Articles tagged with Substance Abuse
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.
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...
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
A new study led by Boston University School of Public Health reveals that US excess deaths have been increasing for decades, with working-age adults disproportionately affected. The study found that over 1.5 million 'missing Americans' would have been averted if the US had mortality rates similar to other high-income countries.
A new study finds that cannabis use disorder diagnoses rose substantially across all age groups, race/ethnicity, and comorbidity subgroups nationwide from 2000 to 2022. People living with HIV experienced the greatest relative increase in CUD diagnoses, particularly among older adults.
A recent study by UT Arlington researcher Dr. Awua found that social influences and peer pressure significantly impact substance use among young adults College students often misjudge their peers' drinking habits, leading to heavy episodic drinking and negative consequences The study suggests using protective behavioral strategies like...
Nearly 19 million children in the US are living in households with a parent struggling with substance use disorder. Children exposed to parental substance abuse are more likely to experience adverse health problems compared to those without such exposure.
A new study found that collegiate recovery programs with multiple funding sources served twice as many students, providing dedicated space and relapse management support. These programs offer inclusive All Recovery meetings, which provide a welcoming space for students on different recovery journeys to connect and heal.
A randomized controlled trial in Switzerland found that legal access to cannabis decreases problematic consumption, especially among individuals using other substances. After two years, participants showed significant improvements in mental state.
A study published in Contemporary Economic Policy found that adoption of vertical identification laws has not reduced teenage drinking and smoking. The analysis of 1991-2019 data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveys revealed no statistically significant or economically important effect on these behaviors.
Research led by VCU and Rutgers University found that romantic partners' substance use habits, personality traits, and mental health status can enhance or diminish a person's genetic predisposition to binge drinking. The study suggests that couple-based interventions could be more effective when addressing environmental influences.
Researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio discovered a significant link between REM sleep disturbances and increased PTSD severity. The study suggests that targeting REM sleep could be a promising approach for improving PTSD treatment outcomes.
A UCLA study found that nearly one-quarter of e-scooter-related injuries involved substance-impaired riders, who experienced almost double the risk of traumatic brain injuries compared to non-impaired patients. The study also highlights increased hospital costs for these patients, averaging $4,600 per case.
A longitudinal cohort study found that military sexual trauma is associated with an increased risk of suicide attempt and death by drug overdose, especially among those with post-traumatic stress disorder. The study highlights the need for policies to reduce sexual trauma in the military.
A new SFU study found men experiencing intimate partner violence are less likely to seek outside help compared to women. As a result, they may experience worsening depression, substance misuse, and emotional distress, escalating the risks in the relationship.
Research finds that comprehensive drug policies, including harm reduction measures, are positively associated with perceptions of governmental support and trust in local government. In rural US communities, residents' trust in their local government increases when they perceive the government as supportive of these policies.
Researchers warn of a growing crisis due to widespread availability and enticing marketing of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. The number of hospitalizations and deaths attributed to its misuse have increased exponentially, posing significant public health concerns.
A new prevention program has shown promise in reducing college students' problem drinking and their risks of unsafe sex and sexual victimization. The SPLASH program addressed students' misperceptions and taught practical skills to protect themselves and friends, resulting in high acceptance rates and improved perceptions.
Researchers found that digital games effective in reducing drinking, smoking, and illicit drug use among adolescents when personalized to individual players, had social components, and included content encouraging behavior change.
Researchers found that placing naloxone kits at public transit locations using an optimization strategy and ensuring blanket placement at take-home naloxone program locations effectively covered a major proportion of opioid poisonings in Vancouver. The study suggests that easy accessibility of kits is crucial to prevent deaths from opi...
A new study found that less than half of Medicaid managed care plans cover all four FDA-approved medications for treating alcohol use disorder. The majority of these plans covered naltrexone, while disulfiram and acamprosate were less commonly covered.
A new report from Heriot-Watt University and University of Edinburgh reveals that violence is trapping women in cycles of trauma and homelessness. Women often face abuse from multiple perpetrators, and temporary accommodation fails to provide adequate safety.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new, minimally invasive method called DeepFocus for treating depression and other neural conditions using transnasal electrical stimulation. This technique offers more accurate and efficient targeting of deep brain structures with lower risk.
Research reveals nearly 10% of individuals with disabilities misused prescription drugs in the past year, compared to 4.4% without disabilities. Young adults and those with cognitive disabilities are particularly vulnerable to prescription drug misuse.
A representative study of adults experiencing homelessness in California found a high proportion of current drug use and unmet need for treatment. Improving access to treatment tailored to their needs could improve outcomes.
A new RMIT University study explores how Australia can share its drug checking data with the public, finding strong preference for open access. The researchers suggest sharing comprehensive results through engaging dashboards to empower individuals making informed decisions about drugs.
Residents of Ontario with cannabis use disorder had a significantly higher risk of death compared to the general population. The findings highlight the importance of addressing cannabis use disorders, especially as global trends toward cannabis legalization continue.
A recent study found that patients who left emergency departments before being medically advised had higher rates of readmission, mortality, and increased costs. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 53.6% increase in such cases, primarily due to concerns about infection, long wait times, and dissatisfaction with care.
A recent study found that people trying to quit opioids and pain medication experience more relapses compared to others. The research highlights the need for tailored treatment approaches, as some substances require more quit attempts than others.
A recent study by researchers from the University of Toronto found that older adults who experienced parental divorce during childhood have a 60% higher odds of stroke. The study controlled for known risk factors and still showed a strong association between parental divorce and stroke.
Research suggests ketamine use is increasing among US adults, linked to depression and sociodemographic factors. Expansion of prevention outreach and education on polydrug use harms are recommended.
The prevalence of substance use disorder surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, but treatment receipt declined initially due to healthcare disruptions. Treatment rates began to recover in 2022, likely driven by reopened treatment programs and increased telehealth use.
A study published in JAMA found that cold-related deaths increased by over 100% in the US between 1999 and 2022, with factors such as homelessness, social isolation, and substance use playing a role. The authors suggest that further research is needed to understand the underlying drivers of this trend.
Renowned neuroscientist Dr. Peter Kalivas discusses his groundbreaking work on the tetrapartite synapse, a complex cellular structure influencing addictive behaviors. His research has revolutionized addiction treatment by identifying novel therapeutic targets beyond traditional neurotransmitter systems.
Research from 2008-2020 shows an increase in emotional/mental health and suicide prevention in schools, but a decrease in substance use prevention, particularly among middle schools. This shift highlights the need for targeted teacher training and resource allocation to address emerging trends in school mental health.