Research Suggests Topiramate Could Treat Cocaine Addiction
A medication currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat epilepsy and migraines could also be the first drug capable of effectively treating cocaine addiction, according to new research published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. Read more on RedOrbit

Research Shows Cocaine And Heroin Are Less Addictive Than Oreos
“Research Shows Oreos Are Just As Addictive As Drugs,” says the headline above a recent Connecticut College press release. “…in Lab Rats,” it adds, and I'll get to that part later. But first note that the study's findings could just as truthfully be … Read more on Forbes

Rats find Oreos as addictive as cocaine — an unusual college research project
[The Researchers] also found that eating cookies activated more neurons in the brain's 'pleasure center' than exposure to drugs of abuse. “Our research supports the theory that high-fat/ high-sugar foods stimulate the brain in the same way that drugs … Read more on Washington Post (blog)

Viewpoint: How the Drug Treatment System Failed Cory Monteith
Part of the problem may have been with the rehab program itself; research suggests that many programs don't take advantage of available medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), don't provide talk therapy program that have been …
Read more on TIME (blog)

Recovery Associates Announces That Its Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment …
Recovery Associates announces its drug and alcohol treatment programs are now in Kendale Lakes, Florida. Drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana and alcohol could be a problem for men, women and adolescents. Whatever the case might be, the problem …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

16 Medi-Cal substance abuse treatment centers are under investigation
The Drug Medi-Cal program, a service paid for by state and federal taxes, covers Medi-Cal recipients' treatment of substance use disorders. . Medi-Cal is the state's health insurance plan for people on welfare and other low-income residents who qualify.
Read more on Los Angeles Times

Recovery Associates Brings Its Leading-Edge Drug and Alcohol Treatment …
Recovery Associates is a drug and alcohol treatment center that provides a variety of programs and services for men, women and teens struggling with chemical dependency issues. At the core of their philosophy is the belief that addiction is a treatable …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

16 Medi-Cal substance abuse treatment centers are under investigation
The Drug Medi-Cal program, a service paid for by state and federal taxes, covers Medi-Cal recipients' treatment of substance use disorders. . Medi-Cal is the state's health insurance plan for people on welfare and other low-income residents who qualify.
Read more on Los Angeles Times

Viewpoint: How the Drug Treatment System Failed Cory Monteith
Part of the problem may have been with the rehab program itself; research suggests that many programs don't take advantage of available medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), don't provide talk therapy program that have been …
Read more on TIME

State: Drug treatment options exist despite local backlog
William Young, executive director, had said the move was intended to address Maple Leaf's chronic backlog of people seeking admittance to its residential treatment program. However, residential treatment options are available elsewhere in the state.
Read more on BurlingtonFreePress.com

Question by Teppo: What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking Carim 100 mg?
I am intrigued specifically what are the benefits and drawbacks of having Modafinil 200 mg? Many thanks much.

Best answer:

Answer by Colin
Carim is just another name for modafinil… the only difference in yours is 100mg is half the dose of the 200mg tablets.

In the United States, modafinil is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only for the treatment of narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea and shift work sleep disorder. In some countries, it is also approved for idiopathic hypersomnia (all forms of excessive daytime sleepiness where causes can’t be established). The usual prescribed dosage for these disorders is 200 mg once a day (less commonly, 100 to 400 mg/day in one or two doses).

For conditions other than shift work sleep disorder, modafinil is normally taken in one dose in the morning or in two doses in the morning and at midday. It is generally not recommended to take modafinil after noon: modafinil is a relatively long-acting drug with a half-life of 15 hours, and taking it during the later part of the day carries a risk of sleep disturbances

Despite extensive research into the interaction of modafinil with a large number of neurotransmitter systems, a precise mechanism or set of mechanisms of action remains unclear. It seems that modafinil, like other stimulants, increases the release of monoamines, specifically the catecholamines norepinephrine and dopamine, from the synaptic terminals. However, modafinil also elevates hypothalamic histamine levels, leading some researchers to consider Modafinil a “wakefulness promoting agent” rather than a classic amphetamine-like stimulant. Despite modafinil’s histaminergic action, it still partially shares the actions of amphetamine-class stimulants due to its effects on norepinephrine and dopamine.

A National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) study highlighted “the need for heightened awareness for potential abuse of and dependence on modafinil in vulnerable populations” due to the drug’s effect on dopamine in the brain’s reward center. However, the synergistic actions of modafinil on both catecholaminergic and histaminergic pathways lowers abuse potential as compared to traditional stimulant drugs while maintaining the effectiveness of the drug as a wakefulness promoting agent. Studies have suggested that modafinil “has limited potential for large-scale abuse” and “does not possess an addictive potential in naive individuals.”

Modafinil was shown to be an effective treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),however in 2006 it was found by the FDA to be unfit for use by children for that purpose. It was rejected primarily due to one suspected case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Cephalon’s own label for Provigil now discourages its use by children for any purpose. Other potentially effective, but unapproved targets include the treatment of depression, bipolar depression,opiate & cocaine dependence,Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and disease-related fatigue, as well as fatigue that is the side effect of another medication.

In most countries, here is a paper sheet with this sort of information with the tablets. If not, you really should discuss what you need to know with the pharmacist. Although pharmacists are sometimes called chemists, they are rather different and have specific traning in the areas.

Give your answer to this question below!

Few judges seek help with drug, alcohol problems
SPRINGFIELD — The cocaine-induced death of a downstate Illinois judge in March and the arrest last month of a colleague on drug-related charges comes as more attorneys are seeking help for mental health and addiction problems. According to the most …
Read more on Bloomington Pantagraph

Drug May Aid in Alcohol Dependence, but Safety Concerns Linger
Varenicline (Chantix, Pfizer Inc), currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to aid smoking cessation, shows a signal that it may also help in the treatment of alcohol dependence, new research suggests. However, concerns linking …
Read more on Medscape

Alcohol and drug abuse may be genetic risk
Professor McGorry wants to use government funded Headspace centres that provide help for young people to identify those at risk of drug and alcohol abuse and deliver early intervention. The centres provide a stigma free venue to identify young people …
Read more on NEWS.com.au

Question by Teppo: What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking Carim 100 mg?
I am intrigued specifically what are the benefits and drawbacks of having Modafinil 200 mg? Many thanks much.

Best answer:

Answer by Colin
Carim is just another name for modafinil… the only difference in yours is 100mg is half the dose of the 200mg tablets.

In the United States, modafinil is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only for the treatment of narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea and shift work sleep disorder. In some countries, it is also approved for idiopathic hypersomnia (all forms of excessive daytime sleepiness where causes can’t be established). The usual prescribed dosage for these disorders is 200 mg once a day (less commonly, 100 to 400 mg/day in one or two doses).

For conditions other than shift work sleep disorder, modafinil is normally taken in one dose in the morning or in two doses in the morning and at midday. It is generally not recommended to take modafinil after noon: modafinil is a relatively long-acting drug with a half-life of 15 hours, and taking it during the later part of the day carries a risk of sleep disturbances

Despite extensive research into the interaction of modafinil with a large number of neurotransmitter systems, a precise mechanism or set of mechanisms of action remains unclear. It seems that modafinil, like other stimulants, increases the release of monoamines, specifically the catecholamines norepinephrine and dopamine, from the synaptic terminals. However, modafinil also elevates hypothalamic histamine levels, leading some researchers to consider Modafinil a “wakefulness promoting agent” rather than a classic amphetamine-like stimulant. Despite modafinil’s histaminergic action, it still partially shares the actions of amphetamine-class stimulants due to its effects on norepinephrine and dopamine.

A National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) study highlighted “the need for heightened awareness for potential abuse of and dependence on modafinil in vulnerable populations” due to the drug’s effect on dopamine in the brain’s reward center. However, the synergistic actions of modafinil on both catecholaminergic and histaminergic pathways lowers abuse potential as compared to traditional stimulant drugs while maintaining the effectiveness of the drug as a wakefulness promoting agent. Studies have suggested that modafinil “has limited potential for large-scale abuse” and “does not possess an addictive potential in naive individuals.”

Modafinil was shown to be an effective treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),however in 2006 it was found by the FDA to be unfit for use by children for that purpose. It was rejected primarily due to one suspected case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Cephalon’s own label for Provigil now discourages its use by children for any purpose. Other potentially effective, but unapproved targets include the treatment of depression, bipolar depression,opiate & cocaine dependence,Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and disease-related fatigue, as well as fatigue that is the side effect of another medication.

In most countries, here is a paper sheet with this sort of information with the tablets. If not, you really should discuss what you need to know with the pharmacist. Although pharmacists are sometimes called chemists, they are rather different and have specific traning in the areas.

What do you think? Answer below!