Addiction Outlook

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

Methadone is a safe and effective medication that is underutilized. Why shouldn't methadone be prescribed for opioid use disorders, as buprenorphine is?

Methadone is a safe and effective medication that is underutilized. Why shouldn't methadone be prescribed for opioid use disorders, 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.

Addiction

Methamphetamine Is a Major Drug Threat in the U.S.

Mark S. Gold M.D. on July 11, 2024

Methamphetamine and speedballers represent the fourth wave of the opioid overdose epidemic, and meth plus fentanyl is the most common fatal drug combination of the wave.

Methamphetamine and speedballers represent the fourth wave of the opioid overdose epidemic, and meth plus fentanyl is the most common fatal drug combination of the wave.

Eating Disorders

Food for Thought: Exploring Cravings and Compulsions

Mark S. Gold M.D. on July 10, 2024

Sugar plus ultra-processed foods can act similarly to drugs in changing brains and behavior.

Sugar plus ultra-processed foods can act similarly to drugs in changing brains and behavior.

Aging

The Surprising Dangers Modern Seniors Face

Mark S. Gold M.D. on July 2, 2024

Drug overdoses, STIs, and social isolation may all be on the rise.

Drug overdoses, STIs, and social isolation may all be on the rise.

Memory

Fentanyl Overdoses May Cause Brain Injury

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

New research reveals that individuals who survive opioid overdoses may experience memory, behavioral, and other brain-related changes impeding recovery.

New research reveals that individuals who survive opioid overdoses may experience memory, behavioral, and other brain-related changes impeding recovery.

Addiction

Here's What a Massive New NIH Addiction Study Found

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

A huge NIH study on overdose reversal and medication treatments for addiction failed to live up to 2018 predictions and hype—but don't panic yet.

A huge NIH study on overdose reversal and medication treatments for addiction failed to live up to 2018 predictions and hype—but don't panic yet.

Depression

The Zombie Drug

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

Unbeknownst to users, the veterinary sedative xylazine is often used as an additive to fentanyl. This "zombie drug" increases overdose and hypoxia risks.

Unbeknownst to users, the veterinary sedative xylazine is often used as an additive to fentanyl. This "zombie drug" increases overdose and hypoxia risks.

Addiction

Increasing Acceptance of Behavioral Addictions as Real

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

Gambling was the first behavioral addiction officially accepted by psychiatry in the United States, but others may follow, such as gaming, food addiction, and sex addiction.

Gambling was the first behavioral addiction officially accepted by psychiatry in the United States, but others may follow, such as gaming, food addiction, and sex addiction.

Addiction

The New Fentanyl and Speedballing Crisis of 2024

Mark S. Gold M.D. on June 6, 2024

Smoking fentanyl and speedballing is a new dangerous trend. Newer overdose reversal protocols and recovery medications are needed while we try to improve access and initiation.

Smoking fentanyl and speedballing is a new dangerous trend. Newer overdose reversal protocols and recovery medications are needed while we try to improve access and initiation.

Psychopharmacology

The Fentanyl Death Crisis in America

Mark S. Gold M.D. on June 4, 2024

Opioid-reversal medications save people who are overdosing. But sometimes people don't even realize they took fentanyl in counterfeit Adderall or Xanax pills or while smoking meth.

Opioid-reversal medications save people who are overdosing. But sometimes people don't even realize they took fentanyl in counterfeit Adderall or Xanax pills or while smoking meth.