Jan 12, 2023, 12:48 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Defining and diagnosing addiction has evolved over the years with cravings becoming a core component in the conceptualization. As we move forward, machine learning is enabling scientists to identify stable brain patterns that can function as a neuromarker for cravings (food and drugs) and potentially be used in diagnosis and treatment response.

Jan 6, 2023, 11:33 by Molly McGrath

On January 6th, the Michigan Society of Addiction Medicine (MISAM) sent a letter to the leadership of the Health Alliance Plan of Michigan urging that they revise their coverage policy to add a specialty pharmacy benefit for injectable medications for addiction treatment (MAT). Currently, the plan only offers coverage for injectable medications through a system of buy and bill.

Jan 3, 2023, 15:55 by ASAM Weekly Editors

To borrow from a conceptualization about human behavior — a good way to predict future news is to look at past news. This week we present to you the most read news publications of 2022.

Dec 27, 2022, 07:00 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Treatments for alcohol withdrawal continue to resonate, particularly updates with benzodiazepine-sparing protocols (JAMA Network Open). Research is identifying cannabis as a possible risk factor for dementia (American Journal of Psychiatry) and concern continues to grow around psychotic disorders and potency (The Lancet Psychiatry).

Dec 23, 2022, 09:30 by Molly McGrath

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) today commended Congress for including several key provisions in its end-of-year legislative package that will strengthen the nation’s addiction treatment infrastructure.

Dec 20, 2022, 10:45 by Molly McGrath

On December 19th, ASAM and other organizations signed a letter spearheaded by the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation at Harvard Law School that urged the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to clear policy barriers for sustainable implementation of contingency management (CM) interventions.

Dec 20, 2022, 02:00 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Dec 13, 2022, 19:00 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Dec 13, 2022, 14:31 by Molly McGrath

Dec 12, 2022, 10:36 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Dec 8, 2022, 10:28 by Molly McGrath

Nov 29, 2022, 09:24 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, recently advocated for broadening access to methadone treatment for OUD (STAT News). While some politicians or trade groups may frame this as radical, such leading-expert opinion is based on scientific evidence and an appreciation for a rapidly evolving addiction crisis.

Nov 23, 2022, 09:15 by Bob Davis

On November 22nd, the Oregon Society of Addiction Medicine (ORSAM) wrote a comment letter to the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services expressing support for proposed changes to the Mental Health Parity Rules. The rule changes build upon landmark parity legislation that was signed into law in 2021.

Nov 22, 2022, 08:00 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Nov 18, 2022, 15:45 by Molly McGrath

Nov 17, 2022, 09:21 by Bob Davis

With both chambers of Congress advancing the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, ASAM encourages President Biden to sign the bipartisan legislation into law.

Nov 15, 2022, 15:35 by Molly McGrath

On November 15th, ASAM submitted comments to the U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Richard Burr, suggesting improvements to the Senate HELP Committee's mental health and substance use disorder legislative package.

Nov 15, 2022, 10:58 by Bob Davis

Nov 10, 2022, 12:56 by Molly McGrath

On November 10th, ASAM and the Legal Action Center (LAC) co-led a letter to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee in response to the committee’s Enhancing the Mental Health Workforce discussion draft.

Nov 8, 2022, 18:00 by Bob Davis