Articles tagged with Substance Abuse
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that women who turned 35 in recent years and those without children are most at risk of excessive alcohol consumption. The study's findings highlight the need to address unhealthy drinking habits among middle-aged women, particularly those without children.
A new study found a 67% increase in hospital encounters for benzodiazepine-related toxicity among young adults and a 44% rise in youth aged 18 or below in Ontario between 2013 and 2020. The increased risk is attributed to the growing presence of non-pharmaceutical benzodiazepines in the unregulated opioid supply.
The Better Together trial partners with community organizations and sites to provide buprenorphine treatment, reducing distance for patients and offering peer support in familiar environments. Researchers aim to address barriers such as stigma, misunderstandings about addiction, and bias against certain treatments.
A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that adolescents with signs of alcohol dependence are more likely to develop depression by their mid-20s. This association remained after adjusting for potential confounding factors, suggesting a causal relationship between alcohol dependence and subsequent depression.
A 43-year-old male's death in May 2022 is the first UK case associated with Xylazine, a non-opioid sedative and painkiller. The drug, commonly used in veterinary medicine, has been linked to widespread problems in North America due to its ability to lower breathing and heart rate.
A Michigan Medicine-led study reveals that life stressors across the lifespan, including childhood trauma and adult abuse, contribute significantly to worsening health and functional outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis. The findings highlight the importance of analyzing the impact of life stressors on MS patients.
A systematic review of 64 intervention studies and 41 implementation studies found that case management increases wellbeing in the short term but has no impact on employment, mental or physical health, or substance use. Intensive in-person meetings with a case manager are more beneficial than mixed remote/in-person meetings.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found significant racial inequalities in treatment for opioid use disorder, with White patients receiving medication up to 80% more frequently than Black and Hispanic patients. Despite similar numbers of healthcare visits, disparities persist.
The Southwest Rural Health Research Center's survey highlights mental health and addiction as rising concerns in rural areas, while access to quality healthcare remains a significant issue. Economic stability is also a key priority, reflecting the impact of poverty on healthcare access.
A Danish study found that 7% of seized products contained no active pharmaceutical ingredient, while 22% had inconsistent content. The researchers warn that users may be injecting themselves with cooking oil or other substances instead of intended medications.
The study reveals that female youth charged with prostitution had significantly higher prevalence rates of physical abuse and lower likelihood of living with parents, while males were more likely to live with their parents. Education and training are crucial for professionals to identify sex trafficking victimization and reduce misiden...
Burn-injured patients who use alcohol experience more severe complications, delayed recovery, and increased morbidity and mortality. Researchers found a correlation between inflammation markers and delirium during hospitalization, suggesting impaired cognitive function as a potential issue.
A retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with and without substance use disorders during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic found no association between SUD and inpatient COVID-19-related mortality. Patients with and without SUD had similar clinical complications, including mechanical ventilation and ICU admission.
A study published in The Lancet Public Health found that women with mental illness are twice as likely to develop cervical cancer due to low screening rates and increased incidence of precancerous lesions. Researchers highlight the need for proactive measures to address inequality in care.
A new study highlights poor access to US methadone treatment compared to Canada. The average driving distance to the closest clinic was more than three times greater in the US, with rural areas requiring drives of up to 138 miles.
A recent study reveals that Native Americans have the highest rates of mortality from deaths of despair, including suicide, drug overdoses, and alcoholic liver disease. In contrast, white communities are often portrayed as being disproportionately affected by this phenomenon.
A study of 1,463 combat-deployed soldiers found significant associations between bullying/hazing and major depressive disorder, PTSD, suicidal thoughts, and substance use disorder. The findings highlight the need for efforts to prevent and address mental health problems among service members.
Researchers have discovered the positive impact of icaros on men's recovery from drug and alcohol addictions during ayahuasca healing ceremonies. The study, led by UC Riverside doctoral student Owain J. Graham, found that 86% of patients showed statistically significant improvements on the Addictions Severity Index.
A new paper in Nature Reviews Disease Primers provides a global overview of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders, highlighting current approaches to diagnosis, screening, prevention, management, and treatment. The study emphasizes the need for further research, particularly on adolescents and effective behavioral interventions.
A new report from Boston University School of Public Health finds that alcohol causes 1 in 20 deaths in Massachusetts, with a toll of 2,760 fatalities per year. The state's lax alcohol policies and low taxes contribute to the problem.
A new Lancet Viewpoint provides recommendations for providers and parents to detect and intervene in adolescent substance use. The study highlights the challenges of detecting substances with 'invisible symptoms' and emphasizes the importance of open communication and well-validated screening tools.
A study found that providing only housing to young mothers struggling with substance abuse does little to help them. In contrast, those receiving housing and supportive services showed significant improvements in reducing substance use and increasing self-efficacy.
Researchers from UCSF and the San Francisco VA Health Care System found that veterans with PTSD had an 8% increased risk of death and a 9% increased risk of hospitalization compared to those without psychiatric diagnoses. Patients with psychosis had a 58% increased risk of death and a 66% increased risk of hospitalization.
A new study by UCL researchers found that problem drinking is associated with a higher risk of suicide and self-harm, particularly among those with 'probable dependence'. The study also identified signs of alcohol negatively impacting people's lives as risk factors.
A study of 1,270 youths found that attending a high-performing public charter high school was associated with lower rates of substance use disorder and delinquent behaviors. The study also showed that attendance at such schools was linked to better physical health outcomes for males but worse outcomes for females.
Researchers analyzed changes in substance use disorder treatment admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing significant disparities by sex and ethnicity. The study highlights the need for tailored treatment approaches to address these inequities and ensure equitable access to care.
Two UC Riverside-led studies found 30% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders diagnosed with COVID-19 and nearly 1 in 5 reported a close family member's death due to the virus. The research also highlighted high levels of substance use, depression, anxiety, and unmet treatment need among NH/PIs during COVID-19.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that engaging with non-drug related online communities significantly reduces the risk of relapse during remission. Participants who engaged with more online forums had a lower risk of opioid use episode, with a potential 5% reduction per forum.
A Rutgers study found that participants with severe insomnia and high rates of alcohol use had lower blackout frequencies than those with low insulinemia, suggesting a potential link between circadian misalignment and altered alcohol metabolism.
A new study shows that telehealth, particularly audio-only visits, helped keep VA patients on medication for opioid use disorder during the pandemic. Phone visits also played a key role in reducing dropouts from care.
A study analyzing Twitter data from May 2020 to January 2021 found that the share of tweets about healthy foods increased by 20%, while fast-food and alcohol tweets decreased by 9% and 11%, respectively. The study suggests that people may have made healthier dietary changes during the pandemic, depending on their neighborhood environment.
A new study from Arizona State University found that childhood loneliness is strongly linked to increased stress levels and problem drinking in young adults. The research suggests that mitigating childhood loneliness could be a key strategy for reducing the risk of alcohol use disorders in adulthood, particularly among women.
Research on Scotland's minimum unit pricing (MUP) policy found that it was associated with larger reductions in consumption among heavier drinkers, but not among women or those who tend to drink less heavily. Consumption actually increased among the heaviest drinking men following MUP introduction.
A new study led by UCL and King's College London researchers found that adolescents are three times more likely to develop a cannabis addiction than adults. However, they do not appear to be at increased risk of subclinical depression or anxiety. In contrast, adult users who become addicted may experience worsening mental health symptoms.
A new study by UCL researchers found that heavy drinkers in England are four times more likely to smoke than the general population. Those at risk of alcohol dependency who smoked had the highest smoking prevalence, with nearly a third starting smoking within five minutes of waking.
From 2004 to 2020, there was a notable increase in actions taken against physician licenses due to substance use and psychological or physical impairment. The study found that these issues were affecting the medical community, emphasizing the need for improved support systems and policies.
A recent study found that racial and ethnic minorities in Washington state die from opioid overdose on average between ages 33 to 44, compared to non-Hispanic whites who die at age 45. The gap in years of potential life lost varies among minority groups, with Hispanics experiencing a 6-year difference.
A pair of studies published by Washington State University scientists found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help individuals with opioid addiction reduce their methadone dose and better manage pain and withdrawal symptoms. The treatment involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, resulting in significant dose reduct...
A new study by NIH-funded researchers shows that adolescents with severe substance use disorder symptoms are more likely to develop prescription drug misuse and overdose risks in adulthood. Screening for substance use disorder in teens may help predict adult problems and prevent overdoses.
The number of fentanyl-containing pill seizures surged nearly 50-fold between 2018 and 2021, highlighting the growing risk for people new to drug use. The rise in overdose deaths is largely driven by illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
Law enforcement seizures of fentanyl-laced pills have surged dramatically, with over 2 million confiscated in the last quarter of 2021. The number of people at risk includes those who buy counterfeit pills of common drugs like benzodiazepines or painkillers.
The rate of older adults treated for substance abuse increased sharply from 2000 to 2017, with a notable rise in cannabis and cocaine use. This trend is attributed to decreasing stigma around substance abuse, allowing more older adults to seek help through self-referrals.
A new study found that defense testimony about defendants' adverse childhood experiences can elicit leniency in jurors' sentencing decisions in capital trials. The study suggests that investigating and presenting ACE evidence is critical in eliciting leniency, with sympathy being a key factor in jurors' decisions.
A new study finds that conversion therapy has significant economic costs and psychological harms for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning youths in the US. The therapy is also associated with increased rates of depression, substance abuse, and suicide attempts among this population.
A study by University of Turku found that grandparents' support decreases with adverse experiences in children's families. However, maternal grandmothers' support remains consistent. The study suggests that future prospects for successful reproduction may impact grandparents' willingness to offer support.
A recent study found that drug checking programs can reach people who would not access services otherwise, reducing overdoses and increasing HIV testing. The program also improved demand for other services like treatment for opioid use disorder.
A new study found that rural patients rely on primary care physicians and nurses more often, leading to higher copays and out-of-pocket costs for mental health care. The usage gap narrowed over time, but quality and cost of care remained inequitable.
A Texas A&M study found that prenatal exposure to alcohol in males can lead to increased frequency of fetal development issues, including placental inefficiency and growth restriction. The research suggests that male behavior and environmental factors play a role in shaping fetal development beyond just genetics.
Researchers from Penn State's Department of Biobehavioral Health developed wearable sensors that can detect alcohol concentration in sweat, providing a more nuanced understanding of intoxication. The study shows that wearable technology can predict the negative consequences of drinking and help prevent alcohol-related harm.
A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that people with underweight who drink excessively may be at an even higher risk of dying from heart disease, cancer, and other causes. The researchers analyzed data on mortality risk among drinkers and non-drinkers using the CDC categories to define
Physician health care visits for mental health and substance use skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Ontario-based doctors reporting a significant association between the outbreak and these changes.
A Montreal-based study found that alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine use remained stable among 24- to 33-year-olds from before the pandemic to now. However, people with lower education levels and those living alone were more likely to start or increase substance use during COVID-19.
A systematic review of 21 placebo-controlled trials found hangover treatments to be ineffective due to low-quality evidence. Future studies should prioritize validated scales and increased female participation to provide accurate information on remedies.
An analysis of data from 16 US states found that wine and spirit sales increased during the early months of the pandemic, while beer sales declined. Visits to liquor stores increased, but those to bars and pubs decreased.
The grant will fund a new curriculum focused on diagnosing and treating people with opioid use disorder (OUD), including guidance on medications for addiction treatment (MAT). The program aims to train hundreds of medical students and residents to diagnose, treat, and care for individuals with substance use disorders.
The Monitoring the Future survey found a significant decrease in illicit drug use among adolescents in 2021, with notable declines in alcohol, marijuana, and vaping use. The survey also reported moderate increases in mental health indicators, highlighting an unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers found alarmingly high attendance rates at hospital emergency departments for children, teens, and adult victims of child abuse and neglect. Children exposed to child maltreatment have substantially increased risk of attending emergency departments during childhood and early adulthood.
A study by Arizona State University found that stress alone can lead to excessive drinking in women, while men only drink more when they've already consumed alcohol. The research highlights the importance of studying sex differences in alcohol consumption and challenges existing models developed primarily for men.
Researchers used wastewater samples from 25 treatment plants across 10 countries to track the popularity of new synthetic drugs. Synthetic cathinones, including eutylone and 3-MMC, were found to have high per capita levels in wastewater, with increased international presence reported between 2020-2021 New Year periods.
A new study by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine highlights the link between stress and alcohol craving among Black individuals. The research found that higher stress levels are associated with stronger alcohol cravings for Black participants, but not white participants, suggesting a process of drinking to cope with stress.