Articles tagged with Heroin
A new study from Tulane University found that 22 states have prohibited prior authorization for opioid use disorder medications, making it easier for people to get potentially life-saving treatment. This trend signals a positive shift in state legislative efforts to address the opioid crisis, with more states removing barriers to care.
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.
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.
Researchers detected traces of nitazene in discarded injecting equipment and syringes in Adelaide, Australia. Nitazenes led to 32 overdose deaths with 84% of patients unaware of the synthetic opioid's presence.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that opioid consumption intensity varies enormously across different populations and contexts. The study suggests that tracking average intensities of use could improve our understanding of consumption patterns and inform drug policy and treatment strategies.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University found that illegally manufactured fentanyl primarily enters the US via counties along the Canadian border. The analysis revealed these counties accounted for over 40% of large fentanyl seizures in 2023-2024, despite comprising only 3.1% of the national population. This finding undermines eff...
A JAMA Psychiatry study recommends increasing contingency management incentives to improve opioid addiction recovery outcomes. The research team suggests using evidence-based incentive amounts, such as $128 per week for vouchers or $55 per week for prizes over 12 weeks, to effectively reduce stimulant and/or opioid use.
A new study found that almost all Medicaid managed care plans (MCPs) cover at least one form of naloxone, with 94% covering generic injectables or 4-mg nasal sprays. However, certain restrictions and quantity limits may prevent people from accessing this life-saving drug.
A pilot program was conducted in South Africa to provide harm reduction and medications for opioid use disorder among people living with HIV and illicit opioid use. The study found low uptake of medication-assisted treatment after release, citing perceived ineffectiveness and delays in initiation.
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.
The US opioid epidemic has shifted its epicenter from the Northwest to the East, with a significant increase in fentanyl-related deaths. The study found that populations affected by substance use disorder have changed over time, with Black communities now disproportionately affected.
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.
A cross-sectional study found increasing concentrations of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine in urine specimens from 2013 to 2023, highlighting a shift in illicit substance use patterns. Heroin concentration decreased during this period, emphasizing the need for updated surveillance initiatives and treatment strategies.
A recent study found that synthetic opioid drug overdoses are becoming increasingly common in Australia, particularly due to the presence of fentanyl. The researchers highlighted the need for safe consumption spaces and increased awareness about the risks of fentanyl contamination.
A new study found that the elimination of a federal waiver requirement increased the number of clinicians prescribing buprenorphine, but didn't lead to a sharp rise in patient treatment. By December 2023, over 53,600 clinicians had prescribed buprenorphine, but numbers remained stable compared to 2022.
A new study published in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine reveals that smartphone swabs can successfully detect drugs on phone surfaces. The method, which uses dry swabs, identified MDMA, cocaine, and THC as the most common substances, with other drugs including ketamine, LSD, and heroin also detected.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed highly accurate DNA aptamers for detecting cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. The sensors can detect trace amounts of these drugs, even when mixed with other substances, offering a significant improvement over existing tests.
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.
A new study by Columbia University researchers indicates that patients with expanded methadone access during the COVID pandemic are not more likely to overdose or drop out of care. The findings suggest that more flexible policies could help improve access to this life-saving treatment and close gaps in care.
A 20-year Australian study found no evidence that cannabis reduces illicit opioid use, and its effectiveness in managing opioid crisis is uncertain. The researchers suggest that clinicians and policymakers should exercise caution when relying on cannabis as a solution.
Researchers have developed a handheld device called MicroNIR that can accurately identify and quantify suspected drug specimens. The device has been shown to be highly accurate, correctly predicting the identity of suspected drugs over 95% of the time.
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.
Researchers at the University of Montana are developing vaccines to prevent fentanyl and heroin drug overdoses. The first vaccine will target heroin, followed by a fentanyl vaccine in Phase I clinical trials. The vaccines aim to elicit antibodies against target opioids while sparing critical medications used in opioid addiction treatment.
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 study reveals that over 80% of people who inject drugs in New York City test positive for fentanyl, but only 18% intend to take it intentionally. The research suggests that widespread use of fentanyl among this population may be driving overdose risk and tolerance development.
Researchers at MUSC identified changes in pyramidal neurons contributing to drug seeking. Inhibiting enzyme protein kinase A restored normal function and reduced opioid-seeking behavior.
Overdose mortality among people aged 65 and older has quadrupled, driven by illicit drugs like fentanyl, heroin, and synthetic opioids. Researchers call for updated Medicare coverage and harm reduction supplies to curb the trend.
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.
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.
A new study published in International Journal of Drug Policy found that widespread naloxone access is not associated with an increase in adolescent lifetime heroin or injection drug use. The research suggests that naloxone expansion may actually lead to decreases in heroin and IDU rates among adolescents.
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 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 research team developed a vaccine targeting synthetic opioid fentanyl to block its entry into the brain, preventing fatal effects. The breakthrough could have major implications for treating Opioid Use Disorder, with potential relapse prevention capabilities.
Researchers have isolated an effective monoclonal antibody that targets heroin, blocking its painkilling effect and overdose deaths in mice. The findings suggest that targeting heroin itself is more effective than its metabolites, paving the way for a new therapy.
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 new study by Northwestern University predicts a worsening wave of opioid overdoses globally, with no geographic distinction between rural and urban areas. The lethal combination of synthetic opioids and stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines will be particularly deadly.
A new study finds that large-scale HIV screening and peer support successfully reduced uncontrolled HIV in people who inject drugs by 40% in Haiphong, Vietnam. The intervention improved HIV identification and care among this at-risk population.
A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health issues and changed drug use behaviors in rural Illinois residents, leading to a higher risk of overdose. The study suggests that structural and community factors during the pandemic increased anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and altered drug use patterns.
Adults who have used psilocybin are 30% less likely to develop opioid use disorder, according to a nationally representative survey. Psilocybin use is also associated with reduced symptoms of opioid dependence and abuse.
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology-developed nasal spray has been tested on over 200 acute overdose patients, restoring breathing in 80% of cases within 10 minutes. The study's findings suggest the nasal spray provides enough antidote for patients to breathe on their own while minimizing the risk of triggering abstinence.
The number of fentanyl-containing pill seizures surged nearly 50-fold between 2018 and 2021, highlighting the growing risk for people new to drug use. The rise in overdose deaths is largely driven by illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
Law enforcement seizures of fentanyl-laced pills have surged dramatically, with over 2 million confiscated in the last quarter of 2021. The number of people at risk includes those who buy counterfeit pills of common drugs like benzodiazepines or painkillers.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that only 5.4% of individuals with opioid use disorder received treatment as part of their criminal justice involvement. The study also identified predictors of treatment access for justice-involved individuals, including demographics and substance use severity.
The study found significant gaps in naloxone access and distribution across the US, with state-specific needs varying by epidemic type and distribution pathways. Community-based and pharmacy-initiated access points were more effective in reducing fatal opioid overdoses.
The opioid crisis in the US has reached epidemic levels, with over 100,000 drug overdose deaths reported for the first time. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attributes the rise to abuse of synthetic opioid fentanyl and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pharmacy standing orders led to a significant increase in naloxone dispensing in Massachusetts, but gaps in access persist in rural communities and Hispanic neighborhoods. Communities with higher rates of opioid overdose deaths and buprenorphine treatment also dispensed more naloxone.
A new study suggests that increased access to naloxone has not changed people's perception of the risks associated with heroin use. Researchers found that individuals who used heroin and those living in areas with easy or restricted access to naloxone both perceived heroin as a high-risk substance.
A new study published in Addiction found that expanding naloxone access laws in the US did not contribute to reductions in perceived risk of heroin use. The research used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and found no correlation between naloxone access and perceptions of heroin risk.
Researchers investigated whether hospital admission and discharge are associated with increased risk of fatal drug overdoses. The study found that the first two days after hospital discharge is a critical moment for people who use illicit opioids.
A Rutgers-led study found that medically treated opioid overdoses in New Jersey Medicaid beneficiaries increased by over 300% from 2014-2019, driven primarily by heroin and synthetic opioids. The study also revealed high rates of co-occurring conditions such as depression, hepatitis C, and alcoholism among those who suffered overdose
A new study recommends making methadone more widely available through office-based visits with primary care physicians to improve access and convenience for patients with opioid use disorder. This could reduce transportation costs and enhance treatment retention rates, but further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
A new study found that US recreational cannabis legalization is associated with a 9.2% decrease in street/illegal cannabis prices, a 64% increase in heroin prices, and a 54% increase in heroin potency. The study also showed a significant decrease in law enforcement seizures of street/illegal cannabis and other drugs.
A recent study by Syracuse University and Pennsylvania State University reveals that unmarried young adults without children are mostly likely to misuse opioids. The researchers found that the presence of children in the household is associated with lower probabilities of prescription opioid and heroin use, especially among those who h...
A new study from the University of Illinois found that Illinois high school students who use opioids are also more likely to engage in other forms of substance misuse, have mental health concerns, and experience bullying. The researchers analyzed data from over 230,000 students and identified three main profiles of individuals reportin...
A study reveals that xylazine, a non-opioid sedative, is implicated in nearly a third of fatal overdoses involving heroin and/or fentanyl in Philadelphia. The substance has been increasingly appearing in the illicit drug supply across the US.
A University of Michigan study found that nearly one-third of students who reported misusing prescription opioids as high school seniors later used heroin by age 35. The research also showed a significant increase in heroin use among individuals with a history of prescription opioid misuse, contributing to the opioid epidemic.
Researchers found that heroin use alters the expression of the FYN gene, which regulates Tau production and is associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The study suggests that FYN inhibitors may be a promising therapeutic tool for opioid addiction.
Opioids were responsible for the majority of overdose deaths in Nordic countries, with heroin being the main cause in Norway and Sweden. The overdose mortality rate has leveled off over the years, but remains higher than twice the European average, highlighting a need for continued measures to reduce drug-related harms.