Articles tagged with Drug Abuse
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Researchers found that buprenorphine use was associated with better outcomes for the baby, including lower risk of preterm birth, small size for gestational age, and low birth weight. The study suggests increasing access to buprenorphine treatment among pregnant individuals with opioid-use disorder.
New York State opioid prescriptions declined during the COVID-19 lockdown, with only a small transient increase in early refills. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) prescriptions remained steady, thanks to policies ensuring their availability.
Research found that states legalizing recreational cannabis saw a slight increase in alcohol consumption, particularly among young adults and men. The study suggests that targeted public health messaging and policy interventions can mitigate problem drinking. However, the impact of long-term effects on binge or heavy drinking is unclear.
A new study by Rutgers researchers found that young people treated for sleep disorders with benzodiazepines like Xanax may be at a higher risk of overdose. The study examined over 90,000 newly prescribed benzodiazepine patients and found an increased risk of overdose compared to other prescription sleep medications.
A researcher at Ohio University is using a $1.4 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to develop a training program for healthcare professionals to overcome stigma surrounding Buprenorphine prescriptions. The study aims to increase access to harm reduction services in rural areas.
A research team developed a vaccine targeting synthetic opioid fentanyl to block its entry into the brain, preventing fatal effects. The breakthrough could have major implications for treating Opioid Use Disorder, with potential relapse prevention capabilities.
The UC San Diego TREDS program aims to educate drivers and pedestrians about road safety with a new self-paced online program targeting underage drivers. The initiative seeks to reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths, particularly among teens aged 15-20 who are at higher crash rates.
The risk of death from infective endocarditis (IE) among young US residents aged 15-44 years has doubled in the last two decades. IE cases among younger patients and those who inject drugs have increased, with mortality rates increasing by 50%.
Researchers believe that changes in the brain's orexin system promote drug-seeking behavior and that existing insomnia treatments could reduce or eliminate cravings. Studies have shown that blocking this system reverses addiction in animals and reduces opioid cravings in human subjects.
Researchers analyzed 200 overdose events in Rhode Island city, finding police were last to arrive at scene in most incidents. Arrests were extremely rare, with only 1% of cases involving law enforcement presence due to safety concerns.
A study found that nearly half of Medicaid beneficiaries who completed opioid rehab did not receive follow-up care or medication-assisted treatment within a month. Patients with prior prescriptions for opioid use disorder medications were 24% more likely to get follow-up care and medication.
Researchers at Rutgers University found that patients who participate in multiple outpatient visits early in treatment are more likely to continue care. Nearly half of these patients remained in treatment for six months or more, compared to just 2.9% of those with less frequent visits.
A study found that students who moved to a new school location reported significantly less delinquency after the shift, with fewer delinquent friends and less unstructured socializing. The transition to a new academic setting might reduce levels of juvenile delinquency in the long run.
A survey of over 1,000 physicians found that 67% of respondents favored making telehealth a permanent option for treating opioid-use disorder. The study suggests that continued flexibility in telehealth regulations could help increase access to life-saving treatment, particularly during the ongoing opioid crisis.
Researchers will test a new telehealth platform linking people who have overdosed with access to medication for opioid use disorder, harm reduction services, and recovery supports. The project aims to expedite access to medication and reduce overdose events and fatalities.
Admissions to drug treatment programs declined by nearly one-quarter in the US during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with significant declines observed among people of color. The study suggests that this trend may be linked to the recent surge in drug overdose deaths.
A 28-year study tracked over 500,000 US adolescents and found that low social engagement and participation in structured activities are key predictors of substance abuse avoidance. Conversely, highly social and engaged groups with less supervision were more likely to engage in substance abuse.
A 28-year study tracking over 500,000 adolescents in the US found a decline in substance abuse, except for an increase in cannabis and vaping use. Low social engagement and participation in structured activities were key predictors of substance abuse avoidance.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened racial disparities in drug overdose death rates in the United States, with Hispanic and American Indian populations bearing the greatest burden. Researchers analyzed data from 2020 to 2021 and found that these groups experienced significantly higher overdose death rates compared to non-Hispanic whites.
Two UC Riverside-led studies found 30% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders diagnosed with COVID-19 and nearly 1 in 5 reported a close family member's death due to the virus. The research also highlighted high levels of substance use, depression, anxiety, and unmet treatment need among NH/PIs during COVID-19.
A study found that expanded telehealth services for opioid use disorder care during the COVID-19 pandemic led to individuals staying in treatment longer and reducing their risk of medically treated overdose. The expansion also showed improved receipt and retention of medication-assisted treatment, suggesting a valuable approach to addr...
Mandated PDMP use in US states reduced opioid prescriptions by 6.1% but led to a 50.1% increase in heroin-related deaths, according to researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas.
A national survey of US psychiatrists found discrepancies between their perceptions of certain psychoactive drugs' safety and therapeutic value and how they are categorized under the Controlled Substances Act. Psychiatrists rated psilocybin as having low misuse potential and high therapeutic potential, but it is a Schedule I drug with ...
Past-year marijuana use reached its highest level since 1988, with past-month use also increasing. Hallucinogen use surged to an all-time high, while nicotine vaping prevalence nearly tripled among young adults in 2021.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have identified genes linked to cigarette smoking and drinking, revealing their association with other substances like cocaine. The study's computational tool, H-MAGMA, helps parse the complex genetics involved in substance abuse, providing a foundation for developing new treatments.
A study found that cannabis use and daily use are more common in US states with recreational cannabis laws compared to those without. Cigarette smokers in these states have even higher rates of cannabis use.
National data indicate that expanded access to methadone treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to increased harms, but rather declined percentage of overdose deaths involving methadone. This evidence supports expanding take-home treatment for opioid use disorder.
A mouse study found significant changes in the infant gut microbiome associated with maternal oxycodone exposure. These bacterial changes are linked to alterations in metabolic pathways, suggesting a potential connection between prenatal opioid exposure and long-term health consequences.
Indiana University researchers are using a mouse model to study the effects of cannabis use during adolescence, which could impair working memory and increase the risk of psychosis later in life. The $2M NIH grant aims to develop therapies to treat adverse effects.
A new study reveals that up to 10% of pre-teen children are curious about using substances, with boys more likely than girls to be interested. Parents' rules and home access play a significant role in shaping their children's curiosity, with Black parents being more likely to set rules against substance use.
A new study led by UCL and King's College London researchers found that adolescents are three times more likely to develop a cannabis addiction than adults. However, they do not appear to be at increased risk of subclinical depression or anxiety. In contrast, adult users who become addicted may experience worsening mental health symptoms.
Experts outline a framework for treating cancer pain in patients with opioid use disorder or prescription opioid misuse. The study highlights the need for better integration of addiction treatment in cancer care, particularly prescribing methadone and buprenorphine.
Researchers discovered that blocking certain acetylcholine receptors in the lateral habenula balances reward and aversion, making it harder to resist seeking cocaine. This finding identifies a new role for these receptors as a potential target for treating cocaine use disorder.
Researchers found that 27.8% of drugs with high abuse potential successfully completed development compared to 4.7% for low-abuse potential drugs. Funding is needed to improve understanding of pain mechanisms and develop non-addictive treatments.
A pan-Canadian study found that prescribing buprenorphine-naloxone at home is as effective as traditional methadone treatment in reducing opioid use. The flexible model of care offers improved access and autonomy for individuals with opioid use disorder. With over 270 participants, the OPTIMA study suggests a new approach to treating t...
Researchers aim to understand how HIV affects cardiovascular health and the impact of substance use on this relationship. They plan to develop a human bone marrow chip model to study HIV pathogenesis and explore potential strategies for caring people with HIV who face cardiovascular disease.
A Michigan study reveals that hundreds of thousands of surgical and dental opioid prescriptions are filled long after writing, but a state law helped reduce this trend. The authors suggest tightening state laws to prevent or reduce misuse associated with delayed dispensing of opioids.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to increased disparities in buprenorphine and naltrexone prescriptions for opioid use disorder among racial and ethnic minority groups. The study found that these groups experienced worsened disparities compared to white patients.
A Rutgers study suggests that individual attitudes towards heavy alcohol use are a key predictor of college student drinking. The research found that students' own attitudes towards heavy drinking, rather than peer pressure or societal norms, were more closely linked to binge-drinking frequency and alcohol-related problems.
A Rutgers study found that individuals with opioid-use disorder who used non-prescribed buprenorphine before entering treatment were twice as likely to remain in care. Those who used the medication also had significantly lower rates of opioid use during the first six months in treatment.
Less than half of Americans with opioid use disorder received a potentially lifesaving medication over a five-year period. Buprenorphine, which reduces overdose risk, was prescribed even less often for those with polysubstance use disorder, highlighting the underutilization of this effective treatment.
A Rutgers University study found that expanding prison opioid treatment programs could reduce the risk of overdose and death among ex-inmates. The researchers suggest that further education on post-release opioid risks is necessary to increase participation in these programs.
A recent study found significant racial and ethnic disparities in excess deaths from external causes, including homicide, suicide, and transportation accidents. The study estimated these disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address health inequities.
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that mailing opioid disposal kits doubled the rate of safe disposal among patients who received them. The kits were provided to 235 patients after orthopedic or urologic procedures and resulted in the safe disposal of 480 unused tablets.
Researchers at CIC bioGUNE identified microRNA 873 as a potential therapeutic agent for acute liver failure due to APAP overdose. The study found that anti-miR-873-5p treatment rescues the liver and extends the therapeutic window by 24 hours.
Overdose death toll has more than quintupled among American Indian and Alaska Native communities between 1999 and 2019, with opioid-related deaths increasing steeply. The study highlights the need for comprehensive interventions addressing socioeconomic factors and racial discrimination to tackle substance use disorders.
A new machine learning model uses anonymized data to identify key risk factors for substance abuse, including family relationships and social connections. The research aims to provide policy-makers with better information to design effective programs to address substance abuse issues.
A recent study from Emory University found that people who self-report non-medical prescription drug use (NMPDU) express more negative emotions and less positive emotions on social media compared to those who do not, and that NMPDU tweets are highly polarized
More than half of Michigan pharmacies offer naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdose, without requiring a prescription. The standing order allows pharmacists to dispense the drug in emergency situations.
A study found significant reductions in cigarette use among U.S. adults with major depression, substance use disorder, or both from 2006 to 2019. Smoking cessation efforts remain critical for people with these conditions.
A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health issues and changed drug use behaviors in rural Illinois residents, leading to a higher risk of overdose. The study suggests that structural and community factors during the pandemic increased anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and altered drug use patterns.
A decision-support framework was developed by management science researchers to help clinicians make informed decisions about opioid prescribing. The framework incorporates multiple factors, including recovery time, pain intensity, and patient history, to provide a quantitative model of the prescribing process.
A new study found that people with psychiatric conditions, especially those over 65, have a higher risk of breakthrough COVID. The researchers tracked data from over 250,000 VA patients and found increased risks for breakthrough infections among those with substance abuse, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, and...
Researchers found that Massachusetts' state mandate driving staff acceptance and creating an atypical flexibility to seek innovative solutions. The program showed that medication diversion was uncommon, and protocols helped ensure correct use of the medication by detainees.
This study examines shifts in adolescent overdose deaths, highlighting the growing threat of illicit fentanyl. Researchers analyzed CDC data to understand the impact of increased fentanyl use on this age group.
Adults who have used psilocybin are 30% less likely to develop opioid use disorder, according to a nationally representative survey. Psilocybin use is also associated with reduced symptoms of opioid dependence and abuse.
Research reveals nearly a third of pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries screened for hepatitis C test positive, but fewer than a fifth receive follow-up care. A sustainable pathway to treatment is crucial, especially with expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage and highly effective oral medications.
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology-developed nasal spray has been tested on over 200 acute overdose patients, restoring breathing in 80% of cases within 10 minutes. The study's findings suggest the nasal spray provides enough antidote for patients to breathe on their own while minimizing the risk of triggering abstinence.
A new study by NIH-funded researchers shows that adolescents with severe substance use disorder symptoms are more likely to develop prescription drug misuse and overdose risks in adulthood. Screening for substance use disorder in teens may help predict adult problems and prevent overdoses.
The number of fentanyl-containing pill seizures surged nearly 50-fold between 2018 and 2021, highlighting the growing risk for people new to drug use. The rise in overdose deaths is largely driven by illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.