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    Addiction and Recovery

    Vol. 57 No. 1   January 2018

    Courts & Judiciary

    The Disease of Addiction: Looking for Answers Behind the Numbers

    By Judge Mary-Margaret Anderson (Ret.)

    This issue of The Judges' Journal explores the epidemic of addiction in the United States with the goal of providing information on the causes and treatment of substance use disorder. With education and understanding, perhaps we can begin to make sense of the staggering statistics behind addiction and the best ways to help those who are addicted.

    Features

    Courts & Judiciary

    Prevalence, Causes, and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Primer

    By Spencer Bujarski, Aaron C. Lim, and Lara A. Ray

    Drug and alcohol addiction are among the most prevalent and costly psychiatric disorders, particularly in the context of the criminal justice system. The authors provide an overview of the science of addiction, focusing on the diagnosis of substance use disorder, the brain processes that lead to addiction, the risk factors that increase the risk for addiction, and the available behavioral and medical treatments.

    Courts & Judiciary

    Best Practices and Recommendations: Judicial and Medical Perspectives on Cases Involving Addiction to Opioids

    By Judge Stephanie Domitrovich and Jeffrey M. Jentzen

    How to handle cases involving drug use has evolved over time as our understanding of addiction and science has become more sophisticated. We have learned that punishing addicts is not black and white, and steps like enhancing sentencing to deter drug traffickers are now being taken to get at the root of the problem.

    Technology Column

    Ethics Column