Please see my just published post on Psychology Today. Although it stimulates the same brain receptors that marijuana does, synthetic marijuana (also known as K2 or Spice, among other names) is dramatically more potent than marijuana itself and also carries far greater risks than marijuana. Manufacturers are often trying to stay one step ahead of the law, so who knows what chemicals will turn up next in synthetic marijuana. The upshot: Stay away.
New Movie about Doctors’ Participation in Torture in the “War on Terror”
The movie is called Doctors of the Dark Side. You can see a trailer for the movie here. The website also has a study guide which provides invaluable information as well as resources for further information on this whole topic.
Posted in Miscellaneous
Tagged ethics, medical ethics, military medical ethics, torture, war on terror
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The Dangers of Prescription Drug Abuse
In my latest post on Psychology Today, I highlight some epidemiological data about adolescents and prescription drug abuse and then make the point that although obviously these drugs can be effective when taken as directed, when misused they can destroy lives.
A Painfully Long Wait–Boston Globe editorial May 6, 2013
The Boston Globe published an editorial today reporting our work and amplifying our call for better treatment of psychiatric patients. The fact that insurers require prior authorization for (so many) psychiatric services but not for other medical services illustrates the extent to which they prey upon the vulnerabilities of psychiatric patients.
The humanity of a society is judged upon how well it treats the most vulnerable folks in its midst, and as a society we can do so much better in this regard.
Posted in Miscellaneous
Tagged boston, boston globe, ethics, psychiatric emergency, single payer national health care
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APA Highlights our Recent Research Study on Insurance Prior Authorization for Inpatient Psychiatric Admission
Our study about the countless hours psychiatric workers waste on the phone with insurers while obtaining prior authorizations was covered by the LA Times, Chicago Tribune, the Wall Street Journal, MedPage today, Reuters, and lots of other news outlets. The APA actually sent out an announcement of our findings as well.
HIV Plus Magazine Interview
Great piece in the magazine HIV Plus about how to address substance abuse issues with loved ones. Very grateful that they chose to interview me for the piece.
Here is a link to the piece: http://www.hivplusmag.com/wellness/2013/03/20/how-help-family-member-deal-addiction
Posted in Miscellaneous
Tagged AA, addiction, almost addicted, HIV, loved one, sobriety
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Psychology Today post about interplay between mental health concerns and substance abuse
See this post:
It explores the relationship between psych and substance abuse issues, with special emphasis on ADHD.
Drowned in a Stream of Prescriptions–New York Times today
I was quoted (deep) in the New York Times front page feature story today, “Drowned in a Stream of Prescriptions,” by Alan Schwarz . . . Very compelling piece but oh so sad . . .
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/us/concerns-about-adhd-practices-and-amphetamine-addiction.html
Posted in Miscellaneous
Tagged addiction, amphetamines, drug abuse, drug addiction, medical ethics, physician, prescription drug abuse
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Portraits of Addiction
On his blog portraits of addiction, Andrew Seaward just posted something Lena Butler of Test Country wrote about (some of) my addictions work. It can be found here:
http://portraitsofaddiction.com/2013/02/02/almost-addicted/
I hereby offer a hearty thanks to both of them.
Posted in Miscellaneous
Tagged addiction, almost addicted, drug abuse, drugs, psychiatry, the almost effect
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