Articles tagged with Substance Abuse
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A study found that prenatal alcohol exposure changed aspects of the dopamine system in rhesus monkeys, influencing how quickly they drank alcohol in adulthood. The researchers also discovered individualized neuroadaptive responses to drinking, which may promote the transition to alcohol use disorder.
A new study from UT Arlington reveals that one in four US adolescents experience neighborhood trauma, leading to increased substance use. Cyberbullying is more strongly linked to substance use than traditional school bullying, and team sports participation can also contribute to increased alcohol use.
A new study in NC found that many residential substance-use service providers require patients to engage in unpaid labor, restricting access to evidence-based treatment. Providers with labor requirements are less likely to offer recommended treatment and more likely to operate without a state license.
Researchers propose threshold levels for safe cannabis use, aiming to guide consumption and reduce harm. The recommended limit is 8 THC units per week, above which the risk of developing cannabis use disorder increases.
New research suggests that mobile health interventions tailored to individual needs can reduce harms associated with heavy drinking and cannabis use. Studies demonstrate the effectiveness of personalized feedback and protective behavioral strategies in reducing substance use risks, paving the way for innovative digital interventions.
A new sensor developed by the Universitat Politècnica de València can quickly detect scopolamine, a substance commonly used in chemical submission crimes, with high sensitivity. The sensor uses a molecular cage to trap specific molecules and generates a fluorescent signal proportional to the amount of scopolamine present.
A decline in churchgoing among middle-aged, less educated white Americans is linked to increased mortality rates from drug overdoses, suicide, and alcoholic liver disease. The study found that states with the largest declines in churchgoing experienced larger increases in deaths of despair, starting years before the opioid crisis began.
A new study finds that raising the minimum legal drinking age from 16 to 18 years significantly improves academic performance and mental health among European teenagers. The research, conducted by Carmen Villa, shows a decrease in binge drinking and intoxication, leading to better PISA exam scores and reduced anxiety medication use.
The study found that behavioral health care accounted for $41.8 billion of overall health spending in 2022, with families paying an average of $2.9 billion out-of-pocket. The costs have grown more than twice as fast as other types of medical care, with telehealth visits increasing by 99% per year.
A new study by the University at Buffalo found that 12th graders who use two or more cannabis products are more likely to engage in binge drinking. The study suggests that certain modes of cannabis consumption, such as smoking and vaping, may be linked to higher risks of binge drinking.
A new study suggests that prevention campaigns for cannabis-related vehicle crashes should target middle-aged and older adults, who are at risk of driving after using the drug. Adults over 50 who use cannabis daily or have mental health reasons are most likely to drive after using THC-containing products.
A new study estimates that substance use disorders result in nearly $93 billion in lost productivity in the US, including $3,703 per adult. The analysis highlights the need for prevention and treatment strategies to reduce harm and costs beyond healthcare expenses.
A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine reveals distinct patterns of brain activity between boys and girls with a family history of substance use disorder, suggesting separate predispositions for addiction. Girls with a family history displayed higher transition energy in the default-mode network, indicating greater difficulty disengag...
A recent scoping review found a positive correlation between alcohol, cocaine use, and cigarette use with problematic pornography use (PPU). The study suggests that individuals using these substances are more likely to exhibit PPU behaviors.
A new compound MCH11, a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, shows promising effects in reducing alcohol consumption and motivation to drink in mice. The molecule exhibits anxiolytic and antidepressant properties with sex-dependent efficacy, correcting genetic alterations associated with alcohol use disorder.
Researchers discovered psilocin's mechanism to reduce alcohol use in female mice by dampening activity of neurons in the central amygdala, leading to decreased drinking. This finding provides mechanistic insight into psychedelic treatment for psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety.
Researchers at Wayne State University will develop a sustainable infrastructure for multi-tiered SUD prevention in high schools. The project aims to build upon prior research to establish a blueprint for implementing evidence-based programs in schools, addressing the need for sustained delivery and long-term impact.
West Virginia University researchers are working with local partners to stop drug use in youth before it starts. They will expand an existing pilot project to encompass 140 schools in 36 rural counties, tailored to individual community needs.
The latest issues of three American Psychiatric Association journals feature research on schizophrenia, stimulant use disorder, and recovery-oriented approaches for schizophrenia. The publications highlight new treatments and findings on alcohol use disorder, youth mental health, and suicide risk.
A new $4 million grant will support the establishment of a health economics research facility to evaluate and compare the economic value of available interventions in the criminal-legal system. The researchers aim to develop tools and resources for policymakers to identify strategic investments in substance use disorder care.
A new study reveals that laws restricting pain clinics, or 'pill mills,' where opioids were often prescribed, reduced risky opioid use by 5 percent. Enacting such laws near the onset of the crisis in the 1990s could have reduced risky use by 30 percent over time.
Researchers found that L-DOPA increased participants' willingness to wait for larger delayed rewards by 20%, decreasing impulsivity. The study also suggests that dopamine's effect on waiting may not stem from changes in basic decision processes, but rather from future reward valuation.
A Cochrane review suggests that switching to oral nicotine pouches from smoking reduces exposure to harmful substances, but the evidence is not yet clear on whether they can help people quit smoking. The review also notes that other nicotine products, like patches and gums, are beneficial for quitting smoking.
A UK report highlights gender inequities in drug and alcohol services, with women often experiencing adverse childhood experiences and trauma. The study recommends improving treatment and support for women, including women-only spaces and holistic multi-agency approaches.
A new study finds that ChatGPT can provide trustworthy information for pregnant women seeking medical advice on treating opioid use disorder, with over 97% of responses scoring as safe and accurate. The researchers used a persona to frame conversations with the AI, which showed consistency with accepted clinical practice.
A study by Ohio State University found that more than 15% of undergraduates and 11% of graduate students had tried nicotine pouches. Fraternity members reported the highest rates, with 41% saying they'd tried a pouch like Zyn.
A new survey conducted by UCLA found that nearly 1 in 4 transplant hepatologists in the US screen positive for unhealthy alcohol use. The study highlights the critical need for accessible physician wellness programs and reduced stigma around doctors seeking help.
FAU will implement evidence-based prevention strategies for at-risk youth, including LifeSkills Training, mindfulness programming, and peer mentorship. The program aims to drive long-term systems change, train professionals, and serve 600 youth annually over five years.
A culturally adapted behavioral intervention delivered in Spanish by community health workers significantly reduced unhealthy alcohol use among Latinx adults. Participants showed nearly twice the reduction in heavy drinking days compared to those who received an educational booklet.
A global analysis reveals that up to one in three women report living with a heavy-drinking partner, while children exposed to men's harmful drinking face increased risk of violence and poor health. The review emphasizes the need for gender-responsive policies and interventions to address these harms.
Death rates from unintentional injury related to drug use increased by nearly 60% from 2018 to 2023. Middle-aged adults, particularly those aged 35-44, were found to be at higher risk of death from drug-induced accidental injuries.
A recent study found that despite a slight decline in DUD prevalence, the global mortality rate and number of deaths have more than doubled over the past three decades. The increase is largely attributed to systemic gaps in harm reduction and access to treatment.
A new tool has been developed to predict cocaine overdose risk, using demographics and other available information to identify those at high risk. The tool was trained on de-identified data from the Medicaid program and showed accuracy above 9 out of 10 in identifying individuals at risk for stimulant-involved overdose.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine conducted a scoping review on AI-driven systems designed to deliver motivational interviewing. The study found that most used AI tools were chatbots, with varying levels of fidelity to core principles like empathy and autonomy.
The latest Global Burden of Disease study reveals a significant increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden worldwide, with CVD causing one in three deaths globally. The report estimates that 79.6% of all CVD deaths are attributable to modifiable risk factors, which has increased globally by 97.4 million since 1990.
The University of Arizona and University of New Mexico received a $43.6 million NIH grant to support translational science and training for early-career researchers. The partnership aims to translate research discoveries into improved patient care, with a focus on substance use disorders and rural health initiatives.
A cohort study found an association between parental diseases of despair and youth suicidal events, suggesting a potential underlying factor in the increase in adolescent suicidal behavior. Improved access to care for parents with these conditions may help reduce the adolescent suicide rate.
A new study finds that college students who are exposed to a drinker's poor behavior experience lower grades, mental distress, and suicidal thoughts. The researchers surveyed 1,822 students and found that being harassed or physically harmed was associated with poor academic performance and worse mental health.
Among youth aged 15-24, polysubstance-involved opioid overdose deaths rose steadily with age, driven by fentanyl and synthetic opioids. By age 21, polysubstance involvement surpassed opioid-only fatalities, primarily due to stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine.
A review of systematic reviews finds a consistent association between youth vaping and subsequent smoking, marijuana, and alcohol use. Vaping is also linked to various respiratory and mental health issues, including asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and suicidal outcomes.
Researchers from Cornell University evaluated the Cayuga County Overdose Data Dashboard, finding that three-quarters of users informed decision-making with its real-time data. Most users (97%) found the dashboard easy to use and valued information on treatment services and Naloxone locations.
George Mason University researchers demonstrate how positive stimuli called recovery cues can lower relapse risk by regulating emotional and physical reactions to triggers. Participants who used personalized VR scenarios showed improved decision-making and reduced cravings for substance use.
Researchers at Emory University developed two affordable programs to prevent youth substance misuse: Connect Kits for Family Action and Connect Brief Intervention. A randomized trial found that these programs reduced alcohol and other substance use among high school students in rural Oklahoma.
Research shows that the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires resulted in an estimated 440 excess deaths, while the 2023 Maui wildfires led to immediate increases in suicide and overdose deaths. Higher social support was linked to improved mental health outcomes but did not buffer physiological effects.
A new study found that heavy drinking among women with a high desire to avoid becoming pregnant increased their risk of undesired pregnancy by 50% compared to moderate or non-drinking levels. In contrast, cannabis use did not elevate the risk of undesired pregnancy.
A new study has found that US nitrous oxide deaths have increased by more than 500% between 2010 and 2023, primarily driven by recreational misuse. The researchers warn of the dangers of inhalant use, particularly among young people, highlighting the need for public awareness and intervention to prevent harm.
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University found that US adolescents with cannabis use disorder have low treatment completion rates, ranging from 34.2% to 33.8%. The most common reasons for not completing treatment were dropping out, transferring facilities, and being terminated. Adolescents who began using cannabis at a younger age...
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that opioid consumption intensity varies enormously across different populations and contexts. The study suggests that tracking average intensities of use could improve our understanding of consumption patterns and inform drug policy and treatment strategies.
A new study found that 8.9% of workers in their 30s use substances on the job, with higher risks in food preparation/service industry and safety-sensitive occupations like construction and transportation. Comprehensive substance use policies and supportive interventions could improve safety and reduce misuse.
Studies reveal that people in western and northeastern states, as well as Democrats, are more likely to use the 988 lifeline. Over 10% of calls came from veterans, highlighting a key demographic for targeted communication campaigns.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University found that illegally manufactured fentanyl primarily enters the US via counties along the Canadian border. The analysis revealed these counties accounted for over 40% of large fentanyl seizures in 2023-2024, despite comprising only 3.1% of the national population. This finding undermines eff...
A UTEP study reveals that acute alcohol consumption profoundly affects male rats' decision-making, leading them to choose higher concentrations of alcohol. In contrast, female rats hold true to their original decisions made soberly. The findings suggest a gender-specific vulnerability to alcohol's effects.
A study from Texas A&M University School of Public Health found that combining individual-focused psychological theory with social network analysis can provide a comprehensive understanding of help-seeking intentions. Students who believed their closest connections strongly supported them in seeking help reported greater intentions to ...
A Flinders University study found that providing consistent support and access to nicotine replacement therapies can help people in recovery quit smoking. The trial showed that both vapes and combination therapy were effective, with around 10% of participants abstaining from smoking at the nine-month follow-up.
A new study reveals that US Muslims show moderate openness to psychedelics in mental health therapy, with higher education correlating with favorable attitudes. Providing education about psychedelic therapies may help lower barriers to considering this treatment.
A study of 7,944 ADHD patients found that telehealth-based relationships did not increase the risk of substance use disorder. However, patients aged 26 and above who received initial stimulant prescriptions during telehealth appointments were at higher risk.
A new NIH grant will aid researchers at Wayne State University in studying the effects of fentanyl during pregnancy. The two-year study aims to determine the impact of gestational fentanyl exposure on morbidity and mortality, developmental milestones, and brain development in offspring.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a method to analyze airborne DNA, tracking species and pathogens in the air. This technology has vast potential applications for studying wildlife, human health, and environmental monitoring.
Individual incarceration is strongly associated with increased mortality in the US, as well as higher all-cause mortality among people living in counties with high incarceration rates. Incarcerated individuals face a 39% higher risk of dying from any cause and are three times more likely to die from drug overdose.
A study found that cannabis use among older adults in the US has reached a new high, with 7% of adults aged 65 and over reporting current use. The profile of those who use cannabis has changed, with pronounced increases in use by college-educated, married, female, and higher-income individuals.