Addiction - Articles - Page 14

Tales from the History of Psychiatry: Opium, an Ancient Psychotropic

September 1, 2016

Marcia Zuckerman, MD Director of psychiatric services at Walden Behavioral Care in Waltham, MA Dr. Zuckerman has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

These days, opiates are primarily prescribed to treat pain. But there is a long history of using opiates to treat depression and other mental illness.

Evaluating and Treating Pain in Psychiatric Patients

September 1, 2016

Michael Robert Clark, MD

Michael Robert Clark, MD Associate professor & director of the Chronic Pain Treatment Program at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD Dr. Clark discloses that he has been a paid consultant to Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc. and Depomed, Inc. Dr. Carlat has reviewed this article and has found no evidence of bias in this educational activity.

Many chronic pain patients are dealing with psychiatric problems. Pain patients have tremendously high rates of major depressive disorder which is undertreated and underdiagnosed. It's easy to assume that the depression is a reaction to living with chronic pain, but in fact it’s often the other way around. Dr. Michael Robert Clark describes evaluations and treatment methods clinicians can use to address pain management with their patients.

Vilazodone Not Effective for Cannabis Dependence

September 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

Effective pharmacological treatments for cannabis dependence have eluded the field of addiction psychiatry. It’s not, however, due to a lack of trying. Theoretical connections between cannabinoids and the serotonin system have spurred a number of studies looking at the usefulness of SSRIs and buspirone.

Combining Alcohol With Caffeinated Energy Drinks Leads to Increased Alcohol Consumption

September 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

Combining caffeine-based energy drinks and alcohol has become a popular practice among social drinkers over the past decade. Users say that the caffeine enhances their buzz and allows them to drink for longer periods of time.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Substance Use Disorders: A Primer

August 1, 2016

Yevgeny Botanov, PhD and Chelsey Wilks, MS

Yevgeny Botanov, PhD University of Washington Department of Psychology, Seattle, WA Dr. Botanov has disclosed that he is employed by Behavioral Tech, LLC. Dr. Carlat has reviewed this article and has found no evidence of bias in this educational activity. Chelsey Wilks, MS University of Washington Department of Psychology, Seattle, WA Ms. Wilks has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is well-known as an effective treatment for individuals with personality disorders and for reducing suicidal behavior. But it’s also quite effective for addictions. In this article, we’ll discuss DBT concepts in a bit more detail and help you apply these concepts to patients with substance abuse issues.

Applying Dialectical Behavior Therapy to Addiction

August 1, 2016

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is well-known for treating borderline personality disorder (BPD) and individuals at high risk for suicide. Two studies have shown that DBT has really good outcomes in terms of reducing substance use. In this interview, Dr. Linehan shares her knowledge of DBT as a treatment method for addiction.

Reports of Gabapentin Misuse and Abuse Appear to Be True

August 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, San Antonio, TX Dr. Moore has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Gabapentin is FDA-approved for seizures and neuropathic pain, but it’s commonly used off-label for a variety of psychiatric and physical conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, borderline personality disorder, alcohol use disorders, and multiple pain disorders. Another aspect of gabapentin use that has come to light in recent years is a seemingly pervasive pattern of misuse and abuse.

Buprenorphine for Suicidality? Maybe

July 25, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

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Buprenorphine for Suicidality? Maybe

July 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, San Antonio, TX Dr. Moore has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

When patients become severely suicidal, we have few good treatment options. Recognizing the need for more options, Israeli researchers studied the use of very low doses of buprenorphine in suicidal patients. Patients with suicidal ideation were recruited from four medical centers.