Articles tagged with Drug Addiction
A recent study examined opioid agonist therapy (OAT) use among Medicare Part D beneficiaries. The analysis found that only approximately 81,000 patients received buprenorphine-naloxone therapy, despite an estimated 300,000 patients struggling with opioid use disorder and over 200,000 requiring hospitalization for opioid-related issues.
A study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that Maine's pharmacists were not utilizing its prescription-monitoring program, which could increase patient safety. Meanwhile, a second study suggests that local 'drug take-back' programs can increase public awareness and usage.
People with cocaine addiction develop habits that render their behaviour resistant to change, suggesting punitive approaches are ineffective. Interventions building on habit formation may be more effective in treating cocaine addiction.
A recent survey by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that more than half of patients prescribed opioids have leftover pills, with many saving them for future use. The study also revealed that nearly half of respondents received no information on safe storage and disposal of their medications.
Vaping has become the new drug of choice among teens who are unaware of its dangers and risks, according to UB addictions expert Nancy Campbell-Heider. Screening early can stage interventions before vaping leads to other tobacco products.
Experts weigh the benefits of expanding buprenorphine prescribing, citing its effectiveness in reducing opioid mortality rates, but also raising concerns about misuse and diversion. Proposed strategies aim to ensure safe and effective use while promoting quality care.
Public Health England's report suggests e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than combustible cigarettes, prompting debate in the US where many advocates denounce them. However, UK experts argue that switching to e-cigarettes with support can help smokers quit tobacco altogether.
A Scripps Research Institute team has received a $3.4 million grant to develop new therapeutics for addiction and mood disorders. The project focuses on the kappa opioid receptor, which helps regulate dopamine release, aiming to create potent new compounds with minimal side effects.
A study by Case Western Reserve University found a dose-response relationship between substance use severity and low-regard for others in adolescents. Adolescents with severe addiction were more likely to engage in riskier behaviors, such as unprotected sex and driving under the influence.
A new analysis of 87 studies found that many were flawed and did not support the claim that moderate drinking reduces mortality risk. In fact, occasional drinkers who had less than one drink per week lived the longest. The study suggests that alcohol may not be a panacea for good health.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that mindfulness meditation does not employ the body's opioids to reduce pain, but instead uses a different pathway to provide significant pain relief. The researchers used a thermal probe to induce pain and observed a 24% reduction in pain ratings among meditation participants.
A key brain receptor has been found to both strengthen and weaken synapses, offering new insights into mechanisms driving depression, drug addiction, and Alzheimer
The Charleston Alcohol Research Center has received a $7 million NIH grant to fund innovative treatments for alcohol addiction. The center aims to develop new therapies using transcranial magnetic stimulation and other technologies.
Researchers have discovered a unique application for an FDA-approved drug in treating cocaine dependence. The drug, Byetta, regulates feeding behavior and reduces cocaine self-administration when activated in the brain's reward region. Further studies aim to understand the brain's pathways involved in addiction.
Researchers studied 23 active cocaine users and found they exhibited an impaired ability to adjust their behavior and were less fulfilled once they achieved their desired reward. This disconnect between craving for a drug and regulating behavior may be key to breaking the cycle of addiction.
Research supports the effectiveness of providing psychosocial interventions in combination with medications to treat opioid addiction. However, limitations were found in the amount and quality of evidence on safest and most effective combinations of medications and treatments.
UTSA associate professor Carlos Paladini receives a $1.8 million grant to investigate dopamine bursts and astrocytes in the brain, with potential applications for treating clinical depression, drug addiction, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease.
The use of prescribed opioids during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome and other birth defects. Experts recommend limiting opioid use to severe cases only, with careful monitoring if necessary.
Researchers have identified a key brain circuit involved in ketamine's antidepressant effects, offering hope for the development of fast-acting and sustained treatments for depression. The discovery could potentially reduce the risk of suicide among patients and provide a safer alternative to current medications.
Researchers have developed an innovative approach to treat drug addiction using RVG-exosome delivered RNAi against the opioid receptor mu (MOR). This method successfully down-regulates MOR in mouse brain and rescues opioid relapse. The study demonstrates the potential of this therapy for treating CNS diseases.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing a new type of pain relief using high-frequency electrical stimulation. The study aims to understand why this method is more effective than traditional stimulation, with potential applications in the fight against opioid addiction.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that people with compulsive sexual behavior seek out new sexual images more frequently than others. They are also more susceptible to environmental cues linked to sexual images, which can trigger their addiction.
A study found that more than half of female methadone clinic patients started with doctor-prescribed painkillers, while men were more likely to be working and smoke cigarettes. The researchers highlighted the need for better treatment options tailored to women's demographics and health needs.
Experts warn that easily accessible online prescription sleeping tablets pose a significant risk of addiction and misuse, particularly for vulnerable individuals. The BMJ report highlights the need for regulatory authorities to ensure websites comply with medicines regulations.
Researchers found significant variation in opioid prescription rates across BC health areas, with highest volumes correlating to overdose deaths. The study suggests that changing prescribing practices and monitoring sales can help address the issue.
New findings reveal how betel nut's psychoactive chemical works in the brain, suggesting an addiction treatment may already exist. Researchers found that the active ingredient, arecoline, acts on the same receptor proteins as nicotine, raising the possibility of using existing anti-smoking drugs to treat betel nut addiction.
A University of Florida Health researcher has discovered a key clue about betel nut addiction, finding that the nut's psychoactive chemical works in the brain similarly to nicotine. This raises the possibility that prescription drugs used to break nicotine dependence could also be effective against betel nut addiction.
A UCLA-led study suggests that brief interventions in primary care clinics can significantly reduce risky drug use among patients. Participants who received brief advice and follow-up coaching reported a 33% reduction in their drug use over three months.
Risk assessments can help identify patients most likely to abuse opioids by reviewing family history, lifestyle, and environment. Clinically useful guides like the Opioid Risk Tool offer good predictive value for physicians.
Opioid misuse is a major burden on the European drug treatment system, with a decline in new heroin treatment clients since 2007. Drug injection remains a key driver of HIV transmission and overdose deaths, particularly among older users. New psychoactive substances are increasingly reported, posing a growing concern for public health.
A new study by Doctor Cecilie Schou Andreassen reveals that shopping addiction is more prevalent among women, typically beginning in late adolescence. The Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale identifies seven warning signs, including an excessive preoccupation with shopping and impaired well-being.
The National Practice Guideline offers specific guidance on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of opioid use disorders. Medication options include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, with recommendations for patient monitoring and follow-up.
Scientists identified 'nicotine choosers' and 'avoiders' in a study of 18 healthy adults who had never smoked. The researchers found that some individuals prefer the effects of nicotine, while others avoid it due to genetic or metabolic vulnerabilities.
Recent small studies suggest psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin may help reduce anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and alcohol addiction. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and determine clinical application.
A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience by Texas A&M Health Science Center researchers found that a specific type of brain cell plays a crucial role in addiction. The findings suggest that periodic consumption of alcohol alters the structure and function of these cells, leading to increased cravings and cycle of alcoholism.
A Boston Medical Center model integrating nurse care managers into primary care increased physician waivers by 375% and patients' treatment access, particularly among African-American and Hispanic populations. The program has successfully treated over 8,000 Massachusetts patients with opioid dependence.
Researchers found that a single dose of cocaine interferes with recognizing negative emotions, such as sadness and anger. The study's lead author suggests this may explain why cocaine users report higher levels of sociability when intoxicated.
Researchers have discovered promising new compounds that may reduce alcoholics' urge to drink by targeting the brain's pleasure centers. The compounds, known as beta-carbolines, appear to be less addictive and cause fewer side effects than current treatments.
Research shows that long-term abstinent heroin users experience persistent brain dysfunction in the nucleus accumbens region. This altered activity may trigger intense cravings for drugs in response to stressors or environmental cues.
Researchers found that the simultaneous use of heroin and prescription painkillers is increasing dramatically among whites, particularly young white men. Heroin abuse has also expanded to groups not traditionally seen as widespread opiate users, highlighting the need for tailored treatment approaches.
Researchers at the University of Montreal found that how fast and how often drugs are taken contribute to addiction risk. Injection and smoking increase brain levels rapidly, leading to high cravings and compulsive behavior.
Researchers found that cortisol administration significantly reduced cravings for heroin in addicts, with a 25% decrease seen on average. The study suggests that cortisol may have inhibitory effects on addiction-related memory and behaviors.
Researchers found that e-cig liquids contain primarily free-base nicotine, the most addictive form, and often do not match label concentrations. This suggests that e-cigarettes can be just as hazardous to health as traditional tobacco products.
Researchers say combining educational messages about naloxone with sympathetic narratives can increase public support for its wider availability. The study found that people who heard humanizing stories of addiction were more likely to support policies for naloxone distribution.
A commentary in CMAJ argues that tamper-resistant opioids will not address the root causes of opioid addiction and overdose. Experts call for an evidence-based, multifaceted strategy to curb opioid-related harms.
Primary care physicians incorrectly thought that abuse-deterrent pills were less addictive than standard counterparts, despite evidence showing they are equally addictive. The study highlights the importance of patient and provider education regarding abuse-deterrent products.
UCLA researchers have identified a potentially effective treatment for methamphetamine addiction, with Naltrexone significantly reducing craving and arousal. The study found that Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors in the brain, making the drug less pleasurable, and had minimal side effects.
A recent study published in Brain: A Journal of Neurology has identified a link between smaller brain region volumes and increased likelihood of drug addiction. The research found that individuals who showed brain structural differences when they started using drugs were more likely to experience escalating stimulant use.
A new study published in the journal Addiction reveals that almost 5% of the world's adult population has an alcohol use disorder and more than 20% smoke tobacco. The report highlights regional differences in addictive behaviors, with Eastern Europe having the highest rates of smoking and heavy drinking.
The Global Statistics on Addictive Behaviours report found that Australia has lower rates of tobacco use and alcohol abuse compared to the UK. Illicit drug use is significant in Australia, with higher rates of cannabis, ecstasy, and amphetamine-type drug use.
The study reveals how addictive drugs interfere with dopamine signaling, leading to addiction. New treatments may be developed to block interference with dopamine transporters.
Local physician Jeffrey H. Samet recommends retiring the term opioid substitution therapy due to its unintended adverse consequences, suggesting the use of opioid agonist treatment instead. This change in terminology could have broad and substantial impact on patient care for opioid use disorders.
A recent study has identified distinct patient profiles in terms of associated violence and/or criminal acts, influencing treatment development. The findings reveal significant differences in sociodemographic, consumption, and psychopathological variables between patients with and without these issues.
A Saint Louis University research review article suggests people are hardwired to fall out of love and move onto new romantic relationships. Brain imaging studies show an increase in neuronal activity in pleasure areas that become active with cocaine use, implying a similar attachment process.
Physicians can identify individuals with harmful drinking habits and offer evidence-based interventions, such as the FRAMES approach. The Canadian guidelines recommend low-risk drinking limits, and policy changes are needed to improve access to alcohol screening and treatment.
A systematic review of 59 studies found that interventions in prisons led to improved health outcomes for prisoners and the general population. The research highlights the importance of providing treatment and access to primary care after release, resulting in reduced substance abuse, mental health problems, and infectious diseases.
A study found that varenicline was effective in helping smokers reduce their cigarette consumption and eventually quit. The medication produced greater reductions in smoking prior to quitting and increased smoking cessation rates at the end of treatment.
Methamphetamine abuse accelerates aging by causing abnormalities in cellular fat metabolism and triggering inflammation. Researchers have identified methods to limit this process using inhibitors of nuclear factor kappa beta signaling.
A study of 198,247 opioid users in England found that they were six times more likely to die prematurely than the general population. The risk of death increased with age, with older users facing a staggering increase in homicide rates.
A harm-reduction approach prioritizes minimizing harm from drug use for individuals and society, rather than solely focusing on punishment. This approach encompasses a range of objectives, including preventing overdose, treating addiction, and reducing the spread of diseases like HIV and hepatitis C.