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.
Psychedelics, mollys, survey of how many athletes really do doping
A new study indicates psychedelics don’t have the same tendency toward addiction as other drugs, and many be useful in treating mental health. Molly – mostly used as another name for ecstasy – is in the news thanks to Miley Cyrus talking about them in her song, at the Video Music Awards, and having the word bleeped out. And a new anonymous survey finds that many more athletes use performance enhancing drugs, on the order of 30-40%, then previous testing and surveys showed. PODCAST.
MJ and Boomers, Driving and as a Teen Brain Stunter
Recent marijuana stories look at the increase in use (or return to use) of pot by the boomer generation. New laws regarding marijuana use and driving are considered. And a recent study shows that using marijuana as a teen can permanently damage the brain structure and lead to mental illness. 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.
Ritalin to treat coke? Pot drawing venture capitalists
The ADHD drug Ritalin may be useful in breaking the hold of cocaine addiction, according to a recent study Also a look at the rather astounding amount of money being poured by venture capitalists into marijuana oriented websites, and business prospects. PODCAST.
Harm Reduction and E-Cigarettes
We consider the growing popularity of e-cigarettes from the perspective of harm reduction – the nicotine addiction continues, but the e-cig doesnt have all the tars, resins and carbon monoxide of smoking tobacco. Also some thoughts on harm reduction through substitutions – like excessive exercise, obsessive 12-Step meetings, etc. PODCAST.