Overview of Treatment, Brain Area Tied to Problem Gambling
An overview of where treatment is at, and where it might be headed. A recent NBC series featured Tom McLellan, Deputy Director of the government Office of Drug Control Policy. A much respected addiction research psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, he found that treatment in general was in a sorry state, and he founded the non-profit Treatment Research Institute, aimed at developing science-based solutions to addiction. We also look at new research from the University of Cambidge which has identified the insula cortex as being an area where, when its overactive, lead compulsive gamblers to “chase their losses.’
MJ Reports, Legalizing CBD, Mandatory Sentence Attitudes, Phone Apps for Recovery
Reports on medical and recreational marijuana and their business aspects frpm Darryl, who spoke recently at a conference in Hawaii. Utah is in the process of legalizing the medical use of “Charlotte’s Web,” the compound made of non-psychotropic molecules from marijuana. Pew Research released a report showing that public views on mandatory drug sentences have changed, with more than half now saying they should be modified and reduced, and wanting to see more treatment available. A Virginia-based company received FDA approval for an automatic injector of the opioid overdose antidote, naloxone, specifically tested and intended for use by caregivers, family members, or coworkers. And a new smartphone app for alcoholics in recovery, nicknamed A-CHESS, is being being developed and tested by the University of Wisconsin in Madison and others.
Oxytocin
Dr. Inaba; I ran across an article on an oxytocin study <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/274315.php> and it’s relation to addiction development. I wondered what you think about this direction. It seems pretty interesting. Wanda P.S. Our students love Uppers, Downers… — Wanda Urban,
Ibogaine
Dr Inaba This is some information that my marketing guy ran across and I am curious about your opinion regarding using ibogaine in this manner? Your feedback is appreciated. I hope all is well. Looking forward to the summer school
March Madness and Gambling, Oxytocin and Addiction, An Aggressive, Addictive Gene
March Madness basketball excites a lot of people … into gambling – so we talk a bit about sports and gambling. Also the fact that no strata of our society is immune from addiction. The hormone oxytocin is the subject of a new study, correlating its under-development at an early age with addiction. We also discuss other hormones and neurotransmitters that are involved in addiction proclivities. And another gene, which leads people to extremely aggressive behavior, is also correlated to addiction.
What is Addiction?
The recent interview with Columbia psychology professor Dr Carl Hart launched us off into a lively and wide-ranging discussion of – what is an addictive drug, and how do we define addiction. LSD is being studied again as a treatment tool for a number of psychological condition including anxiety. Marijuana stories continue, with more on super-potent forms, like “wax” and also more about the key medicinal component of pot, the CBD molecule. And more about heroin, and the super-powerful designer version, based on the pharmaceutical Fentanyl.
Will new stronger hydrocodone add to opiates/heroin epidemic? The VA and Pain Mgmt, Nicotine as medicine, Tylenol tied to ADHD
Several treatment professionals are so worried about Zohydro, the newly released much stronger opiate, that they are petitioning the FDA to pull it. Also is the VA making more opioid addicts with its approach to pain treatment for soldiers? Some interesting new studies are showing that nicotine can be valuable as a treatment for such conditions as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, ADHD and learning problems. Seminars for marijuana entrepreneur are cropping up, discussing marketing and local laws as well as new extract methods like “wax” which also has the DEA’s attention – its the the latest form of super-powerful THC extract. And one girl scout with a bit of entrepreneurial spirit set up her Girl Scout cooke table outside a medical marijuana dispensary. Her success story went viral!
E-cig Restrictions, Nek-nominate, Winter Olympics, Legalize-Tax-Discourage, Smoking and Mental Illness
Putting e-cigarettes behind the counter and not sold to minors in Cook County, while Chicago has banned e-cig “vaping” wherever cigarette smoking is forbidden. Nek-nominate, popular in UK and Australia, now here, involves drinking large amounts of alcohol often mixed with other bizarre things, then nominating one or two friends to follow suit, or do even more. Of course its recorded on YouTube. New performance-enhancing drugs coming out of Sochi. Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank advocating for legalizing drugs, and some success with smoking cessation among those with mental illness using the stop-smoking drug varenicline
Celebrities and Heroin ODs, CVS Stops Selling Cigarettes, 3rd Hand Smoke
Celebrity deaths increase the general recognition of drug problems, which lately have been heroin and prescription painkillers overdoses and deaths. Oscar and Tony-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman’ s overdose death is the most recent in a long list celebrity drug death. Hoffman probably died of heroin mixed with some form of fentanyl, an extreme powerful opioid. Also the pharmacy chain CVS made news by announcing it would no longer sell cigarettes, with other large pharmacy chains like Walgreens saying they may follow suit. And the dangers of 3rd hand smoke are highlighted in a new study.
Strange Addictions, Meth for a Tip, Obama’s MJ Alcohol Comment, Sizzurp
Strange addictions point up the fact that addictions are not just to drugs, and not just for pleasure. An Oregon couple found out its not a good idea to leave a bag of meth for a tip, especially if you have a meth lab nearby. We also look at the implications of President Obama’s recent comment that pot is no worse than alcohol. And sizzurp aka purple drank in the news again, thanks for Justin Bieber.