Barriers to Treatment of Substance Use Disorder
Substance use treatment barriers are addressed in a research letter in JAMA Network Open. This study was highlighted in the February 13, 2025, issue of Helio Minute Newsletter. As noted in a “perspective” commentary accompanying the study, Of particular concern is the population with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), where many individuals in need of treatment…
Sackler Family Judgement
Purdue Pharma and Sackers reach new $7.4bn settlement resolving thousands of lawsuits alleging Oxycontin caused an opioid addiction crisis.
Corporate Business Plan
This video describes the marketing of opioids to doctors using warnings about an “epidemic of untreated pain” and claims of low addiction propensity of certain drug formulations. It addresses the funding by pharmaceutical corporations of patient groups and other efforts to ensure that professional society guidelines are favorable to the industry.
How Addiction Happens
This clear and clever animated video explains opioid addiction.
Many Older Women Use Drugs That Impair Memory
A 2024 report published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society about older women’s use of drugs associated with cognitive impairment was based on a nationally representative sample of ambulatory patients in the United States. In this study, 8.5% and 10.1% of women over age 65 had current prescriptions for benzodiazepines and opioids (respectively).
Memory and Benzos
An addiction treatment professional discusses benzos, dependence, and long-term effects on memory.
Former Purdue Pharma Rep Has Suggestions
Gail Groves Scott, a former drug rep for Purdue Pharma and whistleblower, talks about her role in promoting opioids and subsequently promoting medication to treat addiction. She proposes requiring drug reps to be licensed like other health professionals, identification/disclosure of problem prescribers (“pill mills”), ending abuse of the patent (USPTA) and regulatory (FDA) systems, and…