Trends in Drug Use, Harm Reductions & Psychiatry
NIDA’s Monitoring the Future study shows increases in use of marijuana, heroin and pharmaceuticals by adolescents; a study in Europe shows that programs like DARE are not effective; government regulators grapple to keep up with street chemists creating new designer drugs, and a discussion of psychiatry’s increasing dependence on drug therapy to the exclusion of talk therapy.
Addiction through History
Current events in the Middle East remind us how drugs and addiction show up throughout history. Dr Inaba shares some highlights and background.
Alcoholism Genes? & the state of states monitoring of Rx
Children of alcoholics are four times more likely to become alcoholic; sons of alcoholics 9 times as likely … the list continues and is striking. At least 89 genes have been identified that affect the likelihood of alcohol abuse, and other compulsivity disorders. This is part of the research that has led to the new field of “pharmacogenomics”, the study of how an individual’s genetics affect the body’s response to drugs, which offer profound new treatment options, and open up huge privacy issues. Dr Inaba expands.
Mental Health, Stress & College
A look at mental health on college campuses – still stressful, recently increasingly violence. Some of the factors: psychiatric medication, self-medication using alcohol and street drugs; and the availability of treatment and its increased acceptance.
Athlete’s long-term relation with pain meds & Stop switch
Professional athlete’s high use/abuse of pain medications often continues long after they retire. Also a new study of the brain’s “Stop” switch and damage to it caused by early drug use, especially nicotine, can lead to a greater susceptibility to addictions in general.
Medical Marijuana colas; addiction and sports
Medical marijuana colas? With names like CannaCola and Orange Kush, they promises better dosage control, none of the hazards of smoking. And as SuperBowl nears we consider the addictive aspects of sports.