Medical Cannabis Laws and Opioid Analgesic Overdose Mortality in the United States, 1999-2010 JAMA Internal Medicine
Opioid analgesic overdose mortality continues to rise in the United States, driven by increases in prescribing for chronic pain. Because chronic pain is a major indication for medical cannabis, laws that establish access to medical cannabis may change overdose mortality related to opioid analgesics in states that have enacted them. Medical cannabis laws are associated with significantly lower state-level opioid overdose mortality rates. Further investigation is required to determine how medical cannabis laws may interact with policies aimed at preventing opioid analgesic overdose.
An Evidence-Based Review of Insomnia Treatment in Early Recovery Journal of Addiction Medicine (free ASAM member resource) Accruing evidence indicates that insomnia is prevalent and persistent in early recovery from substance use disorders and may predict relapse. As such, insomnia treatment after abstinence represents an important area for intervention.
Patient Predictors of Alcohol Treatment Outcome: A Systematic Review Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment Patient characteristics as predictors of alcohol use disorder treatment outcome were examined on three levels, identifying whether or not variables were significant predictors of drinking-related outcome in univariate analysis, in multivariate analysis, and in multivariate analyses limited to studies including several "key predictors." Also, a model was developed to predict total percentage of variance in treatment outcome accounted for in each study using each of the key predictors and a range of methodological factors...
Combating Prescription Drug Abuse and Diversion American Medical Association Since 2005, the AMA, along with many other stakeholders in the health care community, has supported and helped secure passage of the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act (NASPER) as an essential tool in combating prescription drug abuse and diversion. Since then, the sense of urgency has only increased and the AMA continues to work on a number of fronts to combat diversion and drug abuse while at the same time preserving access to medically necessary treatment for pain.
Effects of Anxiety Sensitivity on Alcohol Problems: Evaluating Chained Mediation Through Generalized Anxiety, Depression, and Drinking Motives Addiction The study aimed to test whether the relations between anxiety sensitivity (AS), a transdiagnostic risk factor, and alcohol problems are explained by chained mediation models, from AS through anxiety or depressive symptoms then drinking motives in an at-risk sample. It was hypothesized that AS would influence alcohol problems through generalized anxiety or depression symptoms and then through negatively reinforced drinking motives (i.e. drinking to cope with negative affect and drinking to conform).
Primary Care–Based Buprenorphine Taper vs Maintenance Therapy for Prescription Opioid Dependence JAMA Internal Medicine Prescription opioid dependence is increasing and creates a significant public health burden, but primary care physicians lack evidence-based guidelines to decide between tapering doses followed by discontinuation of buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride therapy (hereinafter referred to as buprenorphine therapy) or ongoing maintenance therapy...
Buprenorphine Maintenance and Mu-Opioid Receptor Availability in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: Implications for Clinical Use and Policy Drug and Alcohol Dependence Sublingual formulations of buprenorphine (BUP) and BUP/naloxone have well-established pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, and are safe and effective for treating opioid use disorder. Since approvals of these formulations, their clinical use has increased. Yet, questions have arisen as to how BUP binding to mu-opioid receptors (μORs), the neurobiological target for this medication, relate to its clinical application.
Alcohol Interventions, Alcohol Policy and Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review BMC Public Health Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant global public health issue. The consistent evidence that alcohol use by one or both partners contributes to the risk and severity of IPV suggests that interventions that reduce alcohol consumption may also reduce IPV. This study sought to review the evidence for effects on IPV of alcohol interventions at the population, community, relationship and individual levels using the World Health Organization ecological framework for violence.
The State Of Drug Use in America, In 9 Maps Huffington Post From opiates to alcohol, American substance use has shifted dramatically in recent decades. These nine maps demonstrate the decline of cigarettes and alcohol, the rise of heroin abuse, places with “Good Samaritan” laws, and more.
NIDA Collaborates on Multi-University Center of Excellence Study on the Genetics of Drug Addiction University at Buffalo News Center Scientists at the University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) are taking part in a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Center of Excellence study on the genetics of drug abuse. The study is funded by a $12 million grant to Abraham Palmer, PhD, associate professor of human genetics at the University of Chicago, to establish the NIDA Center for Genome-Wide Association Studies in Outbred Rats. The center will combine complex behavioral studies with recent technological advances in rat genetics to help scientists shed light on the genes behind drug addiction.
Mark Publicker, MD, FASAM - Named Maine Addiction Physician of Year Down East Magazine Down East magazine asked physicians to select the top specialists in Maine, and ASAM’s Mark Publicker, MD won for addiction medicine. Dr. Publicker is Editor-in-Chief of ASAM Magazine, an ASAM Fellow and longtime member. Congratulations to Dr. Publicker!
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The views and positions of any content published in ASAM Weekly are not necessarily endorsed by ASAM nor a reflection of ASAM's beliefs and policies. The features are presented as a summary of the contemporary issues being represented and expressed in scientific, governmental, commercial, and media sources across the specialty field of addiction medicine. Contact ASAM Weekly with any comments or feedback.