Addiction - Articles - Page 14

Combining Alcohol With Caffeinated Energy Drinks Leads to Increased Alcohol Consumption

September 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

Combining caffeine-based energy drinks and alcohol has become a popular practice among social drinkers over the past decade. Users say that the caffeine enhances their buzz and allows them to drink for longer periods of time.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Substance Use Disorders: A Primer

August 1, 2016

Yevgeny Botanov, PhD and Chelsey Wilks, MS

Yevgeny Botanov, PhD University of Washington Department of Psychology, Seattle, WA Dr. Botanov has disclosed that he is employed by Behavioral Tech, LLC. Dr. Carlat has reviewed this article and has found no evidence of bias in this educational activity. Chelsey Wilks, MS University of Washington Department of Psychology, Seattle, WA Ms. Wilks has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is well-known as an effective treatment for individuals with personality disorders and for reducing suicidal behavior. But it’s also quite effective for addictions. In this article, we’ll discuss DBT concepts in a bit more detail and help you apply these concepts to patients with substance abuse issues.

Applying Dialectical Behavior Therapy to Addiction

August 1, 2016

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is well-known for treating borderline personality disorder (BPD) and individuals at high risk for suicide. Two studies have shown that DBT has really good outcomes in terms of reducing substance use. In this interview, Dr. Linehan shares her knowledge of DBT as a treatment method for addiction.

Reports of Gabapentin Misuse and Abuse Appear to Be True

August 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, San Antonio, TX Dr. Moore has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Gabapentin is FDA-approved for seizures and neuropathic pain, but it’s commonly used off-label for a variety of psychiatric and physical conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, borderline personality disorder, alcohol use disorders, and multiple pain disorders. Another aspect of gabapentin use that has come to light in recent years is a seemingly pervasive pattern of misuse and abuse.

Buprenorphine for Suicidality? Maybe

July 25, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

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Buprenorphine for Suicidality? Maybe

July 1, 2016

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, San Antonio, TX Dr. Moore has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

When patients become severely suicidal, we have few good treatment options. Recognizing the need for more options, Israeli researchers studied the use of very low doses of buprenorphine in suicidal patients. Patients with suicidal ideation were recruited from four medical centers.

Motivational Interviewing: Ten Tips

June 1, 2016

David Rosengren, PhD

Dr. Rosengren presents ten tips for motivational interviewing to help clinicians listen and help their clients struggling with addiction issues.

CLINICAL Q&A

Using Motivational Interviewing in Your Practice

June 1, 2016

David Rosengren, PhD

David Rosengren, PhD. President of Prevention Research Institute, Inc.
Dr. Rosengren has disclosed that he receives book royalties from Guilford Press. Dr. Carlat has reviewed this article and found no evidence of bias in this educational activity.

At its most basic, motivational interviewing is a conversation in which you are trying to help someone deal with ambivalence that prevents them from acting on a problematic behavior. At a more complex level, it has to do with things like paying attention to how the patient talks and what kind of language they’re using. In this interview, Dr. Rosengren discusses the language and process of motivational interviewing.

CLINICAL UPDATE

Medication Treatment of Anxiety Disorders in Substance Abusers

May 1, 2016

Daniel Carlat, MD

Daniel Carlat, MD

Editor-in-Chief, Publisher, The Carlat Report.

Dr. Carlat has disclosed that he has no relevant relationships or financial interests in any commercial company pertaining to this educational activity.

While benzodiazepines are effective anti-anxiety workhorses for many patients, most guidelines tell us to avoid prescribing them to substance abusers. The concern is that the benzo high will remind patients of their substances of choice, and that benzo withdrawal symptoms will lead to old substance abuse habits.

EXPERT Q&A

Benzodiazepines: Dependence, Tolerance, and Addiction

May 1, 2016

Alex Stalcup, MD

Alex Stalcup, MD
Medical director of the New Leaf Treatment Center in Lafayette, CA.
Dr. Stalcup has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this
educational activity.

One good way to think of benzodiazepines is that they are literally, physiologically anyway, alcohol in a pill. Especially the fast-onset/fast-offset benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax) have a very similar pharmacologic profile to alcohol. This discussion with Dr. Alex Stalcum covers strategies of using benzodiazepines as anxiety treatments for substance-abusing patients.