Anna David points us toward some positive press for AA. One of the articles focuses on a lecture by Marc Galanter Galanter said that AA uses many of the psychosocial features that operate in any charismatic membership group: social cohesion through attendance at regular meetings; a belief system embodied in the book Alcoholics Anonymous; a behavioral program … Continue reading Thanks for the evidence
Category: Research
Solving the prescription opioid problem
I've posted several times recently on the problem of opioid over-prescription and overdose. Some might assume that I want some regulatory or statutory intervention to address the issue. Truth is, I've got more questions than answers and I would not support a response that forces us to choose between treating pain and preventing addiction and … Continue reading Solving the prescription opioid problem
Overprescription of opioids is bad medicine
Keith Humphreys points out that the problem with the explosion of prescriptions for opioids isn't just addiction and overdose. They are often just not good medicine. Opioids typically have a miraculous effect on acute pain, but this does not necessarily translate to chronic pain relief, particularly as tolerance sets in over time. Even more disturbing, … Continue reading Overprescription of opioids is bad medicine
Less is more – Antipsychotics and Recovery from First-Episode Psychosis
A very interesting finding with profound implications for addicts who experience a psychotic episode. (Particularly since it's so difficult to tease out whether it was substance -induced.) Importance Short-term outcome studies of antipsychotic dose-reduction/discontinuation strategies in patients with remitted first-episode psychosis (FEP) showed higher relapse rates but no other disadvantages compared with maintenance treatment; however, long-term effects … Continue reading Less is more – Antipsychotics and Recovery from First-Episode Psychosis
The surgery was a success, but…
Public health workers are declaring their harm reduction approach a success: Harm reduction — not a war on drugs — has reduced illicit drug use and improved public safety in what was once Ground Zero for an HIV and overdose epidemic that cost many lives, says a 15-year study of drug use in Vancouver's impoverished … Continue reading The surgery was a success, but…
Not available?
Another study finds no benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy and contingency management with opiate replacement treatment. [CORRECTED: See below] Background and aims The Controlled Substances Act requires physicians in the United States to provide or refer to behavioral treatment when treating opioid-dependent individuals with buprenorphine; however no research has examined the combination of buprenorphine with … Continue reading Not available?
Sentences to ponder
...when you try to balance the damage caused by pain against the damage caused by drug abuse, nobody wins. Barry Meier on Fresh Air
Sentences to ponder
without someone like me!?!?!?
Keith Humphreys is pretty great in this interview: Harold Pollack: I should say you've also done some research on AA [Alcoholics Anonymous]. I think some folks would be interested to know that, at least according to your research, AA is actually a pretty impressive intervention in some ways. Keith: Yeah. I don't mind people who are skeptical … Continue reading without someone like me!?!?!?
Drugs + capitalism + innovation = ?
Andrew Sullivan directs us to a story on "dabs", a highly concentrated cannabis product: Most commonly created by a technique in which high quality pot is blasted with butane that is then extracted, these cannabis concentrates approach 70%-to-90% THC. ... Brad Gibbs, of Greenest Green, which has just opened a new state-approved lab in Denver … Continue reading Drugs + capitalism + innovation = ?
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