Articles tagged with Drug Addiction
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.
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.
Researchers found that people using illicit fentanyl regularly consume quantities equivalent to hundreds of times higher than hospital doses, contributing to high opioid tolerance and overdose deaths. The study aims to provide a more accurate understanding of fentanyl exposure and inform treatment protocols.
The US overdose death rate declined by 24.4% in 2024, primarily driven by falling fentanyl-related deaths. However, deaths involving only stimulants continued to rise, and racial disparities remain severe. The study highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to address persistent inequities.
Research from University of East Anglia finds that TikTok content glamorizes illicit vaping, attracting young people and exchanging tips on bypassing age restrictions. The study suggests that legislation alone may not be enough to combat the issue, highlighting the need for platforms to take action.
Researchers analyzed data from the HEALing Communities Study to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of community-based interventions for reducing opioid overdose and non-overdose deaths. They found that a combined strategy of improving treatment initiation, retention, and naloxone distribution could reduce opioid overdose deaths by 15-40% ...
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that methamphetamine use accounted for nearly 15% of heart attacks in a northern California study. People who suffered meth-related heart attacks were often young- to middle-aged men without traditional heart disease risk factors, highlighting the need for spe...
Visitors to a California region with numerous substance use disorder treatment centers experience higher levels of overdose, particularly out-of-state individuals. The study suggests that the industry's lack of oversight and predatory practices contribute to this hotspot.
A new study found that kratom exposures reported to US poison centers increased 6,500% between 2010 and 2023, with severe outcomes rising from zero cases to 158. States with kratom bans had lower rates of exposure and healthcare use compared to those with regulations.
Researchers found that introducing new objects in a nonsocial environment reduced fentanyl intake over time and helped rats stop seeking the drug faster. Enriched environments also showed lower levels of stress hormones, linked to relapse in standard conditions.
A new study highlights how geography and regulations limit methadone access in US jails, with over half of facilities located more than a 30-minute drive from the nearest opioid treatment program. This distance creates logistical challenges for providing this lifesaving medication to incarcerated individuals.
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.
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...
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 identifies profiles of adults at low risk of cannabis use disorder, emphasizing the importance of socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. The research highlights that lower-risk users resemble non-users more than higher-risk users, with distinct characteristics including female sex, education level, and mental health.
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.
Research suggests that deaths from synthetic opioids like nitazenes have been underreported, with some studies suggesting a 33% excess in drug-related deaths. The team believes that the non-detection of degraded nitazene breakdown products is to blame for the undercounting.
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.
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 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 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...
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.
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.
Researchers distinguish between medical and community-based approaches to safe supply, proposing a framework for better describing care models. The study aims to inform policy changes and improve access to care, decrease overdoses, and reduce stigma around people who use drugs.
A US study of over a million Medicaid enrollees reveals major gaps in access to medication-based addiction treatments, particularly for Black patients. Methadone and buprenorphine show significant overdose risk reductions, highlighting the need for policy reforms to ensure timely access.
A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine reveals distinct patterns of brain activity between boys and girls with a family history of substance use disorder, suggesting separate predispositions for addiction. Girls with a family history displayed higher transition energy in the default-mode network, indicating greater difficulty disengag...
A new study found that nearly half of patients discharged with take-home methadone successfully connected to treatment within 72 hours. The likelihood of successful follow-up increased if patients were already enrolled in an OTP or received higher methadone doses.
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.
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.
Rates of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) use increased among surgical patients from 2016 to 2022, with buprenorphine being the primary driver. MOUD use was highest in debridement and orthopedic procedures, highlighting the need for clinical practice guidelines to coordinate care and pain management.
A 12-week high-intensity interval training intervention did not improve hippocampal integrity or cognitive/mental health impairments, but reduced cannabis craving. Regular physical exercise may be a potential strategy for managing cannabis use disorder.
Only 4 in 10 US retail pharmacies carry buprenorphine, a highly effective opioid addiction treatment, with disparities persisting in minority neighborhoods. Tight pharmacy regulations discourage pharmacies from carrying the treatment, limiting access to vulnerable communities.
A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus introduces a more individualized approach to restarting methadone treatment for people with opioid use disorder. The findings suggest that tailoring methadone doses to each patient's unique circumstances can improve care without compromising safety.
Dr. Harriet de Wit's groundbreaking research bridges animal and human drug studies, demonstrating that MDMA enhances feelings of social connectedness and challenging addiction treatment strategies. Her discoveries have profound implications for treating trauma-related disorders globally.
Among youth aged 15-24, polysubstance-involved opioid overdose deaths rose steadily with age, driven by fentanyl and synthetic opioids. By age 21, polysubstance involvement surpassed opioid-only fatalities, primarily due to stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine.
The Be Well Texas initiative, led by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, will expand access to opioid use disorder treatment services and recovery support across rural and urban communities. This major statewide expansion aims to reduce overdose deaths and build a lasting recovery infrastructure.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University are using a genetically tractable model organism, C. elegans, to dissect the cellular pathways impacted by amphetamines. The study aims to identify novel regulators of dopamine release and genes that mediate amphetamine's effects independently of traditional dopamine mechanisms.
Researchers identified reelin as a marker for cocaine-activated medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens, which controls drug-related behavior. Knocking down reelin expression impaired excitability of these neurons and abolished cocaine-induced behavioral changes.
A WVU microbiology student has discovered a new species of fungus, Periglandula clandestina, that produces effects similar to the semisynthetic drug LSD. The fungus is highly efficient at making ergot alkaloids, which can be used therapeutically to treat conditions like depression and addiction.
A new study finds that cannabis use disorder diagnoses rose substantially across all age groups, race/ethnicity, and comorbidity subgroups nationwide from 2000 to 2022. People living with HIV experienced the greatest relative increase in CUD diagnoses, particularly among older adults.
A new study found that pod-style electronic cigarette devices are more addictive than nicotine gum, indicating a high potential for abuse. The study used a sample of adult non-smokers and found that vaping devices decreased cravings and withdrawal, but increased satisfaction.
Researchers found that social rank influences vulnerability to drug addiction by altering dopamine pathways. Winning experiences can reshape the brain's dopamine system, reducing drug-seeking behaviors in low-ranking mice.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience has uncovered the neural mechanisms by which social rank influences vulnerability to drug addiction. The research found that low-ranking mice exhibit a stronger reward circuit and weaker control circuit, making them more likely to seek drugs.
A recent study found that 11% of Americans used illicit opioids within the past 12 months, with fentanyl use rates significantly higher than previously reported. The survey also revealed intentional and unintentional use patterns, emphasizing the need for more accurate tracking methods to address the nation's opioid crisis.
A portable device can instantly detect dangerous street drugs at extremely low concentrations, highlighting their dangers. The device, being trialled by drug-checking services in the UK, Norway, and New Zealand, allows for cheap and on-the-spot analysis of substances.
A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry reveals that childhood trauma significantly increases the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors, including harmful alcohol consumption, smoking, and illicit drug use. The research also found an unexpected connection between trauma and cardiovascular health, wit...
A study of 274 people with ketamine use disorder found high levels of physical health problems, including bladder issues and K-cramps, as well as psychological symptoms like cravings and low mood. The research highlights the need for improved treatment programs and awareness of ketamine use to support those seeking care.
A new study by Mass General Brigham shows that varenicline is three times more effective than behavioral counseling in helping teens and young adults quit vaping. The FDA-approved pill had a success rate of 51% at 12 weeks, compared to 14% for placebo users.
A recent study published in Current Neuropharmacology suggests a potential link between Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP1) receptor agonists and depression, particularly in individuals with low dopamine function. The authors urge caution and recommend genetic testing to identify individuals at risk before prescribing these medications.
A survey of 125 people in Providence, Rhode Island found that 74% supported an overdose prevention center opening in their neighborhood, while 81% supported it elsewhere. The results suggest that community acceptance of OPCs is high and can be built through engagement with local members.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that a specialized hospital service can significantly increase patients with opioid use disorder to start FDA-approved medication treatment. The trial showed that patients receiving the service were twice as likely to begin treatment and 72% more likely to link to post-discharge care.
A clinical trial shows that AI screening for opioid use disorder is as effective as healthcare providers in generating referrals to addiction specialists. The study found a 47% reduction in hospital readmissions among patients who received AI screening, resulting in estimated healthcare savings of nearly $109,000.
A new study found that young vapers who begin using e-cigarettes after graduating from high school tend to progress rapidly to frequent use, reaching it in about one year. This 'late initiation/rapid progression' group showed swift increases in vaping frequency and e-cigarette dependence compared to other groups.
Restricting telehealth prescriptions for opioid use disorder could keep thousands from accessing buprenorphine, a medication that helps people recover from addiction. Researchers found that requiring in-person visits may undo the progress made during the COVID-19 pandemic when telehealth increased access to this life-saving treatment.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health refutes claims that Medicaid expansion increases misuse of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines. Despite initial concerns, the study found no association between Medicaid expansion and non-prescribed opioid use among people who inject drugs.
Researchers found that brain connectivity related to cognitive control predicted substance use initiation, while cognitive control behavior did not. Stronger connectivity between the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was associated with delayed substance use onset.
A study found that long-term cocaine use increases impulsivity in healthy rats, contradicting the belief that high impulsivity predicts cocaine use. This contradicts research on impulsive choice and delay-discounting tasks.
The study found that nearly all US states had higher drug-related mortality rates between 2020 and 2023 than their 2019 rates. This decline marks a reversal of the pandemic-induced increase in overdose deaths.