Well, this is a first. We got picked up as a guest editor in Recovery Plus. Check it out. They make our content look pretty great.
Sentences to ponder
Evidence-based practice (EBP). What is it? Take a look at the graphic above. According to American Psychological Association and the Institute of Medicine, there are three components: (1) the best evidence; in combination with (2) individual clinical expertise; and consistent with (3) patient values and expectations. Said another way, EBP is a verb. Why then … Continue reading Sentences to ponder
Addiction, harms, and police interaction
Earlier today, Brian Coon posted a list of references from a project on harms of drug use to users. Keith Humphreys just shared a provocative tweet taking a more macro perspective on addition and public policy. https://twitter.com/KeithNHumphreys/status/1187508469458321409
“Harms of Use”: A List of References
In creating a presentation on "Harms of Use", examining problems specific to certain chemicals, and related to various contextual factors including: non-prescription websites, new levels of potency from synthetic derivatives, recreational misuse of psychotropic medications without addiction potential based on novel preparation methods and routes of administration, compounds taken in combination for synergistic effects, availability … Continue reading “Harms of Use”: A List of References
The New Definition of Addiction, and Why it Matters
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) recently released a statement outlining an updated definition of addiction: Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful … Continue reading The New Definition of Addiction, and Why it Matters
A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (wrap up)
We've spent the last week exploring questions intended to help readers evaluate research for themselves. What is the treatment or intervention being studied?Who were the subjects?How long was the study?What outcomes did the study measure? (How did they define success?)What were the study methods?What were the actual findings and does the authors’ discussion accurately represent … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (wrap up)
Getting Back to Some Basics
A Review of Current Talking Points in and Around Recovery Austin McNeill Brown Over the last few years, several talking points have emerged in the addiction and recovery space. Some of these talking points have a degree of legitimacy, some are good intentioned, and others are simply harmful. However, all of them have been formed, … Continue reading Getting Back to Some Basics
A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 9)
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 #6. 8) What questions does the study not answer? No study can answer every question, nor should any study seek to every … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 9)
Peer Support – does it make a difference?
In many places peer support has been integrated into addiction treatment services, often with enthusiasm. What do we know about the effect of peer support though? In my own service, introduction of a structured peer support programme was associated with a sharp increase in retention (treatment completion) rates – but that’s not evidence in the … Continue reading Peer Support – does it make a difference?
“The Big 5” Substance Use Disorder Criteria
Earlier today, Bill Stauffer posted important and interesting content about the elimination of the classic diagnostic categories separating problematic use and addiction, their replacement with a simple list of criteria, and the relative uncertainties associated with the meaning (if any) concerning the number of criteria for SUD that may be met. That post can be … Continue reading “The Big 5” Substance Use Disorder Criteria
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