50th Anniversary: Surgeon General’s Report Surgeongeneral.gov January 11, 2014 marked the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health. As part of the commemoration, the Office of the Surgeon General developed several resources to promote and share highlights from the last 50 years of tobacco control efforts.
A Novel Community-Based Buprenorphine Program: Client Description and Initial Outcomes Journal of Addiction Medicine (free ASAM member resource) The aims of this retrospective, descriptive study were to describe clients served by a buprenorphine program in a community-based recovery center and to present initial treatment outcomes. A record review was conducted for clients treated from July 2010 to August 2011.
Referral Strategies for Patients with Co-Occurring Substance Use and Psychiatric Disorders Psychiatric Times This article highlights strategies that can improve the referral process for patients with substance use and co-occurring disorders and summarizes findings from studies, looking at Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) principles; American Society of Addiction Medicine Patient Placement Criteria...
Medications That Treat Opioid Addiction Do Not Impair Liver Health National Institute on Drug Abuse A trial that compared buprenorphine/naloxone (Bup/Nx) to methadone produced no evidence that either medication damages the liver. Researchers concluded that Bup/Nx and methadone are equally safe for the liver, and Bup/Nx may be considered a first line alternative to the more established medication for treating opioid addiction.
Chief Resident Immersion Training Program in Addiction Medicine Boston University School of Medicine Applications for the Chief Resident Immersion Training Program in Addiction Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine will be accepted until February 7. The training is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and will occur April 27-30 in Boston.
Adverse Cardiovascular, Cerebrovascular, and Peripheral Vascular Effects of Marijuana Inhalation: What Cardiologists Need to Know The American Journal of Cardiology The current wave of marijuana decriminalization may lead to more widespread use, and it is important that cardiologists be made aware of the potential for marijuana-associated adverse cardiovascular effects that may begin to occur in the population at a greater frequency.
Determinants of Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Dependence Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment This study assessed the social, demographic and clinical determinants of whether an opioid–dependent patient received buprenorphine versus an alternative therapy.
The Effect of Psychosocial Stress on Single Mothers Smoking BioMed Central Evidence suggests an increased risk of smoking among single mothers as compared to their cohabitating counterparts. This article examines the role of psychosocial stress in mediating the relationship between single motherhood and smoking.
Vermont: In Annual Speech, Governor Shifts Focus to Drug Abuse New York Times In a sign of how drastic the epidemic of drug addiction in Vermont has become, Gov. Peter Shumlin devoted his entire State of the State Message to what he said was "a full-blown heroin crisis."
Comorbidity of Severe Psychotic Disorders with Measures of Substance Use JAMA Psychiatry Although early mortality in severe psychiatric illness is linked to smoking and alcohol, no studies have comprehensively characterized substance use behavior in severe psychotic illness. In particular, recent assessments of substance use in individuals with mental illness are based on population surveys that do not include individuals with severe psychotic illness.
Ambien: Worth the Few Extra ZZZs? MSN Healthy Living/Self "Most people tolerate the drug with no behavioral mishaps. But there's no way to know if you'll be the exception, and the risk of potential hazards may remain."
Excessive Alcohol Consumption Triggered by Gabrb1 Gene Mutation Nature Communications Researchers have found a gene that regulates alcohol consumption. When this gene is faulty, the subject is prompted to drink excessive amounts of alcohol, suggesting a potential genetic component at play in human alcohol consumption.
Claire Osman Awarded Honorary ASAM Membership ASAM Congratulations to Ms. Claire Osman for being recognized with an Honorary Membership for her outstanding contributions to the Society. Claire was one of the first employees of ASAM, worked directly with ASAM’s founder Ruth Fox, MD, and was instrumental in the launch of the Ruth Fox Endowment. She managed the endowment from 1990 through 2013.
Richard G. Soper, MD, JD, MS, FASAM, Editor-in-Chief, ASAM Weekly Brendan McEntee, Managing Editor & ASAM Publications Manager, 301.656.3920 ext. 110
Emily McMartin, New Media and Content Coordinator Jennifer Strauser, Account and Customer Service Manager, Highwater Partners, 407.221.4292 AdvertiseView media kit
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.
This edition of the ASAM Weekly was sent to [email address suppressed]. Did someone forward this edition to you? Subscribe here -- it's free!