Drug and alcohol dependence
-
Drug Alcohol Depend · Dec 2015
ReviewNext generation of novel psychoactive substances on the horizon - A complex problem to face.
The last decade has seen a rapid and continuous growth in the availability and use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) across the world. Although various products are labeled with warnings "not for human consumption", they are intended to mimic psychoactive effects of illicit drugs of abuse. Once some compounds become regulated, new analogues appear in order to satisfy consumers' demands and at the same time to avoid criminalization. This review presents updated information on the second generation of NPS, introduced as replacements of the already banned substances from this class, focusing on their pharmacological properties and metabolism, routes of administration, and effects in humans. ⋯ NPS are constantly emerging on the illicit drug market and represent an important health problem. A significant amount of research is needed in order to fully quantify both the short and long term effects of the second generation NPS, and their interaction with other drugs of abuse.
-
Drug Alcohol Depend · Dec 2015
Non-medical use of prescription pain medications and increased emergency department utilization: Results of a national survey.
There are no population-based studies of emergency department (ED) utilization by individuals using prescription pain medications non-medically. We examined whether non-medical use of prescription pain medications was independently associated with increased ED utilization. ⋯ Non-medical use of prescription pain medications is associated with increased ED utilization. Further work is needed to identify the optimal role of ED settings in providing screening, education, and treatment referral for individuals using prescription pain medications non-medically.
-
Drug Alcohol Depend · Dec 2015
Legal changes to increase access to naloxone for opioid overdose reversal in the United States.
Opioid overdose, which has reached epidemic levels in the United States, is reversible by administration of the medication naloxone. Naloxone requires a prescription but is not a controlled substance and has no abuse potential. In the last half-decade, the majority of states have modified their laws to increase layperson access to the medication. ⋯ Most states have now passed laws intended to increase layperson access to naloxone. While these laws will likely reduce overdose morbidity and mortality, the cost of naloxone and its prescription status remain barriers to more widespread access.
-
Drug Alcohol Depend · Dec 2015
Prescription drug misuse and suicidal ideation: Findings from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of injury-related mortality in the United States and prior research has identified alcohol and other drug use as a major risk factor. In recent years, prescription drug misuse has become a serious public health issue; however, very little research examines the relationship between prescription drug misuse and suicide or suicidal ideation. ⋯ The current research fills an important gap in the literature by examining the relationship between prescription drug misuse and suicidal ideation. Consistent with the extant literature, prescription drug misuse is significantly associated with suicidal ideation among adults.
-
Drug Alcohol Depend · Dec 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialSafety of oral dronabinol during opioid withdrawal in humans.
Opioid dependence remains a significant public health problem worldwide with only three FDA-approved treatments, all targeting the mu-opioid receptor. Dronabinol, a cannabinoid (CB) 1 receptor agonist, is currently under investigation as a novel opioid withdrawal treatment. This study reports on safety outcomes of dronabinol among adults in opioid withdrawal. ⋯ Dronabinol 20mg and higher increased heart rate among healthy adults at rest who were in a state of opioid withdrawal, raising concern about its safety. These results have important implications for future dosing strategies and may limit the utility of dronabinol as a treatment for opioid withdrawal.