In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #5. 5) What were the study methods? There are many approaches used in SUD research and each approach offers advantages and disadvantages … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 6)
In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #4. 4) What outcomes did the study measure? (How did they define success?) Outcomes measured in research do not necessarily correspond well … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 5)
For addiction professionals and recovery support specialists who daily witness this struggle between freedom and possession, we should never forget that addiction and recovery are measured not in the absolutes of either/or but in devolving and evolving degrees of lost and regained freedom. For those professional helpers who have never experienced such loss of control … Continue reading Sentences to ponder
In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #3. 3) How long was the study? Robert DuPont once observed, “The most striking thing about substance abuse treatment is the mismatch … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 4)
A couple days ago, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. As if to drive the point home, I just saw a tweet by an advocacy group demanding access to "science-based treatment." That sounds great, … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 3)
Yesterday, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. 1) What is the treatment or intervention being studied? It’s important to pay close attention to the intervention being studied. It is common for news reports about … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 2)
Reading about addiction and recovery can be overwhelming and confusing. Media reports and experts often make strongly worded statements that are contradicted by statements from other media sources and experts. Other times, they seem to negate or minimize the lived experience of people with drug or alcohol problems and their families. For example, it's very … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 1)
Fortunately, there's been growing concern that advocates, policy makers, and media have to narrowly focused on the opioid crisis. Up to this point, it hasn't reached the level of media coverage. USA Today is one of the first to publish an article that explores the limitations of the nation's focus on opioid treatment and recovery: … Continue reading What we miss when we focus on opioid treatment and recovery
(Nora Feddal) Anyone who knows me would know that crossfit.com is not a typical news source for me. In fact, when this story was sent to me, I started from a place of skepticism. However, this story about opioid manufacturers pouring money into NIH provides all the receipts. The story explains everything clearly and provides … Continue reading NIH takes pharma dollars despite advisory committee recommendations
A new study on initiation of buprenorphine maintenance was just published. The press release describes the intervention as an alternative to "revolving door" detox and relapse cycles: "patients who start long-term buprenorphine treatment at a detox program, instead of going through detox and getting a referral for such treatment at discharge, are less likely to … Continue reading Initiating buprenorphine treatment during short‐term inpatient ‘detoxification’
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