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Public Policy
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If Treatment Saves Money, Why Isn’t There More of It
November 3rd, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Research supports the contention that the cost of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is more than offset by other savings in areas like health care and criminal justice. This study by researchers at the Stanford University Medical Center explores the question, “Why haven’t health care system managers rushed to expand treatment?” The researchers looked at national data from 1998 to 2006 when over 3 million patients in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD). These databases were used to determine the net effect on VA...
November 3rd, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Research supports the contention that the cost of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is more than offset by other savings in areas like health care and criminal justice. This study by researchers at the Stanford University Medical Center explores the question, “Why haven’t health care system managers rushed to expand treatment?” The researchers looked at national data from 1998 to 2006 when over 3 million patients in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD). These databases were used to determine the net effect on VA...
Cost Savings Reduce Treatment Utilization
October 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Availability and utilization of alcohol treatment has historically fluctuated with changes in public policy, particularly the organization and financing of the U.S. healthcare system. During the 1980s, private sector alcohol treatment services expanded. This expansion resulted from the federal government’s emphasis on privatization, deregulation, and federalism, and new state mandates for minimum insurance coverage for alcohol services. However, concerns about the rising cost of health care led to policies aimed at reducing costs. The 1990’s brought a clear shift away from long-term...
October 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Availability and utilization of alcohol treatment has historically fluctuated with changes in public policy, particularly the organization and financing of the U.S. healthcare system. During the 1980s, private sector alcohol treatment services expanded. This expansion resulted from the federal government’s emphasis on privatization, deregulation, and federalism, and new state mandates for minimum insurance coverage for alcohol services. However, concerns about the rising cost of health care led to policies aimed at reducing costs. The 1990’s brought a clear shift away from long-term...
Parents and Peers Influence College Marijuana Use
October 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Marijuana is the illicit drug most used by adolescents and young adults but has been rarely studied in older adults. The drug is known to cause short term memory deficits and difficulties with concentration. Consequently, compared to non-users, adolescent and college users report poorer academic performance, less time studying, and increased absence from classes. Opportunities to initiate use of marijuana are common in teen years and continue throughout college and into adulthood. The results of a recent study showed that both parental and peer influence play a role in late adolescence...
October 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Marijuana is the illicit drug most used by adolescents and young adults but has been rarely studied in older adults. The drug is known to cause short term memory deficits and difficulties with concentration. Consequently, compared to non-users, adolescent and college users report poorer academic performance, less time studying, and increased absence from classes. Opportunities to initiate use of marijuana are common in teen years and continue throughout college and into adulthood. The results of a recent study showed that both parental and peer influence play a role in late adolescence...
Proven Health Programs for Schools and Communities
October 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Healthy People is a government sponsored program to provide science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans. For over thirty years Healthy People has established benchmarks to measure the impact of prevention efforts and to guide individuals toward making informed health decisions. One of the objectives of Healthy People 2020 is to increase the number of elementary, middle, and high schools that provide comprehensive health education in the areas of injury, violence, suicide, tobacco, alcohol and other drug use, unintended pregnancy, HIV/Aids,...
October 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Healthy People is a government sponsored program to provide science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans. For over thirty years Healthy People has established benchmarks to measure the impact of prevention efforts and to guide individuals toward making informed health decisions. One of the objectives of Healthy People 2020 is to increase the number of elementary, middle, and high schools that provide comprehensive health education in the areas of injury, violence, suicide, tobacco, alcohol and other drug use, unintended pregnancy, HIV/Aids,...
Addiction Training for US Physicians
August 4th, 2011 / Education / Betty Ford Institute
According to a recent article, accredited residency programs in addiction are only available for psychiatrists specializing in addiction psychiatry (ADP ). Of the 40 accredited ADP residency programs in the United States, only 7 offer training to non-psychiatrist physicians . The 2008 National Survey of Drug Use and Health found that over 23 million people in the USA need treatment for drug or alcohol use of whom 20.8 million receive no specialized care. To meet this gap in treatment this study examines the need to expand office-based treatment by training both primary care...
August 4th, 2011 / Education / Betty Ford Institute
According to a recent article, accredited residency programs in addiction are only available for psychiatrists specializing in addiction psychiatry (ADP ). Of the 40 accredited ADP residency programs in the United States, only 7 offer training to non-psychiatrist physicians . The 2008 National Survey of Drug Use and Health found that over 23 million people in the USA need treatment for drug or alcohol use of whom 20.8 million receive no specialized care. To meet this gap in treatment this study examines the need to expand office-based treatment by training both primary care...
Global Commission on Drug Policy Offers Tough Recommendations
August 4th, 2011 / Prevention / Betty Ford Institute
“The global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world...fundamental reforms in national and global drug control policies are urgently needed.” So states the June 2011 report by the Global Commission on Drug Policy, a 19-member commission including former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, former U.S. official George P. Schultz, former U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, former presidents of Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, the current prime minister of Greece and other notable figures. The purpose of the Global...
August 4th, 2011 / Prevention / Betty Ford Institute
“The global war on drugs has failed, with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world...fundamental reforms in national and global drug control policies are urgently needed.” So states the June 2011 report by the Global Commission on Drug Policy, a 19-member commission including former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, former U.S. official George P. Schultz, former U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, former presidents of Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, the current prime minister of Greece and other notable figures. The purpose of the Global...
International Certification of Addiction Medicine
August 4th, 2011 / Education / Betty Ford Institute
The International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) was founded in 1999 to advance knowledge of addiction as a treatable disease, enhance the creditability of physicians involved in its treatment, and develop educational activities and consensus guidelines . As an increasing number of physicians dedicate a major portion of their practice to this specialty, raising their credibility and validating their practice through certification became a major goal of ISAM. This Canadian lead study describes the growing consensus about the core competencies required of any physician who...
August 4th, 2011 / Education / Betty Ford Institute
The International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) was founded in 1999 to advance knowledge of addiction as a treatable disease, enhance the creditability of physicians involved in its treatment, and develop educational activities and consensus guidelines . As an increasing number of physicians dedicate a major portion of their practice to this specialty, raising their credibility and validating their practice through certification became a major goal of ISAM. This Canadian lead study describes the growing consensus about the core competencies required of any physician who...
Medical Marijuana Diverted to Adolescents
July 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Fourteen US states have legalized medical marijuana, and 12 states are considering doing so. This widespread availability of medical marijuana raises concerns about its impact on adolescents through increased availability, altered perceptions of harmfulness, and changed social norms surrounding its use –all factors known to impact adolescent marijuana use and relapse after treatment. This University of Colorado-Denver study evaluated the prevalence of marijuana diversion into the hands of adolescents in treatment and explored the hypothesis that adolescents exposed to medical...
July 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Fourteen US states have legalized medical marijuana, and 12 states are considering doing so. This widespread availability of medical marijuana raises concerns about its impact on adolescents through increased availability, altered perceptions of harmfulness, and changed social norms surrounding its use –all factors known to impact adolescent marijuana use and relapse after treatment. This University of Colorado-Denver study evaluated the prevalence of marijuana diversion into the hands of adolescents in treatment and explored the hypothesis that adolescents exposed to medical...
Tailgating Proves Dangerous
May 6th, 2011 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Of historical interest, the practice of partying before events (tailgating) is associated with American football but it traces its origins to the 1861 Civil war Battle of Bull Run. Supporters of the Union showed up in their wagons with baskets of food and enthusiastically cheered for the Union soldiers. This modern day study measured alcohol consumption by students and non-students tailgating prior to football games at one southeastern university (School 1) and one Midwestern university (School 2). Approximately 75 % of those approached agreed to participate. Researchers did not...
May 6th, 2011 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Of historical interest, the practice of partying before events (tailgating) is associated with American football but it traces its origins to the 1861 Civil war Battle of Bull Run. Supporters of the Union showed up in their wagons with baskets of food and enthusiastically cheered for the Union soldiers. This modern day study measured alcohol consumption by students and non-students tailgating prior to football games at one southeastern university (School 1) and one Midwestern university (School 2). Approximately 75 % of those approached agreed to participate. Researchers did not...
Baby Boomers Bring Drug Use Challenges
March 31st, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
The number of 50+ year-old Americans with a substance use disorder is expected to reach 5.7 million by 2020. A recent report by Duke University Medical Center researchers reviews epidemiological findings focused on illicit drug use disorders and nonmedical use of prescription drugs by older adults. Alcohol abuse and dependence are excluded in order to isolate the “hidden” emerging problem of drug use in the over-50 population. The review states that the number of adults age 50 to 59 is growing, as large numbers of baby boomers reach 50 years or older. Surveys show that this “baby...
March 31st, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
The number of 50+ year-old Americans with a substance use disorder is expected to reach 5.7 million by 2020. A recent report by Duke University Medical Center researchers reviews epidemiological findings focused on illicit drug use disorders and nonmedical use of prescription drugs by older adults. Alcohol abuse and dependence are excluded in order to isolate the “hidden” emerging problem of drug use in the over-50 population. The review states that the number of adults age 50 to 59 is growing, as large numbers of baby boomers reach 50 years or older. Surveys show that this “baby...
Parental Movie Restrictions and Youth Alcohol Use
December 2nd, 2010 / Children / Betty Ford Institute
Research has linked entertainment media with aggressive behavior, smoking, and sexual behavior. But less is known about the relationship between movies and alcohol use. This Dartmouth Medical School study looked at how parental restrictions on R-movie viewing influenced the risk of early-onset alcohol use. Participants were 3577 New England middle school youths (grades 5-8) who had reported never drinking. The question was asked, “How often do your parents let you watch R-rated movies or videos?” Follow-up was conducted 13-36 months later using a computer assisted telephone...
December 2nd, 2010 / Children / Betty Ford Institute
Research has linked entertainment media with aggressive behavior, smoking, and sexual behavior. But less is known about the relationship between movies and alcohol use. This Dartmouth Medical School study looked at how parental restrictions on R-movie viewing influenced the risk of early-onset alcohol use. Participants were 3577 New England middle school youths (grades 5-8) who had reported never drinking. The question was asked, “How often do your parents let you watch R-rated movies or videos?” Follow-up was conducted 13-36 months later using a computer assisted telephone...
Does Availability Increase Teen Drinking?
September 22nd, 2010 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Restricting access to alcohol is thought to reduce underage drinking. Community policies such as strict enforcement of underage drinking laws and responsible beverage server training have proven effective. Research has also shown an association between geographic availability of alcohol and consumption. A recent study by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation examined whether the frequently advocated strategy of limiting the number or density of alcohol purveyors in a neighborhood further reduces underage drinking. The study focused on adolescents from 50 California zip...
September 22nd, 2010 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Restricting access to alcohol is thought to reduce underage drinking. Community policies such as strict enforcement of underage drinking laws and responsible beverage server training have proven effective. Research has also shown an association between geographic availability of alcohol and consumption. A recent study by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation examined whether the frequently advocated strategy of limiting the number or density of alcohol purveyors in a neighborhood further reduces underage drinking. The study focused on adolescents from 50 California zip...
AOD Treatment Reduces Family Medical Costs
August 19th, 2010 / Families / Betty Ford Institute
Alcohol and drug use disorders are among the most prevalent chronic illnesses. Family members of individuals with alcohol and other drug (AOD) disorders have higher medical costs than those with other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and asthma and have more medical and psychiatric conditions than families without AOD disorders. Past studies provided evidence of reduced family medical costs following AOD treatment but most were based on alcohol-based treatment, did not match patients or families with non-AOD affected families (controls), or consider the AOD patient's treatment...
August 19th, 2010 / Families / Betty Ford Institute
Alcohol and drug use disorders are among the most prevalent chronic illnesses. Family members of individuals with alcohol and other drug (AOD) disorders have higher medical costs than those with other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and asthma and have more medical and psychiatric conditions than families without AOD disorders. Past studies provided evidence of reduced family medical costs following AOD treatment but most were based on alcohol-based treatment, did not match patients or families with non-AOD affected families (controls), or consider the AOD patient's treatment...
A Global View of Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis, and Cocaine Use
June 8th, 2010 / Public Policy / Betty Ford Institute
Alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs are responsible for illness and death around the globe. The World Health Organization has estimated that 91 million people are affected by alcohol use disorders and 15 million by drug use disorders. Yet, current world-wide data on the extent and severity of these issues has been lacking. This study is the work of researchers from every continent employing data from the first 17 countries participating in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative. Eighteen surveys were carried out in 17 countries in the...
June 8th, 2010 / Public Policy / Betty Ford Institute
Alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs are responsible for illness and death around the globe. The World Health Organization has estimated that 91 million people are affected by alcohol use disorders and 15 million by drug use disorders. Yet, current world-wide data on the extent and severity of these issues has been lacking. This study is the work of researchers from every continent employing data from the first 17 countries participating in the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative. Eighteen surveys were carried out in 17 countries in the...
Binge Drinkers Account for Most Alcohol-Impaired Driving
August 31st, 2008 / Public Policy / Betty Ford Institute
Motor-vehicle crashes that are alcohol-related kill approximately 17,000 Americans per year. Injury from these accidents is the leading cause of death among Americans under 34 years of age. Drinking and driving is also costly, causing more than $51 billion in related damages in the year 2000. Many policy-makers assume impaired drivers are heavy drinkers or alcohol-dependent. This study looked more closely at the issue, asking: “Who are these alcohol-impaired (AI) individuals who are making American roads so unsafe?” Researchers analyzed data from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor...
August 31st, 2008 / Public Policy / Betty Ford Institute
Motor-vehicle crashes that are alcohol-related kill approximately 17,000 Americans per year. Injury from these accidents is the leading cause of death among Americans under 34 years of age. Drinking and driving is also costly, causing more than $51 billion in related damages in the year 2000. Many policy-makers assume impaired drivers are heavy drinkers or alcohol-dependent. This study looked more closely at the issue, asking: “Who are these alcohol-impaired (AI) individuals who are making American roads so unsafe?” Researchers analyzed data from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor...
Mexico Experiencing Injected Drug Blood-Borne Infections
April 30th, 2006 / Public Policy / Betty Ford Institute
Mexico – especially its 2,000-mile-long border with the United States – has long been regarded as a passageway for drugs to enter North America from South America. In the past decade, however, the northern border of Mexico has itself become vulnerable to substance abuse, particularly injection drug use. This review examined opium production in Mexico, recent trends in drug use, and the Mexican response. Mexico is not only a major source of marijuana; it has cultivated opium poppy since before the 1900s, is a major supplier of heroin to the U.S. as well as its own consumer markets,...
April 30th, 2006 / Public Policy / Betty Ford Institute
Mexico – especially its 2,000-mile-long border with the United States – has long been regarded as a passageway for drugs to enter North America from South America. In the past decade, however, the northern border of Mexico has itself become vulnerable to substance abuse, particularly injection drug use. This review examined opium production in Mexico, recent trends in drug use, and the Mexican response. Mexico is not only a major source of marijuana; it has cultivated opium poppy since before the 1900s, is a major supplier of heroin to the U.S. as well as its own consumer markets,...
Does Alcohol Advertising in Magazines Target Adolescents?
October 31st, 2003 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Not surprisingly, research has found that adolescents who are exposed to large amounts of alcohol advertising are more likely to use alcohol. In a recent study, researchers counted alcohol advertisements that appeared in 35 of 48 major US magazines from 1997-2001. During this period the alcohol industry placed 9,148 ads at a cost of $696 million. The authors found that after adjustment for age, sex, race and household income, as well as frequency of publication and cost per advertisement, both beer and distilled liquor advertisements appeared more frequently in magazines with higher...
October 31st, 2003 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Not surprisingly, research has found that adolescents who are exposed to large amounts of alcohol advertising are more likely to use alcohol. In a recent study, researchers counted alcohol advertisements that appeared in 35 of 48 major US magazines from 1997-2001. During this period the alcohol industry placed 9,148 ads at a cost of $696 million. The authors found that after adjustment for age, sex, race and household income, as well as frequency of publication and cost per advertisement, both beer and distilled liquor advertisements appeared more frequently in magazines with higher...
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