From NIH A National Institutes of Health-funded study found that people with substance use disorders (SUDs) are more susceptible to COVID-19 and its complications. The research, published today in Molecular Psychiatry, was co-authored by Nora D. Volkow, M.D., director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The findings suggest that health care providers should closely monitor patients […]
Spotlight
Overdose is leading cause of injury-related death across U.S.
From MyEasternShoreMD The opioid epidemic comes with heartbreakingly large numbers. 70,000+ died last year in America. 750,000 died between 1999 and 2018. 128+ people die each day from an opioid overdose. Drug overdose deaths remains the leading cause of injury-related deaths across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of […]
CDC: BH concerns amid COVID-19
From Roll Call. CDC study finds behavioral health concerns rose in June amid coronavirus Anxiety and depressive disorders, substance use and suicidal thoughts increased during the second quarter. by Sandhya Raman Symptoms of anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, substance use and suicidal thoughts have increased in the second quarter of this year compared to the same […]
GAO Report: OUD Treatment with Buprenorphine
From the Government Accountability Office OPIOID USE DISORDER: Treatment with Injectable and Implantable Buprenorphine Treatment for opioid use disorder may involve buprenorphine—a drug that can reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. We reviewed the use of long-acting injectable and implantable forms of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. These forms release the drug over […]
Overdose Deaths Hit New Peak in 2019
From the New York Times. In Shadow of Pandemic, U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Resurge to Record By Josh Katz, Abby Goodnough and Margot Sanger-Katz Drug deaths in America, which fell for the first time in 25 years in 2018, rose to record numbers in 2019 and are continuing to climb, a resurgence that is being complicated and perhaps worsened by the […]
988 to Be National Suicide Hotline
From CNN. FCC approves 988 to be 3-digit number for national suicide hotline starting in 2022 By Veronica Stracqualursi In two years, individuals in suicidal crisis seeking help will have a number that’s easy to remember and quick to dial to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. At its July open meeting Thursday, the Federal Communications […]
SAMHSA’s New Vaping Guide
Reducing Vaping Among Youth and Young Adults This guide supports health care providers, systems, and communities seeking to prevent vaping. It describes relevant research findings, examines emerging and best practices, identifies knowledge gaps and implementation challenges, and offers useful resources. July 2020
Pandemic’s Death Toll
From Time The Difficulty Of Counting the COVID-19 Pandemic’s Full Death Toll by Markian Hawryluk Sara Wittner had seemingly gotten her life back under control. After a December relapse in her battle with drug addiction, the 32-year-old completed a 30-day detox program and started taking a monthly injection to block her cravings for opioids. She […]
New Deadly Synthetic Opioid
From HealthDay ‘Iso,’ a Deadly New Synthetic Opioid, Has Hit American Streets by Dennis Thompson A new synthetic opioid as powerful as fentanyl is causing overdose deaths at an ever-increasing rate, experts warn. What’s worse, the designer drug is legal in most places in the United States. Isotonitazene — commonly referred to as “iso” […]
Treatment Centers Risk Closing
From NPR A New Addiction Crisis: Treatment Centers Face Financial Collapse by Yuki Noguchi Fewer patients in recent months have been showing up for drug and alcohol treatment at REACH Health Services in Baltimore. But Dr. Yngvild Olsen, the medical director there, suspects it’s not for good reasons: Some have likely relapsed or delayed drug and […]