Newswise Feature Channel: Addiction

Study Reveals Sources of Opioid Poisoning Among Children

Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 09:05:32 EST

Rutgers Health research finds the medications of grandparents and pets, as well as discarded items, pose unexpected hazards for young children.

Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder at Risk of Liver Disease May be Less Commonly Referred for Liver Treatment if they are primarily seen for Mental Health Disorders

Research Society on Alcoholism — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 10:00:00 EST

People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who are at risk of advanced liver disease are less likely to be referred for liver evaluation and care if they present primarily with alcohol-related mental health issues or a mental health diagnosis, according to a study of referral practices in Virginia's largest health system. The findings point to the possibility of widespread missed opportunities for treating three conditions that commonly co-occur: AUD, mental health disorders, and liver disease. Recent years have seen notable increases in the USA in alcohol-related deaths, mental health disorders, and hospital admissions relating to alcohol use and concurrent mental health conditions. AUD is a significant cause of liver disease, and both addiction and co-occurring mental illness can be barriers to successful liver treatment. Integrating AUD treatment, mental health care, and hepatology (liver care) is necessary to improve outcomes, but data suggests this approach is not the norm. For the st

Ultra-Low-Dose Ketamine Can Curb Opioid Withdrawal

University of Washington School of Medicine and UW Medicine — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:05:04 EST

Research findings published Aug. 29 in Addiction Science & Clinical Practice may offer hope. A pilot study showed that a small amount of ketamine can reduce or eliminate the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting fentanyl.

Cannabis and older adults: Poll shows current use patterns, beliefs and risks

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 08:00:00 EST

One in 5 older adults used cannabis products that include THC in the last year. Among them, 20% said they drove within 2 hours of using cannabis, and a similar percentage said they experience at least one potential signs of addiction.

Sleep-deprived, cyberbullied teenagers addicted to smartphones now a common global phenomenon

University of South Australia — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 19:05:14 EST

A survey of 50,000 primary and secondary school students has found a clear link between night time phone use, sleep deprivation, cyberbullying and poor mental health.

Curious by Nature: How Addictive Are Companies Making Video Games with Dr. Puneet Manchanda

University of Michigan Ross School of Business — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 15:20:17 EST

For many years, addiction research has focused on chemical dependencies like drugs and alcohol. However, new phenomena such as video game and social media addictions are not as extensively studied.

UC Irvine-led team finds that compound in rosemary extract can reduce cocaine sensitivity

University of California, Irvine — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:05:09 EST

Irvine, Calif., Aug. 20, 2024 -- A team of researchers led by the University of California, Irvine has discovered that an antioxidant found in rosemary extract can reduce volitional intakes of cocaine by moderating the brain's reward response, offering a new therapeutic target for treating addiction. The study, recently published online in the journal Neuron, describes team members' focus on a region of the brain called the globus pallidus externus, which acts as a gatekeeper that regulates how we react to cocaine.

Nationally Recognized Behavioral Scientist Dr. Kelly Dunn Named Director of the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine

University of Maryland School of Medicine — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 13:05:53 EST

University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, announced today the appointment of Kelly Dunn, PhD, MBA, one of the nation's leading researchers on opioid use disorder, as the inaugural Director of the School's Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine

National Academy of Medicine Selects FAU for Substance Use, Opioid Crises Collaborative

Florida Atlantic University — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:30:11 EST

FAU joins the National Academy of Medicine's Action Collaborative on Combating Opioid Crises. This pilot project, involving more 80 organizations, aims to enhance coordination and address addiction challenges through collaboration among public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Understanding Ketamine - Expert toxicologist available.

Case Western Reserve University — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 13:45:26 EST

Unveiling the Brain's Reward Circuitry

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:30:49 EST

A research team - co-led by Penn Nursing - has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the complex neural circuitry underlying reward and addiction by identifying 34 distinct subtypes of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain region involved in pleasure and motivation. The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports by Nature, offer insights into the diversity of these neurons and their potential roles in substance use disorders.

Researchers warn of dangers associated with rising kratom use

American College of Physicians (ACP) — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 17:00:00 EST

Researchers from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and WorkIt Health suggest it's time for physicians to embrace asking patients about kratom use, the same as they would cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamines, or heroin.

Curious by Nature: How Addictive Are Companies Making Video Games with Dr. Puneet Manchanda

Newswise — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 08:05:04 EST

For many years, addiction research has focused on chemical dependencies like drugs and alcohol. However, new phenomena such as video game and social media addictions are not as extensively studied.

Study: Gaming Opens Pathways into IT Careers

Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 22:05:11 EST

If you're worried that your kids are wasting too much of their summer playing video games, there could be an unexpected payoff in the future. A new study by the Rutgers Education and Employment Research Center (EERC) reveals that gaming, modding, and related hobbies can form a career pathway into the high-demand IT field, especially for adolescents and teens with supportive parents.

Prescription painkiller misuse and addiction are widespread in chronic pain patients

University of Bristol — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 19:05:00 EST

A new scientific review of 148 studies enrolling over 4.3 million adult chronic pain patients treated with prescription opioid painkillers has found that nearly one in ten patients experiences opioid dependence or opioid use disorder and nearly one in three shows symptoms of dependence and opioid use disorder.

What Happens to Your Brain When You Drink with Friends?

University of Texas at El Paso — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 12:05:54 EST

Grab a drink with friends at happy hour and you're likely to feel chatty, friendly and upbeat. But grab a drink alone and you may experience feelings of depression. Researchers from The University of Texas at El Paso think they now know why this happens.

Last decade saw big decrease in teens who used commonly prescribed and misused prescription drugs

University of Michigan — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 09:05:58 EST

Since 2009, U.S. high school seniors have reported steep declines in medical use, misuse and availability of the three most commonly prescribed and misused controlled substances for teens, a new University of Michigan study found.

Government of Canada Invests in National Coordination and Indigenous-Led Research on Effective Substance Use Interventions

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 16:05:12 EST

Government of Canada invests in national coordination and Indigenous-led research on effective substance use interventions

Brain neurotransmitter receptor antagonist found to prevent opioid addiction in mice

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 05:00:00 EST

New research led by UCLA Health has found a drug that treats insomnia works to prevent the addictive effects of the morphine opioids in mice while still providing effective pain relief.

Acupuncture reduces methadone dose and opioid cravings in patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy

American College of Physicians (ACP) — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:00:00 EST

According to the results of a randomized, controlled trial, acupuncture may facilitate reducing methadone maintenance dose and reduce drug cravings for patients undergoing treatment for opioid addiction.