Shaking the Tree: Time for a new narrative on addiction
In my book, I call for a re-think of the fundamentals of support for severe drug addicts. The approach I developed for my son Hemi and have used since with others, centres around safety (and if necessary containment), compassion, families, and community, aiming to achieve maturity and self-actualize rather than sobriety, and move beyond addiction. I've examined concepts such as 'enabling,' 'tough love' and 'rock bottom' which can both support and worsen recovery. Over a series of blogs I step out this human rights approach, tentatively called Compassionate Leadership, that aims to bring severe addicts home and save lives and restore families.