http://live.sensibly.org/ Abstinence, moderation, and harm reduction]]> en-us 2005-04-26T21:10:02-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2005/04/26/stillhere/ Nope, the Live Sensibly site is not dead, contrary to all outward appearances. About Steve 2005-04-26T21:10:02-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/12/22/keepon/ I’ve been trying to rev myself up to put fresh stuff out there (at my site), but life has been crazy work-wise (I’m getting incredibly positive recognition for what I’ve done lately, while being paid a fraction of the value of the results I’ve produced… but millions of folks know ... Journeys Steve 2004-12-22T19:50:17-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/09/03/hyperbole/ Overheard on a non-fake newscast tonight: …former President Clinton, whose addiction to fast food is well known… One more sign of cultural schizophrenia about enjoying the simple pleasures of life, eh? The disease model: Coming soon to whatever you enjoy most! Odds-n-Ends Steve 2004-09-03T21:28:22-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/31/martin/ Martin, a 30-something guy in the vicinity of Manchester, England, has been writing a diary of his journey with alcoholism since October, 2002. He has mentioned his drinking history prior to getting inpatient treatment in June 2002, but not dwelt not on it. Dire circumstances precipitated the hospitalization, which led ... Journeys Steve 2004-08-31T02:58:30-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/23/horse/ This just in from Latvia: Police in eastern Latvia were trying to determine Wednesday what charges to bring against a drunken horse-and-buggy driver who caused a drunken motorist to crash into a ditch, flipping his car. Nobody hurt, the car driver fined and license revoked, but Latvian law doesn’t criminalize ... Odds-n-Ends Steve 2004-08-23T20:45:12-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/23/nal/ Dean Esmay links to an article which reviews current and developing drug therapies. One of the drugs, Naltrexone (Nal), has shown promise both for folks seeking to abstain permanently as well as those who are drinking moderately or working toward a moderate drinking goal. Julie R., a Moderation Management member, ... Journeys Steve 2004-08-23T10:12:11-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/22/joe6pack/ Keith Emerich has bounced in and out of the news in recent weeks. His physician contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to identify Emerich as having a condition that could impair his ability to drive safely. Radley Balko has also tracked the story. The condition which the law requires ... Town Square Steve 2004-08-22T22:47:00-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/20/rrci/ “I hate A.A.!” Jay Stahl hears that from time to time as an addictions counselor, but his clients learn it’s no way to bond with him. “Be specific” is his reply. “Let&#8217... talk about what works or doesn’t work for you about A.A.” If the client has attended A.A. meetings ... What Works Steve 2004-08-20T20:14:43-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/16/ronkainen/ I love Toddorado’... style: Scene: A smoky pool room at a local neighborhood bar. Cigarette, Bourbon, Beer and Sinatra Tunes are shooting a game of doubles Cigarette: (oddly enough, smoking a cigarette) Hey guys! How long has Coffee been missing? There were five of us here, even though you guys, ... Odds-n-Ends Steve 2004-08-16T09:23:12-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/16/naperville/ Last year, the Naperville Illinois City Council attached penalties to an ordinance prohibiting under-21 folks from attending parties where alcohol was served. From an article by Anna Johnson in the Chicago Sun-Times: Naperville … already prohibited minors from attending drinking parties, but last year the City Council changed the wording ... Town Square Steve 2004-08-16T06:56:53-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/16/notvapor/ Can internet-based contacts really make a difference once folks walk away from their keyboards? They did for me in 2000 when I connected with other folks from Moderation Management (MM). During my first period of abstinence, I reported my challenges and discoveries to my friends in the group. Knowing that ... Journeys Steve 2004-08-16T05:16:18-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/15/sticking/ On July 2nd of 2000, I started 30 days of abstinence. With the support of folks in MM, it turned out that having alcohol-free days was kind of freeing, not the burden I had anticipated. Taking my abstinence past the 30-day mark began to appeal to me by the half-way ... Journeys Steve 2004-08-15T14:36:33-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/13/alternatives/ Live Sensibly reader Faith notes that abstinence is her thing but powerlessness is not. (She writes about her life pragmatically, with refreshing transparency — go take a peek.) So, it’s as good a time as any to do a quick review of some of the solidly abstinence-based support out there ... What Works Steve 2004-08-13T13:19:54-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/12/demystifying/ I first connected with Moderation Management (MM) in early June of 2000. In July, eager to test out its 9 Steps, I kicked off a 30-day abs, and ended up extending it past 3 months. One of the concepts I worked through while abstaining was my fear that I’d slip ... Journeys Steve 2004-08-12T19:43:39-05:00 http://live.sensibly.org/2004/08/11/fda/ Recent approval by the Food and Drug Adminstration of Acamprosate to treat alcohol dependence is making its way around the media. The Washington Post runs a short piece by Alicia Ault (free registration required) which includes: Campral appears to work by restoring the balance between excitation and inhibition in nerve ... Town Square Steve 2004-08-11T17:12:59-05:00