DSM-5
The much-anticipated DSM-5 was released about 10 days ago. We take an overview of the 992 page tome, the various changes in the ways that mental disorders, including addictions, are described and categorized. We also discuss the many controversies and criticisms the book has generated so far. PODCAST.
Seeing pain with MRI, Addiction Equity & Affordable Care, Naloxone Monoploy
Pain is becoming visible through the use of functional Magnetic Resonance Scanning Technology promising better perspectives on how to address chronic pain … a discussion of the Addiction Equity and Affordable Care Acts, in the context of addiction treatment options. The Feds come out with another statement of intention to pursue drug use regardless of contravening state laws …. the issues of the safety of drug use in the context of public service announcement and educational efforts. And one company has a monopoly on the life-saving drug Naloxone, used for heroin (and opioids) overdoses. PODCAST.
Mapping the Brain, Another new designer drug – benzo fury
President Obama’s plans for mapping the brain — much like the human genome project of the 90s. Also more on opioids addiction, in Canada and the US – how it relates to treating pain. And the logic, fairness, or lack thereof of tying drug testing to welfare assistance. PODCAST.
Marijuana and motivation, vaccines and new experiments in with reducing coke using lasers
Marijuana is being implicated in increased drop-out rates for college students with short term memory and motivational issues. New vaccines for different drugs continue to come out at a rapid rate, and new experiments with controlling coke addiction by manipulating the pre-limbic cortex using a laser to switch off controlling neurons. PODCAST.
Treatment Ethics, Anxiety mixes with Reward parts of mid-brain, Freshman college drinking
A recent article in Addiction Professional magazine shared some thoughts and observations on ethical practices and considerations in addiction treatment… including paying bounty for new patients, using call centers, claiming insurance will pay most of the costs, promising a cure, selling proprietary supplements, and using brain scans, among others. Also new research on the relationship between the anxiety and stress centers in the older mid-brain, and the VTA, also in the same region, which is where most of our dopamine is produced. Another new study highlights the profound changes and effects of alcohol drinking in first year of college students. PODCAST.
Gambling Awareness, Culturally-tuned Treatment, Assessment and Signs of Addiction
We are in National Gambling Awareness Week – which hopes to remind people of the strongly addictive properties of compulsive or problem gambling. About 85% of people in the US gamble at some point (200 million+). Of those about 3-5% are estimated to have a problem … and of that number only a small percentage ever even believe they have a problem… Also Darryl discusses his experiences creating culture-specific treatment in the 70s and 80s and its value. And what are the signs of addiction, and how do we know if we, or people we are close to, are afflicted? PODCAST