Addiction Outlook

Alcoholism

Moderate or "Safe" Alcohol Consumption: True or Oxymoron?

Mark S. Gold M.D. on October 27, 2024

Recent research indicates drinking any alcohol could increase the risk for dementia. Do experts agree? Should moderate drinkers panic?

Recent research indicates drinking any alcohol could increase the risk for dementia. Do experts agree? Should moderate drinkers panic?

Addiction

A Vaccine Against Fentanyl!

Mark S. Gold M.D. on October 21, 2024

A vaccine against fentanyl—yes! Finally, a truly novel approach to SUDs is currently under development and hopefully will save many lives.

A vaccine against fentanyl—yes! Finally, a truly novel approach to SUDs is currently under development and hopefully will save many lives.

Psychedelics

Magic Mushrooms, Teens, and Young Adults

Mark S. Gold M.D. on October 17, 2024

Some states have decriminalized psilocybin-containing magic mushrooms, which are not FDA-approved as a medicine. They are particularly dangerous to teens and young adults.

Some states have decriminalized psilocybin-containing magic mushrooms, which are not FDA-approved as a medicine. They are particularly dangerous to teens and young adults.

Addiction

Not So Pretty Pink Cocaine

Mark S. Gold M.D. on October 5, 2024

Pink cocaine, an unpredictable combination drug found in Liam Payne's autopsy, usually contains ketamine, ecstasy, and little or no cocaine, is gaining popularity among clubgoers.

Pink cocaine, an unpredictable combination drug found in Liam Payne's autopsy, usually contains ketamine, ecstasy, and little or no cocaine, is gaining popularity among clubgoers.

Addiction

The 10 Most Common Myths About Addiction

Mark S. Gold M.D. on October 1, 2024

2. People have to hit "rock bottom" before they can recover.

2. People have to hit "rock bottom" before they can recover.

Adolescence

Teen and Young Adult Abuse of Nitrous Oxide

Mark S. Gold M.D. on September 27, 2024

Inhalant abuse, especially of nitrous oxide, has become an increasing problem among young people.

Inhalant abuse, especially of nitrous oxide, has become an increasing problem among young people.

Adolescence

Teens and Counterfeit Death Pills

Mark S. Gold M.D. on September 24, 2024

Adolescents are often victimized and even die from counterfeit drugs that are really fentanyl.

Adolescents are often victimized and even die from counterfeit drugs that are really fentanyl.

Addiction

Finally! Some Good News About U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths

Mark S. Gold M.D. on September 20, 2024

>100,000 drug overdose deaths per year is unacceptable. But, finally, opioid overdose deaths have fallen, excellent news indeed! Watch out for cocaine and methamphetamine trends.

>100,000 drug overdose deaths per year is unacceptable. But, finally, opioid overdose deaths have fallen, excellent news indeed! Watch out for cocaine and methamphetamine trends.

Ketamine

Ketamine Use Disorder Is on the Rise

Mark S. Gold M.D. on September 17, 2024

Increasing numbers of people around the world are becoming addicted to ketamine: What you need to know.

Increasing numbers of people around the world are becoming addicted to ketamine: What you need to know.

Ketamine

The Bright and Dark Sides of Ketamine

Mark S. Gold M.D. on September 13, 2024

Esketamine (Spravato) was the first new depression treatment in decades. It brought depressed people hope. It also brought injected ketamine into the limelight as the next new drug

Esketamine (Spravato) was the first new depression treatment in decades. It brought depressed people hope. It also brought injected ketamine into the limelight as the next new drug

Addiction

Why Can't U.S. Doctors Prescribe Methadone for Opioid Use Disorder?

Mark S. Gold M.D. on September 5, 2024

Individuals receiving methadone had a lower risk of treatment discontinuation compared with Suboxone patients. Why shouldn't methadone be prescribed for OUDs, as buprenorphine is?

Individuals receiving methadone had a lower risk of treatment discontinuation compared with Suboxone patients. Why shouldn't methadone be prescribed for OUDs, as buprenorphine is?

Addiction

The Origins and Promise of Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Mark S. Gold M.D. on September 1, 2024

Recent experiences during the COVID epidemic, overdoses, and the fentanyl epidemics caused experts to call for expanding methadone access.

Recent experiences during the COVID epidemic, overdoses, and the fentanyl epidemics caused experts to call for expanding methadone access.

Smoking

Smoking Hard Drugs Is Now Killing Many Users

Mark S. Gold M.D. on August 25, 2024

Shockingly, increasing numbers of people are dying from smoking drugs than injecting them.

Shockingly, increasing numbers of people are dying from smoking drugs than injecting them.

Addiction

A Front-Row Change Agent of the Drug Epidemic

Mark S. Gold M.D. on August 18, 2024

Opioid addicts were demonized, jailed, and seen as hopeless. Clinician-scientists like "Dr Bob" DuPont showed that people can be successfully treated.

Opioid addicts were demonized, jailed, and seen as hopeless. Clinician-scientists like "Dr Bob" DuPont showed that people can be successfully treated.

Smoking

Ending Smoking or Vaping

Mark S. Gold M.D. on August 12, 2024

Vaping and smoking cause nicotine addiction, which is easier to prevent than to treat. In addition to nicotine replacement, new treatments are available and on the horizon.

Vaping and smoking cause nicotine addiction, which is easier to prevent than to treat. In addition to nicotine replacement, new treatments are available and on the horizon.

Vaping

Targeting Teens to Vape

Mark S. Gold M.D. on August 9, 2024

Teenage nicotine and cannabis vaping is much more common and risky than adolescents (and maybe their parents) realize.

Teenage nicotine and cannabis vaping is much more common and risky than adolescents (and maybe their parents) realize.

Alcoholism

Heading Off Alcohol Use Disorder

Mark S. Gold M.D. on August 1, 2024

Old highly effective treatments for alcohol use disorder are neither prescribed often nor taken. Treating pre-addiction offers hope, as do new treatments.

Old highly effective treatments for alcohol use disorder are neither prescribed often nor taken. Treating pre-addiction offers hope, as do new treatments.

Alcoholism

Just Say No To Alcohol ?

Mark S. Gold M.D. on July 29, 2024

U.S. alcohol guidelines are changing as health concerns increase. Alcohol-free cocktails and beer, along with cannabis-infused beverages, are gaining users.

U.S. alcohol guidelines are changing as health concerns increase. Alcohol-free cocktails and beer, along with cannabis-infused beverages, are gaining users.

Addiction

An Addiction Medicine Pioneer

Mark S. Gold M.D. on July 20, 2024

When I was in medical school, neither addiction psychiatry nor addiction medicine existed. Dr. David Smith and a small group of pioneers changed all that.

When I was in medical school, neither addiction psychiatry nor addiction medicine existed. Dr. David Smith and a small group of pioneers changed all that.

Addiction

What We Know About Kratom

Mark S. Gold M.D. on July 16, 2024

With the widespread use of kratom and its ready availability at gas stations and on the internet, we need to better understand this drug's potential benefits and adverse effects.

With the widespread use of kratom and its ready availability at gas stations and on the internet, we need to better understand this drug's potential benefits and adverse effects.