Treatment – Where are we and where are we going …
Where we stand in addiction treatment – starting with a scorecard using the Principles of Effective Treatment released in 2009 by NIDA. Also what impact the Affordable Health Care Act and Mental Health Parity and the Addiction Equity Act may have, along with some radical treatment approaches showing up in China and Russia.
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.
National Drug Use Survey show Pot and Heroin Increases
This year’s National Survey on Drug Use shows most illicit drug has declined – except marijuana and heroin. We discuss those trends and likely reasons, which includes medical marijuana initiatives and reactions to the crackdown on prescription opioid (Oxycontin, Vicodin) abuse.
Interview with Dr Kevin McCauley
Dr. Kevin McCauley is the author of 10 Principles of Successful Addiction Treatment, and the DVD Pleasure Unwoven: a personal journey about addiction. At the Institute for Addiction Study he and colleague Dr Cory Reich created a sophisticated recovery-monitoring program based on a model used for impaired professionals commercial airline pilots, physicians, nurses and attorneys. Participants in these programs have extraordinarily high success rates in getting through their first year of sobriety. He and Dr Inaba expand on these topics.
Treatment – Not by Choice
A look at treatment that is mandated — either by a drug court, or … done by family members or friends petitioning the court. About 20 states permit involuntary treatment for addiction, dating back to a 1962 case heard by the Supreme Court that said addiction per se was not a crime, but treatment could be ordered by the court. And there is some evidence that it does work in many cases.
Gambling – in news, in new DSM, dopamine, treatment
Gambling … will have a category as a full-spectrum disorder in the new DSM-V. Though 80% of the US population engages in gambling, only about %2 have serious issues — and while its not physically dangerous like many drugs (although there is increased suicide risk), it can still be profoundly troublesome to the people affected. The increase in internet gambling promises to exacerbate the issue. Naltrexone, which is being used successfully to treat opioid and alcohol addiction, is also being used, with reported successes in reducing the craving to gamble.