Addiction Treatment
62 articles
Canadian Researchers Say Heroin Works Better Than Methadone for Opiate Addiction
When comparing results of treatment retention, reductions in criminal behavior and even gains in health and well being, chronic heroin addicts given medical grade heroin for a year did far better than those given methadone for that same time period.
44% of US Doctors Say Fear of a DEA Investigation Influences Their Handling of Pain Patients
The DEA is scaring doctors, and they want to broaden their influence over the way doctors prescribe medications.
New Cocaine Addiction Vaccine Works!
Researchers say that they’ve come up with a vaccine that can attach to cocaine in the body and destroy it before it gets to the brain.
More Than Half of Employees Fear That by Getting Help for Addiction, They’d Lose Their Jobs
Although 40% of people believe their employers would be supportive or very supportive of treatment for mental health or addiction, a much higher number fear that admitting to such problems would cost them their jobs or harm them at work.
Mom Does Meth – Saving Tax-Payer Money
Although law enforcement has had some success in limiting the domestic production of meth amphetamine, locally made supplies have been easily and fully replaced by Mexican imports, and the troubles of meth continue to pervade - and in parts of society we sometimes wouldn’t expect.
Suboxone Proven Twice as Effective as Naltrexone
A Yale University study had to be stopped for ethical reasons after researchers realized how much better their patients on Suboxone were doing, than their patients on Naltrexone.
Insurance Companies Could Save Money By Funding More Addiction Treatment
A study out of John Hopkins University suggests that insurance companies could actually save money by providing more coverage for early and aggressive substance abuse treatment.
It Is Never Too Late To Stop Drinking
Researchers from the UK’s University of Southampton are optimistic that alcoholic liver disease can be cured, even in the most severe cases. Since a quarter of people with alcoholism-related cirrhosis die before they get the chance to stop drinking the key is to keep the patient alive long enough for them to stop drinking, and to maximize their chances of continued abstinence with effective addiction treatment.
Idaho Senate Slams Door on Governor's Drug-Treatment Funding Veto
Governor Otter vetoed funding for drug-treatment, the State Senate vetoed Governor Otter.
Canadian Researchers Test Synthetic Heroin as an Alternative to Methadone
Long term heroin addicts who have failed to respond to methadone are among the hardest people to treat effectively. A previous Canadian study proved that these people do respond well when given heroin as treatment – this new Canadian study will evaluate how well a synthetic heroin, hydromorphone, will work.
High Blood-Pressure Medication (Diltiazem) May Also Block Cocaine Cravings
University researchers have announced a potential breakthrough in the understanding of cocaine addiction - and a common high blood pressure medication may change the way cocaine addicts get better.
Americans Want Addiction Treatment as a Part of Health Care Reform
Americans say that addiction treatment works, they want to see expanded access to treatment services for those in need, and they’re willing to pay for it.
BC Top Court Says Insite Safe Injection Clinic Can Stay Open
Vancouver’s Insite safe injection clinic has won a court battle against the Canadian federal government that wanted to shut it down.
Promising Drug for Meth and Cocaine Addiction on the Fast Track to Approval
A promising new drug that seems to stop the cravings and euphoria of cocaine and meth is now on the FDA fast track to approval.
A Cure for Alcoholism May Rest in Our Bellies
A Swedish research team has determined that a hunger regulating hormone, Ghrelin, may play an important role in the development of alcohol addiction. The team is hopeful that future research will lead to effective treatment medications for alcoholism.
Researchers to Give Free Heroin to Addicts
Canadian researchers plan to supply medical grade heroin to 200 addicts in Vancouver and Montreal during a 3 year harm reduction study.
Sending Grandma to Rehab? A Huge Growth in Senior Drug Addiction Prompts Age Specific Treatments at Rehabs
Currently, SAMHSA estimates that 1.7 million American seniors struggle with substance abuse. In 12 years, SAMHSA says there will be 4.7 million.
Minnesota - 3rd Worst in Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Once a recognized leader in substance abuse treatment and prevention, Minnesota now ranks 47th on numbers receiving drug treatment.
The Antipsychotic Medication Aripiprazole May Help Alcoholics Stop Drinking
The medication increases the sedative effects of alcohol while reducing the pleasurable, or euphoric effects.
Amino Acid Heals Damage of Cocaine Addiction – May Help People Beat Cravings
Researchers in South Carolina say they’ve found a harmless amino acid that seems able to reverse some of the brain changes that occur during cocaine addiction.
Getting High on Suboxone? The FDA Says It's Happening - Ex NIDA Director Blames Doctors
Users taking Suboxone to stave off the withdrawal pains of an opiate addiction aren't supposed to be able to abuse the medication. That was the idea anyway when the FDA approved the drug in 2002 for take-home use. Today's thriving street market for the drug has the FDA change its tune.
Happy People Are Far Less Likely to Develop Heart Disease
Researchers say that happy people are significantly less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease and heart attack.
UK Prison Docs Give Soon to Be Released Inmates Opiate Drugs, to Reduce Overdoses on the Outside
Prison doctors in the UK are getting ‘clean’ inmates back on opiate drugs prior to release, in an effort to reduce overdose deaths.
To Save Money, California Proposes Eliminating Funding for Methadone Treatment
In a bid to trim $53 million from MediCal, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed, among other measures, to eliminate MediCal funding for methadone treatment.
Cuts to Substance Abuse Treatment in Prison Leads to Longer Jail Sentences
Officials say that in many states, budget cuts which eliminate substance abuse treatment programs in jails actually end up costing taxpayers more money, as inmates can’t comply with treatment recommendations that would earn them early parole and release.
The ADHD Drug Ritalin May Help Cocaine Addicts Resist Cravings
Researchers at Yale University say that the ADHD medication Ritalin (methylphenidate) may help cocaine addicts resist urges to use the illegal drug.
From 2004-2009 U.S. Army Opiate Addiction Treatment Enrollment Rose by 500%
The number of soldiers enrolling in military opiate addiction treatment programs increased by 500% between 2004 and 2009.
First Nations Band In BC Tells Addicts to Get Help or Get Out!
A First Nations reserve community in BC Canada gave addicts a choice – accept 8 weeks of addiction treatment, or face eviction from the island.
Heroin More Effective than Methadone in Keeping Treatment-Resistant Addicts from Street Drug Abuse
About 10% of heroin users never respond to methadone, and continue to abuse heroin while using the medication. Using supervised heroin injections as treatment seems to work a lot better.
Methadone Protects Opiate Addicts from Hepatitis C
Israeli researchers say that methadone treatment drastically reduces hepatitis C transmission.
Researchers Say Exercise Is Good Medicine for Alcoholics
The abuse of alcohol can lead to disrupted circadian rhythms (our natural ‘body clock’ which tells us when to sleep or eat, for example) and disrupted circadian rhythms can lead to increased consumption of alcohol! Researchers say that exercise is a good way to ‘reset’ this body clock to reduce alcohol consumption.
US Navy Invests Millions in Online Addiction Recovery Program for Sailors on Deployment
US Navy Invests $3.25 million to provide sailors on deployment with access to an online addiction recovery program
Teens Who Text a Lot Most Likely to Drink, Drug and Sleep Around
Is your teen son or daughter always texting or on a social networking site? If yes then be careful, as research suggests that teens spending the most time daily engaged in texting and social networking are also the most likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and have sex with multiple partners.
Canadian Police Chief Calls for ‘Safe Jails’ for Addicts
Knowing that prisons are often full of drugs and offer a nefarious higher education for young criminals, Calgary’s police chief is calling for the creation of a different kind of jail/detox to lock away those who commit crimes only to feed an addiction.
Health Officials in Australia Warn Scientologists to Stop Giving People Dangerous Advice on How to Detox off Drugs and Alcohol
A Scientology minister in Australia’s Northern Territories has been targeting drug and alcohol addicted aborigines, handing out information pamphlets that contain detoxing advice that health officials say could easily prove fatal to people with kidney disease.
Alcohol Treatment Rates Way Down - Drug Addiction Treatment Rates Way Up
Although the total number of people seeking addiction treatment changed very little between 1998 and 2008, the substances these people sought help for did change quite a bit, with alcohol admissions down considerably and drug addiction admissions, particularly opiate pain pills and marijuana addiction admissions, considerably up.
Patrick Kennedy to Write the Story of His Addiction
Patrick Kennedy will retire after 8 terms in Congress to write the story of his battles with depression and drug and alcohol addictions.
New Cocaine Vaccine Looks Promising
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical Center think they’re on to something big – a vaccine that could help cocaine addicts kick a notoriously difficult addiction.
UK Researchers Say Methadone and Buprenorphine Reduce Mortality by 85%
Opiate users involved in opiate substitution programs (methadone or buprenorphine) for longer than 12 months are 85% less likely to die in any given period than opiate users not involved in such treatment programs.
Rio Rounds Up Street Kids and Forces 3 Months of Drug Treatment
Under Rio De Janeiro’s controversial new drug treatment program for street youth, if police and social workers find you on the street in high drug use areas and you can’t prove you’ve got a home to go to – you are heading to 3 months of locked in drug treatment; whether you want it or not.
Researchers Say Web Based Continuing Care Programs Are Effective
After following a group of rehab graduates who used an online continuing care program for 18 months, researchers say that web-based aftercare works well.
UK’s First Club Drug Rehab Opens Its Doors
There wasn’t anywhere in the UK where people addicted to club drugs and legal high drugs could go to get the help they needed, until now. The Club Drug Rehab is an NHS funded project designed to meet the needs of people not addicted to more conventional drugs of abuse.
Asian Alcoholics Most Likely to Get Significant Benefit from Naltrexone
Researchers at UCLA say that about 50% of Asians have a genetic variation that makes naltrexone especially effective as a treatment for alcoholism.
Smoking Cigarettes Increases Risk of Cocaine Addiction
Trying to quit cocaine? You might want to consider ditching cigarettes at the same time. New research suggests that nicotine amplifies cocaine’s effects and addictiveness…just remember not to use nicotine replacement products, such as nicotine gum or the patch, as these too increase cocaine’s effects.
Canadian Doctor Uses Amazonian Herbal Medicine Called Ayahuasca to Break Addictions
A Canadian Doctor talks about the nearly 200 people he’s treated with an Amazonian hallucinogen called ayahuasca.
Helping Others during Addiction Treatment Actually Reduces Drug and Alcohol Cravings
Trying to stay clean? Maybe you should get out and lend a hand to someone in need - Researchers at Case Western Reserve University say that teens who get involved with helping others during substance abuse treatment experience fewer cravings for drugs and alcohol than their less altruistic peers.
Study Says Suboxone Works Well for Prescription Opiate Abusers – But Discontinuation of Suboxone Use Causes Relapse Rates to Skyrocket
The results from the first large-scale study of Suboxone treatment for prescription opiate abusers are in – the medication works very well while you use it, but once you taper off Suboxone, relapse rates get very high.
Common Antipsychotic Medication Aripiprazole Might Double as Effective Cocaine Addiction Medication
Spanish researchers say that using a common antipsychotic medication may help cocaine users manage cravings and quit using.
Intervention Text Messages Get Heavy Drinking Young Adults to Reduce Their Consumption
Researchers in Pennsylvania say that text messages may be an effective delivery system for alcohol abuse interventions to heavy drinking young adults. Heavy drinking young adults drink substantially less when they get periodic text messages containing strategies to reduce consumption.
Requests for Addiction Treatment Spike over Holiday Period
Addiction treatment workers say that requests for treatment surge over the holidays as more people struggle with relapse and excessive drinking and drug use.
Addiction Treatment Lessons from the War in Vietnam – Changes in Environment Make a Big Difference to Likelihood of Success
Psychologists say that changing your physical environment can make it a lot easier to overcome addiction.
New Screening Test Predicts Odds of Addiction Treatment Success
By testing for your unconscious beliefs about the positive and negative consequences of drug use a newly develop screening test reveals how likely you are to benefit from addiction treatment.
Drug Cravings: Researchers Say Women's Are Triggered by Stress; Men Get Triggered by Drug Cues
Want to get and stay clean? If you’re a man, then you’d better work on minimizing your exposure to drug cues and if you’re a woman it’s stress that you’ve got to watch out for.
Study Shows That for Opiate Users, Detox Alone Is Rarely Enough
John Hopkins researchers found that people who got treatment and recovery housing after detox were more than 10 times more likely to remain abstinent after a month than people who went through the detox without a treatment follow-up.
Researchers Say Addicted Teens Do Better When They Participate in AA or NA
Teens with substance abuse problems who get involved in AA or NA during the first year of recovery are more likely to maintain abstinence than teens who do not.
Researchers Believe They've Developed an Effective Cocaine Addiction Treatment Medication
A 2-drug combo of Buprenorphine and Naltrexone may well be the non-addictive cocaine treatment medication the world's been waiting for.
Researchers Say Addiction Treatment Saves Families Big Money
Addiction treatment costs money, but do you ever make that money back? That’s what German researchers wanted to know, and the answer they discovered, was a resounding YES!
Exendin-4: A Diabetes Medication May Help Cocaine Addicts Quit
The diabetes medication Exendin-4 may become the first effective medication against cocaine addiction.
For Alcohol Abusers, Roughly 50% of Addiction Therapists Say Moderation, Rather Than Abstinence, Is an Acceptable Goal
Roughly half of American addiction counselors now believe that moderating consumption, rather than abstinence, is an acceptable treatment goal for people with alcohol or drug abuse problems.
Young Adults Find Effective Recovery Support in 12 Steps Meetings with Older Adults
Because so many young adults use drugs or alcohol young people sometimes have trouble forging sober social support networks after treatment. AA and NA can provide this sober support, but many groups are comprised of middle aged adults. A new research study suggests that this age gap does not matter and that 12 steps meetings do offer younger adults effective social support.
Effective Experimental Treatment for Cocaine Addiction - a Medication Cocktail of Topirimate and Amphetamines
A 2 drug combo of topirimate and amphetamines worked twice as well as placebo for cocaine addicts looking to quit.
Study Supports Combining Smoking Cessation and Addiction Treatment Programs
Smoking cessation efforts in addiction treatment programs help people quit without compromising overall treatment outcomes.