Articles tagged with Substance Related Disorders
Chronic alcohol consumption alters endocannabinoid gene expression in reward- and decision-related brain regions, offering insights into addiction biology. This study reveals changes in CB1 and CB2 receptor genes, as well as GPR55 and FAAH enzymes, potentially leading to targeted therapeutic strategies.
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 University of California San Diego study tracks opioid misuse risk using smartwatch signals and machine learning. The system estimates heart rate variability to detect high-risk states like stress, pain, and craving.
A new study uses AI to predict substance use disorder-defining behaviors with high accuracy, providing a tool for clinicians to assess patients and offer timely treatment. The system utilizes concepts familiar in economics to evaluate human judgments and identify the type of substance used and severity of addiction.
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.
Research identifies reduction in recovery focus as most prevalent and potent contributor to long-term relapse, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and proactive interventions. The study highlights the need for integrated biopsychosocial disease-management models to address complex relapse risk factors.
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 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 preclinical study shows that cannabidiol restores emotional behavior, reduces alcohol-related vulnerability, and reverses gut microbiota alterations caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Female mice particularly benefited from CBD treatment, which normalized their emotional alterations and eliminated vulnerability to alcohol addiction.
A study funded by the National Cancer Institute aims to test a low-cost intervention using future-focused thoughts to help people quit smoking. The project will examine the effectiveness of episodic future thinking in reducing impulsivity and promoting healthier choices.
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.
A study published by Michigan Medicine suggests that AI can help increase the chance of people with risky drinking patterns or signs of alcohol use disorder getting outreach and help. The NLP tool analyzed full text of health records and identified over 47,500 patients with some sign of risky drinking.
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.
Research reveals that exposure to addictive drugs like fentanyl and ketamine affects the behavior and survival rates of oyster larvae. The study found that after two weeks of exposure, survival declined in all treatments and doses, with benzoylecgonine causing the greatest reduction.
A WSU study found that reducing activity in a neural circuit drives relapse after opioid use. The team used chemogenetics and optogenetic approaches to reduce heroin-seeking behavior, with the latter being nearly twice as effective.
Dr. Eric J. Nestler's research has fundamentally reshaped global understanding of addiction and depression by focusing on resilience rather than pathology. His laboratory identified distinct molecular, cellular, and circuit changes in resilient brains that maintain normal behavioral function despite exposure to drugs or stress.
Astrocytic glutamine synthetase plays a key role in regulating glutamate signaling, contributing to nicotine-induced brain changes and locomotor sensitization. A custom-designed peptide inhibits this process, demonstrating the importance of astrocyte communication in nicotine addiction.
A new review of 'Dry January' found that even a short break from alcohol can lead to meaningful physical and psychological improvements. Participants reported improved sleep, better mood, weight loss, and healthier liver function.
A recent study found that over 70% of pregnant women consume alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks, primarily for safety reasons. However, many feel there is a need for clearer information and support on the suitability of these alternatives during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
A population-based study found that exposure to cannabis retail stores was associated with increased rates of harm, particularly in neighborhoods with higher store densities. The American College of Physicians recommends that managed care strategies prioritize improving health outcomes over cost control.
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.
A new compound MCH11, a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, shows promising effects in reducing alcohol consumption and motivation to drink in mice. The molecule exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant properties with sex-dependent efficacy, correcting genetic alterations associated with alcohol use disorder.
Researchers developed two risk prediction models to estimate the risk of death and illicit drug overdose in patients discharged against medical advice. Multimorbidity, heart disease, cancer, homelessness, and opioid use disorder were strong predictors of death and overdose, respectively.
A US study found that nicotine vaping nearly doubled among adolescents who vaped between 2020 and 2024, with a significant increase in daily users struggling to quit. The researchers aimed to understand the 'hardening' of youth vapers, describing a worsening addiction pattern.
A new $4 million grant will support the establishment of a health economics research facility to evaluate and compare the economic value of available interventions in the criminal-legal system. The researchers aim to develop tools and resources for policymakers to identify strategic investments in substance use disorder care.
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.
A new study reveals how prenatal alcohol exposure impairs key brain cells and circuits, leading to cognitive inflexibility and increased risk of compulsive alcohol use. Researchers identified a specific brain cell affected by early alcohol exposure, providing a clear target for developing more effective treatments of FASD.
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.
The research aims to develop an intervention for incarcerated people to address the challenge of engaging with MOUD treatment after release. Massachusetts has received federal approval for a Section 1115 waiver to provide Medicaid benefits to incarcerated individuals, expanding access to healthcare and support services.
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.
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 study published in CMAJ shows a decline in opioid dispensing between 2018 and 2022, but regional variations remain. The authors highlight the need for coordinated national strategies to address differing implementation of prescribing guidelines.
A Cochrane review suggests that switching to oral nicotine pouches from smoking reduces exposure to harmful substances, but the evidence is not yet clear on whether they can help people quit smoking. The review also notes that other nicotine products, like patches and gums, are beneficial for quitting smoking.
A study of 200 Chilean women released from prison found that those with substance use disorders had higher rates of recidivism, reincarceration, and victimization. The researchers also found that pre-release screening missed many women with severe symptoms, highlighting the need for improved mental health care services.
A new study suggests that psychological cessation fatigue is a key factor in smoking relapse among ex-smokers. The study found that exhaustion from constantly trying to remain a non-smoker can overwhelm coping skills and motivation, leading to increased risk of relapse.
The analysis explores how reduced fentanyl production costs affect the structure and conduct of the illegal opioid supply industry. It also assesses potential consequences for drug law enforcement organizations, finding modest declines in expenditures and income-generating crime.
Researchers investigate ADHD medications' impact on serious substance use problems among vulnerable youth and young adults. The study uses nationwide healthcare data to analyze over 3.3 million young people and aims to provide clear, evidence-based answers for families and clinicians.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers shows that a non-drug wearable device can help people with substance use disorders manage stress, reduce cravings, and lower their risk of relapse in real time. The device uses heart rate variability biofeedback to prompt users to practice breathing exercises and regulate their mood.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine conducted a scoping review on AI-driven systems designed to deliver motivational interviewing. The study found that most used AI tools were chatbots, with varying levels of fidelity to core principles like empathy and autonomy.
A new MUSC study found that machine learning can analyze brain activity images to identify smokers most likely to benefit from targeted rTMS sessions, leading to improved effectiveness and reduced side effects. The research uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to detect changes in blood flow and measure brain activity.
Interdisciplinary primary care teams in Oregon's Project Nurture and Nurture Oregon model deliver comprehensive substance use disorder care to pregnant individuals. These teams perform medical, behavioral health, and coordination functions, providing social support, advocacy, and quality improvement activities.
A new study published in PLOS One finds that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is more effective than moderate exercise in making adolescent lab animals avoid cocaine. The researchers observed a dose-dependent effect on the brain's reward circuit, leading to increased aversion to the drug.
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.
A new study suggests that contingency management, which uses cash or gift certificate prizes as incentives, can reduce the risk of death among veterans with stimulant use disorder. The study found a 41% lower risk of death in veterans who received contingency management care compared to those who didn't.
A NIH-funded study found that individuals receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) while incarcerated had higher treatment engagement rates six months after release. The study also showed a significant reduction in fatal and non-fatal overdose deaths, as well as reincarceration rates.
Researchers found that state Medicaid policies drive population-level treatment rates for opioid-use disorder. States with expanded Medicaid coverage saw substantial increases in buprenorphine prescribing rates, while those without expansion experienced declining treatment rates after 2022.
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.
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.
A new guideline from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care provides a menu of effective options to help people quit smoking, including behavioural and medication options. The guideline aims to address the challenges of nicotine addiction and offers personalized choices for quitting tobacco.
A study investigated approach/avoidance tendencies in male AUD patients through a gait initiation task, using posturography. The findings suggest that analyzing micromovements and reaction times may help predict if individuals will relapse following treatment.
Adults who quit smoking were more likely to achieve sustained remission of substance use disorder symptoms. The analysis found a 42% greater odds of recovery when quitting smoking was combined with addiction recovery efforts.
The study examines the effects of broader criminal justice reforms on public health and safety. It found little evidence that Measure 110 was responsible for rising crime or overdose deaths, but rather attributed these trends to the COVID-19 pandemic and fentanyl emergence.
A UTEP study found that drinking coffee at night increases impulsive behavior in fruit flies, particularly females. The researchers discovered that caffeine consumed after dark led to reckless flying despite aversive conditions, suggesting potential negative implications for shift workers and others who consume coffee late.
A new study by Mass General Brigham found that states with flavored e-cigarette ban policies experienced a significant decline in e-cigarette use among young adults and adults, but a slower decrease in cigarette smoking rates. This mixed impact raises concerns about the unintended consequences of flavor bans.
A Rutgers-led study of nearly 12,000 youth found that genetic predispositions, brain structure, personality traits, and environmental conditions contribute to the onset and progression of adolescent alcohol use. The research highlights the importance of early interventions targeting high-risk youth.
Researchers have developed a new measurement method to accurately quantify allergy-triggering proteins (ATIs) in barley. Analyzing over 180 barley accessions from around the world, they identified ten barley-specific ATI types for the first time, revealing varying content between 1.1 and 5.2 milligrams per gram of flour.