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Two researchers from Penn State College of Medicine have received nearly $5 million from the National Institutes of Health to study whether an already-approved drug can be used to reduce cravings and prevent relapse in those struggling with opioid addiction.

Channels: Addiction, All Journal News, Drugs and Drug Abuse, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Substance Abuse,

Keywords: Opioid use, Opioid Use Disorder, opioid abuse, Addiction, Addiction and overdose

A recently published study shows the United States in the grip of several simultaneously occurring opioid epidemics, rather than just a single crisis. The epidemics came to light after the researchers analyzed county-level data on drug overdose deaths. The study highlights the importance of different policy responses to the epidemics rather than a single set of policies.

Channels: Addiction, All Journal News, Drugs and Drug Abuse, Government/Law, Substance Abuse,

Keywords: Opioid, Opioid Abuse Epidemic, Epidemic, syndemic, Iowa, Iowa State, Iowa State University, Drugs, Heroin

A computer betting game can help predict the likelihood that someone recovering from opioid addiction will reuse the pain-relieving drugs, a new study shows.

Channels: Addiction, Apps, Drugs and Drug Abuse, Substance Abuse, JAMA, Embargoed Feed - hidden, All Journal News, Grant Funded News,

Keywords: Nyu Langone, NYU Grossman, Paul Glimcher, Opioid, Addiction, Gaming, APP, app development, Gambling

People in treatment for opioid addiction are more likely to relapse when they become more tolerant of risks, according to a study by Rutgers and other institutions. The findings can help clinicians better predict which patients are most vulnerable.

Channels: Addiction, All Journal News, Drugs and Drug Abuse, Psychology and Psychiatry, Substance Abuse, JAMA, Embargoed Feed - hidden,

Keywords: Addiction, Relapse, Opioid, Opioids

A study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment of 799 patients in three locations found that methamphetamine use was associated with more than twice the risk for dropping out of treatment for opioid-use disorder.

Channels: Addiction, All Journal News, Drugs and Drug Abuse, Pharmaceuticals, Substance Abuse,

Keywords: opioids, methamphetamine

People who abuse cigarettes, alcohol and/or heroin are less likely to drop out of a substance use disorder treatment than those who are addicted to cocaine, according to a new study led by a researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The study found that approximately 30 percent of participants in psychosocial substance use disorder treatments do not finish the programs. This is the first time a study of this kind has been published.

Channels: Addiction, Alcohol and Alcoholism, All Journal News, Drugs and Drug Abuse, Healthcare, Smoking, Substance Abuse,

Keywords: Psychoactive Drugs, Psychosocial, psychosocial distress , Alcohol, Alcohol Abuse, Addiction, Addiction Medicine, Heroin Addiction, Nicotine, Cigarette, opioid abuse, Drug Abuse, drug abuse treatment, Relapse, relapse to drinking, Cocaine Abuse, Cocaine Addiction, Drug Addiction

Preventing chronic disease could help curb the opioid epidemic, according to research from the University of Georgia. The study is the first to examine the relationship between hospitalizations due to opioid misuse and chronic disease.

Channels: Addiction, All Journal News, Drugs and Drug Abuse, Healthcare, Substance Abuse,

Keywords: Opiod abuse, Opiod, Health

The pediatric surgical community recently released patient education resources to inform parents and teens about safe pain control after surgery.

Channels: Addiction, All Journal News, Children's Health, Education, Pain, Substance Abuse, Surgery,

Keywords: Opioids, pain control, American College Of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, Pediatrics, Surgery

BIDMC pulmonologist Sean Levy, MD, shares what you need to know about vaping.

Channels: Addiction, All Journal News, Public Health, Respiratory Diseases and Disorders, Smoking,

Keywords: vaping, e-cigarette, Pulmonologist

A single infusion of ketamine plus behavioral therapy helped alcohol-dependent individuals reduce their drinking, a new study finds.

Channels: Addiction, Alcohol and Alcoholism, All Journal News, Pharmaceuticals, Psychology and Psychiatry, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcohoasm (NIAAA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA),

Keywords: Alcoholism, Psychotherapy, Alcohol Use Disorder