Substance dependence

PBM Achieves Dramatic Results With Opioid Management Program

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Substance dependence, Opioid epidemic, Opioid, Medicine, Health, RTT, Pain, Epidemiology

The PBM's enhanced management of opioid medications is ahead of the curve and has helped to reduce utilization by ensuring that prescription opioids are used appropriately.

Key Points: 
  • The PBM's enhanced management of opioid medications is ahead of the curve and has helped to reduce utilization by ensuring that prescription opioids are used appropriately.
  • While the opioid crisis is now national news, BeneCard PBF has been actively managing opioid prescriptions since 2009, when it unveiled a proprietary claims processing platform.
  • "Our opioid management programs were established nearly a decade ago and continue to improve in terms of efficacy and client savings.
  • A 2017 trend of 0.83% further validates the business model that BeneCard PBF has pioneered in the PBM space.

FDA warns companies selling illegal, unapproved kratom products marketed for opioid cessation, pain treatment and other medical uses

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Euphoriants, Substance dependence, Health, Antidiarrhoeals, Analgesics, Mitragyna speciosa, Medicine, Pain management, Opioid epidemic, Opioid, Food and Drug Administration

"As we work to combat the opioid epidemic, we cannot allow unscrupulous vendors to take advantage of consumers by selling products with unsubstantiated claims that they can treat opioid addiction.

Key Points: 
  • "As we work to combat the opioid epidemic, we cannot allow unscrupulous vendors to take advantage of consumers by selling products with unsubstantiated claims that they can treat opioid addiction.
  • Far from treating addiction, we've determined that kratom is an opioid analogue that may actually contribute to the opioid epidemic and puts patients at risk of serious side effects.
  • In the meantime, I promised earlier this year that the FDA would step up our actions against unapproved and unsafe products that are being deceptively marketed for the treatment of opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
  • There are no FDA-approved uses for kratom, and the agency has received concerning reports about the safety of kratom.

Addiction Policy Forum Launches Statewide Resource Center to Address the Opioid Crisis in Nevada

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 21, 2018
Substance dependence, Psychiatry, Psychiatric diagnosis, Health, Abnormal psychology, Medicine, Addiction, Opioid epidemic, Substance use disorder

LAS VEGAS, May 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Addiction Policy Forum, a leading addiction nonprofit, has launched its Addiction Resource Center (ARC) serving people across Nevada who are struggling with substance use disorder, as well as their loved ones.

Key Points: 
  • LAS VEGAS, May 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Addiction Policy Forum, a leading addiction nonprofit, has launched its Addiction Resource Center (ARC) serving people across Nevada who are struggling with substance use disorder, as well as their loved ones.
  • The Addiction Resource Center features a confidential phone line that can be reached by dialing 1-833-301-HELP (4357).
  • "Hundreds of Nevada families have been affected by the opioid crisis.
  • The Addiction Resource Center is a comprehensive, interactive website to help individuals and families struggling with addiction learn about substance use disorders and access help.

California Launches Training for Addiction Treatment Executives

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 21, 2018
Substance dependence, Psychiatry, Substance abuse, Abnormal psychology, Psychiatric diagnosis, Addiction, Drug rehabilitation, Substance use disorder, Drug treatment

SACRAMNETO, Calif., May 20, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) announced Friday that it will begin offering coursework for addiction professionals who wish to become Certified Alcohol and Drug Treatment Executives (CTE).

Key Points: 
  • SACRAMNETO, Calif., May 20, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) announced Friday that it will begin offering coursework for addiction professionals who wish to become Certified Alcohol and Drug Treatment Executives (CTE).
  • This training strives to assist executives and aspiring executives with training and development that will strengthen the addiction industry, create increased consumer protection for addiction clients, and build capacity for those afflicted by substance use disorder.
  • The program provides a source of information with regard to the multifaceted career aspects that executives and managers face daily.
  • According to CCAPP CEO Pete Nielsen, the need for greater training and standardization of managerial skills for the addiction treatment industry is critical at a time when Californians are embracing treatment for substance use disorders and new revenue is being made available to create or expand treatment programs.

AUA: Urology's Approach to Pain Management in an Opioid Epidemic

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 18, 2018
Medicine, Pain, Health, Substance dependence, Opioid epidemic, RTT, Opioid, Pain management, Urology

Wide Variation in Postoperative Urologic Surgery Opioid Prescribing in Tertiary Care Centers: With the United States facing an opioid epidemic,researchers in Rochester, MNsought to assess postoperative opioid prescribing practices in patients undergoing urologic surgery.

Key Points: 
  • Wide Variation in Postoperative Urologic Surgery Opioid Prescribing in Tertiary Care Centers: With the United States facing an opioid epidemic,researchers in Rochester, MNsought to assess postoperative opioid prescribing practices in patients undergoing urologic surgery.
  • Using data from three tertiary care centers, researchers identified 9,229 patients who were prescribed an opioid medication upon discharge from the hospital.
  • After observing these prescribing variations, researchers developed a four-tier procedure-based prescribing guideline to guide opioid prescriptions for adult urologic surgery patients.
  • "The opioid epidemic in the United States has brought much-needed attention to our approach to pain management," said Dr. Davies.

Learn How to Control Kids' Addiction to Video Game Apps Like "Fortnite"

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 18, 2018
Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychiatric diagnosis, Neuroscience, Educational psychology, Substance dependence, Anxiety, RTT, Impulsivity, Mobile phone overuse, Addiction, Compulsive behavior

Dr. Greenfield, Founder of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction , explains how digital interactions can lead to elevations of dopamine, which can result in compulsive behaviors.

Key Points: 
  • Dr. Greenfield, Founder of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction , explains how digital interactions can lead to elevations of dopamine, which can result in compulsive behaviors.
  • vi
    Smartphone addiction is now linked to damaging teens' ability to be attentive, and to increasing anxiety, depression, insomnia and impulsivity.
  • STAPP allows parents to just tap and the social and game apps on their teens' screens are temporarily invisible.
  • Find out more at stappnow.com or download from the App Store (available as STAPP Parental Control) and get a 14-day free trial.

FDA Approves US WorldMeds' LUCEMYRA™ (lofexidine) After Priority Review for the Management of Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Chemistry, Medicine, Substance dependence, RTT, Organic chemistry, Morphinans, Drug rehabilitation, Morphine, Opioid use disorder, Opioid, Placebo, Addiction

Data show that compared to placebo, participants treated with LUCEMYRA experienced less severe withdrawal symptoms and were significantly more likely to complete a seven-day opioid discontinuation treatment.

Key Points: 
  • Data show that compared to placebo, participants treated with LUCEMYRA experienced less severe withdrawal symptoms and were significantly more likely to complete a seven-day opioid discontinuation treatment.
  • LUCEMYRA is not an opioid drug and is not a treatment for opioid use disorder (sometimes known as opioid addiction).
  • LUCEMYRA is indicated for mitigation of opioid withdrawal symptoms to facilitate abrupt opioid discontinuation in adults.
  • In clinical trials, LUCEMYRA significantly reduced the severity of withdrawal symptoms compared to placebo as reported by patients experiencing opioid withdrawal.

FDA approves the first non-opioid treatment for management of opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Substance dependence, RTT, Medicine, Morphinans, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Opioid use disorder, Opioid, Drug rehabilitation, Addiction, Opioid epidemic, Buprenorphine/naloxone

"We're developing new guidance to help accelerate the development of better treatments, including those that help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Key Points: 
  • "We're developing new guidance to help accelerate the development of better treatments, including those that help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms.
  • We know that the physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal can be one of the biggest barriers for patients seeking help and ultimately overcoming addiction.
  • The fear of experiencing withdrawal symptoms often prevents those suffering from opioid addiction from seeking help.
  • These symptoms of opioid withdrawal occur both in patients who have been using opioids appropriately as prescribed and in patients with OUD.

High America Opioid Awareness Foundation Hires TransMedia Group to Disseminate a Iife-saving Message to Youth: Avoid Deadly Opioids That Are Killing 115 of You Every Day!

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Substance dependence, Opioid epidemic, Morphine, Opioid, Addiction, Health, Epidemiology, Neuroscience

BOCA RATON, Fla., May 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --The Spirit & Truth Corporation dba High America Opioid Awareness Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, has retained TransMedia Group ( www.TransMediaGroup.com ) to impress on youth that opioid addiction will kill them.

Key Points: 
  • BOCA RATON, Fla., May 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --The Spirit & Truth Corporation dba High America Opioid Awareness Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, has retained TransMedia Group ( www.TransMediaGroup.com ) to impress on youth that opioid addiction will kill them.
  • "Our publicity on behalf of High America ( www.HighAmerica.org ) will highlight how the opioid epidemic is ravaging our country and has taken the lives and futures of men,women and children.
  • We will launch in conjunction with Fast Town's #CarsArtCaffeine @FATvillage #PTODchallenge #15Challenge on Sunday, May 20th10am-3pm," added Mazzone.
  • "Opioid Addiction and its deadly overdoses is the scourge of our times that must be stopped and our publicity will be a potent weapon," said TransMedia CEO Tom Madden.

Addiction Policy Forum Releases Hospital Toolkit to Support Health Systems and Patients

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Substance dependence, Abnormal psychology, Opioid epidemic, Addiction, Emergency medicine, Health, Epidemiology, Medicine

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Today the Addiction Policy Forum (APF) launched a hospital toolkit to empower patients, families, emergency medicine providers, and policymakers to work collaboratively to identify patients in need of help, initiate evidence-based treatments, and connect patients and families to comprehensive support services.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, May 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Today the Addiction Policy Forum (APF) launched a hospital toolkit to empower patients, families, emergency medicine providers, and policymakers to work collaboratively to identify patients in need of help, initiate evidence-based treatments, and connect patients and families to comprehensive support services.
  • The opioid epidemic has resulted in escalating the utilization of our health systems' inpatient and emergency medicine services.
  • "We know those who have had a nonfatal overdose are at an increased risk for a fatal overdose and need treatment for substance use disorder," says Jessica Hulsey Nickel, President and CEO of the Addiction Policy Forum.
  • The hospital toolkit can be accessed at: http://www.addictionpolicy.org/hospitaltoolkit
    The Addiction Policy Forum is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2015 as a diverse partnership of organizations, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to working together to elevate awareness around addiction, and to improve programs and policy through a comprehensive response that includes prevention, treatment, recovery, and criminal justice reform.