Psilocybin shows to be effective treatment for depression and anxiety

In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, consisting of 56 terminal cancer patients with significant depression and death anxiety, psilocybin has been attributed to an increase in quality of life and mitigation of depressive symptoms. This study, from Johns Hopkins Medical Center, is significant, in that most studies into psilocybin for this purpose have focused on microdoses, whereas this study correlates similar outcomes for those who ingest high doses, in addition to microdoses. 80 % in the study reported fewer depressive symptoms after one treatment, and 78% were reported to be in remission after 6 months from anxiety and 83% in remission from clinical depression diagnosis after 6 months.



Griffiths, R., et al. (2016). "Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial." Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(12), 1181–1197. DOI: 10.1177/0269881116675513

Study points to possible effectiveness of TMS for treatment of Cocaine Use Disorder

Cocaine-seeking behavior is marked by significant reduction in activity in the prefrontal cortex. This research cohort of scientists in the U.S. and Italy have tested their hypothesis that radial transcranial magnetic stimulation to help activate the prefrontal cortex can be used to mitigate cravings for cocaine among individuals in early recovery from a CUD. Their initial findings show that, within the test group, cravings for the substance were reported 2.5 times more in the control group versus the those who received the TMS treatment. This study warrants further research, as identifying non-therapeutic options for treatment of CUD is needed, and the pilot study's results are positive. 


http://www.europeanneuropsychopharmacology.com/article/S0924-977X(15)00361-2/pdf

Terraneo, A.; Leggio, L.; Saladini, M. et al. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex reduces cocaine use: A pilot study. European Neuropsychopharmacology: 2016.  26(1):37-44. Epub 2015 Dec 4. PMD 26655188.

Dutch man euthanized, by his choice, to escape his alcohol use disorder

Euthanasia laws are always a hot topic issue, as much debate exists over the right for a human to choose death as a humane escape route from hopeless and terminal medical conditions. However, in this case, as with the case of another Dutch woman who experienced sexual abuse, anxiety, and depression, the assisted death of Mark Langedijk has raised flags and offended sensibilitites, especially among those in recovery. We do recover, and we do have hope, and Mr. Langedijk did not have to suffer this fate. That being said, it is easy to be indignant and protest his choice or his right to make it, yet this was absolutely his choice and legal, albeit disconcerting and sad.


Embury-Dennis, Tom. "Man in the Netherlands euthanised due to his alcohol addiction." The Independent. Web. 29 Nov 2016.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/man-holland-netherlands-dutch-euthanised-alcohol-addiction-alcoholic-netherlands-a7446256.html

MDMA approved by FDA for Phase 3 Clinical Trials to treat PTSD

Research into the use of psilocybin, ketamine, LSD, and MDMA to treat mental health conditions has gathered significant steam in the past few years. Positive outcomes have been reported repeatedly, especially when administered in microdoses under the care of a psychologist. MDMA is noted as an intense empathogen, removing psychological barriers and allowing for open and vulnerable work with a therapist. The story cites a 59% success rate upon initial administering of the chemical in a clinical setting to achieve significant treatment breakthroughs. However, FDA restrictions have limited studies of these controlled substances, just as medical research into the benefits of cannabis have been.
The FDA, now, has approved MDMA for the final phase of clinical trials, putting the chemical on pace to be legalized, clinically, in early 2017.


Philipps, Dave. (2016). "F.D.A. Agrees to New Trials for Ecstasy as Relief for PTSD Patients". New York Times. Web. 11/28/2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/29/us/ptsd-mdma-ecstasy.html

The US Surgeon General Report on Substance Use in America

The Surgeon General of the U.S. has issued a comprehensive report on Substance Use Disorder and Recovery. The paper advocates for an expanded and evidence-based public health approach to combat the negative effects of SUD on individuals and the nation. It calls for a significant change in public perception and barrier-enhancing stigma that impedes treatment-seeking behaviors; the Surgeon General draws parallels to the successes of HIV advocacy efforts, which disarmed the "fear and judgment" that kept individuals from receiving compassionate and effective medical treatment. The report also looks at the SUD crisis from an economic cost analysis basis, illuminating the public expenditures lost to the unchecked epidemic and the strain put on the public health system as a result.

Office of the Surgeon General. Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. Washington, DC: US Dept of Health and Human Services; November 2016. http://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov. Accessed November 23 2016.

https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/surgeon-generals-report.pdf

The research into the effectiveness of micro-dosed psychedelic chemicals upon mental health therapies continues to grow. This research article shows promising results, warranting further studies, for the use of pure MDMA (not street ecstasy or molly) to help treat social anxiety in adults on the Autism spectrum. Famous as a profound empathogen, MDMA appears to facilitate social interactions; 77% of the individuals studied in this trial reported the MDMA therapies made it "easier to talk to other people," notably the clinicians with whom they were working (Danforth, et al, 2015).



Danforth AL, et al, MDMA-assisted therapy: A new treatment model for social anxiety in autistic adults, Prog NeuroPsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.03.011

What is the main reason you chose collegiate recovery?

A key cog in the SUD recovery support continuum is the emergence of academic-based peer supports, notably Collegiate Recovery Centers (CRC), Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRP), and Recovery High Schools (RHS). For young people in early or long-term recovery, realizing a purpose-driven existence, together with a network of contemporaneous peers who share in the joys and challenges of academic life in recovery, is indispensable. This research article qualitatively analyzes students' self-reported experiences with collegiate recovery and their chief reasons for joining their respective programs.
In the comment thread below, please feel free to post your reasons for getting involved in a CRC, CRP, or RHS...


Alexandre B. Laudet PhD, Kitty Harris PhD, Thomas Kimball PhD, Ken C.
Winters PhD & D. Paul Moberg PhD (2016) In college and in recovery: Reasons for joining
a Collegiate Recovery Program, Journal of American College Health, 64:3, 238-246, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2015.1117464