these beliefs. Sometimes these beliefs stemmed from the influence of a parent or grand-parent, or mentor, or friend. Sometimes, they came through personal experience – the ups and downs of life. It was a fascinating collection of stories – and was a joy to listen to on road trips.

Having recently turned 49, and facing a new milestone birthday in about 11 months, I’ve been giving a lot of thought, airtime and therapy time to better understanding my beliefs. I’ve learned about CBT (cognitive behavorial therapy) – a tool a friend of mine discovered through his own early recovery during a month-long in-patient program he checked himself into for his own mental health. I’ve realized how much my unconscious (and sometimes conscious) thoughts stem from deep-seated beliefs – and how those thoughts can drive my feelings. I used to think, quite honestly, that this “cause and effect” relationship was bullshit. I had probably been burned enough in my past about the role of feelings – or shall I say, never really came to understand what I believe about the role of feelings. Instead, I took what my “pastoral leaders” in a Christian cult said during my college years as “gospel.”  Well, that fucked me up for a long time! More recently, I spent time in a 12 step program, where feelings and their role in addiction was drilled into me for years. And, I’ll admit that they were probably closer to what I now have come to believe – but even there, I couldn’t fully embrace their way of thinking.  And, in my black and white mind, it was all or nothing – they were right, or they were wrong.

So, my world is little more grey these days.

And my world is a little less clear these days.

And my beliefs are a little more in flux these days.

And all of these statements are ok with me these days.  I’m ok with not knowing – or believing I know or understand – it will. Just writing that stands out as both arrogant, ignorant, and unrealistic.

What I believe is what I believe – and it seems to make more sense to figure that out for myself, rather than take someone else’s doctrine as “gospel.”

What I believe may also change – as I learn more information, have new experiences,  interact with other world views – and that seems to make more sense, than accepting some static, infallible set of beliefs.  Has my 49 years on this earth not shown that life is about change – that change is healthy – and that growth comes through experience, uncertainty and struggle.  It also comes through the loving support of others, and the insight and experience of others. But ultimately, I have one person to answer to – one image in the mirror looking back at me.  And for that understanding, I’m grateful.

So this is me reengaging with my blog, as I take pen to paper and tell more of my story.

This I believe…

Stay tuned for more!

 

Sta

Recovery Day


I’ve reflected a bit on Memorial Day this year. It’s been a mixed bag – but there was one gem to come from my reflections.

I’ll break my college writing class, and cut to the chase.

As I reflect on what Memorial Day means to this country, it’s about celebrating those who lost their lives in service to their country.

I want to create a movement called Recovery Day.

It needs to be in September because of National Recovery Month. To not have it confused with Labor Day, I’d propose the final Monday**. Conceptually, it becomes similar to Memorial Day’s purpose, though uniquely focuses on those lost their lives because of mental health or substance abuse disorders. With addiction and recovery, the US War on Drugs contributed to our current situation and must be shut down, giving way to a new executive order.(***)

On this day, I want to borrow words from our ancestors and others with creative license ^^:

Framing for a New Executive Order

Recovery Day is the final Monday of September each year. It recognizes those who lost their lives because of mental health disorders, including substance use disorders (also known as addiction.) We honor the veterans(^) who fought their personal battles to overcome their problems and advance recovery opportunities for all Americans.

Part of the celebration around Recovery Day includes telling people’s stories, so they are not forgotten. We see this all the time on TV or on the radio (*), where comrades or family or friends share a memory of their lost hero. With Facebook, YouTube and other social media tools, it’s even easier for memories to be shared, creating a common bond connected to some of our deepest yearns – to celebrate life, to be interdependent one with another, to find connection, to find meaning.

Some examples:

Recovery Day is borne out of a desire to honor our dead in the United States of America, much like we do on Memorial Day for those who gave their life in service to their country

Executive Order: National Recovery Day

We request an Executive Order from President Obama, declaring something similar to:

National Recovery Day

The date of National Recovery Day shall be the final Monday of September each year. It is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of fellow citizens who lost their lives during their battle with mental disorders and/or substance use disorders and whose memories live in almost every citizen’s heart, in each family tree, in our community memories, or in our nation’s collective memory.

It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a person in long-term recovery, family or community members remain to honor the memory of their departed comrade. The Commander-in-Chief earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but communities and individuals will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

Hear ye, Hear ye:

Whereas our current understanding of our Nation’s War on Drugs is that it has been damaging our country since its declaration in 1971;

Whereas our nation lacks broad understanding and community surrounding issues of physical, emotional and mental safety and wellbeing;

Whereas mental and/or substance use disorders often show up in multiple diagnoses for the same person;

Whereas we do not yet fully appreciate the stories which have been being created in the lives of individuals, their families, their communities and their environment;

I do declare that a new day has come for our nation.

Another voice of remembrance is needed to bring deeper understanding, healing and connection as citizens and neighbors.

This national voice of remembrance is needed because:

 I believe those who lost their lives during their battle with mental disorders and/or substance use disorders are veterans of our great nation;

I believe their journey of recovery was personal, though it draws upon common needs and principles to support a life in recovery;

I believe their recovery was a process of change through which individuals are improving their health and wellness, living a self-directed life, and striving to reach their full potential;

I believe their battle was daily, overcoming and managing their disease(s) or symptoms, … making informed healthy choices that support physical and emotional wellbeing;

I believe their battle has been having ripple effects into our families, communities and society at large; like an iceberg approaching our nation’s shores, we must seek to more fully understand the full impact the adverse effects of these diseases are having on our society.

In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but communities and individuals will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

Background & Supporting Concepts

Recovery, Recovery Coaches and the War on Drugs

Those with substance use disorders in particular have been been fighting their own personal battle on a larger national battleground, created when President Nixon declared our nation’s “War on Drugs.”

In recent years, the “War on Drugs” has been declared a failure and arguably shut down. In recognizing its failure, our leaders are shifting the conversation to one where we focus on recovery. Our current “drug czar” is trying to shed that label from his role, replacing it by “recovery czar.”

Likewise, we need to help at a community level to shift the conversation to one of recovery as well.

Recovery is seen to more holistically help to people reach their full potential, much like the approach a life coach might take with someone. Many states, including Indiana, now offer certified Recovery Coaches – also known as peer recovery support services.

In 2014, President Obama’s Administration issued a national blueprint for drug policy. This Strategy calls for drug policy reform rooted in scientific research on addiction, evidence-based prevention programs, increased access to treatment, a historic emphasis on recovery, and criminal justice reform.

And just last year in 2015, for the first time ever, a person in recovery for substance abuse was appointed as director of our National Drug Control Policy (NDCP), reflecting another shift in how we’re approaching this disease.

On a State Level, one organization that is leading the way in giving a recovery voice at the Indiana Statehouse is Indiana Addictions Issues Coalition, a subsidiary of Mental Health America of Indiana.  They provide strong, consistent and effective advocacy for recovery from both substance abuse and mental health disorders. Learn about their 2016 Legislative Priories and how you can get involved and share your story.

Taking a Leap of Faith: Coming out of the closet

It’s time for more people in long-term recovery to come out of the closet… We’re hurting our own cause, our own acceptance, our own sense of shame.

Building on its success and our collective understanding of the twelve step recovery movement, thinking up until recently is largely steeped in the experience  of the twelve step recovery movement. One can not argue “the steps” have helped millions of individuals recover their lives and their personal self-worth. However, recent thinking and research is helping us see the limitations of anonymity-based personal growth.

The “secrecy” around “the rooms” fuels shame and does nothing to help improve public opinion or to reduce the societal stigma of being of suffering from a substance use or mental disorder. The traditions and steps, as many understand or interpret them, strongly discourage “coming out” in public as someone in recovery for some very important and historically valid reasons. However, we’ve not made as much ground as other sub-cultures who have been wrestling with inadequate civil rights. Some or our “sister movements” are not as old as the Twelve Step movement that started in the 1930’s.  We’re already seeing that we can find language to tell our story that both honors the traditions of the twelve steps while giving a “face and voice” to recovery.  If we look to some of these other movements for ideas along with the current shifts in thinking, I believe we can make much more tangible and long-lasting changes, building on the work already done by many, which I’ve tried to include generously herein as links.

The Cost of Anonymity

To understand how much this culture of anonymity is hurting us, one only has to look at the gay rights civil movement. It started to gain momentum in the late 1950’s with the Cooper’s Donuts Riot, gaining its long-term momentum in the late 1960’s with the Stonewall Riots.

The journey of LGBTQ citizens, from the shadows of our psych wards, through the Stonewall riots, to current day is a powerful “rise to inclusion,” though like any civil rights movement, change is slow and unpredictable.  But, hindsight gives us hope and encouragement that we are making a difference, one closet at a time.

Men and women who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered are now visible and recognized in the US by most major church denominations; we are sitting in the boardrooms of major corporations; we are running local “mom and pop” cakeries and bakeries. More importantly, for many reasons including changes in laws by Cities, States or at a Federal level, we are clearly seeing changing attitudes towards gay marriage.

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Support and Opposition Trends: Same-Sex Marriage in the US

 

How would this “trend” data look for:

Understanding the Disease, Recognizing Heroes, Finding a Cure

Like any disease, mental disorders and/or substance use disorders do not define individuals, their limitations nor their successes. Much like veterans returning from combat, their recovery is a process.

Like any disease, our understanding and knowledge of its causes, symptoms, treatment methods grows with science and technology. We use that to improve prevention, diagnos(es) better treatment(s) and better quality of life for those living with the disease.

But on a larger scale, our Nation’s “War on Drugs” did more harm in the long run. Our country owes these veterans both recognition for their service, along with a new national focus on finding cures for these chronic conditions. Similar to finding the cure for cancer or HIV/AIDS, there are two sides to this “holy grail.”^^^

The Federal organization that is very much leading the way and setting the tone for behavioral health care and recovery is SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). SAMHSA has developed a working definition and set of principles for recovery. A standard, unified working definition will help advance recovery opportunities for all Americans, and help to clarify these concepts for peers, families, funders, providers, and others. Their Recovery Pamphlet can be found here, including a working definition of recovery and “10 Guiding Principles of Recovery.”

In addition to these efforts, I agree with SAMSHA’s position in their Recovery Pamphlet that we  must also continue to work to expand health insurance coverage for treatment and recovery support services.  I also believe we need to overhaul our healthcare system, and continue to expand the concepts of access started in 2010:

Telling Our Story: Advocacy with Anonymity

Through community events, workshops, celebrations and an endless number of possibilities for communities and individuals to lead change, we need:

How can we stand up for our rights while honoring the anonymity tradition of our twelve-step groups?  This is a great publication (Indiana) with practical information, tips and resources. (click link or thumbnail below)

Screen Shot 2016-05-29 at 8.59.07 PM

 

Footnotes and References

* – well, if you listen to something with more content like via our public airways like PBS – whether through TV, radio, podcasts, video blogs, – or my new favorite, Ted.Com (an app on many smart TV’s)

** -in line with how similar holidays are defined, but not to be confused with Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, Labor Day, etc.

*** – another thought would be to combine this into one declaration. It recognizes those who lost their lives because of the diseases of mental health and addiction. We honor these heroes and veterans because they somehow maintained hope, connection, and meaning in their lives in spite of and often because of their illness(es). They were able, in their own way, to celebrate their autonomy, their own beauty, and their sense of belonging and contribution to life. Their legacy inspires us to create places of belonging with safety on all levels (physical, emotional, sexual, spiritual, emotional). These micro-communities create connection, interdependence, meaning and autonomy. They practice compassion, hospitality, inclusion and empathy as a way of encouraging reflection, trust, self respect, and self-expression.

 

^ – Wikipedia’s definition of veteran is broadly

“A veteran (from Latin vetus, meaning ‘old’)[1] is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field.[2]” (source link)

It goes on to only further define military veterans vs. war veterans, and military conflict vs. wars. This helps to understand the complex layers – and we’re potentially going to add another one. But, is that any different than these rare but otherwise great examples to follow, where elected or appointed leaders have stepped in and made a declaration on behalf of the nation, to find connection, vulnerability, and healing but focuses uniquely on military veterans. In this same sense, Recovery Veterans become another way to further refine the broad term we use as “Veterans.”

This page refers to military veterans, i.e., a person who has served or is serving in the armed forces. Those veterans that have had direct exposure to acts of military conflict may also be referred to as war veterans (although not all military conflicts, or areas in which armed combat takes place, are necessarily referred to as wars).

^^ I give credit to a lot of content I’m quoting from SAMHSA’s Working Definition of Recovery. They make this an many other useful tools available at a price and/or free of charge. They do require you create a login name/password to use their store. For that reason, I can’t provide a “working link” to their password-protected documents. They will link properly once you create a login and stay logged into their site while clicking any links in my blog.

^^^ – Let’s not kid ourselves.  Having worked for 19 years for a Pharmaceutical company at a mid-level global management position, I never even heard an inkling or whisper of what is on everyone’s mind:

“how do pharma companies rig the game so cures are funded half-seriously purely for good-will, knowing full well that Pharma’s income stream and high profits are because of the free range they have on pricing in the US? We are the last major (or probably minor!) country that does not regulate human and animal pharmaceutical pricing. “

In that world, they have massive incentives:

  • to focus on medications that provide patient relief from chronic symptoms
  • to find better treatments for known diseases
  • to create medical need – creating medical support for new treatable conditions, which of course require the discovery of new medicines to treat their symptoms

All of this is threatened by a single cure.

I’m working on a time-value of money decision analysis tool that helps calculate hypothetical but representational samples of a product’s unit cost combined with various pricing strategies, and using this “NPV” or “EVA” calculation to compare to a representational sample of bring a vaccine or cure to market.  I think this will explain why Pharma companies don’t ever have to “whisper” their evil plan. Good decision analysis for their projects will implicitly kill the “cure option.”  But, just like valuing the “do nothing” option, our FDA must ask Pharma companies to show their analysis BEFORE approving new symptom-based options (when one or more viable options are on the market.”)