Articles tagged with Drug Abuse
A new Stanford University School of Medicine study reveals that intense, passionate feelings of love can significantly alter mood and impact pain perception. The research found that love-induced analgesia involves primitive aspects of the brain, activating deep structures to block pain at a spinal level.
A Phase 3 trial showed patients receiving Probuphine had significantly less illicit opioid use and fewer withdrawal symptoms compared to placebo. The innovative implant formulation provided a steady, round-the-clock low dose of buprenorphine over six months.
A $250,000 CDC grant supports a Rhode Island Hospital study exploring the effectiveness of statewide prescription monitoring programs in reducing accidental overdose deaths involving prescription opioids. The study aims to provide valuable public health data on medication access and abuse patterns.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that brain abnormalities may underlie the development of antisocial behavior and drug abuse in boys. The research found significant differences in brain activity between antisocial boys and their peers, including reduced activity in regions responsible for decision-making and reward process...
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has awarded $2.5 million to researchers developing novel approaches to treat addiction. New gene therapies, immunotherapies, and compounds are being investigated to reduce the devastating effects of tobacco and cocaine abuse.
The study aims to find a difference in how a susceptible person responds to hydrocodone compared to a nonsusceptible one. The researchers hope to discover an indicator of susceptibility to dependence on painkillers like hydrocodone.
Dr. Verdin's research aims to develop a new single cell technology to examine HIV latency, with the goal of devising novel strategies to eliminate latent HIV infection or restrict its pool to a size that can be controlled by the immune system.
Alice Cepeda, a University of Houston sociologist, has received the National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator for her groundbreaking research on Hispanic drug abuse. Her work has made significant contributions to understanding social context and high-risk behavior associated with drug use among Latinos.
Research found that older people who continue to use problematic drugs are emerging as a vulnerable group with impaired health, chronic conditions, and poorer quality of life. Despite this, services for older drug addicts are not widely available in the UK.
A study found that parents often administer incorrect doses of medications to children, leading to a high number of calls to poison centers and emergency hospital admissions. The researchers call for improved education on proper medication usage to prevent child harm.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is awarding over $4 million in grant funding to examine substance abuse related to deployment and combat-related trauma. Researchers will explore treatment strategies, including cognitive behavioral therapy and Web-based approaches, to help veterans who have co-occurring disorders.
A recent study by Donald Light reveals that the pharmaceutical industry prioritizes profits over patient safety, with many drugs offering little new benefit and significant risks. The study highlights flaws in the regulatory process, including incomplete clinical trials and biased testing, which can lead to serious harm to patients.
Research published at the University of Oregon found that 11 hours of integrative body-mind training (IBMT) meditation training induces structural changes in brain connectivity, particularly in the anterior cingulate cortex. This brain area is linked to self-regulation and behavior control.
A recent NIH-funded study has uncovered a key step in brain events leading up to cocaine addiction, highlighting the potential for MeCP2 to regulate cocaine intake and determine vulnerability. By balancing with miRNA-212, this protein impacts an individual's motivation for self-administering cocaine.
A new study by Yale University researcher Hedy Kober shows that smokers can control their cravings with the help of cognitive strategies, increasing activity in the prefrontal cortex and decreasing craving-related brain activity. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to be an effective tool in treating substance use disorders.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics highlights the under-recognized problem of pharmaceutical abuse in children, with nearly 14% resulting in moderate to major consequences. The malicious use of sedatives and other medications has been linked to death and serious outcomes.
A review of evidence shows widespread abuse of human rights among people who use drugs, increasing risk of HIV infection. Rights-based responses have had good results in implementing harm reduction services and involving people in policy development.
A UBC-BC CfE study found that increased HAART coverage significantly prevents HIV transmission and reduces new diagnoses in British Columbia. The expansion of HAART treatment plays a crucial role in maximizing public health resources.
A recent NIH-supported study found that increasing HAART coverage in British Columbia reduced viral load and new HIV diagnoses among individuals with a history of injection drug use. The study's findings support the importance of maximizing HAART coverage within current medical guidelines to curb the spread of HIV.
Researchers discovered a specific microRNA sequence, microRNA-212, that protects rats from cocaine addiction by regulating CREB signaling. This finding suggests microRNAs may play a crucial role in vulnerability to addiction, offering new promise for anti-addiction medications.
Recent figures show a decrease in homicides and suicides among mentally ill individuals in England and Wales. The study attributes the decline to reduced drug misuse, particularly among young people with mental illness. Suicide rates have also fallen overall, with notable decreases in younger age groups.
A personalized approach to smoking cessation is developing, combining genetic information and smoking habits to predict effective nicotine replacement therapy. This method could increase cessation success rates by up to 25%.
Researchers will investigate how methamphetamine use affects dental disease and develop targeted interventions for dentists to detect drug abuse in patients. The study aims to improve early detection and treatment of 'meth mouth', a uniquely accelerated form of extensive dental disease.
A Spanish study reviews methods for detecting substances in breast milk and their adverse effects on newborns. The general recommendation is to avoid drug abuse during breastfeeding due to the risk of transmission through breast milk, as well as exposure during pregnancy and environment.
The US plan prioritizes prevention, treatment, and law enforcement, focusing on reducing youth drug use and prescription abuse. In contrast, the UK is facing criticism for its drug policy, which has been influenced by media pressure and ideological opinions, leading to a lack of evidence-based decision-making.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet developed a new method for collecting narcotic substances from exhaled breath, which was successful in detecting amphetamine and metamphetamine in all cases of emergency care patients.
Researchers found that the deltaFosB gene regulator protects against depression by boosting neurons' activity when glutamate binds to AMPA receptors. Boosting deltaFosB calms neurons, enabling individuals to pursue goal-directed behavior despite stress.
Ameya Deshmukh's project wins first place with computer modeling to identify new medications for nicotine addiction. Kevin Knight's study suggests that cognitive games could be useful as an adjunct to ADHD medication.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine identified factors associated with prescription drug use disorder (PDUD) in primary care patients with chronic pain. Key findings include a history of jail time, disabling pain, cigarette smoking, and family history of substance abuse as predictors of PDUD.
A study from the University of Cambridge found that problem gamblers' brains react more intensely to near misses than casual gamblers. This reaction is linked to increased activity in brain regions associated with reward and learning, and may contribute to addictive behavior.
A study found that alcohol abuse elevated specific genes in the nucleus accumbens, while nicotine blunted this effect. The research also identified a set of genes crucial for cell structure regulation, which were altered by both alcohol and nicotine abuse.
Nearly 85% of teens in a study would have overdosed on acetaminophen if given the option, despite 60% having never heard of it. Limited health literacy increases this risk even further.
A team of researchers will study the neurobiological mechanisms behind regular aerobic exercise and its potential to prevent drug abuse relapse. Exercise has been shown to exert anti-stress effects, reducing cravings associated with stress by increasing galanin levels in the brain.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has unveiled a new treatment program for young adults struggling with opioid addiction. The Buprenorphine Treatment for Young Adults product shows that longer-term buprenorphine treatment reduces drug use and improves treatment adherence in this age group.
The UK's ACMD faced criticism for banning mephedrone without sufficient evidence, prioritizing politics over science. The council's other report on hazardous drug use was ignored, highlighting a flawed approach to tackling substance abuse.
Hospitalizations for prescription opioid, sedative, and tranquilizer poisoning increased by 65% from 1999-2006. Unintentional poisonings by these drugs increased by 37%, while intentional overdoses rose by 130%.
The new center will provide timely data on prescriptions to doctors, pharmacies, and regulatory agencies, helping identify best practices in prescription monitoring. The initiative aims to reduce the serious epidemic of drug abuse, taking thousands of lives.
A randomized trial found that combining cognitive behavioral therapy addressing weight concerns with the medication bupropion was more effective than counseling alone in helping women quit smoking. The study showed improved abstinence rates and reduced relapse among women receiving the specialized counseling plus bupropion therapy.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that blocking new growth of specific brain nerve cells increases vulnerability for cocaine addiction and relapse. Increasing adult neurogenesis may prevent addiction before it starts, potentially improving the length and quality of life for millions of drug abusers.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers found that using words like 'abuser' to describe substance-use patients can lead to punitive attitudes and decreased likelihood of treatment. Changing the terminology may help reduce shame and guilt, making it easier for individuals to seek help.
A key epigenetic process in the brain's pleasure circuits is altered by chronic cocaine exposure, contributing to an acquired preference for cocaine. By reversing this epigenetic change, researchers were able to block gene expression changes and inhibit cocaine preference.
Health consumers must become informed advocates for comprehensive pain treatment as physicians struggle with inadequate training and fear of prescription drug abuse. Long-term solutions require education, responsibility, and collaboration among all parties involved.
A study by Natividad et al. found that adolescent rats exhibit fewer physical and neurochemical withdrawal signs than adult rats after nicotine withdrawal, suggesting age alters neurological systems relevant to nicotine use. This increased sensitivity makes adolescents more prone to drug abuse.
Case Western Reserve researchers identified two new metabolic pathways involving 4-hydroxyacids, a breakthrough that sheds light on the mechanisms of action for lipid peroxidation and drug abuse products. The study, published as 'Paper of the Week' in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, has significant implications for understanding o...
Researchers have discovered that fruit flies can be used as a simpler and more convenient animal model for studying the effects of cocaine and other drugs on the brain. The study, published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience, found that fruit flies can accurately replicate the physiological effects of these substances.
A brain scan study found that active cocaine abusers can suppress activity in brain regions linked to drug craving when asked to inhibit their response. This suggests that clinical interventions designed to strengthen inhibitory responses could help prevent relapse and improve treatment outcomes.
A survey of UK drug users found that they rate legal substances like alcohol and tobacco as more harmful than Class A substances, suggesting a flaw in the current classification system. The study also found high correlations between user ratings and expert ratings, indicating users are well informed about drug harms.
Scientists identified two new pathways for the breakdown of 4-Hydroxybutyrate (4-HB), a brain chemical used as a date-rape drug. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for victims of sexual assault and those with a rare genetic disorder that causes 4-HB accumulation.
Researchers detected SARMs, such as Andarine, on the black market, raising concerns about their potential misuse in sports. The study highlights the need for early implementation of screening for emerging therapeutic compounds in sports drug testing.
A new study reveals that a high score on the 'scale of craving' and an antisocial personality type are major contributors to relapse in cocaine users. The researchers analyzed 38 patients seeking treatment for cocaine abuse, finding impulsiveness and desire for new sensations also linked to substance use.
An interdisciplinary team is developing a novel drug detection technology that uses software to analyze biomolecules and determine an individual's history of drug abuse. The system, which can characterize millions of biomolecules, has potential applications in treating addictive behavior and identifying effective new treatments.
Adult male monkeys exposed to cocaine in-utero show poor impulse control and may be more vulnerable to drug abuse than female monkeys. The study suggests that males may be more susceptible to the long-lasting behavioral and neurobiological consequences of cocaine exposure during gestation.
Two University of Washington studies show that drinking alcohol doubles the risk of non-adherence to HIV medication. A third study found that peer support, electronic pagers, or both had no lasting impact on adherence rates. The challenges of adhering to life-long HIV treatment highlight the need for individualized comprehensive programs.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that rats exposed to high doses of amphetamines during adolescence displayed significant memory deficits as adults. The declines in short-term memory were most pronounced when exposure occurred during adolescence rather than adulthood.
Experts outline steps for federal, state, and local governments to reduce the $2 billion healthcare burden from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco use and abuse. Research roadmap covers treatment of drug and alcohol use disorders, preventing drug abuse, and policies to achieve a smoke-free society.
Historian Sherry Smith finds examples of government restitution in US history, including posthumous pardons for WWI prisoners, reparations to Japanese Americans, and return of native lands. The global movement towards reparations is gaining steam, with the US Senate recently apologizing for slavery.
A Georgia State University study found that adolescent rats are less vulnerable to drug withdrawal and relapse than adult rats, suggesting a possible protective effect of youth on substance abuse. Researchers hope to apply this knowledge to develop better treatments for human addiction.
A brain-imaging study found that ADHD patients have lower-than-normal dopamine markers, which may underlie symptoms of inattention and reduced motivation. This deficit could lead to complications like drug abuse and obesity.
Researchers have identified new targets for treating breast cancer metastasis by inhibiting Brk protein expression. Additionally, a study on Wnk1 revealed its critical role in angiogenesis and heart development. Furthermore, drug abuse has been found to worsen HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders through dopamine signaling.
A systematic review of 20 studies found that individuals with schizophrenia are at increased risk of violence, but this risk is greatly outweighed by the effect of substance abuse. Substance abuse significantly increases the risk of violence for those with a psychotic illness, similar to those without a psychotic illness.