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.
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.
How High is Too High? Stress and Relapse, GABA and glutamate, Parity among men and women as addicts
Defining what under the influence of cannabis while driving is; study looking at stress and relapse, and effects of the kappa opioids receptor being blocked in reducing relapse. New research on the inhibatory GABA and excitatory glutamate neurotransmitters – showing there is more than just dopamine involved with addiction and the stop-go switch of the brain. And near parity in rate of addiction of women vs men; how mild traumatic brain injury can increase possibility of addiction. PODCAST.
Opioids: Pain, Reward, Play – what drives addiction?
What is the relationship between pain relief, stimulation of the reward-reinforcement circuit, and play and pleasure-seeking? … what combination leads to addiction? … we have increasingly given opioids for chronic pain, only to see the pain not get better – but worse! Also treatment discussions – highly functional, highly paid execs who are just resigned to addiction because the tradeoffs for treatment would be so high. And more on Dr Drew Pinsky’s Celebrity Rehab and latest death – the fifth – among the regulars on this reality show. PODCAST
Dr David Mee-Lee on his ASAM Patient Placement Criteria and the new DSM-5
Dr Mee-Lee joins Dr Inaba in reviewing and contrasting the new DSM-5 from the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s Patient Placement Criteria, for which he is one of the main authors. The difference between the two manuals is discussed, including the changes in categories and scope in the new DSM, the ongoing issue of public perception/acceptance of the addiction as disease model, and issues around treatment and relapse.
Pharmacotherapy and more on MJ with Kevin McCauley
Discussing the implications of the new marijuana laws, and also the adoption of pharmacotherapy by the renowned Minnesota Model’s founder, the Hazeldon Foundation, with guest Dr Kevin McCauley.