Articles tagged with Drug Abuse
A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that college students misuse prescription drugs more often during the week and when they are alone at home. The study, which surveyed 297 students, suggests that there may be different motivating factors underlying prescription drug misuse compared to other substances.
A recent UC San Diego study has found that e-cigarette use does not help smokers stay off cigarettes, but rather increases the risk of relapse. Former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes were more likely to relapse compared to those who remained tobacco-free.
A new study reveals that pain activates a specific region of the brain, which reduces dopamine activity and leads to decreased motivation. Artificially restoring dopamine neurons reverses this effect, suggesting potential treatments for pain-related emotional changes.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that nearly three-fourths of U.S. adults with buprenorphine use did not misuse the medication in 2019, trending downward between 2015-2019 despite increased treatment. The research highlights the need to expand access to proven treatment approaches like buprenorphine therapy to reduce misuse.
Researchers have identified a new pathway for opioid-induced reward in the brain, paving the way for creating safer opioids. By altering the opioid peptide receptor MOPR, pharmaceutical companies can potentially create drugs that bypass the brain's reward system.
Men with a history of alcohol charges have more than twice the risk of suicide when purchasing handguns, according to new research. The study also found that recent and repeat alcohol charges were associated with the greatest risk of suicide, suggesting that reducing firearm access or addressing alcohol use could help mitigate this risk.
A new study suggests that increased access to naloxone has not changed people's perception of the risks associated with heroin use. Researchers found that individuals who used heroin and those living in areas with easy or restricted access to naloxone both perceived heroin as a high-risk substance.
A US study of 580,000 vaccinated individuals found that those with substance use disorders were more likely to contract COVID-19. The risk was largely attributed to co-occurring health conditions and socioeconomic factors rather than the disorder itself.
Researchers investigated whether hospital admission and discharge are associated with increased risk of fatal drug overdoses. The study found that the first two days after hospital discharge is a critical moment for people who use illicit opioids.
Lord Simon Woolley argues that UK drug laws are designed to be a tool of systemic racism and fail black communities. He calls for a root-and-branch review of the law to consider alternative approaches, including decriminalization and legal regulation of non-medical drug supplies.
A recent study from the University of Georgia found that college students who misuse stimulant drugs are also likely to engage in heavy drinking and marijuana use. The research suggests a strong behavioral link among polysubstance users, highlighting the need for universities to be aware of the additive health effects of these behaviors.
A study by Columbia University found that recreational cannabis laws led to increased past-year and past-month cannabis use among Hispanic, Other and non-Hispanic white individuals, but not among non-Hispanic Black people or those aged 12-20. The researchers also highlighted persistent racial disparities in cannabis arrests and incarce...
Researchers found that methamphetamine, cocaine, and nicotine withdrawal share similar features in mouse brains, including reduced modularity and increased functional connectivity. This reorganization may contribute to the addictive nature of psychostimulants.
Research in mice reveals that drug withdrawal alters brain activity patterns, causing increased functional connectivity and decreased modularity. This universal effect may be a common trait among different types of addictive drugs.
A recent study found that deaths where drugs were a contributing cause rose dramatically in the US, outpacing decline in other causes. The death rate from accidents and suicides increased fivefold, while diseases and medical conditions saw a 2.5-fold rise.
Physicians prescribed opioids more frequently to their white patients with new-onset low back pain, while prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to patients of color. The study's findings suggest racial bias in pain treatment, with white patients being more likely to develop long-term opioid reliance.
A study by UCSF researchers found that emergency department visits and hospitalizations made by patients with addictions increased by 30% and 57%, respectively, between 2014-2018. The authors highlight the urgent need for hospitals to develop systems of hospital-based interventions to provide addiction treatment.
The 2020 Monitoring the Future survey found significant increases in marijuana and hallucinogen use among college students, while daily or near-daily marijuana use rose. In contrast, vaping marijuana and nicotine levels plateaued after sharp increases between 2017 and 2019, while alcohol use declined significantly.
Adults with a history of traumatic brain injury are at increased risk of using and misusing prescription opioids, with nearly 52% increased risk for use and over 65% increased risk for misuse. The findings support the 'Perfect Storm' hypothesis, suggesting that TBI increases vulnerability to pain and opioid risks.
Researchers from the National University of Singapore have identified three new urinary biomarkers that can detect consumption of ADB-BUTINACA, an emerging synthetic cannabinoid. The discovery will help boost global surveillance of synthetic cannabinoid abuse and aid in tackling the increasing abuse of this substance.
Adolescents in the US showed stable overall drug use rates during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, but nicotine and prescription misuse increased, while alcohol use decreased. The study monitored 7,842 adolescents and found heightened stress, depression, and anxiety associated with youth substance abuse.
Researchers found a spike in prescription opioid and anti-anxiety sedative consumption, while illicit drug use plummeted during the early pandemic. The study used wastewater analysis to track community-wide habits and anxiety levels.
A new study has found that chronic opioid use changes gene expression in the brains of people with opioid use disorder (OUD), suggesting proinflammatory signaling and synaptic remodeling. The affected genes involved in immune response and neuronal connections were also identified, offering new targets for treatment.
A new study recommends making methadone more widely available through office-based visits with primary care physicians to improve access and convenience for patients with opioid use disorder. This could reduce transportation costs and enhance treatment retention rates, but further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
A research study from iPSYCH shows that people with ADHD and another psychiatric diagnosis are more likely to stop taking their ADHD medicine. Fifty percent of these individuals stop taking the medication within two years, primarily due to side effects or reduced effectiveness.
A recent UCLA clinical trial has shown encouraging results in helping daily smokers who are also heavy drinkers quit smoking and cut down their alcohol intake. The study found that nearly 36% of participants had quit smoking, with varenicline alone showing a highly encouraging quit rate.
A new study found that older adults with functional impairments are at higher risk of using prescription opioids, tranquilizers/sedatives, and medical cannabis. This population is more susceptible to substance use disorders and mental health issues due to chronic pain, insomnia, or anxiety.
A new study found that Connecticut's MAT programs have higher-than-average patient retention rates, with 58.9% of participants remaining in the program at six months. However, younger patients and those using cocaine or crack alongside opioids had lower retention rates, highlighting the need for targeted strategies.
A recent study found that only 6% of people with alcohol use disorder receive treatment, despite most having access to healthcare. The researchers suggest that primary care doctors may not feel comfortable addressing drinking issues due to lack of training, leading to a gap in treatment.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that extended-release formulations of buprenorphine may improve treatment satisfaction for patients with opioid use disorder. The study found that the extended-release injection was well-tolerated and produced more positive patient-reported outcomes compared to daily oral buprenorphine.
Researchers found that accumulation of unfavourable environmental factors increases the risk of polytoxicomania, a form of multiple drug use. The study identified use of cannabis before 18, physical and sexual abuse, migration, and growing up in a big city as major risk factors.
A genetically encoded sensor, psychLight, can detect hallucinogenic compounds and rapidly alter brain connections, showing promise for treating mental illness. The sensor was used in high-throughput screening to identify a previously untested compound with antidepressant potential.
New research reveals that using both e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes increases the risk of developing respiratory symptoms like cough and wheeze. Dual users had a 1.9-times higher odds of developing respiratory symptoms compared to exclusive e-cigarette or tobacco smoker users.
The global street drug supply has changed dramatically, with heroin and cocaine now cut with up to 17 pharmaceutically active and potentially toxic adulterants. This trend poses significant risks to public health and safety, particularly for high-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A large study of children found a positive correlation between habitual snoring and behavioral problems, such as inattention or hyperactivity. The research suggests that snoring may contribute to the development of behavioral problems, and highlights the importance of early evaluation and screening for oSDB.
A new study finds that Medicaid expansion significantly improves access to evidence-based treatments for opioid use disorder among those involved with the criminal justice system. However, disparities persist due to incarceration-related stigma and barriers to treatment.
A study by NIH/NIDA found that adolescents who started using cannabis or misusing prescription drugs earlier are more likely to develop substance use disorders. The prevalence of substance use disorders was higher among adolescents than young adults at various time frames since first drug use, highlighting the vulnerability of young pe...
A recent study found that lower self-esteem, less optimism, and higher negative peer behaviors were associated with greater PTSD symptoms in Black girls. Caregiver support was also linked to increased PTSD symptoms, highlighting the importance of addressing historical trauma in households.
Patients taking buprenorphine for opioid use disorder who also take benzodiazepines experience a 40% lower risk of overdose, according to research published in The American Journal of Psychiatry. This finding suggests that buprenorphine can protect patients from overdose even when taking benzodiazepines.
Seizures of methamphetamine and marijuana rose significantly during the pandemic, with quantities of marijuana seized climbing by weight. Investigators found no significant shifts in other drug seizures, but provisional overdose deaths show a further rise through the first half of 2020.
Researchers found sharp decreases in marijuana and methamphetamine seizures during the pandemic's early months, followed by significant increases as restrictions relaxed. The study suggests disruptions in drug supply chains may have contributed to these trends.
A recent study from Indiana University found that supply-controlling and harm-reduction policy measures implemented in response to the opioid epidemic may have unintended consequences, including motivating users to switch to alternative illicit substances, leading to higher overdose mortality.
A Korean research team developed a wearable sensor that can detect illegal drugs in sweat using nanomaterials technology, enabling fast and highly sensitive drug detection. The technology overcomes traditional methods' limitations and has the potential to address social problems related to drug distribution and abuse.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that rescheduling drugs can lead to significant reductions in use and related harms. For over half of the reschedulings studied, use-related measures declined by at least 40 percent.
A study found that nearly a third of US teens and young adults prescribed psychoactive drugs misuse them, with stimulants and tranquillisers being most frequently misused. The likelihood of misuse increases with age, highlighting the need for comprehensive health promotion approaches among youth.
A recent study found a sharp increase in methamphetamine overdose deaths across all racial and ethnic groups, but non-Hispanic American Indians and Alaska Natives had the highest death rates overall. The study highlights the need for culturally tailored prevention and treatment strategies to address this growing crisis.
A new treatment combining naltrexone and bupropion shows promise in reducing methamphetamine use disorder, with a response rate of 13.6% compared to 2.5% in placebo groups. The therapy also led to reduced cravings and fewer adverse effects.
A combination of injectable naltrexone and oral bupropion was found to be effective in treating adults with moderate or severe methamphetamine use disorder. Participants responded at a significantly higher rate to the treatment, with an NNT of 9, indicating its potential as a promising addition to current approaches.
A simple nurse- or carer-led medicines' monitoring system has been shown to reduce medication-related illness in people living in residential care homes. The Adverse Drug Reaction Profile (ADRe-p) system helped identify medicines' mismanagement and adverse drug reactions, leading to improved prescribing and reduced harm.
A team-based approach to treating opioid use disorder with community pharmacists shows promise in improving medication adherence and participant satisfaction. The study found nearly 90% of participants remained in the program and 95.3% adhered to their daily medication regimen.
A 10-year study found that individuals with high sensitivity to alcohol's pleasurable effects are more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder. Higher sensitivity, not tolerance, is linked to increased risk and addictive behavior.
Researchers are using cutting-edge MRI sensors to map brain responses to drugs of abuse and identify genes that promote neuron survival. They plan to apply this technology to study Parkinson's disease, hoping to uncover new therapeutic targets.
A community-level alcohol intervention in California resulted in a significant reduction of alcohol-involved crashes among drivers aged 15-30. The study found that the intervention, which included sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, translated into approximately 310 fewer crashes across the intervention cities.
Levels of nicotine and marijuana vaping among US teens remained high in early 2020, despite a slight decrease in some trends. Nicotine vaping declined among 10th and 12th graders, but daily use remained high. The MTF survey found that vaping device brands have shifted, with teens moving to disposable devices.
The study highlights a need for standardized terminology to distinguish between medicine misuse, abuse, and medication errors. A clear taxonomy is required to accurately identify situations involving medicine misuse, ensuring better public health outcomes.
A UTSA researcher studied drug overdose mortality among US Hispanics from 2000-2017, finding lower rates overall but higher rates for people of Puerto Rican heritage born in Puerto Rico. The study emphasizes the need for culturally-tailored services in Spanish to address these groups' needs.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering developed an AI tool that analyzes movie scripts to predict violent, substance-abuse, and sexual content. The tool classifies sentences and phrases into three categories, providing instant feedback for filmmakers to design a desired rating.
The project aims to employ people formerly injected drugs and provide a robust recovery ecosystem by aiding recovery and physical health, with state-certified peer navigator/recovery coaches at the forefront. The goal is to create a comprehensive and sustainable approach to support those in recovery.
A recent NIH-funded study found that microstructural brain differences in the nucleus accumbens predict increases in indicators of obesity in children. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study reveals a link between diet-related inflammation and unhealthy eating behaviors.
A new study by the University of Michigan and Texas State University found that more college-age Americans are abstaining from alcohol, with a significant decrease in alcohol misuse. However, the study also shows an increase in marijuana use and co-use of alcohol and marijuana.