Medical Marijuana Doesn’t Help Anxiety And Depression And Doubles Addiction Risk New Study Finds
Using medical marijuana to treat pain, anxiety and depression failed to improve these symptoms while doubling the risk of developing cannabis use disorder, a new study found.
The study by Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States, , followed 269 adults from the Boston area with an average age of 37 who wanted to obtain medical marijuana cards.
Because the researchers could not create placebo cannabis, participants were divided into two groups: one was allowed to get cards immediately and start using them the other group waited for 12 weeks before obtaining them.
Telemedicine Helps People Receive Online Therapy As Needed When They Cannot Get To An Office
Telemedicine, the practice that allows patients to connect with practitioners for online therapy, virtual follow-up appointments, and immediate live advice from a specialist, has long enjoyed a slow but steady rise in availability for Connecticut residents, but the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a necessary expansion that has made its benefits accessible to anyone. There will always be reasons to schedule in-person appointments with behavioral health care providers, but the pandemic-accelerated rollout of available video visits has allowed us to offer patients more options for individualized treatment on a wider schedule than ever before.
Contact CT Addiction Medicine if you are in need of an online therapy appointment.
Every major insurance carrier, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the various managed care entities that provide insurance under federal and state programs, have added significant coverage for telemedicine visits. This helps ensure that virtual visits with providers at CT Addiction Medicines behavioral health specialists are not only hassle-free but also keeps out-of-pocket expenses low for qualified patients. If you are not sure whether or not your insurance carrier has made allocations for telehealth coverage or reimbursement, our local office staff is ready and able to assist you in determining what will work best for you.
Connecticut Addiction Medicine Provider Pays $1 Million To Settle Improper Billing Allegations
Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, today announced that CONNECTICUT ADDICTION MEDICINE, LLC, and its owners DR. JAY BENSON and DR. MAHBOOB ASLAM, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay $1,002,481 to resolve allegations that they caused overpayments to be paid by the Medicare and Medicaid Programs.
Connecticut Addition Medicine is a medical practice that provides behavioral health and addiction medicine services to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries at its offices located throughout Connecticut. Benson and Aslam are physicians and the principals of CAM.
The allegations against CAM arise out of improper billing for urine drug tests. Urine drug testing includes drug screening tests , which determine the presence or absence of a drug or metabolite in a patients urine, and confirmation tests , which are more precise and provide a numerical concentration of a drug or metabolite in a patients urine. CAM regularly tested their patients urine in-house, using a presumptive test, but also sent the identical urine samples out to an independent reference laboratory to conduct more detailed definitive tests on each and every specimen. In many cases, CAM received the results of the definitive test from the independent lab in four days or less.
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Comprehensive Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment Practice
For the last seven years, Connecticut Addiction Medicine, LLC, has provided the highest quality outpatient treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder . As a result our alcohol treatment practice has been recognized as Connecticuts leading outpatient source for treating alcohol abuse and dependency.
Alcohol is the most common drug of abuse in the United States. Approximately 7% of the population suffers from some form of Alcohol Use Disorder. Surprisingly, less than 10% of those persons ever receive treatment and the majority of those treated are not under the care of a physician. Our multidiscipline outpatient program produces successful recovery at a rate well above the national average. Approximately 70% of patients entering our program achieve sobriety and remain sober at one year.
Our services are comprehensive and evidence based. They are uniquely tailored to the individuals needs. Each patient is guided through the stages of change and all facets of their Alcohol Use Disorder are addressed, including hereditability, environmental, social, physical, psychological, and spiritual.
What Is Meant By Evidence
Specialists > Yale Medicine” alt=”Search Results > Specialists > Yale Medicine”> Evidence-based care is treatment that is grounded in the best available scientific research, showing a clear link between improved patient outcomes and the use of medications, behavioral therapies, or other treatment components.
NIAAA is the worlds leader in research on alcohol and health. For more than 45 years, NIAAA has sponsored hundreds of carefully designed alcohol treatment studies, involving thousands of people with alcohol problems. The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator® is grounded in the findings from these years of scientific research.
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Push For Medical Marijuana
Medical cannabis has surged in popularity in recent years, and a dozen countries including the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia – along with 36 US states and the District of Columbia – allow the sale of cannabis for medical use, making it accessible through a medical marijuana card for myriad health conditions.
Cannabis has been reported to improve pain, sleep, as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms and is commonly sought for these concerns.
There needs to be better guidance to patients around a system that currently allows them to choose their own products, decide their own dosing, and often receive no professional follow-up care
However, its use has also been associated with psychotic and depressive disorders, mania, suicide, and cognitive impairment.
We learned there can be negative consequences to using cannabis for medical purposes, the studys lead author Jodi Gilman, of the Center for Addiction Medicine at MGH, said in a statement.
Particularly disturbing to her was the fact people with symptoms of anxiety or depression – the most common conditions for which medical cannabis is sought in the first place – were most vulnerable to developing an addiction disorder.
The findings, the study said, suggest that a medical marijuana card may pose a high risk or may even be contraindicated for people with affective disorders.
Detoxwhat Is It Why Isn’t It Enough To Help A Person Stop Drinking
Medical detoxification is the process of getting alcohol or drugs out of a persons system. When someone who has been drinking heavily for a prolonged period of time suddenly stops drinking, the body can go into a painful or even dangerous process of withdrawal. Symptoms can include nausea, rapid heart rate, seizures, or other problems. Doctors can prescribe medications to address these symptoms and make the process safer and less distressing.
Detox alone is not the same as . While detox helps to stabilize a person with an alcohol problem, it does not teach important skills such as how to identify and address situations that may lead to heavy alcohol use how to refuse alcohol in social situations or how to cope with stress in a way that does not involve drinking. All of these are the kinds of skills people learn in treatment that is delivered by health care professionals.
Research shows that people who go through detox without additional treatment are far more likely to relapse. Detox alone is not a fast or effective way to achieve long-term recovery from alcohol use disorder.
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Drug And Alcohol Addiction Treatment Services
- Patients are assigned a weekly relapse prevention group to identify triggering environmental situations that might prompt cravings and help you develop a strategy for coping with them.
- A urine toxicology testing program is established. As part of your treatment for substance abuse, the urine toxicology testing program helps keep your recovery on track.
- A complete laboratory profile is obtained to screen for comorbid medical problems. This screening helps identify conditions of Dual diagnosis . Patients often have mental illness and a comorbid substance abuse problem.
Are Treatment Records Confidential
Health care providers are required to comply with federal and state laws, as well as their professional code of ethics, regarding patient privacy and the confidentiality of treatment records. There are extra laws in place that specifically protect patients and their records when it comes to addiction treatment. A patient must be asked, and explicitly agree, before their treatment records can be shared with anyone else.
While these laws are well intended, they can sometimes create hurdles that you may not expect. For example, a patient would have to give explicit permission for a treatment program to share their records with the patients own primary care doctor. Also, these confidentiality protections may limit how much information a treatment provider can share with a patients family members.
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What Outcome Should A Person Aim For Following Treatment Is Abstinence From Alcohol The Only Goal Or Is It Possible To Simply Cut Back On Drinking
For persons with alcohol use disorder , abstaining from drinking is generally recommended, and provides the greatest chance of long-term success. Abstaining is especially important when the individual is pregnant or is trying to become pregnant is taking medications that negatively interact with alcohol or has a medical or psychiatric disorder that is made worse by drinking. However, decisions about the ultimate goal of AUD treatment should be determined in a dialogue between the patient and a .
Some people with an alcohol problem may wish to moderate their drinking, but they ultimately find that it is easier to stop drinking entirely. Others may aim for abstinence but find that, with the skills learned in counseling, they are able to manage occasional drinking without returning to problematic use. If the initial goal is to cut back on drinking, but the person finds that they cannot stay within the recommended daily/weekly drinking limits, then abstinence is strongly advised.
Someone Has Suggested The Name Of A Treatment Provider To Me How Can I Find Out If They Offer Higher
You may already know the name of an addiction treatment provider, perhaps from one of these sources:
- A recommendation from a doctor or another health professional.
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A list of in network providers from your insurance plan.
- A recommendation from a friend or family member.
Even if youve been referred by a trusted source, its still important to check a providers education, experience, license, and certifications. Just like hiring any other business, youll want to do a little homework to be sure youre working with a provider who has the right expertise for the job. Call and ask the for or , and use the answers to check for .
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Why Patients Are Choosing The Ease Of Online Telemedicine And Therapy
Therapy and behavioral health are unique in the medical field, as requirements for face-to-face contact to collect laboratory specimens and run testing procedures are generally much lower than what is necessary for an appointment with an internist or physician. As such, patients are able to follow and participate in comprehensive treatment plans with their behavioral health providers without any additional adjustments. This, along with the fact that visits can take place from the comfort of ones own living room, has contributed to continually climbing numbers of patients who are choosing the ease of online therapy. The video component of telehealth visits is universally reported to feel significantly less impersonal than a simple voice call.
Avoid unnecessary exposure to COVID-19 and forego the need to include travel time when attempting to schedule appointments to accommodate busy workdays. Visits are secure, private, and can be initiated from a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, iPads, laptops, and desktop computers.
Enjoy online therapy, your way, and on your own terms, by setting up an appointment with one of our licensed, experienced professionals today.
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Mental Health And Substance Abuse:
A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from , so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
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How Common Is A Dual Diagnosissuch As Aud Plus Anxiety Or Depressionand How Is This Treated
National data indicate that at least one-third of all persons enrolled in addiction treatment programs for alcohol use disorder have a co-occurring mental health disordermost often anxiety or depression. Likewise, about one out of every four people treated in mental health programs have a co-occurring substance use disordermost commonly, AUD.
The co-occurrence of alcohol and mental health problems is challenging for treatment providers because each issue can complicate the other. Its important that treatment providers be able to identify and address both issues at the same time. Treatment that focuses on one issue at a time is less effective than a comprehensive, integrated approach to dual diagnoses.
Within the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigators® directories, there are three ways to identify providers who are most likely to be able to address co-occurring conditions.
- Board-certified addiction will have the highest level of training in both addiction and mental health services.
- Among , licensed clinical psychologists with special training in addiction treatment would be well suited to address co-occurring disorders.
- that meet the American Society of Addiction Medicines definition of Dual Diagnosis Capable or Dual Diagnosis Enhanced are best able to treat people with an addiction who have co-occurring mental health conditions.
Our Alcoholism Treatment Team
The team consists of experienced clinicians, including an addiction psychiatrist, addiction medicine physicians, licensed alcohol and drug counselors, licensed clinical social workers, a psychiatric APRN , and a medical APRN.
Jay B Benson, MD
Daniel DeGruttola, M.D
M. Aslam, MD
Edith Hergan, MD
Dr. Manju Aggarwal
Jeff Epps, LMSW, LADC, CCJP
Tim Bombard
Taryn Westfall
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What Are The Risk Factors For Alcohol Use Disorder
Although there is usually not a single cause for developing the disease, several risk factors are known.
- Family history of alcoholism/addiction, especially involving a first-degree relative such as a parent
- Onset of drinking at an early age, such as early teens
- More than 15 drinks per week for males or more than 12 drinks per week for females
- Five or more drinks daily at least once weekly
- Associated mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or bipolar
- Childhood trauma
- Family or peer group where alcohol use is common and encouraged
- Peer pressure, low self-esteem, and elevated level of stress
- Other substance abuse
Knowledge Skill And Ability
Knowledge of physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse knowledge of counseling principles and techniques knowledge of community resources knowledge of confidentiality provisions some knowledge of infectious diseases considerable interpersonal skills oral and written communication skills ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of an individual.
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What Medications Are Available For Treating Aud
Three medications have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to help people with alcohol use disorder stop or reduce their drinking and avoid relapse:
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Naltrexone works by blocking the receptors in the brain that are involved in craving alcohol or the rewarding effects of drinking. It comes either as a pill that is taken daily, or as an injection that can be given once per month.
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Acamprosate is prescribed to help people with AUD maintain abstinence from alcohol by alleviating some negative symptoms of prolonged abstinence. It is a pill that is taken three times per day.
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Disulfiram is a pill that causes unpleasant symptoms such as nausea and flushing of the skin when a person drinks. Wanting to avoid those unpleasant effects can help some people refrain from drinking.
All of these medications are non-addictive. They are designed to help manage a chronic disease, just as someone might take medications to keep their asthma or diabetes in check.
Not all people will respond to medications, but for some individuals, they can be an important tool in overcoming alcohol use disorder.
Scientists are working to develop a larger menu of pharmaceutical treatments that could be tailored to individual needs. As more medications become available, people may be able to try multiple medications to find which they respond to best.
Types Of Prescription Drug Treatment For Pain Management
Most patients with opioid addiction are treated with Suboxone with options to be treated with Vivitrol or Sublocade. Patients with a history of alcohol abuse are treated with Vivitrol. Mental health treatment can include both counseling and medication.
Patients are followed closely by both individual and group therapy. Weekly urine toxicology testing is performed. Participation in a 12-step recovery program is encouraged. If requested, we provide a referral to a higher level of care .
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New London County County
With the combination of medication and behavioral therapy, Norwich, CT Addiction Treatment & Rehab Program can help you out from under the shadow of your addiction and back into the light. As a pillar of the community for nearly 10 years, our facility hopes to engage patients and protect them from some of the issues that follow treatment and recovery, including:
- Dropout from treatment
- Isolation following treatment
Patients who attend our facility are asked to do so for a minimum of 30 days but are encouraged to stay for 90 or more. Therapy sessions focus on the behavior patients should exhibit when faced with a potentially volatile situation outside of treatment that could result in relapse or overdose. Medications are also prescribed which reduces both cravings and withdrawal symptoms during treatment, both strong factors in potential relapse and overdose situations. And, finally, we encourage patient interaction in group sessions in the hopes that individuals in our facility will meet others who share their experiences and may be able to make a friend for life.
Get Treatment Today – Call Us @ 812-4307
