For most people, the holidays typically bring a sense of joy and comfort, but for those struggling with substance use disorders (SUD) this time of the year can be especially difficult. The winter holidays have become one of the most dangerous times of the year for drug and alcohol-related deaths and relapse. A Healthline survey […]
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Dealing with the Addiction Crisis During the Nightmare of COVID-19
COVID-19 updates are on display on all news stations, but who is keeping tally of those succumbing to addiction due to the pandemic. The new struggles and emotions brought on by these unprecedented times are hard for the everyday person. The hardships experienced by someone with substance use disorder (SUD) can be detrimental. With over […]
Read MoreDrug and Alcohol Testing in Community Corrections: Some Provocative Findings
Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D. Community corrections officers spend 10 to 40% of their workweek administering and responding to drug and alcohol tests (Alemi et al., 2004; Reichert et al., 2020). They do this because 30 to 50% of probationers and parolees have a moderate to severe substance use disorder (Fearn et al., 2017) and […]
Read MoreEvidence-Based Practices for Substance Use Disorder Testing
People with substance use disorders often do not self-disclose substance use reliably. Studies conducted in substance use treatment, primary medical care and emergency room settings have reported that between 25% and 85% of individuals testing positive for illicit drugs or alcohol denied recent usage (Bagley et al., 2018; Chen et al., 2006; Harris et al., […]
Read MoreThe Impact of SUD and Mental Health on Healthcare Costs
People with SUD and other mental health diagnoses account for 60% of all healthcare spending, with just 7% of the spending attributed to mental health services and 53% attributed to physical health. [1,2] SUD-related physical health issues include emergency department visits, HIV or HEP-C treatments, repeat heart valve replacements, and neonatal abstinence syndrome, among others. […]
Read More5 Powerful Solutions for Drug Testing during COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed the way we live and work. There isn’t an industry this virus hasn’t affected in some way. The drug testing industry is certainly no exception. Patients that find themselves at the intersection of criminal justice and healthcare who are battling substance use disorders know how critical daily check-ins, random drug testing, and […]
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