Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has entered rehab after a relapse on pain medication following foot surgery. The 74-year-old singer underwent surgery to “prepare for the stage” as the band prepared to start their Deuces Are Wild shows in a forthcoming Las Vegas residency in June. A spokesperson for Tyler issued a statement that said the “necessity of pain management during the process” had led him to relapse, but Tyler has since voluntarily entered a treatment program to “concentrate on his health and recovery.” The remaining tour dates for June and July have been canceled, but the band expects to resume their residency in September.  

Tyler previously discussed his struggles with addiction with GQ magazine stating that drugs were “more or less the thing to do” as a rock star in the 70s. Heavy drug and alcohol use was prevalent amongst many bands during this time, with Tyler stating that hardly any bands even knew what being sober meant. Tyler started using drugs in the 1960s as a teenager, but the rockstar lifestyle caught up with the singer during his early years with Aerosmith.

In 1988, Tyler’s bandmates and management staged an intervention that led him to a period of abstinence. The singer stated that it took many years to get over the anger of being sent to rehab, but his anger has now turned to appreciation, and he owes a “thanks to them” for his sobriety. Following a relapse in 2009, he entered the Betty Ford facility for prescription drug abuse treatment and was believed to have remained sober afterward. 

The Risk Of Prescription Pain Medication

Tyler’s history with prescription pain medication abuse is unfortunately not an uncommon occurrence in America. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 2 million people in the US had a prescription Opioid use disorder, and over 16 million people reported misusing any prescription psychotherapeutic drug in 2020. The rate of addiction to prescription pain medication is so high due to several factors, including high accessibility, a history of over-prescription, and the fact that the body can develop a tolerance quickly to it. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the risk of developing an Opioid dependency significantly increases after 5 days of regular use.

Successful treatment of prescription drug abuse may need to incorporate several components, including detoxification, counseling, and medications. Multiple courses of treatment may be necessary for an individual to make a full recovery, but recovery is possible for everyone. 

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How Steven Tyler Made The Best Of His Situation

Tyler opened Janie’s House in 2017, a home for residential treatment programs for abused and neglected girls just outside Atlanta, after meeting women during his previous time in rehab who were also seeking treatment. Many of the women, Tyler told CNN, were seeking treatment, in part, due to the ramifications of the abuse they had endured during their lives. “While I was in [rehab], I found out most of women in there were battered and beaten and abused verbally and sexually in huge numbers,” Tyler said. “It was like 7 out of 10, 8 out of 10.”

The organization’s namesake comes from Aerosmith’s 1989 hit song “Janie’s Got A Gun,” which details a young girl abused by her father. Preceding Janie’s House, Tyler created Janie’s Fund to bring awareness to the neglect and abuse children face, and to provide financial support to ensure that girls receive the most effective services available to help them overcome the trauma and pain of abuse. 

It is not yet known how long Tyler will remain in treatment, but a representative of the singer apologized to those affected by the show cancellations, “especially our most loyal fans who often travel great distances to experience our shows,” and thanked everyone for their support and understanding during this time. 

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The University of Washington (UW) has high hopes: to develop a vaccine that could be used to counteract the effects of addictive and illegal drugs, prevent overdoses, and save lives.

The work will occur at UW’s Center for Medication Development for Substance Use Disorders, which opened on January 3.

It will be spearheaded by Marco Pravetoni, a professor of pharmacology. Though The Seattle Times reported on January 5 that, at that time, Pravetoni was the only faculty member at UW’s new center, he will likely soon be joined by more allies and experts focused on the same goal. Pravetoni is optimistic about the progress to be made.

Said Pravetoni, “Every year, we’re going to start a new clinical trial.” The professor is eager to buckle down and get to the hard work of developing an inoculation against addiction that will save lives; the bill associated with such a venture will be large, however.

Pravetoni estimates it could cost as much as $300 million.

The center is off to a good start, however, and Pravetoni may have secured up to $50 million in funding so far. According to The Times, Pravetoni’s goal “is to get enough funding to get through at least Phase 1 and 2 — prove his vaccines are safe and likely work — and then get a pharmaceutical company to fund the rest.”

Addiction Vaccines Have A Long History

The thought of a vaccine for addiction could seem somewhat counterintuitive. Many vaccines function, ultimately, by increasing the amount of antibodies that might be used to fight off a particular virus. But how would a vaccine against addiction work?

As it turns out, much the same way.

According to The New York Times, which reported on the subject of so-called addiction vaccines in 2011, “Like shots against disease, these vaccines would work by spurring the immune system to produce antibodies that would shut down the narcotic before it could take root in the body, or in the brain.”

Unlike the COVID-19 vaccine, best practice for an addiction vaccine would not be to receive the immunization in advance of coming into contact with the thing being immunized against (in this case, illegal drugs). Rather, subjects would be given the vaccine after they’ve already used the drug and developed a dependency.

Animal trials have shown that the idea has legs: rats who were given an inoculation against Heroin no longer experienced the effects of the drug and stopped taking it after they were given a vaccine.

There has been great difficulty in making the jump from non-human animals to humans, however. In one trial of a Nicotine inoculation, the shot didn’t work to help people quit smoking any better than a placebo did.

Researchers have been trying to crack the code for a long time: the first study in a peer-reviewed journal on the subject was published in Nature in 1974. The test subject was a rhesus monkey; according to the study, “Results indicate that antibodies against morphine can block those effects of heroin on the central nervous system (CNS) that maintain self-administration behaviour.”

In other words, an anti-Heroin shot can make a subject stop shooting up. Now it’s up to scientists like Pravetoni, who stand on the shoulders of pioneers like Dr. Kim Janda (whose work involved both the rat experiment detailed above and the Nicotine vaccine trial, and who made advances in the addiction vaccine space for decades) to make those subjects human.

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An “Urgent Need For New Treatment Options”

Operation Warp Speed was the endeavor that brought the COVID vaccine, and it was a race against the clock unlike any other seen in the modern age. Now there is a different race against time occurring, perhaps just as important if not more so — the sprint to take an addiction vaccine to market before drugs like Fentanyl claim untold more lives.

According to a piece published in the Drugs academic journal, “Drug addiction is a chronically relapsing brain disorder. There is an urgent need for new treatment options for this disease.”

That was from 2003.

Since then, overdose deaths have skyrocketed.

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose deaths annually went from roughly 27,000 in 2003 to over 40,000 in 2011; by 2019, they had climbed to exceed 70,000.

Annual numbers from 2021 were over 100,000.

The White House has backed an approach to the problem based around harm reduction as opposed to punishment; per the Office Of National Drug Control Policy, primary drugs of concern include “illicitly manufactured fentanyl and synthetic opioids other than methadone (SOOTM),” though other targets include “cocaine and other psychostimulants, like methamphetamine.”

Some of the best minds in the world are working tirelessly on solutions to problems that plague the nation. While their work won’t be easy, some solace can be taken in the words of professor Pravetoni; researchers like him, he says, “are trained to overcome adversity.”

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This week, television personality Kelly Osbourne checked into a drug and alcohol treatment facility in Austin, Texas. A source close to the 36-year-old was quoted saying that her mother’s controversial exit from The Talk and her father’s Parkinson’s disease diagnosis have both had a massive impact on Osbourne. Additionally, it was reported last week that she had broken up with her boyfriend of one year. These events may have led the reality TV star to relapse adding to her long history with addiction and attempts at rehab. 

The Osbourne’s History With Addiction

Kelly Osbourne is the daughter of “The Godfather of Metal,” Ozzy, and music manager and television personality, Sharon. Ozzy rose to fame in the 1970s as the lead singer of the English heavy metal band, Black Sabbath. After his own struggles with substance use, Ozzy was fired from the band in 1979. Sharon encouraged Ozzy to embark on what would become a very successful solo career that was also riddled with substance use. In fact, Ozzy checked into a rehab facility just 1 day after Kelly was born. This February, Ozzy told Variety that he has been sober for about 7 years. 

At age 13, Kelly was given liquid Vicodin, a prescription Opioid, when she got her tonsils out. In a 2009 interview with People, Kelly recalled that the painkiller made her feel more confident and likable. She then began using prescription drugs, like Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium to cope with feelings of anxiety and depression. 

In 2002, the family moved to Los Angeles and began filming an MTV reality series called The Osbournes. Around this time, Kelly began using drugs to self-medicate with whatever substances she could get her hands on in order to not feel like herself. She has said that prescription drugs, like Vicodin, provided temporary relief from the pressures of being in the public eye, such as the media’s comments on her weight. In 2003, Kelly’s brother Jack sought treatment for an addiction to OxyContin; he has been sober ever since. 

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Kelly Osbourne’s Attempts At Sobriety

When Sharon and Ozzy caught Kelly with prescription drugs at age 19, she went to rehab for the first time at a facility in Malibu. Ultimately, this treatment was unsuccessful which Kelly has said is because she felt too comfortable. One year later, she returned to rehab before moving back to London for 3 years. Although not sober, Kelly has described having some good months and some bad months during this time. 

In 2008, Kelly moved back to LA to film another reality show with her family. Being back in the place where her addiction had been at its worst caused Kelly to relapse. She felt that drugs in LA were too accessible. Kelly recalled in the same 2009 People interview that more than once she threw herself down a flight of stairs in an attempt to get a prescription. 

Because of this 2008 relapse, Kelly’s friends and family demanded that she seek treatment for her addiction. This time during her 30 day treatment program, Kelly learned other ways to cope with her anxiety such as letting others know when she felt anxious and taking breaks. The Osbournes also participated in family therapy as part of this program. 

Despite this attempt at treatment, Kelly continued to struggle with substance use which led to more time spent in rehab and one entrance into a mental hospital. Kelly’s longest period of sobriety came after spending time in a sober living facility in 2017. She remained substance free until spring of this year. In April 2021, Kelly took to instagram to share that after 4 years of sobriety, she had relapsed. 

“I am an addict and had thought that I had enough time under my belt and I could drink like a normal person, and it turns out I cannot and I will never be normal,” Osbourne said on Instagram. She hoped that in sharing what she was going through rather than suffering in silence, she could help others going through the same thing. 

Relapse Can Be Part Of Recovery

For those who struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD), relapsing, like Kelly Osbourne has, is not an uncommon part of the treatment process. Studies have estimated that 40 to 60% of those treated for an addiction will relapse within the first year of completing treatment. Because addiction is a chronic disorder, there is no true cure. With treatment, those with an addiction can manage their drug use and regain control of their lives. Even post-treatment, those with a SUD are considered to be in recovery. 

Relapse can occur to any person in recovery no matter the amount of years they have been sober. Certain people, situations, and environments can trigger individuals who struggle with substance use to relapse. This does not mean that treatment has failed but instead indicates that the individual who has relapsed should speak with their doctor to resume treatment and inquire if modifications or new approaches should be attempted. 

After completing treatment, there are several actions that those with a SUD can do to lower the chance of triggering a relapse. It is suggested that individuals participate in a form of continuing care, such as a 12-step program or therapy. Surrounding oneself with other positive, sober people can also help to create an environment with less relapse triggers. Additionally, remembering the new coping skills learned in treatment is imperative to staying sober after treatment. Most importantly, those in recovery should reach out for help if they feel as if they are going to relapse. 

When Kelly relapsed in April, she spoke on Instagram in an effort to be truthful with her fans. She shared an ideology that many people with a SUD live by. She said, “I just want to let you know that I’m sober today and I’m going to be sober tomorrow. But I’ve truly learned it is just one day at a time.”

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Finding a solution to the number of increasing Meth-related overdose deaths and related public health costs has been an important focus for California legislation over the past few months. A bill proposed by state Senator Scott Weiner, Senate Bill 110, suggested that an incentivized treatment program called contingency management be made more widely available. This bill hoped to make it so Medi-Cal, California’s medical assistance program, would cover this type of treatment.

Weiner’s Recovery Incentives Act was passed in both the Assembly and the Senate with bipartisan, unanimous support earlier this month. Despite voicing his support for contingency management programs, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill this week. Newsom stated that he is hesitant to pass the bill without knowing the results of the state’s previously approved contingency management pilot program. This pilot program will begin in January, 2022 and will last until March, 2024.

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What Is Contingency Management?

Contingency management incorporates incentivized payments into addiction treatment. Those attempting to recover from a Meth or Cocaine addiction are rewarded with money or gift cards when they remain abstinent from these substances. Routine drug tests are used to determine if these payments will be awarded or not.

San Francisco resident, Billy Lemon, told his experience with contingency management to NPR. Lemon participated in a contingency management program with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation while trying to recover from an addiction to Meth. Each week, Lemon was tested 3 times. When the tests yielded a negative result, Lemon was given $7. By the end of 12 weeks, Lemon had earned $330 which he used to purchase a cell phone. Lemon said the program was more than just a way to get money for him, saying that it felt like he was being told “good job” for not using Meth. This gave him a sense of self-worth which has motivated him to still be sober today, 9 years later.

How Effective Is Paying Drug Users?

Many people who are addicted to Meth or other substances begin using drugs to cope with other aspects of their life. The highs that come from drug use provide a temporary relief. This fleeting relief rewires the reward system in the brain which causes an addiction. Drug use becomes an immediate reinforcement. Initially, recovering from substance abuse is typically the opposite of a reward as positive results are not immediate. Those going into recovery for substance abuse experience the most unpleasant and difficult effects early on during the detox process. The payments involved in contingency management programs are designed to provide immediate rewards into treatment.

For Meth and Cocaine addictions, contingency management is the most effective treatment according to some studies. This is particularly true when combined with behavioral therapy. At the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, 63% of those who participated in a 2019 contingency management program completely stopped using Meth. Since 2011, the federal government has been utilizing a contingency management program for veterans who struggle with drug use. A study of this veteran program examined 73,000 drug tests and showed that 92% were negative.

It is thought that in allowing more insurance coverage for contingency management programs, more drug treatment centers will be encouraged to offer it. This would be a huge improvement as there are currently no effective available treatment medications for Meth or Cocaine addictions. Whereas for Opioids there are 3 FDA approved medications. Those opposed to making contingency management programs more accessible are unsure about paying those who use Meth to stop using drugs. Some view this type of reward as an unethical bribe.

The Current State Of Meth Use

Drug overdose deaths are on the rise all over the US with a reported 93,000 occurring in the year 2020. Between the years of 2015 and 2019 the number of Meth related overdose deaths has almost tripled. In California, more individuals died of Meth and Cocaine overdose than from Fentanyl last year. Higher-risk use patterns and the popularity of injecting Meth may have contributed to this increase. Injecting Meth has also been linked to HIV transmission through needle sharing and lowered inhibitions that can lead to unprotected sexual activity.

According to US News, there has been a 585% increase in Meth related heart failures in California. When heart failure occurs the heart becomes too weak to properly pump blood causing symptoms of fatigue, breathlessness, and heart palpitations. Because chronic Meth use persistently activates sympathetic nervous systems, heart failure can lead to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heart arteries being narrowed and hardened.

People hospitalized for Meth related heart failure tend to stay in the hospital longer and have more procedures performed. This results in higher hospitalization costs. Meth related heart failure hospitalization costs rose from $41.5 million in 2008 to $390.2 million in 2018. Those in favor of contingency management programs believe making them more available could save California money, despite the payments included in the program. With Meth use leading to more crime, it currently costs $81,000 to put a person in a California jail for one year. In comparison, most contingency programs cost $6,000 per person each year.

The Future Of Contingency Management

Although Newsom has rejected making contingency management programs more accessible, the state will be moving forward with the approved pilot program. Newsom’s support of the treatment approach is promising for what’s to come after the pilot program concludes. The Biden Administration has also shown support for contingency management programs when the topic was addressed in the 2021 Drug Control Policy. “Identify and address policy barriers related to contingency management,” was listed as one of Biden’s 2021 drug policy goals. Washington, West Virginia, and Montana are also looking to make contingency management more accessible.

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This past week comedian John Mulaney spoke about his recent time in rehab and life after treatment on Late Night With Seth Meyers. Meyers, a long time friend who worked with Mulaney at Saturday Night Live, was integral to the 39-year-old’s decision to seek treatment for his struggles with alcohol and Cocaine addiction. 

On Tuesday, September 7th, Mulaney and Meyers recounted the fall 2020 intervention that led Mulaney to enter rehab. The comedians discussed the other people in attendance, such as Nick Kroll, Bill Hader, and Fred Armisen, and how Mulaney was 2 hours late because he decided to get a haircut. 

Intervention

An intervention occurs when the friends and family of a person struggling with an addiction join forces to voice their concerns. In doing so, they hope to inspire their loved one to get treatment for their substance use disorder (SUD). For an intervention to be successful, those concerned must ensure that the event is extremely thought out and planned. If an intervention is done spur of the moment or otherwise poorly planned, it may make the situation worse. Getting a doctor or a licensed professional to help can make the intervention process go much smoother. During the intervention, friends and families should find ways to present specific examples of the impact that their loved one’s destructive behaviors has had and what consequences there will be if they don’t seek treatment. It can be helpful to present concerns in a fact based way rather than an emotionally charged way.

Mulaney, who has struggled with addiction on and off for years, knew what he was walking into once he realized his support group was throwing an intervention for him. “When I opened the door, I knew right away it was an intervention. That’s how bad of a drug problem I had, that when I opened the door and saw people, I went, ‘This is probably my intervention’,” Mulaney recalled. 

Meyers acknowledged that Mulaney tried to get ahead of intervention by immediately letting his friends and family know that he was aware of their worries and that he agreed. Mulaney said, “I needed to be the smartest person in the room, even at the intervention. I remember saying to all of you, ‘Before you all read your letter, I have a drug problem and I need help,’ just to scoop you.” 

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Life And Love After Treatment  

Later in the interview, Mulaney, who divorced his wife of 6 years in May, confirmed that he is in a new relationship with actress Olivia Munn. The comedian also told Meyers that he is soon going to be a dad as Munn is pregnant. 

Mulaney checked out of rehab a little over 6 months ago in February of 2021. Although Mulaney was quoted saying that Munn and the new baby saved his life, getting into a new relationship and welcoming a baby is often discouraged during the first year after completing treatment for an SUD. 

Anne Lewis, a psychologist and clinical addiction counselor at Indiana University Health, believes that it’s easy for those coming out of treatment to replace their substance addiction with other addictions. When this replacement is a new relationship, it can sometimes be a “love addiction.” The focus becomes chasing the euphoria of the new relationship. When this relationship fails, it can be detrimental to those struggling with addiction as they may relapse when the relationship does not work out. Lewis does not recommend getting into a relationship in the first year after treatment. 

Bruce Dechert, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, agrees with this notion and typically tells his patients to wait a few months after completing treatment before getting into a new relationship. “When people come out of treatment and they start to feel stressed because of the changes that are happening and they can’t medicate, oftentimes they will look for something external to help them change how they feel. And many times that becomes a relationship,” Dechert told the New York Post. 

To avoid relying on a new relationship, those coming out of treatment should develop a support network of sober friends who can reduce the temptation of starting a new relationship as well as relapse. Speaking a commitment to remain single in the first year after rehab to this support group can allow them to assist in keeping an individual in recovery accountable. It can also be helpful to set specific goals such as things that can be done without a significant other. Additionally, it is important to not be secretive about any possible new relationships. 

Despite these common recommendations by the addiction professionals, Meyers congratulated Mulaney and seemed very happy for his friend’s new life after rehab. Mulaney gave thanks to Meyers for helping him realize it was time to seek treatment.

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On March 23, 2021, viewers got a deep and personal look into Grammy nominated pop-star Demi Lovato’s experience with addiction, overdose, and recovery. The signer held nothing back in the first 2 episodes of their YouTube documentary series Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil. Lovato and their friends, family, employees, and even the doctor who worked on Lovato after their 2018 overdose spoke in the documentary, leaving no details out and nothing to the imagination. The series’ first 2 episodes previse a story that tells the real and ugly truth about addiction.

Family History Of Substance Abuse

When you realize someone is battling addiction, you often see them at the end of the line, after addiction has inflicted its consequences on the individual and those around them. However, typically a lot happens before things come crashing down. Everyone has a story and Lovato’s starts from a very young age. Lovato opened up about their father who they described as an alcoholic and addict. He was abusive to Lovato’s mother, and according to Lovato’s mother, Demi witnessed some of the abuse as a child. Lovato’s father was also reportedly diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Those with mental health disorders are much more likely to develop a substance use disorder than the general population. One study found that among those with bipolar disorder, 61% had history of a drug or alcohol use disorder. Among those with schizophrenia, 47% have a serious problem with drugs or alcohol. Using substances to attempt to self-medicate is common for those with mental illness, especially if they do not seek out professional treatment. Due to Lovato’s fathers toxicity in Demi and Demi’s mother’s life, Demi had to create distance from him. This made his death a heartbreaking revelation, when Lovato’s father died alone and his body was not found for a week and a half.

Children of parents who struggle with addiction are at a higher risk of developing an addiction themselves. Lovato’s mother also opened up about her Xanax misuse. When childhood trauma involving abuse and drug misuse is left without professional intervention, it oftentimes presents itself as a repeated cycle when the children grow up. Lovato has spoken openly about their own substance abuse and the effects it has had on their life. Lovato started using alcohol as a student and tried Cocaine for the first time at age 17. During this time, Lovato was working for the Disney Channel. In Lovato’s new documentary, they explained that they used Cocaine and Xanax together. That combination would eventually escalate to even more dangerous drug use.

The Overdose

Since 2010, Lovato has a history of substance abuse, receiving treatment in rehabs, relapsing, and regaining sobriety. The popstar had a long stint of sobriety, stating that they were celebrating 6 years sober in March 2018. However, in July 2018 the media was flooded with reports that Demi Lovato had suffered an overdose.

When Lovato relapsed in 2018, they said in their documentary series, “I picked up a bottle of red wine that night and it wasn’t even 30 minutes before I called someone that I knew had drugs on them.” Lovato proceeded to use drugs that they hadn’t tried before like Methamphetamine. At a party one night Lovato explains using Meth with Molly, Cocaine, Marijuana, alcohol, and OxyContin. Lovato reflects back realizing that that alone should have led to their death. At one point Lovato asked their dealer if he had Xanax and Cocaine and he said no, but he did have Heroin and Crack Cocaine.

Lovato says at that point they began using Heroin recreationally and became physically dependent on it. Heroin is a powerful Opioid drug made from Morphine that comes with severe withdrawal symptoms, such as muscle and bone pain, diarrhea and vomiting, cold flashes, and uncontrollable leg movements.

The night of the overdose, Lovato shares that they told their friends they were going up to bed, but actually went upstairs to call a dealer. Lovato used Heroin that they now assume was actually Fentanyl. After providing the drugs and taking advantage of Lovato, the dealer left Lovato alone. When Lovato’s assistant found Lovato in the morning, Lovato was naked and blue. At 11:22am on July 24, 2018, a 911 call was made and paramedics rushed to the house, administering Narcan trying to save Lovato’s life.

The overdose caused Lovato to suffer 3 strokes and a heart attack. They suffered brain damage from the strokes, has blind spots in their vision, and is now unable to drive. They received dialysis at the hospital as doctors tried to save Lovato, and they did even after Lovato suffered multiple organ failure. The documentary shares that if it had been another 5 to 10 minutes without treatment, Lovato would have died.

Demi Lovato’s Recovery

Since the overdose in 2018, Lovato focused on their physical and mental recovery. Lovato shared in the documentary series that the quarantine brought on by COVID-19 helped with working through past traumas and brought a period of rediscovery. Despite their struggles with substance abuse, Lovato was able to produce 5 award winning albums from 2009 to 2017, and will be releasing a new album April 2^nd, with a similar name to the documentary series: Dancing with the Devil … the Art of Starting Over.

Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil is a reminder that addiction can reach anyone. It doesn’t matter how successful and wealthy a person is, addiction does not discriminate. Lovato’s vulnerability in this series demonstrates that fact. As the series progresses, Lovato will open up more about their history with addiction, sexual assault, an eating disorder, sexuality, and self-growth.

This article was updated on 9/6/2021 based on new information.

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It has only been a week since President Joe Biden was sworn into office. Yet, already he has signed 40 executive orders. Next on his agenda is the opioid epidemic. According to anonymous sources, some clinical guidelines will be repealed. Specifically, the President will not support the last-minute opioid treatment plan created by the Trump administration. The previous administration enforced less restrictive opioid-related policies. They allowed practitioners to prescribe Buprenorphine (an opioid treatment drug) without an “X-waiver.” The “X-waiver” is a federal license that permits clinicians to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid addiction treatment. The Biden administration is concerned that these laxer rules were leading to rising addiction rates.  

On January 14, 2021, there was a White House press release announcing the new guidelines. The change was in response to a 21% increase in opioid-related deaths over 12 months. From June 2019 to June 2020, over 83,000 people died from a drug overdose. By eliminating the federal rule, practitioners now had easier access to Buprenorphine. Doctors with a DEA narcotics prescribing license were exempt from the mandatory training. Before President Trump, doctors had to attend an eight-hour course to get a federal permit. The constraints had been in place for 20 years to ensure Buprenorphine was not overused. Under Trump’s clinical guidelines, more physicians gained access to Buprenorphine for medical treatment. So, when the news broke out, many clinicians rejoiced. 

Advocates For Buprenorphine

For years, people have been petitioning against the mandate. Advocates claim it slows down recovery for people struggling with opioid addiction. The drug restricted, Buprenorphine, is considered a transformative opioid treatment. Studies have shown it is an excellent tool for reducing deaths from opioid overdose. The medication satiates opioid cravings and decreases drug use. The FDA approved Buprenorphine in 2002 for opioid addiction treatment. Yet, only a few doctors have the proper certification to prescribe it. About 5% of America’s physicians possess the federal waiver, and fewer use it. Advocates hope that by eliminating unnecessary qualifications, more doctors will use Buprenorphine. With fewer restrictions around the drug, more patients could gain access to the medication. 

Promise For Opioid Treatment Reform

During his campaign, President Biden recognized the problem surrounding Opioid treatment. He declared the restrictions on Buprenorphine as unnecessary and outdated. He even promised to lift and review Methadone treatment regulations. But experts in both the legal and healthcare sectors advised against it. Many believe the Department of Health and Human Services did not have the authority to remove a Congress regulation. According to the Washington Post, the new guidelines had “legal and clinical concerns.” They were an attempt by the Trump administration to bypass Congress’s mandated requirements. Even Elinore McCance-Katz attempted to block the plan. Katz was once Trump’s assistant HHS secretary for mental health and substance use. According to Katz, for months she tried to stall the announcement. She believed the policy was not ready for release and needed more restrictions. Without proper limits, a catastrophe like the opioid epidemic could occur, starring Buprenorphine.  

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Back To The Drawing Board

Due to numerous concerns, the Biden administration is planning on withdrawing the hasty order. Change and rapid action are needed to battle the Opioid epidemic. But the Trump administration’s clinical guidelines may be more problematic than helpful. So, a repeal may be necessary to avoid the creation of a new crisis. By delaying the policy change, Biden’s administration can smooth out legal concerns. They may even design a new drug policy based on science, health, and compassion. Soon we could see effective recovery plans in response to the Opioid epidemic. 

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Approximately 1 in 3 Americans live in a state where recreational Marijuana is legal. There are roughly 109 million Americans living in areas where adults can use Cannabis legally. The popularity of Marijuana among American adults is gaining traction. According to recent surveys, more than 45% of adults in the United States have used weed at least once. A different survey discovered that 1 in 8 adults are avid Marijuana users. These numbers prove the prevalence of Cannabis use has doubled over the past few years. Just 10 years ago, Marijuana was illegal across the United States. Today the plant is legal for medicinal purposes in 36 states and completely legal in 19 and 3 US territories (including Washington, DC). 

Where Marijuana Is Legal In The United States?

In 2021, New York, Virginia, New Mexico, and Connecticut were the newest states to fully legalize the use of Marijuana. Though they are the most recent states to join the Cannabis industry, there are other notable states and territories on the ever-growing list.  

Colorado (November 2012)

Colorado was the first state to legalize Marijuana in 2012. Since its legalization nearly a decade ago, the government has made over $12 billion in Cannabis sales. 

Washington (November 2012)

Originally approved for medical use in 1998, it was another 20 years (in 2012) before Washington state would allow the plant to be used recreationally as well.

Alaska (November 2014)

Alaska was the second state to decriminalize cannabis in 1971. In 1998 the state legalized medical cannabis use for qualifying individuals, although there was no legal way of purchasing the plant. It wasn’t until 2014 that the government approved the regulation, production, and sale of cannabis, as well as recreational cannabis use. A year later, the Marijuana Control Board (MCB) was created to regulate and govern recreational cannabis use. 

Oregon ( November 2014)

In Oregon, medical Marijuana has been legal since 1998. Six years ago in 2014, the state made recreational adult-use (21 and older) Cannabis legal.

District of Columbia (November 2014)

The use of weed for medical and adult-use purposes is legal in Washington, DC, however, however, the consumption/use on federal property is against the law. To purchase medical Marijuana a patient must be registered and referred by a healthcare professional. 

Massachusetts (November 2016)

Medical and recreational use of Marijuana is legal in Massachusetts. The Pilgrim State was 1 of 4 states (along with California, Maine, and Nevada) and the first state on the east coast to approve adult use of the plant for “fun” in November 2016. 

California (November 2016)

California was the first state to pass the medical use of Marijuana in 1996. On November 8, 2016, adults 21 and older were legally allowed to consume weed for recreational purposes. 

Maine (November 2016)

Four years ago, in 2016, citizens in Maine voted to approve the possession, consumption, and cultivation of Marijuana for personal use. However, the state was already allowing adults to consume weed for medical purposes since 1999.

Nevada (November 2016)

Recreational and medical use of Marijuana has been legal in Nevada since 2016. 

Northern Mariana Islands (September 2018)

Both medical and recreational Marijuana possession and purchase is permitted in the US territory, the Northern Mariana Islands. The law was implemented within a year of being issued.

Michigan (November 2018)

Since 2018, the use of cannabis for adult or medical purposes has been approved by the state along with legislation that would allow low-level Marijuana convicts to have their record expunged. Michigan was the first midwestern state to fully legalize the use of the plant.

Vermont (January 2018)

Vermont approved the recreational use of Marijuana in 2018, though recreational dispensaries are not yet operational. Cannabis retailers are slated to open and begin selling later this fall in October 2022.

Guam (April 2019)

The medical and recreational use of Marijuana is legal in the US territory. Guam passed a law in 2019 which legalized the plant. Currently the sale and distribution of the substance is illegal, but residents are permitted to gift no more than an ounce to those who are of age.

Illinois ( May 2019)

In the land of Lincoln, both adult and medical use is legal. Illinois passed the plant bill in 2019. Interestingly, while Illinois residents can possess up to 30 grams of weed, 5 grams of concentrated substances, and products containing up to 500mg of THC, visitors of Illinois are only allowed half of their resident counterparts.

New Jersey (November 2020)

One of 4 states during the election season of 2020 to initially approve Marijuana legislation, 67% of New Jersey adults voted to approve the widespread legalization. When the bill was signed, it also changed the policies around for underage possession of both Marijuana and alcohol.

Arizona ( November 2020)

Along with New Jersey and Montana, Arizona finally legalized recreational Marijuana in 2020 after failing to do so in 2016. The bill also allowed those with Marijuana offenses to have their record expunged.

Montana (November 2020)

Montana legalized weed in the 2020 election and set the adult-use age to 21. Recreational sales only recently began in early 2022.

South Dakota (November 2020, Overturned November 2021)

Originally 1 of the 4 states to pass the bill in the 2020 election, South Dakota’s legislature overturned the decision roughly a year later in November 2021. While highly regulated, the sale and possession of Marijuana for medical purposes is legal and state officials recently began card application approvals in March of 2022.

New York (March 2021)

Roughly a year ago, New York became the 15^th US state to legalize the sale and distribution of recreational Marijuana. It is the first state to allow users to smoke anywhere cigarettes are allowed and aiming to repair the communities most affected by the war on drugs, the bill addresses changes in the legal system and treatment of those with Marijuana-related offenses.

Virginia (April 2021)

As of July 2021, residents of Virginia who are 21 and older are permitted the use of Marijuana for recreational purposes.

New Mexico (April 2021)

While the bill was approved in April 2021, New Mexico’s state-operated dispensaries only recently opened to the public to begin selling for recreational purposes in April 2022.

Connecticut (June 2021)

The sale and distribution of recreational Cannabis was approved in the state of Connecticut in June 2021. Low-level Marijuana offenses are also expunged under this new law and dispensaries are slated to open this summer of 2022.

Rhode Island (May 2022)

As of May 25, 2022, Rhode Island is the newest state to be added to the list of those who have legalized the use and sale of Marijuana. Unlike many of its predecessors (besides New York), Cannabis will be allowed everywhere tobacco cigarettes are. Retail sales are expected to begin before the end of the year in December.

Will The Marijuana Popularity Trend Continue?

The ever-growing popularity of Marijuana is helping change the United States’ perception of the plant and is set to continue. The growing acceptance is slowly decriminalizing Cannabis as the industry works to shift the view and stigma from “dangerous risk” to “natural remedy.” There is still much scientists do not know about the long-term effects of the drug and how it impacts certain demographics like underage users, but as laws continue to change, so too will overarching attitudes. Hopefully, as time goes on and Marijuana gains traction and information is more accessible and less taboo, researchers will be presented with more opportunities to study both the good and the bad of this highly contested plant.

The post All The States That Legalized Marijuana appeared first on Addiction Center.

Early childhood adversity is a motivating factor in child and adult substance abuse and challenging mental health conditions. Because of the vulnerability children have and the exposure to traumatic circumstances, the child could end up scarred for life and coping in various ways. Early childhood adversity are conditions or actions that negatively impact the wellbeing of the child, and in some cases, can result in a broken family and foster care arrangements.

There were a reported 28.6 million children of adult alcoholics in 2017, amounting to 11 million who were 18 and younger. Adult children of alcoholics were reported to endure toxic stress and develop caretaking tendencies that can create future addiction or codependent dynamics. Furthermore, children who endured early childhood adversity were reported to have a lifespan shortened by 20 years if they scored 6 or more points.

Genetic, Environmental Factors & Early Childhood Adversity

Examples of early childhood adversity include parental divorce, parental neglect, child abuse, sexual child abuse or molestation, seeing a parent abuse drugs or alcohol, having a parent go to jail, having a parent endure mental disorders, seeing parents fight or become violent with each other, and witnessing a parent who abuses substances. Young girls and boys were twice as likely to be victims of incest due to an alcoholic parent. Secondly, children who grew up with the early childhood adversity of seeing a parent battle alcoholism were twice as likely to marry someone with the same addiction.

Early Childhood Adversity, Mental Health & Toxic Stress

All of these conditions are challenging for anyone of any age to endure, and when a child is in such conditions, can scar them for years. Unfortunately, the child can re-enact patterns they witnessed in childhood and either seek out partners with addictions to care for, re-enact scenes of violence, develop mental health challenges like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or abuse harmful chemicals. Additionally, behaviors and personal challenges like low self-esteem, low self-worth, academic difficulties, and challenges with trusting people can ensue.

Another major side effect of early childhood adversity is toxic stress, which are high amounts of stress that can endanger the child’s immunity. When children are stressed due to having to caretake a parent with substance abuse, they risk irritability, poor immunity, and mental or emotional tension because of it. Anxiety can emerge as another effect, and poor coping mechanisms can increase the likelihood of toxic stress.

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Early Childhood Adversity & Addiction

Long-term effects of childhood adversity can introduce mental health disorders like anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Children who endured early childhood adversity were more likely to experience depression when scoring between 4 and 460 in the evaluation. Science Daily noted roughly 50% of people who experienced “childhood maltreatment” developed an addiction.

Furthermore, a study observed the immunity of people abusing cocaine. The people who endured childhood neglect, abuse, or other adversarial experiences revealed an “increase in expression levels” for tests surveying cocaine addiction. Three specific types of early childhood adversity—witnessing parental violence, trauma, and major events endured in childhood—contributed to a higher likelihood of substance abuse in the child’s life and throughout their later years.

The presence of toxic stress combined with other types of mental health challenges can further serve as an incentive to cope in harmful ways. Since these traits can follow children into adulthood, getting the child the needed support to fight early childhood adversity is essential. It is also important for parents of children who are abusing substances get the help needed to change their lives. Facilities can offer support groups for family members who have been impacted by substance abuse.

The earlier a child gets help or is able to access professionally facilitated support groups, the sooner they can feel understood and have an outlet to connect with others. Lastly, if a child is abusing substances due to adverse environmental and/or genetic factors, consider treatment facilities that cater to adolescents and teenagers. Several treatment options are available.

The post Broken Homes And Spirits: Examining Early Childhood Adversity appeared first on Addiction Center.