Holidays and Shopping
Compulsive buying affects at least 6% of the population. We look at the issues and comparisons with other addictions. Also, the ADHD drug Adderall, and its popularity as with college students during finals.
MJ & popular attitudes, government seesawing, purple drank
The continuing medical marijuana controversies appears to be increasing the public’s frustration with government of the people, but not by or for the people … Tobacco as the real gateway drug, and the hip-hop drug Purple Drank.
Children & drugs: psych meds for the very young?
In our hurry-up modern world, we are prescribing more psych meds to young children, as an alternative to slower, more traditional approachs to kids who seem a little different … also a look at parent attitudes about their kids compared with their friends … and a brief discussion of “smart-drugs.”
Salt, psychedelics, beta blockers offer new clues to addiction & treatment
Salt, a high blood pressure medicine and South American trance vine are all in the news, shedding new light on how addiction works, and perhaps offering new treatment avenues.
Smoking in the news
Smoking in public is facing ever-greater restrictions; individuals, and the tobacco industries are pushing back in court. Meanwhile varenicline (Chantix) has been found to have serious cardiovascular side effects. And the state of Oregon mandating no smoking or be disqualified from state-supported treatment programs.
The Downer Cycle
After decades of uppers use, we are heading in a “downer cycle” with significant abuse and ODs being reported especially for prescription drugs like Vicodin and OxyContin, but also heroin, methadone and and even the opioid treatment drug suboxone. We look at the trend and some of the implications.