Articles tagged with Drug Abuse
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have identified brain cells that suppress drug cravings, which could lead to improved addiction treatments. The discovery sheds new light on how the brain responds to environmental cues that prevent relapse, providing hope for more effective medicines in the future.
A new study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that states with comprehensive prescription drug monitoring program mandates saw a 8.92% reduction in opioid prescriptions and 17.75% fewer emergency department visits compared to those with weak or no mandates.
A new medication that boosts endocannabinoids in the brain shows promise to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by enhancing fear extinction learning. The study found that participants who received the FAAH inhibitor remembered fear extinction memory better, offering hope for a new treatment.
Researchers found strong evidence that cannabis alleviates pain, with users experiencing a significant drop in pain suffering after consumption. The study highlights the potential of cannabis as a safe and effective alternative to opioids for treating chronic pain.
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that 88% of past-12-month prescription opioid users used the drugs only as prescribed by a physician, while 4% misused them. Prescription-only misusers were more likely to be depressed and have higher rates of substance use disorder and benzodiazepine misuse.
A study by UMass Amherst researcher Elizabeth Evans found that individuals who perceived buprenorphine as unacceptable were least likely to use the medication during follow-up. The study also identified common reasons people disliking buprenorphine, such as negative physical reactions and side effects.
A team of researchers at Scripps Research Institute has discovered an anti-opioid pathway that counteracts the effects of opioids on neuronal firing. The discovery could lead to the development of new pain medications with less potential for abuse and overdose.
Researchers at Cornell Tech developed a new clinical model to respond systematically to digital threats against victims of intimate partner violence. The model includes a technology assessment questionnaire, technograph diagram, and ISDi spyware scanning tool to help counselors pinpoint online abuse and protect victims' safety.
Researchers created a community-focused drug abuse monitoring system called DrugTracker, which analyzes social media posts and geospatial data to detect trends and changes in the landscape. The system helps organizations identify drug abuse risk behaviors and allocate resources effectively.
A recent study found that nearly 11% of high school seniors reported misusing prescription drugs in the past year, with 44% relying on multiple sources. This increases the risk of substance use disorders and other issues.
The practice of microdosing psychedelic drugs to enhance mood and productivity lacks robust scientific evidence. Despite reports of positive experiences, the team presents a lack of controlled studies, uncertain doses, and safety concerns, highlighting the need for rigorous research.
Research found that more physicians receiving industry money prescribed brand-name gabapentin, increasing concerns about its potential for abuse. Gabapentin prescriptions have tripled in the US since 2002.
Most large health systems have active stewardship programs to prevent opioid misuse, with pharmacists playing a key role in detection and strategy development. Pharmacists also play a major role in drug therapy monitoring and patient education.
A new poll suggests that many grandparents are storing their medications in easy-to-reach places, posing a risk of accidental poisoning or intentional misuse. The poll found that nearly 80% of grandparents keep their medications in the same place as usual when their grandchildren visit, and 72% store them in purses or bags.
A University of Cincinnati researcher is conducting an omics analysis of synthetic opioids and HIV to better understand their interactions. The study aims to develop new therapies for individuals battling addiction and living with HIV.
A new study found significant issues with non-medical use of alprazolam in the UK, particularly among younger adults. The estimated national prevalence of lifetime and recent use was 0.32% and 1.30%, respectively.
Research suggests that most people initiate opioid use through recreational means due to peer influence, rather than medical prescriptions. The study found that 56% of interviewees began using opioids recreationally first.
Researchers found US dentists prescribe 37 times more opioids than UK counterparts in 2016, a peak year in the US opioid crisis. The study emphasizes the importance of adopting national guidelines for treating dental pain and promoting judicious opioid prescribing among US dentists.
A recent study shows a dramatic rise in opioid overdose deaths among American veterans, mainly caused by heroin and synthetic opioids. The research emphasizes the need to provide care to veterans with non-prescription opioid use disorder, independent of prescription opioid use.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that patients who received comprehensive oral care as part of their substance use disorder treatment had a significant increase in completing their treatment programs. The results show that participants who underwent FLOSS (Facilitating a Lifetime of Oral ...
A 14-year-old high school student developed a novel technology to prevent opioid pill tampering, earning the top prize at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The project, called Tampr-X, uses a protein matrix-based substance that discourages crushing or melting for misuse.
Researchers at the University of Virginia have identified a possible new drug target for reducing chronic pain and inflammation. A naturally occurring enzyme called diacylglycerol lipase-beta (DAGL?) has been found to produce chemical signals that control inflammation, making it a viable target for non-addictive pain relief.
A new study found that weight loss medications are extremely lowly used among eligible veterans, with only about one percent receiving treatment. Barriers such as insurance coverage, age, and ethnicity drive underuse of these medications, highlighting the need for additional research to better understand obstacles.
A new program aims to prevent substance abuse among children and parents, offering tailored classes and social norms campaigns to reduce alcohol and e-cigarette use. The initiative, funded at $1.4 million, also provides referrals to support groups and smoking cessation classes.
A review panel led by Regenstrief Institute Research Scientist Kurt Kroenke found that clinicians, policymakers, and payers are misapplying CDC opioid guidelines, negatively affecting patients. The panel identified challenges with implementing the guidelines, including overly restrictive prescribing policies and burdens on clinicians.
Researchers identified risks associated with popular alternative treatments like kratom, Imodium, and Xanax, which can cause substantial side effects and high abuse rates. The study also found that 'stacks' or kits combining substances are being used to combat withdrawal symptoms.
The University of Houston College of Pharmacy has opened a new center to educate providers and patients on safe controlled substance prescription use, aiming to optimize pharmacotherapy for pain management. The PREMIER Center will also support the safe disposal of unused medications through a $3.34 million grant.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that oxytocin administration can block excess drinking in alcohol-dependent rats, suggesting a potential novel pharmaceutical intervention for treating alcohol-use disorder. Oxytocin also blocked altered GABA signaling in the brain region affected by alcohol dependence.
A new research project aims to investigate how opioid use is treated in adolescence, a significant public health problem. The study will analyze insurance claims data to identify patterns of opioid use leading up to addiction and long-term treatment outcomes.
A new study published in Addiction found that medication treatment for opioid use disorder significantly reduces the risk of arrest and incarceration. The research, led by UMass Amherst public health scientist Elizabeth Evans, used data from a large randomized clinical trial to compare the effects of two medications on social outcomes.
A study found that at least six states with high opioid abuse rates have restrictive scopes of practice for nurse practitioners, limiting their ability to prescribe medications like buprenorphine. In less restrictive states, NPs were more likely to receive waivers and access these life-saving medications.
A color test developed at University of Technology Sydney can accurately detect all cathinones, a new illicit synthetic drug entering the market every four days. The test is now commercialized and being marketed to police and customs agencies in Europe, offering a solution for detecting new psychoactive substances.
A new computer model, NarcoLogic, reveals that cocaine interdiction strategies actually fuel the spread of trafficking networks. The study suggests that decades of war on drugs have had little effect on reducing cocaine supply or prices, and that increased interdiction will only push traffickers into new areas.
The article discusses the rising trend of heroin abuse in the US, which has led to an increase in surgical complications such as skin and soft tissue infections, septic thrombophlebitis, and mycotic pseudoaneurysms. Rapid recognition and management of these complications are crucial to prevent life-threatening outcomes.
Researchers found that men who stopped using performance-enhancing hormones experienced complete recovery of sperm production and hormone levels within nine to 18 months. However, testicular size remained smaller than normal in some cases. The study provides valuable insights for endocrinologists caring for men affected by androgen abuse.
Researchers have developed a novel method for detecting amphetamine and ketamine in latent fingermarks using nanocarrier-based biological fluorescent probes. The method allows for simultaneous detection of multiple drugs in a single fingerprint, providing a potential solution to combat drug abuse.
A biomedical engineer is developing a therapeutic option that would prevent the opiates from crossing the blood-brain barrier, preventing the high abusers seek. The treatment involves generating an anti-opioid antibody that will arrest the drug in circulation and prevent it from getting to the brain.
Hospital admissions for drug-related infective endocarditis increased by 436% at a medical center in the US, with heroin implicated in most cases. Patients who inject drugs are at risk of developing this condition due to contaminated needles introducing bacteria into their bloodstream.
Nonmedical prescription drug use leads to 360,000 ED visits in US, mostly benzodiazepines and opioids; young adults under 35 most affected. The study proposes expanding naloxone distribution and implementing screening for polysubstance use.
A new study reveals that the menstrual cycle phase may contribute to differences between men and women in cocaine seeking and vulnerability to relapse after quitting. Female rats exhibited stronger cravings for cocaine during estrus, a phase associated with ovulation, compared to non-estrus.
University of Guelph researchers found that environmental cues activate brain areas where memories are processed, making it difficult to counter addiction. This study could have implications for treating drug addiction in humans.
Researchers found that most individuals misusing prescription opioids also use cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana or hard drugs. Those who misuse multiple substances have a greater risk of behavioral problems, mental health issues and treatment needs.
A new study estimates that 3.9 million US adults misused prescription opioids annually, with risk factors including co-occurring substance use disorders and psychological distress. Prescribers should be vigilant about potential misuse among patients prescribed potent opioid medications for long-term use.
A new study found that most medical marijuana users in the US are treating chronic pain, with 85.5% of patients reporting an evidence-based condition. The study analyzed data from states with legalized medical use of marijuana and found a dramatic increase in patient numbers over time.
Overdoses from opioids in loperamide have increased nationwide, with cardiac failure being a major concern due to the high toxicity of the drug when misused. Misusing non-prescription loperamide can lead to serious consequences, including irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest.
A study by RAND Corporation finds that OxyContin reformulation in 2010 led to a large rise in hepatitis C infections as drug abusers switched to injectable heroin. States with higher rates of OxyContin misuse prior to the reformulation saw a three-fold increase in hepatitis C infections.
A new 'Cascade of Care' framework aims to address gaps in addiction care and monitor treatment outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder. The model identifies key stages through which people must progress to increase the chance of reaching remission, and emphasizes prevention services targeting populations by risk level.
A new study found that adolescents and young adults in liberal states reported higher past-year cannabis use rates than those in conservative states. However, the rates of cannabis use disorder were significantly lower in liberal states compared to conservative states for ages 12-17 and marginally lower for ages 26 and older.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that only 36.1% of US outpatient treatment centers offer medication treatment for opioid use disorder, with significant variation among states. Treatment facilities in Medicaid expansion states were more likely to offer medication treatment.
A new clinical review recommends medication-assisted treatment for patients experiencing opioid withdrawal, which can help ease them into longer-term treatment and recovery. Buprenorphine is the preferred medication for most patients, particularly in emergency department settings.
The Second Chance app uses sonar to monitor breathing rate and detect opioid overdose symptoms. It has been shown to accurately identify overdoses 90% of the time and can track movement and breathing from a distance.
DeepSqueak uses deep artificial neural networks to analyze ultrasonic vocalizations, providing a new tool for studying social behavior in rodents. The researchers found that male mice have distinct songs for different stages of courtship, and that they are more complex when sensing a female mouse nearby.
The study analyzed data from over 69,000 ED visits for patients under 18 and found a decrease in opioid prescribing rates from 2006-2010 to 2011-2015. Regional and demographic differences were observed, with higher rates among white patients and those aged 13-17, as well as lower rates among Medicaid recipients.
A recent study published in Psychiatric Services found that over 12% of U.S. adults used benzodiazepines in the past year, with misuse accounting for nearly 17% of overall use. Benzodiazepine misuse was strongly associated with opioid and stimulant misuse, highlighting concerns about substance abuse.
The 2018 Monitoring the Future survey found a dramatic increase in teen vaping, with over 1 in 10 eighth graders and nearly 20% of high school seniors using nicotine vapes. Meanwhile, opioid misuse has dropped to record lows, with only 3.4% of 12th graders reporting past-year use.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that teens and young adults who receive their initial opioid prescriptions from dentists are at increased risk for opioid addiction in the following year. The study, which examined nearly 15,000 patients, found that those who received dental opioid prescriptions were more likely to c...
A study from the University of Eastern Finland found that one in five people with Alzheimer's disease use benzodiazepines and opioids concurrently. Prolonged use was linked to lung diseases, osteoporosis, and fractures.
A study found that 73% of drinking occasions occurred at home, while only 9% were at restaurants or bars. Drinking at home was rarely associated with driving after drinking or impaired driving, but still led to substantial numbers of drunken driving events.
Inhalant abuse is a growing concern among teens, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with up to 125 deaths per year in the US. Deodorant spray contains butane, which can be toxic when inhaled.
A study of older primary care patients found that hospital admission significantly increases the risk of inappropriate prescribing. The research highlights the need for better coordination of care to reduce medication-related harms.