Articles tagged with Drug Addiction
A new RAND Corporation study finds that state policies requiring additional education for buprenorphine prescribers and continuing medical education related to substance misuse significantly increase the use of anti-opioid medication. This is associated with improved quality of life and decreased fatal overdose rates.
A RAND Corporation study found that methadone use increased sharply among Medicare Advantage enrollees, creating new treatment rather than displacing other medications. The rate of buprenorphine use also rose, particularly among younger enrollees.
New Jersey's Medicaid reforms led to a significant increase in buprenorphine prescriptions for opioid addiction treatment, outpacing national rates. The reforms reduced barriers to medication usage among poor patients, resulting in slower growth of overdose deaths nationwide.
Cocaine use disorder has been rising for over a decade, with no robust treatment available. Researchers are using cocaine contingency management to provide cash or value in exchange for drug-free urine samples, aiming to change an individual's temporal horizon and reduce consumption. The study aims to guide innovative interventions tha...
Physicians at the University of Kentucky call for standard-of-care opioid treatment for incarcerated patients to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and lower mortality risk. The article highlights the need for physician advocacy to address the moral distress experienced by doctors when patients are denied these treatments.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found significant racial inequalities in treatment for opioid use disorder, with White patients receiving medication up to 80% more frequently than Black and Hispanic patients. Despite similar numbers of healthcare visits, disparities persist.
A Columbia University study found that casual cannabis use by adolescents raises the risk of depression, suicidality, and problem behaviors. Nondisordered cannabis users were 2-2.5 times more likely to have adverse mental health outcomes and behavioral problems compared to teens who didn’t use cannabis.
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the 'Eat, Sleep, Console' care approach reduces opioid-exposed newborns' hospital stays and medication use. This approach prioritizes family-centered care and non-pharmacological interventions to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
A Mass General Brigham expert calls for additional measures to expand access to lifesaving buprenorphine treatment and harm-reduction services. The federal government's elimination of the X waiver is necessary but not sufficient to achieve overdose-prevention goals, according to the authors.
A new study finds that buprenorphine initiation rates and six-month retention rates remain flat despite policy changes aimed at increasing access to the medication. Only 22% of patients who started treatment kept refilling their prescriptions for at least six months, highlighting barriers to prescribing enough of the life-saving drug.
Researchers at UNIGE discovered that natural opioids cannot enter cells, whereas therapeutic opioids can, leading to differences in physiological responses. The study's findings could help develop safer medications with improved efficacy and reduced side effects.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that offering medications for opioid addiction in jails leads to a significant decrease in overdose deaths. Treating opioid addiction during incarceration is also cost-effective and saves lives.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that only 7% of Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder (OUD) received residential treatment, highlighting a significant gap in care. Residential treatment centers provide structured support and are considered one of the best treatments for severe substance use.
A novel clinical trial demonstrated that open-label placebo increased patient retention rates by 78% compared to methadone-only treatment. Participants also reported better sleep quality, with no significant differences found in other outcome measures. The study suggests that deception-free placebo treatment can provide valuable benefits.
Research finds that endocannabinoids protect against addiction in individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment. The 'resilient' group showed increased function of the endocannabinoid system and different brain activity compared to other groups.
Researchers have discovered that the amygdala uses specialized neurons to learn about threats and rewards, a finding that could lead to more effective treatments for anxiety and drug addiction. By studying how these neurons respond differently to various stimuli, scientists have gained insights into the brain's reward system.
A statewide incentive program in Pennsylvania is associated with a 50% improvement in initiating medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder among Medicaid-enrolled patients. The study found that the program increased prescription fills for buprenorphine and substance use disorder treatment within a week of emergency departme...
A study found a common genetic signature that increases the risk of developing multiple substance use disorders. The research identified genes associated with dopamine signaling and could lead to universal therapies for addiction.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found significant increases in overdose deaths from all categories except heroin in 2020. The largest death rate was for black males in the District of Columbia due to fentanyl, with a rate almost 10 times higher than that for white males.
Implementation of post-overdose programs in Massachusetts municipalities associated with a 6% lower annual opioid fatality rate and a 7% lower opioid-related emergency encounter rate compared to non-programmed areas. The study suggests that these programs offer a critical opportunity to address overdose among high-risk individuals.
A new study highlights poor access to US methadone treatment compared to Canada. The average driving distance to the closest clinic was more than three times greater in the US, with rural areas requiring drives of up to 138 miles.
A survey of over 2,500 teens and young adults found that vaping nicotine and THC is associated with self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dual vapers were more likely to report addiction to nicotine and feel less depressed after starting vaping.
A new study found that trauma leads to high levels of intergenerational substance use among Black women, with 30% increased odds of drug use and 40% increased odds of Child Protective Services cases. The researchers also highlighted the importance of understanding the prevalence and impacts of these issues among minority populations.
Researchers discovered HDAC5 plays a critical role in limiting heroin-associated memories and drug-seeking behavior. By regulating gene expression, HDAC5 opposes powerful drug cues that trigger relapse.
A CAMH-led study examines national suicide rates in 33 countries over 20 years, identifying eight population-level factors associated with suicide rates. The study highlights the importance of considering gender differences when developing suicide risk reduction initiatives.
Researchers at Kyoto University found distinct patterns of gazing and brain activity in patients with kleptomania when shown relevant environmental cues. These results suggest a similar mechanism to drug addiction, potentially leading to the development of therapeutic treatments.
Researchers have discovered that cocaine addiction is associated with faster brain aging, with changes in DNA methylation in the prefrontal cortex contributing to this effect. The study, which analyzed cryo-preserved brains of deceased male donors, found that cells in this region appeared biologically older in individuals with CUD.
A team of researchers at MUSC discovered a neural circuit that inhibits motivated behaviors, which can prevent reward-seeking behavior in high-risk contexts. Administering opioids causes immediate disruption of this circuit, leading to even riskier behaviors.
A study of 4,000 twins found no link between cannabis legalization and increases in cognitive, psychological, social, relationship or financial problems. Twins in states where cannabis is legal showed fewer symptoms of alcohol use disorder.
Panelists emphasize the need for better treatment options and increased access to naloxone as overdoses increase dramatically. Community collaboration, fast-tracking vaccine development, and reducing stigma around people who use drugs are also key strategies.
A study shows that pharmacies can offer a safe starting point for patients with opioid use disorder, leading to higher rates of retention in treatment. The pharmacy-based model increases access to buprenorphine, a lifesaving medication, for diverse patient populations and promotes racial and economic equity.
The university is implementing curricular changes to increase access to early intervention and reduce stigma around substance use disorders. The program will cover 30 hours of instruction and add another tool to the kit of nursing graduates, aiming to provide more treatment options for those struggling with opioid addiction.
Researchers have discovered the positive impact of icaros on men's recovery from drug and alcohol addictions during ayahuasca healing ceremonies. The study, led by UC Riverside doctoral student Owain J. Graham, found that 86% of patients showed statistically significant improvements on the Addictions Severity Index.
The NIH has established a research network to test community-based harm reduction strategies, including naloxone distribution and fentanyl test strips, to reduce overdose deaths. The network aims to save lives by connecting people who use drugs with services and treatments.
Researchers have created a chemical compound, Pillar[6]MaxQ (P6AS), which can counteract the effects of fentanyl and methamphetamine in lab experiments. The compound works as a molecular container, binding to drugs and reversing their biological properties.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine have developed a handheld ultrasound device to treat neuropathic pain. The device uses low-intensity focused ultrasound to target specific areas of the nervous system, offering a non-invasive and non-opioid-based treatment option.
A new hotline has shown promising results in preventing overdoses and saving lives by providing virtual supervision for people using substances alone. The National Overdose Response Service received over 2,100 calls from unique callers, with no reported deaths during a pilot period.
A new publication highlights the challenges patients face in accessing effective opioid treatment. Opioid addiction specialists from Oregon Health & Science University argue for a flexible, responsive health system that prioritizes patient needs.
A self-service vending machine filled with harm reduction supplies such as naloxone helped prevent overdoses and contributed to a decrease in Hamilton County's overdose deaths in 2021. Nearly 900 people used the machine since its installation, with nearly 16% of users reporting they had never used harm reduction services before.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that alternatives to menthol cigarettes pose significant addiction and health risks. Mentholated pipe tobacco and tubes were the most appealing and addictive options, suggesting they should be included in the proposed ban.
A study suggests that abruptly stopping prescribed opioids for chronic pain increases the risk of overdose, particularly among individuals without opioid use disorder. However, tapering opioid therapy is associated with a decreased risk of overdose in those with opioid use disorder who have not received opioid agonist therapy.
The prevalence of methamphetamine-associated heart failure is rising worldwide, affecting a wide range of socio-economic and racial groups. Meth users are more likely to develop severe disease, with longer hospital stays and readmissions, compared to non-users.
A researcher at Ohio University is using a $1.4 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to develop a training program for healthcare professionals to overcome stigma surrounding Buprenorphine prescriptions. The study aims to increase access to harm reduction services in rural areas.
Research at Aston University found a significant link between childhood deprivation and impulsive behavior, leading to addictions and unhealthy choices later in life. The study showed that children from deprived areas had a higher discount rate, indicating a preference for immediate gratification.
A large registry-based study found lisdexamfetamine to be associated with the lowest risk of hospitalisation and death in people with amphetamine addiction. The medication showed a significant reduction in hospitalisation due to substance use disorder and any cause or death, while benzodiazepine and antidepressant use were linked to po...
A telemedicine program for opioid use disorder patients showed that 55% of patients continued with their medication 30 days after being prescribed buprenorphine. The program received 371 calls and provided 249 buprenorphine prescriptions, filling a significant gap in treatment for this population.
Researchers believe that changes in the brain's orexin system promote drug-seeking behavior and that existing insomnia treatments could reduce or eliminate cravings. Studies have shown that blocking this system reverses addiction in animals and reduces opioid cravings in human subjects.
Research reveals that common gut bacteria enhance cocaine effects in mice by consuming glycine, leading to behavior abnormalities. Supplementing glycine or using a genetically modified bacteria reduces response to cocaine, demonstrating its role as an addiction mediator.
Research reveals that pregnant smokers decrease their daily cigarette count by an average of one cigarette per day before realizing they are pregnant. This trend continues in the month following pregnancy recognition, with a decline from nine to five cigarettes per day on average.
A study found that nicotine from a single cigarette reduces estrogen production in women's brains, which may explain their greater resistance to quitting smoking. The effect was observed in the thalamus, part of the limbic system involved in behavioral responses.
A Washington State University pilot study showed that home sensors can accurately monitor overnight restlessness and sleep problems in people recovering from opioid use disorder. The sensors matched other monitoring methods about 89% of the time, validating patients' concerns about their disturbed sleep.
A team of researchers identified a protein kinase substrate downstream of the dopamine signaling pathway regulating brain reward behavior. The study found that phosphorylation of potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 2 (KCNQ2) decreases its channel activity, increasing neuronal excitability and promoting reward behavior.
A new European study confirms that banning menthol cigarettes leads to increased smoking cessation rates, with 26.1% of menthol smokers quitting compared to 14.1% of non-menthol smokers. The study also finds that a proposed US ban on menthol cigarettes could lead to over 1.3 million quitters.
Researchers at UC Davis aim to develop monoclonal antibodies that can bind to specific ion channels in nerve cells, inhibiting pain signal transmission. The goal is to create a monthly, non-addictive pain medication to replace opioids, which can lead to addiction.
The Regional Transition Navigator program aims to connect youth and young adults aged 14-25 with needed resources, emphasizing those at risk of homelessness, human trafficking or substance use disorders. The program's long-term goal is to teach problem-solving skills and provide support for a healthier transition into adulthood.
A study found that expanded telehealth services for opioid use disorder care during the COVID-19 pandemic led to individuals staying in treatment longer and reducing their risk of medically treated overdose. The expansion also showed improved receipt and retention of medication-assisted treatment, suggesting a valuable approach to addr...
Mandated PDMP use in US states reduced opioid prescriptions by 6.1% but led to a 50.1% increase in heroin-related deaths, according to researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that four out of five counties with the highest opioid overdose death rates do not have a methadone clinic accessible within a 15-minute drive. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) may offer a possible solution to improving access to opioid treatment programs in rural communities.
A new study reveals that methamphetamine use is widespread in rural America, driving overdoses and deaths. The research found that people using both methamphetamine and opioids had a significantly higher risk of nonfatal overdose, with 22% reporting an overdose in the past six months.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine suggest improvements to the release process and treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder (MOUD) who are transitioning from jail to the community. The study identifies three critical areas for improvement: bridge doses, better communication, and phone access.