Category Archives

Research

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Shame, Alcoholism, Stigma, and Suicide

By Kristance Harlow | April 29, 2022 |
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Conventional addiction treatment suggests we have to let people hit rock bottom before we can help them. But what happens if rock bottom is dying from suicide?

woman with half face as mirror of man

Alcohol and Rape Prosecutions: Consent, Intoxication, and Memory

By Kristance Harlow | April 29, 2022 |
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Victim blaming is a defense mechanism for bystanders to feel safe by falsely imagining that it “could be avoided if…” or “that can’t be the real story.” Content Warning: discussions of sexual assault In allegations of sexual assault, if there are no physical injuries and a lack of DNA evidence, the court of public opinion…

woman walking up stairs

Can 12-Step Programs Treat Dual Diagnoses?

By Kristance Harlow | November 23, 2019 |
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Effective treatment needs to include both the substance use disorder and the co-occurring disorder in an integrated approach because the two conditions build on each other.

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How Does AA Work? A Review of the Evidence

By Kristance Harlow | March 4, 2019 |
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AA is cloaked in misconceptions and mysticism: a society of “former drunks” who tout spirituality as a means to cure the chronic, genetic, and life-threatening disease of alcoholism.

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Addiction or Mental Illness: Which Should You Treat First?

By Kristance Harlow | March 4, 2019 |
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Substance use can alter behaviors, moods, and personalities so severely for people with addiction that without specialized knowledge and experience, it’s difficult to determine underlying causes such as mental illness or trauma.

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Retracting Allegations of Abuse is Not Proof – Trauma and Memories

By Kristance Harlow | June 20, 2017 |
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Retracting an abuse allegation is not proof that the abused is lying or that the alleged abuser is innocent. Rape is amongst the most underreported crimes. Victims face enormous obstacles in the aftermath of rape. Not the least of which is deciding whether or not to contact the police. The justice system is designed to be a hostile…

Medical Disorders: The Social Component

By Kristance Harlow | July 9, 2013 |
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“It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” [Jiddu Krisnamurti] Have you ever gone to the doctors having already self-diagnosed yourself? Do you ever find yourself suggesting which medication to go on to your doctor? Maybe you are very aware of your body and take control of your own…

Consumerism and Dissatisfaction: America’s Addiction

By Kristance Harlow | July 4, 2013 |
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One major thing that defines contemporary postmodern society, aka us internet using, eBay shopping, Facebooking, Tweeting peeps (get it? tweeting by peeps…because peeps are little marshmallow birds…harhar), is consumerism. We love to buy. Buy buy buy. In today’s society the individual is manipulated to desire, value, and purchase objects. Consumerism is about more than acquiring…

How Pharmaceutical Companies Sell Diseases

By Kristance Harlow | June 29, 2013 |
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What is Disease Mongering? Do you have a headache? Take some Ibuprofen. Stomach upset? Take a TUMS. Are you lactose intolerant? Eat dairy and just take a lactose pill. Have you been feeling down lately and watching a lot of TV because you feel sad? There’s a pill for that! A lot of money is…

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. The numbers listed here are the commonly used numbers for the stated region, the numbers can vary greatly depending on where you live. If you don't know your country's equivalent to 911, this wiki page and The Lifeline Foundation have comprehensive listings.

Americas

911

The Americas

Europe

112

Europe

Africa

112 & 999

Africa

Asia

112, 999, 110

Asia

Oceania

112, 911, 999, 111, & 000

Oceania

Find help for a crisis by texting, calling, or chatting online with these free crisis organizations. Looking for one outside of the USA? Check out our support listings.

Crisis Text Line
Text: “HOME” to 741741

Suicide Lifeline
Text: “ANSWER” to 839863
Call: 1-800-273-8255

Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453

The Trevor Project
Text “START” to 678678
1-866-488-7386

These online and international resources may help you anywhere you are located. Looking for local support outside of the USA? Check out our support listings.

DV Support Abroad
Call toll-free worldwide
1-833-723-3833

I'm Alive Virtual Crisis Center
Live chat with trained volunteers

Crisis Connections
24/7 crisis support with interpretation in 155+ languages