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Prescription opioids the predominant choice among illicit opioid users
November 21, 2006For almost a century, heroin addiction has been a core element of the illicit drug use problem in Canada. Recently, however, isolated reports have pointed to substantial increases in prescription opioid abuse.
To determine the impact on usage patterns among street drug users, Fischer and colleagues analyzed data from the OPICAN study (a multisite study of drug use patterns among illicit opioid users across Canada). They found that heroin use has become an increasingly marginal form of drug use and that, instead, use of prescription opioids is now the predominant form of illicit opioid use.
The authors discuss several crucial implications of these changes in usage patterns, including the fact that prescription opioids used by street drug users are obtained directly or indirectly (e.g., through friends or partners) from sources in the medical system. They suggest that adjustments may be required to opioid addiction treatment programs.
In a related commentary, Wainberg discusses the implications of this study and the need for enhancement of detoxification programs.
Canadian Medical Association Journal
In a related commentary, Wainberg discusses the implications of this study and the need for enhancement of detoxification programs.
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Opioid Current Events and Opioid News RSSCommon pain relief medication may encourage cancer growth
Although morphine has been the gold-standard treatment for postoperative and chronic cancer pain for two centuries, a growing body of evidence is showing that opiate-based painkillers can stimulate the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Stress-induced changes in brain circuitry linked to cocaine relapse
Stress-evoked changes in circuits that regulate serotonin in certain parts of the brain can precipitate a low mood and a relapse in cocaine-seeking, based on mouse studies published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Infant pain, adult repercussions
Scientists at Georgia State University have uncovered the mechanisms of how pain in infancy alters how the brain processes pain in adulthood.
Instanyl sets new standard in management of breakthrough cancer pain
New data presented today further demonstrate the efficacy of Instanyl in management of breakthrough cancer pain. The data which were presented at the 6th congress of the European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain (EFIC) are from a multinational, crossover trial comparing Instanyl with oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) for the treatment of breakthrough pain in patients with cancer.
Study finds US prison system falls short in treating drug addiction
Almost a quarter of a million individuals addicted to heroin are incarcerated in the United States each year. However, many prison systems across the country still do not offer medical treatment for heroin and opiate addiction, despite the demonstrated social, medical and economic benefits of opiate replacement therapy (ORT).
Rats Move Toward the Food but Do Not Eat
Scientists led a rat to the fatty food, but they couldn't make it eat. Using an animal model of binge eating, University of Missouri researchers discovered that deactivating the basolateral amygdala, a brain region involved in regulating emotion, specifically blocked consumption of a fatty diet. Surprisingly, it had no effect on the rat wanting to look for the food repeatedly.
Deaths from Unintentional Injuries Increase for Many Groups
While the total mortality rate from unintentional injury increased in the U.S. by 11 percent between 1999 and 2005, far larger increases were seen in some subgroups analyzed by age, race, ethnicity and type of injury by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy.
Researchers find genetic link between physical pain and social rejection
UCLA psychologists have determined for the first time that a gene linked with physical pain sensitivity is associated with social pain sensitivity as well.
Chinese acupuncture affects brain's ability to regulate pain, UM study shows
Acupuncture has been used in East-Asian medicine for thousands of years to treat pain, possibly by activating the body's natural painkillers. But how it works at the cellular level is largely unknown.
Nerve-block anesthesia can improve surgical recovery, even outcomes
When planning for surgery, patients too often don't consider the kind of anesthesia they will receive. In fact, the choice of anesthesia can improve recovery, even outcomes.
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Axxora Naloxone Hydrochloride, 50 MG by Axxora The product referenced on this detail page is sold be Each. | |
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Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia by Jianren Mao (Editor) Highlights in Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia: GROUNDBREAKING CONTENT - the first clinically focused text dedicated to the newly emerging area of pain medicine known as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) provides pain specialists, anesthesiologists, and neurologists with the most current, cutting-edge research and therapeutic options for treating OIH patients EXPER CONTRIBUTORSHIP - 12 experienced key opinion leaders in the field supply best practice guidelines for the effective assessment, diagnosis, and management of OIH: need-to-know information clinicians trust and can utilize in their practices CLEAR ORGANIZATION - of chapters by type of high-risk patient- the cancer patient, the post-op patient, and the chronic and acute pain patient-enables clinicians to quickly and... |
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