Keeping you in-the-know about addiction and recovery.
Drug Enforcement Administration Hoping to Extend Telemedicine Flexibilities for a Third Time
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. On October 10th, the DEA sent the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a proposal for a “Third Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications.” All final DEA rulings must clear OMB review before being finalized and published to the
Aware Recovery Care Recognized as a Top Detox Service Provider
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care We’re thrilled to announce that Aware Recovery Care has been recognized as one of the Top Detox Services Providers by Healthcare Business Review. The Challenges of Seeking Help Individuals dealing with alcohol or substance use disorder are often stigmatized and assumed to be morally weak
No Tricks, Just Healing: Why Detox Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. We are in the season of ghosts, goblins, and all things scary. The Fear of Detox For many people, contemplating the possibility of alcohol or drug withdrawal can also be scary. Many folks have a sincere desire to stop using alcohol or substances but remain
New Study Examines the Unmet Need for Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment in Reproductive-Age Females
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care It’s been known for some time that fetal alcohol exposure can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, resulting in low birth weight, neurodevelopmental problems, and other issues. Alcohol exposure during pregnancy can also lead to preterm birth, stillbirth, and miscarriage. A new study[i] from the
Telehealth for Addiction Treatment is Set to Expire at the End of the Year, Leaving Millions Without Care. What Can We Do to Prevent This?
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released an encouraging report showing that 2023 saw overdose deaths decrease for the first time in 5 years. This is no coincidence. In 2023, 63% of appointments for behavioral health were completed via telehealth (the highest
Understanding the Difference Between Addiction and Chronic Pain Management
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. As an Addiction Psychiatrist, I often encounter confusion around the distinction between addiction and the appropriate use of medications, particularly opioids, in the treatment of chronic pain. While both addiction and chronic pain management can involve the use of substances that have the potential to
Can Childhood Sleep Patterns Predict Substance Use Later in Life?
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care A recent study by Penn State researchers suggests that childhood sleep patterns may influence the likelihood of substance use during adolescence. The study, published in Annals of Epidemiology, found that children who go to bed later and sleep fewer hours are more likely to try
8 Tips For Having a Successful Conversation With a Loved One About Their Alcohol or Drug Use
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. As an Addiction Psychiatrist, people often ask, “How do I talk to a loved one about their alcohol or drug use?” Here are eight key tips to help these conversations go as smoothly as possible: 8. One on One or Only a Few People Works
Alcohol Use and Stroke Risk. Is There a Connection?
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults in the U.S. They’re also the primary cause of traumatic brain injuries. In 2021 alone, falls resulted in the deaths of 36,500 older adults nationwide. Although alcohol use has been hypothesized
The Top 8 Must-Read Books on Addiction and Mental Health
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. Reading is one of my favorite ways to learn new information about the world. The field of mental health and addiction treatment is changing so quickly that it’s easy to get left behind. Below are the very best books on mental health and/or addiction that
Addiction to Opioids Found Tied to Lesser-Known Region of the Brain
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care Opioids like oxycodone are widely prescribed for pain relief, but their addictive nature is a significant concern. In 2022, nearly 85,000 people in the U.S. died from opioid overdoses. Researchers, including Alexander Smith, Ph.D., from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), are working to
Alcohol Abuse and Cardiovascular Disease
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care Korean researchers have now shown that reducing heavy alcohol consumption leads to significant decreases in the incidence of adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Their paper was published in JAMA Network Open. Key study findings… “In this cohort study of 21,011 individuals with heavy alcohol consumption