Ned Wicker - Articles

Many Theories for Causes of Drug Addiction

It has always fascinated me that people of good will, people of letters, qualified people who study and earnestly try to understand the nature of addiction, can so often completely disagree with each other. Is drug addiction caused by a human being’s response to pain? Is it genetic? Is it socio-economic? Is it caused by a lack of love? Read

By: Ned Wicker | 04/05/2008 | Diseases & Conditions

Easy Access

“Kevin” was a registered nurse and participating in a short-term out-patient recovery program. Unlike many people who come into rehab, Kevin knew he had a problem, knew that the problem was left unchecked it would likely ruin his family life, his career and he was highly motivated to do his part. Read

By: Ned Wicker | 04/05/2008 | Health

Success is Addictive

The starting of Spring Training activities in Florida and Arizona were over shadowed by the recent testimonies before a congressional committee by Major League Baseball superstar Roger Clemens and his former trainer Brian McNamee concerning the Mitchell Report findings of steroid use. Read

By: Ned Wicker | 09/04/2008 | Baseball

God Bless the “bad Guy”

When it comes to delivering a message, or taking even the most appropriate and necessary action, nobody really likes to be the “bad guy.” Read

By: Ned Wicker | 09/04/2008 | Divorce

12-steps Without God?

I recently encountered a devout atheist during a drug and alcohol spirituality group at a rehabilitation center. The one-hour session is intended to be an introduction to the spiritual aspects of recovery, centered on 12-Step, and not a religious lecture. From the start, he communicated his lack of enthusiasm. Read

By: Ned Wicker | 09/04/2008 | Addictions

Legal But Potentially Deadly!

When people think about drug overdoses, they immediately think about illegal drugs, but the recent news about the untimely death of actor Heath Ledger certainly illustrates what can happen when legal drugs are abused. Read

By: Ned Wicker | 09/04/2008 | Movies

Popping Pills

“Judy” was participating in a long-term residential drug treatment program, and was three months into a six-month scheduled stay. He had sustained an injury to her right knee, which required a surgical intervention. The surgery, which was supposed to fix the problem, only made her life worse, as her mobility and the accompanying pain made routine movement a painful experience. Read

By: Ned Wicker | 08/04/2008 | Spirituality

Graduation Day?

Why is drug addiction recovery SO difficult? "Graduation Day?" explores this problem from a family prespective. Read

By: Ned Wicker | 26/03/2008 | Addictions

Drug Addiction is a Disease

Admitting that drug addiction is a disease seems trite on the surface, but people look at drug addiction differently than they view heart disease, or cancer, or the common cold. There is always blame attached to drug addiction. There is always an accusatory finger to be pointed at the one who suffers from drug addiction disease. Read

By: Ned Wicker | 20/03/2008 | Addictions

Who Knew This Would Happen?

This is a story about a beautiful, bright and intelligent girl. She was the best player on her eighth grade basketball team and she appeared to have all of the requisite talent to excel in high school and perhaps earn an athletic scholarship. But she never went out for the high school team. “Too much time commitment” was her reasoning and she never played again. Read

By: Ned Wicker | 16/03/2008 | Teenagers