Addiction News & Trends

January 17, 2020 US Raises Legal Age to Buy Cigarettes, Vapes to 21 CNN (12/20) – President Donald Trump on Friday signed a sweeping spending bill into law, including a measure that prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. The increased age restriction for tobacco purchases is one of several provisions outside of the spending measures themselves that will be attached to the broader $1.4 trillion spending agreement. Read more The FDA Can't Prove Its Opioid Strategy Actually Worked, Study Says CNN HEALTH (12/30) – The US Food and Drug Administration can't show a key program meant to address opioid misuse and abuse actually paid off, according to a new study. The authors of the study, published Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, reviewed more than 9,700 pages of FDA documents pertaining to the agency's "risk evaluation and mitigation strategy," which launched in 2012 to address risks associated with extended-release and long-acting opioids. Read more The Number of US Alcohol Deaths Per Year Has Doubled Since 1999 VOX (01/13) – America is in the middle of an alcohol epidemic. That’s one takeaway from a new study published this month in Alcoholism, which found the number of alcohol-related deaths more than doubled between 1999 and 2017 from nearly 36,000 to nearly 73,000, and the rate of alcohol-related deaths rose by more than 50 percent from 16.9 per 100,000 people to 25.5. Read more FDA Bans Some Vaping Products, Including Fruit and Mint Flavors CBS NEWS (01/02) – The Trump administration is banning flavored vape products that appeal to children. The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that manufacturers will have 30 days to stop making and selling cartridge-based vaping devices, including mint-, fruit- and dessert-flavored electronic cigarettes. Read more Further Reading: Adolescent Addiction Expert Weighs In On Proposed Ban On Flavored E-Cigarette Pods Medicaid Expansion May Have Saved Thousands from Drug Overdose Deaths THE WASHINGTON POST (01/10) – Expanding Medicaid rolls under the Affordable Care Act may have saved as many as 8,132 people from fatal opioid overdoses, virtually all involving heroin and fentanyl, a study released Friday suggests. Read more Further Reading: Overdose Rates Higher And Opioid Addiction Care Scarcer, In Medicaid Work Requirement States An Overview of Cannabis Use in Pregnancy PSYCHIATRIC TIMES (01/15) – […] Consumption of cannabis during pregnancy results in cannabinoid placental crossing and accumulation in the fetal brain, and other organs, where it interferes with neurodevelopment and the endocannabinoid system. Read more Southerners With Substance Use Disorders Wrongly Denied Disability Insurance FILTER MAG (01/14) – Staff confusion and incompetence seem to be responsible for the wrongful denial of disability insurance to people with substance use disorders in states hit hard by the opioid-involved overdose crisis, found a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Read more Chemicals Between Us: Surprising Effects of Oxytocin on Cocaine Addiction SCIENCEDAILY (01/15) – Researchers have discovered gender-based differences in response to therapeutic oxytocin treatment in cocaine-addicted individuals with a history of childhood trauma. Read more A New Way to Quit? Psychedelic Therapy Offers Promise for Smoking Cessation NPR (12/22) – […] So far, half of the 40 participants who've completed the current Johns Hopkins smoking cessation program have quit smoking, as confirmed by urine and breath samples, Johnson says. Read more Resiliency in Recovery Training Workshops Holistic Stress Management offers a dynamic mind-body-spirit approach to coping effectively with stress, including addiction recovery. This Holistic Stress Management Instructor Training (Hartford, CT: April 2-5, Boulder, CO: 14-17) offers 54 CEs through NAADAC, 54 CNEs for nurses, 24 CEs through ICF and NCHEC. Paramount Wellness Institute is a NAADAC Approved Education Provider (#171056). Study Identifies Genetic Variant that May Contribute to Alcohol and Drug Addiction NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM (01/13) – People with a genetic variant of a neurotransmitter gene may have an increased risk of addiction to alcohol and other substances later in life if they were exposed to childhood stress, such as divorce or emotionally distant parents, and other adverse experiences, according to recent research. Read more Most People Who Need Anti-Overdose Drug Don’t Get It FUTURITY (01/10) – Only a tiny minority of people at risk for an opioid overdose actually get a prescription for naloxone, a drug that could save their lives, a new study suggests. Read more Study Offers A Mixed Bag for Opioid Users Taking Benzos WBUR (01/10) – [...] It found that patients prescribed benzodiazepines — or "benzos" — were less likely to stop taking their buprenorphine, an addiction medication that eases opioid cravings. Read more Help Clients Reach 2020 Goals Many Treatment Professionals have integrated Soberlink into their client’s programs to promote lasting recovery. Soberlink provides data-driven metrics to ensure you stay connected to your clients. Click here for more information on a free 30-day Soberlink trial. Mayo Clinic Researchers Pursue Single-Dose Gene Therapy to Treat Cocaine Addiction EUREKALERT! (01/07) – In a radical new approach to treat cocaine addiction, researchers at the Mayo Clinic are seeking approval for first-in-human studies of a single-dose gene therapy. Read more Co-Occurring Alcohol Use Disorder and Anxiety: Bridging Psychiatric, Psychological, and Neurobiological Perspectives ALCOHOL RESEARCH (12/30) – […] This article provides an overview of the evolving perspectives of this association in the context of three related disciplines—psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience. Read more Membership Status Membership Expiration Date: Not a Member If you are not a current member, Join Now! Membership Benefits Disclaimer: The Addiction & Recovery eNews is a news service for the addiction profession which aims to give wide coverage to news and to the variety of views and opinions on all aspects of the subjects that are of interest to the profession. NAADAC does not necessarily endorse the opinions or views put forth in these articles, and neither guarantees the accuracy of the information provided by external sources/links nor accepts responsibility or liability for any consequences arising from the use of such data. Table of Contents - US Raises Legal Age to Buy Cigarettes, Vapes to 21 - The FDA Can't Prove Its Opioid Strategy Actually Worked, Study Says - The Number of US Alcohol Deaths Per Year Has Doubled Since 1999 - FDA Bans Some Vaping Products, Including Fruit and Mint Flavors - Medicaid Expansion May Have Saved Thousands from Drug Overdose Deaths - An Overview of Cannabis Use in Pregnancy - Southerners With Substance Use Disorders Wrongly Denied Disability Insurance - Chemicals Between Us: Surprising Effects of Oxytocin on Cocaine Addiction - A New Way to Quit? Psychedelic Therapy Offers Promise for Smoking Cessation - Study Identifies Genetic Variant that May Contribute to Alcohol and Drug Addiction - Most People Who Need Anti-Overdose Drug Don’t Get It - Study Offers A Mixed Bag for Opioid Users Taking Benzos - Mayo Clinic Researchers Pursue Single-Dose Gene Therapy to Treat Cocaine Addiction - Co-Occurring Alcohol Use Disorder and Anxiety: Bridging Psychiatric, Psychological, and Neurobiological Perspectives

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Monday Thoughts January 20, 2020

“Life is ten percent what you experience and ninety percent how you respond to it.”  ~~Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, Ph.D. “Often it’s the deepest pain which empowers you to grow into your highest self.”  ~~Karen Salmansohn “Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.”  ~~Pema Chodron _______________________________________________________________ #4 Problems bother me only to the degree I permit. I now better understand my problems.  I do not permit problems to overwhelm me. _______________________________________________________________ Statement #4 is such an empowering asset in my New Life and has helped manage and solve problems when put into action. Yet, this past week, this Statement helped me see clearly, literally.  Recently I began having trouble seeing from my left eye.  After an exam from my regular optician, it was time to see a specialist.  In the past, problems overwhelmed me to the point of denial, running away or simple non-reaction.   Over time, with the practice of Statement #4 I have become more adept at dissecting problems and examining multiple options and following through. Much like an exercise or yoga practice, my problem-solving skills are strengthening and becoming more defined. Now what the specialist told me could have sent me running for cover but thanks to Statement #4, I was able to understand the problem and embrace the solution without fear.  Well, way less fear! Turns out the solution is a monthly eye infection.  This is a small price to pay for such a vital facet of the amazing New Life I get to live today. Statement #4 Tool:  Focus on the solution, not the problem.  The problem is what it is, and multiple solutions may be available.  In the case with my eyes, I focused on the solution; better vision as opposed on how to get there.  Yes, it has a large squeamish factor, but the end result far outweighs the path to get there.  If you have a tool that you use to practice Statement #4 and would like to share, please email karen@teamwfs.org. Hugzzz and clarity, Karen _______________________________________ Hi 4C Women. This Statement has been such a tremendous guide in determining when I have an issue that needs attention (problem-solving) or just worrying about everything which in the past was a distraction from trusting my gut instincts and being in charge of my life.  I once wrote that my past does not define me, it only tells me where I’ve been.  The same can be said of how I problem-solved in the past before I was ready to admit I hadn’t been willing to consider a different approach to a real issue.  I didn’t trust my gut instincts.  It took quite a while to take risks, to let go of the fear of making a wrong decision, to reach out for input and have more of a win-win attitude than a winner-loser approach.  I believe that words are powerful, especially the ones we say to ourselves.  I started using the word “concern” rather than worry.  I felt concern expressed how I was truly feeling about a person or situation that needed my attention if I was to grow emotionally and set boundaries.  This was especially true when it came to family as I was so fearful of rocking the boat, falling out and not knowing how to get back in in a healthy way.  I learned that when I cared more about healing a relationship or issue than the people involved, I was hurting myself and denying using my energy towards self-care.   It encouraged me to search and research solutions rather than wringing my hands in needless worry with no end in sight.  I also loved the message from Karen a few years ago when she shared that she temporarily changed the word, “problems” to “changes” in her self-talk which helped her move from reluctance to understanding her fear of change, seeing it as a wonderful opportunity for growth.  She shared that change is not the actual problem but her reluctance to change was and she used that knowledge to reflect on whether she was truly stuck or fighting change.  I have always seen WFS as a path to positive change.  Yet, even positive change can be a bit scary, especially in the beginning.  It is amazing to experience the difference of letting problems overwhelm us to understanding why and learning new problem-solving skills, choosing a different approach.  It is truly a New Life! Here are some questions we have used in our group for Statement #4.     What are the consequences of NOT changing this situation or behavior?    What do I feel I have at stake in this situation?    What am I willing to let go of?    What benefit am I getting out of keeping things the same way?    Do I need to review the boundaries I have set and whether or not I am adhering to them?    Have I reached out to my support system for input, comfort and understanding?    Do I care more than the other person in this situation?  If I do, why and how can I practice more self-care?  Bonded in understanding, changing and trusting our instincts, Dee

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