U.S. Surgeon General Visits Mount Sinai Beth Israel’s Model Opioid Treatment Program Facility

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The U.S. Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, greets patient Gloria Harrison as other patients look on.

The United States Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, recently visited Mount Sinai Beth Israel’s Opioid Treatment Program at East 125th Street, one of the hospital’s 11 licensed addiction treatment clinics, to get a first-hand view of a facility that is successfully addressing the nationwide opioid epidemic. Mount Sinai’s model opioid treatment program was among the sites recommended to Dr. Murthy by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (more…)

Postoperative Painkillers: Avoiding Addiction

It seems like a week doesn’t go by without some high profile celebrity addiction story making the nightly news. The unfortunate reality that addiction to prescription medications has reached epidemic proportions in our society has many patients concerned that a trip to the operating room might render them a pain-pill addict. But when it comes down to it, to be able to make the right decisions for their own health, people need to put the hype into the proper context.

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Holidays Mean Higher Risk of Relapse — Make a Plan

Guest post by Abigail Strubel, MA, LCSW

The addiction self-help groups Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous have a name for the holiday season: “The Big Three”—Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. These holidays often are associated with increased alcohol consumption among non-addicts, as well as increased risk of relapse for people in recovery.

Not only is alcohol often served as part of celebratory meals, or used to create traditional holiday treats like fruitcake and eggnog, but the holidays themselves can cause stress or increase feelings of loneliness or disappointment. These feelings can become significant relapse “triggers”—factors that might lead to a return to substance abuse.

So how can a recovering addict stay sober during the holiday season? By maintaining a relapse prevention plan—simple steps you can take and tips to remember that will help prevent your triggers from increasing your desire to use again. (more…)

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