Addiction and Mental Health Treatment under the Affordable Care Act
Addiction and Mental Health Treatment under the Affordable Care Act Part of addiction recovery is dealing appropriately and concurrently with any co-occurring mental illnesses that may be present. Yet, estimates suggest that more than 23 million Americans are addicted to drugs or alcohol, but only 10 percent of them are seeking treatment. Why is that? […]
Acupuncture May Be an Alternative to Opioid Drugs for Pain Relief
Acupuncture May Be an Alternative to Opioid Drugs for Pain Relief Many people are addicted to opioid drugs and need alternative pain relief therapies. The use of opioids for chronic pain has increased dramatically and has been accompanied by a major increase in opioid addiction and overdose deaths. An estimated 2.1 million people in the […]
Society’s Perception of Addiction: Addicts Have a Moral Failing
Society’s Perception of Addiction: Addicts Have a Moral Failing A new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study suggests that people are significantly more likely to have negative attitudes toward those dealing with drug addiction than those with mental illness. In addition, people generally do not support insurance, housing, and employment policies that benefit […]
Treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) In recent years, the mental health profession has refined its diagnosis and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop as a reaction to traumatic events, including: experience in military combat, imprisonment, natural disasters, human-caused accidents, domestic violence and child abuse. Unfortunately, many […]
The Potential of Ibogaine in the Treatment of Substance Abuse
The Potential of Ibogaine in the Treatment of Substance Abuse I have a very specific agenda when it comes to addiction treatment research. I believe that any therapy or medication which shows promise in treating addiction should be tested for efficacy and safety. At present, many such treatments are not tested because they do […]
Addiction among Medical Professionals
Addiction among Medical Professionals As seen in the general population, a significant portion of healthcare professionals are impacted by addiction. Yet, it can be hard to spot those struggling with drug addiction, particularly in professional situations. Further, those in recovery from addiction often face discrimination in a number of ways, so getting ongoing support to […]
Alzheimer’s May Be Linked to Benzodiazepine Use
Alzheimer’s May Be Linked to Benzodiazepine Use A study by French and Canadian scientists has found evidence that people who take benzodiazepines have a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease currently affects about 36 million people worldwide and this number is expected to double every 20 years, reaching 115 million by 2015. The […]
Alcohol Causes Difficulty in Later Life
Alcohol Causes Difficulty in Later Life According to a new study published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, people with a history of alcohol use disorder, which can include those drinking within recommended limits, are twice as likely to have severe memory problems in subsequent years. The study adds to the growing body of […]
The Evidence Proving Acupuncture Points
The Evidence Proving Acupuncture Points Acupuncture is a method of treating medical and psychological issues based on influencing the body by inserting needles in specific points of human body, called acupoints. It appears that science may finally be able to verify the existence of acupuncture points, meridians (vessels within the body that conduct Qi, or […]
Screening for Substance Abuse in Emergency Departments
Screening for Substance Abuse in Emergency Departments Drug-related emergency department (ED) visits have steadily increased, with substance users relying heavily on the ED for medical care. This is a very expensive practice and a drain on medical resources. In a recently completed study, researchers gathered data from 15,224 adult ED patients across six academic institutions […]