Brain Immune System and Addiction, VA Prescription Cocktails, Food Addiction
New research is finding that the brain’s immune system may be involved in the addiction process. The VA and the Army are contributing to the pill addiction problem prescribing a variety of drugs The VA often gives “drug cocktails,” a combination of sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication, an anti-depressant, and an anti-psychotic. And more on food addiction with news that many boys have bulimia. PODCAST.
Gambling, More on Cocaine Research, More on Mollies
A look at gambling … some further comments on Dr Carl Harts research on cocaine addicts and … and more on mollies … whether it refers to MDMA aka as Ecstasy, or some other new psychoactive substances – designer drugs. … proving to have serious health effects and be potentially life-threatening.
Social Environmental Factors in Addiction and new Synthetic Psychoactive Substances
Dr Carl Hart, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Columbia University, has been the focus lately on his controversial research into the social, environmental factors of addiction. Also, a new study from SAMSHA and the UN highlights the increasingly obvious risks of new highly powerful designer drugs including so-called bath salts and K2 or spice. PODCAST
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.
Which is more toxic – MJ or Alcohol, Food and Sex Addictions, Pharmacies in the News
An Oregon pharmacist, with a glowing work record, is suing Wal-Mart Oregon for wrongful termination because he has had addiction issues … CVS Pharmacy chain is refusing to fill prescriptions for doctors which IT believes are over-prescribing … the continuing debate on whether marijuana is less harmful than alcohol, and more on whether food and sex addictions are really addictions. PODCAST.
Sports and doping — A-Rod and another bicyclist, Drug sentence changes, Medical expert and payments
Sports and doping returns again – this time its star Yankee Alex Rodriguez, receiving a 211 game suspension for being associated with a south Florida anti-aging clinic, known to dispense human growth hormone, among other things. Also, the administration has announced its plans to look at the currently harsh drug penalties in this country, which incarcerates more people per capita than any other country… Lindsay Lohan’s $5000/day shopping habit … exchanging one addiction for another. And a study out of Australia highlighting to correspondence between medical experts on review panels for new drugs, etc., and the degree of remuneration that is appropriate. PODCAST.