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Brain Stimulation as a Drug Addiction Treatment
Brain stimulation is a developing field with exciting possibilities for treating drug addiction. Here’s a breakdown of how it works: The Reward System and Addiction: Addiction disrupts the brain’s reward system, particularly the nucleus accumbens. This area lights up with pleasurable feelings when we engage in rewarding activities. Drugs hijack this system, creating intense…
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The Platinum Standard for Addiction Treatment
The prevailing standard for addiction treatment typically encompasses three crucial elements: (1) engaging in psychotherapy, commonly referred to as “talk therapy”; (2) utilizing medications like buprenorphine for opioid use disorder or acamprosate for alcohol use disorder; and (3) receiving support through meetings (NA, SMART, AA, etc.), mentors, sober houses, and similar avenues. However, the superior…
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Inpatient vs. Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment: A Comparison
Choosing between inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol treatment is a critical decision, and the best choice depends on individual needs and circumstances. Here’s a comparison to help you understand the key differences: Structure and Environment: Inpatient: Offers a structured, 24/7 environment with limited access to outside influences. Individuals live in a facility and participate in therapy, group sessions, and…
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Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization Law – The Downside
Oregon’s groundbreaking drug decriminalization law, Measure 110, is facing escalating opposition amidst a surge in public drug use fueled by the rampant spread of fentanyl and a concerning rise in opioid overdose deaths, including those of minors. Implemented in 2021, Measure 110 decriminalized the possession of small amounts of hard drugs, including heroin, cocaine,…
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Severe Alcohol Use Disorder After SSRI therapy
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant medication. They are commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. SSRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation. Serotonin levels can be low in people with depression, anxiety, and other mental health…
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Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
The MHPAEA, officially known as the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, is a federal statute designed to ensure that group health plans and health insurance providers offering mental health or substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits do not impose less favorable limitations on these benefits when compared…
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Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Means Treating Open Wounds
Gerald A. Hill Sr. of Baltimore is known for providing wound care kits to those addicted to opioids using a harm reduction van. For a while now, Baltimore’s harm reduction vans have served as a drop-off point where individuals can exchange used syringes with clean or sterile ones. However, over the past few months,…
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Teens Not Given Needed Medication in Rehab
A study highlighting a significant gap in care revealed that only 25% of residential treatment centers catering to teenagers offer the recommended medication for opioid addiction. That is approximately 1 in about every 4 residential treatment centers. Researchers conducted an experiment where they pretended to be an aunt or uncle seeking help for a…
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Ozempic, Wegovy and Other GLP-1 Drugs for Addiction?
Ozempic and Wegovy, originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, respectively, have gained popularity as remedies for addictive tendencies. They’re both GLP-1 receptor agonists containing the active compound semaglutide. Semaglutide has grown in popularity, with patients sharing other positive effects other than appetite suppression. Reports indicate that Ozempic and Wegovy have helped a…
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Ketamine Therapy for Alcohol and Cocaine Addictions
Ketamine therapy, also known as ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), is a relatively new treatment approach for addiction that has shown promising results for alcohol and cocaine addictions. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been used for decades in the medical field for various purposes, including anesthesia and pain relief. However, in recent years, researchers have…
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New NIH Study Could Lead to Better Drug Addiction Treatments
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recently announced the results of a groundbreaking study that could lead to improved treatments for drug addiction. The study, which was conducted by a team of scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), revealed shared genetic markers that underlie substance use disorders. The study involved analyzing genetic…
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Emerging Treatments for Cocaine Addiction
Drug addiction is a complex and challenging problem that affects millions of people around the world. Cocaine addiction, in particular, can be especially difficult to overcome due to the powerful and addictive nature of the drug. Despite advances in addiction treatment, many individuals with cocaine addiction struggle to achieve long-term recovery. However, there are several…
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Treatments for Marijuana Addiction
There are various types of treatments available for marijuana addiction, and the most effective approach will depend on the individual’s specific needs and circumstances. Some possible treatments for marijuana addiction include: Behavioral Therapies: These therapies help individuals change their thinking patterns and behaviors that contribute to their addiction. Examples of behavioral therapies include Cognitive…
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Emerging Treatments for Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction is series business in most of the U. S. States. Some emerging treatments for opioid addiction include: Medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for people to abstain from opioid use. They can also help prevent overdose and improve overall physical and…
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Federal Prisons Punish Those Who Use Addiction Medications
Despite Congress’ directive for the Bureau of Prisons to make Suboxone and other medications widely available, only a small fraction of those who need the help have received it. Suboxone works to treat Timothy York’s decades-long opioid addiction, effectively quieting cravings. According to York, contraband drugs and violence are prevalent in the facilities where he…
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Addiction treatment is becoming more difficult to start due to fentanyl overdoses
Patients being treated for opioid addiction are experiencing more severe withdrawal symptoms as a result of fentanyl, a powerful drug, according to experts. Buprenorphine is a key medication used to treat opioid use disorder, and it appears to be particularly susceptible to fentanyl overdose. Fentanyl is contributing to the country’s drug epidemic by making the…
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Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment With Heart Medication – New Study Shows Promising Results
The use of alcohol has become a growing problem for society. The World Health Organization has reported that harmful drinking is on the rise in all parts of the world, including developed countries. In fact, there are more than 200 million people who suffer from alcohol-related health issues and problems as a result of their…
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Top 6 Benefits of Psilocybin Drug Therapy in the Treatment of Alcoholism
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly 17 million Americans are alcoholics. Many of these people go on to develop a secondary condition called “coping” or “secondary” alcoholism as a result of their drinking. Coping or secondary alcoholism is when an individual has developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol because of…
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Addiction Treatment Operators Sentenced in $112 Million Fraud Scheme
Two brothers that were operating multiple addiction treatment centers in South Florida were sentenced to prison this Friday for making a $112 million fraud under an addiction treatment scheme. This scheme basically included providing kickbacks to several patients via patient recruiters as well as they used to receive kickbacks from a larger number of testing…
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Online Virtual Alcohol Treatment Innovation
For years, America has been in the grips of an addiction epidemic. Addictions within various drug groups has gone up, especially when it comes to synthetic and prescription opioids. However, an addiction that is not going away is alcohol addiction. Alcohol treatments are still commonplace in American society. Finding innovations to improve treatments standards has,…