Articles tagged with Drug Addiction
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...
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.
A study of 637,000 adolescents found that cannabis use disorder diagnoses began climbing after recreational cannabis was legalized in California in 2016, reversing a steady decline in the three years prior. The researchers say their findings call for disorder-level outcomes to be tracked alongside standard measures of use prevalence an...
A 5-year study in BC found that decriminalization reduced police encounters for drug possession by 39% without changes in overdose deaths or hospitalizations. The partial recriminalization period also saw declines in drug-related hospitalizations and overdose deaths, but similar trends were seen in other parts of Canada.
A Rutgers University study found that four in five Black adults mistakenly believed proposed bans on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars would target smokers, rather than the makers and sellers. The study identified seven beliefs associated with opposing the bans, including the misconception that authorities punish smokers. An educa...
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 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 2.5% of intoxicating hemp posts on Instagram carry health warnings, despite the majority using youth-oriented marketing tactics. Researchers analyzed 837 posts from nine brands and highlighted the need for stricter regulations to protect young audiences.
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...
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 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.
Global analysis finds that removing criminal penalties for cannabis possession does not increase levels of use, but commercial sale of cannabis is associated with higher rates of addiction and health risks. Tightly controlled legalisation, such as in Uruguay, shows little evidence of changes in cannabis 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% ...
The US had substantially higher death rates between 1999 and 2022 compared to other wealthy nations, with cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause of excess mortality. An estimated 12.7 million US deaths could have been averted during this period if US mortality rates mirrored those of its peers.
A new study found that 9% of individuals who survived an opioid overdose in Ontario, Canada died within a year, with the highest risks occurring within seven and thirty days after discharge. People with prior overdose experiences were at increased risk of death.
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 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.
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.