Articles tagged with Drug Abuse
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 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.
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.
The University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work has received a $1.25 million NIH grant to study the long-term impact of heroin use on health and behavior. The grant will support innovative virtual reality research, as well as programs to promote underrepresented researchers and provide prevention services.
Researchers developed an app that measures tremor strength using iPods, enabling clinicians to objectively assess patients' symptoms. The app's accuracy matches that of junior physicians and senior doctors, potentially improving treatment for alcohol withdrawal patients worldwide.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Engineering have successfully reprogrammed yeast cells to produce opioids in stainless steel vats, eliminating the need for poppy cultivation. The breakthrough could lead to reliable manufacture of essential medicines while mitigating diversion to illegal use.
A Purdue University study found that peer associations, access points to drugs, and motivations to have a good time with friends are linked to increased prescription drug misuse. The research, conducted among 404 young adults aged 18-29, suggests that prevention efforts should focus on these subtle components rather than peer pressure.
A new nasal spray application of anti-opioid drug naloxone has been developed to make overdose treatment more accessible and easier to administer. The product, which is currently in clinical trials, aims to reduce the death toll from heroin abuse and make a lifesaving treatment more available to those at high risk.
A new study published in JAMA finds that two brief counseling interventions did not reduce the continued use of marijuana, cocaine, or opioids. The researchers suggest that clinicians should consider longer and more complex care management strategies to address unhealthy drug use. The study's findings raise questions about the federal ...
A study of brief interventions for problem drug use found no significant reduction in drug use among participants. The intervention, which included a handout and feedback on drug use screening results, was compared to enhanced care as usual.
A recent study tested two brief counseling interventions for unhealthy drug use among primary care patients, but found no significant reduction in drug use. The authors suggest that brief counseling may be inadequate to address the complexities of prescription drug misuse and illicit drug use.
A study by NYU CDUHR researchers found that peer group dynamics play a significant role in facilitating the transition from oral and/or intranasal prescription opioid (PO) use to heroin injection. Nonmedical PO users are at high risk of acquiring HIV and/or HCV through injection and sexual risk behaviors associated with drug use.
Recent research demonstrates a critical link between dopamine signaling and dopamine transporter function in neurological and psychiatric diseases. Michelle Sahai's simulations using TACC's Stampede supercomputer have contributed to the discovery of mutations in the dopamine transporter linked to Parkinsonism and ADHD.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.