Addiction Medicine
From the Journals
COVID-19 hospitalization 80% more likely for smokers
These results contrast with previous studies that have suggested a protective effect of smoking against COVID-19.
Feature
‘Alarming’ increase in fake pills laced with fentanyl, methamphetamine, DEA warns
More than 9.5 million fake pills have been seized so far this year – more than the last 2 years combined.
Commentary
Dopamine and reward: The story of social media
There is a need to establish boundaries between what is beneficial and what is potentially detrimental to our mental health, says Leanna M.W. Lui...
Commentary
Buprenorphine offers a way to rise from the ashes of addiction
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a physician is having a direct impact on alleviating patient suffering.
Feature
As opioid deaths climb, human trials begin for vaccine
The first vaccine to enter a trial targets oxycodone.
From the Journals
Opioid overdoses tied to lasting cognitive impairment
One study in the review found that about 39% of people seeking buprenorphine treatment suffered from neurocognitive impairment.
Conference Coverage
Growing proportion of cardiac arrests in U.S. considered opioid related
Due to a steep rise, opioid-associated cardiac arrests have become a major public health issue.
Feature
The trauma and healing of 9/11 echo in COVID-19
“To me, 9/11 placed psychological first aid on the map,” said Dr. Priscilla Dass-Brailsford, who was involved in early interventions for Sept. 11...
Feature
United Healthcare settles claims it violated mental health parity
The joint New York–federal investigation determined that United Healthcare reduced reimbursement rates for out-of-network mental health services...
From the Journals
‘Deeper dive’ into opioid overdose deaths during COVID pandemic
Results also showed that, compared to 2019, significantly more men died from overdoses in 2020 in Colorado and Indiana.
News from the FDA/CDC
EDs saw more benzodiazepine overdoses, but fewer patients overall, in 2020
Fentanyl became increasingly involved in benzodiazepine overdose deaths through the first half of the year.