Almost Addicted

In this new and uncertain time in American history, we physicians feel a special responsibility to reaffirm basic principles of health and human rights

Health

It's Time to Legalize Marijuana: A Public Health Perspective

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on October 21, 2016

Whether it's legal or not, kids are going to use cannabis. Do we really want them to see the police as the enemy and throw them in jail?

Whether it's legal or not, kids are going to use cannabis. Do we really want them to see the police as the enemy and throw them in jail?

Despite APA members voting to get psychologists out of Guantanamo in 2008, the APA stalled, delayed, and even denied that it could do so. Today, the bobbing and weaving continues.

The New Cointel-pro? Although well intended, countering violent extremism programs violate basic rights and threaten to disrupt communities and turn care providers into spies

Four million U.S. children and adolescents suffer from a serious mental disorder, and health insurers make it difficult for them to get the psychiatric care they need.

Ethics and Morality

How Psychologists and the APA Colluded in Torture

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on July 19, 2015

The APA colluded with the Dept of Defense and CIA to support enhanced interrogations against every international code.

The APA colluded with the Dept of Defense and CIA to support enhanced interrogations against every international code.

Addiction

Will Legalizing Marijuana Increase its Use? Probably Not

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on February 8, 2015

The writing is on the wall that cannabis will increasingly be legalized in various ways and that access will become easier and easier. In the face of this reality, two big questions arise: will cannabis usage skyrocket? Will addiction rates go through the roof?
The answer to both is probably not.

The writing is on the wall that cannabis will increasingly be legalized in various ways and that access will become easier and easier. In the face of this reality, two big questions arise: will cannabis usage skyrocket? Will addiction rates go through the roof?
The answer to both is probably not.

Getting psychiatric care is a lot harder than it should be. Patients around the country are having a hard time booking appointments for outpatient care, and both patients and their caregivers face significant hurdles when it comes to receiving inpatient psychiatric care.

US psychologists designed and oversaw the unethical, brutal interrogations used on detainees in military custody during the war on terror with approval from the American Psychological Association. Psychology graduate students appear to receive little instruction about these matters and thus seem vulnerable to violating international law again in the future.

Alcoholism

Is Marijuana Addictive? Part 2

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on July 15, 2014

Marijuana is absolutely addictive for some vulnerable individuals.

Marijuana is absolutely addictive for some vulnerable individuals.

Career

Help for Doctors With Substance Use Disorders

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on June 9, 2014

Doctors who are unsafe to practice medicine ought to be prevented from doing so, but every doctor who seeks evaluation and/or help--whether voluntarily or otherwise--should be treated respectfully and fairly, monitored appropriately, and have legitimate avenues of appealing decisions about their care.

Doctors who are unsafe to practice medicine ought to be prevented from doing so, but every doctor who seeks evaluation and/or help--whether voluntarily or otherwise--should be treated respectfully and fairly, monitored appropriately, and have legitimate avenues of appealing decisions about their care.

Alcoholism

Legalize Marijuana? Yes.

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on March 16, 2014

Although marijuana can and does destroy some lives, most who use cannabis do so without jeopardizing any aspect of their existence, and I support legalizing marijuana throughout the US.

Although marijuana can and does destroy some lives, most who use cannabis do so without jeopardizing any aspect of their existence, and I support legalizing marijuana throughout the US.

When a family member misuses drugs, it can be disorienting and confusing. Here's how to respond.

Addiction

Is Marijuana Addictive?

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on November 3, 2013

Even though the physiological effects of cannabis withdrawal are usually mild, it is incorrect to conclude that marijuana is not addictive. Being addicted to something is more than simply being physically dependent on it and experiencing physiological effects when abruptly stopped.

Even though the physiological effects of cannabis withdrawal are usually mild, it is incorrect to conclude that marijuana is not addictive. Being addicted to something is more than simply being physically dependent on it and experiencing physiological effects when abruptly stopped.

Addiction

Should You Drug-Test Your Kid?

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on October 2, 2013

Drug testing your adolescent at home might seem like a good idea. But think twice.

Drug testing your adolescent at home might seem like a good idea. But think twice.

Psychosis

Synthetic Marijuana: It’s Synthetic, But Not Marijuana

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on August 1, 2013

Although it stimulates the same brain receptors that marijuana does, synthetic marijuana (also known as K2 or Spice, among other names) is dramatically more potent than marijuana itself and also carries far greater risks than marijuana. Manufacturers are often trying to stay one step ahead of the law, so who knows what chemicals will turn up next in synthetic marijuana.

Although it stimulates the same brain receptors that marijuana does, synthetic marijuana (also known as K2 or Spice, among other names) is dramatically more potent than marijuana itself and also carries far greater risks than marijuana. Manufacturers are often trying to stay one step ahead of the law, so who knows what chemicals will turn up next in synthetic marijuana.

Addiction

The Dangers of Prescription Drug Abuse

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on June 20, 2013

Prescription drug abuse is rampant. Because they are prescribed by physicians and helpful when used appropriately, many believe that these drugs are safer than they actually are and they also generally carry less stigma than “street” drugs like heroin. Nonetheless, the dangers of misusing them are huge and potentially life threatening.

Prescription drug abuse is rampant. Because they are prescribed by physicians and helpful when used appropriately, many believe that these drugs are safer than they actually are and they also generally carry less stigma than “street” drugs like heroin. Nonetheless, the dangers of misusing them are huge and potentially life threatening.

Anxiety

Health Care Blues: Health Insurance Offers Little Assurance

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on May 18, 2013

Having health insurance does not guarantee access to needed care. In efforts to generate the biggest profits possible, insurance companies often deny payment or set up roadblocks to accessing care. Americans deserve better and a single payer national health insurance would cure many of these woes.

Having health insurance does not guarantee access to needed care. In efforts to generate the biggest profits possible, insurance companies often deny payment or set up roadblocks to accessing care. Americans deserve better and a single payer national health insurance would cure many of these woes.

Psychiatry

Psychiatrists Waste Millions of Hours Obtaining Prior Auths

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on May 14, 2013

Psychiatric clinicians spend over a million hours annually in the US obtaining prior authorizations from health insurance companies to ensure that needed services will be paid for.

Psychiatric clinicians spend over a million hours annually in the US obtaining prior authorizations from health insurance companies to ensure that needed services will be paid for.

ADHD

Mental Health, ADHD, and Drug Abuse

J. Wesley Boyd M.D., Ph.D. on March 27, 2013

The overlap between mental health issues and substance abuse is large, and sorting out which one causes the other can be difficult at times if not simply impossible. Regardless, proper treatment of the mental health condition--even using stimulants to treat ADHD--improves outcomes and, in the case of ADHD and probably other conditions, leads to less substance abuse later.

The overlap between mental health issues and substance abuse is large, and sorting out which one causes the other can be difficult at times if not simply impossible. Regardless, proper treatment of the mental health condition--even using stimulants to treat ADHD--improves outcomes and, in the case of ADHD and probably other conditions, leads to less substance abuse later.