I think this post downplays the legitimate concerns associated with the explosion in prescription opiate misuse. In a post last week, I said this about prescription opiates: ... they’re the fastest growing segment of the drug problem in the states. And, they’re currently associated with high rates of OD. And, it’s increasingly associated with crime. And, they’ve surpassed marijuana … Continue reading Catching addiction?
Month: June 2011
Few significant differences: Women in AA
In certain circles, it's common to hear professionals and academics claim that 12 step groups are a poor referral option for women and minorities. We've addressed this before and there's little question that women participate and benefit as much or more than men. Here's a new study looking at women in AA. Background: Given the widespread use … Continue reading Few significant differences: Women in AA
Legalization Won’t Kill the Cartels
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. —H. L. Mencken I've always been a little skeptical of arguments that legalizing drugs will end drug related crime as though it's self-evident. This NY Times commentary makes the case that cartels are really organized crime groups and they will just find … Continue reading Legalization Won’t Kill the Cartels
Why Obama’s Deputy Drug Czar Dropped Out
The Fix snagged an interview with Thomas McLellan. It's definitely worth the time it takes to read it. He spends some time discussing the segregation of addiction services, at topic that he and I are not on the same page about. He briefly discusses his reasons for an abstinence orientation (for addicts): Do you expect there will … Continue reading Why Obama’s Deputy Drug Czar Dropped Out
Friendship House Gets a New ‘Recovery Rabbi’
Rabbi Pinson, the Recovery Rabbi for metro Detroit is stepping back from his role. He's been a pretty amazing ally for the recovering community and terrific example for non-recovering clergy. Rather than trying to create his own faith-based recovering community, he focused on enlarging a Jewish tribe within the existing recovering community and serving as a bridge to the … Continue reading Friendship House Gets a New ‘Recovery Rabbi’
The Drug War 40 years later
The LA Times offers a round-up of responses to the 40th anniversary of the drug war. They have been popping up everywhere for the last week and half but I haven't linked to them because they all bemoan the incarceration rate and then argue for legalization. Some give lip service to treatment, but few spend … Continue reading The Drug War 40 years later
Smoking-pill suicides overlooked
Yikes! Hundreds of reports of suicides, psychotic reactions and other serious problems tied to the popular stop-smoking drug Chantix were left out of a crucial government safety review because Pfizer Inc., the drug’s manufacturer, submitted years of data through “improper channels.” Some 150 suicides — more than doubling those previously known — were among 589 … Continue reading Smoking-pill suicides overlooked
The Epidemic of Mental Illness: Why?
CNN.com summarizes a NYT Book Review review of three recent books that challenge conventional wisdom about mental illness. All of the authors of the new books agree on two thought-provoking viewpoints: 1. Our understanding of categories of mental illness and their treatments has been influenced by drug companies, through both legal and illegal marketing. 2. … Continue reading The Epidemic of Mental Illness: Why?
Shaking the neurobiological monkey on the back
More spooky memory research with implications for trauma and addiction: The researchers injected a small protein - a peptide called ZIP - directly into an area of the addicted rats' basal forebrain called the nucleus accumbens, which controls pleasure and reward and which has been demonstrated to be connected to drug addiction. Afterward, the rats … Continue reading Shaking the neurobiological monkey on the back
Tab Dump
Parents of drug addicts need our help - A plea for drug policy depates to consider the needs of parents of addicts. For families carrying the burden of drug dependency, the public and political debate often centres on the rhetoric of how to send the right message to young people. It's an empty argument for those … Continue reading Tab Dump
Recovery Review 