Dawn Farm has seen a marked increase in clients with recent histories of benzodiazepine (drugs like Xanax, Valium and Klonopin) use. These drugs are especially noxious because" it is easy for people to develop physical dependence without realizing it; withdrawal can be dangerous and involves seizures,; more serious withdrawal symptoms often do not begin for … Continue reading “they will panic”
Category: Policy
why economics and addiction do not mix
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. —H. L. Mencken Here, here. Focusing on “how addicts make decisions” is hammering the proverbial nail in sideways.... And so, I kindly ask economics to stop trying to figure out what sort of logic addicts use. It acts as though thoughtful, tailored decision-making … Continue reading why economics and addiction do not mix
Drug courts are not THE answer?
The Stranger examines the Drug Policy Alliance's criticism of drug courts: "Drug Courts Are Not the Answer," blares the cover of a 28-page critique released in March by the Drug Policy Alliance. A similar critique, released this year by the Justice Policy Institute, declares that the American system for dealing with drug abuse is "addicted … Continue reading Drug courts are not THE answer?
Michigan marijuana dispensaries must close?
New ruling on medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan: Medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan may have to close their doors after a potentially far-reaching court decision Wednesday declared Compassionate Apothecary in Mt. Pleasant a public nuisance. The unanimous ruling by the three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeals was declared a statewide precedent by Attorney … Continue reading Michigan marijuana dispensaries must close?
ASAM’s definition. Utterly new?
Addiction Doctor offers a response to criticism of the new ASAM definition of addiction. First, on the issue of stigma being reinforced by the "brain disease" message: Ms Szalavitz misses the internal inconsistency in the data that stems from the “old” definition of addiction. Until ASAM’s new definition, every biological explanation of addiction as a whole or divided … Continue reading ASAM’s definition. Utterly new?
Will the truth hurt?
Keith Humphreys offers a personal anecdote to illuminate what we know and don't know about addiction: For a brief period of my life, I consumed far more opioids than the most hardened heroin addict. After a freak injury that left me with my femur broken into two jagged pieces that spiraled past each other, shredding … Continue reading Will the truth hurt?
Pot=child abuse or neglect?
I hope there's more to the story in these cases and child welfare's reaction is not as stupid as this article makes it sound: The police found about 10 grams of marijuana, or about a third of an ounce, when they searched Penelope Harris’s apartment in the Bronx last year. The amount was below the legal … Continue reading Pot=child abuse or neglect?
Drug courts reduce drug use, reduce crime and save money
Remember this Spring's reports that drug courts don't work? Well, a large study concludes the following: The most extensive study of drug courts—a five-year examination of 23 courts and six comparison jurisdictions in eight states—found that these court programs can significantly decrease drug use and criminal behavior, with positive outcomes ramping upward as participants sensed their judge … Continue reading Drug courts reduce drug use, reduce crime and save money
Addiction redefined
The American Society of Addiction Medicine has issue a new definition of addiction. The short version good, but the long version is REALLY good. Here are some of the new elements, some of them are followed by my responses: Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Nothing new … Continue reading Addiction redefined
Use of diverted buprenorphine
A very interesting CESAR Fax this week. They report on a study finding that 69% of non-injection drug users surveyed reported using buprenorphine (Suboxone) to get high, while 32% of injection drug users surveyed reported using it to get high. I think that both numbers are high enough to raise concern, but the difference in … Continue reading Use of diverted buprenorphine
Recovery Review 