Drug and alcohol dependence
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Apr 2013
Heavy smokers show abnormal microstructural integrity in the anterior corpus callosum: a diffusion tensor imaging study with tract-based spatial statistics.
Abnormal macrostructural brain abnormalities in both gray matter and white matter have been reported in cigarette smokers. However, less is known about white matter microstructure in heavy cigarette smokers. In this study, we used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate the integrity of the white matter microstructure in heavy smokers. ⋯ Our findings suggest that heavy smokers demonstrate abnormal integrity of the white matter microstructure in the anterior corpus callosum, which is related to the duration of regular smoking. In addition, our study may increase the understanding of the neurobiological basis of chronic cigarette smoking.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Feb 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyBuprenorphine/Naloxone and methadone effects on laboratory indices of liver health: a randomized trial.
Buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP) and methadone (MET) are efficacious treatments for opioid dependence, although concerns about a link between BUP and drug-induced hepatitis have been raised. This study compares the effects of BUP and MET on liver health in opioid-dependent participants. ⋯ This study demonstrated no evidence of liver damage during the initial 6 months of treatment in either condition. Physicians can prescribe either medication without major concern for liver injury.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Feb 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEpidemiology of pain among outpatients in methadone maintenance treatment programs.
This analysis explored the prevalence and correlates of pain in patients enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). ⋯ Clinically significant pain was reported by almost half of the patients in MMT programs and was associated with medical and psychological comorbidity. Pain was often treated with opioids and was not associated with measures of drug use. Studies are needed to further clarify these associations and determine their importance for pain treatment strategies.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Feb 2013
Clinical TrialThe dose effects of short-term dronabinol (oral THC) maintenance in daily cannabis users.
Prior studies have separately examined the effects of dronabinol (oral THC) on cannabis withdrawal, cognitive performance, and the acute effects of smoked cannabis. A single study examining these clinically relevant domains would benefit the continued evaluation of dronabinol as a potential medication for the treatment of cannabis use disorders. ⋯ Dronabinol's ability to dose-dependently suppress cannabis withdrawal may be therapeutically beneficial to individuals trying to stop cannabis use. The absence of gross cognitive impairment or side effects in this study supports safety of doses up to 120mg/day. Continued evaluation of dronabinol in targeted clinical studies of cannabis treatment, using an expanded range of doses, is warranted.
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Drug Alcohol Depend · Feb 2013
Factors associated with history of non-fatal overdose among young nonmedical users of prescription drugs.
The current study examines the prevalence and correlates of lifetime non-fatal overdose (OD) involving the nonmedical use of prescription opioids and tranquilizers among a sample of high-risk young adults in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA. ⋯ This study documents the high prevalence of experiencing non-fatal overdose among young nonmedical users of prescription drugs. Results could inform overdose prevention efforts throughout the U.S.