Public Health

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Last year more than 3,800 federal, state and local organizations took in more than 702,000 pounds of unused, expired or unwanted drugs…

The President recently proposed $1.1 billion in additional funding for opioid use disorder treatment. Part of this plan involves expanding access to treatment; for example, buprenorphine-prescribing physicians were previously limited to seeing 100 patients, but are now allowed to see 200 patients in order to extend care to more of those who need it. The…

Teen athletes are frequently prescribed narcotics for sports-related injuries, making them prime candidates for opioid addiction and abuse. One study indicated that this demographic is 50% more likely to abuse prescription painkillers than their non-athletic peers. This shocking statistic can be attributed in part to their desire to get back to the sport as soon…

The CDC’s new pain guidelines are changing the lives of millions of people struggling with chronic pain. If you need help getting off of opioids please call 504-510-2331 Read More Here (NY Times)

The CDC recently released their guidelines regarding opioid prescriptions for individuals with chronic pain. The opioid endemic is, of course, concerning and requires immediate attention, but not in the form of restricting access to treatment. Individuals with chronic pain need and deserve appropriate care; they should not be forced to jump through hoops for their…

The United States Senate voted against a fund-related amendment to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). The original legislature predicted spending $80 million in the fight against the opioid endemic, but the actual funds have yet to be attained through an appropriations bill. Senate Republicans justify the block by arguing that hundreds of millions…

VOLUME I / JAN 2013 Two Dreams is a wellness program led by Andrea G. Barthwell, MD, FASAM that provides individualized care for those who dream of recovering a healthy lifestyle. NOTE FROM DR. B. As the New Year begins, we transition from our monthly focus on the Twelve Steps of AA to this year’s…

VOLUME VI / JUNE 2013 Two Dreams is a wellness program led by Andrea G. Barthwell, MD, FASAM that provides individualized care for those who dream of recovering a healthy lifestyle. GUEST COLUMNIST Our featured guest writer this month is nationally-renowned consultant and lecturer Chris Schroeder, who has been actively involved in helping those afflicted…

VOLUME VIII / AUG 2013 Two Dreams is a wellness program led by Andrea G. Barthwell, MD, FASAM that provides individualized care for those who dream of recovering a healthy lifestyle. NOTE FROM DR. B. On August 1, 2013, Illinois governor Pat Quinn signed a bill legalizing the approved use of “medical” marijuana. This unfortunate…

VOLUME XIII / JAN 2014 NOTE FROM DR. B. As the New Year begins, we transition from our monthly focus on the Twelve Steps of AA to this year’s theme: The Twelve Promises. These promises are the payback of the AA program; these are the gifts that are guaranteed to the individual who works diligently…