According to the Washington Post (7/31, Ovalle, Nirappil), with the widespread legalization of marijuana, “many experts believe that most people can use it without significant negative consequences, not unlike enjoying occasional alcoholic drinks.” Yet, for some people, “the struggles to quit are real and complicated by the powerful cultural perception that marijuana is natural and therapeutic, not a substance that can be addicting.” Now, however, “medical experts and even many proponents of legalized marijuana acknowledge it can be addictive.” In fact, research published eight years ago in JAMA Psychiatry “found that nearly three in 10 users in 2012-2013 experienced cannabis use disorder.”

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— “The Washington Post (requires login and subscription)

NBC News (7/28, Carroll) reported, “Deaths related to excessive alcohol consumption are rapidly rising in the United States, especially among women, a…study finds.” Although “drinking is still killing more men than women, the rate of alcohol-related deaths is rising faster among women, according to the report published…in JAMA Network Open.”

Related Links:

— “More women in the U.S. are drinking themselves to death, research finds,”Linda Carroll, NBC News, July 28, 2023

According to ABC News (7/30, Oje), physicians “are increasingly discouraging people from using e-cigarettes given the mounting evidence about the significant negative health impact of vaping – even as a smoking cessation tool.” For example, “for current smokers, ‘there are other very powerful, safe and FDA approved interventions,’” said Petros Levounis, MD, MA, President of the American Psychiatric Association.

Related Links:

— “Doctors increasingly discourage vaping amid mounting health concerns,”Dr. Adesola Oje, ABC News, July 30, 2023

MedPage Today (7/28, DePeau-Wilson) reported, “Remotely administered urine drug screening was found to be feasible in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) who were receiving buprenorphine in remote care settings,” investigators concluded.

Psychiatric News (7/28) reported, “Urine drug screening of people in treatment for” OUD “is feasible and reliable via telehealth,” investigators concluded in the findings of a 3,395-adult study published online July 28 in JAMA Health Forum.

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— MedPage Today (requires login and subscription)

Healio (7/28, Volansky) reported that the FDA approved “an over-the-counter, nonprescription RiVive (naloxone hydrochloride) nasal spray for emergency treatment of opioid overdose.” This marks “the second nonprescription naloxone product approved by the FDA.”

Reuters (7/28) reported that the manufacturer Harm Reduction “said it anticipates that RiVive will be available early next year, primarily to harm-reduction organizations and state governments.” The not-for-profit drugmaker also “said it would make at least 200,000 doses available for free.”

The Hill (7/28, Weixel) and Pharmacy Times (7/28) also reported.

Related Links:

— “FDA approves nonprescription nasal spray for opioid overdose,”Rob Volansky, Healio, July 28, 2023