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.
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% ...
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 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.
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.
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.
A study published in Brain found that the orbitofrontal cortex responds more strongly to drug content than other stimuli, even after treatment and abstinence. The researchers used an Academy Award-nominated movie to assess brain responses in individuals with heroin use disorder and healthy controls.
A new University of Michigan study suggests that Medicaid unwinding may have disrupted the care of people receiving treatment for opioid addiction. Patients were less likely to continue filling buprenorphine prescriptions and more likely to pay with cash or private insurance in states with large versus small Medicaid enrollment drops.
A team of researchers used machine learning to analyze changes in astrocyte cells' structure, shedding light on heroin addiction and relapse. The study, published in Science Advances, found that specific subpopulations of astroglia exhibit more pronounced morphological changes during drug use.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry identified the Shisa7 gene as a key driver of heroin addiction. The research team used machine learning to analyze brain tissue from human opioid users and found that modulating this gene's expression influenced heroin-seeking behavior and cognitive flexibility.
Researchers are testing a brain pacemaker to treat severe alcohol and opioid addiction, aiming to develop effective treatments and understand the brain mechanisms driving addiction disorders. The trial, known as Brain-PACER, uses deep brain stimulation to modulate brain activity and cravings.
A University of Cincinnati researcher has been awarded a $2.1 million grant to investigate postoperative pain at the molecular and cellular levels. The goal is to develop new, safer non-addictive treatments for chronic pain conditions, including lower back pain and pain associated with diabetes or chemotherapy treatments.
A new microdosing approach using low doses of buprenorphine has been tested on patients with opioid use disorder, but most found it ineffective. The study, which included 126 participants, showed that only 34% were able to work up to a full dose of buprenorphine.
Researchers found that increasing levels of the naturally occurring endocannabinoid 2-AG can counteract the rewarding properties of opioids, reducing addiction-like behaviors in mice. The study suggests a potential new therapeutic strategy to alleviate pain while minimizing opioid addiction risk.
A new study by Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that Medicaid waivers for addiction treatment have not led to increased treatment or reduced nonfatal overdoses in 17 states. The authors suggest that while the waivers may be necessary, they are insufficient to address the national opioid epidemic.
A new study published in the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment found that distributing free naloxone via vending machines in county jails can sharply increase the number of doses provided to inmates at release. This may help reduce overdose deaths, as former prisoners are more vulnerable due to lack of accessible support.
Research found that patients leaving hospital prematurely, known as 'before medically advised' (BMA) discharge, have a significantly higher risk of drug overdose in the following month. This increase is due to factors such as persistent pain and untreated addiction after hospital discharge.
The UCR medical school is developing a new curriculum to address the substance use crisis in California, which has resulted in over 6,000 opioid-related overdose deaths. The curriculum aims to promote access to treatment and health equity for substance use care, addressing biases and social determinants of health.
A North Carolina State University study found that only 12% of organizations providing residential opioid substance use services are licensed by the state. Only a quarter allow patients to access proven opioid agonist treatment (OAT), which has better outcomes and cuts overdose deaths in half.
Research finds that people who use illicit opioids are at risk of developing severe xylazine-related wounds, often due to lack of access to proper wound care. The study highlights the need for comprehensive, low-barrier wound care services and compassionate care without judgment.
A Madrid study found a significant decrease in active hepatitis C infection among people who use drugs (PWUD) from 23% to 6% between 2017 and 2023. The study attributed this decline to improved access to testing and treatment, as well as public health campaigns.
A UCLA Health study discovered that suvorexant, an insomnia medication, blocks brain receptors for hypocretin and prevents opioid addiction in mice. The drug maintains behavioral alertness at lower doses than those inducing sleep. Further studies are needed to determine its effectiveness in humans with opioid use disorder.
The French system provides better access to methadone for people with opioid use disorder, with 87% receiving treatment compared to less than 20% in the US. This disparity highlights an opportunity for US policymakers to reform regulations and make methadone more accessible.
A new study by Michigan Medicine University found that nearly all patients with buprenorphine prescriptions filled them, even when paying more out-of-pocket. The researchers suggest removing barriers to continuous prescribing as the main focus of efforts.
A Rutgers-led study found that supplementing standard opioid addiction treatment with Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can cut program dropout rates by 59 percent and relapses by 42 percent. The intervention incorporates mindfulness training, savoring skills, and cognitive reappraisal to help individuals retrain themsel...
A new OHSU study found that the number of healthcare professionals able to prescribe buprenorphine increased significantly at community health clinics from 2016 to 2021, particularly in rural areas. The study suggests a positive trend amid the ongoing opioid crisis.
A new study led by Worcester Polytechnic Institute aims to determine whether AI can help doctors predict which patients will benefit from mindfulness-based stress reduction in managing chronic lower back pain. The research uses machine learning and physiological data from fitness sensors to detect patterns that may not be apparent to d...
A preclinical model has successfully restored an opioid-weakened brain pathway in mice, preventing relapse and improving ability to stop behaviors. This breakthrough could lead to the development of future treatments that rehabilitate brain functioning associated with drug use.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy's PERU has received a $7.8 million grant to develop and implement measurement-based care into community opioid treatment programs across Pennsylvania. This project aims to improve treatment access, promote recovery, and reduce fatal overdoses by addressing patient needs through personaliz...
A new peer-reviewed study suggests that cannabis is having no significant effect on people's use of opioids, taken outside of medical guidance. The findings have substantial implications for U.S. treatment programs, which still require patients to abstain from cannabis before qualifying for potentially life-saving treatment.
Mobile methadone units show significant impact in expanding opioid treatment access in rural areas, with a 13-point increase in Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) treatment rates. Adding units exclusively to rural Louisiana provides nearly 20% of beneficiaries within 24 miles of a provider.
Researchers tested EMDR, a therapy proven to treat PTSD and depression, to reduce addiction cravings. The study found Addiction-focused EMDR was as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy for cravings, reducing symptoms by clinically significant amounts.
A recent study found that transmucosal dose of buprenorphine followed by extended-release buprenorphine injection significantly reduced Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale scores in individuals using fentanyl. This rapid treatment strategy may be an important potential option for addressing the growing opioid crisis.
US overdose deaths involving fentanyl and stimulants increased 50-fold from 2010 to 2021, with stimulants becoming most common drug class found in fentanyl-involved overdoses. The trend disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minority communities, particularly Black and African American people.
A study by University of Kansas and Georgetown University found that facilities with more religious orientation offered a wider range of services and were located in racially diverse communities. This can help service providers make better referrals and provide a roadmap for other communities to better understand their substance use se...
A new study by Yale researchers finds that OxyContin's early marketing led to rises in hepatitis diagnoses, infective endocarditis deaths, and injection drug-related infections. States targeted for more marketing experienced higher rates of these outcomes after 2010.
Researchers found that individuals with heroin use disorder exhibited a bias towards processing drug cues, while healthy controls showed the opposite pattern. This suggests that efforts to downregulate responses to drug cues may come at the cost of amplifying responses to natural rewards.
A new UCF study found that insurance coverage of extended-release buprenorphine injections is lacking, with only 46% of commercial plans and 19% of Medicare Advantage plans covering it. Prior-authorization requirements also pose a barrier to access, particularly for Medicaid plans.
A recent study by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has unveiled crucial insights into the brain's ability to regulate fentanyl consumption. The research discovered that claustral neurons can modulate fentanyl intake, suggesting a potential target for intervention in fentanyl addiction.
Only one in four US adolescent residential addiction treatment facilities offer buprenorphine and one in eight offer it for ongoing treatment. Nearly two-thirds of adult residential facilities provide this medication, highlighting a significant gap in care for adolescents.
A new study reveals that only one in four adolescent residential treatment centers across the US provides buprenorphine, a proven tool in fighting opioid addiction. The lack of access to this medication undercuts US efforts to alleviate the overdose epidemic, which claimed over 109,000 lives in 2022.
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.
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.
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 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.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 22, 2023
Researchers found that peer support specialists with a shared life experience were most valued for providing emotional and housing/employment support, helping inmates recover from opioid use disorder. Participants appreciated the empathetic and trustworthy relationships established with their peer navigators.
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 novel community-focused strategy implemented in Pennsylvania counties led to a 30% reduction in opioid overdose death rates. The approach, developed by University of Pittsburgh researchers, prevented 1,818 opioid-related deaths over two years.
Researchers at Texas A&M University School of Medicine have identified a specific brain circuit that characterizes how fentanyl affects the brain. Suppressing negative emotional states may increase a person's chance of overcoming opioid use disorder.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A study found that nearly half of Medicaid beneficiaries who completed opioid rehab did not receive follow-up care or medication-assisted treatment within a month. Patients with prior prescriptions for opioid use disorder medications were 24% more likely to get follow-up care and medication.
A study found impairments in the prefrontal cortex-habenula circuit, critical for regulating executive functions and reward, in people with cocaine or heroin addiction. The circuit's microstructural features were analyzed using diffusion MRI tractography, revealing reduced coherence in white matter fibers.
Astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating the response to drug cues, acting as brakes on neuronal communication. By slowing down overactive communication, astrocytes can reduce the drive to seek drugs and prevent relapse.
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 Rutgers study found that individuals with opioid-use disorder who used non-prescribed buprenorphine before entering treatment were twice as likely to remain in care. Those who used the medication also had significantly lower rates of opioid use during the first six months in treatment.
The UArizona Health Sciences Center is developing a Center of Excellence for Addiction Studies to advance addiction research and develop therapies for the opioid epidemic. The center will facilitate national collaborations, employ cutting-edge genetic techniques, and provide advanced methods for measuring neurotransmitters.
The opioid crisis is predicted to grow exponentially in North America, adding 1.2 million more overdose deaths by 2029. The epidemic began in the 1990s and has worsened over the past decade due to the availability of illicit opioids like heroin and fentanyl.