Russell Brand's approach to Addiction is Harmful and Misleading Addicts NOT Anonymous Warns

Though the Celebrity advocates More Compassionate Treatment Of Drug Addicts, Addicts NOT Anonymous warns that his Demands for Total Abstinence will do more Harm than Good to Many Addicts Seeking Help

Russell Brand has indeed turned his life around. Not only has he kicked addictions to alcohol, heroin and sex, he now practices and advocates a healthy lifestyle which includes yoga, whole foods, exercise and outreach. In fact, Brand supposedly testified on behalf of addicts before the British Parliament’s Home Affairs Select Committee regarding the UK’s drug policy.

However, it is exactly this testimony that Addicts NOT Anonymous believes Brand gave in a self-serving, self-promoting manor to feed his ego and excuse his former actions.

Though Addicts NOT Anonymous agrees with Brand's belief of addiction being in part a criminal problem, as well as his approach that compassionate treatment could help clean up the streets, even that the current system relies on punitive and “symbolic” approach rather than a “pragmatic” one because many addicts are suffering from much deeper emotional and psychological issues, ANA warns that Brand oversimplifies the problem with his cookie-cutter approach.

Brand seems to have forgotten his former alcohol, heroin and sex addicted self, as well as his numerous run-ins with the police, his 12 arrests or that he was ejected from the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh. Brand may have abstained from drug use since 2002 and is now a patron of the addiction charity Focus 12, he seems to have left those he met along the way laying in their gutters.

The celebrity fails to realize, that just because he was able to abstain from drugs seemingly with little difficulty, other addicts who don't have million dollar resources and rehabs to fall back on may have a harder time with abstinence. 

In his testimony, Brand explained that many addicts are suffering from much deeper emotional and psychological issues, which aren’t addressed by a night in the drunk tank or community service. “For me, taking drugs and excessive drinking were the result of a psychological, spiritual, or mental condition, so they’re symptomatic…. once I dealt with the emotional, spiritual, mental impetus, I no longer felt the need to take drugs or use drugs.”

Good for you, Brand. Good for you. Too bad it isn't quite that simple or nearly that easy for most addicts with no money and little if any resources.

Unfortunately, Addicts NOT Anonymous warns, Russell calls for total abstinence–which includes not providing methadone to addicts, saying it is often used in tandem with other illicit drugs. Methadone and non-abstinence-based recovery can lead to further criminal behavior, Brand claims, because even those users who are being legally given methadone haven’t really made a significant change.

Yet, how would Russell Brand know this? He was never on Methadone or in any non-abstinence-based recovery program.

Not only does research back-up the success of methadone as a treatment aid, I have witnessed its success first hand, having kicked my own heroin addiction with the help of methadone. Though I agree that there are those who abuse the system, which includes abusing methadone, we cannot punish the many addicts who have successfully beaten the odds of addiction with help from methadone, because of some bad-apples who want to get high on anything and everything you set in front of them. I most probably would not be alive today if it wasn't for methadone!

Another issue to examine when considering methadone, is if the addict is living a law-abiding life. Many methadone patients were criminals during their addiction; so as to expect methadone to curb their criminality as well as their addiction seems like asking too much of any medical therapy. Yet that is precisely what happens.

In a study at the Dole-Nyswander program, by The Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs, 91% of the patients had been in jail, and all of them had been more or less continuously involved in criminal activities. Many of them had simply alternated between jail and the slum neighborhoods of New York City. Since entering the treatment program however, 88% of patients show arrest-free records, with over 66% being employed and showing socially acceptable behavior.

An even greater measure of success is the ability to function effectively in the community, such as attending school and get passing grades, to keep house for a family, or to work at a productive job. Here again, the addicts admitted to the methadone maintenance program had many strikes against them. Few had finished high school; few had any training or special skills; Past employment records were poor. At the time of admission to the program, only 15 percent of 723 male addicts had jobs. That a methadone maintenance program should make them employable or educable seemed a most unlikely possibility.

Yet, again, that is exactly what happened. Within three months of starting methadone, more than half of the male addicts were productively employed or attending school. After a year, nearly two-thirds showed changes in employment and in socially acceptable--- that is, arrest-free-behavior over a forty-two-month period.

Brand may have never on methadone, but he does regularly attend AA and NA meetings, which many believe to be addiction in itself. Isn't religiously going to AA or NA meetings everyday vs. taking drugs everyday just trading one addiction for the other? Brand also claims his practice of Transcendental Meditation is a significant factor in his recovery from drug addiction, but again he is just replacing one addiction for another. He could just as well have replaced his drug use with bowling, scrap-booking or gaming. The question is, which addiction is useful vs. harmful. Healthy vs. unhealthy. Good vs. bad. 

Though Addicts NOT Anonymous agrees with Brand that society needs more compassionate treatment of drug addicts and that drug prohibition is not working, ANA believes that the celebrity has done as much harm as good for many addicts seeking recovery. If Brand wants to be the voice of addiction recovery, he needs to advocate more than just compassion, but also practice tolerance, understanding and patience, while honoring the statistics.

Written By: Tom Retterbush
Email: tomretterbush@gmail.com

PS: Try the new Facebook Comment Plugin bellow, where you can now publicly confront me where it will get noticed. Here is your chance to challenge and question me in front of the world.

Addicts NOT Anonymous as an Alternative to AA, NA and other 12-Step Programs

AA and NA in need of Change

Although I received a wide array of praise and support for the recent press-release, Ex-Addict Launches AddictsNOT Anonymous as an Alternative to AA and NA, I was also bombarded with attacks of criticism and hostility by members of AA and NA.  

I never intended Addicts NOT Anonymous to be an alternative program to AA, NA or any other 12 Step Program, just an alternative destination for addicts seeking understanding and recognition, as well as information, tips, tricks and techniques to defeat or deal with addiction.

AA and NA Members React Hostile to Change

One of the main topics of the assault against both Addicts NOT Anonymous and my character, was my harsh criticizing language against the cult-like traditions of AA and NA. Those attacking me cited me calling for understanding, acceptance and tolerance. I guess they didn’t realize that I was referring to the understanding and accepting the addict, not the outdated brainwashing programs of AA and NA. 

Although I am familiar with AA, NA and other 12 Step Programs, the more I looked into their model and those associated with their administration, the more discontent and frustration I encountered.

Indeed, the more I looked into AA and NA in particular, the more people I found who are even publicly opposed the Anonymous Concept. In response to this I wrote an article titled, Are Addicts Ready to Shed their Anonymity and Face Society with their Names?

AA submission to a higher power has broad potential for abuse

Its no secret that the AA focus on submission to a higher power has broad potential for abuse. To accept a higher power, list your shortcomings, make amends with those you harmed and other “steps” of AA and NA are religious programming techniques used by cuts to condition people into doing and behaving a certain way. These brainwashing techniques perfected by the CIA take the addict’s longing for acceptance into a social experience similar to Freemasonry and the Occult.

Many of these practicing AA and NA members who religiously attend daily or weekly meetings, report to a sponsor and religiously work the 12 Steps have merely traded an addiction to alcohol or drugs for an addiction to AA or NA.

Ego is not Evil

Though AA, NA and most of the other 12 Step Programs insist on humility, many hard-core members even going as far as to condemn the ego as evil, I have found that most people need the affirmation and acknowledgement associated with success, thus wanting to attach their names to their achievements, me included.

This doesn’t mean they don’t ever want to do something for someone else without receiving recognition or reward, but sometimes one needs a pat on the back, if for nothing else but to reassure ourselves that we are on the right track.

If people didn’t want rewards, they wouldn’t have invented awards!

As I noted in the About section of the Addicts NOT Anonymous blog, If people didn’t want rewards, they wouldn’t have invented awards!

Anonymity is a Cop-out

By shedding the anonymous, we are now also accountable for everything we do. Which, I believe is the way it should be. And which is also a very important and necessary step in addiction recovery.

Recovering addicts need to face up to their problems and quit hiding behind anonymity, making excuses, instead being accountable with their names, faces and actions.

Drugs don't Cause Addiction, People Do

You can’t hide from your addiction any more than you can hide from drugs. Another point of attack against my character by the AA and NA fanatics was my public outcry for the legalization of drugs.

Drugs don't cause addiction, people do. Nobody has ever become instantly addicted to a drug. There are those who will claim that they took one hit or one shot and were hooked, but they merely liked the feeling so much that they wanted to use the drug again and again. This may be an infatuation, but is still a long way from addiction.

I believe all drugs should be legalized, particularly marijuana, as it would take the criminality out of the equation and stop addicts from being criminals and becoming ex-cons. It would give addicts more incentive and opportunity to get help.

And regardless of legality, I believe it is not the government’s place to dictate what we can and cannot put into our own bodies. There are people that do not like alcohol, but can use drugs recreationally, experimentally, spiritually and medically without ever developing a problem with addiction. Why can those who like alcohol find recreation, relief but not those who would rather smoke a joint or snort a line? If people are allowed to drink alcohol, they should be allowed to use drugs. It’s a matter of personal preference. It is a matter of choice. It’s a matter of freedom!

This should also illustrate to those people in need of enlightenment, complaining about supposed mixed messages of some of the articles on the ANA blog, such as the one explaining how to pass a drug test, why I would rather help an addicts pass a drug test rather than see him or her get in trouble, much less get locked up.

For those of you complaining about the adds, saying I'm doing this for the money, I can only laugh. If I really would pocket the few pennies made from the advertisements on this blog, I think I earned them. Yet I only do it as s service to my readers, trying to provide them what they need at the best prices I can find, while putting every penny back into ANA.  

Now that you know where I, the founder of Addicts NOT Anonymous stand, let me and others involved in ANA help you or your loved one get clean…

If you would like to get involved with Addicts NOT Anonymous, no matter if you would like to help build the projected addictsnotanonymous.org website, help with the planned forum or possible chat-room, by writing articles or submitting stories, or by helping with the always much needed funding, administration and planning, please contact me at tomretterbush@gmail.com

How to Use Addicts NOT Anonymous as an alternative to AA and NA

To use Addicts NOT Anonymous as an alternative to AA, NA or any other 12 Step Program, or to assist with addiction recovery, I suggest you search out the articles posted on the ANA blog that pertain to you and your problem. You will find quite a few helpful articles written by people who have gone through addiction-- and beat it--including yours truly. I suggest you use Categories, such as Recovery Tips, located in the left sidebar.

I also suggest you write your story and submit it for publication on Addicts NOT Anonymous, as to share your experiences with others who may benefit from what you have learned; you will find that sharing is very therapeutic!  

Written By: Tom Retterbush

Email: tomretterbush@gmail.com

PS: Try the new Facebook Comment Plugin bellow, where you can now publicly confront me where it will get noticed. Here is your chance to challenge and question me in front of the world.

In the News: New Pill to Ease Addiction Cravings?

One of the major obstacles to recovery are the cravings

One of the major obstacles to recovery for addicts, whether they are hooked on drugs, alcohol, or both, is handling the cravings that come with not using. In some cases, the cravings are so strong that they outweigh the desire to stop using, making it nearly impossible to live a clean and sober life. However, some doctors are prescribing medication that could effectively reduce – or even eliminate – cravings for alcohol and opiate drugs, like prescription drugs and heroin. 

In clinical trials of the opioid blocker naltrexone, marketed under the names Revia, Depade, and Vivitrol, patients saw a significant reduction in cravings for alcohol, and the effects of opiates were completely blocked by the drugs. Although naltrexone has been used to treat alcohol and drug dependency for some time – it was approved for alcoholism in 1995 – it wasn’t until October 2010 that the FDA approved the use of Vivitrol to treat opiate addiction.

Does it Work?

While scientists do not completely understand how naltrexone blocks alcohol cravings, studies have indicated that patients who take the drug report fewer cravings, fewer drinking days and fewer relapses. It does not block the effects of alcohol, though – meaning that if a patient does slip and drink while taking the drug, he or she will still experience some of the effects of alcohol, although the desire to keep drinking will be significantly reduced.

Studies do show, however, that naltrexone effectively blocks the effects of opiate drugs, making cravings for the drugs nearly nonexistent. Opiate addicts can only take the drug after going through withdrawal, and have gone at least 7-10 days without any opiates in the system. If the patient has opiates in the system, potentially harmful side effects could occur.

It's no Superpill

Naltrexone is not a “magic pill” though. Simply taking a dose will not end chemical dependency forever, without going through the rest of the recovery process. Naltrexone medications are most effective when administered in conjunction with additional physical and psychological treatment, including therapy and rehabilitation services.

The drug also works best when it’s administered in a controlled environment, such as a rehabilitation center or in an outpatient clinic setting, as studies have shown that when addicts attempt to self-administer the drug, they have a higher risk of relapse.

The amount of naltrexone prescribed, and the frequency of doses, varies according to the patient and the addiction being treated.

Studies indicate that alcoholics who take 50mg per day for about three months have the highest level of success. In the case of those addicted to opiates, a more flexible approach to dosing has been proven effective; most patients receive an average of 50mg of naltrexone each day, either administered daily, or in intervals of 100 or 150 mg every 2-3 days. The length of treatment varies according to the individual patient’s rehabilitation progress.

Side Effects

Unlike other drugs used to treat addiction, naltrexone is not habit forming, and stopping the medication suddenly will not cause withdrawal symptoms. In fact, other than the changes in addictive behavior, patients rarely know that they are even taking a drug – and it does not prevent the patient from experiencing pleasure outside of their addiction. Some patients do report side effects, including nausea, headache, fatigue or sleepiness, insomnia and anxiety, and the drug can cause liver damage. Patients considering taking naltrexone undergo extensive medical testing before beginning treatment to rule out liver or kidney problems that could be worsened with treatment. Naltrexone is also unsafe during pregnancy.

Naltrexone is only an effective treatment for – and approved to treat – alcoholism and opiate addiction. It is not an effective part of a treatment plan for addiction to narcotics such as cocaine or methamphetamines.

Battling a drug or alcohol addiction is not an easy fight. No matter how the addict chooses to get sober, the process is long and challenging. Drugs like naltrexone are simply a part of the treatment plan, one designed to improve the chances of success and long-term recovery. Combined with a comprehensive plan to address the psychological issues associated with addiction, proper physical care and behavioral modification and a strong support system, naltrexone-based treatment can help an addict stay on the road to lifelong sobriety.

Written By: Gregg Gustafson

Gregg Gustafson is a freelance writer and consultant for Drug-Rehab.org. Gustafson works with individuals who suffer from alcohol abuse, in turn referring them to some of the most prestige alcohol addiction centers active today.

              Please help circulate this article... go on, click the  f  Like and +1 bellow!

Teenagers in Treatment: A Message for Parents

Teens don't understand how hard some of decisions are that parents have to make. 

When parents make the decision to place their teenager into some type of treatment, it can be a time of relief from what has been happening, but it can also be a time of grief and loss. Once things have settled down at home what is left for the parent is feelings of intense guilt. These feelings can become extremely painful.

Parents have time to start thinking of all the “should have, could have, and wish I would have” done this instead of that.

"If I would have been there more maybe they wouldn’t have needed treatment”. Parents start thinking of all the reasons this has to be their fault.

After the first few months the memories of how out of control your teenager was usually fades. This is when parents begin sending a lot of “stuff” to their teen. Most treatment facilities allow certain items to be sent to the teenagers. This is usually hygiene products, books, shoes, games, and puzzles. Some parents will send items that are approved but when the guilt is extreme the parent will send items that are not approved by the program. This can cause tension between the program and the parents when your teen is not allowed to have these items. When this happens the teenager benefits because teens have a way of figuring out that this can make the program and the parent begin to disagree and then the teen will continue to exploit this type of problem because it could lead to an early discharge. There are also those parents who begin to design their teens’ program. By this I mean, planning hotel and home visits before it’s planned, planning how long each phase of treatment should take their child instead of allowing the professionals to make these decisions. This is when parents will begin to complain about the treatment, staff or therapist.

Once parents begin to see their teenager listening and speaking to them in a civil manner, other thoughts begin to creep in. They tend to go like this, “I don’t know why they need to be there so long”, or “Why does my child seem to have such a hard time with the staff”? Parents begin to question the professionals they hired to help their teen. The memories of their teen fighting, using drugs, failing school, punching holes in walls, and running away or just staying out until they felt like coming home has faded. Parents begin to criticize the facility and the program. Some parents begin to tell the professionals how to do their job even though they have been trained as professionals on how to help at-risk teenagers. Some parents begin to second guess everything the program is doing. One of the hardest parts about sending your teenager to treatment is learning to trust the process. It took many years for your teenager to take on their behavior and it takes time to teach them the tools to live a healthy life.

One of the worst things a parent can do is take their teenager out of treatment before they have finished the program. Generally after a few months parents forget about the chaos and turmoil they were living with while their teen was at home and they start missing them and feeling guilty for sending them away. When this happens parents begin to think about bringing their child home. Parents begin to come up with reasons as to why they need to come home, Some of the reasons are; school is going to start again, summer vacation, holidays, or a family gathering. These reasons feel like valid reasons but generally the root cause is guilt.

Hopefully, your teens’ therapist has been teaching you the phases that happen to a teenager in treatment. In the beginning of treatment we see the disrespect, defiance, attitude, and other behaviors that you as a parent were seeing prior to sending them to treatment. About the middle of the program (4 months), you will begin to see and hear the child you remember, the one you actually liked. They begin to be motivated, have more energy, they can express their goals and dreams, and they are listening and talking more. During the end part of treatment is for practicing and teaching it to newer peers in the program. This allows the teen to internalize these changes, feel comfortable with them self, and gain the self confidence it takes to go home and face old friends.

When a teen is pulled in the middle of their program we generally see them self-destruct. This happens over and over again. When parents see the progress and then decide to bring them home for school, family vacation, or a holiday, generally you will see the teenager do OK at first but generally speaking the teen is not strong enough emotionally or mentally and they begin to spiral out of control usually within the first few months. Generally, the structure from treatment is what is holding your teen together and it takes time for your teen to practice these coping skills and feel confident in continuing these skills when they go home. Teens need time to know they can do this on their own at home.

I have worked with many parents that have pulled their teen before they were clinically ready to go home. Many of these teens were not able to stay strong enough to resist the temptations of their friends. Parents call to find out what else they can do for their teen or end up sending them back to a treatment facility. There have been times when the consequence for the teen ends up in detention or death. These consequences are the extreme.

Part of the process is allowing teenagers’ to work through their issues and learn how to fix their own problems. Parents need to remember that by taking your child early from treatment you have just sent them backward in their progress. Teenagers’ need to learn to solve their problems, and as parents’ you are not helping them by giving them an out. Teens need to take ownership of their life and realize they can achieve what they set their mind too.



As parents’ the best thing you can do is support their decisions whether they are bad or good choices. If your teen is in treatment the best thing a parent can do is let the teen know, you got yourself into treatment now get yourself out of treatment. This allows the teenager to take full responsibility for their life, learn and grow into healthy young adults and regain the confidence they lost. For parents you get to begin to let go and regain the relationship with your child that was lost by their choices and your reactions.

Written By: Kelly Miller

If you would like more information you can purchase my book, When Should You Send Your Teen To Treatment? A Parent Guide, by Kelly Miller MS, on Amazon Kindle or visit my website at www.repairnlife.com to learn more. 

              Please help circulate this article... go on, click the  f  Like and +1 bellow!