From Our Blogs
“In the depths of a desperate struggle with alcoholism, I found a medicine, baclofen, that both freed me of all cravings for alcohol and resolved the underlying disorder, overwhelming anxiety, that made me vulnerable to addiction.”
So writes French cardiologist Dr. Olivier Ameisen in his new book, “The End of My Addiction.” An excerpt of the book appeared on abcnews.com and is not surprisingly -- with that kind of claim -- prompting interest in the drug, speculation about its potential and, of course, Google searches hither and yon.
Ameisen’s statement is certainly provocative for the almost magic-like quality it seems to suggest for baclofen, a drug of which few people are aware.
The medication itself is a muscle relaxer, often used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis symptoms, according to drugs.com. And it does show some promise.
A relatively small study using humans published in the Dec. 8, 2007, issue of The Lancet concluded: “Baclofen is effective at promoting alcohol abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients with liver cirrhosis. The drug is well tolerated and could have an important role in treatment of these individuals.”
The drug has also intrigued some researchers for its potential to treat cocaine addiction and has been eyed for its possibility in treating other addictions as well. But such research is far from a slam-dunk cure for alcoholism.
-- Tami Dennis
From: Booster Shots: Oddities, musings and some news from the world of health
For more, go to: latimes.com/boostershots
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BABYLON & BEYOND
More Marines commit suicide
More active-duty Marines committed suicide last year than any year since the beginning of the war in Iraq, although the rate of suicide remained virtually unchanged because the corps is increasing its size, according to a report issued Tuesday.
Forty-one Marines are listed as possible or confirmed suicides, which makes for a rate of 16.8 per 100,000 troops, the report said.
The Marine Corps has several suicide-prevention programs, starting in boot camp, to encourage Marines to watch their buddies for signs that they are considering suicide.
In 2007, 33 Marines committed suicide for a rate of 16.5 per 100,000.
The Marine Corps is adding more troops and calling in reservists to fulfill duties in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as stateside and forward bases.
The 2008 rate remains below that of the Army (18.1 in 2007) and the civilian population with similar demographics (19.5).
Preliminary review shows that 2008 suicides match those of 2007: Nearly all were enlisted Marines 24 years or younger, and about two-thirds had deployed overseas.
Although research continues, officials have no link between repeated deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan and suicide, officials said.
-- Tony Perry in San Diego
From: Babylon & Beyond: Observations from Iraq, Iran, Israel, the Arab world and beyond
For more, go to: latimes.com/babylon
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OUTPOSTS
Are great whites too protected?
Should the protection of great white sharks be lifted?
Of course not, but some might make such a claim after the next fatal shark attack off California. And if there is a spate of attacks, or sightings, watch out.
In Australia, where increased sightings off Queensland and the fatal chomping two weeks ago of a Perth snorkeler have generated “Jaws”-like hysteria, one man is claiming that overfishing and protection of great whites has become “a recipe for disaster.”
Shark hunter Vic Hislop told the Mercury, an Australian newspaper, that he was certain the great white that killed the snorkeler off Rockingham Beach was the same shark that killed another snorkeler just north of Perth in 2005.
Hislop, author of the book “Sharkman,” said: “Everything I wrote in my book 12 years ago is coming true.”
Claiming sharks have run low on natural food because of overfishing, Hislop says the predators are developing a taste for humans, and he is calling for lifting the protections of great whites. That’s unlikely to happen, but Hislop is entitled to his opinion.
What’s happening in Australia brings to mind a fairly recent phenomenon in Hawaii, where state wildlife experts, responding to a spate of attacks, killed dozens of tiger sharks and turned a blind eye while citizens hunted dozens more from various islands.
-- Pete Thomas
From: Outposts: Getting the most from the great outdoors
For more, go to: latimes.com/outposts
