After four or five of his patients died from opioid overdoses in one month, Craig Smith, a family doctor in Bridgton, Maine, realized he couldn’t wait for someone else to offer addiction treatment.
"addiction"
As Opioid Epidemic Continues, Steps to Curb It Multiply
The overdose death toll from opioids, both prescription drugs and heroin, has almost quadrupled since 1999. In 2014 alone, 28,000 people died of opioid overdoses, more than half from prescription drugs.
Long-Acting Opioid Treatment Could Be Available In A Month
The FDA has approved the Probuphine implant for medication-assisted therapy for opioid addiction. It lasts for six months, compared to daily pills. But it also will be more expensive.
Treating Opioid Addiction With A Drug Raises Hope And Controversy
Medication-assisted treatment uses one of several drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to control cravings and reduce relapses. Despite the evidence, the approach is underused.
‘Unbroken Brain’ Offers New Insights On Addiction
Commentator Alva Noë reflects on Maia Szalavitz’s new book presenting the view that addiction is a learning disorder.
At ‘Hope, Not Heroin’ event Saturday, JPD to try softer approach
“We need to do something differently because our old tactics don’t work. The old tactics of just focusing on the supply don’t work, so we have to go after the demand,” said Lt. Kris Sell.
Helping Drug-Addicted Inmates Break the Cycle
In the first two weeks after a drug user is released from jail, the risk of a fatal overdose is much higher than at any other time in his addiction. After months or years in confinement, theoretically without access to illicit drugs, an addict’s tolerance for drugs is low but his craving to get high can be as strong as ever.
Recovering from addiction: We are the solution
Alaska’s capital city is battling addiction. Three women, who’ve been on that dark side, recently came to KTOO to talk about long-term recovery and a rally that gave them hope.
Surge In Use Of ‘Synthetic Marijuana’ Still One Step Ahead Of The Law
Outlawing more than a dozen cannabinoids — chemicals concocted in labs and sprayed on leaves to create this risky street drug — hasn’t stopped the problem. Chemists just make new versions.
Juneau organizer hosts discussion on addiction, recent deaths
The public is invited to share stories about addiction and discuss solutions at Wednesday night’s Community of Compassion gathering.