Tag Archives: Addiction

More About Dopamine

Posted on November 11, 2018 by cchrstl

Since we discussed Serotonin in a previous newsletter, we should also discuss Dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays several important roles in the brain and body. A neurotransmitter is a chemical released by neurons (nerve cells) to send signals … Continue reading →

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Psychiatry and Cannabis

Posted on September 3, 2018 by cchrstl

There is an abundance of research literature highlighting the harmful effects of cannabis (marijuana), yet a large number of psychiatrists still advocate for additional research in the hope that they can find some beneficial use for it. Some Cannabis History … Continue reading →

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Are You A CryptoCurrency Addict?

Posted on July 30, 2018 by cchrstl

You think we’re joking, right? But a hospital in Great Britain has a website devoted to cryptocurrency as a gambling addiction. Castle Craig Hospital in Peeblesshire, Scotland (near Edinburgh) has a handy ten-question screening test to help you determine if you … Continue reading →

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Cannabidiol (CBD) – Can We Be Sure It’s Safe?

Posted on June 10, 2018 by cchrstl

Every time we say “CBD” out loud we think Bidi Bidi and picture Buck Rogers’ Twiki the Robot. But really, what is CBD, and is it harmful or helpful? Derived from Cannabis (marijuana), CBD is one of many cannabinoids which … Continue reading →

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Nuedexta, PCP in Disguise

Posted on June 2, 2018 by cchrstl

Nuedexta (dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate) marketed by Avanir Pharmaceuticals is FDA approved for the treatment of PseudoBulbar Affect (PBA), a so-called neurological condition thought to cause involuntary, sudden, and frequent episodes of crying and/or laughing, observed with patients having … Continue reading →

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Many People Taking Antidepressants Discover They Cannot Quit

Posted on April 23, 2018 by cchrstl

The New York Times had an article April 7, 2018 discussing the fact that antidepressants are actually addictive and have withdrawal symptoms. Quotes are from this article. “As far back as the mid-1990s, leading psychiatrists recognized withdrawal as a potential … Continue reading →

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Patients For Life

Posted on April 2, 2018 by cchrstl

A leading cause of death in patients diagnosed with a serious mental condition (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression) has been preventable medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes, metabolic disorders which are typical side effects of … Continue reading →

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Smoking is So Last Year

Posted on February 15, 2018 by cchrstl

“Given the disproportionate burden of tobacco health harms in psychiatric patients, e-cigarettes are being considered as a potential tool for harm reduction.” E-cigs are battery-powered devices that typically contain nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. The liquid is heated into an … Continue reading →

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GAO Will Review PTSD Treatment in the VA

Posted on October 16, 2017 by cchrstl

U.S. Representatives Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH) requested the Government Accountability Office to study how heavily the Veterans Administration relies upon psychotropic drugs to treat their patients for so-called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The GAO agreed September 27, 2017 to conduct … Continue reading →

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Patients With Mental Disorders Get Half Of All Opioid Prescriptions

Posted on July 19, 2017 by cchrstl

A June 26, 2017 article on Kaiser Health News by Vickie Connor presents the information that, “Adults with a mental illness receive more than 50 percent of the 115 million opioid prescriptions in the United States annually.” Not surprisingly, it … Continue reading →

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