President Obama's Administration Releases 2014 ONDCP Report
The new 2014 Drug Policy will “focus tightly” on the issue of opioid abuse, and specifically heroin and painkillers. Michael Botticelli, acting director of the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), has said that government officials are “particularly concerned” about fatal overdose prevention. Heroin as the main target of this year’s drug strategy.
Medication Assisted Treatment During Pregnancy, Postnatal and Beyond Children and Family Futures The second of this two-part learning series will focus on the needs of pregnant women seeking medication assisted treatment and discuss other issues in the post-natal phase and beyond. Dr. Karol Kaltenbach will discuss findings from the Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER) project.
Buprenorphine Waiver Training Advanced Review Module PCSS-MAT This free 1-hour review course is intended for physicians who have completed the 8 hour required training to obtain their waiver to prescribe buprenorphine but would like an update. The course covers epidemiology of the opioid epidemic opioid overdose pattern, practitioner requirements for prescribing, pharmacology of buprenorphine, and more. Complete this module by Thursday July 17th, 2014 and participate in a PCSS-MAT CHAT Webinar on Friday July 18th, 2014 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (ET) that will expound on the material and focus on continuing issues and questions that physicians have.
Report Reveals Millions of Young Adults Use Illicit Substances Every Day SAMHSA According to SAMHSA’s data, on an average day, 3.2 million young adults used marijuana, 57,304 used heroin, 51,319 used cocaine, 46,179 used hallucinogens, and 17,868 used inhalants. Drinking was also prevalent among this age group. In the past year, 27 million young adults consumed alcohol. Even more concerning, this number includes 9 million underage drinkers aged 18 to 20. Underage drinkers drank on average 5.7 days per month and consumed an average of 4.8 drinks per day on the days they drank.
Decline in Drug Overdose Deaths After State Policy Changes — Florida, 2010–2012 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report During 2003–2009, the number of deaths caused by drug overdose in Florida increased 61.0%, from 1,804 to 2,905, with especially large increases in deaths caused by the opioid pain reliever oxycodone and the benzodiazepine alprazolam. In response, Florida implemented various laws and enforcement actions as part of a comprehensive effort to reverse the trend. This report describes changes in overdose deaths for prescription and illicit drugs...
Interventions for Caregivers of Someone with an Eating Disorder: A Meta-Analysis International Journal of Eating Disorders A variety of interventions have been developed for caregivers of people with an eating disorder either to help them cope with the burden and distress that commonly accompanies this role or to make them more effective at providing support...
Clinical Care for Opioid-Using Pregnant and Postpartum Women: the Role of Obstetric Providers American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology In the absence of other indications, pregnant women who use opioids do not require more intense medical care than other pregnant patients to ensure adequate treatment and the best possible outcomes. Together with specialists in pain and addiction medicine, obstetricians can coordinate comprehensive care for pregnant women who use opioids...
The Role of Opioid Prescription in Incident Opioid Abuse and Dependence Among Individuals with Chronic Noncancer Pain The Clinical Journal of Pain Increasing rates of opioid use disorders (OUDs) (abuse and dependence) among patients prescribed opioids are a significant public health concern. This study examines the association between exposure to prescription opioids and incident opioid use disorders (OUDs) among individuals with a new episode of a chronic noncancer pain (CNCP)...
Early Identification, Treatment, and Interventions for the Prevention of Benzodiazepine Dependence with Anxiety Disorders Neuropsychopharmacology The aim of this study was to provide treatment for anxiety symptoms with prevention of benzodiazepine dependence through implementation of the Blunk Anxiety Management Protocol (BAMP). The BAMP, for prescribing, tapering, and discontinuation of benzodiazepines, was implemented for new clients who presented with complaints of anxiety symptoms and for clients previously maintained on benzodiazepines.
New York: Attorney General Announces Settlement With Emblem Health For Wrongly Denying Mental Health And Substance Abuse Treatment For Thousands Of New York Members Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman After an investigation uncovered widespread violations of mental health parity laws by the company, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a settlement with New York City-based EmblemHealth, Inc., requiring the health insurer to reform its behavioral health claims review process, cover residential treatment and charge the lower, primary care co-payment for outpatient visits to mental health and substance abuse treatment providers.
Performance Characteristics of Self-Report Instruments for Diagnosing Generalized Anxiety and Panic Disorders in Primary Care: A Systematic Review The Rational Clinical Examination Identification of accurate and feasible screening instruments for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder (PD) that have been validated in primary care settings has the potential to improve detection and facilitate treatment of these disorders within the primary care clinic, or to generate appropriate referral. This report is a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the performance of self-report instruments used to diagnose GAD and PD in primary care settings.
Medicine’s Top Earners Are Not the MDs The New York Times Though the recent release of Medicare’s physician payments cast a spotlight on the millions of dollars paid to some specialists, there is a startling secret behind America’s health care hierarchy: Physicians, the most highly trained members in the industry’s work force, are on average right in the middle of the compensation pack.
Council Seeks Nominations for 2015 Award Winners ASAM Each year, ASAM recognizes individuals who have influenced the addiction field through policy, media, or their service to the organization. ASAM’s award program is comprised of the R. Brinkley Smithers Distinguished Scientist Award, John P. McGovern Award on Addiction and Society, Public Policy Award, Media Award and more. The Nominations and Awards Council requests the help of ASAM membership in identifying some potential nominees.
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