Jun 21, 2023, 10:58 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Signaling-specific inhibition of the CB1 receptor for cannabis use disorder

Jun 20, 2023, 10:05 by Molly McGrath

This week, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will take steps to advance a range of legislation that aims to strengthen the nation’s approach to the addiction and overdose crisis—and, ultimately, save lives. However, we are deeply disappointed that the Subcommittee has chosen to leave the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (MOTAA) (H.R. 1359) off its docket for this week’s legislative hearing. MOTAA is a bipartisan bill that would create a small, but necessary, adjustment in a longstanding closed system of clinics. It would accomplish this by empowering expert addiction specialist physicians — not just clinicians working in an opioid treatment program (OTP) — to prescribe methadone to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). The bill has received broad support from national organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Pharmacists Association.

Jun 16, 2023, 18:19 by Molly McGrath

Jun 14, 2023, 12:11 by ASAM Weekly Editors

The Future of Psychedelic Therapy and Addiction Treatment

Jun 12, 2023, 09:49 by David E. Smith, MD, DFASAM

With the resurgence of scientific interest into the healing properties of psychedelics, current studies are investigating potential therapeutic breakthroughs in the treatment of substance use and mental health disorders. The landscape of addiction treatment faces new challenges, as evidenced during the Covid pandemic. With dual-diagnoses on the rise, promising new treatment modalities are needed more than ever.

Jun 7, 2023, 10:00 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Increasing overdose deaths among Black Americans

Jun 5, 2023, 12:53 by Molly McGrath

Under the MOTAA, non-OTP clinicians and pharmacies would remain subject to a variety of federal (and state) laws and regulations that guard against diversion of controlled medications. Expert clinical discretion would determine the frequency of counseling and drug testing in patient care, subject to any applicable state regulations. M-OTAA would not change the longstanding federal requirement that all controlled medication prescriptions by authorized prescribers must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice.

Jun 2, 2023, 10:49 by Bob Davis

This comprehensive on-demand course is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the latest scientific knowledge and best practices concerning the prescription of opioids for pain management.

May 31, 2023, 14:34 by Molly McGrath

On May 31st, ASAM joined a range of organizations in endorsing the Due Process Continuity of Care Act of 2023 ("the Act"), which would amend the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) in federal law to allow otherwise eligible individuals who are incarcerated pending disposition of charges against them, or pretrial detainees, to receive their full Medicaid benefits while incarcerated at the option of the state.

May 31, 2023, 10:22 by ASAM Weekly Editors

As treatment providers, we are working to adjust our clinical approach to illicitly manufactured fentanyl and its unique challenges, such as secondary peaking, non-linear withdrawal, and peripheral tissue accumulation (JAM).

May 24, 2023, 16:25 by Molly McGrath

On May 23rd, ASAM endorsed the Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act of 2023 ("the Act") in a letter spearheaded by the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) to U.S. Senators Bennet and Wyden.

May 24, 2023, 09:59 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Recovery capital is a conceptual framework for recovery, but the balance of social, physical, human, and cultural capital does shape an individual's experience of addiction (Drug and Alcohol Dependence). It’s a relevant theme in this week's publications.

May 19, 2023, 13:31 by Molly McGrath

On May 12th, ASAM endorsed the bipartisan and bicameral Re-Entry Support Through Opportunities for Resources and Essentials Act (the "RESTORE Act"), which would remove the federal ban prohibiting individuals with felony drug convictions from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

May 18, 2023, 19:18 by Molly McGrath

On May 16th, The Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine (KYSAM) wrote a letter to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure (KBML) requesting an emergency board opinion regarding 01 KAR 9:270 § (2)(4)(e)(3) as it concerns patient visits for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD).

May 17, 2023, 12:13 by Bob Davis

President-Elect of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s (ASAM), testified before the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)’s Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security during a hearing titled, “A Crisis in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care: Closing Gaps in Access by Bringing Care and Prevention to Communities.

May 17, 2023, 10:50 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Eat, Sleep, Console Approach for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal

May 16, 2023, 17:31 by Molly McGrath

On May 16th, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, along with nearly 100 stakeholder organizations, sent a letter to Speaker McCarthy, Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader Jeffries, Minority Leader McConnell, and the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House of Representatives Energy & Commerce and Judiciary Committees, and of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, to express their strong support of the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act of 2023 ("the M-OTAA of 2023," H.R. 1359, S. 644).

May 11, 2023, 14:04 by Molly McGrath

On May 10th, the Alabama Society of Addiction Medicine (ALSAM) sent a letter in support of HB433/SB239 to members of the House Committee on Health. In light of the removal of the federal “X-waiver,” this legislation would repeal a previous state law requiring the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners to adopt rules governing the prescribing and use of buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) in nonresidential settings.

May 11, 2023, 10:07 by Molly McGrath

On May 10th, national organizations, including the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and Faces and Voices of Recovery, held a briefing for the 118th Congress, and strongly encouraged a national response to the deadly substance use and addiction crisis that has left no American community untouched.

May 10, 2023, 10:04 by ASAM Weekly Editors

Management of Stimulant Use Disorders