Melanie* knows there’s nothing in her home or mannerisms that would point to her past. Plainly dressed in khakis and a large grey cardigan, her fine tawny hair pulled back in a loose bun, she fidgets only slightly, running her long fingers heavy with rings repeatedly around her eyes. She doesn’t feel qualified to talk about getting Read more
Susan* bought her 6-year-old son John an iPad when he was in first grade. “I thought, ‘Why not let him get a jump on things?’ ” she told me during a therapy session. John’s school had begun using the devices with younger and younger grades — and his technology teacher had raved about their educational Read more
In 2000 David Wilson QC (now District Court Judge Wilson QC) and I were the lawyers who represented the combined churches of Hamilton (the Catholic Church, Church of the Latter Day Saints, Anglican Diocese and the Islamic Centre) in opposing the granting of a casino licence for the Hamilton Casino. We lost the initial hearing Read more
Brits’ relationship with alcohol has come under the spotlight, with experts calling for warnings on all alcohol – and saying that men in particular refuse to believe the risks. This comes as data shows that millions of middle-aged men drink more than is recommended in new government guidelines – the limit was lowered in January Read more
There is good news and bad news about pornography this week. The bad news is that women are clamouring for a fair share of the porn industry; the good news is that men are deserting that pigsty. These are very broad strokes, but the details are equally disturbing and encouraging. First, the women. It is Read more
What are the most addictive drugs? This question seems simple, but the answer depends on whom you ask. From the points of view different researchers, the potential for a drug to be addictive can be judged in terms of the harm it causes, the street value of the drug, the extent to which the drug Read more
At the beginning of my sophomore year of high school, a close family friend passed away. The day of the wake, I went to school and informed my friend that I was feeling extremely anxious about having to go to one for the first time. That friend handed me two pills, telling me that they Read more
US Catholic leaders working with youth have developed an app to help young people battling with an addiction to pornography. The app, named “Victory”, is based on a calendar system, where the user can mark with colours the days they were victorious over porn or had a setback. White means they were victorious, grey means Read more
What does an alcoholic look like? For years I wouldn’t have said that label had anything to do with me. I am a professional mother of two who grew up associating alcohol with fun. In my early twenties, it’s what marked me out as the archetypal party girl, in my early professional life big nights Read more
I’ve recently discovered that a pornography addiction is now becoming as popular in our modern society as the common cold. It never ceases to swarm around, mercilessly infecting unsuspecting victims. A couple of weeks ago I had a good friend of mine confide in me about her and her boyfriend’s current battles with long term Read more