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“Blind Drunk” by Anne Morshead helps others see the signs of an alcohol problem and learn ways to detach with compassion

When a loved one is struggling with an alcohol problem it is natural to think you can help them, even change them. In Anne Morshead’s new book, Blind Drunk she challenges the reader to accept reality, learn how to detach from the other person’s problem and bring the focus back to the self, helping the reader to recover a less stressful and happier way of life.

Written in conversational style, Blind Drunk starts with Morshead’s own experience of this problem, the title being pertinent as her partner is visually impaired. She shares thoughts and feelings whilst exploring her motivations and how she was able to, eventually, alter her behavior. While educating the reader with important information about the drug ethyl alcohol, the book offers a deeper explanation of the situation, leading to peace and constantly giving the reader hope for the future.
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• A toddler without the muscle control to hold her feet on a tricycle’s pedals can now join the other kids zipping around the playground.

• A teenager who cannot move his arms, legs, or trunk is able to play his favorite Bon Jovi album using only a slight movement of his head.

• A boy who couldn’t move on his own drives a wheelchair through his house, delighting his family—and himself.

These life-changing achievements were made possible by the rehabilitation engineering profession, which creates and adapts the equipment that makes much of life possible for people with serious disabilities.

The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh has one of the region’s most robust and creative rehab engineering departments. It is headed by Rehabilitation Engineer Beth Ann Brednich, who works closely with the organization’s expert physical, occupational, and speech therapists to understand each patient’s situation and needs. One child might need to be able to sit upright despite weakness in her trunk muscles. Another might have only limited fine motor control, but might need to control a power wheelchair. A third might need to be able to communicate his needs and desires, despite being able to move only his head.

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By Lily Brindle

Out of every five teenagers in the United States, one of them is abusing prescription drugs.  Could your son or daughter be that one? According to the latest statistics from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, every day, 2,500 teenagers use a prescription drug for the first time to get high. Even more alarming, teenagers are getting these drugs from the comforts of their home—simply by opening a cupboard, drawer or medicine cabinet.

At Gateway Rehab, we treat more than 500 teens (on both an inpatient and outpatient basis) each year, many of whom are addicted to prescription drugs.  Throughout my years working in addiction treatment, I’ve been asked by many individuals, “Why do teens become addicted to drugs and alcohol?”

I believe for many teens, use begins due to a combination of peer influence and a “nothing-can-hurt-me attitude.”  However, for others, alcohol and drug use is a new found way to self-medicate symptoms of depression, anxiety or ADHD or a means to deal with divorce and other family problems.  Yet there is a real danger in using alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism.  If a child learns early on that the use of drugs and alcohol meets an emotional need, a pattern of self-destruction can develop.

In the case of abusing prescription drugs, research suggests that the two key factors prompting misuse among teenagers are the misperception that abusing medication is not harmful and the ease of access to these drugs at home, a friend’s house or the Internet. Among the most frequently abused prescription drugs are painkillers like Vicodin or OxyContin and stimulants such as Ritalin.

Despite these trends, the good news is, as a parent, you can influence your teen’s decision not to use drugs. The majority of teens still report that their parents—not their peers or the media—have the biggest influence on their decision to stay drug-free. Use this influence to talk to your son or daughter about the danger of misusing prescription drugs.



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The Mental Health America (MHA) Allegheny County Web site is designed to be a reliable guide to mental health and wellness. It reflects the new approach of the mental health community to more openly discuss mental health, and the design allows the user to obtain specific information about mental health, mental wellness and MHA.

MHA provides individuals in Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities with a relevant mix of information, referral, advocacy and legal services. We assist indivduals in the recovery process and all of our services are free and confidential. In the video below, MHA staff and partners discuss mental illness and the impact it has on those who suffer from them, and MHAAC’s role in helping the community.

As part of our Drug & Rehab Focus in July, we wanted to draw your attention to recovery schools such as Northshore Recovery High School, outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Students who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction are finding help at special schools where the kids work toward common goals: education, graduation and recovery. Check out the article and video at MSNBC.