Politics & MH/SA – Local & Global
From the invasion of Afghanistan until last summer, the U.S. military had lost 761 soldiers in combat there. But a higher number in the service — 817 — had taken their own lives over the same period. Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1981284,00.html#ixzz0l5PpcGa7 »
For the Battle-Scarred, Comfort at Leash’s End – NYTimes.com
…psychiatric service dogs specially trained to help traumatized veterans leave the battlefield behind as they reintegrate into society. via For the Battle-Scarred, Comfort at Leash’s End – NYTimes.com. »
HealthDay
Ninety-seven percent of the time, the drug came from a friend or relative, and in most cases the drug was handed over willingly. via HealthDay. »
DSM-V Draft Includes Major Changes to Addictive Disease Classifications
“The term dependence is misleading, because people confuse it with addiction, when in fact the tolerance and withdrawal patients experience are very normal responses to prescribed medications that affect the central nervous system,” said Charles O'Brien, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the APA's DSM Substance-Related Disorders Work Group via DSM-V Draft Includes Major Changes to... »
Revising Book on Disorders of the Mind – NYTimes.com
“Anything you put in that book, any little change you make, has huge implications not only for psychiatry but for pharmaceutical marketing, research, for the legal system, for who’s considered to be normal or not, for who’s considered disabled,” via Revising Book on Disorders of the Mind – NYTimes.com. »
1 in 8 returning soldiers suffers from PTSD – Mental health- msnbc.com
In the latest study, only 38 percent to 40 percent of those who indicated mental health disorders were interested in getting help, and 23 to 40 percent reported seeing someone for help. They cited concerns about how they would be seen by peers and potential damage to their careers. via 1 in 8 returning... »
Managing Heroin Detox Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms Suboxone
Whereas drugs like morphine, heroin and methadone are opioid receptor agonist – meaning they fully bind opioid receptors – Suboxone® (buprenorphine) is a partial opioid receptor agonist. This gives Suboxone® the ability to relieve even the acute symptoms of opiate withdrawal without producing the euphoria (high) of the full agonist drugs like oxycontin, heroin,... »
Fact Check – Searching for Some Light Amid the Heat – NYTimes.com
“If you say we can offer coverage for all Americans and it won’t cost a penny, that’s just not true,” Mr. Obama said. “You can’t structure a bill where suddenly 30 million people have coverage, and it costs nothing.” via Fact Check – Searching for Some Light Amid the Heat – NYTimes.com. »
Rules on Addiction and Mental Health Parity Issued by Obama Administration
“Some insurance companies have already put plans in place that fall short of this laws intent, severely restricting patients access to life-saving care,” said Gumbley, who cited United Healthcare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield as examples. “This needs to change, and we encourage individuals and families covered by these plans to ask them to fully... »
BBC News – Dopamine levels in brain influence decision making
Conceptually interesting. Suggests a greater question: if the drugs prescribed to assist with emotional health are affecting decision-making – does that benefit or further hinder the client? What factors lead it in either direction? How does it impact people dually-diagnosed who are also fighting addiction and the decision conflicts therei via BBC News –... »