Articles tagged with Addiction
Researchers analyzed genetic data from over 2.2 million individuals to understand how genes shape vulnerability to alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and opioid use disorders. They found that genetic risk operates along two main pathways: one related to brain wiring and the other specific to each substance.
Lawrence Toll has been named a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors for his pioneering work on pain pathways, reward systems, and potential treatments. His research focuses on identifying new drug targets and therapeutic strategies to combat chronic pain and addiction.
Researchers analyzed Oregon Medicaid case data and found that severe burns requiring hospital-level care are a growing threat in the overdose epidemic. People who smoke drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine account for most of these cases, with butane torches posing a significant risk due to locking mechanisms.
A comprehensive review of 54 randomized controlled trials found no evidence that medicinal cannabis is effective in treating anxiety, depression, or PTSD. However, the study suggests that medicinal cannabis may be beneficial for certain conditions, such as reducing seizures associated with epilepsy and managing pain.
A new study found that people are more likely to place bets during weeks with major sporting events when they believe their friends are doing the same. Researchers say early intervention is key to preventing harmful betting patterns, as it can be associated with depression, anxiety, and increased substance use. The study, led by Univer...
Researchers propose a new measure for recovery from substance use, recognizing incremental progress, to reduce stigma and improve quality of life. The study found strong associations between proportion of remission and quality-of-life measures, suggesting a paradigm shift in how recovery is measured.
A large US study published in The BMJ found that GLP-1 receptor agonists used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity may also help lower the risk of addiction to various substances. The study associated GLP-1 receptor agonists with reduced risks of adverse outcomes such as overdoses and drug-related emergency department visits and deaths...
Researchers found that GLP-1 medications are effective at reducing the risk of developing substance use disorders across all major addictive substances, including a 14% reduced risk for developing any substance use disorder. The study also showed significant reductions in severe harm, including overdose and death, among patients with p...
Research at Michigan State University reveals how cocaine addiction is notoriously difficult to treat due to its impact on brain function. The study found that chronic cocaine use changes brain activity, particularly in the hippocampus and reward centers, leading to compulsive behavior.
A massive Swedish study of over 2 million individuals reveals that genetic risk for mental illness is far less disorder-specific than clinicians have assumed. Schizophrenia shows the highest genetic specificity, while drug use disorder has a much lower specificity, scattering its genetic risk across multiple conditions.
A new study using rats found that a specific brain region, the anterior insula, is more active during actions related to alcohol consumption. This bias in decision-making may be involved in prioritizing alcohol over other rewards, potentially shedding light on the neural underpinnings of alcohol use disorders.
A new study based on extensive data from Swedish school surveys found that changes in average cannabis use among adolescents are reflected across the entire group. The distribution of cannabis use has remained highly stable over time, with increases or decreases occurring in parallel across all user groups.
The University of Cincinnati's new UC/UC Health Addiction Center aims to improve addiction prevention and treatment outcomes through innovative research, enhanced clinical services, and education excellence. The center will coordinate activities across five UC colleges and 12 departments to foster interdisciplinary solutions.
A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies found that broad spiritual practices, such as attending religious services and meditation, were associated with a 13% reduced risk of hazardous drug and alcohol use. This reduction was greater (18%) among individuals attending religious services at least once per week.
A new theory asserts that associative learning depends less on repetition and more on time passing between rewards, explaining why students who cram don't perform well. The study's findings could shift the way we look at learning and addiction, potentially speeding up artificial intelligence by borrowing from this new approach.
A new study from King's College London and the University of Exeter found that ketamine's therapeutic benefits for people with alcohol use disorder may not be linked to its psychoactive effects. Instead, other factors such as brain network alterations and neural connections may play a role in the treatment's success.
A Brazilian study analyzing 4,280 adolescents and their guardians found that parental attitudes play a significant role in preventing alcohol and drug use among young people. The 'authoritative' parenting style, which combines acceptance and monitoring, is the most effective in mitigating the risk of repeated consumption patterns.
Research found that people experiencing economic disadvantages are more likely to smoke cigarettes, have higher levels of tobacco addiction, and find it harder to quit. Electronic cigarettes were the most common aid to help people quit, but those who rented or owned their houses had lower odds of quitting successfully.
Researchers found that patients with substance use disorder received life-saving treatments only when addiction consult services were involved. Fentanyl use was associated with dramatically worse visual outcomes, highlighting the importance of addressing underlying conditions alongside acute medical problems.
Chronic alcohol consumption alters endocannabinoid gene expression in reward- and decision-related brain regions, offering insights into addiction biology. This study reveals changes in CB1 and CB2 receptor genes, as well as GPR55 and FAAH enzymes, potentially leading to targeted therapeutic strategies.
A new study found that removing legal barriers to cannabis use may reduce daily opioid use and lower the risk of opioid-related overdoses among people who inject drugs. US states that legalized recreational cannabis saw a 9-to-11-percentage-point decline in daily opioid use among this population.
A new national survey found that nearly three-quarters of clinicians encounter obstacles when starting buprenorphine treatment for patients using fentanyl. Researchers emphasize the need for evidence-based guidelines to initiate buprenorphine in light of more potent drugs.
A new study from Tufts University finds that regular family dinners can help prevent substance use among adolescents with low to moderate levels of adverse childhood experiences. However, for those with severe stressors, more targeted approaches like mental health support are needed.
The latest APA Journal issues explore the intersection of neuroplasticity and substance use, as well as emerging trends in outpatient psychotherapy. The American Psychiatric Association's flagship journals offer insightful research on mental health topics.
A study found that prenatal alcohol exposure changed aspects of the dopamine system in rhesus monkeys, influencing how quickly they drank alcohol in adulthood. The researchers also discovered individualized neuroadaptive responses to drinking, which may promote the transition to alcohol use disorder.
Researchers at the University of Delaware discovered a neural network in fruit fly brains that assigns value to specific foods minute by minute, integrating context, internal state, and past experience. This breakthrough study offers insights into the origins of eating disorders and addiction.
Research identifies reduction in recovery focus as most prevalent and potent contributor to long-term relapse, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and proactive interventions. The study highlights the need for integrated biopsychosocial disease-management models to address complex relapse risk factors.
Researchers are developing brain-based interventions to treat co-occurring disorders, including rTMS and deep brain stimulation for addiction. The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awards grants to fund research on mental illness treatments.
A UH psychologist's study finds that anxiety sensitivity and pain-related anxiety are linked to mental health problems and clinically significant alcohol use among survivors of traumatic sexual assault. The investigation highlights the importance of addressing both types of anxiety in reducing the risk of lifelong challenges.
Smokers who successfully quit with e-cigarettes and continue vaping may be reducing their risk of relapse. The study found that abstainers in the e-cigarette arm were less likely to relapse than those in the nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) arm.
A new study by the University of Bath and Tampere University found that individuals exposed to problem gambling within family or friend networks are more likely to develop their own gambling issues. Strong family relationships significantly reduce this risk, whereas friendships do not provide a comparable protective effect.
A new study found that varenicline, a medication used to quit smoking, can help men with cannabis use disorder reduce their cannabis use. However, the same treatment showed no significant effect on female participants. Women who received varenicline reported higher withdrawal and craving scores and lower medication adherence compared t...
A new study in NC found that many residential substance-use service providers require patients to engage in unpaid labor, restricting access to evidence-based treatment. Providers with labor requirements are less likely to offer recommended treatment and more likely to operate without a state license.
A preclinical study shows that cannabidiol restores emotional behavior, reduces alcohol-related vulnerability, and reverses gut microbiota alterations caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Female mice particularly benefited from CBD treatment, which normalized their emotional alterations and eliminated vulnerability to alcohol addiction.
A study funded by the National Cancer Institute aims to test a low-cost intervention using future-focused thoughts to help people quit smoking. The project will examine the effectiveness of episodic future thinking in reducing impulsivity and promoting healthier choices.
Smartphone apps based on psychological theories are 3 times more effective than minimal support in helping people quit smoking long-term. The apps improve sustained abstinence rates when combined with traditional interventions or pharmacotherapy.
Research found that prolonged heavy drinking induces neuroinflammation, promoting negative emotional states lasting for weeks into abstinence. Inhibiting proinflammatory microglia activation during alcohol exposure blocks the development of anxiety and fear memory.
A new protocol models alcoholism in mice and shows that stimulating the FGF21-oxytocin-dopamine system with rare sugars can reduce alcohol consumption. The researchers believe that this system may play a role in regulating subconscious information processing, leading to effective dietary therapy for reducing over-drinking.
Researchers propose threshold levels for safe cannabis use, aiming to guide consumption and reduce harm. The recommended limit is 8 THC units per week, above which the risk of developing cannabis use disorder increases.
University of Florida researchers have identified a new potential target for treating methamphetamine addiction by modulating the immune system. Using immune-modulating medicines, they were able to mitigate the effects of TNF and dopamine release in mouse brain specimens.
New research suggests that mobile health interventions tailored to individual needs can reduce harms associated with heavy drinking and cannabis use. Studies demonstrate the effectiveness of personalized feedback and protective behavioral strategies in reducing substance use risks, paving the way for innovative digital interventions.
A new study of over 32,000 US Veterans found that longer treatment with medications for opioid use disorder is associated with a greater probability of short- and medium-term survival. The benefit continues to increase at least for four years of ongoing treatment.
A new study found that many Americans incorrectly think nicotine is inherently deadly, leading to misconceptions about the dangers of smoking. The researchers discovered that changing the wording of questions can significantly impact the percentage of people answering correctly, from 10% to 80%.
A mouse study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers has found that acetylcholine release is essential for breaking habits and enabling new choices to be made. The study's findings may help understand diseases such as Parkinson's disease, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Experts warn that nicotine-containing products, including vapes, heated tobacco, and shisha, cause cardiovascular damage regardless of delivery system. The report highlights a rapid rise in youth addiction fueled by flavours and social media marketing.
A study reports on the underdiagnosis of 'topical steroid withdrawal syndrome' (TSW), a condition triggered by sudden or tapered use of steroid creams for inflammatory skin conditions. TSW can lead to severe symptoms, including skin reddening, burning, itching, and systemic problems like insomnia and depression.
A study published by Michigan Medicine suggests that AI can help increase the chance of people with risky drinking patterns or signs of alcohol use disorder getting outreach and help. The NLP tool analyzed full text of health records and identified over 47,500 patients with some sign of risky drinking.
A $2.67 million gift from the estate of Dr. William A. Gibson will establish the Michael Conner Gibson Endowed Professorship in Psychology and the Michael Conner Gibson Research Endowment, accelerating UH's addiction research program.
A study of 800 young people found that around one in ten boys developed computer game addiction, characterized by strong involvement and negative consequences. Parents are advised to address gaming habits early on.
A new study identifies genetic variants influencing both addiction risk and lower educational attainment. The researchers found a subset of genetic variants linked to substance use disorders and poorer health outcomes.
Dr. Eric J. Nestler's research has fundamentally reshaped global understanding of addiction and depression by focusing on resilience rather than pathology. His laboratory identified distinct molecular, cellular, and circuit changes in resilient brains that maintain normal behavioral function despite exposure to drugs or stress.
Researchers found that abstinent smokers have altered brain activity linked to increased pain sensitivity and a need for more postoperative pain relief. The study suggests that nicotine withdrawal affects specific brain regions, leading to higher requirements for pain management in surgery.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that adults with chronic pain who used medical cannabis had a 22% reduction in opioid use. The study, led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, suggests that supervised use of medical cannabis can relieve chronic pain and reduce reliance on prescription opioids.
Astrocytic glutamine synthetase plays a key role in regulating glutamate signaling, contributing to nicotine-induced brain changes and locomotor sensitization. A custom-designed peptide inhibits this process, demonstrating the importance of astrocyte communication in nicotine addiction.
Researchers at the University of Plymouth have successfully used transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) to change the function of a deep region of the human brain, specifically the nucleus accumbens. This tiny element is triggered by enjoyable experiences and helps us learn behaviours that lead to rewards.
Research on US adults found that most social media users are driven by habit rather than genuine addiction. Frequent social media use is often labeled as an addiction in news articles, influencing user perceptions
A new study identifies a brain circuit that can drive repetitive and compulsive behaviors in mice, even when natural rewards are available. The researchers used optogenetics to activate the circuit and induce negative states in mice, leading to prioritization of repetitive behaviors over natural needs.
A new study found that smoking marijuana can temporarily cut down how much people drink, with participants reducing their alcohol intake by 19-27% when using cannabis. However, the researchers caution that more study is needed to determine long-term effects and potential risks of cannabis use.
A recent study investigated problematic pornography use (PPU) among men and found that increased time spent on pornography was closely associated with other intensity indicators. Binge sessions, tab-jumping, and edging were strongly linked to PPU, suggesting that digital novelty plays a central role in usage patterns.
Adolescents and young adults who stayed on medication for at least a year had lower risks of opioid overdose and hospitalization compared to those who discontinued early or took it inconsistently. Consistent, year-long use likely provides the greatest protection against overdose and other serious outcomes.