Top addiction news for psychiatrists

From 2002 to 2015, the total number of deaths due to overdose from any drug increased 2.2-fold, according to data from the CDC and National Center for Health Statistics.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that abuse of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs costs more than $700 billion per year due to crime, lost work productivity and health care.

To keep psychiatrists up to date on the most recent and significant research in addiction and substance use disorders, Healio/Psychiatry collected the top addiction news of the past year.

VIDEO: Viewing addiction as a chronic illness will lead to better outcomes

LAS VEGAS — Raymond Tamasi, president and CEO of Gosnold on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, discusses his presentation on addiction and viewing it as a chronic condition that requires lifelong management. Watch video

President Obama signs CARA into law, urges importance of funding for addiction treatment

Following approval in the House by a vote of 407-5 and in the Senate by a vote of 92-2, President Barack Obama, JD, recently signed S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, into law. However, he expressed concern regarding the Republican party’s response to funding treatment for individuals with addiction. Read more

Senate approves CARA to address national opioid epidemic, BCHC encourages passage of TREAT

The Senate recently approved the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act in a nearly unanimous vote. Prior to the Senate’s approval, members of the Big Cities Health Coalition sent a letter to Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Harry Reid, D-Nev., requesting passage of CARA and the Recovery Enhancement for Addiction Treatment act. Read more

FDA approves low-dose tablet of Zubsolv for opioid dependence

The FDA today approved a low-dose sublingual tablet of Zubsolv for treatment of opioid dependence, according to a press release from Orexo AB. Read more

NIAAA, NIDA data show significant increases in nonmedical opioid use, disorder

From 2001-2002 to 2012-2013, nonmedical use of prescription opioids more than doubled among adults in the United States, according to recent findings from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Read more