Research on opioids, addiction, and treatment. Covers traditional care practices, opioid treatment in pregnancy, illicit fentanyl, and treatment disparities.
A recent study found that nearly one-quarter of young sarcoma patients continue to use opioids after treatment is completed. The researchers highlight the need for monitoring and age-appropriate strategies to manage pain while minimizing opioid exposure.
A new app called HOPE, developed at UVA Health, aims to provide vital support to patients battling opioid-use disorder. The app offers a secure way to connect with care providers and an anonymous message board for sharing experiences and building healing relationships.
A Rutgers study found that individuals with opioid-use disorder who used non-prescribed buprenorphine before entering treatment were twice as likely to remain in care. Those who used the medication also had significantly lower rates of opioid use during the first six months in treatment.
Leicester researchers developed an Opioid Toolkit to reduce non-cancer pain opioids prescribed by 2024. The tool provides a theory and evidence-based approach to implementing the NHS' goal, balancing workload with patient support.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have synthesized GB18, a psychotropic compound found in the bark of the Galbulimima belgraveana tree. The compound binds to opioid receptors in the brain, potentially offering new hope for treating depression and anxiety. Further studies are needed to adapt it for human use.
The University of Rochester Recovery Center of Excellence brings together diverse experts to discuss strategies for overcoming stigma and health inequity barriers to substance use disorder care. The summit aims to address the 'fourth wave' of the opioid epidemic, driven by synthetic opioids and multiple substances in combination.
This case series examined changes in buprenorphine prescribing waivers during COVID-19. The number of clinicians receiving waivers increased significantly before and during the pandemic, indicating a growing need for expanded access to opioid treatment.
A new study found that most caregivers are unsure about giving their child opioids post-operatively due to concerns about addiction. The survey, which assessed demographic information and attitudes towards opioid use, revealed that caregivers who had taken opioids in the past were more likely to feel comfortable using them.
A mailed at-home disposal kit increased self-reported rates of disposal of unused opioids after common surgical procedures. The study found that patients who received the kit reported a higher rate of opioid disposal compared to those without access to such kits.
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that mailing opioid disposal kits doubled the rate of safe disposal among patients who received them. The kits were provided to 235 patients after orthopedic or urologic procedures and resulted in the safe disposal of 480 unused tablets.
More than half of Michigan pharmacies offer naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdose, without requiring a prescription. The standing order allows pharmacists to dispense the drug in emergency situations.
A new study found that opioid-related mortality rates in Ontario, Canada, have shifted downward to peak in the mid-30s among males and females. The study analyzed high-frequency data from 2003 to 2020 and hypothesizes that opioid-related mortality among younger adults will continue to grow.
A new study shows that personalized feedback between peers can significantly reduce opioid prescribing rates in emergency departments. The analysis found a 35% drop in opioid prescribing among physicians and a 41% drop among nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Scientists have created a searchable atlas of distinct cell populations in the ventral tegmental area, a key brain region involved in reward-directed behavior and substance use disorders. The study identified 16 cell populations, including classic dopaminergic neurons, glutamatergic neurons, and GABAergic neurons.
A decision-support framework was developed by management science researchers to help clinicians make informed decisions about opioid prescribing. The framework incorporates multiple factors, including recovery time, pain intensity, and patient history, to provide a quantitative model of the prescribing process.
Researchers found that Massachusetts' state mandate driving staff acceptance and creating an atypical flexibility to seek innovative solutions. The program showed that medication diversion was uncommon, and protocols helped ensure correct use of the medication by detainees.
A pair of studies published by Washington State University scientists found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help individuals with opioid addiction reduce their methadone dose and better manage pain and withdrawal symptoms. The treatment involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, resulting in significant dose reduct...
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce hospitalizations and cardiovascular deaths in heart failure patients, regardless of diabetes status. The analysis also warned of increased genital infections associated with treatment.
Research reveals nearly a third of pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries screened for hepatitis C test positive, but fewer than a fifth receive follow-up care. A sustainable pathway to treatment is crucial, especially with expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage and highly effective oral medications.
A new animal study suggests that combining marijuana compounds like CBD and THC with opioids may not increase the risk of addiction. The research found that these compounds do not enhance the rewarding effects of opioids, which could lead to a lowered risk of addiction or physical dependence.
A study found that opioid prescriptions for children undergoing common outpatient surgeries declined by up to 50% between 2014 and 2019. The trend was most pronounced in adolescents, with a decline from 78.2% to 48% of prescriptions filled within 7 days of surgery.
A new study by NIH-funded researchers shows that adolescents with severe substance use disorder symptoms are more likely to develop prescription drug misuse and overdose risks in adulthood. Screening for substance use disorder in teens may help predict adult problems and prevent overdoses.
The number of fentanyl-containing pill seizures surged nearly 50-fold between 2018 and 2021, highlighting the growing risk for people new to drug use. The rise in overdose deaths is largely driven by illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
A new wireless implant has the potential to treat neuropathic pain resistant to medical therapy, offering a minimally invasive alternative to surgery. The device uses bioelectronic therapy to stimulate peripheral nerves from within blood vessels, providing precise placement and predictable outcomes.
A study led by UCL researchers found significant disparities in opioid painkiller access between countries, with some regions reporting rates as low as 0.01 MME per 1,000/day, while others have surpassed the US in opioid sales. The findings highlight the need for global policies to improve palliative care and pain relief provision.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen suggests that the poison from the sea snail species Conus rolani can function as a painkiller, blocking out pain in mice for an even longer time than morphine. This discovery offers a potential alternative to addictive painkillers like morphine and opioids.
Researchers investigated buprenorphine prescribing among Medicaid beneficiaries during the first year of the pandemic. Changes in prescribing rates were observed, with significant implications for treatment access and patient outcomes.
Researchers found that patients with psychosocial and behavioral therapy had lower risk of medication discontinuation in the first 180 days after treatment. Therapy may help reduce high attrition rates commonly observed early during treatment.
A recent survey study found that many people who could benefit from treatment are going without medication for opioid use disorder. The study revealed particularly low rates of medication use among adolescents and older adults, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address this critical public health issue.
Research found that Black females and male individuals of Other racial groups had higher odds of having a positive COVID-19 test than their White counterparts. Mortality rates were similar across sexes. Individuals with opioid use disorder presented with an opioid overdose more often than a positive COVID-19 test.
Researchers urge federal intervention to make naloxone widely available, citing a 30% increase in fatal overdoses from 2019 to 2020. The lack of accessible distribution points and high costs are major barriers to access, with one prescription dispensed for every 70 high-dose opioid prescriptions nationwide.
A study found that fewer than one-third of patients who fill buprenorphine prescriptions written by emergency physicians subsequently fill prescriptions from other clinicians. Researchers emphasize the need for improved systems to seamlessly transition patients from emergency settings to community treatment providers.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that state laws regulating opioid prescriptions had no effect on prescribing patterns for commercially insured adults with chronic non-cancer pain. The study suggests that declines in opioid prescribing may be driven by shifting clinical guidance or other factors.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill are working with community-based harm reduction programs to develop systems to detect and issue public warnings about dangerous adulterants in street drugs. The team aims to use data to reduce overdose deaths and provide timely alerts to protect people's health.
A study of insurance claims data found that state laws governing opioid prescribing had a negligible effect on opioid prescribing trends. The authors suggest that shifting clinical guidelines, professional norms, or other factors may be driving the decline in opioid prescribing. In contrast, a post-hoc analysis of an ASPREE trial found...
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid patients in Wisconsin with opioid use disorder experienced decreased access to treatment, including buprenorphine and urine drug testing. The study highlights the need for continued support and resources for these individuals.
Researchers found that blood pressure medications increase the effect of opioids in the brain, fine-tuning a specific circuit and reducing addiction risk. This discovery suggests a new strategy to boost opioid signaling with minimal dependence on pain treatment.
The US overdose death rate exceeded the white rate for the first time in 20 years, driven by synthetic opioids and highly toxic drugs. Black Americans and Native Americans had the highest overdose death rates, highlighting deep-seated inequalities in access to treatment and services.
A new clinical trial demonstrates that a mindfulness-based therapy, Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), decreases opioid use and misuse while reducing chronic pain symptoms. MORE significantly improves chronic pain symptoms, decreases opioid craving, and reduces symptoms of depression.
Researchers found that some painkillers and fever medications may help fight infection, while others can weaken the immune system. The review highlights the need for more studies on the impact of these medicines on infectious diseases.
Research from Tufts University scientists finds that opioid exposure in mothers can lead to metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes in their sons. The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that even short-term use of opioids before pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on the health of future generations.
A novel graphene-based field effect transistors (FETs) device can detect four different synthetic and natural opioids at once in wastewater. The device uses aptamers to trap opioid metabolites, enabling real-time monitoring with high geographical resolution and low cost.
Researchers found that 1% of US adults taking opioids are also prescribed benzodiazepines and other sedatives. This polypharmacy approach is linked to increased side effects and may pose dangers to vulnerable populations.
Researchers found a significant increase in overdose deaths involving gabapentinoids and z-drugs between 2000 and 2018. The proportion of deaths increased by more than three-fold, coinciding with exponential prescription increases. Co-usage with opioids was common, with over 67% of overdose victims having both substances in their system.
Research reveals that people who have had COVID-19 are more likely to experience mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders, within a year after recovery from the virus. The study found that COVID-19 survivors were 60% more likely to suffer from mental health problems than those who were not infe...
The Commission on the North American Opioid Crisis recommends banning direct marketing to prescribers and curbing industry influence on medical education. The group also suggests standardizing addiction care within health systems and improving access to medication-assisted treatment.
A US study analyzed opioid prescribing patterns before surgery, revealing that approximately 44% of patients received opioids as preoperative medication. The analysis spanned over a decade and examined the trend's impact on patient outcomes and potential risks.
The study found significant gaps in naloxone access and distribution across the US, with state-specific needs varying by epidemic type and distribution pathways. Community-based and pharmacy-initiated access points were more effective in reducing fatal opioid overdoses.
A national study found that states with higher labor underutilization, non-Hispanic white populations, and opioid prescriptions had higher SIM rates. States with centralized medicolegal death investigation systems detected more SIM cases due to toxicologic testing.
A new study finds that hospitals in predominantly Black and Hispanic areas have lower rates of offering programs addressing opioid use disorder. The researchers analyzed 446 nonprofit hospitals across the US, finding gaps in hospital-based services that contribute to racial disparities.
A new study finds that opioid and stimulant overdose deaths have risen significantly among Black Americans, with a 575% increase in mortality rates compared to white people. The study also reveals a major shift in the geographic trends of the opioid crisis, with a significant increase in overdose deaths in eastern states.
This survey study estimates the most commonly used opioid and nonopioid pain management techniques for chronic pain among US adults. The findings highlight the widespread use of various pain management methods, including opioids and over-the-counter medications.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed a non-opioid pain management approach that provides equivalent or better pain control and patient satisfaction compared to traditional opioid regimens. This approach eliminates opioids after common sports surgeries, such as knee and shoulder procedures.
The UArizona Health Sciences Center is developing a Center of Excellence for Addiction Studies to advance addiction research and develop therapies for the opioid epidemic. The center will facilitate national collaborations, employ cutting-edge genetic techniques, and provide advanced methods for measuring neurotransmitters.
A large study analyzed administrative health data from Ontario and found a low risk of major anomalies with tramadol and morphine, minor anomalies with codeine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone exposure. The study highlights the need to consider both the benefits and harms of opioid treatment during pregnancy.
A quality improvement initiative at 10 US children's hospitals has led to an almost 80% reduction in opioid prescribing for children after appendectomy, without harming patient outcomes. The study used a standardized prescribing protocol and ACS NSQIP Pediatric data to minimize opioid prescriptions.
Hospital admissions for opioid use in England rose 48.9% between 2008 and 2018, driven by prescription painkillers and heroin. The increase was most pronounced among older adults and those living in affluent areas.
A recent study found an increase in intentional drug overdose deaths among young people aged 15-24, older adults aged 75-84, and non-Hispanic Black women. Despite a downward trend in overall deaths, these subgroups saw a rise in intentional overdose death rates, with women ages 45 to 64 having the highest rates.
The opioid crisis is predicted to grow exponentially in North America, adding 1.2 million more overdose deaths by 2029. The epidemic began in the 1990s and has worsened over the past decade due to the availability of illicit opioids like heroin and fentanyl.
A study of 236,000 individuals found patient- and prescription-related factors significantly linked to opioid-related fatal or nonfatal overdose. The research highlights the need for careful prescribing practices and post-discharge follow-up to prevent such overdoses.