Articles tagged with Addiction
Two NIH-funded studies will investigate pregnenolone's potential to treat substance use disorders and co-occurring depression. Researchers aim to determine whether a single brain-based approach can address overlapping conditions in behavioral health.
A study published in Addiction Neuroscience found that music therapy reduces cravings and alters brain activity in people with substance use disorders. The therapy was shown to improve emotional regulation and reduce negative emotions, providing encouraging evidence for its role in addiction treatment.
A major international study suggests that gaming disorder is 98.9% similar to gambling disorder, while binge eating disorder and compulsive sexual behaviour disorder also show a high degree of overlap. The findings highlight the need to recognize behavioural addictions and seek support earlier, potentially reducing stigma and improving...
UCF Assistant Professor Cali Calarco is investigating how nicotine affects brain cells, providing insights that could help improve treatments for addiction. Her research focuses on the nucleus accumbens, an area of the brain involved in reward, learning, and behavior, and explores the role of mitochondria in drug-seeking behavior.
A new study from Bournemouth University surveyed 2,112 UK adults engaged in matched betting, finding that many perceived it as risk-free despite losing over half. Participants attributed losses to mistakes rather than risk, highlighting the need for greater research on matched betting's effects.
Researchers identify brain circuit that supports flexible behavior, but is hijacked by cocaine to drive repetitive actions. Activating or suppressing opposing neural pathways can either promote rigid behavior or interrupt cocaine-driven repetitive behavior.
Researchers are evaluating the health and economic consequences of subpar buprenorphine dosing among Medicaid-covered pregnant women to improve maternal and infant outcomes. Data suggest that up to 90% of pregnant women require higher doses of buprenorphine.
A new FAU study pinpoints non-fatal overdose hotspots in Palm Beach County, revealing associations between overdose locations and built-environment features. Outdoor overdoses were more likely to occur near gas stations, major transportation corridors, and in non-residential areas, with housing instability emerging as a strong factor.
Patients exposed to medetomidine report extreme sedation, severe withdrawal symptoms, and treatment challenges, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and clinical protocols. The study emphasizes the importance of awareness and tailored treatment for patients with opioid use disorder.
Research from Austria and Ireland shows that nicotine addiction remains a major health concern, with vaping and smoking increasing among children and young people. The studies found that smoking has declined, but vaping has risen, particularly among those under 18, and that people are taking up smoking at a younger age. The findings hi...
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School and the Marine Biological Laboratory identified four core clock genes controlling circadian rhythms in a crustacean, which also regulate circatidal behavior. The genetic system is highly malleable, allowing the tiny shrimp to maintain both a 24-hour and a 12.4-hour clock.
Researchers found that adolescent binge alcohol exposure caused lasting changes in brain function, disrupting communication between astrocytes and synapses, and persisting into adulthood. Improving astrocyte function partially recovered these effects, suggesting a potential new approach for addressing persistent behavioral effects.
Researchers from SWPS University found that mimicry in social interactions doubles tobacco consumption and makes quitting difficult. The study showed that when participants mimicked the smoker's movements, they were more likely to smoke and less likely to quit.
A University of Kansas researcher is using FDA addiction science to test the addictive properties of hyperpalatable foods. She will recruit participants and provide them with different food stimuli, then measure their responses to determine if the foods have reinforcing effects. The study aims to identify specific ingredients that boos...
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that social isolation increases alcohol consumption in male mice by activating a specific brain circuit, while decreasing it in female mice. The researchers identified a neural pathway connecting the basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex, which may hold key to understanding alc...
A $3.3 million NIH grant will support a five-year study on opioid treatment during breastfeeding, aiming to improve drug safety for lactating mothers. The researchers will develop a cell-based assay and use physiologically based pharmacokinetic models to predict drug levels in mothers and infants.
A new Cochrane review finds that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective in helping people quit smoking than conventional methods like nicotine gums and patches. The review of 80 randomized controlled trials involving 29,861 participants showed that e-cigarettes led to higher quit rates, resulting in about 4 more quitters per 100 people.
Despite improved mental health challenges post-pandemic, Ontario students still face elevated stress, excessive screen time, and online gambling concerns. Drug use continues to decline, but barriers to seeking mental health support persist, highlighting the need for continued surveillance and targeted prevention initiatives.
A recent study reveals that spending on microtransactions in free-to-play videogames is highly concentrated among a small minority of players, who account for the majority of revenue. Regulation is necessary to protect vulnerable players from potentially exploitative practices.
A new trial will assess whether Semaglutide reduces alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorder, obesity, and liver disease. The four-year CURB project aims to explore the potential benefits of the weight loss drug in treating alcohol-related liver disease and obesity.
A new study reveals that using cannabis in multiple forms may signal a higher risk of heavy use and addiction. About 1 in 7 cannabis users, who also use cannabis in nearly every form, are more likely to experience daily use and addiction.
A new study found that only 13 low-and middle-income countries offer full support for smokers to quit, leaving billions without access. Researchers recommend tailored quitting programmes and low-cost strategies like national quitlines, mobile health apps, and community health workers to expand support in resource-limited settings.
A new study at Boston Medical Center found that a trauma-informed clinical guideline can reduce reflexive Child Protective Services reporting by 50% without compromising child safety. The study analyzed birth hospitalizations involving infants exposed prenatally to opioids and compared reporting rates to 17 other hospitals.
A systematic review of 68 studies finds varied psychological responses to collective trauma, with exposure intensity and social circumstances playing key roles. Social connection also offers protective benefits.
Researchers found that meaning in life and healthy digital habits are strong predictors of better mental health outcomes. These factors can be strengthened through interventions, regardless of religious affiliation.
A statewide study of Mississippi's public universities found that nearly 1 in 4 students gamble, with 7% showing signs of a gambling problem. Students with gambling problems are more likely to report mental health concerns.
A study by CU Anschutz researchers found that nearly 40% of Colorado's 46 county jails lacked publicly available opioid treatment policies, hindering the implementation of life-saving treatments. The lack of transparency and comprehensive policies poses significant barriers to care for incarcerated people with opioid use disorder.
A new study reveals that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) is highly effective in reducing opioid misuse and costs. The therapy, which combines mindfulness skills to regulate craving and pain, has been shown to provide $12 in cost savings for every dollar spent, with potential economic benefits of over $324,000 per patient.
A cohort study analyzing factors associated with abandoned buprenorphine prescriptions found that US adults are increasingly dropping their medication for opioid use disorder. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, examines the decline of prescribed buprenorphine from 2020 to 2024.
A nonrandomized trial found that aggregate neighborhood environmental interventions, including abandoned house remediation, significantly reduced fatal opioid overdoses. Community trash pickup and vacant lot cleanup were not associated with significant reductions or increases in opioid overdose rates.
A team of researchers, including URI's Patricia Cioe, published recommendations encouraging healthcare providers to discuss nicotine e-cigarettes as a potential option for adults who smoke. The authors emphasize patient-centered discussions and suggest that completely stopping combustible cigarette smoking remains the best way to reduc...
Nicotine pouches are a new form of nicotine delivery that has sparked concerns over safety and efficacy. Researchers warn of potential harms, side effects, and accidental use, as well as the risk of dependence on these products.
Researchers found that problematic Internet usage is associated with worse mood, more stress, and longer internet use times. The study suggests that temptation is the main driver for continued internet use, with feelings of pleasure and relief emerging as reinforcing factors.
A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz found that oral semaglutide reduced heavy drinking and alcohol-related harm in adults with Alcohol Use Disorder. The medication, commonly used for diabetes and weight loss, showed consistent reductions in harmful real-world drinking behavior.
A new review published in Addiction found that controlled breathing interventions can reduce cravings in people who use substances, including alcohol and tobacco. The strongest evidence showed small but statistically significant reductions in craving.
A study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reveals that mobile addiction services can effectively treat people who use drugs, particularly those disconnected from traditional care. The Mass General Brigham Kraft Center for Community Health model proved successful in improving outcomes and red...
A major international review finds that exercise addiction is marked by a loss of control and can lead to physical harm, emotional distress, and strained connections. Researchers caution against alarm and emphasize the importance of exercising smarter, building in rest and recovery days, and seeking support early.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, alcohol addiction, or psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia show increased brain aging patterns. The researchers analyzed MRI data from over 45,900 controls and compared them to 2,698 patients with different brain conditions.
Researchers have developed a new assessment tool to standardize reporting of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies. The Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reporting Assessment Tool (TMS-RAT) helps compare results, build on each other's findings, and support progress in brain stimulation research. This tool addresses the need f...
A new study finds that most Americans view illicit drugs as a serious national problem, but perceive little progress in addressing it. Perceived progress on drug policy is strongly linked to political affiliation, with Republicans and Democrats having starkly different views.
A new study found that students and staff involved with collegiate recovery programs held varying definitions of harm reduction, which shaped their perspectives on integrating it into CRPs. The study suggests opportunities to reframe harm reduction in a way that builds common ground and meets students' diverse recovery needs.
Researchers suggest separate weight-driven tables for different types of defendants, eliminating disparities in crack and methamphetamine sentences. The study proposes alternative approaches to define relative sentences for psychostimulants and opioids based on harms associated with each type of drug.
A new study found that adults with disabilities have more than three times the rate of alcohol use disorder diagnoses compared to adults without disabilities in the US. Adults with serious mental illness and acquired brain injuries had the highest rates of AUD, with men with disabilities having the highest rates.
A new University of Michigan poll reveals that 31% of people aged 50 and over have never heard of any mental health crisis line, while 69% are unfamiliar with 988. Despite this, most participants expressed willingness to use these services in a mental health emergency, highlighting the need for increased awareness-raising efforts.
A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that low body esteem, problematic social media use, and other factors are linked to addictive-like behavior in women who undergo repeated cosmetic treatments. Nearly 20% of surveyed women met the threshold for moderate-to-severe risk of addictive cosmetic procedure use.
A new study published in Prevention Science suggests that current prevention efforts may not be reaching enough people or providing a worthwhile return on investment. The researchers propose a more scalable approach embedded directly into systems people already interact with daily.
A study found a rapid increase in long-acting injectable buprenorphine prescriptions, but significant state-level disparities persist. The treatment showed particularly high use in Medicaid-insured patients and advanced practice clinicians.
Researchers found that a single exposure to cocaine can alter the structure of mouse brain cells, leading to lasting changes in gene expression and neural function. These persistent changes may increase the risk of addiction and raise questions about the potential long-term effects of recreational cocaine use.
The July 2026 issues of APA journals showcase promising findings on social determinants of health, digital therapeutics, and other topics. Researchers explore substance use patterns and telehealth initiatives in rural communities.
Researchers at UTA will study how parents and teens discuss alcohol use and social media influences to prevent adolescent alcohol use. The study aims to strengthen early communication between parents and teens and address social media influences.
A new study suggests that lower baseline dopamine may drive teenage risk-taking behavior, such as substance experimentation, which tends to decrease with age. The research found that adolescents with lower dopamine levels were more likely to try substances, but their use declined after the college years.
Research suggests that genetic factors influence the strength of rats' aversive responses to cocaine's negative effects. The study found that different rat strains had varying levels of avoidance behavior towards the drug. This suggests a potential genetic basis for individual differences in cocaine use and addiction.
Researchers found that repeated vaping can create harmful byproducts in high-puff electronic cigarettes, including methylglyoxal and glyoxal, which are associated with significant cell damage. The study suggests that users of heavily used devices may inhale higher levels of these compounds than those using fresh devices.
A new tool has been developed to identify blackouts during drinking, using objective memory tests that can detect blackouts in real-time. The study found a moderate correlation between not remembering an image while drinking and self-reported blackouts the next day.
Researchers found that restricting menthol in cigarettes reduced cigarette purchases, while flavor restrictions in e-cigarettes increased nicotine replacement product sales. Tax policies also showed promise, with the highest-tax approach leading to significant reductions in spending.
A new study found that switching to a nicotine e-cigarette reduces toxicant exposure and improves quitting rates, with the nicotine group having a higher chance of quitting entirely. The study's results suggest that nicotine e-cigarettes could serve as an effective off-ramp for smokers seeking to reduce their tobacco use.
A study by UOC researchers reveals that young people are not fooled by monetization systems in video games; they often accept them as part of the gaming experience. The study highlights various systems that encourage consumption, such as loot boxes and virtual currencies, and shows a consistent relationship between these mechanisms and...
A recent study emphasizes the need for stronger EU support to achieve ambitious tobacco control goals, particularly in light of the rapid increase of new nicotine products. Effective policies rely on broad political commitment, cooperation, and active civil society to reduce tobacco use to below five percent by 2040.
A new study found that updated alcohol warning labels, including those highlighting cancer risk, can better motivate consumers to cut back on drinking. The study used a nationally representative sample of adults and found that the new labels outperformed the current U.S. warning label in encouraging participants to drink less.
Researchers found that psilocybin causes temporary shifts in brain entropy, leading to increased insight and emotional self-awareness. This correlates with improved well-being and cognitive flexibility, suggesting the psychedelic trip is key to its therapeutic effects.