A new meta-analysis of studies looking at depression and alcohol cast doubt on self-medication theories: The analysis revealed that the presence of either disorder doubled the risks of the second disorder...evidence suggests that the most plausible causal association between AUD and MD is one in which AUD increases the risk of MD, rather than vice … Continue reading Depression and Alcohol
Category: Controversies
The Suboxone “Solution”
The Fix has a provocative article on the growing use of buprenorphine maintenance. Over the last several years we've watched long-term maintenance become the norm and it has been a growing concern at Dawn Farm, particularly as we've had growing numbers of people misusing the drug and others seeking help getting detoxed from buprenorphine. She … Continue reading The Suboxone “Solution”
Recovery for me but not for thee?
PeaPod puts his finger on a very important question: Why is it that doctors turn away from an evidence-based intervention – one they are happy to prescribe to patients – and go for a route where the evidence base appears less robust? Why are they afforded access to residential treatment of reasonable duration and intensity … Continue reading Recovery for me but not for thee?
The best we can do?
“If you want to treat an illness that has no easy cure, first of all, treat them with hope.”—George Vaillant This is so heartbreaking. Communities should distribute naloxone to inmates as they leave prison? Really? I've grown so weary of the trite responses like, "You can't recover if you are dead." Of course it's true, … Continue reading The best we can do?
Drug Courts – There ARE Practice Guidelines
Recently, there has been a flurry of drug court criticism. This post points out that there is a model for drug courts and that much of what's been criticized are deviations from the model. Calling for the end of drug courts or dramatic reductions in their use is a little like calling for the end … Continue reading Drug Courts – There ARE Practice Guidelines
Drug Courts Are Not the Answer?
The Drug Policy Alliance has a new paper that characterizes drug courts as a failure and advocates abandoning them for all but the most serious cases. I often disagree with the DPA, but this time I feel a little disappointed. Basically, they poke holes in the arguments that drug courts are an effective alternative to … Continue reading Drug Courts Are Not the Answer?
Where’s your evidence?
PeaPod has a great post challenging evidence-based practices as a basis for harm reduction Now I’m pretty convinced by the wealth of evidence on methadone prescribing. It saves lives. But I’m always asking compared to what? No treatment? Of course. Stand alone detox? I shudder at the thought. But has anyone designed a study comparing … Continue reading Where’s your evidence?
Positive liberty and addiction
I saw a Facebook comment today referencing "freedom to" and "freedom from". It got me thinking about positive and negative liberty and harm reduction.Negative liberty is the absence of obstacles, barriers or constraints. One has negative liberty to the extent that actions are available to one in this negative sense. Positive liberty is the possibility … Continue reading Positive liberty and addiction
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