Rising Morbidity and Mortality in Midlife Among White Non-Hispanic Americans in the 21st Century Proceedings of the National Academy of Science Dramatic increase in the all-cause mortality of middle-aged white men and women in the United States between 1999 and 2013 is largely accounted for by increasing death rates from drug and alcohol poisonings, suicide, and chronic liver diseases. Concurrent declines in self-reported health, mental health, ability to work, and increased reports of pain all support increasing midlife distress. The causes and consequences of this deterioration are examined.
Correlates of Opioid Use in Adults with Self-Reported Drug Use Recruited From Public Safety-Net Primary Care Clinics Journal of Addiction Medicine (free ASAM member resource) Comparing opioid vs non-opioid drug users in the primary care setting, opioid users were less physically and psychiatrically healthy and were heavy users of emergency department, inpatient and outpatient medical services. This study concludes that opioid users may benefit from psychiatric and addiction care integrated into their primary care setting. Addiction or primary care providers are in a key position to facilitate change among users with a goal of abstinence.
FREE Online CME/CE Tools for Motivational Interviewing
NIDA is offering 2 FREE CME opportunities for Motivational Interviewing. These online simulations guide providers of adult and adolescent patients through MI skills-building with real time testing in a clinical setting.
Report Shows Trends in Attitudes Towards Substance Use SAMHSA A new annual report by SAMHSA provides data on people’s perceptions of the risk of substances use and examines how those perceptions may affect the likelihood of use.
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Naproxen with Cyclobenzaprine, Oxycodone/Acetaminophen, or Placebo for Treating Acute Low Back Pain Journal of the American Medical Association This randomized-controlled trial of patients presenting to the ED with acute, nontraumatic, nonradicular low back pain found adding cyclobenzaprine or oxycodone/acetaminophen to naproxen monotherapy did not improve functional outcomes or pain ratings at 1-week follow-up. Naproxen monotherapy provided better outcomes.
Estimated Lifetime Medical and Work-Loss Costs of Fatal Injuries — United States, 2013 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report The CDC analyzed death data from the National Vital Statistics System for 2013, along with cost of injury data to determine the economic impact of fatal injuries. Read the report to determine the relative cost of deaths due to drug poisonings, transportation and firearms.
How Other States are Adopting Massachusetts' Drug Addiction Treatment Program The Christian Science Monitor A police program in northern Massachusetts, called ANGEL, is helping to fast-track heroin addicts into treatment. It is now being adopted in 9 other states and has shown signs of reducing crimes associated with addiction.
Effects of Cortisol Administration on Craving in Heroin Addicts Translational Psychiatry Stress can increase craving and drug-taking behavior, but it is unknown if the stress hormone cortisol mediates these effects or if cortisol reduces craving by interfering with addiction memory. This study examines the effect of a single administration of cortisol on heroin craving.
Treating Addiction: Addressing Our Obstacles MediaPlanet In the United States, opioid overdose kills 68 people per day. These deaths are often preventable, and opioid addiction is treatable when best practices are employed.
Co-Editors – Kimberly M. Brown, MD; Paul S. Chung, MD; Sarah Martin Domb, MD; Matthew Goldenberg, DO; Angela Gough, DO; Sameer Hassamal, MD; Christian Schrader, MD
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Articles included are reviewed on their merit at the discretion of ASAM Weekly’s Editor-in-Chief. Any relationship that exists with products or services advertised with content is coincidental and not an endorsement, guarantee or condemnation of said products or services. Similarly, 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.