Currently in the US, cannabis has evolved into an issue of individual freedom, leading to full legalization in some states on the presumption that the substance isn’t addictive. Unfortunately, cannabis use disorder is indeed a problem for many patients, Kevin Hill, MD, tells us. In fact, says Dr. Hill, one of the greatest challenges you’ll encounter while treating patients is convincing them that cannabis use disorder is a real thing. Here are some treatment strategies.

Patients with intellectual disability often have difficulty controlling their emotions, which is what leads to so-called “challenging behaviors.” These behaviors include a range of aggressive and impulsive interactions, such as assault to self or others, stealing, fire-setting, sexual offenses, and other problematic situations.

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers only. By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits.

Pathological narcissism is a desperate need to feel special—in fact, you can call it an addiction to feeling special. We tend to focus on one presentation, which is the loud, arrogant, conceited narcissist, but there are plenty of introverted narcissists (often called vulnerable or covert in the research), and these are the patients who often show up in our office. In this Expert Q&A Dr. Malkin shares his insight on helping narcissism patients.

Everyone knows about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the original 12-step group. There are more than 60,000 weekly AA meetings in the U.S. alone. Despite this near-monopoly, however, many patients object to some of the most basic tenets of 12-step groups. This article presents alternatives, such as SMART Recovery.

Online programs to provide substance abuse treatment? Phone apps that can measure someone’s blood alcohol level? Welcome to the future­—in some cases, the very near future. Dr. Nunes, the deputy director for intervention studies at the Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, sheds light on technology-assisted care.

Contingency management (CM) programs are often effective, but they can be expensive, with typical incentives costing $900–$3,000 for a 12-week program. Expensive CM programs are referred to as “high magnitude.” In this new study, researchers tested an “ultra-low magnitude” program (basically, a very cheap program) to see if offering inexpensive reinforcers would be effective for an opioid-abusing clientele.

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers. By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits.

How can you help increase the odds that Robert, or any of your patients, will succeed in recovery? Here are eight key strategies that support long-term recovery.

Addiction treatment often begins with high hopes and apparent success, but it’s important to remember that addiction is a disease with a relapse rate of 40%–60%. Be realistic: Expect that patients will go through cycles of relapse and recovery. Learn the warning signs for relapse, the measures you can take to prevent it, and what to do after it has occurred.