Opiates and Pain, Copenhagen Model, Italian Treatment Community, E-cigs
A look at chronic pain treatment with opioids, and a detailed look into the opiate and pain background in CNS’s new Beyond Opiates video, We talk about Zohydro, a new stronger hydrocodone, Italy’s interesting treatment model that is a large community that farms, grows grapes and makes wine, and has enough dedicated runners to send a group to the NYC Marathon. And “re-normalizing smoking behavior with e-cigarettes. PODCAST.
Adderall Dangers, Binge Drinking, Oreo addiction, Mollys and Krokodils
Adderall has been called America’s favorite amphetamine, especially among college students …. Its abuse is widespread among young adults, with the capacity to markedly change one’s personality. Binge drinking is also rampant among the college- aged, and has its own set of dangers… Oreo cookies activate the same reward centers in the brain as cocaine. More news about mollys, which can actually be any number of drugs, and the heroin substitute known as krokodil … now making landfall in the US, with harrowing effects. PODCAST.
Brain Immune System and Addiction, VA Prescription Cocktails, Food Addiction
New research is finding that the brain’s immune system may be involved in the addiction process. The VA and the Army are contributing to the pill addiction problem prescribing a variety of drugs The VA often gives “drug cocktails,” a combination of sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication, an anti-depressant, and an anti-psychotic. And more on food addiction with news that many boys have bulimia. PODCAST.
Affordable Care Act and Treatment, Internet Addiction program, Opioid Control Switch
The Affordable Care Act is projected to make addiction treatment to millions more – but do we have the people and facilities to provide it? A new in-patient treatment program for internet addiction opened recently in Pennsylvania, and a new study in the The Journal of Neuroscience on the functioning of the opioid control switch, providing new insights on the molecular process by which opiate addiction develops in the brain and is controlled by the formation of reward memories that link the pleasurable effects of opiates to environmental triggers that induce craving. PODCAST.
Celebrity death highlights combining alcohol with downers
The death of celebrites drives home facts about addiction – like the dangers of combining downer drugs with alcohol. The recent death of Corey Monteith is an example. Corey was recently in treatment recently – highlighting the importance of treatment followup and aftercare. When someone relapses and returns to his drug of choice at the same dosage level as before, they are at a high risk for OD. We chat about the 12-Step program, in the context of treatment, and new research in brain functions and addiction. 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.