Articles tagged with Drug Abuse
The National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) will generate critically needed information about new drug trends in specific locations around the country. NDEWS will utilize social media and other innovative technologies to identify emerging drugs and trends, providing real-time information to experts and interested citizens.
A study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that marijuana-dependent individuals' brains respond differently to drug-related cues compared to non-dependent users. The research used fMRI scans to reveal altered brain activity patterns, which may inform tailored addiction treatment strategies.
According to a new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine, nearly all emergency patients who reported using any drug other than marijuana had problem drug use. The study found that 46.6% of cannabis users met the criteria for having a drug problem, with most also showing signs of addiction and substance abuse.
Researchers estimate that at least 60% of sildenafil consumed in the Netherlands is not from prescribed sources, with potential for widespread misuse of rogue online pharmacies
Researchers discovered a new form of neurotransmission involving acid-sensitive ion channels (ASICs) that influence addiction-related behavior. Targeting ASIC activity may lead to new therapies for treating drug addiction.
Researchers have created a compact, backpack-sized device that can analyze cocaine and its metabolite in urine samples in under 15 minutes. The device uses microfluidic technology and small mass spectrometer to provide highly accurate and sensitive results comparable to laboratory tests.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that blocking NMDA receptors with ketamine can elicit rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The study suggests that this fundamental difference between ketamine and memantine could lead to a new class of drugs with fewer side effects.
A new Northwestern Medicine study finds that delinquency in youth, particularly females, significantly increases the risk of violent death in adulthood. The study reveals that female delinquents are nearly five times more likely to die violently than the general population.
Scientists have developed a new method to analyze sewage and track levels of illicit drug use in local communities in real time. This study found cocaine and byproducts from opioids and hallucinogenic drugs in 93% of untreated wastewater samples.
A recent review in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that marijuana use is associated with increased risks of addiction, impaired critical thinking and memory functions, and lower IQ in teens. The study also highlights the need for physicians to convey to families the potential health consequences of early marijuana use.
A recent NIH preclinical study suggests that even moderate doses of MDMA can be deadly in rats exposed to hot, crowded social settings. The study identifies the therapeutically-relevant cooling mechanism to counteract MDMA-induced hyperthermia.
A new study reveals that marijuana users are more likely to experience sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep and feeling daytime sleepiness. The association is strongest in adults who started marijuana use before age 15, with those who began early being twice as likely to struggle with severe sleep issues.
A CDC report documents outbreaks of infections caused by health care providers stealing or tampering with patients' medications. Over 100 infections and nearly 30,000 patients have been potentially exposed to bloodborne or bacterial pathogens over the past decade.
A nationwide survey reveals that heroin users are attracted to the drug for its lower cost and ease of use compared to prescription painkillers. The study found that most people switching to heroin began with OxyContin or other opioids, highlighting a significant shift in the US heroin market.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry analyzed heroin use patterns from 1970 to 2014, revealing significant changes in demographics. The findings indicate that heroin users are becoming increasingly young, urban, and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, reflecting broader societal trends.
A new online training module improved medical student clinical skills in evaluating chronic pain, with 93% of exposed students passing an exam compared to 60% of non-exposed students. The module is the first curriculum resource created through the NIH Pain Consortium's Centers of Excellence in Pain Education program.
The NIH has awarded $500,000 per year for five years to Drs. Stephen Waggoner, Heinrich Gottlinger, and Melanie Ott to research strengthening the immune system's ability to fight HIV infection and improving long-term immune health in HIV-infected drug users.
A study by Henry Ford Health found that 77 percent of super-frequent ED users have a substance abuse addiction. Researchers also discovered that pain-relief narcotics were the most commonly abused substances among women. Implementing case management strategies and funding for substance abuse programs may help alleviate the problem.
A high school student's project found significant increases in nicotine on surfaces after vaping, even if the user wasn't exposed to the e-cigarette. The study also explored cognitive control in multitaskers and identified potential medications for various diseases.
Participants in a 12-week pilot program received monthly naltrexone injections and set their own treatment goals, resulting in decreases in alcohol craving (33%), consumption (25-34%), and problems associated with alcohol use (60%). The counseling approach was non-judgmental and focused on participants' individual goals.
Researchers found extended-release Naltrexone to be more effective than other medications in reducing substance abuse and hospital admissions. The medication offers significant savings due to lower healthcare utilization costs.
A recent review warns of the dangers of smart drugs on young people's developing brains, highlighting the potential for long-term impairments and decreased brain plasticity. Methylphenidate and modafinil, two popular smart drugs, have been found to cause these effects in young brains.
A study found that parental disapproval is associated with lower rates of prescription drug misuse, particularly in African American and Hispanic teens. Strong parental disapproval of substance use was a stronger factor for these groups than peer attitudes.
A study of over 80,000 patients found that antipsychotic medication reduced violent crime rates by 45%, while mood stabilisers lowered rates by 24%. The findings suggest that these medications can help prevent violence in patients with psychiatric disorders.
Vital medications for treating opioid addiction are underutilized in addiction treatment services, but HHS agencies are working to encourage their use. Medications can be used with behavior therapies to help drug users recover and remain drug-free.
The report highlights the importance of sharing prescription monitoring data with third-party payers to detect inappropriate prescribing and dispensing, ultimately reducing opioid abuse and deaths. The recommendations aim to enhance insurer capabilities in monitoring prescribing patterns and improving patient safety.
A recent study published in The ANNALS found that more than 30% of undocumented migrant laborers are victims of labor trafficking, while 55% experience other forms of labor abuse. The research highlights the importance of improving working conditions for vulnerable workers and addressing the root causes of exploitation.
A Northwestern University study reveals that casual marijuana use is associated with significant brain abnormalities in emotion and motivation regions. The degree of abnormalities is directly related to the number of joints used per week, suggesting a potential link between recreational marijuana use and negative consequences.
A new study from the University of Vermont aims to provide timely access to effective treatment for Vermont's waited-listed opioid-dependent individuals. The treatment 'package' involves five key components, including buprenorphine maintenance therapy and innovative technology for safe medication administration.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute receive $472,500 grant to study impact of pain medication exposure in womb on developing brain. The two-year study will use rodent models to understand how subtle changes in brain wiring might lead to later changes in behavior.
A Wayne State University professor has received a nearly $1.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate proteasome and parkin as potential pharmaceutical drug targets for treating methamphetamine-abuse related neurotoxicity.
Researchers found that joining a gang in adolescence significantly increases risk of incarceration, receiving illegal income, and struggling with drug abuse in adulthood. Former gang members were also more likely to have lower education levels and poorer health.
Researchers found that opioid prescriptions stabilized after tripling between 1999 and 2008, but the impact of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) varies significantly by state. Nine states showed significant decreases, while eight experienced increases in MMEs dispensed per capita.
Two studies found that homosexuals and bisexuals are more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence, with a risk compounded by childhood abuse. Non-heterosexual victims were also more likely to experience substance abuse and health issues compared to heterosexual victims.
Research examining opioid painkiller use reveals that individuals initially obtain medications from friends and relatives, but as usage increases, prescriptions from physicians become a common source. The study emphasizes the importance of judicious prescribing practices to curb serious health issues.
A study by New York University finds that high school seniors, normally at low risk for marijuana use, reported intention to try marijuana if legal. The researchers anticipate a 5.6% absolute increase in lifetime prevalence among this age group.
A new study of 11,000 teenagers found that combining school-based Life Skills Training with home-based Strengthening Families program significantly reduced prescription drug abuse rates by 10%. The six-year study also identified the most cost-effective programs, with Life Skills Training costing just $15 per child.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has released new resources to help parents, healthcare providers, and treatment specialists address teen substance abuse. The guides cover treatment approaches, screening tools, and evidence-based practices, highlighting the unique challenges faced by adolescents in addressing drug use.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found a wide range of dangers associated with synthetic marijuana use. The substance has been linked to altered mental status, irregular heartbeat, seizures, and breathing difficulties, resulting in over 263 emergency room visits in Colorado alone.
A new NIH study reveals that individuals with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are more likely to engage in substance use, especially cigarette smoking. Protective factors typically associated with lower substance use rates do not exist in those with severe mental illness.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that heavy marijuana users had abnormal changes in their brain structures related to working memory, performing poorly on memory tasks. The study suggests that chronic marijuana use may contribute to changes in brain structure associated with schizophrenia and potentially impair motivation.
The 2013 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey found that one in eight students took prescription opioids recreationally, while 14% reported driving under the influence of cannabis. Hazardous drinking among youth remains a concern, with 8% reporting injuries or harming others while intoxicated.
A new study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that smokers addicted to cocaine or methamphetamine can quit smoking while being treated for their stimulant addiction. The study showed that treating tobacco addiction may reduce negative health consequences and improve substance use disorder treatment outcomes.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that police activities in Thailand, including urine drug testing and coercive tactics, may lead to riskier behaviors among people who inject drugs. The study, conducted in Bangkok, highlighted the need for better integration of public health policy with policing activity.
The American College of Physicians recommends clinical and administrative changes to deter prescription drug abuse while maintaining patient access to treatment. The guidelines advocate for physician, patient, and public education on the harms of medical and nonmedical use of prescription drugs.
Researchers found that oxycodone is the most popular drug due to its high quality, while hydrocodone remains a favorite despite lower euphoric qualities. Hydrocodone's popularity stems from its affordability, ease of access, and perceived safety, making it an attractive option for risk-averse users.
Researchers at Mount Sinai found long-term cocaine abuse linked to deficits in parts of the brain monitoring behavior, suggesting targeted treatments based on quantifiable biological abnormalities. The study's findings challenge clinical assumptions about addicted individuals' motivations and behaviors.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Josѐ A. Vazquez emphasizes the need for improved education on antibiotic use to combat multidrug-resistant organisms. The overuse of antibiotics in hospitals and communities contributes to resistance, which can spread through casual encounters.
A survey of 6,725 Swiss university students reveals that around 13.8% have tried neuroenhancement with prescription medication or drugs at least once during their degrees. The most commonly used substances were alcohol and methylphenidate.
Research suggests that nicotine withdrawal is driven by a specific group of neurons in the interpeduncular nucleus. Therapies targeting these cells may help people quit smoking. The findings also hint at potential interactions with other substance-use disorders.
Studies suggest novel therapies for nicotine and heroin addiction are effective, with magnetic stimulation helping smokers quit and reducing rats' motivation to take heroin. Chronic pain also increases the risk of overdose among people with addiction, according to research findings presented at Neuroscience 2013.
Novel therapies for nicotine and heroin addiction show promise, while research reveals underlying brain mechanisms driving compulsive disorders like addiction and pathological gambling. Understanding these processes may lead to non-pharmaceutical interventions and new treatment approaches.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that people with drug-related criminal records in Norway have a significantly higher mortality rate, up to 15 times higher than those with no record. The study also found that even prisoners without substance abuse problems had nearly twice the mortality rate of non-offender populations.
A new study by Indiana University researchers found that access to healthcare in counties with more dentists and pharmacists is associated with higher rates of opioid abuse. The study concludes that the structure of local healthcare systems plays a key role in determining community-level access to opioids.
A study found that teenagers in the child welfare system have a higher risk of abusing marijuana, inhalants, and other drugs compared to their counterparts outside the system. Parental involvement is a key factor in reducing this risk, with youth who feel supported by parents being less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors.
A new University of Michigan study finds that 10.4% of teens and young adults treated in the emergency room admitted to misusing prescription painkillers or sedatives at least once in the last year. The study suggests that emergency departments could be an effective setting for screening and intervening early before problems arise.
Researchers discovered that the extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is activated in specific brain areas after exposure to addictive drugs. The study suggests that ERK activation is necessary for long-term synaptic plasticity and may be a suitable target for therapeutic interventions.
Researchers found that the extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is activated in response to chronic drug use and plays a key role in long-lasting behavioral adaptations. ERK activation can be prevented by pharmacological blockade, suggesting a potential target for treating addiction.
A study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine finds that doctors abuse prescription drugs primarily for 'self-medication' to manage physical or emotional pain, stress, and psychiatric symptoms. The study highlights the importance of addressing self-medication as a key reason for prescription drug abuse among physicians.
A new study found that even long-term abstinence from cocaine does not result in a complete normalization of brain circuitry. Former cocaine users showed differences in reward processing and impulsivity compared to healthy controls, indicating pre-existing risk factors for addiction.