Impact of narcotics is greater on mentally illFebruary 06, 2009Narcotics have an irreversible effect on the brains of people already suffering from mental illness, according to Dr. Stéphane Potvin of the Université de Montréal affiliated Centre de recherche Fernand-Seguin at the Louis-H Lafontaine Hospital. According to his research, some 33 to 50 percent of psychiatric patients also suffer from drug addiction. The study has shown that drug consumption leads to the deterioration of the cerebral structures. Dr. Potvin who has presents his findings as part of a conference at the Louis-H Lafontaine Hospital this week. His research has shown that people suffering from mental illness, and more specifically schizophrenia, are more sensitive to the effects of drugs. "They become dependant more quickly and they tend to abuse drugs more easily. It is evident that drug use can worsen the symptoms of mental disease," says Dr. Potvin. "The odds that a mental disorder manifests itself in an individual can increase if he or she consumes drugs." Dr. Potvin is also interested in the support that people suffering from mental illness and drug dependence can get. Resources aren't the same for both and detoxification centers have a very different approach than centers devoted to those suffering from mental disease. As part of his presentation, Dr. Potvin and colleagues will address the issue of integrated treatment for those suffering mental disease and drug abuse. University of Montreal |
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| Related Mental Illness Current Events and Mental Illness News Articles Stranger homicide by people with schizophrenia is rare -- and unpredictable International study led by Sydney researchers shows homicides of strangers by people with schizophrenia are exceptionally rare and unpredictable events. Research ensures 50 million vaccinated against deadly brain infection Research at the University of Liverpool has supported the vaccination of more than 50 million people against a zoonotic brain infection that affects thousands of children across Asia every year. Strong link between obesity and depression Doctors should pay more attention to the link between common mental illness and obesity in patients because the two health problems are closely linked, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide. Common mental disorders may be more common than we think The prevalence of anxiety, depression and substance dependency may be twice as high as the mental health community has been led to believe. Doctors Fear Asking Mentally Ill to Quit Smoking People with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety are the heaviest smokers in the country, but their doctors are afraid to ask them to quit. They assume that if their patients try to quit smoking, their mental disorders will get worse. 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). Sleep patterns in children and teenagers could indicate risk for depression, researcher finds Sleep patterns can help predict which adolescents might be at greatest risk for developing depression, a researcher at UT Southwestern Medical Center has found in a five-year study. Sleep patterns in children and teenagers could indicate risk for depression, researcher finds Sleep patterns can help predict which adolescents might be at greatest risk for developing depression, a researcher at UT Southwestern Medical Center has found in a five-year study. Homicide by mentally ill has risen in England and Wales The number of people killed by individuals suffering from mental illness in England and Wales increased between 1997 and 2005, figures released today show. Mayo Clinic Proceedings reviews deep brain stimulation to treat psychiatric diseases Pioneering therapeutic trials to investigate the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in hard-to-treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette's syndrome are underway at multiple medical centers around the world. More Mental Illness Current Events and Mental Illness News Articles |
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