Experts in addiction and in digital technology say the app for opioid use disorder is an exciting development, but it remains to be seen if the technology will be widely used. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2018 cleared for marketing a prescription smartphone application to help individuals being treated for opioid use
It is possible that the new generation of medical students is attracted to a psychiatry that is now better integrated with the rest of medicine and that offers work-life balance. The popularity of psychiatry as a specialty choice among medical school seniors—and competitiveness for residency slots—may be increasing, according to recent data from the National
While the legislation expands treatment options for substance use disorder, a measure that would have improved information sharing about a patient’s substance use treatment was not included. A bill passed last month by Congress takes important steps toward combating the opioid crisis with a broad range of treatment and prevention programs, APA said in a
Previous studies of ketamine have focused on glutamate, but the new finding showing activation of opioid receptors shows why repeated use of ketamine may produce tolerance and addiction. The antidepressant effects of ketamine appear to depend on activation of the brain’s opioid receptors, underscoring the drug’s addictive potential, according to a report published this week
While digital psychiatry and mental health apps are proliferating, experts caution that they may create new legal responsibilities and question whether the hype is getting ahead of evidence supporting their use. A smartphone app now in development monitors a person’s voice frequency and detects when mania or depression is creeping in. Another prompts patients to
After much time and investment, several new classes of antidepressants may soon be available. When ketamine was found to exert a rapid antidepressant effect by researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) more than a decade ago, it sparked hope for a new generation of treatments for depressive disorders. Now, new drug candidates
In November 2017, the FDA approved the use of the NSS-2 Bridge neurostimulator to treat symptoms of opioid withdrawal, marking the first time that a medical device has received approval for treatment of withdrawal symptoms. “Given the scope of the epidemic of opioid addiction, we need to find innovative new ways to help those currently addicted
Mindfulness- the practice of being attentive to and accepting of experiences in the present moment. Mindfulness is recognized as a way to mitigate stress, increase self-awareness and well-being, and promote more meaningful relationships. For physicians, it is a powerful tool for increasing resilience in the face of stress and countering burnout. Fast-paced, multitasking environments such
At a briefing on Capitol Hill last month sponsored by APA, speakers urged members of Congress to expand the opportunities for healthcare professionals to engage in telemedicine, including telepsychiatry. In particular, they voiced their support for CONNECT for Health Act (S 1016, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies), a bipartisan bill first introduced in
A new digital program called reSET has been cleared by the FDA as treatment for substance use disorders. reSET is a 12-week digital therapeutic meant to be used in conjunction with standard outpatient treatment for alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and stimulant SUD’s to improve treatment retention and abstinence. “This is the first piece of software cleared by
