Articles tagged with Drug Abuse
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.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded six researchers $300,000 per year for five years to support innovative studies on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. The Avenir Award Program supports creative individuals who wish to pursue research approaches for improved prevention and treatment.
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.
American physicians with buprenorphine waivers can increase access to effective medication-assisted treatment for heroin and prescription painkiller addiction. The study found a 74% increase in potential access to treatment from 2002 to 2011, reducing rural disparities.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that clinicians are hesitant to prescribe naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdose, due to concerns about its effects and potential risks. Despite its promise as a tool to prevent deaths, logistical challenges and clinician reluctance hinder widespread adoption.
A national study of over 240,000 teens found that prescription stimulant misuse peaks between 16-19 years old. Education programs should start in middle school to prevent such misuse.
A study suggests that consumers often ignore active ingredient labels on OTC medicine boxes, leading to potential overdoses. Participants with medical expertise correctly weighed the risks of combining medications, while those without did not.
A new national poll finds that more U.S. adults are concerned about prescription painkiller abuse than heroin, with nearly four in ten knowing someone who has struggled with addiction. The poll also reveals differing views on government action and treatment coverage, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions to address the crisis.
A high school student's project identifying novel compounds for pain relief won the top NIH Addiction Science Award. The project also analyzed the toxicological effects of e-cigarettes on lung cell viability and the impact of smartphone dependence on stress and anxiety in developing adolescents.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have been awarded a $2.4 million grant to expand development of new pain medications that utilize the same biological target as morphine but with fewer side effects. These new compounds aim to reduce respiratory suppression and persistent constipation associated with current opioid drugs.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that emergency physicians prescribe opioids with caution, aligning with short-term use goals and limiting prescriptions to 3-5 days. The majority of opioid prescriptions had a low pill count and were immediate-release formulations.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that past-year heroin use rose significantly among individuals taking opioids like oxycontin, particularly among Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. The rate of heroin use for non-Hispanic whites increased by 75% in 2008-2011 compared to earlier years.
A new study found that around a third of all deaths in former male prisoners are due to alcohol and substance use, while half of female ex-prisoners also die from similar causes. The study suggests that preventive and therapeutic programmes can significantly reduce the number of deaths from these preventable causes.
The study found a 19% decrease in opioid dispensing and a 20% drop in overdose rates following the introduction of abuse-deterrent extended-release oxycodone hydrochloride. However, heroin overdose rates increased by 23%. The findings suggest that regulatory mandates or voluntary company actions can help stem prescription abuse.
A new study found a 19% drop in prescription opioid supply and a 20% decrease in overdose rates following the introduction of abuse-deterrent OxyContin and propoxyphene's removal from the market. The drop was partially offset by an increase in heroin overdose deaths.
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 study by University of Florida researchers found that the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in Florida led to a 25% decrease in oxycodone-related deaths. The program's database helped healthcare providers monitor controlled substance prescriptions, leading to better prescribing decisions.
A study published in PAIN journal reports that 20-30% of opioid analgesic drugs prescribed for chronic pain are misused, while the rate of opioid addiction is approximately 10%. The researchers note variability in rates across studies and question whether the benefits of opioids for chronic pain outweigh the consequences.
A new study found that teenagers who struggle with anxiety and feel pressure to be popular are at a higher risk of abusing prescription drugs. The researchers recruited teens in shopping malls across the US and asked them about their substance use, finding a strong link between psychological states and prescription drug abuse.
A study by Washington University School of Medicine found that the abuse-deterrent formulation of OxyContin successfully reduced its illicit use, but only temporarily. As a result, many abusers switched to heroin due to cost-effectiveness and increased availability, highlighting the need for addressing the demand side of drug abuse.
A recent literature review reveals that 17 percent of college students misuse ADHD stimulant medications, often to boost academic performance. Misuse can lead to serious health risks and legal jeopardy, with recreational use being extremely dangerous.
A new study found that only 57% of Washington parents knew the legal age for recreational marijuana use, while 49% knew how much marijuana can be legally possessed. The study also revealed that parents' conversations about marijuana laws with their children were infrequent.
A team of researchers from the Karolinska Institute has developed a fully validated and robust screening method for detecting drugs of abuse in exhaled breath using LC-MS. The method is donor-friendly, convenient, and highly sensitive, enabling detection of amphetamines, methamphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, and heroin.
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.
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 recent study found that methamphetamine chronically used by adolescents causes greater brain damage and alterations in the 'executive function' area compared to adults. The research, conducted on South Korean participants, revealed significant changes in gray matter thickness and white matter integrity in adolescent users.
The NIH's 2015 Avant-Garde Awards highlight five groundbreaking projects tackling prevention, immune system dysfunction, and drug use disorders. Researchers aim to develop novel therapies and strategies to combat HIV/AIDS in substance users.
Researchers will investigate gut leakage in HIV patients, leading to systemic inflammation and organ damage. They aim to determine if gut repair improves overall health.
A study by the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that cocaine's addictive potential is linked to a second brain mechanism involving glial cells and Toll Like Receptor 4. Blocking this mechanism could lead to a new drug treatment for cocaine addiction.
A new study reveals that participants in overdose education programs are predominantly mothers who financially support their addicted children and witness overdose events. These findings suggest that community-based initiatives targeting these groups could be effective in preventing drug overdose deaths.
Scientists develop a new approach to combat cocaine addiction by using a modified bacterial protein to trigger an immune system response. The strategy has shown promise in animal studies, offering hope for the creation of effective vaccines against drug abuse.
A National Institutes of Health white paper found little to no evidence for the effectiveness of opioid drugs in treating long-term chronic pain, despite their widespread use. The study's findings suggest that many studies used to justify prescription were poorly conducted or of insufficient duration.
A new report by an independent panel found that evidence-based approaches to treating chronic pain are lacking, with no existing algorithm for determining the best treatment approach. The panel recommends multidisciplinary care incorporating patients' perspectives and emphasizes the need for more research on opioids and other treatments.
The 2014 Monitoring the Future survey shows declining rates of teen prescription opioid abuse, cigarette smoking, and certain illicit drug use. However, e-cigarette use among teens is high and concerns remain about its health effects.
Research suggests that occasional heroin use among HIV-positive patients can lead to lower CD4 cell counts, indicating a weakened immune system. This preliminary study found that intermittent heroin users had lower CD4 counts compared to those who consistently abused the drug.
A study published in Liver Transplantation found that liver transplant recipients with limited literacy struggle to understand and adhere to their medication regimens, resulting in higher rates of organ rejection and graft loss. The study suggests that improving treatment knowledge and regimen use can reduce post-transplant re-hospital...
Researchers found that tramadol use was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for hypoglycemia, especially in the first 30 days. The study analyzed data from over 334,000 patients and found that tramadol was linked to a higher risk of severe hypoglycemia compared to codeine.
A survey of primary care physicians suggests a decrease in opioid prescriptions, with 58% reporting reduced prescribing habits. The study highlights the growing concern among doctors about the risks of prescription opioid use, including addiction and death by overdose.
Most primary care physicians believe prescription drug abuse is a significant problem in their communities and that opioids are often overused to treat pain. As a result, many have decreased their prescribing of these products over the past year.
New research finds nearly half of all children in the US are exposed to at least one traumatic experience, increasing risk of negative long-term health consequences. Training parents and communities to help children cope with trauma may soften the blows and lead to later success.
A new study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) increases brain activation to natural healthy pleasures, reducing opioid cravings. Participants who received eight weeks of MORE instruction exhibited increased brain activity in response to enjoyable experiences.
The study will enroll 200 Rhode Island Family Court-involved girls between 12-18 in either VOICES, a gender-responsive program or other community-based services. Researchers aim to identify the program's effect on reducing drug use and sexual risk behaviors.
A study of over 2,700 teens found that those prescribed anti-anxiety or sleep medications were 10-12 times more likely to abuse them than those who never received a prescription. The risk was higher for white, female, and long-term prescribers.
Researchers found that teens prescribed anxiety or sleep medications during their lifetime were 12 times more likely to misuse those drugs than those who had never been prescribed. The study also highlighted the risk of overdose when these medications are mixed with narcotics or alcohol.
A month-long residential program with strong linkage to community-based follow-up care enabled almost 30% of opioid-dependent participants to remain abstinent a year later. This study suggests that abstinence-focused, 12-step residential treatment may be a viable alternative to outpatient approaches for young adults.
Researchers found that even brief oxycodone exposure can impair cognitive flexibility in rats, leading to maladaptive decision-making. The study suggests that this 'cognitive hangover' may contribute to drug addiction.
Researchers have confirmed a critical brain reward pathway involving glutamate, linking it to the activation of the dopamine system. This discovery sheds light on the neurobiology of drug addiction and opens new avenues for research into motivation disorders.
A recent study developed an AAV-based medication that offers substantial protective effects for patients attempting to cease methamphetamine use. The treatment, which tightly binds and sequesters meth away from its sites of action in the brain, is non-addicting and suitable for use in combination with existing behavioral therapies.
A new study by Yale University researchers found that buprenorphine maintenance therapy is more effective than detoxification in treating patients with prescription opioid dependence. Patients who received ongoing buprenorphine were less likely to use illicit opiates and had better treatment outcomes.
A study by Case Western Reserve University's social work school found that many women in poverty struggle to drop users in their lives, making it difficult to establish new networks of non-using friends and supporters. The researchers identified relationships in the network as a key factor in whether women used drugs or not.
A commentary cautions against using experimental Ebola drugs without proper triage to minimize risks. Meanwhile, health economists highlight a major flaw in the FDA's cost-benefit analysis of proposed cigarette labeling regulations. Additionally, a national study reveals that medical residents have varying levels of knowledge on High V...
The University of Chicago has established a national Center of Excellence to study the genetics of drug abuse in rats, using genome-wide association studies and behavioral research. The center aims to shed light on the genes behind drug addiction and explore potential therapeutic interventions.
A new study found that state policies can increase access to heroin treatment by promoting the use of buprenorphine. States with specific guidance and clinical guidelines for buprenorphine treatment had more physicians licensed to prescribe the drug.
A new study in the European Journal of Neuroscience found that oxycodone increases dopamine levels more significantly than morphine, potentially making it more addictive. The study aims to better understand addiction and inform treatment for pain relief.
A study led by Atika Khurana found that adolescents with strong working memory are less likely to engage in impulsive drug-use behaviors. Weaknesses in executive functioning often underlie self-control issues in children as young as 3 years old, making targeted interventions crucial for early prevention.
The NIH/NCCAM initiative aims to enhance options for managing pain and associated problems in US military personnel, veterans, and their families. The research will focus on nondrug approaches to address chronic pain, PTSD, drug abuse, and sleep issues.
A new RAND Corporation study found that only about one quarter of commercially-insured children treated for ADHD also receive psychotherapy, with significant variation in receipt of talk therapy across counties. The study highlights the need for improved access to behavioral therapy for children with ADHD.
The study aims to test a collaborative care intervention to improve chronic opioid therapy management and reduce prescription opioid misuse among HIV-infected patients. Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine hope to develop an effective model that can be adopted nationwide.
A NYU study found that young adult non-medical prescription opioid users are at high risk for overdose due to their lack of knowledge about overdose awareness, avoidance, and response strategies. The study highlights the need for education about naloxone and overdose prevention services for this population.
A new NYU study found that teen alcohol consumption is linked to unsafe driving and compromised relationships with peers, while marijuana consumption compromises relationships with authority figures. Marijuana use also leads to lower school or job performance and increased regret.