DC and Maryland Regulations Regarding the ACA-mandated Tobacco Coverage Services
District of Columbia Coverage for 2014 fiscal year not yet determined. DC Medical Assistance program coverage varies widely by plan. Quantity limits for medication coverage. Coverage information for the Medicaid expansion population is still to be determined. Health Insurance Marketplace. All plans are required to cover tobacco cessation treatment. Specific coverage varies by plan. State Employee […]
Co-Occurring Training at the DC Department of Behavioral Health
The District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health (DBH)* conducted a free three-hour training entitled Introduction to Co-Occurring Disorder, Treatment Implications & DBH Services which this reviewer attended on October 17th, 2013. Although open to the general public, the majority of attendees were employees of DBH who needed to earn continuing education credits. The presenter, […]
Book Review: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit is a short, yet powerful book that examines the fundamentals of habit formation and asserts that habits are the core of daily behavior. For decades, habit formation and habit modification have mesmerized psychologists and neurologists alike. The author himself gained a keen interest in habits while reporting in Iraq […]
Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) #58, Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) now available
Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) #58, Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), is now available for download from the SAMHSA Store. The first TIP to deal directly with the topic of FASD, TIP 58 provides best-practice guidelines for preventing and addressing FASD in behavioral health settings. The publication of TIP 58 provides a valuable new resource to the […]
Spotlight on the SAMHSA Store
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has an extensive online store with many timely publications available. According to press releases from 2011, this store replaced the National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information, the National Mental Health Information Center, and the SAMHSA Health Information Network. The SAMHSA Store landing page displays several […]
Problem Gambling: Let’s Bring the Problem out of Hiding
My name is Bill LaBine. I am the executive director and clinical supervisor at the Jackie Nitschke Center in Green Bay, WI. Green Bay has three casinos, all located within three miles of my home; I pass one daily on my way to and from work. I am saddened when I drive by the casino early in […]
Film Review: Off-Label
Off-Label, this feature film’s title, refers to the practice by some physicians of prescribing a legal drug for a condition or disease for which the drug has not been specifically approved. Off-Label is quite different from what might be expected for an educational documentary. Rather than presenting a lot of facts or statistics in a […]
File Review: My Name is Al
My Name is Al is a beautifully photographed 15-minute documentary profile by Kristin Alexander of a medical professional in recovery. Dr. Al Peters is a high achiever who completed 7 years of schooling in 5 and had established a successful dental practice by age 21. By then he also already had a significant problem […]
Disaster Mental Health Responder Certification Training at the DC Department of Behavioral Health
The District of Columbia’s Department of Behavioral Health conducted a free two-day training entitled Disaster Mental Health Responder Certification Training which this author attended on October 21st and 28th, 2013. Although open to the general public, the majority of attendees were Department of Mental Health employees who needed to earn continuing education credits. Although this […]