drug abuse

Drug abuse accounts for third of deaths behind Scotland's higher mortality rate

harminka — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:20:51 -0500

Drug abuse accounts for a third of the deaths behind Scotland's higher mortality rate, according to a study published on bmj.com today.

Risks for painkiller abuse do not outweigh benefits in chronic pain

harminka — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:26:23 -0500

As controversy swirls about proper clinical use of opioids and other potent pain medications, research reported at the American Pain Society annual meeting shows that, contrary to widespread beliefs, less than 3 percent of patients with no history of drug abuse who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain will show signs of possible drug abuse or dependence.

New strategy for treating cocaine addiction

harminka — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:04:02 -0500

New research in monkeys suggests the feasibility of treating cocaine addiction with a “replacement” drug that mimics the effects of cocaine but has less potential for abuse – similar to the way nicotine and heroin addictions are treated.

New brain cells implicated in machinery of cannabinoid signaling

harminka — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:55:32 -0500

The brain cells called astrocytes, and not just neurons, are sensitive to the substances called cannabinoids—the active chemicals in marijuana.

5 factors of social ills in energy, mining and logging communities

harminka — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:18:32 -0500

The troubling link between boom towns and high rates of substance abuse is usually attributed to workers having too much money and too little to do. But a recent study of one Canadian community suggests underlying pressures including loneliness, a lack of healthy social connections and a need to “keep up with the Joneses”.

Cocaine's effects on brain metabolism may contribute to abuse

harminka — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:29:09 -0600

Many studies on cocaine addiction - and attempts to block its addictiveness - have focused on dopamine transporters, proteins that reabsorb the brain's "reward" chemical once its signal is sent. Since cocaine blocks dopamine transporters from doing their recycling job, it leaves the feel-good chemical around to keep sending the pleasure signal.

Substance abuse in Somali combatants; and more

harminka — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:52:05 -0600

An alarming rise in drug-related problems amongst militia in southern and central Somalia, which has not been under the control of any type of government for more than a decade, is reported in a study published this week in the open access journal PLoS Medicine.

Cocaine abuse blunts sensitivity to monetary reward

harminka — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:46:43 -0600

New measurements of brain activity in individuals addicted to cocaine confirm that addicted individuals have compromised sensitivity to monetary rewards.

Genes play important role in risk for dependence on illicit and licit drugs

harminka — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:36:03 -0600

The genes that play a role in illegal drug abuse are not entirely the same as those involved in dependence on legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, and caffeine addiction appears to be genetically independent of all the others, according to a study led by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers.

Gauging Parent Knowledge about Teens' Substance Use

harminka — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:35:44 -0500

New research results from the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) suggest that most parents are aware of and accurately evaluate the extent of their teenager's cigarette smoking, marijuana use, drinking and overall substance use.

Insulin signaling and amphetamines

harminka — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 07:09:00 -0500

Abuse of psychostimulants such as amphetamine remains a serious public health concern. Amphetamines mediate their behavioral effects by stimulating dopaminergic signaling throughout reward circuits of the brain.

Collaborative cross attracting diverse genetics experiments

harminka — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:12:48 -0500

Mice that are part of the Collaborative Cross project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are helping scientists around the world learn more about possible causes of drug abuse, diabetes, sleep disorders, stress and pain, kidney disease and a number of other conditions that affect millions of people.