From Robert DuPont, MD: Substance abuse treatment is committed to abstinence from nonmedical drug use. Yet, continued nonmedical drug and alcohol use and relapse are so common that they are often defined as part of the disease itself. A “new paradigm” for care management has been pioneered over the past four decades by the state … Continue reading A New Paradigm for Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Category: Policy
PROMETA ineffective…duh
PROMETA as been demonstrated to be the sham we all knew it was. Keith Humphreys offers a brief history of the "treatment" and some lessons: ...when the next wonder drug for addiction comes along (and it will), we must not yield to our powerful collective desire to believe before we have hard evidence of effectiveness … Continue reading PROMETA ineffective…duh
Everyone deserves a second chance
Reihan Salam directs us to this speech given by prominent Republican Chris Christie. What's so compelling is that this is a tough on crime speech by a rising and influential Republican governor who resume includes having been a prosecutor and he calls for diversion, compassion and treatment for addicts: At the same time, let us reclaim the … Continue reading Everyone deserves a second chance
Missing the point
The American Journal of Public Heath (behind a paywall) has a new study looking at 2 year trajectories of residents in a "wet shelter". The found that the residents reduced their drinking by 40%. Reducing drinking in these cases is a very good thing. To me, there are several important questions but the first might … Continue reading Missing the point
Top Posts of 2011 #1 – 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 Top Posts of 2011 #1 – The Suboxone “Solution”
Towards a smarter drugs policy
The new issue of the Lancet focuses on drug policy. One piece offers key points for formulating policy: Drug policy should aim to promote the public good by improving individual and public health, neighbourhood safety, and community and family cohesion, and by reducing crime. The effectiveness of most drug supply control policies is unknown because … Continue reading Towards a smarter drugs policy
Overdosing on extremism??
Kevin Sabet wrote an op-ed calling for more attention to centrists in drug policy discussions. ACCORDING to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control, drug overdoses have increased almost six-fold in the last 30 years. They now represent the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, having overtaken motor vehicle accidents … Continue reading Overdosing on extremism??
Med Shortages Not Limited to Adderall
Over the last year, there have been several articles and posts howling that drug warriors (a group I have no interest in defending) are harming patients by creating shortages of Adderall. It struck me as possible, but also as an awfully simple and convenient narrative for writers with a particular point of view on drug policy matters. … Continue reading Med Shortages Not Limited to Adderall
Top Posts of 2011 #7 – Marijuana inc.
Keith Humphreys on what a legalized marijuana industry would look like: If the U.S. legalized marijuana today, those now fading cultural meanings would not rule the day, capitalism would. Cannabis would be seen as a product to be marketed and sold just as is tobacco. People in the marijuana industry would wear suits, work in … Continue reading Top Posts of 2011 #7 – Marijuana inc.
What Vietnam Taught Us
I've noticed an uptick in book, news and blog references to heroin addiction among returning Vietnam vets. (A Google news search suggests that this perception is accurate. I suspect it's because it offers a narrative that's consistent with the current monoculture.) It's claimed that this offers important lessons about addiction and behavior change. In May of … Continue reading What Vietnam Taught Us
Recovery Review 