Articles tagged with Drug Abuse
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.
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.
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.
A study published in Medical Care reports a sharp increase in opioid prescribing for non-cancer pain, while safer alternatives like ibuprofen and acetaminophen have either stayed flat or declined. The study highlights the need for re-evaluation of pain treatment approaches that prioritize non-opioid and non-pharmacologic treatments.
A new study finds no improvement in pain treatment with rising opioid prescriptions, despite efforts to increase awareness and alternative treatments. Non-opioid analgesics have plateaued or declined in many cases.
A new study reveals that 10-20% of people with substance abuse problems also have significant gambling issues, which often go untreated due to lack of targeted programs. The review highlights the need for unique approaches to encourage participation in research and treatment.
Three NIH scientists, Drs. Warner Greene, Richard Sutton, and Timothy Cardozo, receive $500,000 each to support groundbreaking HIV/AIDS research. Their projects focus on modifying the immune response to prevent further CD4 T-cell loss, identifying protective genes against HIV infection, and developing a combined cocaine/HIV vaccine.
Researchers found that food-restricted mice exhibited increased susceptibility to cocaine and other illicit drugs due to heightened dopamine neuron firing in the substantia nigra region. This association may help develop new treatments for psychostimulant abuse by targeting adaptations in brain function.
Research suggests that brain dopamine responses to alcohol ingestion may serve as a neurobiological marker of vulnerability to AUDs. Individuals at high risk showed increased brain dopamine, while those at low risk showed decreased dopamine levels. This finding could help identify individuals at higher risk for developing AUDs.
Researchers found that rats fed high-fat or high-sugar diets during pregnancy weighed more as adults, drank more alcohol, and had stronger responses to abused drugs. Exposure to sugar-rich diets before birth or nursing increased sensitivity to amphetamine and hyperactivity.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute identified a promising new compound, 6'-guanidinonaltrindole (6'-GNTI), which targets the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) to reduce dopamine release and potential side effects. The study's findings suggest a potential breakthrough in developing effective drugs for addiction with fewer side effects.
Researchers are developing a brain implant that senses dopamine levels and suppresses reward signals to treat and possibly cure drug abuse. The device will be tested on anesthetized laboratory rats next month.
A new study found that childhood abuse can have life-and-death consequences for the rest of a person's life, with severe-to-extreme abuse contributing significantly to future suicide attempts. The study used a longitudinal design and found strong associations between abuse and lasting mental health impacts well into adulthood.
Emergency physicians used a new tool to assess drug-seeking behavior in the emergency department with an accuracy rate of 87%, according to a recent study. The use of prescription monitoring programs data helped reduce changes in prescribing plans from over 35% to less than 10%.
Researcher Thomas Perls warns of Gerovital H3's resurgence in the US due to unregulated internet marketing. Despite FDA ban in 1982, some clinics are now advertising the drug for anti-aging benefits.
Researchers identified a key brain enzyme, prohormone convertase 2 (PC2), involved in opioid addiction. PC2 regulates endogenous opioids in the brain, leading to increased mu opioid receptor expression.
The PROSPER program, a community-based initiative, reduces prescription drug misuse and other substance use among young adults by up to 65% when implemented in middle school. The program's effectiveness is attributed to its timing, which aligns with the developmental stage of early adolescents.
A comprehensive study by UCLA researchers found that children with ADHD who take medications like Ritalin are not at greater risk of using alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, or cocaine later in life. The study analyzed over 2,500 children and concluded that medication use has no significant association with future substance abuse.
A recent study by University of Cincinnati researchers highlights the increasing problem of prescription drug abuse among youth, with males and high school students at a higher risk. The study found that pro-social behaviors, such as strong connections with parents and teachers, can reduce the odds of abusing prescription drugs.
A six-month study reveals Adderall mentions spike sharply during final exam periods, with peaks on Dec. 13 and April 30, and peak use among college and university clusters in the northeast and south regions of the US. Tweets also reveal co-ingestion with other substances like alcohol and stimulants.
Researchers from Sweden have successfully identified 12 substances in the breath of patients using a commercially available breath sampler. The study found high detectability for most drugs even 24 hours after intake, suggesting roadside breath testing as a promising alternative to blood and urine tests.
Researchers found that adolescents are less sensitive to the aversive effects of MDPV bath salts and exhibit different physiological responses, such as lower dopamine levels and decreased body temperature. These findings suggest that adolescents may be more vulnerable to the use and abuse of these drugs.
A national study found that one in four teens has misused or abused a prescription drug at least once in their lifetime, with stimulants contributing to the sustained Rx epidemic. The Partnership at Drugfree.org reports that nearly a quarter of teens mistakenly believe that misusing prescription drugs is safer than using street drugs.
Researchers investigated the recreational use of HIV antiretroviral drug efavirenz, which is commonly used to treat HIV. Studies found that its diversion for psychoactive effects can lead to adverse neuropsychiatric complications and potentially create resistant strains of the virus.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that tasting beer without alcohol stimulates dopamine release in the brain, associated with drinking and other drug abuse. Participants with a family history of alcoholism showed increased responses, suggesting an inherited risk factor for alcoholism.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that varenicline significantly improved abstinence rates compared to bupropion and placebo. Smokers who took varenicline experienced better emotional functioning and lower levels of sadness, regardless of whether they abstained from smoking or not.
A new UBC study reveals that North American service workers are more likely to retaliate against rude customers, while Chinese workers disengage from customer service altogether due to cultural differences. The study suggests that companies must be mindful of these cultural variations when expanding globally.
A recent study by GW researcher Mudit Tyagi explores the impact of cocaine on HIV replication and transmission in brain cells. Cocaine use has been linked to a more severe onset of NeuroAIDS, and researchers believe that gene expression of integrated HIV proviruses are influenced by this type of stimulation.
A study reports a rising rate of propofol abuse among health care professionals, characterized by rapid onset and quick recovery time, with most abusers being women with depression and history of childhood trauma. The study suggests that propofol abuse can lead to unintended side effects, including physical injuries and loss of control.
Clinical guidelines suggest monitoring patients closely for harm using urine drug testing, pill counts, and prescription data. Careful management balances pain relief with the risk of addiction and overdose.
Researchers found that moderate pain can be perceived as comforting when it's the lesser of two evils. The brain processes pain differently depending on context and expectation. This study may lead to new ideas for treating chronic pain and substance dependence.
A new study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) was more effective than Counseling as Usual (CAU) in reducing days of substance abuse among highly motivated African-American participants. However, lower-motivated participants showed better outcomes with CAU programs.
Community-based prevention programs implemented during middle school years significantly reduced prescription medication abuse among young adults. The study found reductions of 20-65% compared to control groups, with interventions also shown to reduce other substance use and problem behaviors.
A study reveals racial differences in chronic pain management, with black patients experiencing less frequent pain level documentation and more urine drug tests. This may impact the effectiveness of pain management for black patients who overcome barriers to opioid prescriptions.
A 30-year study of nearly 400 men found that nearly one-third of major depressive episodes were seen only while they were drinking heavily. Heavy drinking is often mistaken for depression, but the symptoms typically resolve within weeks to a month of abstinence.
Researchers found a significantly higher prevalence of substance abuse and cigarette use among adolescents with ADHD histories compared to those without. The study also showed that current medications for ADHD do not counter the risk for substance abuse.
Research found Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have a higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhage before age 45 compared to non-Hispanic whites. The study revealed that Native Hawaiians were 54 years old when they had a hemorrhagic stroke, whereas non-Hispanic whites were 68 years old, highlighting the disparity in vascular health.
Researchers found that modafinil improved response inhibition in patients with initially poor impulse control, but had a detrimental effect in those with low initial impulsivity levels. The study suggests personalized medicine approaches may be necessary when prescribing modafinil for treatment of alcohol dependence.
A new poll from the University of Michigan found that only 35% of parents are very concerned about misuse of narcotic pain medicines by children and teens. Despite rising rates of abuse and overdoses, most parents do not support policies to discourage misuse or return unused medications.
Researchers have found a nearly eight-fold increased risk of death from cocaine abuse due to interactions between specific gene variants and cocaine exposure. The variants affect dopamine modulation in the brain, which is also targeted by medications for psychiatric disorders.
A recent study found that drug abuse impairs sexual performance in men, even after years of abstinence. Researchers evaluated four areas of sexual performance and discovered that speedball and cocaine abuse prevailingly affect sexual pleasure, while heroin significantly impairs orgasms.
The Monitoring the Future survey reveals that 6.5% of high school seniors smoke marijuana daily, while perception of marijuana's harmfulness is down among teens, signaling future increases in use. Long-term NIH-funded study shows a significant drop in IQ between ages 13-38 for those who used cannabis heavily in their teens.
The overprescription of opioids is contributing to increased fatal drug overdoses and diversion to the illegal market. Researchers recommend a shift towards alternative pain management approaches.
A new neuroimaging study suggests that negative messages are not an effective way to deter drug and alcohol abuse, particularly among those who are substance-dependent. The study found that the brains of substance-dependent individuals show lower brain activity in response to negatively framed messages, leading to riskier decisions.
A study found reformulated ER oxycodone has significantly lower abuse rates through non-oral routes of administration. Data from 140,496 individuals assessed for substance abuse treatment showed a 20-month reduction in abuse rates.
A new study by the American Psychological Association found that about half of addiction counselors in the US now find moderate drug use acceptable as an intermediate goal, while one-third consider it acceptable as a final goal. However, for clients with severe dependence, limits on consumption are still widely rejected.
A breakthrough in drug development has led to the creation of a vaccine against methamphetamine, which could potentially treat meth addiction. The vaccine, called MH6, was tested on rats and found to be highly effective at blocking the typical effects of meth intoxication.
A University of Cincinnati study found that adolescent males are at a higher risk of reporting long-term use of over-the-counter drugs compared to their female peers. The study, which analyzed data from over 54,000 students, highlights the growing concern of over-the-counter drug abuse among young people.
Researchers at Sam Houston State University are creating a laboratory test to detect key components of bath salts in biological samples. The new test will target eight common synthetic cathinones found in the substance, which poses significant challenges for law enforcement agencies and forensic toxicology labs.
A Vanderbilt University study found that a widely-used diabetes medication can reduce the rewarding effects of cocaine, potentially offering new hope for addiction treatment. The findings suggest that this medication could be effective in treating other stimulant addictions as well.
A multi-agency collaboration is being implemented to provide evidence-based services to high-risk population, including parenting programs and trauma treatments for children of substance abusers involved in the DeKalb County Drug Court. The goal is to improve outcomes for these vulnerable children.
A new study by University of Colorado Denver reveals that today's adolescents are abusing prescription pain medications at a rate 40 percent higher than previous generations. The prevalence of prescription pain medication abuse among the current generation of youth is higher than any generation ever measured, driven by factors such as ...
Researchers propose innovative treatments for alcohol dependence, including motor rehabilitation to increase inhibitory control and environmental enrichment to reduce craving. These approaches aim to improve treatment outcomes and reduce the health and social costs associated with addiction.