Alcohol Consumption and Parenthood
A recent study sought to determine the extent to which the transition to parenthood protects against problematic alcohol consumption.
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The Effects of Oxytocin on Withdrawal, Craving and Stress Response in Heroin-Dependent Patients
According to the World Drug Report opioids are the most harmful drug type, accounting for 70% of the adverse health impacts associated with drug use disorders worldwide. Treatment typically focusses on controlling withdrawal, preventing...
Hazardous Alcohol Use among Patients with Schizophrenia and Depression
Harmful alcohol use is known to increase the risk of alcohol dependence as well as physical conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cirrhosis.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common co-occurring disorder in people with...
Assessing Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in a Study of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term used to describe physical, neurodevelopmental, and cognitive impairments that have occurred following exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. The diagnosis of FASD requires a...
Substance Use among Youth with Chronic Medical Conditions
Adolescence is generally associated with health, development and growth. However, a great number of adolescents are affected by chronic illness - defined as a disability interfering with normal life and/or demanding treatment. Substance use...
Efficacy of Monthly Buprenorphine Injections for Opioid Use Disorders
Opioid use disorder is a chronic, relapsing disease and a global health burden. Treatment for OUD tends to involve a combination of medication and behavioural intervention. It is recognised that buprenorphine can alleviate opioid withdrawal...
Smoking During Pregnancy , Stigma and Secrets
There is significant evidence to suggest that smoking while pregnant is harmful to the baby increases the risk of miscarriage, and premature birth. The Statistics on smoking, England: 2018 compendium report shows that in 2017-18, 10.8% of...
Mental Health Professionals’ Views on Smoke-Free Policy
The prevalence of smoking within the general population is in decline. However, the number of people with mental health issues who smoke remains high.
A recent study has examined mental health care practitioners approach to addressing...
Barriers in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
The US is experiencing a public health crisis. In the US in 2016 alone, there were over 63,000 drug poisoning deaths. Despite these concerning figures, it is estimated that fewer than 20% (3.8 million) receive treatment and for those who do...
Pricing of Tobacco Products During, and After, the Introduction of Plain Packaging
In 2016 the UK government introduced a policy that required factory-made cigarettes and roll your own tobacco to be sold in plain packaging with pictorial and text warnings.
However, there was reluctance from tobacco companies to “make the...
Cognitive and Mindfulness‐Based Therapy for Adolescents with Co‐Occurring Post‐Traumatic Stress and Substance Use Disorder
Early life experiences of trauma are known to significantly increase the risk of substance use in adolescence and adulthood. It has been suggested that individuals may use alcohol or drugs as a means of temporarily relieving themselves from...
Risk Factors for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Recent studies carried out by researchers from Vanderbilt University and Johns Hopkins University have examined characteristics linked with the heightened risk NAS.
The researchers found that boys are more likely to receive a diagnosis of...
Why Do Those With Long-Term Substance Use Disorders Stop Abusing Substances?
Many people successfully recover from substance use disorders. Understanding the factors that contribute towards people deciding to stop using substances can help guide treatment and design interventions.
A recent study has explored the...
Relapse: The Role of Self-Regulation and Feelings of Disconnection
Highlights
- The study examines the views of patients with alcohol use disorder on relapse.
- Relapse was associated with the use of alcohol as a means of self-regulation combined with the sense of being disconnected from other people.
Th...
Self‐Medication with Alcohol or Drugs for Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Substance use is one way that people deal with the difficult symptoms present in mood and anxiety disorders. As people become more reliant on the effects of the substances to relieve distress the use can develop into dependence. Self‐medica...
Mindfulness for Chronic Pain and Prescription Opioid Misuse
Opioid medication for chronic pain can be an effective treatment. Most patients take the medication as prescribed, however some individuals can become addicted to the drug, leading to opioid misuse. Prescription opioid misuse is a...
Mindfulness, Cravings and Alcohol Demand
Young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who are in college are more likely, compared to their non-college peers, to drink to excess. College drinking remains a significant public health concern with consequences including poorer...
Risk Factors for Discontinuation of Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), and the associated risk of overdose and death, is becoming one of the most prevalent threats to health and social wellbeing in the United States. Medication, such as buprenorphine, is the gold standard treatment...
Gene Therapy for Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction is linked with uncontrollable drug seeking. Cues within the environment act as a constant reminder of the experience and can lead to relapse. Current medication options are limited when it comes to meeting the needs for...
Substance Use and Adolescent Cognitive Development
Both alcohol and cannabis misuse is linked with impaired mental functioning. Understanding the impact of substance use is particularly important when studying the developing brain.
A recent piece of research, published in the American...