Articles tagged with Opioid Addiction
A clinical trial funded by the NIH found that integrated HIV and substance use disorder services delivered through mobile medical units reduced all-cause deaths by 71% compared to community-based services. The trial showed no difference in PrEP and MOUD use, highlighting the need for long-acting PrEP formulations in this population.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that Massachusetts neighborhoods with lower grades on historic redlining maps had 86% higher annual opioid-related overdose death rates. The study suggests that historical disinvestment continues to affect health outcomes based on where people live.
A randomized clinical trial led by Mount Sinai researchers found that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can change brain responses to drug cues in people with opioid use disorder, reducing cravings and supporting recovery. The treatment, combined with medication, aims to reduce the influence of drug-related cues while st...
A large study found that emergency department visits and hospitalizations for substance use among young mothers increased by 5% per year, similar to rates among childless women. Young mothers under 25 drove these increases, with rates growing four times faster than among other females. The study highlights the need for better support s...
A recent study found that overdose-reversing drug naloxone use did not increase relative to the number of overdoses in the US since 2023. Instead, nonfatal drug overdoses fell by 20.9% and opioid-related overdoses dropped by 32.7%.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a platform that allows opioid activity to be turned on or off with the flick of a light switch, paving the way for bypassing opioid addiction and other adverse side effects. The compound, AM-3, activates painkilling effect only where needed, allowing substantial pain relief w...
A new Cochrane review finds that pharmaceutical company marketing, including payments, gifts, and free meals, leads to less appropriate prescribing habits and higher medicine costs. The review analyzed millions of prescribers and found a clear dose-response relationship between paid-for meals and inappropriate prescriptions.
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 new atlas of the brain’s striatum has identified 31 subgroups of neurons, including those involved in addiction, depression, and schizophrenia. The atlas may help scientists develop new drugs to combat these conditions, particularly by targeting specific cell populations affected by Huntington’s disease.
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.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a wearable microneedle patch called the iNal patch that can detect fentanyl in the body and automatically release naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose. The patch uses porous silica nanoparticles loaded with naloxone, which is released when fentanyl levels are detected.
A team of researchers has discovered that controlling morphine's effects in a specific group of neurons can prevent the formation of rewarding associations with opioids. This study challenges previous conclusions and suggests that dopamine elevation can be separated from learned drug preference.
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...
A new study published in JAMA found that customized treatment for babies born with opioid withdrawal can significantly reduce hospital stays and speed recovery. The approach, which combines symptom-based dosing with the Eat, Sleep, Console model of care, helped infants recover an average of 2.3 days sooner.
New research uses mice to explore mechanisms for combating slow breathing from fentanyl, a symptom that can lead to overdose and death. Altering the activity of specific neurons increased breathing rates, while targeting another signaling system alleviated slow breathing.
Adolescents in the US are unaware of the dangers of fentanyl misuse, emphasizing the importance of public education programs and clinical communication. The study reveals a significant portion of younger adolescents are not aware of the risks associated with fentanyl use.
A study found a rapid increase in long-acting injectable buprenorphine prescriptions, but significant state-level disparities persist. The treatment showed particularly high use in Medicaid-insured patients and advanced practice clinicians.
A new PNAS special feature showcases the critical role of behavioral and decision sciences in U.S. governance, highlighting how psychological and economic research protect public health, consumer rights, and finances across federal agencies. The research demonstrates how 'invisible' scientific frameworks streamline medical drug reviews...
A systematic review of existing research studies recommends improved support for individuals undergoing opioid substitute withdrawal, including specialist training, medication provision, and psychological support. The study aims to improve the success rate of detoxification from opioid substitutes.
Researchers created a modified version of fentanyl with reduced side effects, then used it as a vaccine component to train the immune system. The resulting antibodies showed pan specificity against multiple fentanyl designer drugs, including carfentanil and furanylfentanyl.
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 cohort study found that Medicaid prescription caps were associated with lower overall prescription medication use and greater frequency of acute care visits among young adults with opioid use disorder. This suggests that the implementation of these caps may have unintended consequences for individuals struggling with addiction.
Alyssa Tilhou's innovative approach, Leveraging Informatics for Navigation and Knowledge (LINK), uses EHR data to connect patients to comprehensive addiction and HIV services. The platform aims to shift the burden of engagement from patients to healthcare systems, promoting patient-centered care and improved outcomes.
A recent study found a one-year mortality rate of 8.6% among opioid overdose survivors, significantly higher than previous estimates. The study also revealed that 21.2% of individuals experienced repeat overdoses within the same year.
The study found that Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Team (START) was a cost-effective approach for addressing opioid use disorder in the inpatient setting, increasing medication initiation and linkage to care after discharge. Additionally, START improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
A multi-institutional team led by Sanford Burnham Prebys aims to develop a non-opioid pain therapeutic using lead molecule SBI-810. The effort, funded by a $3.9 million NIH grant, seeks to optimize the compound into a drug that could provide effective pain relief without addiction risks.
A cross-sectional study found a substantial increase in medication use for opioid use disorder among Medicaid beneficiaries, potentially contributing to reductions in overdose deaths. The study suggests that expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder may be an effective strategy to address the opioid crisis.
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.
A large US study found that children born to mothers who used buprenorphine for opioid addiction during pregnancy did not have a greater risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and autism. Buprenorphine was associated with a slightly lower risk of developmental disorders compared to methadone.
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 retrospective cohort study found that outpatient early methadone dose titration is associated with improved treatment retention in individuals using fentanyl. This approach also lowers the risk of opioid toxicity, according to Canadian and US clinical guidance.
Long-term opioid therapy prescription rates declined in the US from 2015 to 2023, despite a growing population of older adults receiving these treatments. Approximately 4-5 million patients were prescribed long-term opioids in 2023, with Medicare covering a larger proportion, raising concerns about safety.
A clinical trial found that weekly injectable extended-release buprenorphine treatment resulted in higher rates of illicit opioid abstinence during pregnancy compared to sublingual buprenorphine. Serious adverse events were also less common in the extended-release group.
Researchers at George Mason University are developing an AI-enabled virtual reality training program for Crisis Response Teams to manage substance use crises. The program aims to enhance team members' expertise during a crisis response and post-crisis event, aligning with the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority's mission to address the...
Researchers at the University of Iowa Health Care identified acetazolamide as a potential target for preventing opioid use disorder relapse. The study found that blocking the activity of brain enzyme carbonic anhydrase 4 boosted acid-sensing ion channels, reducing drug-seeking behavior and relapse in mice.
A new study published in JAMA found that emergency department-initiated buprenorphine for opioid use disorder was well-tolerated and effective, with a low risk of withdrawal. The 7-day extended-release and sublingual buprenorphine groups showed similar treatment engagement rates on day 7.
Researchers found that patients with substance use disorder received life-saving treatments only when addiction consult services were involved. Fentanyl use was associated with dramatically worse visual outcomes, highlighting the importance of addressing underlying conditions alongside acute medical problems.
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.
A new national survey found that nearly three-quarters of clinicians encounter obstacles when starting buprenorphine treatment for patients using fentanyl. Researchers emphasize the need for evidence-based guidelines to initiate buprenorphine in light of more potent drugs.
A recent national survey found that 88% of adults view opioid overdose deaths as a serious problem, but political differences over responsibility persist. The study suggests that more people are placing blame on pharmaceutical companies and individuals, rather than those who use opioids.
A 2025 survey found that U.S. adults view opioid overdose as a serious problem, with differing opinions on who is responsible for reducing overdose rates. The study suggests varying preferences for future actions to address overdose among conservatives, moderates, and liberals.
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 of over 32,000 US Veterans found that longer treatment with medications for opioid use disorder is associated with a greater probability of short- and medium-term survival. The benefit continues to increase at least for four years of ongoing treatment.
Researchers found that abstinent smokers have altered brain activity linked to increased pain sensitivity and a need for more postoperative pain relief. The study suggests that nicotine withdrawal affects specific brain regions, leading to higher requirements for pain management in surgery.
Researchers found that mindfulness-based program MORE increased interoceptive awareness, reducing the risk of prescription opioid misuse in individuals with chronic pain. Participants who demonstrated lower trust in their body signals and difficulty regulating attention to bodily sensations were at higher risk for opioid misuse.
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.
A new study reveals that laws restricting pain clinics, or 'pill mills,' where opioids were often prescribed, reduced risky opioid use by 5 percent. Enacting such laws near the onset of the crisis in the 1990s could have reduced risky use by 30 percent over time.
Youth opioid use in Canada is increasing, with emergency department visits and deaths rising by 369.2% from 2013 to 2021. Effective treatments such as opioid agonist therapy, psychological therapy, and substance use disorder programs are scarce due to long wait-lists and private funding.
Inpatient care offers a range of supports, from reducing drug use to abstinence, but access is challenging due to long wait-lists. The RE-AIM framework helps evaluate the effectiveness of bed-based care and its capacity to meet population needs.
A new study finds that ChatGPT can provide trustworthy information for pregnant women seeking medical advice on treating opioid use disorder, with over 97% of responses scoring as safe and accurate. The researchers used a persona to frame conversations with the AI, which showed consistency with accepted clinical practice.
The American Heart Association has published updated CPR guidelines that expand recommendations for managing choking and suspected opioid overdose. The guidelines also provide new guidance on treating newborns, with delayed umbilical cord clamping shown to improve blood health and iron levels.
A new multi-institutional study published in Health Science Reports found that adults with newly diagnosed low back pain who received spinal manipulative therapy administered by a chiropractor were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with opioid use disorder over a two-year follow-up compared to those prescribed ibuprofen. The st...
A new study finds that Medicaid unwinding is associated with a decrease in medication treatment for opioid use disorder, with the greatest declines seen in states with large disenrollments. The study's findings have relevance for upcoming Medicaid cuts, which may impact access to life-saving medication for individuals battling addiction.
A recent analysis reveals a modest decline in new and additional opioid prescriptions for patients with cancer from 2016 to 2020. For patients with metastatic cancer, prescribing remained stable for those reporting any pain but declined steeply for those reporting no pain.
The University of Arizona and University of New Mexico received a $43.6 million NIH grant to support translational science and training for early-career researchers. The partnership aims to translate research discoveries into improved patient care, with a focus on substance use disorders and rural health initiatives.
A new clinical trial is testing an intervention to reduce staff stress and improve methadone treatment retention for opioid use disorder. The four-year study will examine the effectiveness of a multi-modal intervention in reducing work-related trauma and traumatic stress symptoms among methadone treatment staff.
A new study highlights the devastating impact of the fentanyl epidemic on certain regions, with some states experiencing a 31-fold increase in overdose deaths. The research estimates that the nationwide toll in 2022 was at least 2 million years of life lost, corresponding to an economic loss of $57 billion to $67 billion.
Nitazenes, a highly potent synthetic opioid, have emerged as a major contributor to the overdose crisis. These substances are often undetectable by routine drug tests and can be mixed into counterfeit pills or other street drugs.