A systematic review found that brief alcohol-targeted interventions delivered in doctors' offices reduce drinking by small but useful amounts. The study analyzed data from 116 trials involving 64,439 participants and found a reduction of approximately one drinking day per month.
A new study published in Addiction found that expanding naloxone access laws in the US did not contribute to reductions in perceived risk of heroin use. The research used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and found no correlation between naloxone access and perceptions of heroin risk.
A new study suggests that tobacco and alcohol use may lead to an increased risk of using cannabis and other illicit drugs. The research also found a possible gateway effect between tobacco use and subsequent cannabis use, as well as opioid dependence leading to increased alcohol consumption.
A systematic review found evidence that non-invasive brain stimulation can reduce smoking frequency in nicotine-dependent smokers. High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was associated with the greatest reduction in smoking frequency.
A new meta-analysis suggests that people who use cannabis are more than twice as likely to initiate opioid use and develop problematic patterns of use compared to those who don't use cannabis. However, the low quality of evidence makes it unclear whether there is a causal relationship between cannabis and subsequent opioid use.
A survey of 32,000 European adults found decreased alcohol consumption in most countries, with the largest declines seen in Albania, Finland, and others. Respondents experiencing financial distress reported less reduction in consumption.
A new study found that US recreational cannabis legalization is associated with a 9.2% decrease in street/illegal cannabis prices, a 64% increase in heroin prices, and a 54% increase in heroin potency. The study also showed a significant decrease in law enforcement seizures of street/illegal cannabis and other drugs.
A new study found that men with heavy drinking habits and sexist attitudes are more likely to commit intimate partner violence. The research, conducted in seven Asian-Pacific countries, highlights the interaction between alcohol consumption, gender inequality, and male violence.
A new analysis of the EAGLES trial data found that varenicline does not increase the risk of psychiatric problems in people without a history. In those with a psychiatric history, it likely did not cause problems but with less certainty.
A survey of English smokers found that ethnic minority groups were less likely to use e-cigarettes as a means of reducing cigarette consumption or during temporary abstinence. This disparity may contribute to the higher risk of smoking-related diseases among these groups, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
A new study published in Addiction suggests that cannabis use does not substitute for non-medical opioids among adults with problem substance use. The longitudinal study of 211 participants found that opioid use was at least as high on days when cannabis was used as on days when it was not.
Experts argue that New Zealand's proposed cannabis legislation lacks clear criteria for minimum price and potency levels, posing challenges in reducing cannabis use over time and taxing products by THC potency. The bill needs strengthening to address these gaps and ensure a comprehensive regulatory framework.
A large-scale study has found no association between varenicline and increased cardiovascular or neuropsychiatric hospitalization risk. The study also suggests bupropion may be linked to lower cardiovascular risks and higher neuropsychiatric risks compared to NRT.
A randomized controlled trial found that the ACE method was as effective as a specialist stop smoking service in quitting smoking. The study's results suggest that ACE may offer a viable cost-effective alternative for public-funded healthcare settings.
A new study estimates that daily cannabis users in Australia accounted for over 80% of total cannabis consumption between 2007 and 2016. Prevalence of past cannabis use increased from 8.9% to 10.5% during this period, with 1 in 6 past year users being daily users.
A recent study published in Addiction found that eight percent of Chinese men are problem drinkers, with higher rates among men from lower socio-economic status and rural areas. Problem drinking is associated with increased risk of physical and mental health problems, as well as premature death.
A 10-year study found that smokers in England have become less dependent on cigarettes but are less inclined to try to stop smoking. The proportion of smokers trying to quit has declined from 37% to 29.9%, while the number of cigarettes consumed per day has decreased.
A new study found that as e-cigarette use in England increased from 2011 to 2017, the success rate of quitting smoking also rose. The research estimated that around 50,700 to 69,930 smokers quit using e-cigarettes in 2017, suggesting a positive link between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation.
A recent study found that the introduction and withdrawal of financial incentives for GPs had little impact on screening rates but led to an immediate increase in advice provision. Since the scheme's discontinuation, screening rates have decreased, and fewer patients receive brief advice for their drinking.
A study found that raising the age of cigarette sales from 18 to 21 led to a 39% decrease in regular smoking among 18-20 year olds who had tried cigarettes. Peer smoking was a critical factor in this reduction, suggesting tobacco-21 laws may help curb youth smoking.
A new review finds one in ten UK hospital patients are alcohol dependent, with limited services available. The researchers emphasize the need for routine screening and staff training to address the issue.
A major review of the world literature reveals FASD is 10-40 times higher in vulnerable populations, including children in care and Aboriginal populations. The estimated prevalence varies greatly across regions, emphasizing the need for early interventions and awareness training.
Research published in Addiction found that US doctors receiving direct payments from opioid manufacturers prescribe more opioids than those who receive no such payments. The study analyzed data from over 63,000 physicians who received opioid-related promotional payments and compared them to over 802,000 physicians with no such payments.
A US housing subsidy program may reduce adolescent girls' binge drinking but worsen boys'. The study analyzed 2829 adolescents and found a harmful effect of treatment on boys' binge drinking. The reasons for the gender difference are unclear, but further research is needed to uncover the exact mechanisms.
A prospective study of over 3700 US juveniles found an independent association between conduct disorder and mortality hazard. Conduct disorder was linked to a 4.99 times higher risk of mortality compared to community controls.
The article highlights predatory monetization schemes in video games, such as loot boxes, that can encourage repeated spending and blur the line between gaming and online gambling. These schemes have been linked to Internet gaming disorder and pose significant financial risks to vulnerable players.
The largest health burden from substance use is attributed to tobacco smoking, with nearly one in seven adults worldwide smoking. In contrast, illicit drug use is less common, with fewer than one in twenty people using cannabis in the past year.
Recent studies on medical marijuana laws find no significant link to increased adolescent recreational use, contradicting previous claims. The evidence also suggests that legalizing medical marijuana does not necessarily reduce opioid overdose deaths, as other factors contribute more significantly to the decline in deaths.
A recent study published in Addiction has found that a concentrated 2mg intranasal naloxone spray delivers naloxone as effectively as the standard 0.4mg intramuscular injection over the critical first 15 minutes. The nasal spray maintains blood levels of naloxone more than twice as high as the IM levels for two hours after administration.
A new systematic review of 32 clinical trials found low to medium efficacy in reducing drinking for these medications, but with high risk of bias. Researchers call for better studies to determine the effectiveness of these treatments.
The international drug control treaties are under scrutiny as more countries legalize cannabis, leading to calls for policy reform. Professor Wayne Hall suggests a cautious approach to reform, advocating for incremental liberalization of drug policies through trials and evaluations.
A nationwide US study found that over 40% of participants who claimed to have quit smoking failed an objective test for cotinine, a chemical measure of nicotine exposure. The study highlights the importance of verifying claims of quitting using objective measures in clinical trials.
A new study reveals a significant increase in US hospital admissions for neonatal abstinence syndrome, caused by mothers using opioids during pregnancy. The condition carries a substantial burden on healthcare resources, resulting in nearly $316 million in costs and extended hospital stays.
A systematic review of 28 studies found that dental patients with substance use disorders have more tooth decay and periodontal disease than the general population. The lifestyle associated with problematic drug use also affects oral health through factors like dry mouth, malnutrition, and poor hygiene.
Public health experts call for strengthened regulations to address the issue of extensive alcohol marketing targeting youth. Key findings include associations between exposure to alcohol marketing and increased youth drinking, as well as ineffective self-regulatory codes.
A study found that regulating sodium permanganate and closing a chemical company in Mexico led to large reductions in cocaine users and methamphetamine users in the USA. These impacts have lasted for approximately eight years, with little recovery in numbers.
A recent study found a positive association between adolescents' exposure to various types of alcohol marketing and their increased drinking frequency. The research suggests that restricting the volume of alcohol marketing to which young people are exposed could help reduce youth drinking. The findings support demands for stricter regu...
A new review of epidemiological evidence reveals a causal link between alcohol and cancer at seven sites: oropharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and female breast. The strongest evidence comes from meta-analyses and dose-response relationships.
Leading tobacco researchers call for UK government to stop subsidizing films with smoking imagery and increase funding for anti-smoking media campaigns. The current system has led to a significant drop in spending on such campaigns, while providing £473 million in tax breaks to top-grossing films featuring tobacco imagery.
A new study in Australia finds that drinking patterns among younger generations are leading to a decline in overall alcohol consumption. The research shows that Australians born in the 1990s are significantly less likely to drink than previous generations.
The UK's Psychoactive Substances Act has been criticized by experts due to its broad definition of psychoactivity and lack of a clear way to establish it. The Act's blanket prohibition on new substances may not be feasible or effective in reducing harm, as judges lack evidence on specific drug harms, making sentencing challenges.