Evolving Treatment Medicines and Models
We look at addiction treatment models, Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12-Step Program and other non-12 Steps models as well as the increased use of opioid antagonist drugs – nalaxone and nalmefene, for countering opiate overdoses, and with the potential to block craving for many addictions
Deadly Helium Huffing and new Addiction Treatments
A 14 year old girl died recently from inhaling the inert gas helium. Though it has no psychoactive properties — the girl and those she was partying with likely were also combined drinking and pot smoking with super-cold helium straight out of a cylinder. We discuss this, and huffing in general, and also reported new off-label uses of the the stop-smoking medication Chantix (varenicline) for the treatment of other addictions.
Addiction dangers – not just celebrities
The death of singer Whitney Houston and treatment of actress Demi Moore mistakenly makes us think that celebrities are more prone to addiction issues then everyone else – we look at the issues and some of the questions that arise.
An App for Craving, Inhalable Caffeine & More on Pain Meds
A smartphone app to monitor cravings– a new tool for relapse prevention? Also the newest legal drug – inhalable caffeine … and more on prescription drug use debate (updated.)
Endorphins, alcohol research & Chinese herbs
A new study finds that liquor releases pleasure-inducing endorphins into the brain. This has long been suspected, but the new study, for the first time, uses humans and sophisticated brain imaging techniques. Somewhat surprisingly, heavy drinkers are especially influenced. This article contains more details. Also we discuss a Chinese herb that has been used for […]
Flawed Science, Bad Media & Fear-based Government
Driving while intoxicated with marijuana is NOT likely to be be safer that driving with alcohol – as reported by a recent study — and alerting us to flaws in the way scientific studies are crafted, and report by the media. Meanwhile, Congress is making moves that in effect again escalate the War of Drugs by making the Spice and bath salt compounds into Schedule 1 drugs.