Articles tagged with Drug Abuse
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Research suggests ketamine use is increasing among US adults, linked to depression and sociodemographic factors. Expansion of prevention outreach and education on polydrug use harms are recommended.
A study of nearly 10,000 adolescents found distinct brain structural differences between those who used substances before age 15 and those who did not. These differences appeared to exist prior to any substance use, suggesting a role for brain structure in substance use risk.
Recent data from the Monitoring the Future Survey show stable and declining trends in substance use among young people, with reported use of most drugs holding steady since 2021. The survey found that adolescents most commonly reported use of alcohol, nicotine vaping, and cannabis, with levels generally declining over the past few years.
A randomized clinical study found that an opioid-free treatment pathway is both safe and effective for bariatric surgery patients. The alternative method, which combines three different medicines, significantly reduces the need for opioids during treatment.
The program aims to decrease opioid use by increasing provider knowledge of integrative therapies and providing sustained outpatient follow-up. University Hospitals will refine evidence-based integrative therapies such as music therapy and acupuncture to address acute pain.
A new study found that nearly 160 million Americans have been harmed by someone else's substance use, with 113 million experiencing harm from alcohol use and 46 million from other drugs. The survey also revealed significant overlap between the two groups, highlighting a major public health issue.
Researchers developed an implantable device that detects an overdose, rapidly delivers naloxone to prevent death and alerts emergency responders. The device was tested in animal studies, showing promising results with rapid rescue and full recovery within minutes.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that methadone is more effective than buprenorphine/naloxone in reducing treatment discontinuation rates among individuals with opioid use disorder. The risk of mortality was low and did not differ significantly between the two medications.
Researchers will examine cognitive and psychomotor functions to compare effects of CBD on driving performance between men and women. The five-year study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the substance's influence.
A new study reveals that etizolam and gabapentinoids contribute to a rising culture of polydrug use and increased drug-related deaths in Scotland. The analysis of 18 studies found a significant increase in gabapentinoid-related deaths, primarily due to concurrent opioid use.
A study by researchers at UCLA found that Black, Hispanic, and American Indian adolescents are more likely to be tested for drugs and alcohol than white adolescents at pediatric trauma centers. The study suggests that clinician biases may contribute to these disparities.
A new study found that completing a six-month substance use disorder treatment program instead of arrest and prosecution reduces the risk of arrest, incarceration, or fatal overdose. Participants who completed the program had a more favorable crime and overdose profile compared to those who did not engage or complete the program.
The article provides an orientation to using implementation science in policing by integrating effective and evidence-based innovations into routine practices. Researchers offer agendas for integrating IS into EBP, highlighting the importance of metrics to assess police practice outcomes.
Research from Trinity College Dublin found that lower sustained attention in adolescence can predict a larger increase in cigarette and cannabis use by age 23. The study suggests using early biomarkers like sustained attention to identify vulnerable adolescents and guide targeted interventions.
Neurobiologists identify shared brain mechanism behind meth and PCP-induced cognitive deficits, finding a reversible switch in neurotransmitters. Reversing this switch restores memory function, offering potential for new treatments.
A recent study found that only 43.8% of US jails provide medication for opioid use disorder, with most citing lack of licensed staff as a major barrier. The majority of jails (70.1%) offer substance use disorder treatment or recovery support, but access remains limited due to cost and staffing challenges.
The UCR medical school is developing a new curriculum to address the substance use crisis in California, which has resulted in over 6,000 opioid-related overdose deaths. The curriculum aims to promote access to treatment and health equity for substance use care, addressing biases and social determinants of health.
A recent study found that Quebec's drug-related mortality rates increased over time, peaking in 2020, due to the contamination of the drug market. Fentanyl and new synthetic opioids are on track to become the most commonly detected substances in opioid poisoning deaths.
A study found that children who went to bed later and slept fewer hours during childhood and adolescence were more likely to try alcohol or marijuana by age 15. The researchers suggest that improving sleep in the school-age population could lead to improvements in other aspects of health, such as decision making.
A new study led by UMass Amherst and Tufts Medical Center will provide HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for people with opioid use disorders who are incarcerated. The study aims to increase the number of incarcerated individuals tested and treated, addressing a critical gap in healthcare access.
Researchers discovered how cocaine affects the dopamine transporter, a protein that regulates dopamine levels in the brain. This knowledge could pave the way for medical treatments for cocaine abuse and potentially other addictive substances.
A national research study found that a lack of institutional support is the top reason doctors are reluctant to discuss addiction with their patients. The study also highlighted knowledge and skill gaps as significant barriers to delivering evidence-based interventions.
A new technological breakthrough has enabled scientists to visualize opioid signaling in the brain in real-time, providing a deeper understanding of how opioids affect the brain. This breakthrough has opened up new avenues for developing more effective and safer therapeutics for pain management and mental health disorders.
A Canadian study found that prescribing lower quantities of opioids can help reduce misuse and overdose. The study suggests adapting prescription practices to patients' analgesic needs, with varying quantities based on the type of pain condition.
Researchers have identified a novel compound that can reverse the lethal effects of opioid overdose when paired with naloxone, reducing withdrawal symptoms and extending protection. The discovery builds on new insights into opioid receptors and could combat the devastating fentanyl epidemic.
A new study by Michigan Medicine University found that nearly all patients with buprenorphine prescriptions filled them, even when paying more out-of-pocket. The researchers suggest removing barriers to continuous prescribing as the main focus of efforts.
Researchers found that medications for opioid use disorder, naloxone, and behavioral health supports significantly reduce the risk of dying from an overdose. However, significant gaps in care were noted, with only 4% of beneficiaries receiving medications after experiencing a nonfatal overdose.
A study published in JAMA found that high out-of-pocket costs are a significant barrier to filling naloxone prescriptions. The study, which utilized data from a national pharmacy transactions database, estimated that a $10 increase in cost would decrease the rate of filling prescriptions by about 2-3 percentage points.
A clinical trial shows that a combination of injectable naltrexone and extended-release oral bupropion reduces methamphetamine use for up to 12 weeks. The study found a significant increase in methamphetamine-negative urine tests among participants receiving the two-drug therapy.
The number of calls to US poison centers has increased sharply, with a 233.9% rise in intentional exposures among adults. The severity of unintentional exposures also increased, with 37.4% more cases resulting in severe harm and 65.3% more deaths.
Researchers used C. elegans to investigate the underlying mechanisms of embryonal exposure to addictive doses of amphetamine, discovering epigenetic modifications that alter gene and protein expression. This leads to increased susceptibility to amphetamine-induced behaviors in adult animals.
A study found that pharmaceuticals like metoprolol and atenolol, as well as illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine, were present in over 60% of water samples from Hudson and East Rivers. Enterococci bacteria and rainfall also contributed to drug presence, highlighting the need for improved water management systems
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University found a growing share of cannabis consumers report daily or near-daily use, exceeding those of daily and near-daily alcohol drinkers. Long-term trends in cannabis use parallel corresponding changes in US policy over 43 years.
A new study explores the growing fentanyl smoking culture in San Francisco, highlighting individual experiences and local trends. Participants reported fear of overdose and challenges with injecting as motivations for switching to smoking, but some expressed concerns about hygiene and residue risks.
Between 2011 and 2021, more than 320,000 US children lost a parent due to drug overdose. The study highlights significant racial and ethnic disparities in the impact of parental loss on families and children.
A new study suggests that parents' monitoring of their teenagers can reduce substance use by making them think twice about it. The research found that kids are less likely to try alcohol or drugs if they believe their parents know their whereabouts.
A study evaluating contract treatment in Sweden found that this sanction significantly reduces recidivism and substance-related adverse health events compared to community sanctions or prison sentences. Providing treatment yields better results than punishment, addressing the root causes of criminality often linked to substance misuse.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that less than 15% of US college students can administer naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdoses. Despite this, nearly 62% of students can identify signs of an overdose and nearly 67% feel comfortable calling emergency services.
A study analyzing 8,384 clinical appointments found that women aged 45 are the majority of patients treated at public psychiatric outpatient clinics in Brazil. The patients had sadness, anxiety, and irritability as primary symptoms, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors being commonly prescribed medications.
US pharmaceutical spending surged to $473.12 billion from 2011 to 2020, with diabetic medications accounting for a significant increase. The study found that antidiabetic agents were the most expensive therapeutic area, with Medicare and Medicaid contributing significantly to the costs.
A new study by UCLA Health found that middle-aged Black Americans had the highest mortality rates from suicide, drug overdose, and alcoholic liver disease in 2022. Native Americans had the highest combined death rate from these causes over nearly two decades.
Midlife mortality rates for deaths of despair, including suicide, overdose, and liver disease, vary by race and ethnicity, with higher rates among Black and American Indian/Alaska Native populations. Early mortality from drug- and alcohol-related causes contributes to these disparities.
A new study found that NC prosecutors believe DIH laws reduce overdoses and illicit drug distribution, but this is contradicted by evidence. The number of DIH prosecutions does not correlate with community-level variables like overdose rates.
A survey study reveals primary care pediatricians lack preparedness in managing adolescent OUD, with a notable gap compared to other substance use disorders. The results underscore the importance of workforce training programs to address this critical healthcare issue.
A new study examines perceptions of US veterans treatment court team members regarding the program's viability and longevity. The researchers found that team members believe VTCs will continue to exist and expand, but face challenges in securing stable funding sources and maintaining buy-in from key individuals.
Researchers found that American visitors to Florida were 63% more likely to die from a drug overdose compared to visitors to all other states. The high proportion of overdose deaths among visitors to Florida may be attributed to the state's 'Florida Shuffle' treatment loop and lack of regulation in pain management clinics.
A clinical trial is underway to help patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stick with medication treatment. The trial uses a patient-administered wearable device that delivers mild electrical stimulation to alleviate symptoms of both conditions.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy's PERU has received a $7.8 million grant to develop and implement measurement-based care into community opioid treatment programs across Pennsylvania. This project aims to improve treatment access, promote recovery, and reduce fatal overdoses by addressing patient needs through personaliz...
A recent study by researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington found that women are more susceptible to cocaine addiction than men due to fluctuations in sex hormones. The study discovered that the female sex hormone estradiol enhances the rewarding effects of cocaine, leading to increased sensitivity among females.
Rates of fatal motor vehicle accidents were highest among military members immediately following their return from deployment, while the highest rates of fatal accidental overdose deaths occurred later in postdeployment life. Younger soldiers between 18-24 years old were at highest risk for MVA and accidental overdoses.
A new peer-reviewed study suggests that cannabis is having no significant effect on people's use of opioids, taken outside of medical guidance. The findings have substantial implications for U.S. treatment programs, which still require patients to abstain from cannabis before qualifying for potentially life-saving treatment.
Researchers found that reducing stimulant use was associated with significant improvement in measures of health and recovery among people with stimulant use disorder. This suggests that a more nuanced perspective on measuring treatment success may be beneficial.
A new study found that only about half of residential addiction treatment facilities for adolescents have a bed immediately available, with the average daily cost per day of treatment being $878. The study also revealed that only seven states have a facility that accepts Medicaid, has a bed open the same day, and offers buprenorphine.
Researchers at Kyoto University analyzed queries on Yahoo! Chiebukuro and found that users were seeking information on overdosing from OTCs to alleviate physical pain or experience psychosomatic changes. The study highlights the need for reliable information on OTC abuse to be effectively disseminated.
A new study by Columbia University researchers indicates that patients with expanded methadone access during the COVID pandemic are not more likely to overdose or drop out of care. The findings suggest that more flexible policies could help improve access to this life-saving treatment and close gaps in care.
A new study by RAND Corporation links the nation's opioid crisis to a surge in child suicides, with reformulated prescription opioids contributing to the growth. The analysis found that geographic areas with higher rates of prescription OxyContin misuse experienced sharper growth in child suicide rates.
A new study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research found that 12% of people aged 50-80 have consumed a THC-containing substance in the past year. Those who drink alcohol at risky levels have a higher rate of cannabis use, highlighting the need for education and screening for older adults.
A UCLA study found that substance abuse treatment can lead to reduced methamphetamine usage and longer periods of abstinence. The study, which analyzed responses from nearly 300 men in Los Angeles, suggests that even limited treatment options can be effective in reducing methamphetamine use.
A new NIH study reveals a substantial increase in overdose mortality among pregnant and postpartum women, with the largest spike observed among those aged 35 to 44. The study highlights significant barriers, including stigma and limited socioeconomic resources, that hinder access to care.
A new study highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance among medical professionals in addressing chronic pain dependency. Patients describe feeling ignored and misunderstood, leading to feelings of shame and guilt.