Over the past several years, the explosion of “designer drugs”—so named because they are designed to evade regulation and law enforcement—has continued unabated. Here is an update on the most popular of these: synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, and synthetic hallucinogens.

Dr. Michael Weaver discusses the latest in club drugs, providing insight on the background, dangers and legal issues surrounding these drugs, and also how to talk to patients about them with a credible understanding.

Varenicline (Chantix) is probably the single most effective medication for smoking cessation. Some research has suggested that Chantix is more effective for women. A recent meta-analysis attempted to add statistical power to evaluating that question.

After reading these articles, you should be able to…

If a patient comes in and says, “doc, I think I need to go to rehab,” what should you do? Most people think of rehabs as residential facilities, but these days, the term “rehab” includes a broad spectrum of treatment settings, most of which, in fact, are not residential—only 10% of people receiving specialized addiction services go to residential rehab.

What goes on inside a residential rehab program? Inquiring minds would love to know, especially those of us who are treating addicts and counseling concerned family members. Rehab has traditionally been a kind of black box, an opaque entity where addicts enter, and 30 days later exit with an epiphany and a lifelong commitment to sobriety. Until they relapse and go back to another rehab, that is.

How should we talk about marijuana with our patients? Psychiatrists are often called upon to describe the adverse effects of smoking marijuana and asked about legitimate medical benefits. Here's an overview of ways to answer those questions.

There is a wide array of treatment options for patients with various levels of addiction issues, but of those rehab is one of the most well-known. Dr. Willenbring makes the argument that inpatient rehab is not an effective method to combat addiction.

An intervention has become the starting place for an addict's journey to rehab. We all have a notion of family and friends gathering around a patient and sharing their feelinings. Mr. Gallant is a professional interventionist, who has planned and executed interventions for 28 years. This interview shares his expertise in the area and provides his sense of how interventions fit into the addiction treatment process.

After reading these articles, you should be able to…