Understanding the Dangers of Designer and Club Drugs

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Substance Abuse

Is Varenicline More Effective in Women Than Men?

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Substance Abuse

The Vast Landscape of Services that is “Rehab”

Topics: Addiction | Free Articles | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychotherapy | Substance Abuse

If a patient comes in and says, “doc, I think I need to go to rehab,” what should you do? Most people think of rehabs as residential facilities, but these days, the term “rehab” includes a broad spectrum of treatment settings, most of which, in fact, are not residential—only 10% of people receiving specialized addiction services go to resident

Book Review: Inside Rehab—What Really Goes On in Rehab Facilities?

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychotherapy | Substance Abuse

What goes on inside a residential rehab program? Inquiring minds would love to know, especially those of us who are treating addicts and counseling concerned family members. Rehab has traditionally been a kind of black box, an opaque entity where addicts enter, and 30 days later exit with an epiphany and a lifelong commitment to sobriety. Until they rel

Marijuana in 2015: What Should We Say to Our Patients?

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Substance Abuse

How should we talk about marijuana with our patients? For psychiatrists, the topic usually arises with respect to two key areas: the potential adverse effects of marijuana use, especially upon those with other psychiatric disorders and our youth, and the question of the legitimate medical benefit of medical marijuana for particular medical and p

The Case Against Residential Rehab

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychotherapy | Substance Abuse

The Substance Abuse Interventionist

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychotherapy | Substance Abuse

Understanding the New World of E-Cigarettes

Topics: Addiction | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychotherapy | Smoking Cessation Agents | Substance Abuse

It Pays to Quit Smoking

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychotherapy | Research Updates | Smoking Cessation Agents | Substance Abuse

Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Dependence

Topics: Addiction | Free Articles | Substance Abuse

Chances are good that we under-medicate alcoholics. According to one estimate, only 10% of alcoholics receive medications as part of their treatment (Jonas DE et al, JAMA 2014;311(18):1889–1900). That’s too bad, because these medications work. In the interview in this issue, we learn from Amy R. Krentzman, MSW, PhD, about techniques from positive

Using Positive Psychology to Help People with Addictions

Topics: Addiction | Substance Abuse

IN Naloxone for Opiate Overdose – Ready for Prime Time?

Topics: Addiction | Substance Abuse

Opioid overdoses have reached epidemic proportions—fatalities due to opioid overdose have risen from 4,030 deaths reported in 1999 to 16,651 in 2010 (Jones CM et al, JAMA 2013;309(7):657–659). Some 80% of these deaths are unintentional, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the best solution would be to preve

Alcohol and Benzodiazepine Detoxification

Topics: Addiction | Benzodiazepines | Substance Abuse

Alcohol - Most Heavy Drinkers are Not Alcohol Dependent

Topics: Addiction | Substance Abuse

Prescribing Anxiety Meds for Teens May Trigger Later Drug Abuse

Topics: Research Updates | Substance Abuse

Daily Marijuana Use by Teens Creates Life Problems

Topics: Addiction | Child Psychiatry | Research Updates | Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse Treatment Reduces Aggression

Topics: Research Updates | Substance Abuse

Cognitive Enhancers: Smart Drugs or Bad Idea?

Topics: Addiction | Free Articles | Substance Abuse

Most of us prescribe cognitive enhancers every day. Examples include stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and various dementia medications. Modafanil (Provigil), which is prescribed for sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder, probably fits the bill, too. But today’s conversation about “smart drugs” is fundamentally

Malingered ADHD

Topics: ADHD | Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse Treatment for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury

Topics: Substance Abuse