The Wednesday Weekly - Addiction + Recovery News, January 19, 2022
The Wednesday Weekly is a collaboration of Sober Linings Playbook and Recovery in the Middle Ages Podcast.
Highlights
(Inter) National
Most who struggle with addiction survive | Is stronger anti-overdose naloxone a bad thing? | Managing sugar cravings in recovery | Narcan vending machines
State and Local
Racial disparities in NC addiction treatment | Decriminalization bill introduced in VT | San Francisco harm reduction program opportunities for improvement | Chicago libraries to stock anti-overdose Narcan
Studies/Research in the News
Opioid deaths surge among older black men | Light alcohol consumption just as risky
Opinion
Dr. Carl Erik Fisher: It’s misleading to call addiction a disease | Delish dishes on the Sober Curious movement | The myth of abstinence only recovery
Reviews
Memoir: ‘All Day is a Long Time,’ by David Sanchez | Book: ‘The Urge: Our History of Addiction’ by Dr. Carl Erik Fisher | TV: ‘Single Drunk Female’
Podcasts
RMA discusses health and fitness in recovery | Dr. Carl Erik Fisher on Rehab Confidential
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(Inter)National
Pregnant Women Facing Incarceration For Drug Abuse
On October 5 2021, a young woman named Brittany Poolaw, a member of Wichita and Affiliated Tribes in Oklahoma was charged with first degree manslaughter and a sentence of 4 years in prison. Poolaw’s case has sparked national outcry. The problem, and what doctors are tirelessly working to inform policymakers of, is that convicting someone who is likely already under immense duress and trauma (especially in the case of a miscarriage) is both detrimental and ineffective.
Addiction Center - Jan. 17, 2022
Drug addiction – a big challenge for Taliban government
Homeless Afghans addicted to drugs gather underneath bridges to take drugs and are often rounded up, beaten and forcibly taken to treatment centres by the Taliban to avoid visible casualties in harsh winter conditions.
Al Jazeera - Jan. 17, 2022
Most people with alcohol and drug addiction survive
Researchers and drug policy experts say the grim toll obscures an important and hopeful fact: Most Americans who experience alcohol and drug addiction survive.
NPR - Jan. 15, 2022
‘Trading is gambling, no doubt about it’ – how cryptocurrency dealing fuels addiction
Fears rise over how unregulated trading and promotion of crypto assets are creating a new generation of addicts. As the Guardian revealed on Friday today, crypto firms launched a record-breaking promotional push in London last year. “It’s a very strategic marketing ploy,” says Dr Anna Lembke, one of the world’s foremost addiction experts, professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and author of the book Dopamine Nation. Dr Lembke is concerned by the potential for the social media element to fuel compulsive behaviour in crypto trading, an activity she says bears the hallmarks of addictive gambling products but without the acknowledged risk.
The Guardian - Jan. 15, 2022
I was addicted to crystal meth and cocaine but now I make $1.3 million racing
A jockey “disgustingly” addicted to crystal meth and cocaine has turned her life around and is aiming for a new career-high in a race worth $1.3 million.
NY Post - Jan. 14, 2022
An Anti-overdose Drug Is Getting Stronger. Maybe That’s a Bad Thing?
Naloxone is an extraordinary, lifesaving medication. But at high doses, it can backfire. Higher doses of naloxone have been shown to make withdrawal symptoms worse (but they are quicker at pulling people out of an overdose).
The Atlantic - Jan. 14, 2022
How One Corrections Facility Is Linking Individuals to Addiction Treatment
At a New Jersey jail, access to medication for opioid use disorder is prioritized and tracked post-release. Such programs are a key component of health care for individuals in the criminal legal system, with 65% of this population estimated to have a substance use disorder (SUD)—but the vast majority of these facilities don’t offer medication treatment.
The Pew Charitable Trusts - Jan. 14, 2022
How to Control Sugar Cravings When You Quit Alcohol During Dry January
Sugar cravings are common when going alcohol free. But the urge typically fades, and there are strategies to handle it in the meantime.
Insider - Jan. 13, 2022
Gambling Addiction Concerns Unaddressed As Sports Betting Expansion Continues
With online sports betting officially making its debut in New York over the weekend, concerns continue to mount about the potential societal dangers of the industry. While this billion dollar industry has many legislators seeing dollar signs, others feel that stricter measures must be put into place to help detect, limit, and prevent the spread of problem gambling.
Forbest - Jan. 12, 2022
FDA flags risk of dental issues from use of opioid addiction drug buprenorphine
The U.S. health regulator on Wednesday warned patients and prescribers about the risk of potential dental problems arising from the use of buprenorphine medicines to treat opioid addiction and pain. The Food and Drug Administration said the opioid addiction treatment has been reported to cause tooth decay, infection, and, in some cases, total tooth loss in patients with no history of dental issues. The buprenorphine medicines that are associated with dental problems are tablets dissolved under the tongue and films placed against the inside of the cheek.
Reuters - Jan. 12, 2022
Narcan vending machines installed across U.S. to fight opioid crisis
Free vending machines are popping up around the country to dispense doses of Narcan, or naloxone, a drug that can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Axios - Jan. 11, 2022
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State / Local
Vermont: Campaign to ‘End Addiction Stigma’ Garnering Attention Across VT
A statewide public education campaign is grabbing attention and spreading a potentially life-saving message in Vermont, where fatal drug overdoses have risen throughout the coronavirus pandemic. With fatal overdoses on the rise throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Vermont’s governor is calling for expansions of prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. That push comes as a renewed campaign known as End Addiction Stigma garners attention across Vermont.
NBC Boston - Jan. 17, 2022
Vermont Lawmakers File Drug Decriminalization Bill With Hopes Of Promoting Harm Reduction
Vermont Democratic and Progressive lawmakers filed a new bill this week to decriminalize drug possession—a policy they hope will serve as a harm reduction tool that can also help to address racial disparities in enforcement.
Marijuana Moment - Jan. 14, 2022
Ohio: New program helps young mothers struggling with addiction, mental health
ONE Health Ohio and RISE Recovery are celebrating the launch of a new program to treat pregnant and postpartum women who struggle with mental health disorders or addiction.
WKBN 27 - Jan. 14, 2022
Ohio: Suboxone clinic hopes to provide more addiction assistance in Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) supports roughly 50 mental and substance abuse providers in the county. They believe more treatment centers are needed in more communities. In 2021, Public Health’s Community Overdose Action Team said the county had 335 overdose deaths. Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, the team said there had been 288.
WHIO 7 - Jan. 14, 2022
California: Reducing the harm in San Francisco's harm reduction program
When harm reduction programs falter because of their poor mix with other government programs or are undermined by their very practitioners, they can hinder recovery efforts at the peril of the clients and the public.
The Hill - Jan. 12, 2022
Arizona: Alcohol-infused ice cream shop Buzzed Bull Creamery to open in Scottsdale
The concept infuses alcohol into ice cream using liquid nitrogen as a sort of "mad scientist experiment" effect. The 21+ crowd gets to enjoy some of their favorite cocktails presented within elegant desserts, while kids get to customize their own sweet treats, some of which utilize smoke and flashy presentations!
AZ Family - Jan. 12, 2022
Public libraries are stepping up to save lives amid the opioid epidemic
The Chicago Department of Public Health and the Chicago Public Library will make Narcan, an overdose reversal medication, available at 14 branches in areas devastated by drug overdoses.
Chicago Sun Times - Jan. 10, 2022
North Carolina: Opioid Addiction Treatment in N.C. Not Separate but Still Unequal
As people of color make up an increasing number of the people who misuse and develop an opioid addiction, those who receive SUD treatment remain overwhelmingly white.
Queen City Nerve - Jan. 4, 2022
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Studies/Research in the News
Light alcohol consumption just as risky as binge drinking, BC Cancer study says
One out of seven new cancers were caused by light to moderate drinking in 2020. New research from BC Cancer experts shows that constant light-alcohol consumption can be just as hazardous for your health as binge drinking.
Cranbrook Daily Townsman - Jan. 14, 2022
Opioid Misuse Keeps Rising Among Older Americans and non-Hispanic Black Americans
Opioid misuse doesn't discriminate by age — and rates are rising steadily among adults aged 55 and up, new research shows.
HealthDay - Jan. 13, 2022
Drinking Alcohol Makes It Easier To Fall Asleep: True Or False?
Drinking is something we do to relax, but does it actually have the opposite effect? Here, a sleep specialist breaks down the good, the bad, and the ugly of how alcohol affects our ability to rest.
Mind Body Green - Jan. 13, 2022
Alcohol deaths increased 24.5 percent in Wisconsin, 25.7 percent nationally
A report released Thursday found alcohol-caused deaths in Wisconsin increased by 25 percent in 2020; it is the biggest one-year rise in more than 20 years. The data show alcohol-induced deaths increased nationally in 2020; the national increase was 25.7 percent compared to 24.5 percent in Wisconsin.
WKOW - Jan. 13, 2022
Exploratory new vaccine could defeat opioid addiction
A new vaccine could revolutionize the way drug users kick their often-crippling addictions to opioids.
KMOX St. Louis - Jan. 13, 2022
Removing brain cells linked to wakefulness and addiction may lessen symptoms of opioid withdrawal
A study in mice led by UCLA researchers shows that removing chemical messengers in the brain that are involved in both wakefulness and addiction may make withdrawal from opioids easier and help prevent relapse.
Science Daily - Jan. 12, 2022
One gene may explain differences in drinking behavior between men and women
Why do some people drink more than others? The answers can range from drinking history, to gender, age, and weight. However, researchers from Concordia University argue that a protein that regulates your sleep may also influence your alcohol consumption. The new study found the Bmal1 gene is involved in alcohol drinking behavior. However, whether it causes you to drink more or less depends on your gender. The study further adds to the growing research on the sex differences in alcohol consumption.
Study Finds - Jan. 12, 2022
Opioid Deaths Have Surged Among Older Black Men
Opioid overdose deaths among older adults in the U.S. have grown fastest among Black men, a new study shows, offering more evidence that a deadly drug crisis once seen as mostly affecting whites has been disproportionately harming people of color.
U.S. News and World Report - Jan. 11, 2022
Multicomponent Strategy Ups Buprenorphine Use for Opioid Use Disorder in ED
A multicomponent strategy provider intervention can increase initiation of buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in the emergency department, according to a study published online Dec. 15 in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.
Drugs.com - Jan. 11, 2022
Ketamine May Help People with Alcohol Use Disorder
Researchers have explored the use of the drug ketamine to treat depression and other conditions. Now, experts say ketamine may help people with severe alcohol use disorder. In a clinical trial, researchers said participants who were given ketamine along with psychological therapy stayed sober longer than other groups.
Healthline - Jan. 10, 2022
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Opinion
It’s Misleading to Call Addiction a Disease
There are innumerable ways to make sense of addiction and many paths to recovery. But the view of addiction as disease fails to capture much of the experience of addiction, and disease language is not necessary to make the point for humane treatment.
NY Times - Jan. 15, 2022
Sober Curious? Why People Who Aren't Alcoholics Give Up Drinking
The sober curious movement, so to speak, is when someone chooses to be sober for the health benefits, both physical and mental, as opposed to someone who is sober because of an alcohol abuse problem. In other words, people who are sober curious don’t consider themselves alcoholics, but still choose not to drink.
Delish - Jan. 14, 2022
Kelli Rumpza: Engaging in the lives of our youth provides resistance to substance use
What we do know is that increasing protective factors give our young people a better fighting chance against many adversities, alcohol and drugs included. Caring and nurturing adults and teachers and the importance of youth to the community can reduce risk-taking behaviors. And addressing the issue of substance use early with our kids will hopefully help deter bigger future problems.
The Public Opinion - Jan. 14, 2022
It’s baby boomers, not young people, who are more likely to be addicted to drug
The more permissive attitudes and lack of public health advice are coming home to roost for a generation of older Britons. New analysis of NHS figures shows that the numbers of older people using addiction services have pulled away from other age groups at an alarming speed.
The Guardian - Jan. 13, 2022
Catherine Paquette & the Myth of Abstinence Only Recovery
In recovery communities, even those that are more inclusive to alternative pathways to recovery, members who want to practice harm reduction or moderation management almost exclusively do so in secret or leave the communities altogether. There is a pervasive idea that abstinence is the only way to recover and you’re not really in recovery if you’re not one hundred percent abstinent from your drug of choice.
Addiction and Love - Jan. 12, 2022
How Social Support Helped Jay Oza Stop Drinking and Get In Shape
Entering his thirties overweight and unhappy with his drinking habits, Jay Oza decided to stop drinking as part of his larger fitness goals. With the help of Reddit and family support, he gave up alcohol and got in the best shape of his life. Here, in his own words, he explains how he did it.
Men’s Health - Jan. 11, 2022
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Reviews
David Sanchez on his drug memoir 'All Day Is a Long Time'
David Sanchez’s debut memoir, “All Day is a Long Time,” documents his journey from addiction to sobriety across Florida. “This book is a punishing internal storm … [and] exhausting because of that and because that’s the reality of drug addiction as I experienced it.”
Los Angeles Times - Jan. 17, 2022
Review of Carl Erik Fisher, 'The Urge: Our History of Addiction'
Acknowledging the reality of addiction and directing rational attention to it are very different matters, and Carl Erik Fisher’s The Urge: Our History of Addiction underscores that difference through an absorbing narrative full of promising developments and missed opportunities. The Urge [layers] literary, social, medical and political narratives poses a challenge to any understanding of addiction reducing it to one-dimensional causes or promoting a single therapeutic approach or outcome.
Inside Higher Ed - Jan. 14, 2022
A history of addiction in ‘The Urge’
Psychiatrist Carl Erik Fisher explores his problem, and ours.
The Boston Globe -Jan. 13, 2022
‘Single Drunk Female’: Creator Channels Her Own Life for Freeform Comedy
For Simone Finch, the creator and executive producer behind Freeform’s upcoming Single Drunk Female, the comedy starring Sofia Black-D’Elia and Ally Sheedy comes from a deeply personal place. During the show’s TCA panel on Wednesday Finch shared that Single Drunk Female first originated nearly a decade ago as she struggled with addiction after her father’s death.
Deadline - Jan. 12, 2022
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Podcasts: The Weekly Roundup
Let’s Talk Addiction and Recovery (Hazelden Betty Ford) – Stress Relief or Something More? When Casual Drinking Becomes Problematic
Stress is as natural and persistent as the moon and the tides, and people often unwind with a drink. The rough edges of the day are quickly smoothed out by the depressant effects on the mind and the body, and for many, it's the preferred way to relax: a cold beer after work or a glass of red to pair with dinner. But can that small and modest habit become something dangerous? Join host William C. Moyers and Damir Utrzan, PhD, to learn more.
Recovery in the Middle Ages – Health and Fitness in Recovery
We spend a lot of time here at RMA talking about the mental health aspects of addiction and recovery. This week we are going to shift gears and get physical. What are the roles of diet and exercise in recovery and how do they fit into the maintenance of sobriety over the long term? What are the benefits of starting and maintaining some kind of exercise program? How do years of drinking or drug use impact the body’s ability to process nutrition? For the answer to these questions and for advice on how to leverage diet and exercise to bolster your recovery, tune into this week’s episode of RMA.
Rehab Confidential – Carl Erik Fisher, addiction physician, bioethicist and assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University
Joe and Amy interview Carl Erik Fisher, addiction physician, bioethicist and assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University. We talk about his own addiction journey during med school and his new book “The Urge: Our History of Addiction”.
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