.png)
100 Million Ways Blogs
Blog 102 - ChatGPT Generated Executive Summary
ChatGPT Generated Executive Summary (From a 15-page document)100MillionWays.Org
By Tyler StrauseSo far, we're impressed! “This research proposal addresses the behavioral health needs of individuals living with opioid or substance use disorders, PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidality, and other symptoms within a community-based system. The study is motivated by the growing mental health crisis in the United States, which requires alternative and innovative interventions. Nonprofit organization 100 Million Ways (100MW) advocates for the use of cannabinoids and psychedelics, including ketamine and psilocybin, as treatment options for individuals living with substance use disorders, chronic pain, PTSD, and related anxiety, depression, and decreased quality of life. Despite the federal classification of cannabis and psilocybin as Schedule I substances, 100MW challenges this assessment and seeks to explore their potential therapeutic value. The research will focus on using cannabis and/or ketamine as potential cathartic modalities of change, with the possibility of comparing and contrasting the effects of the three interventions. Participants will undergo group therapy sessions that include psychoeducational interventions and emotion-focused processing of their symptoms. To assess the effectiveness of the treatments, the study will employ the GAD-7 (for anxiety), PHQ-9 (for depression), and PCL-5 (for PTSD) measurement tools. Participants will need a preliminary screening from a medical provider to ensure their eligibility for the study. Several considerations must be addressed, including obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, providing post hoc services for participants who did not receive the desired effect, covering financial costs, and ensuring access to local mental health resources in case of emergencies. In conclusion, 100MW seeks to lead the way in research that provides empirically driven interventions utilizing cannabis and/or ketamine for individuals with opioid use challenges and PTSD. As more regions consider revising their laws on cannabis and psychedelics, the potential for science to investigate the therapeutic benefits of these substances expands.”
Blog 101 - Pharmacogenetic Testing Study
Pharmacogenetic testing is now available to help people better understand their medication options. And although these tests are not intended to determine which medicine might work better than another to treat an individual, they can offer clues about why an individual may have a different response than expected, or may not respond at all, to any given class of drugs. Mayo Clinic’s Center for Individualized Medicine explains, “some genes are responsible for how the body processes medications. Pharmacogenetic tests look for variants in these genes that may determine whether a medication could be an effective treatment for an individual or whether that individual might have side effects to a specific medication.” The 100 Million Ways Foundation’s approach to beating the alcohol and opioid (overdose) crises focuses on research and education about options and alternatives to standards of care that are clearly not adequately managing the alcohol and opioid epidemics or the mental health of people living with alcohol and opioid use challenges. With that, 100MW will launch a IRB approved Pilot Study of fifty (50) participants using pharmacogenetic testing to shed light on the prevalence of relevant gene variations, targeting genes identified in prior research. The results will highlight gene-drug interactions which may identify participants who are not good genetic candidates for certain commonly prescribed pharmaceutical options. Specifically, the study builds on prior research on genetic variants implicated in non-responsiveness to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) commonly prescribed for anxiety, depression, and anxiety mixed with depression, and altered response to first- and second-generation antipsychotic medications. In addition, genes connected with how one might respond to cannabinoids and psychedelics will be included in the test panel. Participants will answer a variety of validated questionnaires and analysis will evaluate the correlation of study data results with how a participant feels. Participants will be invited to a podcast to discuss results in general and be advised to share their individual research data with their physician(s). While pharmacogenetics is still an early science, this Pilot Study will use the testing and analytical methods currently available to help sort out some of the pharmacology questions people have about how they respond to the drugs they take, or are considering taking, and correlate that to how they feel. There is data to suggest improvement in patient outcomes guided by pharmacogenetic testing as opposed to “treatment as usual”. And these tests will serve as a genetic baseline for participants. Another goal is to develop ideas as to how genetic testing could be used to raise awareness among parents of at-risk youth, and as an element of drug and alcohol education programs before substance abuse begins.
Blog 100 – Measure 110 Oregon – Update
With Ballot Measure110's passage in 2020, Oregon became the first state in America to decriminalize non-commercial possession of drugs that are illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Portugal was the first to decriminalize all drugs in 2001. While there have been ups and downs, twenty years later Portugal has less than ten overdose deaths per million. For perspective, in America in 2021, over 300 people per million died from an overdose. Is Measure 110 working?In a preliminary report, the Oregon Health Authority found more than 60,000 Oregonians struggling with addiction accessed services through Measure 110 in the following areas:- peer support programs.- achieving and retaining employment.- services to help addiction recovery.- services to obtain and retain safe housing.- harm reduction interventions, such as access to naloxone or syringe exchange programs.- eliminating criminal penalties around drug possession for personal use. While the implementation of M110 in Oregon was/is hardly smooth, prediction of increasing crime rates does not appear to be happening, at least by this analysis:· The public’s use of the 911 system did not change significantly after M110.· Portland 911 calls track closely with data from comparison cities for property, disorderly, and vice offenses. And a poll in September 2022 indicated Democrat, Independent, and Republican voters still support Measure 110. But…drug overdose deaths in Oregon increased 39.4% the year after 110 went into effect, compared to the same period a year before, while the U.S. increased 13.8%. This is contrary to the primary goal and must be followed closely. Some assert 110 has increased demand for drugs in Oregon. And some counties and cities indicate the new services offered because of Measure 110 come at the detriment to their budgets, and that public safety and other necessities have been harmed as a result are proposing to change the formula for how money from state cannabis tax is spent — taking back tax dollars that local governments and state police could count on before Measure 110 took effect.
100 Million Ways opinionIn 2021, there were less than ten overdose deaths per million in Portugal – more than 300 overdose deaths per million in America.
Solving the overdose crisis in America requires providing options and alternatives to people with substance use challenges.
Oregon Measure 110 must expand collaboration with stakeholders and ensure data is captured so successes and failures can be measured. The overdose crisis is dynamic with lots of moving targets (like COVID, fentanyl analogs and nitazenes). Let’s give M110 more time. Lots of us are watching,
100 Million Ways opinionIn 2021, there were less than ten overdose deaths per million in Portugal – more than 300 overdose deaths per million in America.
Solving the overdose crisis in America requires providing options and alternatives to people with substance use challenges.
Oregon Measure 110 must expand collaboration with stakeholders and ensure data is captured so successes and failures can be measured. The overdose crisis is dynamic with lots of moving targets (like COVID, fentanyl analogs and nitazenes). Let’s give M110 more time. Lots of us are watching,
Blog #99: Pharmacogenetic Testing
There are now available pharmacogenetic tests that show how a person’s genes may affect how that person metabolizes a medicine. It is not the same as genetic testing. Most genetic tests help diagnose diseases or risk of disease, identify a family relationship, or identify someone in a criminal investigation.
At 100 Million Ways, the approach to solving the opioid (overdose) crisis focuses on mental health and support for options and alternatives to standards of care, which must be considered in lieu of the limited success, to date, in managing the opioid epidemic and the mental health of people challenged by substance use.
The crossover for people with mental health and concomitant substance use challenges is significant. According to JAMA, "approximately 50% of individuals with mental disorders are affected by substance abuse. And 37% of alcohol abusers and 53% of drug abusers have at least one serious mental illness." Mayo Clinic’s Center for Individualized Medicine states, “Some genes are responsible for how the body processes medications. Pharmacogenomic tests measure variants in these genes that help determine whether a medication might be an effective treatment for an individual or whether that individual might have side effects to a medication.”
Chronic pain is one of the most common problems presented when seeing a healthcare provider. Use of prescription pain medications (especially opioids) was/is a significant contributor to the opioid crisis in America. In addition to the potential risk of overdose, opioids and other pain adjuvants can cause problematic drug-drug-interactions.
Individuals can be classified by their pharmacogenetic ability to metabolize a medication: a normal metabolizer (NM) responds as expected and has two normal or “wild-type” alleles; an intermediate metabolizer (IM) can have partially active alleles or one fully defective allele; a poor metabolizer (PM) has two abnormal alleles with minimal gene activity; a rapid metabolizer (RM) has at least one highly active allele, and an ultra-rapid metabolizer (UM) can have many copies of the normal gene, leading to activity many times the baseline level.
While pharmacogenetics is not yet an exact science, it is sufficiently advanced and our population is sufficiently interested for 100 Million Ways to run a Pilot Study. Participants will be given pharmacogenetic test kits, at no expense. Each participant will complete baseline validated instruments. Statistical analysis will determine correlations that exist between pharmacogenetic data and self-reported data from selected validated tools. Participants will also receive counseling as regards the implications of these tests.
Any tool that has the potential to help us understand the physiologic response to the medicines we take, especially for those with substance use challenges, is a tool worthy of further research.
At 100 Million Ways, the approach to solving the opioid (overdose) crisis focuses on mental health and support for options and alternatives to standards of care, which must be considered in lieu of the limited success, to date, in managing the opioid epidemic and the mental health of people challenged by substance use.
The crossover for people with mental health and concomitant substance use challenges is significant. According to JAMA, "approximately 50% of individuals with mental disorders are affected by substance abuse. And 37% of alcohol abusers and 53% of drug abusers have at least one serious mental illness." Mayo Clinic’s Center for Individualized Medicine states, “Some genes are responsible for how the body processes medications. Pharmacogenomic tests measure variants in these genes that help determine whether a medication might be an effective treatment for an individual or whether that individual might have side effects to a medication.”
Chronic pain is one of the most common problems presented when seeing a healthcare provider. Use of prescription pain medications (especially opioids) was/is a significant contributor to the opioid crisis in America. In addition to the potential risk of overdose, opioids and other pain adjuvants can cause problematic drug-drug-interactions.
Individuals can be classified by their pharmacogenetic ability to metabolize a medication: a normal metabolizer (NM) responds as expected and has two normal or “wild-type” alleles; an intermediate metabolizer (IM) can have partially active alleles or one fully defective allele; a poor metabolizer (PM) has two abnormal alleles with minimal gene activity; a rapid metabolizer (RM) has at least one highly active allele, and an ultra-rapid metabolizer (UM) can have many copies of the normal gene, leading to activity many times the baseline level.
While pharmacogenetics is not yet an exact science, it is sufficiently advanced and our population is sufficiently interested for 100 Million Ways to run a Pilot Study. Participants will be given pharmacogenetic test kits, at no expense. Each participant will complete baseline validated instruments. Statistical analysis will determine correlations that exist between pharmacogenetic data and self-reported data from selected validated tools. Participants will also receive counseling as regards the implications of these tests.
Any tool that has the potential to help us understand the physiologic response to the medicines we take, especially for those with substance use challenges, is a tool worthy of further research.
Blog #98: A Mark of Disgrace
Stigma is defined as “a mark of disgrace.” It rears its ugly head in at least three ways.
Public stigma comes from society as a whole and involves general attitudes about substance use challenges that can cause people to avoid seeking help because they feel embarrassed or ashamed about their problem. Social stigma occurs when people go to someone for help and encounter negative public attitudes about addictions. In some cases, even doctors or social workers see people with addiction as morally corrupt, manipulative, or violent - or believe a person with substance use challenges may not have the motivation and willpower necessary to change.
Self-stigma develops when a person with a substance use challenge internalizes negative messages from caregivers or society in general. This can lead to self-doubt about the potential success of treatment and self-questioning about whether treatment is even worth trying. In a study by the Recovery Research Institute, people who have resolved a significant substance use challenge, defined as recovered for at least five years, are, on average, 44 years old, 60% male, and 39% a racial/ethnic minority. And while the number of attempts at recovery ranged from 0-100 depending on the severity of the challenge (mental-illness, lack of social support, addiction severity), 50% of the people studied (median) needed two attempts to recover, with the average being five. Approximately 50 percent of adults who met diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder—or about 25 million people—are currently in stable remission (1 year or longer). Data show that five years after substance abuse is stopped, the risk for relapse is no greater than for anyone else in the general population. A study published by CDC/NIDA in 2020 found 3 out of 4 people (75%) who experience addiction eventually recover. These numbers probably surprise most readers.
Reporting these data instead of, or, at least in addition to, the deaths, the pain, the associated crime…, is a step toward changing stigma associated with substance use challenges. People with substance use challenges can get better, be normal, be productive members of society - some even change the world. Stigma sucks. It’s not that hard to think about the positives. Give it a go.
Public stigma comes from society as a whole and involves general attitudes about substance use challenges that can cause people to avoid seeking help because they feel embarrassed or ashamed about their problem. Social stigma occurs when people go to someone for help and encounter negative public attitudes about addictions. In some cases, even doctors or social workers see people with addiction as morally corrupt, manipulative, or violent - or believe a person with substance use challenges may not have the motivation and willpower necessary to change.
Self-stigma develops when a person with a substance use challenge internalizes negative messages from caregivers or society in general. This can lead to self-doubt about the potential success of treatment and self-questioning about whether treatment is even worth trying. In a study by the Recovery Research Institute, people who have resolved a significant substance use challenge, defined as recovered for at least five years, are, on average, 44 years old, 60% male, and 39% a racial/ethnic minority. And while the number of attempts at recovery ranged from 0-100 depending on the severity of the challenge (mental-illness, lack of social support, addiction severity), 50% of the people studied (median) needed two attempts to recover, with the average being five. Approximately 50 percent of adults who met diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder—or about 25 million people—are currently in stable remission (1 year or longer). Data show that five years after substance abuse is stopped, the risk for relapse is no greater than for anyone else in the general population. A study published by CDC/NIDA in 2020 found 3 out of 4 people (75%) who experience addiction eventually recover. These numbers probably surprise most readers.
Reporting these data instead of, or, at least in addition to, the deaths, the pain, the associated crime…, is a step toward changing stigma associated with substance use challenges. People with substance use challenges can get better, be normal, be productive members of society - some even change the world. Stigma sucks. It’s not that hard to think about the positives. Give it a go.
The 100 Million Ways Fundraiser What an Event!
Fueled by the energy of so many wonderful people, the First Annual 100 Million Ways Fall Gala was a grand success. Over 160 people attended. We can’t say thank you enough to express our gratitude to all those who attended, and to those who played a role in bringing it to life.
The evening included an engaging group of presenters including an industry CEO, a health-care provider, a peer support specialist, a tech entrepreneur, and an athlete/founder. They spoke from the heart about the experiences that shaped their lives, that developed their shared commitment to alternative and multi-modal approaches to mental and physical wellness. As a collective, we listened, and we were touched by how these stories resonated — they are not so different than many of our own stories, or the story of someone we know, or someone we love.
Our diverse, eclectic audience included executives, scientists, physicians, creatives, business leaders, industry advocates and colleagues, agencies, political action activists, artists, musicians, people who lived the life of substance use challenges, people who care about the overdose crisis, friends and family.
At a time when America is so divided about so many things, Wednesday night, amongst this eclectic group of people, there was commonality of purpose, an energy of hope, and even a sense of optimism.
It was a wonderful night on the lake at The Boathouse in Central Park. We raised almost $100,000. We can’t wait to share with you how it helps the populations we serve. Stay tuned for more!
The evening included an engaging group of presenters including an industry CEO, a health-care provider, a peer support specialist, a tech entrepreneur, and an athlete/founder. They spoke from the heart about the experiences that shaped their lives, that developed their shared commitment to alternative and multi-modal approaches to mental and physical wellness. As a collective, we listened, and we were touched by how these stories resonated — they are not so different than many of our own stories, or the story of someone we know, or someone we love.
Our diverse, eclectic audience included executives, scientists, physicians, creatives, business leaders, industry advocates and colleagues, agencies, political action activists, artists, musicians, people who lived the life of substance use challenges, people who care about the overdose crisis, friends and family.
At a time when America is so divided about so many things, Wednesday night, amongst this eclectic group of people, there was commonality of purpose, an energy of hope, and even a sense of optimism.
It was a wonderful night on the lake at The Boathouse in Central Park. We raised almost $100,000. We can’t wait to share with you how it helps the populations we serve. Stay tuned for more!