I'm not, in any way, against efforts to develop pharmaceutical treatments for addiction. However, I'm of the opinion that there is a culture problem among researchers and some members of their universe. Does any serious, knowledgeable person with an eye toward practice believe that a stimulant drug is going to be an effective treatment for alcoholism? Yet, … Continue reading WTH?!?!? (What the heck)
Tag: science
Suboxone Strategy: Protecting Patients Or Profits?
I'm a little late on posting this one, but it still seems worth sharing. Reckitt Benckiser has decided to pull Suboxone tablets from the market. Why? It's an evidence-based decision and an expression of their desire to be a good corporate citizen and their concern for children. Late last month, Reckitt Benckiser created a stir … Continue reading Suboxone Strategy: Protecting Patients Or Profits?
Acomprosate – A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Recently published and found no "evidence of efficacy for acamprosate compared to placebo". However, "A goal of abstinence was significantly associated with improved drinking outcomes". Efficacy of Acamprosate for Alcohol Dependence in a Family Medicine Setting in the United States: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Background Acamprosate has been found to enhance rates of complete … Continue reading Acomprosate – A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Following alcoholics for decades
McLeans has an interesting interview with George Vaillant about, "the surprising things you find out about people if you follow them for long enough." What's so different and interesting about this study is that it followed the subjects for decades from a pretty young age. Their subjects were college sophomores when the study began and … Continue reading Following alcoholics for decades
Correlation does not equal causation
On the oft used phrase, "correlation does not equal causation": The correlation phrase has become so common and so irritating that a minor backlash has now ensued against the rhetoric if not the concept. No, correlation does not imply causation, but it sure as hell provides a hint. Related articles Correlation, Causation and Internet Comments (boingboing.net) The History … Continue reading Correlation does not equal causation
Beware of misleading headlines
A new article discussing the expanding use of medications in addiction treatment has the following sub heading: Experts are pushing for a truly medical approach to treating addiction as a disease rather than relying solely on longtime unproven therapies like 12-step programs. Unproven? Twelve Step Facilitation (TSF) is the treatment of choice for addicted physicians and they … Continue reading Beware of misleading headlines
Prohibition strikes back
InSite, Vancouver's safe injection center has formed an alliance with residents in a retirement home to lobby for exemptions from the non-smoking policy of a shared funding source. Ironies abound.
Gateway Theory Revisited
Keith Humphreys on findings that link marijuana, tobacco and alcohol use with opiate use: The researchers used data from 2006 to 2008 from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual study representative of the U.S. population, to study 18- to 25-year-olds’ drug use behavior. They found that 12 percent … Continue reading Gateway Theory Revisited
Methadone’s cognitive effects
Another study on methadone's cognitive effects: In one study, on the day after the last exposure to methadone, there was a significant reduction (around 70 per cent) in the level of a signal molecule which is important in learning and memory, in both the hippocampus and in the frontal area of the brain. This … Continue reading Methadone’s cognitive effects
“Disease” and recovery
“Once I became my diagnosis, there was no one left to recover.” Yesterday's Pat Deegan post led me to Dr. Daniel Fisher's work on mental illness recovery. He promotes an "empowerment" model of recovery that he contrasts with a "rehabilitation" model of recovery. According to this vision, one is capable of recovering from the mental … Continue reading “Disease” and recovery
Recovery Review 