RANE Podcast Series The United States of Addiction Part V
Jan 29, 2025
Dr. Mark Gold, a world-renowned addiction expert with over 1,000 publications, shares profound insights on the evolving landscape of addiction. He discusses the shift from opioids to stimulants, influenced by societal pressures and workplace demands. The contrasting effects of psychedelics and psychostimulants are also examined, revealing their therapeutic potential and risks. Gold highlights the geopolitical connections of Captagon production and underscores the need for clear communication in addiction treatment policies to enhance public awareness and outcomes.
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Opioid Crisis Evolution
- The opioid crisis has evolved from prescription opioids to heroin, then fentanyl, and now involves speedballing (opioids mixed with stimulants).
- This pattern mirrors historical opioid epidemics, which were followed by speedballing and then stimulant epidemics.
Shifting Drug Preferences
- People's drug preferences shift over time, and there's a limit to how much sleep and euphoria individuals can tolerate.
- A drive for discovery and innovation fuels the desire for stimulants after extended opioid use.
Stimulants and Work Culture
- The current shift towards stimulants may be linked to a return to robust work activity and changing expectations around work.
- Values such as alertness, aggression, and long work hours can drive stimulant use.
