Senate Passes Bill to Support Substance Abuse Treatment
Responding to a drug crisis that has contributed to more American deaths than car crashes, the Senate passed a broad drug treatment and prevention bill, the largest of its kind since a law in 2008 that mandated insurance coverage for addiction treatment. The measure authorizes money for various treatment and prevention programs. It also strengthens prescription drug monitoring programs to help states and expands the availability of the drug naloxone, which helps reverse overdoses, to law enforcement agencies. It also increases disposal sites for prescription medications that are often abused by teenagers and others. “This is a strong signal that…
Percentage of Drinkers Receiving Treatment
Alcohol problems can impact a person’s life in many ways: economically, physically, and psychologically. When facing these kinds of problems, an individual may choose to pursue alcohol treatment. Research shows, however, that of all the people with an alcohol use disorder, only about 15 percent ever receive treatment. Why do so few people receive treatment? We know that the majority of those with alcohol dependence do not perceive a need for treatment. It’s important that researchers and health care professionals recognize this disparity in perceived need in order to help those who would benefit from treatment. A recent study sheds some…
New Addiction Program Coming Soon to NC
Alcohol and drug rehabilitation company BioCorRx, Inc. (OTCQB: BICX) has forged licensing agreement with Sobriety and Addictions Solutions LLC, to distribute its Start Fresh Program in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and the District of Columbia. Start Fresh Program is a two-step addiction rehabilitation program that incorporates the use of a biodegradable implant that slowly releases Naltrexone, a drug that blocks the euphoric high triggered by alcohol or opioid cravings, into the bloodstream. The time-release implant is embedded under a layer of fat in the patient’s lower abdomen and is effective for up to 6-12 months in many cases….
Governor McCrory Creates Task Force to Combat Substance Abuse and Underage Drinking
Governor Pat McCrory signed an executive order that creates a multi-agency task force aimed at reducing substance abuse and underage drinking. The Governor’s Substance Abuse and Underage Drinking Prevention and Treatment Task Force will build on statewide prevention, treatment and enforcement initiatives implemented by the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Commission, Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Division, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the University of North Carolina (UNC) System. As a part of this initiative, six UNC campuses that will take part in a pilot program that will emphasize prevention and treatment: East Carolina University, UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina…
Alcohol Use Among Pregnant Women in Substance Abuse Treatment Drops
According to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) the percentage of pregnant woman in substance abuse treatment using alcohol (with or without drug use) dropped from 46.6% to 34.8% over a ten year period. However, the report also shows that the percentage of substance abuse admissions involving pregnant women using drugs (without co-occurring alcohol use) rose from 51.1% to 63.8% during this same period. Click here to continue reading
FDA Approves New Drug for Opiod Addiction
Pharmaceutical company proposes treating prescription drug addiction with another prescription drug, and has the green light from the FDA to begin selling the pill solution in the U.S. to combat opioid addition. According to Reuters, the drug Zubsolv is designed to treat addiction to prescription opioids like codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl and methadone (which is ironically the prescription solution for heroin addiction). Together, these drugs are responsible for about 75 percent of prescription drug overdoses each year. Click here for full story…
Children of Military Families at Increased Risk for Substance Use
In a paper published in the journal Addiction, researchers report that children of military families have a higher risk for alcohol and other substance use than do their peers in nonmilitary families. On the basis of their findings, the researchers suggest that schools and health care providers consider parental military deployment as an opportunity to provide early intervention and screening for substance abuse for young people in military families. The researchers’ data indicated that substance use overall was higher among those in the currently deployed or recently returned groups than in the nonmilitary group. Deployment often means that children…
Anti-smoking medication shows promise for treating alcohol dependence
A smoking-cessation medication may be a viable option for the treatment of alcohol dependence, according to a study by scientists at the National Institutes of Health. The study found that varenicline (marketed under the name Chantix), approved in 2006 to help people stop smoking, significantly reduced alcohol consumption and craving among people who are alcohol-dependent. The findings were published online in the Journal of Addiction Medicine. Continue reading…