Articles tagged with Addiction
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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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new study reveals a strong connection between social media addiction and poor sleep quality among high school graduates in Bangladesh. Higher levels of social media addiction were closely associated with poorer sleep quality, particularly in female participants.
The University of Houston is part of a statewide effort to fight the opioid epidemic by investigating opioid use disorder among people living with HIV in Harris County. Researchers aim to integrate prevention methods, including Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), into treatment for those affected.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) endorses a federal policy that sets a maximum nicotine product standard, limiting nicotine levels in combustible cigarettes and related tobacco products to 0.7 mg/g. This reduction aims to make cigarettes minimally or non-addictive, striking at the chemical that keeps people hooked. E...
This study confirms the role of negative reinforcement in chronic opioid use, contributing to addiction development. The findings suggest that this mechanism is present even after regular opioid use, highlighting potential for more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
A US study found that nicotine vaping nearly doubled among adolescents who vaped between 2020 and 2024, with a significant increase in daily users struggling to quit. The researchers aimed to understand the 'hardening' of youth vapers, describing a worsening addiction pattern.
Researchers discover molecules that can rewire G protein-coupled receptor signaling, turning busy receptors into precision tools. The findings hold promise for new treatments with fewer side effects.
A new study reveals that laws restricting pain clinics, or 'pill mills,' where opioids were often prescribed, reduced risky opioid use by 5 percent. Enacting such laws near the onset of the crisis in the 1990s could have reduced risky use by 30 percent over time.
A new study reveals how prenatal alcohol exposure impairs key brain cells and circuits, leading to cognitive inflexibility and increased risk of compulsive alcohol use. Researchers identified a specific brain cell affected by early alcohol exposure, providing a clear target for developing more effective treatments of FASD.
Inpatient care offers a range of supports, from reducing drug use to abstinence, but access is challenging due to long wait-lists. The RE-AIM framework helps evaluate the effectiveness of bed-based care and its capacity to meet population needs.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that mutations in the CHRNA3 gene are associated with lowered sensitivity to alcohol and delayed avoidance behavior. This suggests that normal function of the chrna3 gene helps control alcohol exposure, leading to individual differences in alcohol sensitivity.
A Cochrane review suggests that switching to oral nicotine pouches from smoking reduces exposure to harmful substances, but the evidence is not yet clear on whether they can help people quit smoking. The review also notes that other nicotine products, like patches and gums, are beneficial for quitting smoking.
A study by Ohio State University found that more than 15% of undergraduates and 11% of graduate students had tried nicotine pouches. Fraternity members reported the highest rates, with 41% saying they'd tried a pouch like Zyn.
A new study suggests that psychological cessation fatigue is a key factor in smoking relapse among ex-smokers. The study found that exhaustion from constantly trying to remain a non-smoker can overwhelm coping skills and motivation, leading to increased risk of relapse.
The analysis explores how reduced fentanyl production costs affect the structure and conduct of the illegal opioid supply industry. It also assesses potential consequences for drug law enforcement organizations, finding modest declines in expenditures and income-generating crime.
A large genetic study found associations between cannabis use and various traits, including psychiatric disorders, cognitive measures, and physical health problems. The study identified two genes, CADM2 and GRM3, linked to lifetime cannabis use and frequency of use.
A new study by Flinders University found that abstention from alcohol is on the rise, particularly among younger cohorts, with Generation Z nearly 20 times more likely to choose not to drink compared to Baby Boomers. The study suggests a clear generational shift, with declining weekly alcohol consumption and changing social norms drivi...
Researchers found that tolcapone increases behavioral control in individuals with AUD by activating the prefrontal cortex, which is consistent with the drug's effects on dopamine levels. The study suggests a new mechanism for treating AUD beyond current medications that target the brain's reward system.
Recent federal cuts to research grants and funding have threatened efforts to combat tobacco usage and health disparities in the US. The elimination of key offices, such as the Office of Smoking and Health, will likely result in reduced access to tobacco prevention and cessation resources.
A global study found that children under 14 years old lose nearly 8.45 million years of healthy life due to second-hand smoke exposure. The study, presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress, highlights the disproportionate burden on low-socio-economic regions.
A study found that 21% of Gen X women and 10% of men meet criteria for ultra-processed food addiction, with a higher prevalence in older women. The study highlights the link between ultra-processed foods and risk of chronic disease and premature death, particularly among those who perceive themselves as overweight.
Deaths due to ketamine use increased twenty-fold between 1999 and 2024, with polydrug settings dominating cases. The study highlights a shift towards older, disadvantaged individuals as primary users, raising questions about single-substance policies.
A study found that people whose fathers began smoking at age 15 or younger show signs of faster biological aging compared to chronological age. This accelerated aging is linked to a higher risk of diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and dementia. The researchers call for stronger efforts to prevent tobacco use in teenagers.
A new study at Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that Israeli men with emotional regulation difficulties were more likely to develop gambling problems after the October 7 attacks. Gambling became a coping mechanism for fear, grief, and uncertainty during the war.