Articles tagged with Drug Abuse
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A new clinical trial tests a medication blocking ghrelin levels in patients with alcohol use disorder. Researchers found a statistically significant reduction in craving and food cravings in 12 patient volunteers. The study aims to further assess the drug's efficacy in a larger placebo-controlled trial.
A RAND Corporation study found that medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders jumped by 62% among Medicaid recipients, but disparities emerged in poorer counties and areas with larger black and Hispanic populations. The expansion of this treatment led to new racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare.
A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that patients receiving methadone or buprenorphine had a significantly lower risk of death from opioid overdose. The study analyzed data from over 17,000 adults in Massachusetts who survived an overdose between 2012 and 2014.
A new study by FSU Associate Professor Amy Burdette found that religious involvement does not significantly affect women's misuse of prescription drugs, including opioids. Research showed a lower probability of illicit drug use among church attendees compared to those who attend services less frequently.
A recent study by RAND Corporation found that more than 6 percent of Massachusetts adults received risky opioid prescriptions over a five-year period, increasing their chances of death. The study identified six types of risky prescribing practices linked to fatal opioid overdoses and other causes of mortality.
A review of current evidence published in Annals of Emergency Medicine suggests that emergency department-facilitated transitions to outpatient care with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) lead to healthier patient outcomes. MAT improves long-term outcomes, reduces fatal overdose risk and hospitalizations.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism for combating drug addiction relapse, focusing on the brain's cholinergic system and its role in memory. Using an animal model, they found that a specific blocker of the alpha7 nicotinic receptor impaired relapse to morphine seeking behavior.
The NIH HEAL Initiative is a trans-NIH effort to address the opioid crisis through science. The initiative focuses on two primary areas: improving treatments for opioid misuse and addiction, and enhancing strategies for pain management.
A new study by Drexel University finds that childhood trauma experienced by parents can lead to poorer health and asthma in their own children. The research suggests that each type of ACE (adverse childhood experience) increases the risk of poor health and asthma in children by 19%.
A study by NYU's Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research found that high school seniors using heroin also commonly use multiple other drugs, with an average of five others. The researchers discovered a link between frequent heroin use and increased use of opioids and benzodiazepines.
A study found over 156,000 calls to US Poison Control Centers regarding ADHD medication exposures among children and adolescents from 2000-2014, averaging 29 calls per day. The majority of calls were about children under 12 years old, with most exposures associated with exploratory behavior or therapeutic errors.
A new study by Université de Montréal researchers found that boys who start smoking marijuana at the start of their teens are 68% more likely to have a drug abuse problem by age 28, compared to those who start between 15 and 17. The study also found that frequent cannabis use increases the risk of addiction.
Researchers funded by NIH find that opioids produce effects by binding to receptors inside neurons, not just on surface, providing new insights into pain medication development. The discovery may help guide design of safer pain relievers without addiction risks.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that prescription drug monitoring programs may not reduce fatal overdoses as expected, but instead linked to an increase in heroin overdose deaths after restrictions on opioid prescribing were implemented.
A former police chief and LEAP UK argue that harsher drug laws are ineffective in reducing violence and suggest a shift towards public health policies. They point to the failure of punitive approaches and highlight the need for regulation, taxation, support, and education.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins researchers found that only a small percentage of patients use nonopioid pain relievers to supplement opioid pain management after spine and joint surgery. Patients also improperly store and dispose of opioids.
A new study at Boston Medical Center aims to bridge a gap in care for patients with substance use disorders by linking them with trained peer recovery coaches. The project, Project RECOVER, will provide support and sustain recovery for up to six months through interventions delivered by certified peer coaches.
A new study analyzing patients with mixed drug abuse and endocarditis found a significant increase in hospitalizations over the last decade. The study estimated substantial healthcare costs, with a total of $17.3 million billed by the hospital in 2015 alone.
Researchers developed a vaccine to blunt bath salts' stimulant effects on the brain, which could aid recovering drug users experiencing relapse. The vaccine showed promising results in reducing MDPV-induced movement and activity in rodents.
Researchers have developed vaccines against heroin and prescription opioids that target the brain's opioid receptors, preventing addiction-relevant behaviors. The vaccines appear safe and effective in blocking opioid distribution to the brain, potentially helping prevent fatal overdoses.
Engineers at the University of California San Diego developed a miniature biosensor that can be implanted under the skin to track alcohol levels continuously. The chip consumes ultra-low power and is powered wirelessly by a wearable device, making it suitable for long-term monitoring in substance abuse treatment programs.
A VA study found that electronic medication alerts can reduce the risk of dangerous drug combinations by 25% for patients with substance use disorder, sleep apnea, and suicide risk. The alerts also improved coordination between primary care and mental health services.
Scientists at NIDA uncovered evidence of a more complex role for GPCRs, suggesting a conceptual advance in biochemistry and pharmacology. The discovery reveals that GPCRs form part of pre-coupled macromolecular complexes that act as computing devices to gather and process information.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that frequent public drug users who witness more overdoses are likely to be good candidates for naloxone training. These users tend to engage in riskier drug use and use drugs in a wider range of settings.
A study analyzing hospital data from 2012-2014 found that 1.5% of patients hospitalized for periapical abscess had opioid abuse/dependence, with certain demographics showing increased risk, including younger adults and those without private insurance.
Researchers found that mice increased their running on a wheel two hours before the door to the nebulizing chamber was open. The activated brain regions included those implicated in reward processing and craving: the orbitofrontal cortex, dorsomedial hypothalamus, and lateral septum.
A study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology suggests that methylphenidate, an ADHD medication, may be subject to misuse and/or abuse. The study found inconsistent patterns of use among adult users, particularly those aged 25-49 years.
A recent study by USC researchers found that nearly everyone who used heroin transitioned to drug injection in about six months, contributing to the hepatitis C epidemic. The trend is largely driven by heroin's potency and affordability, making it a more attractive alternative to opioids.
Researchers have been working on optimizing and reformulating vaccines to target specific immune responses in individuals prone to relapse. Recent clinical trial data suggests that these new formulations may be effective in preventing opioid relapse.
Researchers found that gabapentin is being mixed with other substances to produce euphoria, and some users are turning to it after crackdowns made it difficult to obtain opioid prescriptions. The medication's low cost and increasing popularity have contributed to its misuse, highlighting the need for further study on its abuse potential.
Middle-aged white Americans and rural communities are disproportionately affected by the alarming drop in US life expectancy. Experts attribute this decline to factors such as social mobility decline, economic hardship, and distress over losing stability, highlighting the need for policymakers to address these conditions.
A new study from UT scientists finds that buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid addiction, can impair the ability of obese mice to vary their breathing. This discovery may encourage similar studies in humans, who also need to achieve tasks like climbing stairs and respond to challenges such as disease and surgical stress.
The Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge has awarded $10,000 prizes to five innovative concepts addressing drug abuse and addiction. The top ideas include digital therapies, augmented reality coaching systems, and virtual reality prevention tools.
The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention at CU Anschutz Medical Campus receives a $1.5 million grant from the Colorado Health Foundation to advance its mission to reduce misuse and abuse of prescription drugs in Colorado.
A new study published in The BMJ suggests that the duration of opioid treatment is a more potent predictor of abuse and overdose than dosage among patients with no history of recent or chronic opioid use. Longer treatment spells increase the risk of dependence, abuse, or overdose by up to 20% each additional week.
A new study finds that surgery patients taking opioids for extended periods are at higher risk of abuse and overdose, while the duration of treatment is a more potent predictor than dosage. Researchers analyzed over half a million records to quantify opioid misuse following surgery.
A new patient education brochure has been shown to increase proper disposal rates of unused opioids among surgical patients, with adults receiving the brochure disposing of their medications at a rate of 22 percent compared to 11 percent among those who did not receive it.
A new study in The Lancet Psychiatry found that tamper-resistant oxycodone tablets had no significant effect on rates of opioid use or harms at a population level. However, the study did find that people who inject drugs were less likely to tamper with the tablets, suggesting a potential benefit for this group.
The 2017 NIH Monitoring the Future survey shows that nearly one in three 12th graders use some kind of vaping device, with significant declines in hookah and cigarette use. Meanwhile, teen opioid misuse has reached historic lows, with past year misuse of Vicodin dropping to 2% among high school seniors.
Researchers used brain scans to analyze how people at risk of drug use process anti-drug messages. They found that certain neural connections in the brain predicted which messages were most persuasive, improving accuracy for high-risk participants.
Two studies comparing buprenorphine and naltrexone found that both medications are equally effective in preventing relapse and reducing illicit opioid use. However, naltrexone can be more difficult to initiate due to the 'detox hurdle' faced by many patients.
A new intervention by Dr. Stacey Sigmon reduces illicit opioid use and injection drug use among waitlisted patients by providing daily medication via a computerized dispenser. This regimen allows patients to start potentially life-saving treatment immediately, while waiting for access to comprehensive counseling services.
A new study found that under 5% of those referred for opioid treatment from the criminal justice system were directed to medication-assisted programs, while 40% of clients referred by other sources attended these programs. This referral gap highlights a missed opportunity for effective treatment among at-risk groups.
Researchers found that fasudil, a drug that inhibits Rho kinase, promotes goal-directed behavior in mice by pruning dendritic spines, a process involved in learning new behaviors. The treatment showed promise in reducing cocaine self-administration and could be an effective adjunct to cognitive behavioral therapy for treating drug abuse.
A California survey found that physicians and pharmacists significantly increased their use of the state's prescription drug monitoring program, CURES, following a law mandate update and registration requirement. The study suggests that education and outreach efforts can drive greater compliance with the law.
Research reveals that online products sold as selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) may contain unapproved substances or incorrect amounts. Most products did not match label information, highlighting the need for greater regulatory oversight of these appearance- and performance-enhancing drugs.
A critical review of existing literature reveals that social media big data can be used to monitor and intervene on behalf of people with drug addiction and abuse problems. Researchers have developed an evidence-based framework to inform future social media-based substance use prevention and recovery programs.
Researchers are developing abuse-deterrent opioids with special coatings or infusions to make them harder to misuse, but at a higher cost. Novel painkillers and powerful opioid detectors are also being developed to help combat the crisis.
A study comparing buprenorphine/naloxone and extended release naltrexone found similar outcomes among patients who initiated medication. However, initiating treatment with naltrexone was more challenging due to detoxification hurdles.
A study of 9,588 VA patients found that heart failure linked to meth use increased from 1.7% in 2005 to 8% in 2015, with notable differences in ejection fraction and coronary artery disease between users and non-users.
A new study concludes that extended-release naltrexone and buprenorphine-naloxone are equally safe and effective in curtailing opioid use, relapse, treatment drop-out, and overdose. Researchers found similar 24-week relapse rates for both medications, with craving for opioids lower in the naltrexone group.
Researchers developed a novel gene therapy that lasts for over eight months, reducing methamphetamine in the brain and its stimulant effects. The therapy generates antibodies against meth, preventing it from reaching the brain.
Researchers found that neurons in the brain's 'reward center' fired more rapidly in response to alcohol when estrogen levels were high. This increased sensitivity may play a role in the development of addiction in women, particularly during certain stages of their menstrual cycle.
Researchers at McMaster University developed a new drug screening technique to quickly identify fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. This method, outlined in Analytical Chemistry, addresses the public health emergency caused by opioid addiction and overdose deaths.
Long-term administration of antipsychotic drugs can worsen schizophrenia outcomes if patients consume substances like nicotine and alcohol or drugs like cannabis and amphetamines. However, measures such as administering long-acting injectable antipsychotics and psychoeducation can improve adherence and reduce substance abuse.
Researchers found significant decreases in both substance-use disorders and delinquent behaviors among teens from 2003 to 2014. The study suggests that changes in adolescent behavior are driving these declines, rather than policies alone.
A new study found that nearly 9% of bariatric surgical patients continue to use prescription opioids one year postoperatively, compared to 6% in general surgical populations. Surgeons must identify high-risk patients and adjust prescribing practices to prevent addiction.
A study by NYU Meyers College of Nursing found that over a quarter of teens taking Adderall on their own do not report using amphetamine. This underreporting may lead to an underestimate of the actual prevalence of nonmedical amphetamine use.
A national analysis shows that opioid abuse remains disturbingly high, with nearly 1 in 7 Americans abusing prescription opioids. Experts urge caution and education to combat the epidemic.
A new tool developed at the University of Michigan provides guidance on prescribing powerful opioid pain medications to surgery patients. The Opioid Prescribing Recommendations for Surgery are based on data and surveys from surgery patients across Michigan, aiming to prevent chronic opioid use and addiction.