Articles tagged with Substance Abuse
Researchers develop two virtual culturally grounded interventions to address substance use among urban American Indian and Alaska Native emerging adults. The studies show reduced substance use, including cannabis and alcohol consumption, as well as social connections with tribal communities.
A review of cannabis and cannabinoids' therapeutic use reveals potential health benefits while emphasizing the need for risk assessment and harm reduction strategies. The study highlights the importance of evidence-based guidelines for safe and effective treatment.
A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz found that oral semaglutide reduced heavy drinking and alcohol-related harm in adults with Alcohol Use Disorder. The medication, commonly used for diabetes and weight loss, showed consistent reductions in harmful real-world drinking behavior.
A middle school substance-use prevention program led to wide-ranging benefits well into adulthood, including better communication with romantic partners and better-adjusted children. Parents who participated in the program reported lower levels of family conflict and higher levels of family cohesion.
A new study published in JAMA found that customized treatment for babies born with opioid withdrawal can significantly reduce hospital stays and speed recovery. The approach, which combines symptom-based dosing with the Eat, Sleep, Console model of care, helped infants recover an average of 2.3 days sooner.
A recent national study analyzing over 11,800 adolescents found that substance use increases steadily with age, with 38% reporting use by age 16. The study highlights notable differences between boys and girls, particularly in polysubstance use patterns.
A new study found that students and staff involved with collegiate recovery programs held varying definitions of harm reduction, which shaped their perspectives on integrating it into CRPs. The study suggests opportunities to reframe harm reduction in a way that builds common ground and meets students' diverse recovery needs.
Pedestrian deaths in New York State show that nearly half involved substance use, leading researchers to call for more public health messaging on walking while under the influence. Substance use is particularly concerning when combined with alcohol, increasing cognitive impairment and neurocognitive deficits.
A cohort study of California public high schools found that dedicated health courses were associated with modestly lower prevalence in several common forms of adolescent substance use. The study suggests that sustained, dedicated health coursework may be a scalable component of school-based substance use prevention.
Research suggests alcohol interacts with Alzheimer's-related brain circuits in distinct ways, depending on the type of pathological change. Alcohol reduced communication in amyloid-beta models but increased it in tau models, highlighting an important principle in biology.
A study found a rapid increase in long-acting injectable buprenorphine prescriptions, but significant state-level disparities persist. The treatment showed particularly high use in Medicaid-insured patients and advanced practice clinicians.
Researchers at USC are conducting a clinical trial to determine whether mindfulness meditation training can augment the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy for mental well-being and cognitive function. The study will evaluate the effects of psilocybin within an eight-week mindfulness meditation training program.
A new study by UC San Francisco found that women with HIV are more likely to die from preventable trauma-related conditions like substance use and mental illness. The researchers say these causes are largely missing from official death records, highlighting the need for broader goals in HIV care beyond just controlling the virus.
Researchers found that people using illicit fentanyl regularly consume quantities equivalent to hundreds of times higher than hospital doses, contributing to high opioid tolerance and overdose deaths. The study aims to provide a more accurate understanding of fentanyl exposure and inform treatment protocols.
Researchers implemented behavioral nudges to increase prescription of naltrexone, a medication for alcohol use disorder. The study resulted in a 15-fold increase in patients leaving with a prescription, offering an effective treatment to those who struggle with alcohol.
The US overdose death rate declined by 24.4% in 2024, primarily driven by falling fentanyl-related deaths. However, deaths involving only stimulants continued to rise, and racial disparities remain severe. The study highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to address persistent inequities.
A growing addiction crisis in Australia requires a larger workforce, with only around 300 doctors specializing in addiction medicine. Researchers suggest early exposure and clearer career paths can quickly grow the workforce. The study found that many doctors discover addiction medicine by chance, limiting recruitment.
A study from Texas A&M University found a strong link between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms among college students. The study revealed that using multiple substances, particularly cannabis and stimulants, increases health risks and makes substance use disorders harder to treat.
A study by Brown University researchers found that exposure to violence is strongly associated with increased tobacco and e-cigarette use among adolescents. The study analyzed data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and found that each form of violence exposure was linked to increased risk of using both substances.
Researchers analyzed data from the HEALing Communities Study to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of community-based interventions for reducing opioid overdose and non-overdose deaths. They found that a combined strategy of improving treatment initiation, retention, and naloxone distribution could reduce opioid overdose deaths by 15-40% ...
A proposed 'polluter pays' tobacco levy scheme could raise billions in tax revenue and prevent thousands of hospital admissions. The UK could generate £1-£4.9 billion over five years, depending on the level of price cap and implementation speed.
A new tool has been developed to identify blackouts during drinking, using objective memory tests that can detect blackouts in real-time. The study found a moderate correlation between not remembering an image while drinking and self-reported blackouts the next day.
The US had substantially higher death rates between 1999 and 2022 compared to other wealthy nations, with cardiovascular diseases being the leading cause of excess mortality. An estimated 12.7 million US deaths could have been averted during this period if US mortality rates mirrored those of its peers.
The study found that Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Team (START) was a cost-effective approach for addressing opioid use disorder in the inpatient setting, increasing medication initiation and linkage to care after discharge. Additionally, START improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
A recent study found that a 10-week nutrition and body image intervention program improved eating behaviors, physical activity, and body image among women undergoing substance use treatment. The program also reduced disordered eating behaviors and weight-related concerns.
A randomized clinical trial suggests psilocybin is safe and efficacious for treating cocaine use disorder. The study found psilocybin to be effective in reducing substance use and improving mental health outcomes.
A new study found that updated alcohol warning labels, including those highlighting cancer risk, can better motivate consumers to cut back on drinking. The study used a nationally representative sample of adults and found that the new labels outperformed the current U.S. warning label in encouraging participants to drink less.
The new recommendations provide a practical approach for clinicians to initiate conversations about alcohol use and identify potential problems earlier. The guidelines update offer easy-to-use tables with tips on reducing alcohol use, helping clinicians focus on patients' unique needs while saving time when circumstances allow.
A new Northwestern University study found that 60% of paternal deaths in Georgia between 2017 and 2022 were preventable, resulting from homicide, accidental injury, suicide, or overdose. The study also revealed that fatherhood appears to be protective for men, with lower death rates among those who are fathers.
Two new studies reveal that social media content promoting recreational nitrous oxide use can lead to adolescent inhalant misuse, with younger teens and girls being at higher risk. The research also found that behavioral problems, such as fighting and stealing, coincide with inhalant use.
Visitors to a California region with numerous substance use disorder treatment centers experience higher levels of overdose, particularly out-of-state individuals. The study suggests that the industry's lack of oversight and predatory practices contribute to this hotspot.
The study found that outpatient care for youth is driving the growth, with nicotine, cannabis, and opioids being the most common substances. Despite this, alcohol-related visits have declined in all care settings over the past 16 years.
Primary care-based discussions on reproductive goals, immunizations, and risk-reducing interventions optimize pregnancy outcomes. Prepregnancy counseling reduces maternal morbidity and mortality, while also promoting healthy fetal development.
A study found that repeated use of low-cost mobile breathalyzers led to changes in drinking behavior, with heavy drinkers reducing blood-alcohol concentrations. The device's introduction allowed individuals to track their intoxication levels in real-time, enhancing self-awareness and leading to improved decision-making.
Researchers are evaluating the state's domestic violence resources to better support survivors and prevent further abuse. Through a $257,384 grant, UCF faculty are analyzing data from various sources and surveying organizations that provide domestic violence services.
Recent Medicaid expansions led to a significant increase in the use of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. The study found that these expansions resulted in population-level increases in treatment uptake, despite ongoing fatal overdose trends.
Research from the University of Georgia finds that people with unmet psychological needs are more likely to drink responsibly. Those who don't feel fulfilled are at risk for excessive drinking and related problems.
This mixed-methods cohort study reveals pervasive violence against Australian women who inject drugs, with severe consequences. Despite this, rates of seeking healthcare remain low due to structural and social barriers.
A new study in 15- to 25-year-olds finds that ADHD treatment improves outcomes for young people with ADHD and substance use disorder, including a 30% decrease in mortality. Despite being diagnosed with both conditions, young people are less likely to receive ADHD medication.
A new study found that legalizing online sports betting in the US has led to a significant rise in binge drinking frequency among young men, particularly those who already report binge drinking. The study's findings highlight the need for policymakers to consider the broader behavioral impacts of gambling liberalization.
A large population study found that female relatives' suicidal intentions may influence women's suicide risk, with shared familial environment and social factors having a key role. The study also found that genetic factors only partly explain the observed sex difference in suicidal behaviors.
Researchers propose a new measure for recovery from substance use, recognizing incremental progress, to reduce stigma and improve quality of life. The study found strong associations between proportion of remission and quality-of-life measures, suggesting a paradigm shift in how recovery is measured.
Researchers found that GLP-1 medications are effective at reducing the risk of developing substance use disorders across all major addictive substances, including a 14% reduced risk for developing any substance use disorder. The study also showed significant reductions in severe harm, including overdose and death, among patients with p...
A study found insufficient sleep among US adolescents, with trends suggesting environmental and structural factors are driving the issue, rather than specific behaviors. The findings highlight the need for population-level interventions to address widespread sleep loss.
A new study from the University of Toronto found that binge drinking among adults aged 50 and older is associated with a significantly increased risk of death. After adjusting for health status and socioeconomic factors, individuals who never engaged in binge drinking had a 19% lower mortality risk compared to weekly binge drinkers.
A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies found that broad spiritual practices, such as attending religious services and meditation, were associated with a 13% reduced risk of hazardous drug and alcohol use. This reduction was greater (18%) among individuals attending religious services at least once per week.
A new study from Aarhus University finds that early puberty is associated with an increased risk of general psychological distress, psychiatric diagnoses, and the use of psychiatric medication. Girls who enter puberty early may have twice the risk of receiving psychiatric medication for mental health conditions compared to their peers.
A new online tool provides information and tools for clinicians to respond to emerging patient care needs, enhancing trauma-informed healthcare for individuals with C-PTSD. The resource was co-developed by researchers and survivors, aligning with best practices and patient-centered research.
A new study found that removing legal barriers to cannabis use may reduce daily opioid use and lower the risk of opioid-related overdoses among people who inject drugs. US states that legalized recreational cannabis saw a 9-to-11-percentage-point decline in daily opioid use among this population.
A new national survey found that nearly three-quarters of clinicians encounter obstacles when starting buprenorphine treatment for patients using fentanyl. Researchers emphasize the need for evidence-based guidelines to initiate buprenorphine in light of more potent drugs.
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.