-
Understanding the Link Between Trauma and Substance Use in Adolescents
Adolescence is a critical period of development, and exposure to trauma during this stage can impact mental health and behavior. Research consistently shows a strong connection between trauma and substance use among adolescents, with trauma often acting as a risk factor for developing substance use...
-
Brain Disease or Moral Failure? Why the Label Matters for Addiction Recovery
When I went to treatment 15 years ago, I was convinced that addiction wasn't a disease. And that, if it were a disease, it was self-inflicted. Many of the patients I care for today often have the same feelings, blaming themselves and living with shame despite the knowledge we have today. If more...
-
A Dual Crisis: Understanding the Rise in Youth Suicide and Substance Use Disorders
As a psychiatrist and parent of two teenage boys, youth health and wellbeing are critically important to me, both professionally and personally. I am deeply concerned about the increasing prevalence and complexity of co-occurring disorders in youth, where mental health disorders coexist with...
-
Dutchess County’s Stabilization Center Among New York’s First Licensed Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers
Dutchess County’s first-of-its-kind Stabilization Center, a partnership between the Dutchess County Department of Mental Health (DCDMH) and People USA, recently became one of the first Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH) and the...
-
Brain Structure Differences Are Associated With Early Use of Substances Among Adolescents
Many differences appeared to exist prior to any substance use, pointing to the role brain structure may play in substance use risk, NIH-supported study suggests. A study of nearly 10,000 adolescents funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has identified distinct differences in the...
-
Reported Use of Most Drugs Among Adolescents Remained Low in 2024
New NIH-funded data show lower use of most substances continues following the COVID-19 pandemic. After declining significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, substance use among adolescents has continued to hold steady at lowered levels for the fourth year in a row, according to the latest...
-
Implantable Device Reverses Opioid Overdose in Animals
An implantable device detected opioid overdose and automatically administered naloxone, saving lives in rat and pig models. The device hasn’t yet been tested in people. If successful, it might also be adapted to treat other emergencies, such as life-threatening allergic...
-
How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Combat Addiction
Substance use disorder is a worldwide problem. A report by the Addiction Center shows that in the United States, more than 21 million people have a substance use disorder. Another report by the National Drug Control Budget highlights that the government spends more than $44.5 billion dollars...
-
The Importance of Real-Time Data in Tailored Patient Treatment and Integrating Traditional Wellness Practices in Modern Substance Abuse Therapy
In the ever-evolving field of mental health and substance abuse therapy, utilizing real-time data to tailor patient treatment is becoming increasingly crucial. Real-time data allows healthcare providers to monitor and adjust treatment plans promptly based on the latest information, leading to more...
-
Treatment Services for Older Adults with Substance Use Disorders
As the leader of Odyssey House, one of the largest non-profit residential and outpatient treatment providers in New York City, I have witnessed firsthand the growing need for specialized services tailored to those struggling with addiction, including older adults. While substance use disorders can...
