The Wednesday Weekly Addiction + Recovery News Clips - October 25, 2023
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Highlights
National
The fight over methadone | Women’s risk of liver disease on the rise
State and Local
Why accessing SUD treatment in S.F. is so difficult | Oregon joint legislative committee tackles state’s addiction crisis
Studies/Research in the News
Evidence supports expanded use of telehealth for opioid use disorder care | New research highlights alcohol link to breast cancer
Opinion
Is Congress doing enough to fight the opioid crisis? | Should opioid settlement funds go to law enforcement?
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National
The fight over methadone, a ‘miracle molecule'
A doctor, a patient advocate, and the most powerful figure in the methadone treatment industry presented competing visions for the future of American addiction medicine this week — a conversation that touched on stigma, patients’ rights, and a stark divide in health provider attitudes toward patients with addiction. The debate centered on a single question: whether U.S. doctors should be able to prescribe methadone, a medication used to treat addiction to drugs like fentanyl and heroin, directly to patients. While methadone is easily the most effective drug currently approved to treat opioid addiction, it’s accessible only at specialized clinics that require patients to participate in counseling, submit to frequent drug tests, and show up in person each day to receive a single dose.
Stat - Oct. 20, 2023
Liver disease is on the rise, and women are more at risk than they think
Alcohol hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by excessive drinking and symptoms include jaundice (turning yellow), nausea, fatigue and abdominal pain. While it has long been considered a disease mostly impacting men, new research from St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne found admissions there for alcoholic hepatitis spiked in women amid the pandemic.
ABC - Oct. 20, 2023
What is tianeptine? And is tianeptine dangerous?
Tianeptine, also known as “gas station heroin,” is officially off the market—at least in Florida. The Sunshine State recently joined eight other US states (Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee) in forbidding sales of the over the counter pill, citing concerns for its high potential of abuse and addictive properties. Tianeptine is still available at gas stations and convenience stores in 41 other states and is purchasable online. It’s up to individuals to know the dangers and avoid purchasing any related products. Here’s what you need to know.
Popular Science - Oct. 20, 2023
Heart expert: Ibogaine to treat opioid addiction is safe only in hospitals; others say risk can be mitigated; 'rough' plan outlined
In a session focused on challenges of getting the psychedelic drug ibogaine approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating addiction with help of the state’s opioid settlement funds, a cardiologist said it couldn’t be done in a reasonable time and the drug is unsafe. “My opinion is that ibogaine is not safe, the efficacy is unproven, it’s unlikely to be approved by the FDA in a reasonable time period, and the cost to Kentucky would be unsupportable,” said Dr. Mark Haigney, a board-certified cardiologist and electrophysiologist, and an attending physician at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Lexington Times - Oct. 20, 2023
Kathryn Burgum, wife of Gov. Doug Burgum, opens up about mental health advocacy, struggle with addiction
The wife of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a Republican presidential candidate, is opening up about her long struggle with alcoholism, her path to sobriety and how the experience inspired her to become an advocate for eliminating the stigma around addiction and mental health.
ABC - Oct. 20. 2023
MAT for the Justice-involved Can Help Free People from Addiction
People who are incarcerated shouldn’t also be sentenced to face a substance use challenge without help. Providing MAT for the justice-involved is an effective, humane way to treat SUD and prevent overdose deaths. Research has found that opioid overdose is the leading cause of death among people released from correctional institutions. During the first two weeks of their release, people released from prison are 129 times more likely than the general population to die of a drug overdose.
National Council on Mental Wellbeing - Oct. 2023
How To Support Employees Overcoming Addiction
With compassion, dedication, and access to proper resources, you can help create a supportive work environment that sets employees up for success in their recovery journey.
Forbes - Oct. 19, 2023
What Adele Has Shared About Alcohol and Sobriety Journey
Adele got candid about her relationship to alcohol during an October 2023 performance of her Las Vegas residency show "Weekends with Adele," saying she recently stopped drinking, per a fan-captured video. It wasn't the first time she opened up on the topic of alcohol.
Today - Oct. 19, 2023
National Addiction Treatment Week
This week is National Addiction Treatment Week; a time to raise awareness about substance use disorders and resources for those looking for help. Addiction treatment physical, Dr. Glenn Kauppila says, “Addiction is a chronic medical condition akin to diabetes and hypertension and that we have effective treatments for them.”
WI Proud - Oct. 18, 2023
John Stamos Recalls Having to 'Straighten Up' amid Alcohol Addiction
The author of 'If You Would Have Told Me', out Oct. 24, exclusively tells PEOPLE: "I had to sober up. I was just drinking too much."
People - Oct. 18, 2023
‘I drank to self-medicate’: Guns N’ Roses’ Duff McKagan on panic attacks, addiction and rock’s fallen heroes
Does McKagan feel like a survivor? “Absolutely,” he says. “We’ve had so much loss from drugs that you end up feeling like you’re here for a reason, man. My reason is that I met Susan and we had our children. And if I can raise my hand about certain issues like panic attacks, depression and sobriety while I’m here in my second act, I’ll do it.”
The Guardian - Oct. 17, 2023
National State and Local Studies in the News Opinion Comments
State / Local
Louisiana infant mortality made worse by drug addiction
Few addicted mothers in Louisiana receive such care. The opioid epidemic is contributing to the state’s crisis of infant and maternal mortality like never before.
NOLA - Oct. 19, 2023
Oregon lawmakers begin ‘urgent’ effort to address the state’s addiction crisis
Oregon lawmakers say they’re serious about tackling Oregon’s addiction crisis — from stanching the supply of fentanyl on city streets to reducing Oregonians’ demand for drugs. That urgent response got off to a slow start Wednesday, as a new joint legislative committee held its first hearing in what leaders say will be a yearslong effort.
Oregon Public Broadcasting - Oct. 18, 2023
Michigan: Proposed bill looks to reauthorize opioid youth recovery efforts
Adolescents who are struggling with opioid addiction could receive additional help. According to the State of Michigan, 2,892 people died from overdoses last year. Many are from opioids like fentanyl and oxycodone. In response, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D) MI hopes to expand treatment for young people by reintroducing a nationwide program that expired on Sept. 30 of this year. Peters says the bill would allocate money for opioid addiction medication and prevention programs.
Upper Michigan Source - Oct. 18, 2023
Pennsylvania: Senate Passes Brooks’ Bill Increasing Access to Addiction Treatment Programs - Pennsylvania Senate Republicans
To help combat prevalent opioid addiction, the Senate today unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) to increase access to licensed addiction treatment programs for Pennsylvanians. Senate Bill 941 provides regulatory flexibilities that can be used during an opioid epidemic to create real solutions to workforce shortages and directly help those in need of treatment get access quicker. Additionally, Senate Bill 941 would establish annual reporting requirements to the General Assembly regarding unnecessary barriers to workforce recruitment and access to treatment.
PA Senate Republicans - Oct. 17, 2023
California: Why accessing effective drug addiction treatment programs are so hard in San Francisco
Mayor London Breed recently argued that it's easier in San Francisco to access drugs than it is to access treatment. For years, treatment for drug users and those needing mental health care has been the focus of conversation among city officials.
ABC 7 - Oct. 15, 2023
Studies/Research in the News
New research underway links breast cancer and drinking alcohol
Drinking alcohol is known to increase the risk of breast cancer. Now scientists are trying to pinpoint why and who is most at risk.
CBS - Oct. 18, 2023
Brain health: How drinking less alcohol can help
A new study reports that heavier drinking corresponds with reduced volume in certain regions of the brain. Researchers said that while abstaining from alcohol is healthiest, benefits were also seen in those who curbed their drinking. Increased alcohol consumption is associated with a higher risk of a wide range of adverse medical conditions.
Medical News Today - Oct. 18, 2023
Telehealth supports retention in treatment for opioid use disorder
Federally funded study provides additional evidence supporting expanded use of telehealth services for opioid use disorder-related care.
National Institutes of Health - Oct. 18, 2023
Opinion
Fentanyl is killing thousands, but Congress has no answer for the opioid crisis
America’s drug overdose crisis is out of control. Washington, despite a bipartisan desire to combat it, is finding its addiction-fighting programs are failing. In 2018, Republicans, Democrats and then-President Donald Trump united around legislation that threw $20 billion into treatment, prevention and recovery. But five years later, the SUPPORT Act has lapsed and the number of Americans dying from overdoses has grown more than 60 percent, driven by illicit fentanyl. The battle has turned into a slog.
POLITICO - Oct. 22, 2023
Should opioid settlement funds go to cover police expenses?
Opioid Settlement Funds — totaling more than $50 billion across 18 years — comes from national settlements with more than a dozen companies that made, sold, or distributed opioid painkillers, including Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, and Walmart, which were accused of fueling the epidemic that addicted and killed millions. Directing the funds to police has triggered difficult questions about what the money was meant for and whether such spending truly helps save lives.
NPR - Oct. 20, 2023
Officials Agree: Use Settlement Funds to Curb Youth Addiction. But the ‘How’ Gets Hairy
Researchers say putting money toward programs with uncertain outcomes — when more effective alternatives exist — could cost not only valuable resources but, ultimately, lives. Although $50 billion sounds like a lot, when compared with the toll of the epidemic, each penny must be spent efficiently.
KFF - Sept. 25, 2023