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Pain and addiction have a close relationship. For example, research has shown that three days of opioids prescribed for acute postoperative pain can increase the chances of chronic opioid use.

Recent years in addiction medicine have been transformative, and this year was exceptional. The opioid crisis and the COVID pandemic, being front-of-mind for many, created a sense of awareness in Washington D.C. that we must continue to capitolize on (spelling pun intended) (NPR, NBC).

Defining and diagnosing addiction has evolved over the years with cravings becoming a core component in the conceptualization. As we move forward, machine learning is enabling scientists to identify stable brain patterns that can function as a neuromarker for cravings (food and drugs) and potentially be used in diagnosis and treatment response.

To borrow from a conceptualization about human behavior — a good way to predict future news is to look at past news. This week we present to you the most read news publications of 2022.

Treatments for alcohol withdrawal continue to resonate, particularly updates with benzodiazepine-sparing protocols (JAMA Network Open). Research is identifying cannabis as a possible risk factor for dementia (American Journal of Psychiatry) and concern continues to grow around psychotic disorders and potency (The Lancet Psychiatry).

Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, recently advocated for broadening access to methadone treatment for OUD (STAT News). While some politicians or trade groups may frame this as radical, such leading-expert opinion is based on scientific evidence and an appreciation for a rapidly evolving addiction crisis.