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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I’m not Using “Hard” Drugs, So What’s the Big Deal?
Some think that because marijuana isn’t a “hard” drug it doesn’t cause problems. The reality is that although drugs like methamphetamine and the opiates can be devastating and even a single use might be too much, regular use of marijuana can also exact a high price and wreak havoc on lives in various ways. The full text of my latest post on Psychology Today can be found here:
Posted in Miscellaneous
Tagged addiction, almost addicted, drug addiction, marijuana, opiates, psychiatry, psychology
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Marijuana is All Natural, so What’s the Problem?
See the post on my blog Almost Addicted on Psychology Today:
Posted in Addiction, Miscellaneous
Tagged addiction, almost addicted, marijuana, psychiatry, psychological development, schizophrenia
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