Center for Addiction blogs

A comparison of patients relapsing to addictive drug use with non-relapsing patients following residential addiction treatment i

Sat, 08 Oct 2005 20:54:42 -0400

A comparison of patients relapsing to addictive drug use with non-relapsing patients following residential addiction treatment in antigua. - Related Articles
A comparison of patients relapsing to addictive drug use with non-relapsing patients following residential addiction treatment in antigua.
West Indian Med J. 2005 Jun;54(3):196-201

Research offers new approach to developing treatments for cocaine ... - EurekAlert

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 19:28:08 -0400

NORTH CHICAGO, ILL. (September 28, 2005) -- A methamphetamine epidemic rages across the United States with addicts blinded by uncontrollable desires for a drug that eventually thrusts them into a dire and catastrophic existence. Doctors don't have any effective treatments for these addicts, or for any other drug addicts; drug addiction is a disease that remains a medical mystery. A recent study led by Pastor R. Couceyro, PhD, at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and colleagues at Amgen sheds new light on the causes of drug addiction, and opens the possibility for new treatments in the future. These researchers have identified a brain neurotransmitter that is important for the pleasurable, and possibly addictive, effects of stimulant drugs like methamphetamine.

Red Cross Directs Shelters to Allow Addiction Counseling - JoinTogether.org

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 20:33:04 -0400

Red Cross Directs Shelters to Allow Addiction Counseling - JoinTogether.org - Red Cross Directs Shelters to Allow Addiction CounselingJoinTogether.org - 9 hours agoResponding to reports of addiction counselors being barred from working in Red Cross shelters in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Red Cross officials issued a letter saying that shelter managers "must allow substance-abuse counselors to enter the shelters in order for people with substance-abuse problems to receive appropriate counseling."

Vivitrex - Potential New treatment for Alcoholism

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 15:15:54 -0400

MSNBC has a great article on a treatment for alcoholism waiting for approval by the FDA. The drug is called Vivitrex and the buzz on the drug is quite good.

Campral can help alcoholics remain sober by easing withdrawal symptoms and reversing drinking-induced imbalances in brain chemistry. The drug costs $3.70 for an average daily dose of six tablets.

Cambridge-based Alkermes Inc. expects to hear back from federal regulators by Sept. 30 on its application to begin marketing its new drug, Vivitrex, to doctors specializing in addiction medicine. In a clinical trial, the number of heavy drinking days per month among patients taking Vivitrex and undergoing counseling was reduced from an average 19 days to three over six months.

Faith Based Addiction Help Organizations

Wed, 31 Aug 2005 16:06:35 -0400

Alcoholics Victorious
This is a Christian-oriented 12-step support group for those recovering from alcohol or chemical dependency. It offers information and referrals, literature, phone support, conferences, support group meetings, and a newsletter.
1045 Swift Street
Kansas City, MO 64116-4127
816-471-8020
www.alcoholicsvictorious.org

Calix Society
This is a 12-step fellowship of Catholic alcoholics who help one another maintain sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous. The group is concerned with total abstinence, spiritual development, and sanctification of the whole personality of each member.

[Crack cocaine-induced long QT interval syndrome in a parturient with recreational cocaine use]

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 18:28:44 -0400

[Crack cocaine-induced long QT interval syndrome in a parturient with recreational cocaine use] - Related Articles
[Crack cocaine-induced long QT interval syndrome in a parturient with recreational cocaine use]
Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 2005 Jun;24(6):697-8

Addiction Doctors and the Alliance Stop Cop Attack on Prop 36 in ... - Drug Policy Alliance

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 18:24:01 -0400

Addiction Doctors and the Alliance Stop Cop Attack on Prop 36 in ... - Drug Policy Alliance - Addiction Doctors and the Alliance Stop Cop Attack on Prop 36 in ...Drug Policy Alliance, DC - 2 hours ago... Among those opposing the bill are physicians of the California Medical Association including specialists from the California Society of Addiction Medicine, as ... [Google News - Addiction]

Addiction care to be divided between agencies - MLive.com

Thu, 25 Aug 2005 18:21:09 -0400

Addiction care to be divided between agencies - MLive.com - Addiction care to be divided between agenciesMLive.com, MI - 3 hours agoBy Shantell M. Kirkendoll. Overseeing addiction treatment for poor patients will be split between two different groups starting Oct. 1. ... [Google News - Addiction]

Iron man defeats drug addiction - High River Times

Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:45:11 -0400

Iron man defeats drug addiction - High River Times - Iron man defeats drug addictionHigh River Times, Canada - 27 minutes ago... When Bernard Maillet took part in his first half-Ironman, it was more than a challenge to complete the course - he was also battling an addiction to crack ... [Google News - Addiction]

Dopamine: not just a neurotransmitter

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 00:03:30 -0400

[Dopamine: not just a neurotransmitter] - Related Articles
[Dopamine: not just a neurotransmitter]
Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2005 Aug 12;59:405-20
Authors: Drozak J, Bryła J
Dopamine is an important endogenous catecholamine which exerts widespread effects both in neuronal (as a neurotransmitter) and non-neuronal tissues (as an autocrine or paracrine agent). Within the central nervous system, dopamine binds to specific membrane receptors presented by neurons and it plays the key role in the control of locomotion, learning, working memory, cognition, and emotion. The brain dopamine system is involved in various neurological and psychiatric disturbances such as Parkinson's Disease, schizophrenia, and amphetamine and cocaine addiction. Thus, this system is the major target of powerful drugs applied in the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases. Physiological functions of the brain dopamine system are well recognized. However, dopamine biosynthesis does not only occur in neurons, but also in peripheral tissues. Dopamine receptors have been described in the kidney, pancreas, lungs, and in numerous blood vessels outside the central nervous system. Renal dopamine is now recognized as an important regulator of sodium extraction and electrolyte balance, while defective renal dopamine production and/or dopamine receptor function may contribute to the development of various forms of human and animal hypertension. This article gives a brief overview of the importance of dopamine acting as a neurotransmitter and peripheral hormone. Special consideration is given to: (i) biochemical disturbances occurring in both brain and kidneys in various diseases and (ii) current therapy correcting disturbances in dopamine systems.

International behavioral neuroscience society - ninth annual meeting.

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 21:30:48 -0400

International behavioral neuroscience society - ninth annual meeting. - Related Articles
International behavioral neuroscience society - ninth annual meeting.
IDrugs. 2000 Jul;3(7):743-4
Authors: Agmo A
The main thrust of the meeting was, as always, basic research in behavioral neuroscience defined in a broad sense. Learning and memory, feeding and drinking, reward mechanisms, development of the CNS, anxiety and stress were the main topics covered. In a public lecture associated with the meeting, Larry Reid (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA) reviewed the quite compelling evidence in favor of the effectiveness of naltrexone for preventing relapse in former alcoholics. He also presented preclinical data demonstrating the remarkable effects of naltrexone given together with isradipine (Novartis AG) in blocking the rewarding effects of cocaethylene. This combination of drugs could thereby constitute a treatment for alcoholism complicated by cocaine abuse. Of potential therapeutic interest was also the description of the preclinical pharmacology and a phase II trial of a new cholinesterase inhibitor, methanesulfonyl fluoride (University of Texas). The possible physiological functions of sigma opioid receptors and the pharmacological properties of sigma receptor ligands were discussed at one of the symposia. Among the subjects covered were the potential use of sigma1 antagonists in the treatment of cocaine addiction and the efficiency of sigma1 agonists for preventing the decline in cognitive functions associated with old age.

Neural responses to acute cocaine administration in the human brain detected by fMRI.

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 21:22:38 -0400

Neural responses to acute cocaine administration in the human brain detected by fMRI. - Related Articles
Neural responses to acute cocaine administration in the human brain detected by fMRI.

Neuroimage. 2005 Jul 29;

Mom and Dad's disapproval a greater deterrant than the law when it ... - News-Medical.net

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 21:14:35 -0400

Mom and Dad's disapproval a greater deterrant than the law when it ... - News-Medical.net - WFMY News 2 Mom and Dad's disapproval a greater deterrant than the law when it ...News-Medical.net, World - 2 hours agoAccording to a survey by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), the number of students attending schools where drugs are used, kept or ...