Articles tagged with Drug Abuse
A study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment reveals that 14% of hospital admissions are due to alcohol/drug abuse and addiction disorders. The study found that these disorders were associated with significantly higher hospital costs, particularly for opioid abuse, which increased by 482%.
A study found that Ritalin works in the prefrontal cortex to enhance cognition and focus, while having limited effects elsewhere. The medication tunes neuron sensitivity to signals, leading to improved cognitive function and attention.
A study examining two medications and two behavioral treatments found that medication adherence is still essential for success in treating alcohol dependence. High medication adherents fared better than low adherents across all treatment combinations.
Researchers used PET imaging to assess the effects of methylphenidate on brain function in healthy adults. The study found that MP improved performance in those who needed it, but deteriorated it in others.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center has linked amphetamine abuse to a higher risk of heart attacks in young adults. Researchers analyzed data from over 3 million people and found a significant correlation between amphetamine abuse and heart attack diagnoses.
A study confirms that bipolar adolescents face a significant risk of smoking and substance abuse, with rates of 34% in the bipolar group compared to 4% in controls. Early preventive measures and screening are essential for this high-risk population.
A large-scale analysis of monkeys addicted to cocaine reveals more numerous and long-lasting protein changes than previously thought, potentially explaining why cocaine addiction is difficult to overcome. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of biochemical changes in the cocaine-addicted brain.
A University of Alberta study found that middle-class Canadians use marijuana for relaxation and focus, challenging criminalization. The study suggests decriminalization and legalization could reduce crime and generate revenue.
A Swedish study found that female sex offenders are more likely to suffer from mental illness or drug abuse than male perpetrators. The research compared 93 convicted women with over 20,000 normal women and 13,000 women convicted of non-sexual crimes.
Research presented at the American Pain Society annual meeting found that less than 3% of patients with no history of drug abuse who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain will show signs of possible drug abuse or dependence. Most chronic pain patients do not rely on drugs as a sole solution, and multi-faceted treatment involving phys...
A Yale University study found that individuals who used a computer-assisted training program in addition to traditional counseling stayed abstinent significantly longer. The subjects had fewer positive drug tests at the conclusion of the study.
Researchers used PET scanning to track salvinorin A distribution in primates' brains, finding a peak concentration within 40 seconds. The drug's effects were localized to the cerebellum and visual cortex, causing psychoactive effects with just 10 micrograms.
A new policy implemented in a Michigan clinic helped identify 35% of patients misusing opioid medications, while steering dependent patients to treatment. The approach logged and screened all patients receiving opioids for non-cancer pain, with the goal of protecting doctors' ability to prescribe these drugs.
Researchers found that repeated methamphetamine use depresses brain areas and leads to permanent changes in neural terminals. Re-administering the drug reverses these changes, suggesting potential new treatment approaches for methamphetamine addiction.
Adult male monkeys exposed to cocaine in the womb show altered function of dopamine 3 receptors, linked to increased vulnerability to drug abuse. The study's findings have implications for human cocaine overdose victims with higher D3 receptor numbers.
Animal research in monkeys shows that treating with amphetamine reduces self-administration of cocaine for up to a month by about 60 percent. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using amphetamine-like drugs to treat cocaine addiction.
A new study found that references to illegal drug use in rap music increased dramatically between 1979 and 1997, depicting marijuana as a positive activity. Rap music's shift towards glorifying drugs was linked to commercialization and social factors, distorting the reality of African American communities.
A randomized trial of 498 patients found that second-generation antipsychotics did not outperform first-generation drugs in reducing symptoms. The study's results suggest that clinicians should consider cost and treatment duration when selecting an antipsychotic medication for first-episode schizophrenia.
A survey of 3,639 college students found that those who used prescription medications without a prescription were more likely to screen positive for drug abuse than those who used them for medical reasons. The study highlights the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment of college students taking frequently abused medications.
A new study found that stimulant treatment for children with ADHD has no effect on their future risk of substance abuse. The 10-year follow-up study analyzed over 100 young men and controlled for conditions like conduct disorder, which are associated with substance abuse.
A specific gene variant associated with a better response to naltrexone in treating alcohol dependence has been identified, according to a large-scale analysis of the COMBINE Study. Patients carrying the variant experienced significantly improved clinical outcomes compared to those without it.
Researchers found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB play a crucial role in age-specific responses to stimulants. The study suggests that BDNF/TrkB might be used as a target for new treatments for childhood neuropsychiatric disorders or addiction.
Researchers used fMRI to show that cocaine-related images stimulate activity in the limbic system, a brain network involved in emotion and reward, even when subjects are unaware they've seen anything. The study suggests new drug treatment strategies by targeting the brain's sensitivity to conditioned drug cues.
A study in PLOS Medicine found that Somali combatants' excessive use of khat, a stimulant with amphetamine-like effects, is prevalent across southern and central Somalia. The study also revealed high levels of cannabis and other drug use among combatants, posing significant challenges for post-conflict reintegration programs.
Research at UCSD reveals ketamine impairs brain circuitry by increasing superoxide production, leading to memory and attention problems. Inhibiting NADPH oxidase could provide novel treatments for schizophrenia.
Research by University of Florida scientists found that using club drugs triggers a similar chemical chain reaction in the brain as a traumatic brain injury, resulting in cell death and memory loss. The study suggests that methamphetamine use can cause irreversible brain damage.
The University of Houston will receive a five-year, $2.3 million National Institutes of Health grant to fund a multidisciplinary approach to drug abuse research. The grant will focus on the health and social consequences of drug abuse among aging minority populations, with a particular emphasis on Latino injecting heroin users in the H...
A study found that state Medicaid policies, such as restricting access to pharmacy networks and preferred drug lists, limit the use of naltrexone, an inexpensive therapy proven to reduce problem drinking. Changing these policies could increase naltrexone's availability and address the huge financial burden of alcohol abuse.
A study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that approximately 15% of teens receiving routine outpatient medical care had positive results on a substance abuse screening test. The study highlights the importance of efficient office-based systems for substance abuse screening and therapeutic interventions.
Researchers found that genes influencing risk for psychoactive drug abuse or dependence vary between illicit and licit substances, with caffeine addiction appearing to be genetically independent. Heritability estimates suggest that genetic factors account for over 70% of risk for cocaine, cannabis, and nicotine dependence.
A Phase 2 study showed ALO-01, an extended-release morphine sulfate plus sequestered naltrexone, provided similar effectiveness and tolerability to KADIAN Capsules for moderate-to-severe chronic osteoarthritis pain. The majority of patients rated both medications as good or excellent.
The opioid system controls pain, reward and addictive behaviors through mu, delta, and kappa receptors. Mice lacking these receptors exhibit altered emotional responses and sensitivity to pain.
The project aims to reveal how some viral infections become resistant to antiviral medications. Researchers will test the interactions between FIV, a cat virus, and an AIDS drug called AZT in the presence of methamphetamine.
The study reveals that adult steroid users are driven and ambitious individuals motivated by physical self-improvement, including muscle gain, strength, and attractiveness. These non-medical AAS users follow a health-centered lifestyle, using directed drug technology as part of their strategy.
A study found that topiramate significantly reduced percentage of heavy drinking days and increased days of continuous nonheavy drinking compared to placebo. The medication also showed greater reduction in heavy drinking days from baseline to week 14.
A USC study found that social network-tailored prevention curricula can significantly reduce substance use among teenagers, with a 15% decrease in high-risk teens. The program's success depends on how peer influence is channeled, with positive influences boosting participation and negative influences hindering it.
Researchers aim to improve diagnosis and treatment of neurologic emergencies with rapid, reliable information. The Point-of-Care Center will focus on developing technologies for fast and accurate diagnosis at the bedside or in the operating room.
A genetic variant in nearly half of Americans with European ancestry is linked to greater effectiveness of bupropion in quitting smoking. People with the variant were less likely to resume smoking six months after treatment.
A new study found that pill box organizers significantly improved HIV patients' adherence to medication, leading to better viral suppression and reduced risk of disease progression. The inexpensive tool was associated with a 4% improvement in adherence and an estimated 11% reduction in the risk of clinical AIDS.
A new sewage screening test has been developed to track community-wide drug abuse trends, providing a fast, reliable, and inexpensive way to estimate illicit drug use. The method analyzes drug residues and metabolites in urine flushed into municipal sewage treatment plants.
Adults with ADHD show blunted response to methylphenidate, suggesting dopamine dysfunction may contribute to ADHD symptoms. Reduced dopamine activity is also associated with increased substance abuse in individuals with ADHD.
A Scripps Research study found that chronic methamphetamine abuse can lead to vascular inflammation and deterioration, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study also discovered that long-term methamphetamine users have aberrant immune responses, producing proinflammatory cytokines.
A new study suggests that stimulant treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can increase the risk of future drug abuse, with age and treatment duration being key variables. The researchers found that brain chemistry changes associated with longer treatment periods may attenuate the propensity to abuse drugs.
Studies demonstrated that ROZEREM did not impair middle-of-the-night balance, mobility or memory performance in patients with chronic insomnia. The medication's unique mechanism of action targets the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle, and showed no evidence of abuse potential.
A double-blind study found DAYTRANA significantly reduced ADHD symptoms in boys and girls aged 6-12 by 56.5% and 57.4%, respectively. The patch offers a favorable safety profile and provides a platform to discuss gender differences in ADHD treatment.
According to the study, approximately 10.3% of U.S. adults have problems with drug use or abuse, with 2.6% becoming drug-dependent at some point. The results highlight the need for education and prevention efforts to address these widespread issues.
A case report in The Lancet highlights the dangers of continued cocaine abuse on the heart, leading to dilated cardiomyopathy. After treatment, the patient's condition improved significantly, showing promise for recovery with abstinence.
A play about substance abuse was successful in prompting audience members to participate in prevention activities. After seeing the play, participants were more likely to talk about substance abuse, donate money to organizations, and volunteer time.
A teenage girl in London collapsed in a nightclub after taking 1-benzylpiperazine tablets, highlighting the dangers of this new drug. Analysis revealed the presence of the substance in her blood and seized tablet, which was linked to similar symptoms in seven other patients.
New research reveals morphine makes lasting changes in the brain by blocking a key mechanism for memory making, suggesting addiction is a disease of learning and memory. The findings may help explain how addictive drugs affect the brain and support a new theory of addiction.
A new certification, CCDP, has been introduced to treat patients with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. This change aims to integrate addiction and mental health treatment, addressing the interactive relationship between the two disorders.
The Prescription Opiate Addiction Treatment Study aims to assess the effectiveness of buprenorphine/naloxone combination tablets and different models of drug counseling in patients addicted to prescription opioids. The study will enroll 648 participants and test various treatment approaches to treat addiction to opioid painkillers.
A recent NIDA study has identified genes associated with an individual's ability to quit smoking. The research, published in BMC Genetics, found 221 genes that distinguish successful quitters from those who struggled to stop smoking.
Young adults who abuse amphetamines are five times more likely to have a hemorrhagic stroke than non-abusers, while cocaine abuse doubles their likelihood of having either a hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. The study highlights the dangers of methamphetamine use among young people.
A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found a significant association between cocaine and amphetamine abuse and an increased risk of stroke. The use of these stimulant drugs may raise blood pressure and contribute to narrowing blood vessels, leading to an increased risk of hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.
A study of 5,500 women found that smokers had shorter careers, lower pay, and more disciplinary actions than non-smokers. Smokers were also more likely to be discharged for medical or behavioral reasons.
A study found that most first-time DWI offenders have high rates of other substance-use disorders and psychiatric disorders, requiring enhanced services in intervention programs. The research suggests that treatment approaches may need to be modified to better serve this more severe subtype of DWI offenders.
A new nine-category matrix of harm ranks drugs by their physical harm to users, dependence potential, and societal impact. Alcohol and tobacco are found to be more harmful than previously classified substances like LSD and cannabis.
A new study published in Clinical Therapeutics suggests that private health plans increasingly rely on escalating copayments to manage drug costs, making treatment more expensive for patients. This can affect adherence to treatment, particularly for psychiatric disorders.
Patients with Parkinson's disease who develop the condition at a younger age and have a history of alcohol abuse are more likely to experience pathological gambling as a side effect of dopamine agonist medications. Behavioral characteristics such as impulsivity and risk-taking behavior may also play a role in this increased risk.