Things are looking up – Mar. 16, 2019 – Hence the interest in a recent announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in America that it had approved a new drug for patients with “treatment-resistant” depression, defined as having not responded adequately to at least two previous antidepressants. Of particular note is that it is based on ketamine, a recreational drug. Esketamine, as the chemical is known, is branded as Spravato by its developer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a branch of Johnson & Johnson. Full Story @ Economist.com
Author: Leonard Buschel
RYAN HAMPTON: OPINION – March 14, 2019 – Gottlieb’s tenure was marked by slight successes and major missteps. One example of the former: In December 2018, the FDA approved a mobile medical app to aid individuals with substance use disorder recovering through outpatient treatment. Such digital tools could be a key part of recovery outcomes if their development and marketing are successful. But Gottlieb failed to advance critical innovations and continued to approve medications that will only exacerbate the epidemic. He was vocal about the threat of the crisis, stating in October 2017 that opioids are the “biggest crisis facing…
CRIME PAYS? – March 15, 2019 – They are the founding family behind (and have long constituted the majority of the board of) Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, the prime accelerant of the opioid epidemic. Since its introduction in 1996, the drug has generated some $35 billion in revenue for Purdue and an estimated $4 billion for the Sacklers. Last June, a lawsuit filed by the Massachusetts attorney general alleged that members of the family knowingly and aggressively pushed the devastatingly addictive painkiller onto doctors and patients, without telling them of the risks. They failed to alert authorities to…
Men and Women Alike – MARCH 16, 2019 – After checking into rehab for the final time in 1995, Walsh had to put his guitar down — possibly for good — in order to put his life back together. He didn’t think he’d ever play again. Over the course of 20 years, Walsh got married and eventually found his way back to music with the help of Ringo Starr, his actual brother-in-law and brother in sobriety. In 2012, Walsh released Analog Man, his first solo album as a sober musician. “People tell me I play better now sober than I…
Let Them Eat Horse – March 13, 2019 – Trump has proposed moving two major grant programs out of ONDCP and sharp cuts to Medicaid, the core program providing health care for people suffering from substance-abuse disorder. The president also wants to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients while slashing drug prevention efforts at the Justice Department, moves that fly in the face of Trump’s 2016 campaign promise to solve the opioid epidemic. Overall, Trump’s budget proposes slashing prevention efforts by 5 percent across agencies and increasing interdiction efforts. “The budget plan does propose some new funding to fight the…
Going For Broke? – March 13, 2019 – New admissions — excluding several new facilities the company purchased in 2018 — fell by almost 20 percent in the last few months of 2018, compared to the same period last year. Outpatient visits fell by about the same amount during that period and the average number of patients on a given day fell by about 14 percent. The struggle to find new patients started last summer when Google made a change to its search algorithm that the company says caused a 30 percent drop in calls to the company’s call centers.…
Patients for Rent? – Mar 7, 2019 – Drug treatment centers are warning about an alarming trend happening across the country called patient brokering. Patient brokering is when a shoddy treatment center pays someone to get a recovering drug addict into treatment. Full Story @ WSMV.com
Stick with the Winners! – Mike Gerstein is the CEO and owner of Freedom Treatment Centers of California. He and his business partner, David Silberberg, started Freedom Treatment Center 2 years ago. Mike brings over 30 years of management experience with him which he applies to all aspects of the facility Mike manages corporate direction and strategy for Freedom Treatment Centers facilitating company activity in consulting, sales, marketing, alliances and channels, and support. He also is on the front lines with his clients and clinical staff. Mike Understands the needs of his clients and staff and is continually communicating with…
Be Still My Heart – March 7, 2019 – This study found that compared with nonusers, e-cigarette users were 56 percent more likely to have a heart attack and 30 percent more likely to suffer a stroke. Coronary artery disease and circulatory problems, including blood clots, were also much higher among those who vape … Most, but not all, of these associations held true when controlling for other known cardiovascular risk factors, such as age, sex, body mass index, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking. Full Story @ ScienceDaily.com
In a scathing decision – March 5, 2019 – U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero found that United Behavioral Health, the insurer’s unit that administers treatments for mental illness and addiction in private health plans, had violated its fiduciary duty under federal law. In his 106-page decision, Judge Spero described the company’s guidelines as “unreasonable and an abuse of discretion” and having been “infected” by financial incentives meant to restrict access to care. “There is an excessive emphasis on addressing acute symptoms and stabilizing crises while ignoring the effective treatment of members’ underlying conditions,” he said. He dismissed much…
A little tab will do ya – March 6, 2019 – Just like Paltrow didn’t invent yoga, she also didn’t invent psychedelic drugs. Since the 1960s, people have contested their use for treating depression and anxiety. But promising new research suggests that using psychedelic drugs such as LSD, MDMA, psilocybin (aka “mushrooms”), and ayahuasca, in conjunction with psychotherapy can improve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). This is still an emerging field, but is gaining mainstream attention from people looking for an alternative to antidepressants. Just yesterday, the Food…
Shattered Stigma – March 5, 2019 – “It’s definitely an interesting psychological process that evolves over time in terms of people’s sense of how [their] drug use relates to their identity or sense of self,” says Kimberly Sue, the medical director of the Harm Reduction Coalition. “People really associate injecting with crossing some kind of moral line.”I could chug down as much cough syrup and liquor as I wanted, slip LSD tabs under my tongue every day for a month, and chase that month with weeks and weeks of ‘shrooming—and still I was, in my mind, better than the “junkies.”…
Once upon a time – March 1, 2019 – British journalist and author Johann Hari investigated this question in his best-selling book Lost Connections. He believes that cultural disconnect is to blame for a pervasive drift toward depression in the West. Hari writes that we’ve become overly reliant on a biological explanation of the causes of depression—that depression is primarily a brain imbalance people are born with … As a result, he considers, many are left with an incomplete story about their distress. Full Story @ FilterMag.org
Recovery is Possible – Mar. 8, 2019 – “I have been clean, like I said, for seven years and I just wanted to give a message of hope to people that they can then convey to their clients saying ‘It doesn’t matter where you came from, you can recover and you can lead a successful life’,” he added. The conference covered a wide range of topics, including opioid overdose prevention, trauma and addiction, mental health, medications, non-chemical addictive behavior and other topics. Full Story @ ABC4.com
No More Excuses – Mar. 8, 2019 – Residents who are on Medicaid or have access to Medicaid’s transportation program don’t qualify. The program is a partnership between the state Family and Social Services Administration and Indiana 211, which offers information about community resources. Residents can request a free ride by calling 211. “Adding this pilot program to our partnership with Indiana 211 seemed the best way to determine if there is a need for this service and if this partnership will be successful in meeting that need,” said Marni Lemons, a spokeswoman for the Family and Social Services Administration.…
App-ropos or App de jour? – Mar. 9, 2019 – “I hope we can build 600,000 beds for addicts by 2020,” said Bessom, a former St. John’s Prep defensive tackle on the powerhouse 2002 team who grew up in Lynn and now lives in Newburyport. “It began with my desire to find a bed for my father, a Vietnam vet who has struggled with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and alcoholism for years.” Bessom hopes his app will be a game changer and has thoroughly researched the subject. He has sought input from social workers, recovery coaches, healthcare professionals, non-profit organizations,…
1,000 Steps At A time – March 9, 2019 – He went into treatment for addiction. Massey had lost two close friends to overdoses, but he would lose more people who touched him during treatment. “There’s a choice at some point to start and stop,” Karen said. Massey chose to stop. He has been in recovery for 17 months. He lives in Waterville and is a dean’s list student at Kennebec Valley Community College studying psychology. “He wants to give back,” Stephen said. Full Story @ CentralMaine.com
On Point – March 9, 2019 – …Noxon went on to talk about her journey of sobriety, showing clips from her shows to enrich her very personal experience. She feels that care and attention to addiction should be available for everyone — not just rich screenwriters. In addition to bringing complex — and “unlikable” women characters — to the screen, she aims to continue her crusade of representation and inclusion…“Hopefully, empathy can change our actions,” said Noxon. Full Story @ Deadline.com
Drug Advertisement? – MARCH 09, 2019 – Many treatment programs were founded on a philosophy of total abstinence, insisting that sobriety means being free of all drugs. That attitude has filtered down to patients, who sometimes decline medications. Massachusetts regulations prohibit facilities from rejecting patients because they’re on medication, but reportedly some programs then urge these patients to get off their meds. But the evidence is clear that methadone, buprenorphine, and Vivitrol work. The urgency surrounding opioid overdoses is breaking down the stigma against medications and they are becoming more available, said Vic DiGravio, head of the trade group for…
Like The Sopranos Corrupt? – March 2019 – In a whistleblower lawsuit filed this week, Michel Paulhus said his termination was retaliation for him raising questions about then-Prosecutor Joseph Coronato’s relationship with drug addict-turned recovery coach John Brogan. But Coronato, who is no longer prosecutor, said Saturday that Paulhus was fired after two female subordinates accused him of sexual harassment. “This is a disgruntled former employee,” Coronato said, adding that the allegations in the lawsuit “are totally unfounded and a ruse to hide the fact” that Paulhus had been having an affair with someone he supervised. Brogan, who pleaded guilty…
What’s in a Name? – March 10, 2019 – I’ve seen firsthand the work that Ivan has done through 365 consecutive days to get himself to this HUGE milestone. I’ve seen the amazing, positive changes in him over this past year that have gotten closer and closer to the man we all knew he could be. I’m proud of you, my friend. As are countless people you have inspired along the way. Keep that shit up! #ShitYesSon #SoberAsF*ck #PresentAsF*ck #IvanAsF*ck” Last September, Moody opened up about his struggles with alcohol addiction during an interview with the WEBN radio station. The…
Morally and Financially Bankrupt – March 4, 2019 – Any bankruptcy filing would freeze the lawsuits against the drug maker and likely result in the claims being shifted into bankruptcy court, according to legal experts. Such a process is meant to ensure that a company that declares bankruptcy can preserve its value while it gets more time to negotiate with every entity to which it owes money. It’s also meant to ensure that all those creditors — as plaintiffs awarded money are known in bankruptcy proceedings — get some piece of the company’s assets. Full Story @ StatNews.com
Carrying the Message – Mar. 8, 2019 – The event is free and open to the public and is hosted by the university’s School of Nursing. It will take place Monday at 7 p.m. at the Armstrong campus’s Fine Arts Building Auditorium. “Our hope is that Jodie will bring a heightened awareness of the multifaceted aspect of drug and alcohol abuse and recovery, and how it not only affects the individual, but affects the individual’s loved ones as well,” said Waters College of Health Professions Dean Barry Joyner, Ph.D. Full Story @ WJCL.com
Consequences Most Tragic – MARCH 8, 2019 – The neighbor told police she asked the woman in the car if she was OK, and Rachel, holding her daughter, said she was fine. But when the neighbor got home from work, the vehicle was no longer running, the woman was slumped across the center console, and she was no longer wearing a coat … When first responders arrived, they said the baby was cold to the touch, and Rachel was taken to a hospital and treated for frostbite. It was nine degrees outside. Responding officers said they tried to find Rachel’s…
At Peace – MAR. 08, 2019 – The actor’s Feb. 10 death — which was not publicly announced at the time — was confirmed by the Buncombe County Register of Deeds, which provided a death certificate listing the cause as cardiac arrest. He was 74 by most accounts, but the certificate listed him as 73. A rare departure from form was “Buster and Billie” (1974), an unsentimental look at 1940s high school students in rural Georgia, with Vincent giving an understated performance as the local jock who breaks with social conformity and expectations — with violent results… Full Story @…
No Better Down Under – Mar. 9, 2019 – Suicide attempts, spells in psychiatric wards and electric shock therapy followed — now she is hostage to an ice habit, dying for a smoke. In the battle to simultaneously treat her 24-year-old daughter’s illness and addiction, Josie feels like she has fallen into a mental health system “black hole”. She longs for some kind of cosmic coincidence so her daughter gets off the streets and past the “glorified holding pen” of hospital admissions. “It’s like a solar eclipse,” she says. The Victorian Government plans to double the number of public drug…
Ballin’ or Bawlin’? – March 7, 2019 – Silver said, “We are living in a time of anxiety. I think it’s a direct result of social media. A lot of players are unhappy.” He then went on to speak about the depth of the sadness, isolation, and even depression many players feel. His response comes as more players are opening up about their mental-health challenges, with All-Star Kevin Love penning a long essay and All-Star DeMar DeRozan opening up to the Toronto Star in the last year about their own issues with anxiety and depression. Full Story @ TheNation.com
Newest Creeps on the Block – Mar. 7, 2019 – Jarryd Ageloff, 29, of Delray Beach, and Roy Brian Ageloff, 59, of Boca Raton, both were booked Wednesday at the Palm Beach County Jail. Each was released hours later after posting $24,000 bail. Each is charged with seven counts of patient brokering and one charge of conspiracy to commit patient brokering. Court postings show no attorney for either person. A call Thursday to a telephone number for Jarryd Ageloff was not returned. Under Florida law, it is illegal for a lab or a health-care provider either to offer or to…
There is God – March 6, 2019 – For ten years, Leonard Buschel’s organization has hosted the high profile get-together in Los Angeles honoring people who spread the word of recovery. Commenting on the success of his efforts, Leonard said, “For the past ten years, it’s been very gratifying honoring these remarkable individuals who’ve taken the time and have had the fortitude to bare their souls writing such compelling memoirs. We mark this 10th anniversary honoring Jodie Sweetin, who went from adored child star to struggling addict, then rising phoenix-like to become an author, devoted mother, and full-time TV and…
Hold on, I think I left my son somewhere – March 6, 2019 – Distracted parents don’t just push strollers into innocent bystanders and ignore playground hazards, they also risk disrupting the critical adult-child signaling system that helps shape the architecture of the developing child brain. Responsive, engaged communication between a parent and child is one of the building blocks for human learning. Full Story @ OZY.com