Addiction is the compulsive, drug-seeking behavior, representing a loss of control that leads a person to continually acquire and use the drug/substance, despite serious medical and/or social consequences.1 In 2009, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported an estimated 20.8 million adults were classified with substance use disorders, defined as dependence on or abuse of an illicit drug or alcohol.2 Among those adults with substance use disorders, 42.8% (8.9 million adults) had a co-occurring mental illness.2 The use of illicit drugs was more likely in adults with any mental illness compared to
In the past year, several questions have been posed on the CPNP Email Discussion List regarding bath salts and spice. Designer drugs, such as bath salts or spice, are agents that have pharmacologic effects similar to controlled substances, but are not under legal control since they are chemically distinct from controlled substances.1 These drugs may be marketed as a “legal high”. The dilemma in controlling designer drugs based on their structural similarity stems from the fact that these designer drugs may also be structurally similar to approved medications for depression or anaphylaxis.1 Designer drugs can also avoid control by being placed in packaging labeled “not for human consumption”, thereby failing to meet all attributes needed to be considered a controlled substance.1 The example previously mentioned, bath salts, have no legitimate use for bathing and are meant to be abused and the same chemical has also been sold as plant food. This month's MHC Toolbox of Drugs of Abuse, though not all-inclusive, is based on information found through government and drug agency organizations and is meant to provide insight into the effects of many illicit substances, including bath salts and spice.
Dr. Norton is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy (UGA COP). His specialty areas include psychopharmacology and addiction pharmacy. His former position was program director for the Atlanta Recovering Professionals Program at the Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia, a nationally recognized treatment facility for health care professionals. Dr. Norton has worked with impaired pharmacists and other health care professionals for over 25 years and is the former Director of the Recovering Pharmacists Program at the Talbott Recovery Campus. He is Past President of the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association and member of
JH is a 59 year-old man currently maintained on sublingual buprenorphine 32mg daily for the management of opioid dependence. He comes to clinic today for his regular visit and mentions he has been scheduled for a total knee replacement next month. What are our options for managing his acute pain after surgery? In 2002, the Food and Drug Administration approved two sublingual formulations of buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid addiction. These two formulations, Subutex (buprenorphine) and Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), became the first and only agents available through so-called office-based treatment programs and greatly expanded the extent and scope of opioid
The Office of National Drug Control Policy recently released the Obama Administration's action plan to address the national prescription drug abuse epidemic and announced new federal requirements aimed at educating the medical community about proper prescribing practices. The 2011–2012 College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) Recertification Committee recognized a need to provide evidence-based education to pharmacists and other health care providers to encourage our professions to be agents of change in providing solutions to the prescription drug abuse epidemic. The Recertification Committee is developing a special education session to be presented at the 2011 American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists
Original citation: Teter CJ, Falone AE, Bakaian AM, Tu C, Ongür D, Weiss RD. Medication adherence and attitudes in patients with bipolar disorder and current versus past substance use disorder. Psychiatry Research 2011 [Epub ahead of print]. Substance use disorders are a well-documented risk factor for medication nonadherence among patients with psychiatric illnesses. Numerous explanations have been put forth to explain why this is the case (e.g., substance users living a disorganized lifestyle or being more impulsive, or possible neurocognitive impairment from substance use). However, no definitive etiologic explanations have been identified. In order to further tease apartINTRODUCTION
Dr. Aimee McRae-Clark is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. Her clinical and research expertise is in substance use disorders, pharmacotherapy, and dual diagnoses. Aside from educating students, Dr. McRae-Clark is involved in grant-funded research as well as producing numerous publications. The following interview provides insight into Dr. McRae-Clark's practice, as well as advice on research, to help pharmacists generate ideas on how substance abuse and dependence might be integrated into their practice. As a Pharm.D. student, I had the opportunityHOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS?
Scott Schappacher reviews the 4th edition of Principles of Addiction Medicine, a text from the American Society of Addiction Medicine which covers the basic scientific principles to pharmacology of addictive substances. CPNP members maintain a suggested reading list to provide information on peer recommended resources and convenient access to the highest quality neuropsychopharmacology publications. A reminder that if you shop with CPNP, by following the links below to Amazon, a small commission will be paid to CPNP which helps to financially support our mission to improve the minds and lives of individuals with psychiatric and/or neurologic
Fellow CPNP Members- As a volunteer driven organization, the work of CPNP members in identifying, selecting and developing potential leaders is critical to continuing the success of our growing organization. Given your understanding of our organization, its mission and goals and its members, I encourage you to participate in our elective process by reviewing the criteria for the CPNP Board leadership positions (president-elect, secretary board member at large) as well as the Judith J. Saklad Memorial Award and nominating yourself and CPNP members you believe are positioned to both meet the criteria as well as to ably serve the membership.
Thanks to the contributions of time and talent, members have helped CPNP to make great strides in its short 15 years of existence. CPNP is truly a membership-driven organization. This is especially true in selecting future leaders of the organization. Another of the many ways you can contribute is to nominate your peers and colleagues with the dedication and time to take CPNP even further. On or before Tuesday, September 13, you have the opportunity to nominate leaders for 3 positions on the CPNPNOMINATE YOUR PEERS FOR CPNP LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND THE SAKLAD MEMORIAL AWARD