Trends in Drug Use, Harm Reductions & Psychiatry
NIDA’s Monitoring the Future study shows increases in use of marijuana, heroin and pharmaceuticals by adolescents; a study in Europe shows that programs like DARE are not effective; government regulators grapple to keep up with street chemists creating new designer drugs, and a discussion of psychiatry’s increasing dependence on drug therapy to the exclusion of talk therapy.
Addiction through History
Current events in the Middle East remind us how drugs and addiction show up throughout history. Dr Inaba shares some highlights and background.
Mental Health, Stress & College
A look at mental health on college campuses – still stressful, recently increasingly violence. Some of the factors: psychiatric medication, self-medication using alcohol and street drugs; and the availability of treatment and its increased acceptance.
Athlete’s long-term relation with pain meds & Stop switch
Professional athlete’s high use/abuse of pain medications often continues long after they retire. Also a new study of the brain’s “Stop” switch and damage to it caused by early drug use, especially nicotine, can lead to a greater susceptibility to addictions in general.
Designer drugs & Salvia Divinorum
Salvia divinorum has been in the news lately, with teen pop star Miley Cyrus, and then the alleged shooter in Tucson. We also discuss designer drugs which can have dangerous side effects.
Prescription Drugs & Crime
The high street value of prescription drugs like Vicodin and OxyContin, which can selling for $80 for one high dose pill, is creating new white-collar criminals out of regular people, often seniors seeking too supplement their fixed income. Dr Inaba shares his thoughts.