Topic: Research, Studies and Reports
Posts regarding research, studies, reports and thought leadership concerning addiction and recovery.
Psychedelic Drugs: Is This The Right Way to Treat Addiction?
Over the last few years, you have perhaps noticed this trend: The media is totally on the psychedelic drug bandwagon. Scientific bodies and government agencies echo the refrain chanted by the media: They’re great for treating alcoholism, drug addiction and mental ills. This is not the first time we've heard rave recommendations for broadly increasing the use of potentially dangerous drugs: the marketing that drove us into the opioid crisis is but one example. So, is it safe to buy into the enthusiasm or should we be taking a careful, closer look at the effects of these drugs?
Report: The 2023 SAM Summit and Good Drug Policy Conference
On a sparking Washington, D.C. day, 150 attendees and a dozen or so presenters gathered at the Miracle Theater to share news related to drug policy. Presenters included Kevin Sabet emphasizing the need for scientific evidence to lead drug policy decisions, not the popular vote; Dr. Drew Pinsky and his daughter Paulina speaking about the addictive properties of marijuana and the dangers of Delta-8; and Doug Simon, who discussed new pilot programs in Florida to break the cycle of addiction. Other speakers discussed trends in drug abuse and addiction, workplace drug testing fraud and much more.
Despite critics, is AA effective?
In March 2020, Stanford Medicine News Center released a report addressing that question. A Stanford researcher and two collaborators conducted an extensive review of AA studies. Their findings stated that the AA fellowship helps more people achieve sobriety than therapy does.
Study finds marijuana with high THC levels linked to addiction, psychiatric illness
As the strength or potency of cannabis products has increased internationally over the years, so have rates of people being treated for cannabis addiction, say the authors of a new study. Researchers from the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath (UK) systematically analysed the relationship between the types of cannabis people use and their addiction and mental health problems. Their work draws on 20 studies involving almost 120,000 people.
Is In-Person Substance Abuse Treatment Is Better Than Online?
As the world become more connected through the Internet, online support groups are revolutionizing the addiction treatment space. Especially in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, online support groups have become a vital part of telehealth and addiction treatment. For those in recovery, online support groups may be one of the few ways to maintain connection during the pandemic. The reason for the recent popularity of these groups is clear. There is a plethora of online support groups that offer people in recovery the opportunity to reach out and connect with others who are similarly seeking stability in their lives without drugs and alcohol. But are these online support groups effective at helping people become or stay sober? Will they eclipse traditional in-person treatment? Or will online support group eventually be relegated to a supporting role in addiction treatment and recovery?
Black adults’ experiences with drug treatment charted in new study
Abstract
CLICK HERE to view the full study.
National research study finds marijuana and hallucinogen use at all-time high among young adults
Marijuana and hallucinogen use in the past year reported by young adults 19 to 30 years old increased significantly in 2021 compared to five and 10 years ago, reaching historic highs in this age group since 1988, according to the Monitoring the Future panel study. The MTF study is conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research and funded by NIDA, part of the National Institutes of Health.
Alcohol policy, treatment & research: new directions
This event included a book symposium ‘Evaluating the brain disease model of addiction’, with speakers including:
Prof Derek Heim & Dr Rebecca Monk, Recovery is Possible: Overcoming ‘Addiction’ and its Rescue Hypotheses
Dr Frank Ryan, Psychotherapeutic strategies to enhance motivation and cognitive control
Dr Tim Leighton, Brains or persons? Is it coherent to ascribe psychological powers to brains?
Dr James Morris, Before ‘rock bottom’ Does a disease model hinder public health goals for alcohol?
Dr Ed Day, discussant for the ‘evaluating the brain disease model of addiction’ symposium