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Substance_Abuse_and_Addiction_News_Headlines.csv
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Date,Source,Headlines,Teaser
October 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,"Alcohol Dependence: An Expert Interview With Charles Bowden, MD","New research with topiramate, an anti-epileptic, offers possibilities for the treatment of alcoholism."
October 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,Diabetics Have Harder Time Quitting Smoking Than Other Smokers,Patients with diabetes have markedly lower smoking cessation rates than others enrolled in a multidisciplinary cessation program.
September 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,Gamma Vinyl-GABA May Be Effective in Cocaine Addiction,Results from the first human clinical trial of this antiepileptic drug for this indication suggest that it helps reduce cocaine cravings.
September 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,HRT May Protect Against Smoking-Associated Cancers,"The incidence of smoking-associated cancers is decreased in women using hormone replacement therapy, suggesting that this therapy may prevent or postpone these cancers."
August 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,Exercise Delays Pulmonary Function Decline in Smokers and Nonsmokers,"Although more research is needed to determine whether this holds true for urban dwellers, the investigators encourage middle-aged and older people to exercise."
August 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,Marijuana Withdrawal Syndrome a Real Entity,Level of dependency in marijuana users was nearly as strong as that of cocaine users.
March 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,NSAIDs May Reduce Lung Cancer Risk,"In a case-control study, regular use of these drugs reduced risk for former or current smokers, but not for nonsmokers."
February 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,"Smoking Cessation Linked to Cold Symptoms, Mouth Ulcers",Informing patients of these risks is likely to prepare them psychologically and to increase the likelihood of successful cessation.
February 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,Buprenorphine Effective in Heroin Addiction,"This drug may be a viable alternative to methadone, with 75% retention in treatment at one year compared with 0% for the placebo group."
February 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,New Guidelines Improve Outcome in Cocaine-Associated Chest Pain,Patients with no evidence of ischemia during 12 hours of observation have a very low rate of death or MI during the next 30 days.
January 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,Selegiline Helps Smokers Quit,The effect of this drug in aiding smoking cessation is about half that of buproprion but comparable to that of nicotine replacement.
January 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,ADHD Meds Do Not Lead to Future Drug Abuse,"Children treated with stimulants are no more likely to later smoke, drink, or use illegal drugs."
October 2002 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking an Important Risk Factor for Colorectal Polyps,Investigators suggest screening colonoscopy should be offered to smokers before age 50 years.
October 2002 ,Medscape Medical News,Intervention Improves Mental Health in Children of Divorce,Programs geared to mothers only or to both mothers and children were equally effective in reducing mental and behavioral problems.
September 2002 ,Medscape Medical News,Teens Want to Talk About Their Health Habits,"Adolescents are receptive to discussing lifestyle behaviors with nurse practitioners, leading to small but encouraging changes."
July 2002 ,Medscape Medical News,Bupropion Helps African Americans Quit Smoking,The drug allows for fewer depressive symptoms and less weight gain.
June 2002 ,Medscape Medical News,"Benzodiazepines Better PRN, Not ATC for Alcohol Withdrawal",Patients used fewer medications and withdrew faster.
May 2002 ,Medscape Medical News,Fewer High School Students Lighting Up,Cigarette use is declining after a peak in the late 1990s.
May 2002 ,Medscape Medical News,Cancer May Progress More Rapidly in Alcoholics,Mouse study shows alcohol accelerates fat loss.
April 2002 ,Medscape Medical News,Drug Used for Dry Mouth May Help Prevent Lung Cancer,Dysplastic lesions in smokers' lungs are less likely to progress with ADT.
February 2005 ,Medscape Medical News,"FDA Safety Labeling Changes: Robinul, Altace, Zyban","The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for glycopyrrolate injection (Robinul), ramipril capsules (Altace), and bupropion HCl sustained-release tablets (Zyban)."
February 2005 ,Medscape Medical News,"Globus Media Home Medical Tests Illegal, Untested, and May Be Inaccurate","Tests have not been evaluated for accuracy or approved by the FDA, and may produce false results."
November 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,"Vigabatrin Appears Safe, Effective in Methamphetamine, Cocaine Addiction","Based on an open-label study, this drug may be appropriate for treatment of these addictions."
November 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,"Counter-Marketing Campaigns, Clinician Efforts Needed to Reduce...","Despite the dismal funding climate for anti-tobacco and smoking-cessation activities, certain strategies are paying off, and clinicians' efforts can make a difference."
November 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,"Smoking, High Salt Intake May Be Risk Factors for Acid Reflux","In a population-based study, alcohol, coffee, and tea intake did not increase risk; a high-fiber diet and exercise may lower the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease."
November 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,Combating Underage Drinking Requires Multifaceted Approach,Greater awareness and more stringent regulations are needed to address a serious and growing public health issue.
November 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking May Trigger Early Onset of Familial Pancreatic Cancer,Smoking may increase the risk of early disease onset in those with a genetic predisposition for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
September 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,Brief Intervention Helpful for Alcohol Misuse,"In a randomized trial, a brief intervention reduced alcohol use in patients presenting to the emergency department with a history of alcohol misuse."
June 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Cessation Treatment Cost-Effective for Health Plans,Study researchers recommend health plans cover cessation programs; successful cessation can add an average of 7.1 years to the lives of enrollees.
June 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,'Reduced Exposure' Tobacco Products Lower Carcinogen Levels,"However, medicinal nicotine reduces exposure further, and it is therefore a safer alternative than modified tobacco products."
June 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,Pipe Smoking Confers Similar Risk to Cigar Smoking,"In a cohort trial, exclusive pipe smoking carried approximately the same risk of cancer and other tobacco-associated disease as cigar smoking, but less than the risks of cigarette smoking."
May 2004 ,Medscape CRM News,Is Alcohol Consumption a Risk Factor For AF?,It might just depend on how much you drink and for how long.
May 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,New and Reformulated Agents Help Eliminate Craving in Patients Treated for,"A variety of drugs have proved to be effective against alcohol cravings, but the disease is undertreated in the United States."
April 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,"National Drug Policy: A Newsmaker Interview With David C. Lewis, MD",The nonpartisan Physicians and Lawyers for National Drug Policy (PLNDP) will advocate for a public health approach to federal and state substance abuse policies.
April 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol Use Disorders Often Undetected in Hospital Inpatients,A retrospective analysis showed that physicians are neither adequately diagnosing nor referring these patients for treatment.
March 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,"Transdermal, Inhaled Nicotine Replacement Similarly Effective","In this randomized trial, subgroup analysis suggested that the inhaled formulation is better for highly dependent, obese, and minority patients."
March 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,"Rimonabant Helps for Smoking Cessation, Weight Loss",The drug targets the endocannabinoid system and may be first to treat metabolic syndrome.
February 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,"Novel Agent Effective for Weight Loss, Smoking Cessation",Three quarters of subjects receiving rimonabant lost 5% or more body weight compared with a quarter of those receiving placebo; more than one third of those receiving rimonabant quit smoking compared with about one fifth of those receiving placebo.
February 2004 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Increased Risk of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage,But risk decreases quickly after smoking cessation.
November 2003 ,Medscape Medical News,Positive Attitude Toward California's Smoking Ban Linked to Smoking...,The smoking cessation rate increased from 24% to 28% after the smoking ban was instituted.
October 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Statins Slow Lung Function Decline in Smokers,Statin use was also associated with a significant 35% reduction in emergency department visits and hospital admissions for respiratory-related problems.
October 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Emergency Physicians Should Look for Caffeine Overdose in Concert with...,"The abuse of caffeine is increasingly a factor in overdose situations among young people, and the consequences are often severe enough to land teens and college-age youth in the intensive care unit."
October 2006 ,Heartwire from Medscape,MI risk and secondhand smoking,"Secondhand-smoke exposure over the course of a lifetime is not significantly associated with an increased risk of MI, according to the surprising results of a new study. However, with less exposure in the workplace and public places as well as at home, the declining exposure is likely the reason that secondhand smoke may not be as important a risk factor as previously believed."
October 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,"International Approvals: Champix, Synvisc, Glivec","The EU has approved varenicline tartrate 0.5- and 1-mg tablets (Champix), an expanded indication for hylan G-F 20 injection (Synvisc), and new indications for imatinib mesylate tablets (Glivec)."
September 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,"Medicaid Codes for Alcohol, Drug Screening and Brief Intervention","Experts hope that the new policy, effective January 2007, will help identify and treat people with substance use disorders, thereby improving public health."
August 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Genetic Variations Increase Stroke Risk in Young Women,"In one of the first studies to demonstrate a gene-environment interaction, researchers have found that smoking exacerbates a particular genetic variation 1 of 5 that appears to increase stroke risk."
July 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Animal Study Shows Potential in Future Treatment for Human Drug Addiction,A new study has established an equivocal link between reduced D2-receptor availability and cocaine abuse a finding that has promise for the treatment of drug addiction in humans.
July 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Highlights From MMWR: Depression-Related Hospitalization Rates Soar...,The CDC has reported on rates for depression-related hospitalization among children aged 5 to 19 years; trends in cigarette use among high-school students; and leading causes of violent death in the United States.
May 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Highlights From MMWR: Iowa Mumps Outbreak Spreads to 10 States and More,The CDC has reported on the spread of a mumps outbreak; the prevalence of tobacco use among students aged 13 to 15 years worldwide; and trends in antihypertensive medication use among adults.
March 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Highlights From MMWR: Increasing Racial Disparity in Syphilis Rates and...,"The CDC has reported on rates of primary and secondary syphilis in blacks and whites; methamphetamine use and high-risk sexual behaviors among heterosexual men; a case of naturally acquired inhalation anthrax; and the prevalence of cigarette smoking in adults who have a history of homelessness, living in shelters, or jail time."
February 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,"First-Time Generic Approvals: Commit, Dynacirc, Norco",The FDA has approved first-time generic formulations for nicotine polacrilex 2- and 4-mg lozenges (Commit); isradipine 2.5- and 5-mg capsules (Dynacirc); and hydrocodone bitartrate plus acetaminophen 5-mg/300-mg tablets (Norco).
November 2005 ,Medscape Medical News,Highlights From MMWR: Declining Prevalence of Smoking in U.S. Adults and...,The CDC has reported decreasing prevalence of current smokers and increasing rates of smoking cessation in the United States; low rates of compliance with preventive care recommendations among diabetic adults; and skin reactions associated with mesotherapy injections.
November 2005 ,Medscape Medical News,"FDA Approvals: ParaGard, Sure-Screen, Collagen Bone Healing Protective...","The FDA has approved an expanded patient profile for a nonhormonal intrauterine device (ParaGard Copper T 380A), a drugs-of-abuse point-of-collection test (Sure-Screen), and a resorbable collagen product (Collagen Bone Healing Protective Sheet)."
October 2005 ,Medscape Medical News,Denial of Care Due to Alcohol Use: A Newsmaker Interview,"A survey suggests that insurance claim denials related to the Uniform Accident and Sickness Policy Provision Law are widespread, preventing most trauma surgeons from implementing screening or intervention for alcohol-related problems."
August 2005 ,Medscape Medical News,Anesthesia-Assisted Rapid Heroin Detoxification May Be No Better Than...,Data from a randomized trial do not support the use of general anesthesia for heroin detoxification and rapid opioid antagonist induction.
August 2005 ,Medscape Medical News,Highlights From MMWR: 26 Cases of Clenbuterol Poisoning in Heroin Users...,The CDC reports on 26 cases of clenbuterol poisoning in heroin users; mercury exposures in Kentucky; a lower number of bed days due to illness or injury in younger adults; and a program to reduce the number of alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities during Labor Day weekend.
June 2005 ,Medscape Medical News,Use of Chewing Tobacco or Snuff May Increase Mortality From Heart...,Two prospective studies provide limited evidence that current use of chewing tobacco or snuff may increase mortality from heart disease and stroke.
June 2005 ,Medscape Medical News,Monthly Injections of Naltrexone Show Continued Benefit in Treating...,"In the extension study, patients who continued receiving treatment had ongoing benefit, and those who switched from placebo had significant reductions in alcohol consumption."
May 2005 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Acute Rejection of Kidney Transplant,"Smokers had a 24% greater risk of acute rejection than nonsmokers, according to researchers."
May 2005 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Warns Public of OTC Dextromethorphan Abuse,"Dextromethorphan abuse linked to five teenage deaths, according to the FDA."
May 2007 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Cocaine CM Improves,"Italian doctors report the case of a man who has made a dramatic recovery from cocaine-associated cardiomyopathy. Originally a candidate for heart transplant, the patient is stable 18 months later with an NYHA class of 1-2 and virtually no symptoms."
May 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,High Alcohol Consumption Linked to Reduced Brain Volume,New analysis of data from the Framingham Offspring Study shows that alcohol consumption is negatively associated with brain volume.
April 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,"Mental-Health, Substance-Abuse Disorders Account for 1 in 4 Hospital Stays","In 2004, 24% of adults admitted to community hospitals in the United States had mental-health and substance-abuse disorders, , including dementia diagnoses, according to a recent report."
April 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Adolescent Mental Illness and Substance-Abuse Issues Need Greater Attention,"A concerted effort is needed to create youth-friendly health services worldwide, according to a series of articles on adolescent healthcare."
March 2007 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking in Pregnancy Increases CV Risk in Offspring,A new study has shown for the first time that young adults whose mothers smoked during pregnancy have a higher atherosclerosis burden as determined by increased carotid artery intima-media thickness and are thus at higher risk of MI and stroke.
February 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,"International Approvals: Mirena, Champix, Elaprase","Japan has approved a long-acting intrauterine contraceptive system (Mirena), Canada has approved varenicline tartrate tablets (Champix), and the EU has approved idursulfase intravenous infusion (Elaprase)."
February 2007 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smokers Get a Kick From Varenicline--New Drug Helps With Nicotine Withdrawa,"Smokers who received varenicline had increased odds of successful long-term smoking cessation that were approximately threefold compared with smokers who did not get the drug, and more of the study participants quit with varenicline than with the antidepressant bupropion."
December 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Highlights From MMWR: Young Smokers More Likely to Use Unassisted Cessation,"The CDC has reported on smoking cessation methods among smokers aged 16 to 24 years, current influenza activity in the US, and trends in the leading causes for injury-related mortality."
December 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,New Legislation Increases Patients Allowed for Treatment With Buprenorphine,Congress has passed legislation increasing the number of patients that certified physicians may treat with buprenorphine (Suboxone) for opioid dependence from 30 per practice to 100 per physician.
December 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Highlights From MMWR: Prescription Drug Use Linked to Fatal Crashes...,The CDC has reported on alcohol and drug use among victims of motor vehicle crashes; environmental barriers to healthcare among disabled individuals; and prostate-specific antigen levels in men aged 40 years and older.
December 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Highlights From MMWR: CDC Advises Routine Screening for HIV and More,"The CDC has reported on the rate of late testing for HIV, the prevalence of smoking among youths aged 12 to 17 years, and the onset of respiratory syncytial virus season in the United States."
November 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Methadone-Related Fatalities Underscore Need for Careful Dosing,Inadvertent systemic accumulation of methadone (Dolophine) can increase the risk for respiratory depression and cardiac arrhythmias.
November 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Highlights From MMWR: Role of Substance Abuse in Suicide and More,"The CDC has reported on substance abuse in suicide victims, improvements in lipid and glycated hemoglobin control among black patients with diabetes, and rates of HIV infection by ethnicity and education."
November 2006 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking and Congenital Heart Disease,"Women who smoke during the first trimester of pregnancy are 60% more likely to have a child with congenital heart disease than women who don't smoke, according to a new case-control study. "
November 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Cognition Impaired After Bypass Surgery in Smokers,A history of smoking more than doubled the risk for cognitive decline above normal baseline levels.
November 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,SSRI Plus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effective for Pathological Gambling,"In gamblers who had no other comorbidities, a randomized trial showed a faster effect for the combination therapy."
November 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Teens Experience Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms,"Symptoms are not just confined to adults quitting cannabis, according to a prospective study."
November 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,"Former Drinkers at Increased Risk for Heart Disease, Diabetes","Former drinkers and lifetime abstainers are at increased risk for diabetes when compared with current drinkers, data from a new study reveal. The study also found that former drinkers and people who drank heavily in their 20s may be at increased risk for heart disease."
November 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,"International Approvals: Suboxone, Replagal, Sonazoid",The EU has approved buprenorphine HCl plus naloxone HCl sublingual tablets (Suboxone) and an expanded indication for agalsidase alfa injection (Replagal); Japan has approved perflubutane injection (Sonazoid).
October 2006 ,Medscape Medical News,Highlights From MMWR: Decline in Adult Smoking Stalls and More,"The CDC has reported on trends in the prevalence of adult smoking in the United States, smoking rates and exposure to second-hand smoke by state, a nationwide mumps outbreak, and trends in breast-feeding rates."
November 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Does Not Lead to More Aggressive Breast Cancers,"Cigarette smoking, which is linked to a variety of other cancers, might also affect response to treatment, but a new study shows smokers do not present with a more advanced stage or more aggressive breast cancer."
November 2007 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Nicotine Vaccine,A phase 2 study of a nicotine vaccine has shown that the highest dose tested produced antibodies against nicotine and was associated with a higher rate of smoking cessation than placebo.
November 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Distinct Genetic Influences in Legal vs Illicit Drugs,A study of same-sex twin pairs finds that genetics and environment exert equivalent effects on women and men.
November 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Prenatal Marijuana and Nicotine Exposure Linked to Teen Neurologic Deficits,"In 2 studies of teens, prenatal marijuana exposure predicted behavior and cognitive deficits, and prenatal nicotine exposure was linked to attention deficits."
October 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Significant Associations Between Mental Illness and Physical Illnesses,"A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows significant relationships between depression and anxiety and chronic disease such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes."
October 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Sudden Unexpected Death in Young Adults Often Due to Natural Causes,Autopsy study shows that drug abuse and heart disease are both major causes of sudden death in young adults.
October 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,New Codes to Screen for Substance Abuse,"As of January 2008, doctors across the United States will be able to use new healthcare codes to screen for substance abuse in their patients and to provide a brief intervention for those they deem to have a problem."
October 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Problematic Gambling Prevalent in US Military Veterans,Pathological gambling is more prevalent among military veterans than in the US general population and may be associated with combat-related posttraumatic
October 2007 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Statins and Lung Function,"A new study suggests the cholesterol-lowering agents might be beneficial in patients with COPD, as the drugs were shown to reduce the decline of lung function in older adults."
October 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Does Not Affect Progression in MS,Results of a new study suggest that smoking does not influence disease progression or the development of a progressive disease course in patients with multiple sclerosis.
September 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Cardiovascular Risks of Haloperidol Highlighted,"The FDA and Johnson & Johnson have informed healthcare professionals that prescribing information for haloperidol has been revised to include a new cardiovascular subsection following case reports of sudden death, QT prolongation, and torsades de pointes."
September 2007 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking Ban and ACS,"Investigators say the 11% reduction, which was evident in Ireland just one year after the ban was introduced, provides evidence that a ban on smoking in public spaces can have a significant effect on reducing the burden of ACS."
July 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Healthcare Providers Should Offer Smoking-Cessation Advice More Often,A Canadian survey in 2005 showed that only half of persons who visited healthcare providers in the preceding 12 months received smoking-cessation advice.
July 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Comprehensive Smoking Bans May Decrease Secondhand Smoke Exposure,"Since the 2003 New York state ban on smoking in indoor workplaces and public places, indoor smoking and saliva cotinine levels in nonsmoking New York Adult Tobacco Survey participants have decreased."
July 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Study of Treatment for Addiction to Prescription Opioids Begins Enrollment,The Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment Study has enrolled and treated about 200 of 648 planned participants at the study's 11 sites.
July 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,"Alcohol Disorders Common, Largely Untreated Among American Adults","A recent, large national survey of Americans found that almost one-third had alcohol-use disorders at some point in their lives, but few had sought treatment."
June 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs May Reduce Smoking Prevalence,An MMWR report suggests that the immediate effects of two comprehensive antitobacco media campaigns confirm their importance in reducing smoking prevalence.
June 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol Metabolism Changes and Bariatric Surgery,Findings from a new study support what many patients have long suspected: that bariatric surgery changes their response to alcohol.
June 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Better Understanding of the Neurobiology of Addiction Should Help Patients,New research insights about the neurobiology of addictive disorders are suggesting ways to better help addicted patients.
May 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoke-Free Home Rules Increasing in United States,"Three MMWR reports cover secondhand smoke exposure in students aged 13 to 15 years worldwide, state-specific prevalence of smoke-free home rules, and assistance used by adults to quit smoking."
February 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Ledger Death Prompts AASM to Reiterate Guidelines on Sleep Meds,"Although the precise cause is still under investigation, speculation that sleep medications may have played some role in actor Heath Ledger's death has prompted the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to issue a statement pointing physicians and patients to the proper management of chronic insomnia."
February 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Varenicline May Be Linked to Risk for Serious Symptoms,"Patients given varenicline should be monitored for strange thoughts/behaviors, depressed mood, and suicidality."
January 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms Comparable to Smoking Withdrawal,A new study comparing withdrawal between tobacco and cannabis smokers finds symptoms are comparable and argue that cannabis withdrawal warrants recognition as a clinical syndrome in the new DSM-V.
January 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"WSJ Reports Treating ""Hidden"" Head Injury May Help Social Ills","An article in the January 29 issue of the Wall Street Journal reports treatment of long-forgotten brain injuries may effectively help people with a variety of social problems, including alcoholism, homelessness, and learning disabilities."
January 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Gene Variations Affect Susceptibility to Secondhand Smoke in CF,Study identifies gene-environment interactions that amplify the harmful effects of secondhand smoke on lung function.
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Substance Abuse Down in Eighth Graders,"Results of the National Institute on Drug Abuse 2007 Monitoring the Future survey show an encouraging trend toward lower levels of alcohol, smoking, and illicit drug use in eighth graders, but prescription drug abuse remains high among older students."
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,"New Treatment for Depressed, Anxious Teen Addicts Shows Promise",A new substance-abuse outpatient treatment program for adolescents with coexisting mood and/or anxiety problems shows promise in early evaluation.
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,"Tapering Nicotine Cigarettes ""Feasible"" Regulatory Strategy",Results of a pilot study suggest it is possible to safely and successfully wean smokers using a series of cigarettes with progressively lower amounts of nicotine.
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Depression and Suicide Risk Identified in Methamphetamine Users,"A high depression inventory score and past suicide attempts predicted depression and suicide attempts among methamphetamine users, in a large trial."
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Buprenorphine-Naloxone Treatment Effective for Teen Opioid Abusers,"Teen opioid abusers on buprenorphine-naloxone for 12 weeks vs 2 weeks had better treatment outcomes, but relapse was high in both groups, in a recent trial."
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Trazodone in Recovering Alcoholics,"In a recent clinical trial, despite short-term benefit in sleep quality, trazodone impeded improvements in alcohol consumption in recovering insomniac alcoholics."
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Baclofen Aids in Alcohol Abstinence,Results of a randomized trial show alcohol-dependent patients with liver cirrhosis were able to attain alcohol abstinence at a higher rate with baclofen than with placebo. The researchers say the drug might play an important role in the management of these patients.
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Psychotherapy Appears Useful for Treating Methamphetamine Abuse,Promising psychotherapy and potential pharmacological therapies for treating methamphetamine abuse were discussed in a symposium at the AAAP meeting.
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,A Cocaine Vaccine and Disulfiram Show Promise for Cocaine Dependence,"A cocaine vaccine and disulfiram show promise for treating cocaine dependence, according to a keynote address at the AAAP meeting."
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,Nicotine Patch May Improve Cognition in Recovering Alcoholics Who Smoke,"Use of a high-dose nicotine patch may lessen deficits of short-term memory and attention in this population, a new study suggests."
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,UK Launches Cancer Reform Strategy,"The new 5-year plan aims to improve cancer care in the United Kingdom to ""world class"" levels and promises treatment within 31 days for every cancer patient."
December 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,"Perceived Rewards, Problems, Among Ketamine Users Identified","Ketamine is not just a ""club drug,"" and more frequent use is linked with communication and abdominal problems, according a survey of users in Toronto."
November 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,First Hard Proof of Secondhand Smoke Damage to Lungs Revealed,New magnetic resonance imaging technique provides evidence that secondhand smoke damages the lungs.
November 2007 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking ban benefits nonsmokers,"A new study has shown a large drop in the MI rate of nonsmokers after a smoking ban was introduced, but no change in the MI rate of smokers."
November 2007 ,Medscape Medical News,"Suicidal Thoughts, Aggressive Behavior With Varenicline","The FDA has informed healthcare professionals about reports of suicidal thoughts and aggressive or erratic behavior with varenicline (Chantix, Pfizer), a smoking-cessation aid."
March 2008 ,Reuters Health Information,Smoking Ups Risk of Cerebral Aneurysm Recurrence,"Cigarette smoking more than quadruples the risk that a cerebral aneurysm will recur following treatment with endosaccular occlusion, US researchers report. The elevated risk is most evident in women."
March 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,What Your Patients Are Reading: Ask Younger MI Patients About Cocaine Use,"Younger MI/ACS patients should be asked about cocaine use, empiric antibiotic use for acute rhinosinusitis is unwarranted, Alzheimer's risk runs in the family, smokers told of their ""lung age"" may be shocked into quitting, and imatinib use in pregnancy may increase risk of minor or serious fetal abnormalities."
March 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Study of Older Veterans Sheds Light on Cocaine Use,A chart review of 117 veterans over age 50 years treated for crack cocaine use in a medical center in South Carolina determined their demographic and comorbid characteristics.
March 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Imaging Study Gives Clues to Relapse in Patients Receiving Methadone,"Functional MRI in patients in a methadone treatment program who were exposed to various visual cues confirm that these formerly heroin-dependent subjects still respond to drug-related visual stimuli, particularly just prior to methadone dosing."
March 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Paroxetine Decreases Social Anxiety Related Drinking,"In a trial of paroxetine in individuals with social anxiety and mild to moderate alcoholism, the drug reduced social anxiety and social anxiety related drinking."
March 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Internet Addiction: Fact or Fiction?,"Internet addiction, or problematic Internet use, affects close to 1% of the general population of the United States, according to a study from Stanford University."
March 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Accounts for 1 in 7 Strokes in China,"New research shows cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for stroke in China, accounting for 1 in 7 strokes."
March 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Anxiety Linked With Increased Cell-Phone Dependence, Abuse","In a normative sample of 183 individuals, those with greater self-reported anxiety also had greater cell-phone dependence and abuse scores, in a recent study."
March 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Mental Health Parity Bill Passes House, But Differs From Senate Bill","The US House of Representatives has passed a bill requiring group health plans to provide coverage for mental illnesses comparable to that for physical illnesses. The House bill, though, differs substantially from one passed previously by the Senate, which some worry may stall them both."
March 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Distinct, Severe Parkinsonian Syndrome Linked to Illicit Drug Use","A distinct and persistent parkinsonian syndrome associated with illicit intravenous use of the psychostimulant methcathinone has been identified in individuals in Latvia. However, rather than the drug itself, researchers believe it is the manganese-containing solution used to concoct the drug that is the culprit."
March 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis Smoking Associated With Impaired Cognition in MS,A case-control study suggests cannabis use is associated with impaired cognition and psychological disturbance in patients with multiple sclerosis.
March 2008 ,Heartwire from Medscape,"Marijuana, MI, and Mortality","Marijuana use by acute MI survivors is associated with a three-fold higher risk of mortality after infarction, and a nearly four-fold increase in death from noncardiovascular causes."
February 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,New VA Programs Integrate Healthy Lifestyles Into Care,"One of the largest integrated healthcare systems in the United States, Veterans Affairs, is including healthy lifestyles, such as weight loss, smoking cessation, and improved diet, into its programs of care."
February 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Neuropathic Pain and Smoking,A new study finds that the incidence of smoking is twice as high in those diagnosed with neuropathic pain as in those diagnosed with nociceptive pain.
February 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,What Your Patients Are Reading,"Men who live well may live longer; the risk for schizophrenia may be increased for children whose mothers endured extreme stress during pregnancy; nicotine withdrawal may cause smokers to lose sleep; heparin may be in short supply; and although the cost of treating neck and back pain has risen, no increase in relief has been seen."
February 2008 ,Heartwire from Medscape,India Faces Smoking Catastrophe,"India is facing a devastating death toll from smoking-related diseases if its people and its government do not take the risks seriously, the authors of a new study warn. With mortality from smoking set to exceed one million people a year soon, the researchers hope that their findings will galvanize both individuals and the government into action."
February 2008 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking Ban Success,Another country has documented a drop in acute coronary events in the year following the introduction of a smoking ban in public places. The Italian researchers found an 11% drop in such events in Rome among those of working age.
February 2008 ,WebMD Health News,1 Billion Tobacco Deaths This Century?,"A massive death toll from tobacco-related caused may be possible unless urgent action is taken, agency warns."
February 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis Use May Cause Gum Disease,"A new study shows that, similar to effects on gums from tobacco smoking, cannabis smoking can damage gums, with young heavy pot users apparently most at risk."
February 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Cigarette Smoking Causes Sleep Disturbances,"Smoking cigarettes impairs sleep quality, possibly due to nicotine withdrawal, a new study suggests."
June 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Gene Variants May Guide Selection of Smoking Cessation Treatment,"""Quit-success"" genes are specific to an individual's likelihood of success with bupropion or nicotine replacement therapy."
May 2008 ,Heartwire from Medscape,"No Varenicline for Pilots, Controllers",Roughly 150 pilots and 30 air-traffic controllers have been told to stop taking the drug and to stay away from work for 72 hours.
May 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Social Networks Influence Smoking Cessation,A new study using data from the Framingham Heart Study suggests that quitting behavior resembles a domino effect.
May 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Video Highlights From the APA 161st Annual Meeting,"Important studies presented at the meeting include the findings that changes in both behavior and brain development occur at age 12 months in autistic children, brain maturation is delayed in ADHD, and depressed patients have abnormalities in their brains' reward-learning pathways."
May 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,What Your Patients Are Reading,"Erectile dysfunction in men with type 2 diabetes is an independent predictor of cardiac adverse events, asthma may increase the risk for suicidal ideation with suicide attempts in some patients, aprotinin's link to excess deaths was affirmed in final results of the BART study, adding ultrasound to mammography increases cancer detection but also raises false-positive rates, and shingles risk is"
May 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Nicotine Conjugate Vaccine to Quit Smoking,"A study shows that NicVAX antibodies prevent nicotine from reaching the brain, interrupting drug reinforcement and resulting in smoking cessation."
May 2008 ,Heartwire from Medscape,"Marijuana, apoC3, and TG","Heavy, chronic use of marijuana causes increased levels of apolipoprotein C3, which in turn results in a major increase in triglyceride levels, a small study shows. The findings may explain some of the vascular effects of marijuana that have been observed, say the researchers."
May 2008 ,WebMD Health News,FDA Panel Nixes 'Abuse-Proof' OxyContin,Experts say special coating may not stop abuse of pain relief drug.
May 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Alcohol Craving in Women, Not Men, More Likely to Be Linked to Depression","Depressive symptoms in women, but not men, correlated with alcohol craving in a retrospective study of patients in a Mayo Clinic treatment program."
April 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Concerted Efforts Needed to Address College-Age and Underage Drinking,"Only now is the magnitude of problems related to college drinking beginning to be seen, but these can be reduced, said an NIAAA expert."
April 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Experts Discuss Progress and New Initiatives in Addiction Medicine,The opening session of the American Society of Addiction Medicine Medical-Scientific Conference highlighted recent progress in this field.
April 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Heavy Drinking, Smoking Lead to Earlier Onset of Alzheimer's Disease",New research suggests that heavy drinking and smoking significantly lower the age of onset for Alzheimer's disease with an individual effect that is roughly equivalent to the APOE e4 allele alone.
April 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Dextromethorphan Abuse in American Army Camp in South Korea,"A recent study describes how, after abuse of dextromethorphan pills in an American army camp in South Korea was detected, measures were taken to limit this threat."
April 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Acamprosate Effective in Treating Alcoholism in Smokers, Past Drug Users","Smoking and past illicit drug negatively affect alcoholism treatment outcomes, but acamprosate is still effective, according to a recent study."
April 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Office-Based Buprenorphine-Naloxone Therapy Promotes Long-Term Abstinence,"Urban, office-based buprenorphine/naloxone therapy was linked with better abstinence outcomes at 18 months, in a recent study."
April 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Number of Pregnant Women Sent for Court-Ordered Drug Treatment Has Risen,"A recent study sheds light on ""compassionate coercion,"" or court-mandated treatment of pregnant women for drug and alcohol abuse."
April 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Smoking Cessation, Diet, and Exercise","Although more research is needed, especially randomized controlled trials, lifestyle factors and health habits might influence survival and cancer risk among cancer survivors."
April 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,What Your Patients Are Reading: Premature Infants at Risk for Autism,"Very low-birth-weight premature infants are at risk for signs of early autism, omega-3 fatty acids are no better than placebo at preventing Crohn's relapse, sleep-deprived infants may become overweight toddlers, FDG-PET distinguishes brains with Alzheimer's from both brains with other dementia types and healthy brains, and a genetic variant has been fingered as a risk for lung cancer and possibly "
April 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Exubera Gets Lung Cancer Warning,Cases occurred in prior smokers and are too few to establish a causal role for the product.
April 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Gene Variant Linked to Lung Cancer, Smoking",Three new studies are providing some of the strongest evidence to date that lung-cancer-risk gene variants are common in the general population. They might also be connected to nicotine dependence.
August 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Link Between Brain Chemistry and Personality Provides Insight into Addictio,"Individual personality traits particularly reward dependence that could predispose individuals to addictive behaviors are connected to brain chemistry, new research suggests."
August 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Pleasant Experience During Early Cigarette Experimentation Linked to Gene,The nicotine receptor variant associated with nicotine dependence also influences the quality of an initial smoking experience.
August 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Drugged Driving Research Guidelines Will Make Study Comparisons Easier,"Until now, research into driving under the influence of drugs, otherwise known as ""drugged driving,"" has not been standardized, making study comparisons difficult. New research guidelines by international experts will change this."
August 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Gabapentin May Help Alcoholics Recover From Dependence,A pilot study suggests that small doses of gabapentin taken at night may deter heavy drinking.
August 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Framingham: Alcohol Consumption Declines, Dependence Risk Remains","New results from the Framingham Heart Study show that over the past 50 years, average alcohol consumption has declined. However, the risk of developing alcohol dependence and associated alcohol-related conditions has not decreased."
August 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Combat Exposure in Iraq, Afghanistan Linked to Risk for Alcohol Misuse","Soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and exposed to combat are at increased risk of developing alcohol-related problems, with the highest risk found among the youngest troops, reservists, and members of the National Guard."
August 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Warns About Injection Site Reactions With Naltrexone,"Injectable, extended-release naltrexone, used for the treatment of alcohol dependence, has been linked to adverse injection-site reactions, some requiring surgery."
August 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Cannabis May Reduce Neuropathic Pain in HIV,A small study suggests that smoking marijuana while taking analgesic medications may help reduce pain.
August 2008 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking in Scotland,"A ban that prohibits smoking in all enclosed places throughout Scotland has led to a decrease in the number of hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome, and the benefit of the smoking ban has extended to smokers, former smokers, and those who never smoked, a new study has shown."
July 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Stopping Moderate Drinking May Lead to Depression,"Although moderate drinking can offer health benefits, new research in mice suggests that abstinence following moderate drinking can lead to depression and reduced hippocampal neurogenesis."
July 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Internet Trafficking of Controlled Prescription Drugs Remains Extensive,"Prescription opioids, stimulants, and CNS depressants are widely available online, and 85% of Web sites selling these controlled drugs do not require a prescription."
July 2008 ,WebMD Health News,U.S. Leads the World in Illegal Drug Use,"A new survey has reported that the United States has the highest level of illegal drug use in the world, with marijuana use widely reported."
July 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Reduced Hygiene, Illicit Drug Use Linked to CA-MRSA in MSM",A case-control study in MSM showed that reduced hygiene and use of crystal methamphetamine were associated with community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection.
July 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Huge Risk of Substance Abuse Found Among Teens With Bipolar Disorder,A case-control study in youth with bipolar disorder with a mean age of 14 years found a significantly higher risk of substance abuse compared with controls.
July 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Recovering Heroin Addicts Fare Better on Opiate Maintenance Therapy,"Detoxified heroin addicts receiving buprenorphine maintenance therapy had superior heroin abstinence to those on naltrexone, in a recent trial in Malaysia."
June 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Prenatal Drug Exposure Linked to Sleep Problems Throughout Childhood,"This initial study in 139 mother-child pairs showed prenatal drug exposure to cocaine and other drugs relates to sleep problems that carry on from infancy into late childhood, nicotine being a unique predictor of later sleep problems."
June 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Topiramate Has Physical and Psychosocial Benefits in Heavy Drinkers,A new study shows the drug cuts alcohol use and may also reduce risks for heart disease and cirrhosis.
June 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Long-Term, Heavy Cannabis Use Linked to Structural Brain Changes","Long-term, heavy cannabis use has been linked with structural brain abnormalities, a new study shows."
June 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Chemopreventive Role for Celecoxib,"High-dose celecoxib reduced levels of Ki-67, a key biomarker in lung cancer, among patients at high risk for the disease."
June 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,What Your Patients Are Reading: Mediterranean Diet Staves Off Diabetes,"A Mediterranean diet reduces diabetes risk, short-term antipsychotics raise risk for death or acute hospitalization at 30 days in adults with dementia, zoledronic acid significantly reduces risk of recurrent early breast cancer, children with high 100% juice intake have better nutritional status, and genetic markers point to which smokers may succeed with specific smoking cessation measures."
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Individuals With ADHD Inattention Subtype More Likely to Quit Smoking,"New research may help clinicians better tailor smoking-cessation treatment in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, a patient population where tobacco use is high and quit rates are low."
December 2008 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Binge drinking drives atherosclerosis,"It's not just the amount of alcohol is drunk, but the way that it is drunk that is important when it comes to cardiovascular health. New research suggests a precise mechanism by which binge drinking might contribute to atherosclerosis."
November 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Approves Tapentadol for Moderate to Severe Acute Pain,"The FDA has approved tapentadol, an immediate-release oral tablet, for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain."
November 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Naltrexone Shows Promise in the Treatment of Amphetamine Addiction,"In the first study to report the efficacy of naltrexone in amphetamine dependence, researchers found the drug significantly reduced amphetamine use in dependent individuals compared with placebo."
November 2008 ,WebMD Health News,Smoking Rate Is Declining in US,Nearly one in five Americans continue to smoke cigarettes.
November 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,International Agreement to Control Alcohol Urgently Needed,"An international agreement that promotes global control of alcohol to curtail alcohol-related injury, disease, and death, is urgently needed, experts say."
November 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"African Americans Less Likely to Smoke as Teens, Catch Up by Their 30s","African American teens are less likely to smoke than white teens, but by young adulthood, the advantage disappears, a new study suggests."
November 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol Screening in a Pediatric Setting,"Most parents, even those with alcohol problems, are receptive to being screened for alcohol use by their child's pediatrician, new research suggests."
November 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Extended Agonist Therapy for Opioid Addiction,"Extended therapy with buprenorphine-naloxone substantially improves outcomes in opioid-addicted youth and may offer clinicians a new, significantly more effective treatment option for this growing patient population."
October 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Mental-Health Hospitalizations Longer,"In the United States in 2006, more than 20% of all hospital stays were related to mental health, a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shows."
October 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Caffeine and Nicotine Influence Breast Cancer Risk,"Caffeine was not associated with an overall risk for breast cancer, but high consumption might increase the risk in certain subgroups. An experimental study also showed that nicotine might play a role in the development of breast cancer."
October 2008 ,Heartwire from Medscape,India Bans Smoking in Public,"The Indian government appears to have heeded the warnings of medical experts highlighting the immense problem of smoking in the country, with the introduction this week of a nationwide ban on smoking in public places."
September 2008 ,Reuters Health Information,Atypical Antipsychotics May Be Useful in Bipolar Disorder With Addiction,The atypical antipsychotics quetiapine and risperidone appear to be of certain limited benefit in patients with bipolar disorder and concurrent cocaine or methamphetamine dependence.
October 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Studies Identify Factors Regarding Remission, Relapse in Alcohol Dependence",The findings of 2 new studies that identify factors associated with remission and relapse in alcohol-dependent individuals may ultimately aid in designing more effective treatment and prevention programs.
October 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Early Alcohol Use Linked to Greater Risk for Abuse, Dependence in Adulthood","Individuals who start drinking before the age of 15 years are at significantly greater risk for alcohol abuse and dependence in adulthood than those who do not use alcohol until they are 18 years or older, new research suggests."
September 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Experts Call for Health Warning Labels on Caffeinated Energy Drinks,"Experts are calling for health warning labels on so-called ""energy drinks"" that, due to their high caffeine content, may pose a significant consumer health risk, particularly in teens and young adults."
September 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Phase 3 Results Show Efficacy for Opioid Combined With Abuse Deterrent,"A phase 3 trial of ALO-01, an investigational formulation that combines extended-release morphine sulfate pellets with a core of naltrexone to deter abuse, showed that the drug was effective and safe for relief of chronic osteoarthritic pain."
September 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Methadone Dosages Correlate Poorly with Serum Levels,"A new study shows a poor correlation between dosages of methadone given to chronic pain patients and resulting serum levels. The findings, researchers say, complicate any cause-and-effect conclusions in the rising number of deaths associated with methadone use."
September 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Misuse of Prescription Drugs Rising in the US,A new national survey shows that nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers has risen 12% in the past year.
September 2008 ,WebMD Health News,Tobacco-Related Cancer Cases Top 2 Million,"More than 2 million cases of cancer related to tobacco were diagnosed in the United States from 1999 to 2004, says CDC"
January 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Nicotine Gum and Gradual Smoking Cessation,"Nicotine gum is effective in helping smokers quit by gradually reducing the number of cigarettes smoked, a new study shows."
January 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smokers Who Quit Retain Increased Atrial Fib Risk,"Current and former cigarette smokers both had independently elevated risks of atrial fibrillation in a prospective, European population-based study."
January 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Teens Commonly Refer to Health Risk Behaviors on Social-Networking Site,"More than 50% of teenagers refer to risky behaviors, including sex and alcohol and substance use on their publicly available online profiles, new research suggests. However, investigators also report that a simple online intervention delivered by a clinician may help reduce references to sex on social-networking Web sites."
January 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Plus Family History Compound Risk for Aneurysmal SAH,"Current smoking appears to interact with a family history of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, increasing the risk to 6-fold that of an individual without either risk factor, a new study shows."
January 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,New Data on Smoking In China,"A new study has found that smoking continues to be a major risk factor for mortality in China, with almost 700,000 premature deaths estimated to be attributable to tobacco use in 2005."
January 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,MI Reduction and Smoking Ban,"The reduction in MI hospitalizations observed after a smoke-free law takes effect appears to be sustained over an extended period, according to a new study."
January 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"Report Sheds Light on Comorbidity of Addiction, Other Mental Health Illness",A National Institute on Drug Abuse report sheds light on the complex link between addiction and other mental health illnesses.
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,AAP Recommends Improved Health Plan Payment for Adolescents,"The AAP recommends an improved health plan payment for adolescent preventive, reproductive, and behavioral care."
December 2008 ,WebMD Health News,Illicit Drugs Detected in Wastewater,Methamphetamine is the most common illicit drug found in U.S. sewage.
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Cattle Steroid Misuse Appears Common,"Misusing cattle steroids to ""bulk up"" appears to be a common practice, especially among bodybuilders, and the kits required to convert the pellets for cattle to an injectable form usable to humans are readily available, a study reports."
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Progesterone May Diminish Cocaine Craving,"In a laboratory study of cocaine users, progesterone reduced craving and the feeling of being stimulated by cocaine, researchers report."
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Decline in Teen Marijuana Use Comes to a Halt,New research shows that the decline in marijuana use among teens in the United States has plateaued and that there is a continuing high rate of prescription-drug use in this population.
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,US College Students Abuse Stimulants,"College students in the United States report abusing stimulants more than opioids, and a ""startling number"" use intravenous injection as a mode of opioid delivery, new research suggests."
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,Epidemic of Overdose Deaths Linked to Nonmedical Use of Prescription Opioid,"Up to 93% of unintentional overdose deaths in West Virginia, 1 of the poorest US states, are due to nonmedical use of prescription pharmaceuticals, primarily opioid analgesics, new research shows."
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,AAAP 2008: Heroin-Assisted Treatment Useful as Last-Resort Option,"Heroin-assisted maintenance treatment may be effective for patients with chronic, refractory heroin addiction, researchers say."
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,AAAP 2008: NESARC Findings Changing Understanding of Alcoholism,"New findings from 2 waves of the National Epidemiological Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions are changing clinicians' understanding of alcohol dependence, researchers say."
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Internet Addiction, Part 2","A presentation at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association describes Internet addiction disorder, its various manifestations, and implications for psychiatric nursing."
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,"Internet Addiction, Part 1","A presentation at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association describes Internet addiction disorder, its various manifestations, and implications for psychiatric nursing."
December 2008 ,Medscape Medical News,COMT Inhibitor Shows Promise in Treating Marijuana Addiction,"The catechol-o-methyl-transferase inhibitor entacapone shows promise in the treatment of marijuana dependence, a pilot study suggests."
December 2008 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke Declining,"Researchers have revised predictions of what the CHD risk and affiliated costs attributable to passive smoking will be in the future, to reflect the fact that second-hand smoke has steadily declined, by as much as 40%, in the past decade."
March 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Nicotine Patch May be Helpful in Mild Cognitive Impairment,"Treatment with transdermal nicotine may help improve memory and processing speed in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment a large, multicenter pilot study suggests."
March 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Causal Relationship Between Alcohol and Depression May Start with Alcohol,"An association between alcohol abuse and depression has long been recognized, and 1 popular theory was that depressed individuals tend to self-medicate with alcohol. However, researchers are now drawing quite a different conclusion; that it is more likely that alcohol abuse leads to depression than the other way around."
March 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Odds Show Impulsive Kindergarteners May Become Early Gamblers,Kindergartners rated as very impulsive are at risk for starting to gamble by grade 6.
March 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol-Branded Gear Drives Teens to Drink; Docs Call for More Regulation,Teens who own clothing or other gear decorated with alcohol brand names begin using alcohol at earlier ages and are more susceptible to binge drinking.
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Early Exposure to Smoking Boosts Multiple Sclerosis Risk,"Smoking cigarettes at a young age increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, a new study has found."
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Obesity in Adolescents May Carry Same Risk for Premature Death as Smoking,A record linkage study shows that obese adolescents have the same risk for premature death in adulthood as people who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day.
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol Consumption and Risk for Cancer,A large study conducted in middle-aged women suggests that even low to moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk for cancer.
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Exposure to Secondhand Smoke May Raise Dementia Risk,"Smoking is an established risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia, and now a new large study suggests that secondhand smoke is also detrimental."
February 2009 ,WebMD Health News,Top Health Risks for Young Adults,"Accidents are the leading cause of death for young adults while long-term health risks for this demographic are smoking, obesity, and inactivity."
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Specialists Study Brain Plasticity and Its Transformative Potent,New research suggests the brain is a changeable organ that can alter its own structure and function.
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,New Opioid Clinical Practice Guidelines Published,"The new guidelines, 2 years in the making, are now available."
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Financial Incentives May Facilitate Smoking Cessation,A randomized study found that financial incentives offered by employers significantly increased rates of smoking cessation.
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Teen Cannabis Use Linked to Evenings Out,"The prevalence of marijuana use among 15-year-olds declined from 2002 to 2006 in many countries, in parallel with a decline in evenings out with friends, researchers report."
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"New Diagnoses Provide Impetus for Smoking Cessation, Weight Loss","New diagnoses such as heart disease or cancer prompted modest behavioral changes in smoking cessation and weight loss in middle-aged and older adults, especially for conditions where either smoking or obesity was a risk factor. The more new diagnoses a person had, the more likely he or she was to stop smoking and/or lose weight."
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Binge Drinking During Pregnancy Linked to Child Mental Health Problems,"Occasional intake of 4 drinks or more per day during pregnancy was associated with child mental health problems, mainly hyperactivity and inattention, in the absence of moderate daily drinking levels."
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Men More Than Twice as Likely as Women to Develop Alcohol Dependence,"Men have more than a 1 in 5 lifetime risk of developing alcohol dependence, and while there is a widespread public perception that treatment for alcohol abuse is ineffective, the majority of patients -- both men and women -- do well after therapy, according to a review article."
February 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,AAPM 2009: New Guidelines on Chronic Opioid Therapy Presented,"The new guidelines highlight patient selection, the importance of a therapeutic trial, and continuous reevaluation."
January 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Prenatal Cocaine Exposure Impairs Infants' Stress Response,"Prenatal exposure to cocaine appears to heighten infants' response to stress, new research suggests."
January 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking Deaths Decline in US,"Smoking deaths were highest in Kentucky and West Virginia and lowest in Utah and Hawaii. They've also declined in men in every US state but Oklahoma, but increased in women in 18 states."
January 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Safety Guidelines Issued for Prescribing Methadone,Safety recommendations regarding arrhythmia risk and QTc interval monitoring for clinicians prescribing methadone have been issued.
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Net Benefits of Tobacco Cessation Interventions Remain Well Established,The US Preventive Services Task Force has determined that the net benefits of tobacco cessation interventions in adults and pregnant women remain well established.
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Two Studies Examine How to Improve Smoking Cessation Strategies,"For the treatment of tobacco smoking, one randomized controlled trial aimed to improve the reach of treatment, and the other evaluated a strategy to improve the efficacy of existing treatments."
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure Linked to Abnormal Brain Development,A new post hoc analysis of the CLARITY-TIMI 28 trial has shown that the benefits of clopidogrel are greater in patients who smoke more than half a pack of cigarettes per day than in those who do not.
April 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smokers Benefit More From Clopidogrel ,A meta-analysis suggests that nicotine replacement therapy effectively achieves sustained smoking abstinence for smokers who have no intention or are unable to attempt an abrupt quit.
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Nicotine Replacement Therapy May Be Effective in Smokers Unable to Attempt an Abrupt Quit,Smoking cessation interventions that begin before surgery in patients with operable lung cancer are cost-effective at both 1 and 5 years postsurgery.
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Cessation is Cost Effective for Patients With Operable Lung Cancer,"A combination of type 2 diabetes and smoking may place individuals with serious mental illness at even greater risk for death than their counterparts with diabetes who smoke but who do not have severe mental illness, new resesearch suggests."
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Diabetes and Smoking an Even Deadlier Combination in Individuals with Serious Mental Illness,New legislation introduced by the US Congress that will address the shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists is being applauded by 3 of the country's leading mental-health organizations.
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Mental-Health Organizations Applaud New Legislation to Address Shortage Crisis in Child Psychiatry ,The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend reducing administrative and financial barriers to access and collaboration.
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Financial Barriers to Children's Mental Health Services Should Be Removed,"In a cohort study, women who stopped smoking at less than 15 weeks' gestation had rates of spontaneous preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age infants similar to those for nonsmokers."
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Severe Adverse Effects of Smoking May Be Reversible if Mothers Quit Early in Pregnancy,"In a northern Iranian population-based case-control study, drinking hot tea was strongly associated with a higher risk for esophageal cancer."
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Hot Tea Consumption Linked to Higher Risk for Esophageal Cancer,"Admissions for hospital psychiatric and substance-abuse health services rose 3.5% from 2006 to 2007, according to the most recent survey from the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems."
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Admissions for Psychiatric Hospital Services on the Rise ,"Long-term use of opioids to manage chronic pain increases patients' sensitivity to certain types of pain, and similar hyperalgesia develops with methadone-maintained drug abusers, new research suggests."
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Long-Term Opioid Use May Increase Sensitivity to Pain,Sobriety requirements for supportive housing actually costs taxpayers money in some cases
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"Supportive Housing Without Conditions Reduces Drinking, Health Costs in Homeless Persons with Severe Alcoholism",Researchers doubt economists' claims that bulimia is an addiction and is more common among blacks than whites.
March 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Eating-Disorders Experts Challenge Economists' Conclusions About Bulimia ,"A pilot study has found modafinil, a wake-promoting agent used to treat narcolepsy, blocks dopamine transporters and increases dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, actions that suggest the potential for abuse and dependence, researchers say."
March 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Study Flags Potential for Abuse and Dependence With Modafinil,The single screening question recommended by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism accurately identified unhealthy alcohol use in a sample of primary care patients.
March 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Single Screening Question May Accurately Identify Unhealthy Alcohol Use,"Guam and Kentucky lead the field when it comes to the highest prevalence of current smokers in the US, with a third of all adults there smoking, according to a new report from the CDC. There remains much work to be done in the field of tobacco control, say the researchers."
March 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking Prevalence in US,More than 28% of Kentucky residents are smokers while Utah has the least smokers.
March 2009 ,WebMD Health News,Kentucky Is Top State for Smoking,"In examining cardiovascular prevention guidelines in daily practice in eight European countries, investigators observed increases in obesity, diabetes mellitus, and smoking in younger female subjects, as well as no improvements in blood-pressure management."
July 2009 ,WebMD Health News,"FDA: E-Cigarettes Bad, but Not Banned",The FDA issues a warning as tests find electronic cigarettes as 'illegal'.
July 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Accelerates Progression of Multiple Sclerosis,Quitting may partially reverse adverse effects.
July 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Teen Drug Use Often Begins With the Family Medicine Cabinet,"Adolescents who buy prescription drugs for illicit use are more likely to have ongoing substance abuse problems, but most teen-drug misuse involves drugs obtained for free from family or friends. "
July 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Hospitalization More Common Among Heavy Drinkers ,"Compared with teetotalers, men who consume 22 or more units of alcohol per week have a 20% higher rate of acute admissions, new research shows."
July 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Chantix and Zyban to Receive Boxed Warnings for Serious Neuropsychiatric Symptoms,"Varenicline and bupropion are receiving boxed warnings regarding the risks for changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts and behavior, and attempted suicide."
June 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Michael Jackson's Death,"With concerns raised about the use of prescription painkillers in Jackson's death, as well as the stress he was under with an impending world tour, Dr Douglas Zipes, from the ACC, and Dr Vinay Nadkarmi, from the AHA, both weigh in on some of the speculation."
June 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Suicide Linked With Alcohol Abuse ,"Nearly 24% of suicide deaths are associated with alcohol intoxication, a new study shows. "
June 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking Cessation Program Can Improve Quit Rate,"Patients hospitalized for CABG or MI were twice as likely to successfully quit smoking if they received intensive counseling in the hospital with follow-up support after discharge, in a recent study."
June 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Treating Pain and Pain Addiction,"Yvonne M. D'Arcy, MS, CRNP, CNS, a pain management specialist and palliative care nurse practitioner, provides expert commentary on new developments in pain management and treatment of pain addiction."
June 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Psychiatry Research Round-up: The Best of APA 2009,"Items on this year's agenda included new conflict-of-interest guidelines for psychiatrists, planning for DSM-V, deep-brain stimulation for depression, and more."
June 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Web- and Computer-Based Smoking Cessation Programs May Be Effective,A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials suggests that sufficient clinical evidence supports the use of Web-based and computer-based smoking cessation programs for adult smokers.
June 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"Heavy Alcohol Drinking, Smoking Increases Risk for Chronic Pancreatitis","Although a study shows that these factors are independent risks for chronic pancreatitis, a minority of patients with pancreatitis seen at US referral centers report very heavy drinking."
June 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Low-Dose CT Screening for Lung Cancer Produces False Positives,"Low-dose computed tomography is associated with a high rate of false positives when used for lung cancer screening, and the false-positive rate is significantly higher than chest x-ray screening."
May 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Violence in Schizophrenia Rare in the Absence of Substance Abuse,"The increased risk of violent crime associated with schizophrenia is largely due to the subgroup of patients who are also substance abusers, according to a new study."
May 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcoholism Is Not What It Used to Be,"Recent findings from NESARC are challenging traditional views of alcoholism, pointing to a need for a paradigm shift in prevention and treatment strategies."
May 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"DSM-V on Track for 2012, but Difficult Decisions Lie Ahead","Attendees here were updated by the working groups for the upcoming fifth revision of the psychiatric bible, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Field trials to test-drive some of the new criteria will have to begin soon after this year's APA meeting, but contentious issues remain to be solved, such as whether to oust gender identity disorder as a diagnosis. "
May 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Nicotine Patches Reduce Agitation in Smokers With Schizophrenia,"Nicotine replacement therapy -- specifically 21-mg/day transdermal patches -- can decrease agitation and aggressive behavior in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia, according to a randomized controlled trial."
May 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,"Smoking, High BP Cause Most Preventable Deaths","Smoking accounted for one in five deaths and was particularly problematic in men, while high blood pressure, more common in women, accounted for roughly one in six deaths. "
April 2009 ,WebMD Health News,AACR 2009: Urine Test for Lung Cancer?,Researchers are developing urine tests to determine if smokers are at high risk for lung cancer.
April 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Health Advocates Hope Substantial Cigarette Tax Counteracts Increasing US Smoking Rate ,"During the current economic downturn, US smoking rates have actually increased for the first time in 10 years; a recent hike in cigarette taxes may counteract this increase."
September 2009 ,WebMD Health News,FDA Bans Flavored Cigarettes,"As of today, it's illegal in the U.S. to buy or sell most flavored cigarettes."
September 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"Tobacco, Marijuana Use Decrease Blood Concentrations of HIV Drug","A study of HIV-positive patients finds that tobacco and marijuana smoking decreases blood levels of atazanavir, but no effect is seen on viral load or CD4 count."
September 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Cessation Therapy Throughout Hospitalization ,Starting a prescribed smoking-cessation program during hospitalization for other causes and continuing the program after discharge results in high smoking-cessation rates at 1 year.
September 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking Ban Cuts Acute Coronary Syndrome,A smoking ban in public places throughout Iceland resulted in a 21% reduction in ACS among nonsmoking men.
September 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Community-Based Prevention Programs May Reduce Risky Behaviors in Teenagers,"A new study shows that the Communities That Care prevention system can help reduce adolescent drug use, including alcohol and tobacco, and delinquent behavior communitywide."
September 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Risk for Breast Cancer Recurrence Decreased by Lifestyle Changes,"Obesity, moderate alcohol use, and smoking appear to significantly increase the risk of developing second breast cancer among breast cancer survivors."
September 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"Naltrexone, Disulfiram Decrease AD Symptoms in Veterans With PTSD",Two studies show that naltrexone and/or disulfiram decreased symptoms of alcohol dependence in psychiatrically stable veterans with PTSD; desipramine may be as effective as paroxetine for acute PTSD.
September 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Only Three Cigarettes a Day Significantly Increases Cardiovascular Disease Risk,"Risk of cardiovascular disease increases sharply with low levels of exposure to cigarette smoke, while risk levels off at higher levels of exposure."
September 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Treating Vascular Risk Factors and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease,A new study underlines the importance of treating vascular risk factors in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
September 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Boosts Multiple Sclerosis Risk,"People at risk for autoimmune disease are especially susceptible to the detrimental effects of smoking, but a new study suggests that nicotine might not be the culprit."
September 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Tobacco Smoking May Increase Risk for Tuberculosis,"In a representative cohort of Taiwan's population, tobacco smoking was associated with a 2-fold increased risk for active tuberculosis."
August 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Gene Linked to Substance Dependence in Women of European Origin,The identification of PKNOX2 as a gene linked to substance dependence is an important step toward the ultimate goal of effective treatment and prevention of addiction.
August 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"Substance Abuse Main Driver of Violence in Schizophrenia, Psychoses","A large systematic review shows that drug abuse, not mental illness itself, is the leading risk factor for violence in individuals with schizophrenia and other psychoses."
August 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Prescription ADHD Medication Abuse by Adolescents on the Rise,Reports to US poison control centers suggest teen misuse and abuse of stimulant medications is growing.
August 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Lesions and Brain Shrinkage in Multiple Sclerosis,"People with multiple sclerosis who smoke have higher lesion volumes, more atrophy, and are at greater risk for blood-brain barrier disruption, say researchers."
August 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Launches Center for Tobacco Products,"A new center was launched this week by the FDA, dedicated to educating the public and helping curb the thousands of deaths related to tobacco use annually."
August 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Prescribed Heroin Superior to Methadone for Severe Opioid Dependence,Treating heroin addiction with medically prescribed heroin is the basis of a new Canadian study showing that this mode of treatment is more effective than oral methadone in severe opioid dependence.
August 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"Smoking, High Blood Pressure, and Diabetes May Lead to Dementia","Controlling cardiovascular risk factors in midlife may prevent dementia in older age, report researchers."
August 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"FDA Safety Changes: Chantix, DiaBeta, Aralen","The FDA has approved safety labeling revisions for varenicline tartrate tablets (Chantix), glyburide tablets (DiaBeta), and chloroquine phosphate tablets (Aralen)."
August 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Depression and Smoking Pose Similar Risks for Mortality,"Depression is on a par with smoking when it comes to increasing risks for mortality, although anxiety may counteract some of this increased risk, according to a new study."
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Psychostimulant Medication Safe in Adolescents With ADHD and Substance Use Disorders,Psychostimulant medication for ADHD appears to be safe and well tolerated with low abuse potential in adolescents in treatment for co-occurring substance abuse.
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Progression to Daily Cannabis/Tobacco Use Linked to Earlier Psychosis Onset,"Escalating frequency of substance abuse may be a modifiable risk factor for psychosis, new research shows. "
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Younger HIV-Positive Patients Less Likely to Quit Smoking,"Only older age was significantly associated, although marginally so, with successful completion of a smoking cessation program."
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Antiepileptic Drug Curbs Cocaine Use,"Vigabatrin, an epilepsy treatment, could break the vicious cycle of drug addiction and incarceration."
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Prenatal Tobacco Exposure Linked to Multiple Neurodevelopmental Problems ,"Prenatal tobacco exposure may negatively affect neurodevelopment in developing fetuses and infants, leading to multiple problems, such as irritability, casual attention, and poor self-regulation."
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Varenicline May Not Be Linked to Increased Risk for Self-Harm,"A cohort study shows no clear evidence of an increased risk for fatal or nonfatal self-harm or depression with varenicline use, but a 2-fold increased risk cannot be ruled out."
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Varenicline Effective for Highly Nicotine-Dependent Smokers With COPD,Varenicline was associated with a 42.3% quit rate at 40 weeks for the hard-to-treat population of smokers with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Medicaid Programs Not Providing Full Access to Smoking Cessation Therapies,"Although the majority of state Medicaid programs offer coverage for some tobacco-dependence treatment, the majority fall far short of a stated mandate to provide unrestricted access to therapies."
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Nicotine Patch Plus Lozenge Best Therapy for Smoking Cessation,The first head-to-head study of smoking cessation therapies shows combination treatment with a nicotine patch plus lozenge doubles the rate of abstinence at 6 months.
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Pain Specialists Push for Funding of National Prescription Monitoring Program,"The American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians continues to look for the funding already approved, in theory at least, for a national electronic prescription monitoring program."
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Combination Smoking Cessation Therapy Increases Abstinence Rates in Teens,The first study of combination therapy of bupropion SR and contingency management for smoking cessation in adolescents suggests that a combination of the 2 is superior to either treatment alone.
October 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"Drinking, Alcoholism Linked to Different Genes",Alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence are associated with different genetic pathways.
October 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Morphine-Naltrexone Formulation Maintains Efficacy,A combination of morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride provides effective analgesia with a low potential for abuse.
October 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Secondhand Smoke,"IOM report confirms the cardiovascular benefit of implementing a ban on smoking in public places. The reduction in acute MI, anywhere from 6% to 47%, typically occurs quickly, often within 12 months of the ban."
October 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Implant Superior to Oral Therapy in Reducing Relapse in Heroin Dependence ,Sustained-release naltrexone implant offers heroin addicts a window of opportunity to change their lifestyle.
October 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Maternal Smoking in Pregnancy May Increase Psychotic Symptom Risk in Teens,A new cohort study from the United Kingdom shows that maternal (but not paternal) use of tobacco during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for psychotic symptoms in their children.
October 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Vaccine Reduces Cocaine Use in Patients Reaching Target Antibody Levels ,Treatment holds promise for other drugs addictions as well.
September 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"Opioid Overdose Triples in the United States, CDC Report Shows",A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals opioid-related deaths are rapidly rising.
September 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Panel Recommends Approval of Tamper-Resistant Oxycodone Formulation,"A new drug application for a novel formulation of ""tamper-resistant"" oxycodone, which is designed to reduce abuse of the drug, has been recommended for approval by an FDA advisory panel."
September 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"Cocaine Laced With Levamisole Increasing, Poses Risk for Agranulocytosis","Levamisole used as an adulterant in cocaine has resulted in 20 confirmed or probable cases of agranulocytosis, including 2 deaths."
January 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Individual Interventions May Be More Effective Than Family-Based Therapy in Reducing Teen Alcohol Abuse,"Individual-only interventions have larger effect sizes than family-based interventions in reducing adolescent alcohol abuse, according to a new meta-analysis."
January 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking Cessation Drug Varenicline Safe and Effective in CVD Patients ,"The smoking cessation agent varenicline is safe and effective to use in patients with stable cardiovascular disease, a new study concludes. The agent should be part of the physician's armamentarium when it comes to smoking cessation, an often-neglected part of the treatment of CVD, says the lead author."
January 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,QALY Decline Greater for Obesity Than Smoking,Data from 1993 to 2008 show quality-adjusted life-years lost from obesity recently surpassing those lost from smoking.
January 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Cessation Linked to Higher Short-Term Risk for Type 2 Diabetes,"Cigarette smoking predicts incident type 2 diabetes, but cessation leads to higher short-term risk, highlighting the need for diabetes prevention and early detection."
January 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking and Alcohol Consumption Risk Factors for AMD in the Oldest Old,Smoking is associated with a higher chance of developing age-related macular degeneration in individuals aged 80 years and older.
December 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"Quitting Smoking, Increased Calcium May Lower BMD Loss Linked to DMPA Use",Quitting smoking and increasing calcium intake may reduce the risk for higher bone mineral density loss associated with use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate.
December 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"CDC Reports Show Downward Trend in Current Smokers, Rates of SHS Exposure",The percentage of adults who are current smokers trended downward during 1998 to 2008 but remained unchanged from 2007 to 2008.
December 2009 ,WebMD Health News,Genetic Map Reveals Mutations From Cancer,Gene mutations show roles of sunlight and smoking trigger two forms of cancer.
December 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Substance Abuse Medications May Offer Effective Treatment Option for Pathological Gamblers ,"A new study shows that urge-driven pathological gamblers respond better to opioid blockers and glutamatergic modulators, whereas those with inhibition control issues respond well to COMT inhibitors."
December 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Cessation Confers Survival Benefits After First AMI,Lifetime nonsmokers and those who quit before or after a first acute myocardial infarction have lower mortality rates than current smokers.
December 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Cigarette Smoking May Increase Colorectal Cancer Risk,"In a large, prospective cohort study, long-term cigarette smoking was associated with colorectal cancer, even after controlling for screening and multiple other risk factors."
December 2009 ,Reuters Health Information,Teen Use of Marijuana Tied to Later Depression,"Adolescents who use cannabis are at risk for depression as young adults, findings from a new study suggest."
December 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Major Risk Factor for Mortality in Adults Treated for Heart Disease,Smoking is a major risk factor for death from heart disease and cancer in adults who already have heart disease and receive clopidogrel.
December 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Alleviation of Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms Primary Driver of Illicit Buprenorphine Use,Illicit use of buprenorphine is primarily driven by a desire to alleviate symptoms of opioid withdrawal and not to get high.
December 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,"OROS-MPH, Placebo Show Equal Efficacy for Teens With ADHD, Substance Abuse Disorders",Improvements in the placebo group matched those seen in the active treatment group in a study of osmotic-release methylphenidate plus CBT for adolescents with ADHD and substance abuse disorders.
December 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Obesity Threatens Benefits From Declines in Smoking in US,The first study to examine the effects of both obesity and smoking together on life expectancy and quality of life in the US population shows that weight gain continuing at current levels will override the beneficial effect of the decline in smoking over the next 10 years.
December 2009 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking and Clopidogrel ,More data suggesting that clopidogrel may have a greater effect in smokers than in nonsmokers have been reported.
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Synergistic Effect of Prenatal Tobacco and Early Lead Exposure on ADHD,"The 2 exposures create a ""double hit"" to the dopamine system, a new study suggests."
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Trauma-Focused Treatment Reduces Substance Use in PTSD Patients ,"A new study addresses the question of whether to treat PTSD or substance use first, the researchers say."
November 2009 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Increases Seizures and Risk for ALS,"Smokers had 2 times the risk for seizures, and a new review suggests the habit may now be considered an established risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis."
March 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Magnifies Genetic Risk for Intracranial Aneurysm,A new analysis from the Familial Intracranial Aneurysm cohort shows increased rupture risk with certain genetic variants and a strong interaction of this genetic risk with smoking.
March 2010 ,WebMD Health News,Good and Bad Health Habits in U.S.,"Six in 10 Americans drink regularly, but only 3 in 10 get regular exercise."
March 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Experts Give Tips on How to Collect Urine to Screen for Drugs,"Because careful attention to urine collection methods can identify patients' attempts to falsify test results, these tips assist physicians in the proper methods of screening patients' urine for drugs."
March 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Years of Smoking, Not Number of Cigarettes, Linked to Parkinson's Risk","The puzzling relationship between smoking and a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease may be explained in part by long-term smoking rather than the amount, say researchers."
March 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking May Be an Independent Risk Factor for Suicidality,New research suggests that smoking may lead to an increased risk of suicidality and suicide attempts.
March 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Early Marijuana Use Heightens Psychosis Risk in Young Adults,"Study participants who used marijuana were more likely to have hallucinations or delusions, report researchers."
March 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Passive Smoking Dangers in Adolescents ,The results suggest that children should not be exposed to tobacco smoke at all.
March 2010 ,WebMD Health News,New Nicotine Inhaler May Help Smokers Quit,Vapor puffs from a new device carry nicotine deep into the lungs.
February 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking During Pregnancy Increases Risk for Preterm Birth,"The risk for both medically indicated and spontaneous preterm birth is higher for smokers than nonsmokers, new research shows."
February 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Cessation Decreases Risk for CVD in HIV Patients,The first study to assess the effects of smoking cessation among HIV patients finds that stopping smoking significantly decreases the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
February 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,New Federal Report Details Health of US Population,"The CDC's annual report describes the state of the nation's health; use of diagnostic imaging procedures has tripled, and overall life expectancy is now estimated at 77.9 years."
February 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Pipe and Cigar Smoking Linked to Decreased Lung Function and COPD,"Pipe and cigar smoking increased urine cotinine levels and were linked to decreased lung function and increased odds of airflow obstruction, even in people who had never smoked cigarettes."
February 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Results of US Health-Risk Surveillance System Reported,Controlling health-risk behaviors and using preventive health-care services can reduce or prevent morbidity and premature mortality from chronic diseases.
February 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Transdermal Nicotine for 24 Weeks vs 8 Weeks May Improve Abstinence,This intervention increased biochemically confirmed point-prevalence and continuous abstinence at week 24 and reduced the risk for lapses in smoking.
January 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Changing Risk Health Behavior,"Does seeing the physical damage caused by an unhealthy lifestyle get individuals to change their behavior? Results are mixed, according to researchers, with behavior changing in certain circumstances, such as seeing the arterial damage caused by smoking or the damage to skin caused by prolonged exposure to the sun."
January 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Stopping Smoking Has Large Survival Benefit in Early Lung Cancer,A new analysis indicates that smoking cessation can improve survival in patients with early-stage lung cancer.
January 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Little Risk for Addiction From Long-Term Opioid Use in Select Chronic Pain Patients,Long-term opioid therapy is associated with little risk for addiction when given to select patients with chronic noncancer pain and no history of substance abuse.
January 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Green Vegetables Protect Smokers From Genetic Changes Associated With Lung Cancer Risk,A new study found an association between folate intake and the promoter methylation of genes often silenced in lung cancer.
January 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Critically Ill Smokers in the ICU,"Nicotine replacement therapy is not associated with increased hospital mortality in critically ill active smokers, according to a new observational study."
January 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,"Cocaine Accounts for 3% of Sudden Deaths, Most of Them in Nature","Cocaine-associated sudden deaths are not so rare, and the majority are cardiac in nature, according to a Spanish postmortem case-control study. The findings also indicate there is no such thing as ""safe"" recreational use of small amounts of the drug, something doctors and the public need to realize, say the researchers. "
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Vigabatrin Fails to Achieve Efficacy for Cocaine Dependence in Phase 2 US Trial,"In a phase 1, multicenter trial, vigabatrin was no better than placebo in helping cocaine addicts achieve abstinence, which is a result that contradicts the findings of a recent Mexican study. "
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Preteen Marijuana Use Linked to Comorbid Substance Abuse and Psychological Disorders,"A new study shows that youths who start using marijuana before age 13 years have increased rates of suicide attempts, PTSD, legal problems, and abuse of other drugs, such as hallucinogens."
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Intensive, Lengthy Treatment Needed for Tobacco Cessation in Substance Abuse Patients",A new Canadian study reveals patients in substance abuse treatment are more likely to successfully quit tobacco use when intensive and lengthy treatment--of up to 26 weeks--is provided.
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Indoor Tanning May Be Addicting for Some Young Adults,New research extends previous findings that indoor tanning may be an addictive behavior.
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Methadone Maintenance Programs May Reduce Rates of Hepatitis C,An Israeli study confirms that methadone maintenance treatment not only is effective in treating substance abuse but also reduces rates of infectious disease.
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Negates Positive Effect of Moderate Alcohol Use on Stroke Risk ,Any potential benefit of moderate drinking on stroke risk may be counteracted by smoking.
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Disproportional Impact of Lung Cancer on African Americans,A new report from the American Lung Association highlights the racial difference in the burden of lung cancer.
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effective in Helping African Americans Quit Smoking,Smoking cessation rates among African Americans were significantly greater among those receiving cognitive behavioral therapy vs general health education.
April 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Public Smoking Ban Cuts Hospitalizations in Toronto,"Yet another study has shown that hospital admissions for acute MI drop dramatically in the aftermath of public smoking bans. This time, a study shows that Toronto's smoking bans led to lower hospital admissions not only for AMI but also for angina, stroke, and a range of respiratory conditions. "
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,New Policy Statement Underscores Need to Curtail Underage Drinking ,A new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights the need to curb underage alcohol use.
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Epstein-Barr Virus Positivity Linked to Increased Interaction Between Smoking and MS ,"An analysis of MS case-control study data highlights the biologic interaction among smoking, MS, and Epstein-Barr virus infection. "
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Approves New Formulation of Controlled-Release Oxycodone,"The FDA has approved a new formulation of controlled-release oxycodone HCl designed to discourage misuse and abuse of the medication, which is indicated for the management of moderate to severe pain."
April 2010 ,WebMD Health News,Debate Sharpens Over Menthol Cigarettes,Public health experts and industry representatives disagree on regulation of menthol cigarettes.
March 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,New SAMHSA Report Finds Underage Drinking a Problem in the United States,A new survey shows that 1 in 4 young people aged 12 to 20 years drank in the past month and nearly 9% purchased alcohol on their own.
March 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,First Gene Linked to Lung Cancer in Nonsmokers,Lung cancer risk in many nonsmokers is tied to reductions in GPC5 expression.
March 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,"Puffed Out! Glasgow, KY, Goes Smoke-Free in Public Spaces ","Capping what may be one of the most rancorous and divisive fights ever chronicled on theheart.org, a town in the heart of Kentucky's tobacco belt will soon have cleaner air in its public buildings. "
March 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Combination Therapy Improves Abstinence Rates in Weight-Concerned Female Smokers ,Bupropion + CBT designed to address concerns about weight gain produce higher rates of abstinence and longer times to relapse than standard CBT + medication or the weight-concerned CBT program alone.
March 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Raising Alcohol Prices Curbs Drinking, Deaths, Healthcare Costs","Raising the price of alcohol can reduce alcohol-related illness and premature death and alleviate a considerable burden on healthcare systems, new research shows."
March 2010 ,WebMD Health News,"Smoking, Obesity's Toll on Life Span",High blood pressure and high blood sugar levels also contribute to a lower life expectancy.
March 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Obesity and Alcohol May Interact to Increase Risk for Liver Disease,Two prospective studies show that obesity and alcohol both increase the risk for liver disease among men and women.
June 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Regular Smoking, Drinking Linked to Headaches in Teenagers","The prevalence of any headache was doubled in those who reported regularly drinking cocktails, 1 cup of coffee a day, or being inactive and almost doubled with daily smoking, a new study shows. "
June 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Tobacco Roundup at the WCC,"At the World Congress of Cardiology 2010, experts pulled no punches in their desire to see smoking and secondhand smoke completely eliminated."
June 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Flat Adenomas,A prospective cross-sectional study suggests that smokers may require screening with high-definition colonoscopes to detect flat adenomas.
June 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration Linked to Modifiable Risk Factors,A study shows that early age-related macular degeneration is related to modifiable risk factors including smoking and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level.
June 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Secondhand Smoke Linked to Psychiatric Illness, Hospitalization",A new longitudinal study shows that high levels of secondhand smoke exposure can lead to high psychological distress and even increased hospitalization risk for nonsmokers.
June 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,MI and Smoking Ban in England,"The study shows a smaller reduction than previous reports, which is thought to be due to better controlling for confounders and marked reductions in smoke exposure before the ban was introduced."
June 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Increased Depression Risk,"In addition to harming physical health, a new study suggests smoking can negatively affect mental health and may increase the risk for depression, especially for those who are nicotine dependent."
June 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Meditation May Improve Drinking and Substance Abuse Behaviors in Active Military Personnel,Active military personnel who practice meditation during substance abuse treatment programs may experience significant improvements in recognizing and changing their drinking behaviors.
June 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Extended-Release Naltrexone Reduces Opioid Use,A once-monthly injection of naltrexone is superior to placebo in reducing opioid use and cutting cravings in opioid-dependent patients.
June 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Combination of Conduct Disorder and ADHD Predictive of Substance Abuse ,A long-term follow-up study of children with ADHD shows the risk for substance use disorder in this patient population is mainly limited to a subset of children with early conduct disorder.
May 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Prescription Opioid Relapses Associated With Shorter Treatment Course,The largest treatment study ever conducted for prescription opioid dependence shows that tapering with buprenorphine during a 9-month period led to nearly universal relapse.
May 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Buprenorphine Treatment for Infants of Opiate-Addicted Mothers,"A large American study of the safety of buprenorphine in pregnancy finds that the drug results in lower neonatal abstinence scores than methadone, and shorter infant hospital stays."
May 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Mental Health of UK Troops Remains Stable Despite Prolonged Duration of Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan ,"Mental health of UK armed forces deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan has not deteriorated since 2003 when it was first assessed, new research suggests. "
May 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Opioid Prescribing Will Be Supervised Within the Year, Say Officials",The FDA's controversial opioid risk evaluation and mitigation strategies known as REMS are nearing completion and will likely include mandatory education.
May 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Moms' Smoking, Depression Influence Teens' Smoking","Teen smoking prevention requires attention to multiple risk factors, including maternal depression and cigarette smoking. "
May 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Economically Deprived Just as Likely to Benefit From Anti-Smoking Legislation,New survey data collected before and after England's public smoking ban should help dispel the enduring concern that sweeping antismoking legislation is more likely to benefit the rich and educated.
May 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Use of Antidepressants, Nicotine in Pregnancy Linked to Childhood Difficulties ",New research has linked use of nicotine and antidepressants in pregnancy to sleep and behavioral problems for offspring.
May 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Risk Factors for Opioid Misuse Among Pain Patients Differ by Sex ,"A large study of patients with chronic pain shows that women who misuse opioids are more likely to be anxious or depressed, whereas men are more likely to have behavioral or legal problems."
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Significant Proportion of Abuse Counselors Lack Knowledge of Bupropion for Tobacco Cessation ,A new study shows that approximately 40% of substance abuse counselors tested from 2002 to 2004 and from 2007 to 2008 have little knowledge of bupropion and its effectiveness.
April 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Combined Unhealthy Behaviors Associated With 4-Fold Increased Risk for Death ,"Smoking, lack of physical activity, poor diet, and alcohol consumption, when their effect is considered collectively, appear to be associated with a substantially increased risk of death."
August 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Cigarette Smoke Influences Lung Gene Expression at Lowest Levels,Very low levels of tobacco smoke exposure can result in gene expression changes that are less extensive but similar to those of active smokers -- a finding that supports smoking bans.
August 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Binge Drinking Heightens Death Risk in Those With High Blood Pressure ,"Heavy binge drinkers with hypertension have a 12-fold increased risk for cardiovascular mortality, a new study shows."
August 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Association of Amphetamine Abuse and Aortic Dissection,"In a young adult population, the association of amphetamine abuse with aortic dissection was as strong as or stronger than for some probably better-recognized risk factors. "
August 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Headache in Teens Related to Lack of Exercise, Weight Gain, Smoking ",Almost a third of teenagers in a new study of adolescents with headache had low physical activity.
August 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Differences in Cholinergic Function Identified in Brains of Cocaine Addicts ,Significant differences in cholinergic functioning have been identified in cocaine-addicted patients compared with healthy control patients in regions of the brain involved in the addiction process.
August 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Spill Shows Need for Mental Health Awareness as Part of Disaster Preparedness,"In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, several agencies have joined together to provide tips on recognizing and managing mental health problems in the setting of catastrophe. "
August 2010 ,WebMD Health News,Risky Combo: Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Forms,Using a combination of cigarettes and other types of tobacco is linked to higher risk of disease.
August 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Methylphenidate May Help Combat Cocaine Addiction,"A new study shows that intravenous methylphenidate, a drug commonly used to treat ADHD, may help cocaine-addicted patients control their impulses."
August 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Prenatal Cigarette Exposure Increases Risk for Psychiatric Illness Into Adulthood,Prenatal exposure to more than 10 cigarettes per day may have a lasting negative impact on the mental health of offspring.
July 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Vienna Declaration Urges Global Decriminalization of Drug Use ,"Eastern Europe typically has extremely strict antidrug laws; not coincidentally, more than 80% of HIV patients are injecting drug users. Hence, the Vienna Declaration."
July 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Symposium Urges Human Rights Approach to Treating HIV in Drug Users,"To stem the HIV/AIDS epidemic, HIV-infected drug users must have access to adequate healthcare services without penalty, AIDS leaders and activists say."
July 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Sex of Alcohol-Dependent Parents May Influence Psychopathology in Offspring,"A new study shows that the sexes of alcohol-dependent parents and their children can influence the child's risk of developing psychiatric illnesses, especially for female children of alcoholic women."
July 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Mental Disorders, Substance Abuse Linked to Increased Emergency Department Visits","A total of 1 of every 8 visits to emergency departments involve mental disorders and/or substance abuse problems, according to a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. "
July 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Significant Increase in Prescription Pain Reliever Abuse, Subsequent Hospital Admissions ","In a new study, SAMSHA researchers found a 400% increase in substance abuse admissions due to the misuse of prescription pain relievers -- a finding that cuts across all ages, sexes, and ethnicities."
July 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Genotype Score and Nicotine Dependence Guide Smoking Abstinence Strategy,An individual smoker's quit-success score could suggest the best treatment approach to achieve success in smoking cessation.
July 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Single Screening Question May Identify Drug Use in Primary Care,"A single screening question accurately identified drug use in a sample of primary care patients, suggesting that it would be a useful screen in primary care."
July 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Many Lung Cancer Patients Stopped Smoking Years Before Diagnosis,"The stigma that people did this to themselves is still attached to lung cancer, although the perception is challenged by a new study."
July 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Vitamin B6, Methionine Linked to Lower Risk for Lung Cancer","In a large cohort study, serum levels of vitamin B6 and methionine were inversely associated with risk for lung cancer."
June 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Dramatic Increase in ED Visits Resulting From Prescription Opioid Use,"In a joint study, researchers from the CDC and SAMSHA find a 111% increase in ED visits involving nonmedical use of prescription opioid pain medications, especially oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone."
June 2010 ,WebMD Health News,Parenting Style Linked to Heavy Drinking in Kids,"Binge drinking is less likely in teens with strict, supportive parents, a study says."
September 2010 ,Letters to the Editor,"SNPs Used in Smoking Cessation Study Are Public Info, Author Says",A study author writes a letter to the editor to correct a potential false impression that the basis of the genotype score used in his study was not publicly disclosed.
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Using Ecstasy Heightens Sleep Apnea Risk,"The drug alters serotonin in the brain and can have long-term consequences. Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to cognitive dysfunction, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease."
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Dietary Restrictions in Adolescents Linked to Smoking-Related Weight Concerns ,A large cross-sectional study in adolescents showed that dietary restrictions in teenagers are significantly associated with smoking-related weight concerns.
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Marijuana Use Main Driver of Increase in Rates of Substance Use ,Illicit drug use in the United States continues to increase and marijuana appears to be a major driver.
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Panel Recommends Naltrexone Extended-Release Injectable Suspension for Opioid Addiction,An FDA committee supports the use of naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension for the treatment of opioid dependence.
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Ban Reduces Childhood Asthma Hospital Admissions,A smoking ban initiated in Scotland in 2006 was found not only to decrease public exposure to smoke but also to decrease asthma hospital admissions for children.
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Long-Term Opioid Use Linked to Increased ED Visits, Drug and Alcohol Problems ",Long-term use of opioids with a high potential for dependence and abuse may increase the risk for emergency department visits and drug and alcohol problems.
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Combination of Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse Ups Risk for Violent Crime,Patients with BD are more than twice as likely to commit a violent crime as individuals in the general population.
September 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,AHA Says No Smokeless Tobacco,"Snuff, chewing tobacco, and other smokeless-tobacco products aren't safe alternatives to smoking cigarettes, nor should they be used to aid in smoking cessation, according to the American Heart Association."
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Acamprosate May Be Helpful to Treat Alcohol Dependence,A systematic review shows that acamprosate appears to be effective and safe for supporting continuous abstinence after detoxification in alcohol-dependent patients.
September 2010 ,WebMD Health News,E-Cigarette Firms Get FDA Warning,"Five electronic cigarette companies were cited for ""violations"" of drug safety laws."
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Decline in Adult Smoking in the US Has Ended,One in 5 American adults smoke and it's been that way since 2005.
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Fruit, Vegetable Intake Linked to Lower Lung Cancer Risk in Smokers","A prospective cohort study shows that variety in fruit and vegetable consumption may decrease lung cancer risk in smokers, independent from the quantity consumed."
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis Use Increases Psychosis Risk and Persistence of Subclinical Psychosis,"Cannabis use, usually in relationship with other triggers, appears to increase the risk for psychotic episodes, even among individuals with no previous history of psychosis. "
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Methamphetamine Abuse May Raise Risk for Parkinson's Disease,A preliminary study suggests greater than 2-fold increased risk in regular users; researchers caution more study is needed.
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Approves Sublingual Film Formulation of Buprenorphine/Naloxone,"Previously only available in sublingual tablet form, buprenorphine/naloxone in the form of a sublingual film will become available in starting in October 2010."
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Cigarette Smoking May Increase Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents,A new cohort study suggests that teenage smokers who use cigarettes as a form of self-medication may be more susceptible to increased depressive symptoms.
August 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Addiction Linked to Abnormal Cue Reactivity and Diminished Error Processing ,More evidence links abnormal cue reactivity to behavioral and substance-related addictions and suggests diminished ability to process errors may underlie nicotine dependence.
August 2010 ,WebMD Health News,Youth Tobacco Use: Downward Trend Is Slowing,A CDC report shows current cigarette smoking by high school students is about 17%.
August 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Alcoholism Can Damage Episodic Memory, Awareness of Memory Deficits","New research suggests chronic alcoholism can negatively affect executive function, episodic memory, and metamemory -- a deficit that patients themselves are often unaware of."
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Variants in Region of Ethanol Metabolism Gene Predict Alcoholism Risk ,New findings suggest that drugs targeting CYP2E1 expression might moderate intoxication and alcohol consumption.
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smokers Experience More Postoperative Pain Than Nonsmokers,Study shows that smokers experience more severe pain after ambulatory surgery and might be more vulnerable to developing chronic pain.
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,ACOG Issues Recommendations for Providers to Support Perinatal Smoking Cessation,"Use of the 5A's, healthcare support systems, and pharmacotherapy add to the strategies providers can use to help women stop smoking during pregnancy."
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,More Evidence Light Drinking During Pregnancy May Not Be Harmful to Offspring,"On the heels of a controversial British study showing light drinking during pregnancy is not harmful to offspring, a new study from Australia that supports the earlier findings has just been released."
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Fetal Alcohol Exposure Linked to Altered Cognitive Processing,Binge drinking in pregnancy may cause altered neurophysiologic processing of response inhibition and recognition memory in the offspring.
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Once-Monthly Naltrexone Approved for Treatment of Opioid Addiction,"Naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension (Vivitrol), already approved for alcohol dependence, now approved for opioid addiction. "
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Buprenorphine Implants May Be Effective for Opioid Dependence, Phase 3 Study Suggests",A large randomized controlled trial suggests a subdermal implant may be effective in treating opioid dependence.
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Sublingual Buprenorphine Relieves Symptoms of Neonatal Opioid Abstinence Syndrome,A new phase 1 study suggests that sublingual buprenorphine is safe and more effective than oral morphine in treating infants with neonatal opioid syndrome.
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Conduct Disorder in Adolescence Predicts Substance Use Disorders in Adulthood ,"Pediatricians should focus on adolescent ADHD when it progresses to conduct disorder, because conduct disorder is a major predictor of substance abuse disorders in adulthood. "
October 2010 ,WebMD Health News,CDC: Binge Drinking 'Huge U.S. Health Problem',Binge drinking rates are the highest in Wisconsin and the lowest in Tennessee.
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Low-Cannabidiol Strains of Cannabis May Impair Memory,A new study suggests cannabidiol may have a protective effect against the memory-impairing effects of THC in marijuana.
October 2010 ,Reuters Health Information,Blood Tests Say Drunk Drivers Escaping Conviction,Crashing a car while drunk and landing in the emergency room would seem like a direct route to a DUI conviction.
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Nicotine Dependence Linked to Suicide Attempts,"After controlling for comorbid psychiatric conditions, a large cross-sectional study shows a robust association between nicotine dependence and attempted suicide."
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Risk for Future Substance Abuse for Anxious Patients Who Self-Medicate ,New research shows there is an increased risk for future substance abuse among people who self-medicated their anxiety disorders.
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Ban at Psychiatric Hospital Linked to Increase in Involuntary Admissions ,The number of walk-ins decreased and rate of involuntary admissions increased after a smoking ban at Canada's largest psychiatric hospital.
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Top Investigators Awarded for Novel Approaches to Addiction Research ,Four top scientists are the recipients of the first annual NIDA Avant-Garde Awards to support their novel approaches to treat tobacco and cocaine addiction.
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,New Tool Detects Illicit Substance Use in Pregnancy,"The Substance Use Risk Profile-Pregnancy scale detects the use of a range of substances, such as alcohol and illicit drugs, in pregnant women."
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Call for Stricter Limits on Tobacco and Alcohol Advertising to Prevent Pediatric Alcohol and Drug Abuse,"The AAP has issued a new policy statement that calls for a ban on tobacco advertising in all media, limitations on alcohol advertising, and no television advertisements for ED drugs until 10 pm."
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Antiepileptics May Increase Nicotine Metabolism, Hamper Smoking Cessation Efforts ","A new study shows that carbamazepine increased hepatic metabolism in mentally ill smokers, leading to concerns that these medications may increase nicotine cravings and hamper cessation efforts."
September 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Mental Illness Stigma Persists Among Americans,"Despite efforts to reduce stigma attached to mental illness, Americans still perceive it as shameful."
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,1% of All Deaths Worldwide Caused by Passive Smoking,"A new study suggests that among the 600,000 deaths that occur worldwide from passive smoking, more than 25% are among children and 47% among adult women."
November 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Binge Drinking: Cause of National Disparities in Heart Disease?,"The binge-drinking culture that exists in Northern Ireland is likely contributing to heart disease there, French scientists say. "
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Issues Warnings to Manufacturers of Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages,A scientific review of the deleterious health effects of caffeinated alcohol products has prompted the FDA to issue warnings to 4 makers of these products. The companies have 15 days to respond.
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Gene Variants May Influence Differential Effects of Cannabis on Psychosis Expression,Recent use of cannabis is associated with positive schizotypy in unaffected siblings of patients with psychosis.
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Consumption of Energy Drinks Linked to Alcohol Dependence ,"Energy drink consumption is associated with dependence on alcohol, new research suggests. "
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Adolescents at Risk for Alcohol Abuse Show Increased Brain Activation,A new study suggests that adolescents with a possible genetic risk for alcoholism demonstrate greater frontal lobe activity during response inhibition than those without this history.
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Baclofen Can Ease Symptoms of Acute Alcohol Withdrawal,"A short course of baclofen can quickly neutralize alcohol withdrawal symptoms, with fewer risks than standard-of-care treatment."
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Increased Dopamine Release May Make Men More Susceptible to Alcoholism ,A new study suggests that an increased dopamine release in the ventral striatum part of men's brains after drinking alcohol may be strongly associated with the positive effects of intoxication.
November 2010 ,WebMD Health News,FDA Proposes New Cigarette Warning Labels,New warning labels would be larger and more graphic.
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,More Details Released on Landmark Lung Cancer Screening Trial,Screening for lung cancer with computed tomography has shown a mortality benefit.
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Dairy Products and Black Tea Deter Lung Cancer,Milk and dairy products reduce lung cancer rates in smokers; black tea is more beneficial to nonsmokers.
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol Use for Sleep Strongly Linked to Hazardous vs Moderate Drinking,"In a report from the AAFP National Research Network, moderate and hazardous drinking were linked to few sleep problems, but alcohol use for sleep was strongly linked to hazardous drinking."
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,No Doubt Now: Smoking Increases Risk for Breast Cancer Death,A new study is the strongest to date on smoking and breast cancer mortality.
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Gene Variant Linked to Depression in Alcohol-Dependent Individuals,A new study investigating the co-occurrence of alcohol dependence and depressive symptoms demonstrates the value of looking at comorbidities in studies of genetic association.
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Bipolar Disorder Linked to Greater Suicide Risk vs Other Mental Disorders,"A new study of more than 3 million veterans finds that 9% of those who committed suicide had bipolar disorder, making it a higher risk factor than schizophrenia, depression, PTSD, and other disorders."
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Alcohol Is More Harmful Than Heroin, Crack ",New research shows alcohol is the most harmful drug overall and is almost 3 times more harmful than cocaine or tobacco.
November 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Increases Odds of Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality,"Smokers are at significantly higher risk than nonsmokers for mortality and a wide range of morbidities after noncardiac surgery, including intubation, mechanical ventilation, and pneumonia."
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Opiate Replacement Treatment Reduces Mortality in Addicted Patients,New research from Britain finds that opiate replacement treatment for at least a year by drug misusers can lead to a decrease in overall mortality of more than 85%.
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Heavy Smoking in Midlife Doubles the Risk for Alzheimer's Disease,Heavy smoking in midlife doubles the risk for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
October 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Anxiety Disorders Make It Harder to Stop Smoking ,People with a history of anxiety disorders have an impaired ability to quit smoking and are resistant to pharmacotherapy.
January 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Vaccine Blocks Cocaine High, Animal Study Shows",Scientists have developed a vaccine strategy that makes mice immune to the exhilarating effects of cocaine.
January 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Reduces Response to Early RA Treatments,Current (but not past) smokers have more aggressive rheumatoid arthritis and are less responsive to treatment.
January 2011 ,WebMD Health News,FDA Challenges Tobacco Companies,"Makers of tobacco products that have been changed since Feb. 15, 2007, must show the ""new"" products are no worse for public health or see the products banned in the U.S., the FDA today ruled."
December 2010 ,Reuters Health Information,Drug Overdoses on the Rise in Most Age Groups,"The number of babies who die of SIDS typically surges by 33% on New Year's Day, probably because their caregivers celebrate with alcohol the night before."
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,SIDS Cases Typically Spike on New Year's Day,Patients with cancer who continue to smoke despite their diagnosis experience greater pain severity than those who quit or who have never smoked.
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking May Worsen Pain for Cancer Patients,"Women on methadone are at risk for a variety of perinatal problems, Irish researchers report. Moreover, neonatal abstinence syndrome was related to methadone intake in their study."
December 2010 ,Reuters Health Information,Methadone Exposure Tied to Poor Perinatal Outcome,"New study of more than 900 nonsmoking children suggests an association between higher salivary cotinine levels and poorer mental health, especially hyperactivity and conduct disorder. "
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Secondhand Smoke Exposure Linked to Mental Disorders in Children,"A significant increase in marijuana use among US youth, especially in preteens, including a jump in daily use, are among the key findings of an annual national survey."
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Daily Marijuana Use in Teens Highest Since the 1970s,Mounting evidence suggests moderate drinkers may be more sensitive to the reinforcing effects of stimulants.
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Moderate Alcohol Intake May Raise Risk for Amphetamine Abuse,"Ten million Americans admit to getting behind the wheel under the influence of illicit drugs, a new study finds."
December 2010 ,WebMD Health News,30 Million Americans Admit They Drive Drunk,Infants of opioid-dependent women who take buprenorphine during pregnancy have fewer symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome.
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Buprenorphine for Addiction in Pregnancy Reduces Symptoms of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome,"Researchers are calling for more research on the health consequences of combining caffeine and alcohol, saying bans on caffeinated alcoholic beverages will not solve the problem."
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Despite FDA Warning, State Bans, Dangerous Practice of Mixing Energy Drinks With Alcohol Continues","Massachusetts' policy of lowering barriers to smoking-cessation assistance for low-income individuals appears to be making a positive impact on heart disease, a new study shows."
December 2010 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Medicaid Smoking Help,New research finds that veterans who incorporate a smoking cessation program into their mental healthcare for PTSD have higher smoking abstinence rates than those referred to standalone programs.
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Integrating Smoking Cessation Into PTSD Treatment Improves Abstinence From Cigarettes,A retrospective review of emergency department activity in New Orleans during Hurricane Gustav showed a high rate of consultations for substance-related disorders.
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Substance-Related Disorders Need Consideration in Hurricane Preparedness ,"Cheating on drug screens is common, but a new study suggests ways that clinicians can spot attempts at dilution, adulteration, and substitution of samples."
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Study Highlights Prevalence of Drug Test Cheating and How to Combat It,A new study challenges the notion that quitting smoking can make individuals feel depressed.
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,Quitting Smoking May Improve Mood,A retrospective study finds that elevated doses of benzodiazepines are associated with increases in delirium tremens and delirium.
December 2010 ,Medscape Medical News,"Benzodiazepines Overused in Alcohol Withdrawal, With Significant Adverse Effects",Prescribing rates of controlled medications to teens and young adults are increasing.
March 2011 ,WebMD Health News,Drug-Related Poisonings Land Many in ER,"Emergency departments treat an estimated 700,000 people yearly for drug poisonings, including many children."
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Marijuana Use Precedes Psychotic Symptoms ,A new study helps clarify the temporal association between marijuana use and psychotic symptoms and shows that the drug can trigger these episodes.
February 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,More Evidence Links Smoking to Increased ALS Risk,"Smoking may initiate a cascade of events that leads to ALS in susceptible people, researchers say."
February 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking May Increase Postarthroplasty Complications,Current smoking is associated with a 50% increase in infections and pulmonary complications after elective hip and knee replacement surgery.
February 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Heavy Drinking Increases Complication Risks After Joint Replacement,Patients who report a high alcohol intake before joint replacement surgery appear to have a higher rate of postop complications than those who don't drink.
February 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Childhood BMI, Weight May Mediate Associations of Prenatal Factors With SBP",Childhood body mass index or weight trajectory may mediate the associations of heavy maternal smoking and prepregnancy body mass index with systolic blood pressure.
February 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis Use Linked to Earlier Onset of Psychotic Disorders,A new meta-analysis finds that cannabis users with a psychotic disorder developed their first onset of the illness more than 2.5 years earlier than nonusers.
February 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Frequent Cocaine Use Linked to Alterations in DNA,"Frequent cocaine use triggers long-lasting changes to genes expressed in the nucleus accumbens, the area of the brain associated with reward, new animal research suggests."
February 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,No Increase in Substance Abuse Treatment Due to Mental Health Parity Law ,A new study shows that the mental health parity law has not led to an increased use of substance abuse treatment services or increased providers' costs.
February 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Mental Health Problems More Common in Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals ","Gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals have higher rates of mental health problems than their heterosexual counterparts, new research suggests."
February 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Memory Training Shows Promise in Substance Abuse Treatment ,"A new study suggests that training the working memory of adults addicted to stimulants can lead to a reduction in the devaluing of future rewards, a particular problem in addiction."
January 2011 ,WebMD Health News,U.S. Smoking Rates Keep Life Expectancy Down,A study shows high smoking rates in earlier decades affects life spans in U.S.
January 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Drug-Induced Deaths More Common Than Alcohol- or Firearm-Related Fatalities,"A new report from the CDC finds rates of drug-induced deaths are significantly higher for males than females, especially for non-Hispanic white and black males."
January 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Nicotine Replacement Therapy May Reduce Agitation in Schizophrenia ,"In nicotine-dependent patients, nicotine patches were associated with about one-third the level of agitation compared with placebo."
January 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Program Helps Medical Students Identify Patients At Risk for Addiction,Current instruction on substance abuse and addiction varies widely from one medical school to the next.
January 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Genes Predict Success of Ondansetron Treatment for Alcoholism ,Alcoholic people with a specific genotype had fewer drinks and more abstinent days during ondansetron treatment compared with those with other genotypes.
January 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Active Smoking Before First Birth Linked to Increased Breast Cancer Risk,"A prospective cohort study shows that active smoking, especially smoking before the first birth, may be associated with a modest increase in the risk for breast cancer."
January 2011 ,Heartwire from Medscape,"Passive Smoking Raises BP of Preschool Children, New Research Shows","Children as young as four or five have raised blood pressure if their parents smoke, a new study from Germany shows. The findings should provide further impetus for parents to stop smoking or at the very least to implement smoke-free homes, say the researchers."
January 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Bupropion, Varenicline May Decrease Brain Reactivity to Smoking Cues","Two brain imaging studies show smoking cessation medications bupropion and varenicline may change the way the brain reacts to smoking cues, making it easier to curb cravings."
January 1970 ,Medscape Medical News,Combined Internet and Telephone Intervention May Facilitate Smoking Cessation,"In a randomized trial, combined Internet and telephone treatment of smoking cessation outperformed static and dynamic Internet interventions."
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,More Evidence Moderate Alcohol Reduces Cognitive Impairment ,"Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for cognitive impairment, whereas light to moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk."
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Cancer After Liver Transplantation ,"Smoking predicted higher risk for malignancy after liver transplantation, and smoking withdrawal after transplant may protect against the development of neoplasia. "
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis Use May Harm Cognitive Function in MS Patients,A cross-sectional study suggests long-term heavy use of street cannabis may impair cognitive function in patients with MS.
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Cessation Aid May Not Increase Abstinence,"In hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome who received continuous, intensive nurse counseling about quitting smoking, adding a smoking cessation drug did not increase abstinence rates."
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Cessation Before Surgery Is Not Harmful,"In a systematic review and meta-analysis, stopping smoking a few days before surgery was not associated with increased postoperative complications."
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Heavy Drinking Not Linked to All Esophageal Cancers,"Higher alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but not with esophageal adenocarcinoma or esophagogastric junction tumors."
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Buprenorphine, Collaborative Care Key to Success in Treating Opioid Addiction",Study provides more evidence that office-based treatment of opioid addiction with buprenorphine is feasible and often successful in the primary care setting.
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Dopamine Function Predicts Therapy Response in Cocaine Addicts,A new imaging study shows that cocaine addicts who retained dopamine function responded better to treatment than those who did not.
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Young Veterans Carry Heavy Burden of Physical Illness,"Young veterans returning from current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan who are afflicted with PTSD and substance use disorders carry a heavy burden of physical illness, new research suggests. "
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smokers' Lung Abnormalities Predict Less Emphysema,"In smokers, interstitial lung abnormalities were present on 8% of high-resolution computed tomographic scans and were associated with reduced total lung capacity and a lesser amount of emphysema."
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Widespread Among Institutionalized Schizophrenics,"Most institutionalized schizophrenic patients smoke cigarettes despite being supervised, new research suggests."
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Heavy Liquor Intake Linked to Pancreatic Cancer Mortality,Alcohol consumption of 3 or more drinks of liquor per day is associated with increased pancreatic cancer mortality risk independent of smoking.
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Quetiapine Nixed for Cocaine Addiction ,The atypical antipsychotic quetiapine appears to provide no benefit for cocaine addiction.
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Remission Likely in Gamblers Responding to Drug Therapy,"A significant proportion of pathological gamblers who respond to a 6-month trial of pharmacotherapy remain relapse free for the next 6 months without the use of medication, new research suggests."
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Motivational Intervention May Reduce Adolescent Drinking,"In adolescents, motivational interventions positively affected drinking outcomes in the short term after an alcohol-related emergency department visit."
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women,"Compared with women who never smoked, postmenopausal women who smoke or used to smoke have up to a 16% higher risk for incident breast cancer."
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Pain Management in the Addicted Patient: A Problem in the ED,Patients addicted to narcotics pose a problem to emergency department personnel.
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking in Early Pregnancy Linked to Infant Heart Defects,Cigarette smoking during the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with a significantly greater risk for certain types of congenital heart defects.
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Light to Moderate Alcohol Use Protective Against Dementia in Older Adults,A new study suggests there is an inverse link between light-to-moderate alcohol consumption and incident dementia.
March 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Topiramate Linked to Birth Defects,New human data show that the prevalence of cleft lips and palates in infants born to women taking topiramate was roughly 3 times higher than that for women taking other antiepileptic drugs.
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Federal Crack Down on Prescription Drug Abuse Gets Thumbs Up ,National psychiatry and addiction organizations are coming together to applaud and promote the federal government's new plan to stop abuse of prescription drugs.
April 2011 ,Reuters Health Information,U.S. to Regulate Electronic Cigarettes as Tobacco,The U.S. government said on Monday it plans to regulate electronic cigarettes as tobacco products.
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Cessation Drug Use Before Quitting Smoking Improves Outcomes,Preloading with a nicotinic agent before quitting smoking may substantially reduce ad lib smoking and improve 12-week quit rates.
April 2011 ,Heartwire from Medscape,All US Workplaces May Be Smoke-Free by 2020: CDC,The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System database shows that the country has made enormous progress in ridding public indoor spaces of tobacco smoke but that progress has been slow in some parts of the country.
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Higher Opioid Dose for Nonmalignant Pain Linked to Mortality,"In patients given opioids for nonmalignant pain, the daily dose is strongly associated with opioid-related mortality, particularly at doses over thresholds recommended in recent clinical guidelines."
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Drug Court Cuts Recidivism, Keeps Offenders Out of Jail","Completion of drug treatment court reduces risk for subsequent offense compared with traditional adjudication, new research suggests."
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Feds Launch Plan to Fight Prescription Drug Epidemic,"A new collaborative action plan for prescription drug abuse urges prescriber education on opioid risks and benefits, recommends expanded monitoring programs, and calls for new laws."
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Military Drug Abuse Linked to Prescription of Pain Meds,"A history of pain medication prescriptions strongly predicts subsequent drug misuse, new research suggests."
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Urgent Care Center Improves Addiction Care, Eases ED Burden",Highly intoxicated or withdrawing patients get tailored treatment while being diverted from the emergency department.
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Prescription for Opioids Often Precedes Teen Addiction,A single-center study shows teen addicts received a mean of 5 prescriptions for opiates during a 2-year period.
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Biomarker Panel May Detect Lung Cancer in Nonsmokers,A new analysis suggests buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid dependence during pregnancy produces more favorable neonatal outcomes.
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Better for Infants When Addicted Moms Use Buprenorphine in Pregnancy ,"A new secondary analysis suggests patients younger than 30 years do best with injectable naltrexone for opioid dependence, but comparisons to existing treatments are lacking."
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Age Predicts Outcome With Naltrexone for Opioid Dependence,NIDA has launched a new peer-to-peer service to help physicians identify and advise patients with substance abuse problems.
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,New 'Warm Line' Aims to Help Docs Help Addicted Patients,"More than 90% of Americans who meet criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence don't believe they need treatment, a new report shows. "
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Americans in Denial About Alcohol Abuse Disorders,"A new survey study shows that US adolescents exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk of developing symptoms of ADHD and depressive, anxiety, and conduct disorders."
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,More Evidence Secondhand Smoke Bad for Kids' Mental Health ,"A new imaging study shows food addiction may share similar patterns of neural activation as seen in alcohol and drug dependence, raising questions about the validity of the current approach to obesity."
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Food Addiction, Substance Dependence Share Common Ground",MRI scans of the brains of long-term ecstasy users show that hippocampal and gray matter volume are reduced compared with nonusers.
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Ecstasy Linked to Hippocampal Damage, Imaging Study Shows","As overdose deaths in the United States continue to increase, a large national study shows that part of this increase may be directly related to high-dose prescribing. "
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,High-Dose Opioid Prescribing Directly Boosts Death Risk,"Confirming prior uncontrolled research, a randomized controlled trial shows patients with schizophrenia smoke less cannabis while taking clozapine. "
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Brain Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors Blunted in Cannabis Users,"Although cannabinoid CB1 receptors are downregulated in the brain with chronic cannabis use, recovery of deficits is observed after just 4 weeks of abstinence."
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Screening Tools May Detect Youth Alcohol and Cannabis Misuse,A systematic review suggests that emergency department clinicians use a 2 question instrument to detect youth alcohol misuse and a 1-question instrument to detect cannabis misuse.
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Increases Women's Risk for Peripheral Artery Disease,"Among initially healthy women, smoking for even a short time is a potent risk factor for symptomatic peripheral artery disease and is associated with subclinical inflammation."
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Psychiatric Hospitalization Risk After Bariatric Surgery,"Alcohol abuse rates are high after gastric bypass surgery, and the risk for psychiatric hospitalization is high in the perioperative period."
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol Dependence More Likely Among Mentally Ill,"People with mental illness are 4 times more likely to be alcohol dependent than people without mental illness, according to a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey."
May 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Impact of Smoking on Breast Cancer Risk Greater Than Thought,"For women who are already at high risk for breast cancer, smoking is even more dangerous than for other women in the population, a new analysis concludes."
May 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Physicians May Help Reduce Adolescent Smoking,"Physician tobacco-related interactions with adolescents may positively affect their attitudes, knowledge, intentions to smoke, and quitting behaviors, thereby reducing smoking-related disease."
May 2011 ,Reuters Health Information,Smokers Have Slimmer Odds of Surviving Colon Cancer,"Smokers aren't just more likely to develop colon cancer than non-smokers, they might also be at higher risk of dying from the disease, a new study suggests."
May 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Gambling Problems to Increase Worldwide, Experts Warn","The expansion of gambling opportunities sets the stage for an increase in people with gambling disorders, experts warn, adding that effective treatments are available but few seek help. "
May 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Heavy Smoking Accompanies Postpartum Depression,"Postpartum depression is more common in heavy smokers, especially those younger than 20 years of age who haven't finished high school."
May 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Wide Variation in Commitment Laws for Substance Abuse,"A new study shows that US legal statutes for involuntary substance abuse treatment vary widely from state to state, a finding that suggests clinicians need to know their jurisdiction's specific regulations."
May 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Number of 'Problem' Drinkers to Increase Under DSM-5,A study from Australia shows a marked increase in the prevalence of alcohol disorders under proposed revisions to diagnostic criteria.
May 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Perioperative Smoking Abstinence Possible With Counseling,Smoking cessation counseling and treatment provide some benefit in patients undergoing urologic surgery.
May 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Gastric Bypass Patients at Risk for Alcohol Abuse,"Patients who underwent bariatric surgery had high rates of psychiatric hospitalization, according to results of a new study."
May 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Secondhand Smoke May Increase Risk for Nicotine Addiction,"Breathing in smoke from other people has a direct and measurable impact on the brain that is similar to that seen in smokers and may promote smoking, a new study suggests."
May 2011 ,Reuters Health Information,Hepatitis C Cases on Rise Among Massachusetts Youth,"Hepatitis C infections are rising quickly among white youth in Massachusetts, fueled by increases in the use of heroin and other injection drugs, local and federal health researchers said Thursday."
May 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,NIDA'S Top Doc Honored for Leading-Edge Addiction Research,"Nora Volkow, MD, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one of the first scientists to demonstrate that addiction is a disease, has been honored by Baylor College of Medicine. "
May 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol Ads Influence Adolescent Problem Drinking,Big bang for their buck -- alcohol ads influence drinking frequency and binge drinking in adolescents.
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Naltrexone Effective for Opioid Addiction, but Concerns Linger",A randomized controlled trial shows that once-monthly injectable extended-release naltrexone significantly increases abstinence and decreases cravings for those with opioid dependence.
April 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA's Long-Awaited Opioid Plan Calls for Education,"The new regulations will have implications for the close to 700,000 prescribers of long-acting and extended-release opioids."
July 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Gabapentin May Help Treat Alcohol Dependence,"Gabapentin added to naltrexone helped heavy drinkers stay off the booze for a longer period of time in this prospective, randomized trial."
July 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Quitting Smoking When Newly Pregnant Same as Never Smoking,"The largest study to date finds no difference between newly pregnant quitters and nonsmokers in babies' birth weight, head circumference, or gestational age."
July 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Young People Misusing Phenazepam,The benzodiazepine used to treat neurologic disorders such as epilepsy and anxiety is increasingly being abused by young adults.
July 2011 ,Reuters Health Information,"Ketamine Abuse May Lead to Bladder Woes, Pelvic Pain","A new study finds that long-term regular use of the club drug ketamine, sometimes called Special K, can alter bladder function, leading to bothersome symptoms such as urgency and pelvic pain."
July 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Obesity Raises Risk for Early Death in Nonsmoking Women,"Obesity in the absence of smoking is an important contributor to premature death in women, especially among those of lower socioeconomic status, new research finds."
July 2011 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Increased CV Risk With Varenicline: New Meta-Analysis ,"Further concerns about raised cardiovascular risk associated with the smoking cessation drug varenicline (Chantix, Pfizer) have been raised, with the publication of a new meta-analysis. "
July 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Elderly Are Society's 'Invisible Addicts,' Report Says","A new report urges greater awareness of substance misuse by the elderly and recommends lowering ""safe"" drinking limits. However, some experts have voiced concerns that this could be ""dangerous."""
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Nation's Prescription Drug Abuse Problem Continues to Grow,"Two new SAMHSA reports show treatment admissions for substance abuse is increasing significantly in the United States, as are ED visits for drug-related suicide attempts by men."
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Texting Smokers Doubles Quit Rates ,A large randomized trial shows smokers who receive motivational texts get the message to quit.
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,'Robust' Features of Alcohol Dependence Identified ,New research identifies specific factors of alcohol dependence that may help improve diagnostic reliability.
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Brain Changes May Explain Compulsion to Use Cocaine ,"Altered brain structure in the frontal lobe of cocaine users may be behind their impulsive and compulsive cocaine-using behavior, a new study suggests."
June 2011 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Subclinical Cocaine Heart Damage at Cardiac MRI,"Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging--but not biomarkers, resting ECG, or stress testing--revealed intramyocardial edema and fibrosis in most of a small cohort of long-term cocaine abusers."
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Higher Prostate Cancer Mortality,"Men who smoke at the time of their prostate cancer diagnosis have an increased risk for all-cause, cardiovascular, and prostate-cancer-specific death. "
June 2011 ,WebMD Health News,FDA Unveils Grim Cigarette Warning Labels,Cigarette packages will soon include graphic images of the effects of smoking.
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Addiction Risk Doubled in Obese vs Nonobese Girls,"Compared with nonobese adolescent girls, obese adolescent girls have more than twice the risk for high-level nicotine addiction in young adulthood."
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Approves Tamper-Resistant Oxycodone,"Pfizer announced today approval for Oxecta, an immediate-release oxycodone formulation with a tamper-resistant technology."
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis Use in Early Adolescence Especially Neurotoxic,Initiation of chronic cannabis use in early adolescence vs later adolescence appears to have a particularly deleterious long-term effect on executive functioning.
June 2011 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Varenicline May Raise CV Events in CVD Patients: FDA,The new safety communication states that physicians need to balance known benefits of varenicline--a drug effective in helping patients quit smoking--with the potential risks when deciding to use the drug in patients with cardiovascular disease.
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Beta-Blocker May Prevent Stress-Related Relapse in Addicts,"Psychosocial stress in recovering heroin addicts can exacerbate impaired decision-making, potentially increasing relapse risk. But propanolol may block this effect and mitigate this risk."
June 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Proactive Phone Counseling Improves Smoking Cessation Rates,A meta-analysis shows that proactive telephone counseling increases prolonged and continuous abstinence for actively as well as passively recruited smokers.
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Cell Phone Photos May Make Adherence a Snap ,"Snapping and sending cell phone photos before taking each prescribed dose of medication may be a simple, inexpensive option for increasing adherence, according to a study conducted in meth addicts."
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,No Evidence to Restrict Buprenorphine for Opioid Addiction,"Medicaid has no reason to ration substance abuse treatment with buprenorphine; in the long run, the drug is neither more costly nor less safe than other therapies, but some experts beg to differ."
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,New Initiative to Make Long-Term Opioid Use Safer,"An individualized treatment plan that outlines treatment goals, medication regimens, and refill details aims to make long-term prescription opioid use safer."
August 2011 ,WebMD Health News,"'Bath Salts' Have Effects Similar to Meth, Ecstasy",Meth-like craving and ecstasy-like brain damage have been found in rat studies on bath salts.
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Substance Abuse, HAART Nonadherence, Risky Sex All Linked",Amphetamines and injection drug use are strongly associated with missed dosing and risky sexual behaviors in a large study of HIV-infected patients.
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Bladder Cancer Risk From Smoking Higher Than Expected,New data show that risk for bladder cancer among smokers is even greater than what has been previously been reported.
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Buprenorphine Implant Effective for Opioid Dependence,New data suggest treatment with an investigative buprenorphine implant significantly reduces opioid dependence.
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Drug Abuse, Obesity Top Health Concerns for US Youth",American parents rate drug abuse and childhood obesity as the top health concerns for kids; Internet safety and sexting also make the top 10 list.
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Self-Medication of Anxiety Linked to Substance Use Disorders,"Self-medication in anxiety disorders is associated with a high risk for substance use disorders, and self-medication in substance use disorders is associated with the risk for social phobia."
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Do Vitamins Give Individuals a License to Smoke? ,"The use of dietary supplements may decrease daily smokers' motivation to cut down, giving them a license to keep smoking because of vitamins' perceived protective qualities."
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Violence Against Women a 'Public Health Disaster' ,"Women who experience gender-based violence, such as rape, sexual assault, and stalking, have a high lifetime prevalence of anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders, new research shows. "
August 2011 ,Reuters Health Information,Kids From Drug-Making Homes Mostly Healthy: Study,"Most children raised in homes where illegal drugs are produced appear to be in good health, according to a small Canadian study."
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Physicians, Pharmacists Indicted in Giant Pain Drug Scam","Michigan clinicians were bribed to write medically unnecessary prescriptions and direct patients to fill them at pharmacies participating in the scam, according to a federal grand-jury indictment."
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Air Cleaners Do Not Thwart Most Effects of Secondhand Smoke,"Despite reduced levels of particulate matter, air cleaners and/or use of a health coach did not reduce levels of exposure to secondhand smoke in inner-city children with asthma."
July 2011 ,Heartwire from Medscape,FDA Updates Label for Chantix,"The label warns physicians that while varenicline is effective in helping patients with cardiovascular disease quit smoking, it is also associated with a small increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events in this patient population."
July 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,ACOG Calls for Alcohol Screen Annually and at Prenatal Visit,The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends screening women for alcohol use at least annually and within the first trimester of pregnancy.
July 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Binge Drinking a National Epidemic in China,"Excessive/binge drinking in China has reached epidemic proportions, especially among middle-age men, in large part due to social encouragement and local customs, a new study shows. "
July 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Current Depression Is a Marker for Crack Cocaine Use,Past depression does not raise a woman's risk of using crack.
July 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Male Smokers Have Lower Risk for Joint Replacement Surgery,"In an Australian cohort, men who smoked had less risk of undergoing total joint replacement surgery of the hip or knee than those who never smoked."
July 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Genetics not the Best Strategy to Prompt Smoking Cessation,"Researchers argue that genetic testing for susceptibility to smoking-related diseases may help some to quit, or to personalize cessation methods, but traditional aids are likely to be more effective. "
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Children Destined to Be Obese Can Be Identified by Age 3.5,Maternal risk factors for high BMI and smoking while pregnant set the stage for obesity in their children.
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Study Associates Glaucoma With Cocaine Abuse,A study of 5.3 million veterans found that use of cocaine is predictive of open-angle glaucoma.
October 2011 ,Heartwire from Medscape,US Smoking Rates Vary Widely by Profession,Rates in some professions were more than double the target set forth in the US Healthy People 2010 initiative; others came in well below the target.
September 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Beer, Liquor May Have Opposite Effects on PD Risk","New research suggests that consuming a beer or 2 a day may lower the risk for Parkinson's disease, whereas consuming liquor may raise the risk. Results for wine are less clear. "
September 2011 ,Reuters Health Information,"Canada Unveils Larger, Graphic Anti-Smoking Labels",Canada unveiled some of the world's largest and most graphic anti-smoking labels on Tuesday on the grounds that smokers were starting to ignore existing warnings on cigarette packs.
September 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Old Treatment May Offer New Hope for Smoking Cessation,"A new randomized, controlled trial of more than 700 patients from Poland suggests that cytisine is effective as an aid in smoking cessation compared with placebo."
September 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Novel Opioid May Deter Abuse Through Slow-Acting Analgesia,Slow uptake of the investigational opioid NKTR-181 in the central nervous system reduces the euphoria and sedation that attracts opioid abusers.
September 2011 ,Reuters Health Information,"Cigarette Makers, FDA Clash Over New Graphic Ads",Cigarette makers clashed with regulators in U.S. federal court over new graphic labels and advertising that use pictures of rotting teeth and diseased lungs to warn consumers about the risks of smoking.
September 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Physical Activity May Improve Teen Smoking Cessation Rates,"In a randomized trial, adding physical activity to a youth smoking-cessation program improved cessation success, particularly among boys."
September 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Drugs of Abuse: Old Familiar Culprits and New Suspects,"A survey shows that the use of marijuana, hallucinogens such as ecstasy, salvia, K2 (a marijuana-like product), and amphetamine-like bath salts, are increasing."
September 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol-Related Deaths Up in Those With Type 1 Diabetes,"The mortality rate among patients with late-onset diabetes has risen in recent years compared with those with early-onset diabetes, largely because of an increase in drug- and alcohol-related deaths. "
September 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,DEA Moves to Make 'Bath Salts' Illegal as Overdoses Rise,"The abuse of psychoactive 'bath salts' has become commonplace, and patients with PABS overdoses are presenting to emergency departments with increasing frequency."
September 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,CDC: Smoking Rates Declining,"New data from the CDC indicate that smoking rates are on the decline and smokers are smoking less, but there’s still room for improvement."
September 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Multiple Lifestyle Factors Contribute to Diabetes Risk,"Multiple lifestyle factors reduced incident diabetes risk by as much as 80%, according to new National Institutes of Health-American Association of Retired Persons Diet and Health Study findings."
September 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Maternal Snuff Use Unsafe During Pregnancy,"Because use of maternal snuff, including mostly nicotine, is associated with a higher risk for neonatal apnea vs smoking, snuff use should not be considered to be safe during pregnancy."
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Addiction a Brain Disease, ASAM Says",The newly adopted definition of addiction from the American Society of Addiction Medicine classifies the disorder as a chronic brain disease.
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,14 Florida Physicians Indicted in 'Pill Mill' Bust,"The ""nation's largest criminal organization"" in the pain medication racket posted security guards in its fight-prone waiting rooms and took its cash to the bank in garbage bags. "
August 2011 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smokeless-Tobacco Use Hints at Higher Death Rates Post-MI,"A Swedish study shows that patients who continue to use smokeless tobacco, known as snus, after a heart attack have higher rates of death compared with patients who quit."
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Deaths From Prescription Opioids on the Rise,"Deaths from opioids prescribed for noncancer pain tripled in the United States between 1999 and 2007 and are increasing in other countries, including the United Kingdom. "
August 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking May Increase Bladder Symptoms in Women ,A questionnaire survey in a population-based cohort shows that urinary urgency and frequency among women are about 3 times more common among current than never smokers.
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Opens Opioid Education 'Blueprint' for Comment,The blueprint outlines 'core messages' for education modules aimed at opioid prescribers. The draft document is posted on the FDA site for community feedback.
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Greater Suicide Risk With Varenicline vs Other Cessation Meds,A comparison study of smoking cessation medications shows that varenicline was associated with significantly more cases of suicidal behavior and depression than bupropion or nicotine replacement therapy.
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"More Deaths From Opioids Than Cocaine, Heroin Combined",A CDC report shows that America's prescription drug problem has reached epidemic proportions.
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,National Quit and Recovery Site Launches,The National Quit and Recovery Registry is an online resource designed to provide information on patients who have recovered from addiction and encouragement to those who have not.
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Liver Cancer is 'Largely Amenable to Primary Prevention',"In an analysis of cases from a European cohort, a surprising finding was how much smoking contributed to the risk for liver cancer."
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,MDs Fail to Screen for Excessive Alcohol Use in Young Adults,"Although young adults are the highest-risk group for excessive alcohol consumption, clinicians often fail to ask about this issue during routine visits."
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,California Physicians Call for the Legalization of Cannabis,The California Medical Association is officially calling for the legalization of cannabis to facilitate more clinical research on the drug.
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,'Doctor-Shoppers' Get Pain Meds at Medicare's Expense,One patient amassed almost 5 years' worth of oxycodone in 2008 with prescriptions from 58 clinicians. Experts testifying in a recent Senate hearing on the problem reveal how to spot such fraudsters.
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,'Bath Salt' Street Drugs Temporarily Banned ,The DEA has announced a ban on synthetic stimulants which have been linked to increasing reports of abuse among teens and young adults.
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,'Meow Meow' and 'Plant Food' Cropping Up in EDs,"Two new drugs of abuse, mephedrone and MDPV (""bath salts""), are cropping up in emergency departments (EDs)."
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Women of Reproductive Age Increase Obesity, Decrease Smoking","Although smoking and physical activity improved from 2001 to 2009 for women of reproductive age, obesity, diabetes, and asthma increased; depressed women at higher risk for chronic conditions."
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Veterans' Mental Healthcare Quality Varies by Region,A study of the VA healthcare system reveals regional variation and high costs for veterans seeking mental and substance-abuse healthcare services.
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Childhood Adversity Linked to Adult Nicotine Addiction,"Adults who experienced childhood trauma are at significant risk of developing nicotine dependence, as are men who also have specific gene variants."
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Medicare to Cover No-Cost Depression, Alcohol Abuse Services","Medicare has announced new coverage policies for annual alcohol screening and counseling services, as well as for annual depression screenings, at no additional cost to its beneficiaries."
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Vaccines for Addiction Gaining Momentum,Vaccines have been successful in eradicating a wide variety of infectious diseases; now research suggests they hold promise in the treatment and/or prevention of substance abuse and addiction.
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Brains of Violent Offenders, Substance Abusers Differ","Grey matter volume reductions in the prefrontal cortex are associated with substance abuse, whereas greater volumes in the mesolimbic reward system characterize a history of violent offending."
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Gastric Bypass Increases Risk for New-Onset Alcohol Abuse,More than two thirds of patients having Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery said they were affected more by alcohol after surgery than before.
October 2011 ,WebMD Health News,4 Million in U.S. Admit Drunk Driving,"Drunk drivers are on the road 112 million times a year, CDC says."
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Set to Cause 40 Million Extra Tuberculosis Deaths,"By 2050, current smoking trends could boost TB mortality past 100 million."
October 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Oxycodone Pill Effective in Deterring Intranasal Abuse,Excipients make the drug unpleasant for nasal abuse.
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Synthetic Cannabis May Pose an Even Greater Psychosis Risk,"Synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Spice, may increase risk for psychosis in users, including those with no prior psychiatric history."
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Atypical Antipsychotic Shows Promise for Cocaine Dependence,"Although there is currently no proven pharmacological therapy for cocaine dependence, a small study shows promising results for an atypical antipsychotic."
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Mental Disorders Common, Persistent in US Adolescents","A national survey of adolescents provides a ""strong rationale"" for continuing to prioritize research to better understand the onset of mental disorders early in life."
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smokers More Likely to Face Surgery With Thyroid Eye Disease,Strabismus surgery to correct diplopia is less common among nonsmokers.
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol Abuse More Detrimental to the Female Brain,"After 4 years of excessive drinking, women experience the same loss of serotonergic function as men who have been abusing alcohol for 14 years."
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Quit Tx Works but Smokers Need to Be in It for the Long Haul,"Two large randomized trials confirm that smoking cessation therapies can be effective, but suggest treatments need to be longer and should adopt a chronic disease management model. "
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Surge Reported in Energy Drink Emergency Department Visits,A nationwide report shows that the number of emergency department visits associated with nonalcohol energy drinks rose almost 12-fold from 2005 to 2009.
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Abnormal-Weight Teens at Greater Risk for Illicit Drug Use,"Overweight and underweight teenagers are more likely to engage in illegal drug use, but the association is likely due underlying psychosocial factors rather than a direct cause-and-effect relation."
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Less Asthma, Stroke, MI Seen in Wake of Smoke-Free Laws","Separate studies show declines in cost, incidence of asthma, and heart attack and stroke rates in populations affected by smoke-free laws."
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Growing Concern for Mental Health Care as Budget Cuts Loom,"As the U.S. 'Supercommittee' gears up to slash the deficit by $1.2 trillion, 'celebvocates' such as Glenn Close speak up about the potential impact of further cuts on an already inadequate mental healthcare system. "
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Screening for Lung Cancer Based on 'Strongest Evidence',"The new NCCN recommendation that heavy smokers undergo annual screening with low-dose computed tomography scans is based on solid data, say authors."
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Children With High IQ at Increased Risk for Later Drug Use,"Children with a high IQ may be at increased risk for illegal drug use as adolescents and adults, a large study suggests."
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Video Gaming Linked to Neural Changes,"A new imaging study shows that frequent video gamers have a significantly increased volume of left grey striatal matter compared with moderate gamers, suggesting reward processing can be altered."
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Plans to Curb Prescription Misuse Only Scratch Surface,"The American Pain Society applauds efforts to halt the mounting death toll from prescription drug overdoses, but warns there is more to be done."
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Antidepressant to Cut Meth Use 'Most Promising' Agent to Date,A randomized controlled trial suggests adding an antidepressant to counseling may decrease both methamphetamine use and risky sexual behavior.
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,More Than Two Thirds of US Adult Smokers Want to Quit,"A CDC survey found that 68.8% of current American adult smokers want to quit, and 52.4% tried to quit, but only 31.7% used counseling and/or medications in the past year."
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Pot Shrinks the Brain,"Thalamic volume decreases in people with a family history of schizophrenia who smoke marijuana, new research shows."
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Continued Naltrexone Use Prevents Opioid Dependency Relapse,A long-term study of naltrexone shows a complete abstinence rate of about 50% over the course of 1 year.
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Dramatic Shifts Seen in Opiate Overdose Demographics,Hospital admission overdose trends shift from heroin to opiates; rates among whites and women show the sharpest increases.
November 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Compromises Assisted Reproduction Birth Outcomes,Mothers who smoked 3 months before becoming pregnant had significantly higher rates of low-birth-weight infants.
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Does Illicit Drug Use Harm Cognition in Midlife?,"A new study fails to find a strong link between illicit drug use and cognitive function in middle age, but researchers urge caution in interpreting the results."
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Mephedrone Decreases Memory, Increases Depression, Craving","In a new study, mephedrone users experienced impaired working memory and increased depression scores and reported a longing for a ""new legal high."""
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Young Risk-Takers May Be More Susceptible to Substance Abuse,"Teens who exhibit substantial risk-taking behaviors often show decreased activation in the brain's reward processing areas, suggesting an increased risk for later substance abuse."
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,'Alarming' New Data on US Binge Drinking,"New data suggest 1 in 6 American adults binge drink 4 times a month, downing 8 drinks at a time on average."
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Occasional Marijuana Use Not Harmful to Lung Function,"Occasional, moderate marijuana use has no negative effects on pulmonary function, new research concludes."
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Global Prevalence of Illicit Drug Use Common, Underestimated ",Policy initiatives regarding abuse should be based on drug-specific scientific evidence.
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Key Cannabis Components Have Opposite Effects on the Brain,"The main psychoactive components of marijuana, THC and cannabidiol, have opposite effects on brain function. The first can induce psychosis, the second can have antipsychotic properties."
January 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,"Study Finds E-Cigarettes Affect Airways, and Quickly","The electronic cigarettes marketed as a safer alternative to the real thing produce immediate changes in users' airways, a small study suggests."
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,PROMETA Protocol: Not Effective for Meth Dependence?,"Unlike results from a recent study, a new randomized, placebo-controlled trial finds that the PROMETA protocol is no more effective for treating meth dependence than placebo."
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Drinking Frequency Is Quick Test for Youth Alcohol Problems,Drinking frequency question is more predictive of alcohol use disorders than are problem-based screens.
December 2011 ,FDA Approvals,FDA Approves Class REMS for Immediate-Release Fentanyl ,"With the shared REMS, the agency hopes to decrease misuse while reducing the burden on the healthcare system of separate risk strategies. "
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Injected Meth Linked to Increased Suicide Risk,A cohort study of more than 1800 injection drug users shows that those who injected meth were significantly more likely to attempt suicide than those who injected heroin or cocaine.
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,SAMHSA Releases New Working Definition of 'Recovery',"After receiving comments from NAMI and other organizations during a public feedback period, SAMHSA has released a new definition of 'recovery' from mental disorders and substance use disorders."
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Parents' Smoking May Cause Vascular Damage in Children,"During pregnancy, the exposure of children to parental tobacco smoke affects their arterial structure and function at 5 years of age. "
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Help for Drinking Unpopular During Minor Injury Treatment,"A third of patients at an urban center were defined as ""hazardous drinkers,"" but interest in interventions was low among patients and staff alike."
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Active Compounds in 'Bath Salts' and Ecstasy Similar,"Mephedrone and methylone, which are found in 'bath salts' may increase both serotonin and dopamine, leading to the product's addictive potential."
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Tailored Rx Helps Addicted Pharmacists Get Better,Chemically dependent pharmacists who complete tailored treatment programs that address workplace issues can often achieve abstinence and return to work.
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,"Good News, Bad News Scenario for US Teen Drug, Alcohol Use","Teen drug and alcohol use in the US is at its lowest point in more than 3 decades, but this good news is counterbalanced by continued high rates of abuse of marijuana and prescription drugs."
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Parkinson's Drug Shows Promise in Alcohol Dependence,The first study to examine COMT-inhibition as a potential way of combatting alcohol craving shows promising results.
December 2011 ,Medscape Medical News,Maternal Substance Use May Increase Abuse Risk in Children,Children of women with a substance use disorder may also be at increased risk for drug abuse and addiction.
March 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Should Addicted HCPs Return to Work While on Buprenorphine?,"Given buprenorphine's potential to cause cognitive problems, abstinence-based recovery should be recommended for opioid-abusing healthcare professionals, a new report suggests."
March 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,One in 10 Americans Recovering From Substance Abuse,"More than 23 million US adults are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, a new survey shows."
March 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Naltrexone Implant Shows Promise for Polydrug Dependence,Patients addicted to both heroin and amphetamines show significantly greater reductions in use of both substances after treatment with naltrexone implants vs placebo.
March 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Experts Propose Urine Drug Test Guidance for Opioid Therapy,"All patients receiving long-term therapy have ""a degree of risk for misuse."""
February 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,No Evidence Standard NRT Helps Pregnant Women Quit Smoking,"A new randomized trial suggests that nicotine replacement patches are ineffective in helping pregnant women quit smoking, but researchers say this may be due in part to low compliance rates."
February 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Substance Abuse, Comorbid Pain Treated Simultaneously",Both high- and low-risk patients taper off pain meds and substances of abuse.
February 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,High Rates of Problem Drinking Reported by Surgeons ,"Female surgeons were nearly twice as likely as males to report alcohol abuse or dependence, a pattern opposite the general population."
February 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,CDC Hosts Live Chat on US Prescription Drug Epidemic,"During a live chat session on Twitter, members of the CDC discussed the growing problem of prescription opioid abuse and ways clinicians and patients can fight back."
February 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Education, Access to Naloxone May Reduce Opioid Deaths",Education about symptoms of opioid overdose and access to a fast-acting drug that reverses potentially fatal respiratory depression may help prevent opioid-related deaths.
February 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Varenicline May Decrease Alcohol's Rewarding Effects,A small pilot study shows that the smoking cessation medication varenicline may help with alcohol dependence.
February 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Buprenorphine Implant Safe for Opioid Dependence,Topline results show that a buprenorphine implant is safe and well-tolerated for opioid dependence.
February 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Cognitive Decline in Men,Continued smoking may be linked to cognitive decline in late-middle-aged men. Long-term ex-smokers may have the same risk of cognitive decline as those who have never smoked.
February 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis Use Doubles Risk for Serious Road Accidents,Driving under the influence of cannabis is associated with a near doubling of road accidents compared with driving while unimpaired.
February 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Cessation Med May Also Help Cocaine Dependence,"A small pilot study suggests that varenicline may decrease use and reward effects in patients with cocaine dependence, a condition with no current pharmacologic treatment."
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,New Tool Helps Clinicians Evaluate Addiction Programs,NIDA has released a new tool that aims to help clinicians and patients better evaluate addiction treatment programs.
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Telephone Counseling Helps Asians Quit Smoking ,"A new study shows that cessation rates double when smokers use Asian-language quit lines, rather than relying solely on printed self-help material."
January 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Carotid Images Fail to Boost Quit Rate in Smokers,"A new randomized controlled trial is the latest addition to a contentious field of research trying to establish whether ""seeing is believing"" when it comes to motivating cardiovascular risk reduction."
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Brain Differences May Explain Greater Addiction Risk in Teens,"The adolescent brain responds differently than the adult brain when anticipating a reward, a finding that may explain adolescents' increased risk for addiction and other mental illnesses."
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Injection of 'Bath Salts' Linked to Necrotizing Fasciitis,"Intramuscular injections of ""bath salts"" may contribute to necrotizing fasciitis – a fast moving, flesh-eating bacteria."
January 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,ADHD Drug Shortages a Major Problem for US Physicians,"Amid the current shortage of drugs to treat ADHD, clinicians are developing their own solutions and creative ""work-arounds"" to deal with this ongoing situation."
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,'Striking' Evidence Shows Cocaine Ages the Brain,"Long-term cocaine use may accelerate the aging process of the brain, leading to more brain volume loss per year compared with individuals who do not use cocaine."
April 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,Big Tobacco Groups Fear Spread of Plain Packaging,Top tobacco groups fear if new rules on plain packaging take hold in Australia and Britain they may spread to higher-growth and potentially more lucrative emerging markets and curb future profits growth.
April 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,"Smokers Unaware of Tobacco's Impact on Heart, Stroke Risk","Even more striking, smokers were largely unaware that secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease and stroke among nonsmokers, a number that spiked even higher when nonsmokers were questioned."
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Speed, Ecstasy Use in Teens Linked to Subsequent Depression","MDMA and methamphetamine use by teens has been linked to a subsequent risk for depression, new research shows."
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Menthol Cigarettes Double Stroke Risk,Risk triples among women and nonblack smokers of menthol vs regular cigarettes.
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Adolescents Benefit From Attending 12-Step Meetings ,Community 12-step programs appear to offer a useful social support system for adolescents seeking recovery from misuse of alcohol and other drugs.
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Painkiller Overdose Epidemic Spreading to Teens, CDC Says","Although the overall rate of death from unintentional injuries has declined for young people, higher death rates for accidental poisonings, particularly by painkillers, and infant suffocation prompt clinician vigilance."
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Best Alcohol Withdrawal Care for Inpatients Still Elusive,"Medical inpatients in alcohol withdrawal are often sicker than patients without comorbidities or concurrent illness, and there is little strong evidence directing their care."
April 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,Club Drug 'Special K' Tied to Urinary Problems,"Many people who use the club drug ketamine may risk abdominal pain, a leaky bladder and other urinary tract symptoms, a new study suggests."
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Most Cases of Drug, Alcohol Abuse Start in Adolescence",Findings from the National Comorbidity Survey show that 15% of US adolescents meet criteria for lifetime alcohol abuse and that almost a quarter have tried at least 1 illicit drug.
March 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking May Be a Risk Factor for Schizophrenia,"Smoking modulates the impact of a schizophrenia risk gene in healthy adults, suggesting that smoking may be a relevant risk factor for schizophrenia, researchers say."
March 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Eliminating HIV/HCV Among Injection Drug Users Is Possible,"Scaling up prevention and treatment programs could cut transmission of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among injection drug users to trivial levels, new research suggests. "
March 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,'Meth Babies' Show More Behavior Problems,"When expectant moms use methamphetamine, their kids may be at greater risk of behavioral and emotional problems by kindergarten, a new study finds."
March 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Levamisole-Laced Cocaine May Unmask Autoimmune Process,A hallmark of the toxic effects seems to be cutaneous necrosis on the ears and the appearance of autoantibodies.
March 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Synthetic Marijuana Sending Teens to the ED,"""K2,"" ""Spice,"" and other synthetic cannabinoids can cause restlessness and agitation, diaphoresis, catatonia, inability to speak, and unusual aggression, a new report shows."
March 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Preop Alcohol Screening May Predict Postop Complications,"Heavy drinkers have longer hospital stays, more days in the ICU after surgery, and are more likely to require additional surgery within 30 days."
March 2012 ,News Alerts,Inhaling Helium Can Be Deadly,"NIDA, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the National Inhalant Prevention warn about the serious dangers of abuse of inhalants, including helium."
March 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Prenatal Tobacco Exposure Primes Kids to Smoke,"Adolescent girls whose mothers smoked while pregnant are at increased risk for nicotine use and dependence, a new study shows."
March 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,C$27 Billion Suit Vs Big Tobacco Starts in Montreal,"Canada's 3 biggest tobacco companies, all with multinational parents, face C$27 billion in damages and penalties as the largest civil lawsuit in the country's history gets underway on Monday."
March 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Ecstasy Linked to Motor Dysfunction in Infants,Prenatal exposure to ecstasy may lead to increased risk for delayed motor movements in infants.
May 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Behavior in Blacks Affected by Genetic Locus,The first meta-analysis of genome-wide association data on blacks' smoking behavior found that each copy of specific CHRNA5 allele correlates with roughly 1 additional cigarette per day.
May 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Kudzu Extract Curbs Alcohol Intake,"Puerarin, an isoflavone extracted from kudzu, the invasive Chinese vine, slowed the rate of alcohol consumption in a small pilot study and may be useful to deter binge drinking."
May 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Drop in Oxycodone Abuse After Reformulation,"The abuse of OxyContin (oxycodone) has dropped after the prescription opioid drug was reformulated to make it harder to snort, smoke, and inject."
May 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,Data Suggest Drug Treatment Can Lower U.S. Crime,"U.S. crime statistics show illegal drugs play a central role in criminal acts, providing new evidence that tackling drugs as a public health issue could offer a powerful tool for lowering national crime rates."
May 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,US Senate Investigates Pain Management Groups,US senators have launched an investigation examining ties between pain management specialist organizations and companies that make opioid drugs.
May 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Social Networking Sites May Trigger Drug Relapse,Use of social networking sites may trigger relapses in adolescents attending substance abuse treatment programs.
May 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Britain Leads Underage Drinking Fight, WHO Report Shows","A report on health behaviors of school-aged kids shows Britain has made great strides in reducing underage drinking and levels of drunkenness, especially in 13- and 15-year-olds."
May 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Early Cannabis Use Tied to Schizotypal Personality Disorder,"Independent of other factors, adolescent cannabis use may fuel the development of attenuated psychotic symptoms, including odd and withdrawn behavior."
May 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Bariatric Surgeries Associated With Increased Alcohol Risk,Bariatric surgery is associated with an increased risk for problems related to alcohol consumption. Different procedures present different levels of risk.
May 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Misuse of Prescription Pain Killers Peaks in Mid-Adolescence,"The extramedical use of prescription pain relievers among youth peaks at age 16, suggesting prevention programs that start in the senior year of high school are ""too little, too late."""
May 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,EUROACTION PLUS: Varenicline Aids in Smoking Cessation,"In a follow-up to EUROACTION, with the exception that patients had the option of receiving varenicline, a family-based program reduced smoking rates in high-risk patients and those with vascular disease."
May 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Efforts to Aid Quit-Smoking Attempts Are Substandard,"Expert says clinical approaches to dealing with smokers are ""still rooted firmly in the last century and reflect a unique combination of dogma, misconception, and ignorance."""
May 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Number of Infants Born Addicted to Opiates Triples,A new study shows that the annual rate of maternal opiate use at delivery has increased 5-fold and that rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome have almost tripled over the past decade.
May 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Cell Phone System Achieves High Smoking Cessation Rate,"Almost one third of veterans who used an online smoking cessation program were able to quit; for those who also received text messages, the rate was even higher."
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Obstetric Complications, Cannabis Use Predict Early Psychosis","Obstetric complications as well as cannabis abuse are associated with an earlier age of onset of first episode of psychosis, new research shows."
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Screening for Smoking May Reveal Drug Use in Pregnancy,A new study of pregnant women suggests that cigarette smoking may be linked to increased risk for illicit drug use as well as other mental health disorders.
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Buprenorphine Implant Effective in Opioid Addiction,Buprenorphine Implant Effective in Opioid Addiction
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Thwarts Positive Outcomes In Opioid Addiction,A study of opioid-addicted patients suggests that smoking cessation improves responses to methadone treatment.
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Anti-Alcohol Meds Underprescribed Owing to Lack of Access,"A new study of alcohol use disorder facilities shows that anti-alcohol medications are underprescribed, with the greatest barrier being lack of physician access."
April 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Synthetic Cannabinoid Use Common Among Pot Smokers,A survey of marijuana smokers reveals that half have also tried synthetic cannabinoid drugs.
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Childhood Adversity Linked to Depression, Substance Abuse","Adults who experienced maltreatment as children have a significantly higher risk of developing mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders than those who were not maltreated."
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Chronic Abuse of Prescription Pain Meds Up Sharply,A new study finds a 75% increase since 2002 in the number of Americans engaging in the long-term use of prescription pain medications for nonmedical reasons.
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Nonmedical Use of Prescription Pain Relievers Increasing,"The number of people who regularly use prescription pain relievers for nonmedical purposes has significantly increased during the last several years in, especially among men. "
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Cognitive Decline in Middle-Aged Men,Middle-aged male smokers appear to be more likely to experience rapid cognitive declines in global cognition and executive function than never smokers.
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Gastric Bypass Surgery Linked to Alcohol Abuse,"The risk for alcohol abuse appears to increase following gastric bypass surgery, new research shows."
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Squamous Cell Carcinomas of Skin,Findings from the first-ever systematic review of the literature.
June 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Attenuated Benefit With Clopidogrel Therapy in Nonsmokers,"Researchers examine data from the large-scale studies that established clopidogrel in clinical practice and conclude that these same studies consistently support ""less or no clinical efficacy from clopidogrel therapy among patients who do not smoke."""
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Fruits and Veggies May Help Patients Quit Smoking,"Smokers who consume plenty of fruits and vegetables are 3 times more likely to quit, new research shows."
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,College Kids May Abuse Painkillers to Ease Distress,"College students who use painkillers and other prescription drugs may be depressed and/or suicidal, new research shows."
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Varenicline Safe for Smoking Cessation in Schizophrenia?,"Varenicline is a safe and effective aid to help those with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder to quit smoking, according to new study, but some experts still question its safety."
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Social Anxiety a Trigger for Cannabis Dependence?,Social anxiety disorder and cannabis use are significantly linked; and patients with both conditions often have greater impairment and comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders.
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Is the Ability to Quit Smoking All in the Genes?,"An individual's genetic makeup may determine how susceptible the person is to nicotine dependence — and whether he or she can successfully quit smoking, a new study shows."
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,High Blood Pressure Med May Help Cocaine Dependence,"Doxazosin, an alpha1-adrenergic antagonist traditionally used to treat hypertension and urinary retention related to benign prostatic hypertrophy, may help treat cocaine dependence."
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Quitting Smoking Decreases Death Risk Even in Older People ,"Older smokers have twice the risk of all-cause mortality as nonsmokers, but quitting, even at advanced ages, reduces that risk. "
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Mom's Marijuana Use May Influence Offsprings' Drug Use,"Maternal use of cannabis during their teen years may increase their offsprings' response to opiates, a new animal study suggests."
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Efficacy of Teen Alcohol Screening Tool Unclear,A literature review questions the value of brief alcohol screening and intervention tool used in adolescent patients.
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Elevated Reward Response Linked to Weight Gain,"The fMRI findings contradict theories of a blunted neuro-responsivity causing overeating, substance abuse."
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Antioxidant Promising in Teen Marijuana Dependence,Adolescents receiving the treatment along with psychosocial therapy were more likely than those receiving placebo to have clean urine samples.
June 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,fMRI Guidance May Boost TMS Efficacy,"fMRI-guided brain targeting may increase the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in treating various psychiatric and neurological disorders, according to a new 'proof of concept' study."
May 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,"U.S. Says Drug Abuse Needs Treatment, Not Just Jail",The United States sees drug abuse as a public health problem as much as a crime issue and is seeking to learn from countries in Europe and elsewhere about how to treat addiction as a disease.
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Synthetic Marijuana Linked to Major Birth Defect,"Today's strains of marijuana are up to 600 times more potent than strains popular in the 1970s and 1980s — and present a higher risk for adverse effects on fetal development, including anencephaly."
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Brain Activity May Predict Teen Binge Drinkers,Adolescents who binge drink demonstrate different brain activity prior to the onset of drinking compared with teens who do not drink alcohol.
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Abstinence Not Necessary in PTSD Exposure Therapy,"Contrary to conventional wisdom, prolonged exposure therapy in patients with PTSD and comorbid substance dependence does not exacerbate substance abuse, new research shows."
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Two Physicians Charged in 9 Pain-Med Deaths,Attorneys of 2 physicians charged in 9 pain-med deaths claim that federal prosecutors are piling on new charges to punish them for not pleading guilty to lesser ones.
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Monetary Rewards Up Quality of Teen Substance Abuse Programs,"Pay for performance improves the quality of adolescent substance abuse treatment but fails to improve remission rates, new research shows."
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Defiant Children at Greater Risk for Drug Abuse,Behavioral problems in childhood can be predictive of substance abuse and dependence in early adulthood.
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA REMS for Opioids: A 'Flawed' Plan?,"The FDA's plan to curb opioid abuse is a reasonable first step, but it's not perfect and challenges await, particularly for psychiatrists, experts say."
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Maternal Smoking Linked to Severe Bronchiolitis in Infants,"A multicenter, 3-year study ties maternal smoking and other factors to severe infant bronchiolitis."
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Parkinson's Drug May Curb Impulsivity,"Tolcapone, a drug used in treating Parkinson's disease, appears to curb impulsivity by raising dopamine levels, a finding that may have implications for treatment of substance abuse and addiction."
July 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Marijuana Use Linked to Increased Risk for Preterm Birth,"The use of marijuana by pregnant women can more than double the risk for preterm birth, according to a prospective study evaluating several risk factors."
July 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Tighten Opioid Label Restrictions, Physicians Tell FDA","The group's goal is to prevent drug companies from marketing opioids as safe and effective for long-term treatment of moderate, noncancer pain."
July 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Brief Interventions in the ED Can Reduce At-Risk Drinking,ED personnel who spend as little as 7 minutes with at-risk patients can reduce alcohol consumption and driving after drinking in people with hazardous and harmful drinking habits.
July 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Vitamin D May Protect Smokers' Lungs From Harm,"Sufficient levels of vitamin D, which has anti-inflammatory properties, may help blunt smoking's damaging effects on aging smokers' lungs. "
July 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,New Test Detects a Wider Range of 'Spice' Drugs,A new analytic test provides a wider screening ability by comparing chemical properties of new synthetic designer drugs to those of known drugs.
July 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Depressive Symptoms Raise Risk for Opioid Misuse,"Depressed patients on chronic opioid therapy may use opioids for non-pain symptoms and use more than prescribed, new research shows."
July 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Weight Gain Substantial After Smoking Cessation,"The average amount of weight gained after quitting smoking is higher than previously thought, but the health benefits of quitting outweigh the risks associated with modest weight gain, experts conclude. "
July 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"FDA Approves REMS for Extended-Release, Long-Acting Opioids","The FDA has approved a new Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy for extended-release and long-acting opioid analgesics; education is still voluntary for physicians, but that may change."
July 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Methadone Accounts for One Third of Pain Med Overdose Deaths,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports methadone now contributes to almost 1 in 3 prescription painkiller deaths.
July 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Can Moms-to-Be Safely Drink in Moderation?,"Limited amounts of alcohol during pregnancy do not appear to harm the neuropsychological development of the child, Danish researchers say."
June 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,"Nicotine Patch Safe After Heart Attack, Study Suggests","Nicotine replacement therapy appears to be safe for people discharged from the hospital after suffering a heart attack or angina, according to a small new study."
September 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,Smokers May Have More Sleep Problems,"Smokers may get fewer hours of sleep - and poorer quality sleep - than non-smokers, a new study suggests."
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Methamphetamine, Heroin Users Both Suffer from 'Meth Mouth'","The term ""meth mouth"" may be misleading because heroin and other IV drug users suffer from a similar pattern of rampant caries."
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,No Overall Dip in Opioid Abuse With Reformulated Oxycodone,"The introduction of a tamper-resistant oxycodone (OxyContin) formulation apparently led to a switch to other prescription opioids, researchers report."
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Opioid Misuse Screening Underused by GPs,A new study shows 1 in 5 primary care physicians never screen before prescribing opioids.
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Genetic Markers May Predict Drug Dependence,"Specific endophenotypes may be associated with increased risk for cocaine or amphetamine dependence, but some siblings may be more resilient than others to these genetic factors."
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Centralized System Reduces Inappropriate Opioid Prescribing,A centralized network offering real-time access to information on patients' filled prescriptions reduces inappropriate prescriptions for opioids and benzodiazepines.
September 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,Age and Amount of Tobacco Smoked May Predict COPD Mortality,"A patient's age and the number of cigarettes smoked over time can predict mortality in cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, researchers say."
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Heavy Alcohol Use Linked to ICH at Younger Age,A new study shows heavy drinkers sustaining an intracerebral hemorrhage are 14 years younger than non-heavy drinkers and are more likely to have nonlobar hemorrhage.
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Marijuana Use Linked to Testicular Cancer ,A new study also looked at other party drugs; an expert has some advice for clinicians who see young men.
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Smoking Linked to More Pain, Depression in Pain Patients","In addition to greater pain intensity and severity, smokers have higher rates of depression and anxiety."
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Cognitive Deficits With Chronic Opioid Therapy Can Normalize,Low back pain patients who stopped opioid pain therapy showed improved visual scanning ability and working memory.
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Gaps in Opioid Noncancer Pain Care Pose Risk for Abuse,"Selection of patients for opioid therapy must be based on careful assessment of history and opioid risk tools, which may not be happening in primary care, researchers say."
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Mother's Smoking May Affect Child's Craving for Fat ,"Differences in brain structure may explain the dietary preferences of children exposed to maternal smoking in utero, investigators say."
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,'Perils Outweigh Promise' in Chronic Opioid Experience?,"As the leader in worldwide opioid use, the United States is ""an experiment for worldwide consumption,"" one expert says."
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Crude Tools Show Low Abuse Risk for Prescription Cannabinoids,Abuse screening tools adapted from validated tools used to screen for opioid abuse suggest low abuse potential for oral prescription cannabinoids.
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Risk for Substance Abuse in Patients With Cancer Pain,"Longer life expectancy, the result of more successful treatment, means that risk for addiction is back on the table as a concern for cancer patients."
August 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Hypertension and Metabolic Syndrome Cut With Workplace Program,"According to researchers, the workplace is better suited for primary and secondary prevention, as many younger patients, including those with undetected hypertension and elevated cholesterol levels, are not frequent users of primary-care physicians. As a result, many of their cardiovascular risk factors go untreated."
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Physicians' Satisfaction With Treating Obesity, Smoking, Alcoholism ","'Sense of calling' associated with satisfaction in treating obesity, smoking, and alcoholism."
August 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Early, Persistent Cannabis Use Linked to Marked Drop in IQ",Adolescents who start using cannabis persistently before the age of 18 show a marked decline in measures of intelligence in adulthood even if they stop using the drug along the way.
August 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Reducing Smoking in Developing World Will Be an Uphill Battle,The first results from a major survey of smoking habits in low- and middle-income nations paints a grim picture and underlines the urgency of developing antismoking efforts in those countries to reduce morbidity and mortality.
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Proliferation of 'Meth Labs' Linked to Pseudoephedrine Sales,"A rise in pseudoephedrine sales has been linked to a corresponding increase in the proliferation of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, a new study shows."
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Topline Results: Drug Helps Depressed Patients Quit Smoking,"Topline, unpublished results from a multicenter trial suggest that varenicline is safe and effective for smoking cessation in patients with major depression."
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Bariatric Surgery Patients Report Increased Substance Use,"Alcohol use increases in patients who have laparoscopic Roux-en-Y surgery, but not in patients who have gastric band surgery."
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,New Report Details Where Opioid Prescribing Is Highest,"Appalachia is the nation's painkiller belt, with higher rates for opioid prescriptions also found in southern and western states."
October 2012 ,News Alerts,Abuse of Pain Med Linked to Life-Threatening Blood Disorder,"The FDA warns that individuals who abuse the pain medication Opana by intravenous injection are at risk for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a life-threatening blood disorder."
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"DSM-5, Addiction Among Hot Topics at ECNP 2012","The upcoming DSM-5 and addiction, especially behavioral addictions, will be among key issues presented at this year's European College of Neuropsychopharmacology meeting."
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Linked to Increased Mortality in MS,"A modifiable factor, smoking appears to increase all-cause mortality risk in the setting of multiple sclerosis."
October 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,CAC Should Be Interpreted Differently in Smokers vs Nonsmokers,"Prior studies of computed tomography coronary calcium imaging have not specifically looked at smokers, so researchers analyzed CT scans from about 44,000 asymptomatic patients undergoing CT, including about 6000 smokers."
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Nonprescription and Prescription Drugs Cause Poisonings ,A new study evaluating data from the Toxicology Investigators Consortium registry has found that nonprescription and prescription drugs are equally responsible for drug poisonings in the United States.
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Persistent Psychiatric Disorders Linked to Juvenile Detention,"A large study shows that psychiatric problems, especially substance use disorders, continue to persist for a 'substantial proportion' of juveniles after incarceration."
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Physicians Often Don't Follow Guidelines for Opioid Therapy,"One in 12 injured workers prescribed opioid analgesics were still taking them 7 to 12 months later, usually without follow-up urine tests, a new study says."
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Preventing Future Doctors From Smoking: A Success Story,A smoking-prevention strategy aimed at medical students in Turkey was highly successful in reducing smoking rates among the targeted population.
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Online Training Tools Aim to Curb Prescription Drug Epidemic,"New online tools funded by NIDA and ONDCP, offer guidance on how to manage pain patients and prescribe painkillers properly while reducing the likelihood of addiction."
October 2012 ,WebMD Health News,Teen Drinking and Driving Down,"Nine out of 10 U.S. teens are not drinking and driving, according to a new CDC report released today."
September 2012 ,WebMD Health News,K2 Trend Not Slowing Down,"The synthetic marijuana is one of several new designer drugs gaining popularity, often sold under names such as K2 and Spice."
September 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,Warnings to At-Risk Drivers Reduce Vehicle Crashes,"A system where doctors routinely reported drivers who might be impaired by chronic illness cut the risk of car crashes by 45% in a new study from Ontario, Canada."
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Treating Alcoholism Reduces Families' Financial Burden,"Addiction treatment can lower the financial burden and improve quality of life for families of those with alcohol dependence, new research shows."
September 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Physician Suspended After 15 Deaths Linked to Pain Meds,"The Kentucky medical board said Gary Shearer, MD, kept prescribing oxycodone and other pain meds to patients who failed urine tests."
September 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,"Smoking, Drinking Tied to Earlier Pancreatic Cancer","People who smoke or drink heavily may develop pancreatic cancer at an earlier age than folks who avoid those habits, a new study suggests."
September 2012 ,Reuters Health Information,DEA Shuts Down Shipments From Florida Walgreen Facility,The US DEA has shut down shipments of controlled substances from Walgreen's Florida distribution facility on suspicion that highly addictive painkillers were being diverted to the black market.
November 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Surprising Hurdles to Quitting Smoking for Cancer Patients,"It's not necessarily a lack of discipline or a disregard for one's health that keeps cancer patients smoking after their diagnosis, researchers find."
November 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Underage Drinking Remains a Serious Problem,More than one quarter of people who are too young to drink in the US are drinking anyway.
November 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Pediatricians, Obstetricians Clash Over Prenatal Counseling",Pediatricians want to be heard when maternal conditions may affect neonatal health.
November 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,More US Cities Have Widespread Smoking Bans,"Sixty percent of the 50 largest cities in the US have adopted comprehensive smoke-free laws that ban smoking in all indoor areas of private workplaces, restaurants, and bars, new research shows. The six major cities without any smoke-free legislation at the local and state level include Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Fresno, Virginia Beach, Atlanta, and Tulsa."
November 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,More Evidence Cannabis Use Linked to Schizophrenia,Researchers have detected differences in brain activity between patients with schizophrenia who have a history of cannabis use and those who have never used cannabis.
November 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Occasional Cocaine Use Can Do Acute and Chronic Damage,A new study from Australia shows that recreational cocaine use is more dangerous than many users and even physicians understand.
November 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Inpatients Continue to Smoke in Smoke-Free Hospitals,"Even in a smoke-free hospital, 18% of inpatients reported smoking during their stay, according to a recent study."
November 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Cotinine Levels Predict Poor Outcome After Renal Transplant,"Plasma and urinary cotinine measures predicted mortality and graft failure in renal transplant recipients in a dose-dependent fashion, and could serve as alternatives to self-reported smoking."
November 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Predictors Emerge From Cancer Screening Trial,The newly identified predictors could help target more effective cessation efforts.
November 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Malpractice Claims Decline Among Docs in Monitoring Program,Physicians who are monitored by a physician health program reduce their risk of a paid malpractice claim significantly below that of nonmonitored physicians.
November 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Smoking, ADHD Share Common Risk Factor","A single risk variant of a particular gene implicated in smoking behavior is overtransmitted to offspring with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, new research shows."
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Many HIV-Positive Jail Inmates Drop Out of Care Post-release,Jail inmates who are infected with HIV frequently stop HIV treatment after release; brief interventions while in jail may improve retention rates after release.
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Cardiac Health of Nonsmokers Improved By Smoke-Free Laws ,Smoke-free laws enacted around the globe have been associated with significant reductions in hospitalizations of nonsmokers for smoke-related heart conditions and have reduced myocardial infarctions.
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Gambling Addiction Explained?,A new imaging study looks into the brains of pathological gamblers and reveals greater activation in the brain's reward areas.
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Steals 10 Years From Women's Life Spans,Results from the Million Women Study further quantify the link between lung cancer and smoking.
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Physicians Who Use Marijuana are 'Unsafe to Practice',The Colorado policy is the first to limit physicians' rights to use medical marijuana for their own debilitating conditions.
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Diabetes Drug May Be Effective in Treating Addiction,"A drug currently used in the management of type 2 diabetes may have implications for the treatment of drug addiction, including cocaine, new research shows."
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Sabotages Treatment for Alcoholism,New research lends support to the growing movement to make smoking cessation part of alcohol treatment.
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Teens Main Drivers of US Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic,Nonmedical use of prescription pain medication has increased substantially in the US in recent years but is especially prevalent among today's youth.
October 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol Dependence Linked to High Risk for Premature Death,"Alcohol-dependent individuals have a higher mortality risk than the general population, and this risk is particularly high among women."
January 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Physicians Frequently Miss Alcohol Problems ,Physicians who rely only on clinical suspicion frequently miss patients with alcohol problems. Standardized screening tools have better sensitivity.
January 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,No Additional Benefit of CBT in Opioid Addiction,The addition of cognitive behavioral therapy to medical treatment for opioid dependence does not significantly enhance outcomes compared with medical treatment alone.
January 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Releases Draft Guidelines for Abuse-Deterrent Opioids,The FDA has issued a draft guidance document to help industry in developing new abuse-deterrent formulations of opioids and is calling for public feedback.
January 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,"Contingency Management May Cut Drug Use, Hospitalization","Contingency management plus usual treatment may lead to greater reductions in stimulant use, psychiatric symptoms, and hospitalization compared with usual treatment alone."
January 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,"Binge Drinking Prevalent, Yet Underestimated in Females","Binge drinking is a prevalent and often underestimated problem in US women and girls, a new CDC report shows."
December 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Benzodiazepines Plus Buprenorphine Linked to ED Visits,Patients receiving buprenorphine treatment who are also receiving prescriptions for benzodiazepines have more visits to the emergency department than those without a benzodiazepine Rx.
December 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Sharp Rise in Admissions From Benzo/Pain Med Combinations,"Treatment admissions for the abuse of both benzodiazepines and narcotic pain relievers have risen more than 500% in the past decade, according to a new SAMHSA report."
December 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,New York Post Apologizes for Moses Cocaine-Allegations Story,The New York Post has apologized for any 'false impressions' readers may have drawn from a story the paper ran about alleged cocaine use by world-renowned interventional cardiologist Dr Jeffrey Moses.
December 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,HIV and Smoking May Be a Deadly Combination,HIV-positive smokers cut their life spans by at least a dozen years.
December 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Teen Cigarette Use Down, but Marijuana, Stimulant Use Up","According to results released from NIDA's Monitoring the Future survey, teens' use of cigarettes and alcohol has dropped, but use of marijuana and Adderall has risen."
December 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Free Nicotine Replacement During Rehab Helps Patients Quit,Free nicotine replacement therapy during residential substance abuse rehab appears to reduce smoking and to increase cessation rate.
December 2012 ,International Approvals,EMA Committee Gives Green Light to Alcohol Abuse Drug,"A European Medicines Agency advisory committee has recommended that Selincro, a drug designed to reduce alcohol consumption, be given marketing approval."
December 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Prescription Opioid Abuse in the Elderly an Urgent Concern,"Last year, almost 3 million adults aged 65 and older abused prescription drugs, a number that is expected to reach over 4.4 million by 2020. Urgent action is needed, experts say."
December 2012 ,News Alerts,Updated CVD Risks With Varenicline: FDA,"In a new meta-analysis conducted by Pfizer, a higher number of major adverse cardiovascular events were observed among those treated with varenicline. Event rates were low in both treatment arms and not statistically significant, but the FDA suspects it is not a chance finding."
December 2012 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Aggressive Smoking-Cessation Strategies Will Help Reduce SCD ,"A new analysis of the Nurses' Health Study shows that women, including those who have not developed heart disease, are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death if they smoke and that the quantity of cigarettes smoked and duration of smoking habit also play a role. But the good news is that if they stop smoking, their SCD risk will eventually return to that of a nonsmoker."
December 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Associated With Worse Back Pain,"Patients with spinal disorders who quit smoking may experience substantial improvements in pain, a new study finds. "
December 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Drug Abuse Runs in Families,"Genetics aside, having a drug-abusing sibling or spouse increases an individual's risk for substance abuse, a new study confirms."
December 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,"Anticonvulsant Promising for Comorbid PTSD, Alcohol Abuse","An anticonvulsant commonly used to treat epilepsy and migraine is showing promise in alcohol dependence among veterans with PTSD, a new pilot study suggests."
December 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Legalizing Marijuana: Putting the Cart Before the Horse?,"The recent legalization of marijuana for nonmedical use in 2 states sends a misleading message that the drug is safe, when in fact its potential risks and benefits have not been adequately evaluated."
December 2012 ,Medscape Medical News,Combination Drug Therapy Promising in Cocaine Dependence,"Combining a psychostimulant and an anticonvulsant may help patients with cocaine dependence achieve abstinence, suggests a new randomized study."
March 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Can Acetate-Like Drugs Support Sobriety?,"Heavy drinking boosts brain acetate uptake and metabolism, which may fuel dependence, a finding that may provide new directions for treatment of alcohol abuse, new research suggests."
March 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,A Safe Bet: Treat Pathologic Gambling Like Alcohol Addiction,"Guidelines to prevent or treat gambling addiction should mirror those for alcohol addiction, according to a new report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists."
February 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Nicotine Vaccine Promising for Smoking Cessation,"A nicotine vaccine reduces the amount of nicotine that reaches the brain, subsequent cigarette use and cravings, a new study shows."
February 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Internet 'Addiction' Linked to Druglike Withdrawal,"Individuals who attempt to reduce excessive Internet use experience withdrawal symptoms that are akin to kicking a drug habit, new research suggests."
February 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Kids With ADHD at Increased Risk for Substance Abuse,Both boys and girls with childhood ADHD are at significant risk of developing a substance use disorder by adolescence.
February 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Target Youth to Reduce Adult Prescription Abuse,"Substance abuse prevention programs started in middle school years may decrease abuse of prescription medications, including opioids, in late adolescence and young adulthood."
February 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Synthetic Marijuana Linked to Acute Kidney Injury,Acute kidney injury has been added to the growing list of deleterious health effects associated with synthetic marijuana use.
February 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis-Stroke Link: First Case-Control Study,"Patients with ischemic stroke/TIA were twice as likely to have recently used cannabis as age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched controls."
February 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Smokers With Stroke May Benefit More From tPA,"Although smokers are more susceptible to having a stroke in the first place, new findings suggest that they may also have a greater chance of a good outcome after tPA treatment."
February 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Training Bystanders to Spot Opioid Overdose Saves Lives,Training potential bystanders to recognize cases of opioid overdose may help cut the mortality rate associated with these life-threatening events.
February 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Cigarette Smoking Rife Among Mentally Ill,"Adults with mental illness have a smoking rate that is 70% higher than those with no mental illness, highlighting the need for increased access to prevention and cessation efforts in this population."
February 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Baby Boomers' Overall Health Worse Than Their Parents',Americans who are currently middle-aged are generally not as healthy as the previous generation was at the same age.
January 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,"Cocaine, Heroin Cut With Animal Dewormer Send Users to ED","Levamisole, an animal deworming drug that is also often found in cocaine and heroin, can cause infectious diseases and skin lesions, sending users to emergency departments and worse."
January 2013 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Smoking-Cessation Drug Not Effective in the Post-AMI Setting,"Although safe and well tolerated in the immediate post-AMI period, treatment with bupropion failed to halt cigarette smoking, as more than two-thirds returned to smoking by 12 months after their AMI."
January 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,No Impact of DSM-5 Criteria on Alcohol Disorder Prevalence,"Although criteria used to assess alcohol problems will change in the upcoming DSM-5, a new study suggests that these changes will not affect the prevalence of the disorder."
January 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Teacher-Led Intervention Curbs High Schoolers' Alcohol Use,"A brief, targeted, school-based alcohol prevention program significantly reduced underage drinking behaviors, new research shows."
January 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Consider Cannabis as Cause of Stroke in Younger Patients,"Cannabis-related stroke is not a myth, and its incidence is probably vastly underestimated, according to the authors of a new review. "
January 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Emphysema Severity Proves Strong Predictor of Mortality,"Regardless of COPD status, emphysema severity accurately predicts mortality in current and former smokers. "
January 2013 ,WebMD Health News,More Than 40 States Get an 'F' for Tobacco Control,"For its efforts to lessen smoking in the U.S. last year, the Obama administration is getting three D's and an F on the federal report card from the American Lung Association (ALA)."
January 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,"Failure to Quit Smoking Creates More Anxiety, Not Less",Individuals who successfully quit smoking show a greater reduction in anxiety than those who do not quit — contradicting the widely held belief that smoking itself is an effective stress reliever.
April 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Duration and Intensity Unrelated to RA Risk in Women,"Compared with never-smokers, the risk for rheumatoid arthritis appears to be elevated among current and former smokers, irrespective of the duration or intensity of smoking."
April 2013 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Cardiologists Need More Education to Help Smokers,"A survey of cardiologists in Spain reveals that only three out of four cardiologists are routinely asking patients whether they smoke, and the majority admit they seldom use tools and medications to help their patients quit."
April 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Venlafaxine May Make It Harder to Kick the Marijuana Habit,"For depressed patients hooked on pot, venlafaxine extended-release doesn't improve depression and may increase their cannabis use, a placebo-controlled trial shows."
April 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Panel Recommends Approval of Once-Daily COPD Treatment ,"The combination of fluticasone furoate and vilanterol provides a clinically meaningful benefit for long-term maintenance therapy in COPD, an FDA panel has concluded."
April 2013 ,News Alerts,FDA Approves Abuse-Deterrent Labeling for OxyContin,The agency approved updated labelling for reformulated OxyContin acknowledging the properties that are expected to reduce abuse of the product. They also confirm that no generics of the old formulation will be approved.
April 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Exercise May Mitigate Brain Damage Due to Heavy Drinking,"High levels of aerobic exercise may help prevent some of the brain damage caused by heavy alcohol consumption, new research suggests."
April 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Vigabatrin Is Not Effective for Treating Cocaine Dependence,The GABA-transaminase inhibitor vigabatrin failed to help patients with cocaine dependence in a randomized multisite study.
April 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis Use Linked to More Severe Schizophrenia,"Among young military conscripts evaluated over several decades, cannabis use was associated with an increased incidence of schizophrenia, a greater burden of inpatient care, and more severe disease."
April 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,'Legal High' Benzo Fury May Harbor Addiction Risk,A party drug available over the Internet and often taken by young people in Britain and the United States may harbor unknown risks because it has both stimulant and hallucinogenic effects.
April 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Xylazine a New Potentially Fatal Addition to Drugs of Abuse,"Users of illicit drugs are now combining xylazine with other drugs of abuse and may be increasing their risk of death, according to new research."
April 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Doctors Fail to Counsel Lung Cancer Patients to Quit Smoking,"In patients diagnosed with lung cancer, physicians often do not discuss stopping smoking, even though they know the importance of such counseling."
April 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Cocaine Use Linked to Higher Mortality Following SAH,Acute cocaine use in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is associated with higher in-hospital death as well as a significantly increased risk for aneurysm rerupture.
April 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Smokers Have Worse Colon Cancer Prognosis: Study,"Smokers are less likely to be alive and cancer-free three years after having surgery for colon cancer than people who have never smoked, according to a new study."
April 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Patients Who Quit Smoking Report Less Spine and Leg Pain,"Patients treated for axial or radicular pain related to a spinal disorder reported less pain and disability after they quit smoking, in a new study."
March 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Cigarette Labels May Educate About Bladder Cancer,"Graphic warning labels on packs of cigarettes may convince some people that smoking increases the risk of bladder cancer, says a new study from Canada."
March 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Psych Care for Hep C Patients May Increase Antiviral Treatment,"Hepatitis C patients who have psychiatric disorders and problems with substance abuse may benefit from integrated care, a new study has found."
March 2013 ,FDA Approvals,FDA Panel Says a Cautious 'Yes' to Buprenorphine Implant ,"An FDA advisory panel concluded that scientific data support approval of Probuphine subdermal implant for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence, but voice some safety concerns."
March 2013 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Heart Benefits Trump Weight Gain in Smoking Cessation,"A large community-based cohort study confirms for the first time that individuals who quit smoking have a lower subsequent risk of CVD, independent of any weight gain or their diabetes status."
March 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Minimize Weight Gain to Maximize Smoking-Cessation Benefit,Heavy smokers who quit have a higher risk of developing diabetes and impaired fasting glucose than those who continue to smoke. But the benefits of stopping smoking still far outweigh the risks.
March 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Mild Traumatic Brain Injury a Risk Factor for Addiction,"The risk of developing addiction-related disorders increases in the period immediately following a mild traumatic brain injury, but the risk lessens with time."
May 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,"ADHD Medications Not Tied to Drug, Alcohol Abuse",Taking Ritalin (methylphenidate) and other drugs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) doesn't impact the odds that a child will try or abuse alcohol and drugs later in life.
May 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,"Fewer Tobacco Products, but Not Alcohol, in Movies","Movie characters smoke less since 1998 regulations that stopped tobacco companies from buying on-screen brand placements, according to a new study."
May 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Increased Risk of Cardiac Arrhythmia With Methadone,"Methadone is associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias, including torsade de pointes, and cardiac arrest, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System shows."
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,NLST Reveals Details of First Round of Lung Cancer Screening,The National Lung Screening Trial unveils details on the results of its first round of screening and what they mean to clinicians and patients in terms of diagnostic procedures and treatments.
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Daughters of Smoking Mothers Have More Gestational Diabetes,The daughters of women who smoke during pregnancy are themselves more likely to suffer from gestational diabetes when they go on to give birth. They are also more likely to be obese.
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Want Admitting Privileges? First Pass a Drug Test ,"'Patients and their families have a right to be protected from impaired physicians,' says a JAMA article recommending that hospitals screen medical staff members for substance abuse."
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,New Guidelines for Alcohol Misuse in Adults Released,New guidelines recommend the screening and treatment for alcohol misuse in all adults — but note that not enough evidence exists on how to identify and treat adolescents with these behaviors.
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,"Opioid Detox Improves Depression, Anxiety",Severe pain treated at an inpatient multidisciplinary opioid detox clinic achieves sustained benefits in mood.
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Obesity Trumps Alcohol in Liver Damage,Obesity is even more dangerous than alcohol consumption in terms of liver-related morbidity and mortality. The effects of both together are more than additive in the damage they cause.
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,FDA Decision Opens Way to Generics of Original Opana ER ,"Following a decision to block new generic versions of non-abuse-deterrent oxycodone, the FDA today denied a petition from Endo Pharmaceuticals, opening the way for new generic versions of oxymorphone."
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Marijuana May Lower Bladder Cancer Risk,A new study shows that smoking marijuana might decrease the smoker's risk for bladder cancer.
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Screening Alone Garners Long-term Reduction in Alcohol Use,A control group that received no intervention after a screening for risky alcohol use showed less frequent drinking and binge drinking 2.5 years later.
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Childhood Anxiety Disorder Linked to Earlier Drug Use,"Symptoms of social anxiety and panic disorders are more likely to precede marijuana use in children than vice versa, a new study showed."
May 2013 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Antitobacco Series Launches as ACC Chides FDA,"One of the Lancet papers reviews the successes, failures, and ongoing challenges in beating back the ""global tobacco epidemic,"" including a report from FDA scientists touting the impact of the 2009 Tobacco Control Act in the US."
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Oral THC May Have the Edge Over Smoked Marijuana for Pain,Direct comparison shows that both routes of delivery have an analgesic effect but dronabinol may have an advantage when it comes to lasting effects and abuse potential.
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Hyperactivity in Brain Reward Areas May Predict Substance Use,"Hyperactivity in the reward regions of the brain may signal future substance use, new research shows."
April 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis Use in Teens Linked to Irreparable Drop in IQ,"Cannabis users who start smoking the drug in adolescence show an irreparable decline in IQ, new research shows."
April 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Cognitive Behavior Therapy Helpful for PTSD and Alcohol Abuse,"Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) helps people who have severe and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) coexisting with alcohol use disorders (AUD), new research suggests."
April 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,"Progress in Diabetes Care in US, but Still a Way to Go","A new ""snapshot"" of how the United States is faring in terms of risk-factor control and preventive practices for patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes shows there is much room for improvement."
April 2013 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Binge Drinking's Effects on the Arteries,"Individuals with a history of binge drinking, an average of four years drinking to excess six times per month, had reduced flow-mediated dilation and flow-independent nitroglycerin-mediated dilation, as well as impairments in microvascular arterial beds."
July 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,"Smoking in Pregnancy, Low Birth Weight, and Strabismus Risk","Smoking throughout pregnancy, low birth weight, heredity, and other factors increase the risk of common comitant strabismus, researchers from England report."
July 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking/Drinking Combo Accelerates Cognitive Decline,"The combination of smoking and heavy drinking accelerates cognitive decline more than either habit alone, new research shows."
July 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Stimulants May Protect Against Drug Abuse in Kids With ADHD,Stimulant medications in adolescents with ADHD appear to have a protective effect on the development of substance abuse disorders in this patient population.
July 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,"Cigarette Pack Warnings, but Not Plain Wrappers: EU Committee","Cigarette packs should carry stark health warnings but the EU does not have to adopt the plain wrappers favored by Australia and, more recently, Ireland."
July 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Cannabis Not the Only Illicit Drug Linked to Schizophrenia,"Although episodes of cannabis- or multiple substance–induced psychosis can lead to a later diagnosis of schizophrenia, other substances are also linked to high conversion rates to the disorder."
July 2013 ,FDA Approvals,FDA Approves New Treatment for Opioid Dependence,"The FDA has approved a once-daily, sublingual naltrexone/buprenorphine tablet for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence."
July 2013 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Stopping Smoking Lowers CHD Risk in Women,The Women's Health Initiative showed that it's never too late to quit smoking; women in their 60s who stopped smoking recently or long ago had a reduced risk of coronary heart disease compared with current smokers; women with diabetes who gained more than average weight had a smaller benefit from smoking cessation.
July 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Single Dose of ADHD Drug May Help Treat Cocaine Addiction,"A single oral dose of a stimulant commonly used to treat ADHD changed abnormal circuitry in the brains of cocaine addicts, suggesting a possible role for the drug in the treatment of this population."
June 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,"Lure, Variety of Designer Drugs Is Alarming: U.N. Agency","A sharp rise in the variety of legal 'designer drugs' with names that entice young people into thinking they pose no risk is alarming from a public health standpoint, the United Nations drugs agency said on Wednesday."
June 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,'Bath Salts' Manufacturers Staying a Step Ahead of Regulators,"Greater awareness of synthetic stimulants appears to have slowed their use, but manufacturers are staying one step ahead of regulators with a new generation of similar, equally dangerous products."
June 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Male Baldness Drug Linked to Decreased Drinking,"Months to years after stopping finasteride, most men in a small case series say they decreased alcohol consumption from an average of 5 drinks a week to 2."
June 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Natural History of Illicit Drug Use 'Surprising',"The natural history of illicit drug use does not follow a linear pattern escalating from bad to worse, new research shows."
June 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Many Docs Still Don't Understand Opioid Dependence,"Misperceptions about opioid dependence and how to treat it persist for both the public and primary care physicians, new research suggests."
June 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Heavy Alcohol Use Ups Nosocomial Infections After C-Section,"Women with alcohol use disorders undergoing cesarean delivery are at heightened risk of nosocomial infection, new data show."
June 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Injectable Naltrexone Curbs Opioid Dependence,"Injectable extended-release naltrexone (Vivitrol, Alkermes) maintained good long-term efficacy against heroin and other opioid dependencies in a recent study, researchers say."
June 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,CDC Updates HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Guidelines,The CDC has updated its recommendations on the use of preexposure prophylaxis in individuals at high risk of acquiring HIV to include its use in injection drug users.
June 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Tenofovir Reduces HIV Infections in Injection Drug Users,Preexposure prophylaxis with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate nearly halved (48.9%) HIV infection rates in injection drug users compared with placebo.
June 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,"Drug May Aid in Alcohol Dependence, but Safety Concerns Linger","Varenicline may aid in the treatment of alcohol dependence, preliminary research shows. However, concerns about an increased risk for suicidal thoughts and cardiovascular events linger."
May 2013 ,Heartwire from Medscape,BMC2 Registry: Smoking Most Common in Younger STEMI Patients,"A STEMI patient younger than 35 is 11 times more likely to be a smoker than the STEMI population overall, Michigan data suggest."
May 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Abusive Behavior May Persist After Gastric Banding,"Despite improvements in some psychological parameters and weight loss among many of those who undergo gastric banding, new data suggest some of the underlying disorders behind overeating persist."
August 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,CVS Cuts Access to Opioid Pain-Killers for Suspect Doctors,"As medical marijuana becomes legal in an increasing number of states, anecdotal reports of parents using cannabinoids to treat children with intractable seizures are mounting -- and likely raising the interests of others."
August 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Seizure Disorders Enter Medical Marijuana Debate,"Cocaine reduces the body's ability to store fat, keeping users lean, but could lead to dramatic weight gain during recovery."
August 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Cocaine Use Linked to 'Profound' Metabolic Change,Specific gene combinations may predict the success or failure of an antinausea medication in the treatment of alcohol dependence.
August 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Gene Combo May Predict Alcohol Treatment Outcomes,Just 2 weeks of a specific type of mindfulness meditation training help reduce smoking and craving for cigarettes.
August 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,"Meditation Reduces Cigarette Consumption, Curbs Cravings","Children born to parents with a history of cigarette smoking are more likely to light up than kids of people who never smoked, according to a new U.S. study."
August 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Parental Smoking Tied to Kids’ Risk of Lighting Up,"Despite fears that exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would worsen alcoholism, a new study found that both conditions can be safety treated at the same time."
August 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,"Alcoholism, PTSD Can Be Treated Together: Study","People who quit smoking after angioplasty live an average of two years longer than those who keep smoking, a new study suggests."
August 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Quitting Smoking After Angioplasty Tied to Longer Life,"Television musical series 'Glee' will address the death of star Cory Monteith in the upcoming season, writing his character out of the show and touching on Monteith's real-life drug use."
August 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,"'Glee' to Address Drug Abuse, Death of Cory Monteith","Rising rates of PAD in both high- and low-/middle-income countries are being largely ignored, say the authors of a new review."
July 2013 ,Heartwire from Medscape,Soaring Rates of PAD Warrant Global Attention,HCV prevention approaches target intravenous drug abusers.
July 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Hepatitis C: 6 Prevention Strategies That Work,"Marijuana smoking doesn't appear to accelerate liver disease progression in HIV patients with hepatitis C coinfection, a new prospective study from Canada has found."
July 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Marijuana May Not Exacerbate Liver Disease in At-Risk Patients,Topline results show abusers may not get a quick high from crushing and snorting new capsule form of oxycodone.
July 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,New Opioid Formulation Appears More Tamper-Proof,"A novel study provides ""incontrovertible"" evidence that prenatal tobacco smoke exposure contributes significantly to conduct problems in children, one researcher says."
July 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking While Pregnant May Fuel Behavior Problems in Kids,"Patients with severe cocaine withdrawal symptoms may respond better to topiramate plus psychotherapy than to placebo, suggests a new randomized study."
July 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Seizure Drug May Be Useful in Cocaine Addiction,The UK government is planning to place new restrictions on use of tramadol by making it a class C drug in efforts to fight growing abuse.
July 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Analgesic to Be Restricted in UK ,"The first national estimate shows so-called ""doctor shoppers"" obtained, on average, 32 prescriptions from 10 different doctors."
July 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Millions of Opioid Prescriptions Go to 'Doctor Shoppers',The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it may place restrictions on menthol cigarettes following a scientific review that showed the products are likely to be more addictive than regular cigarettes.
July 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,FDA Considers Tightening Rules on Menthol Cigarettes,"Alcohol-related deaths in young women have risen sharply in 3 major cities in the United Kingdom, new research shows."
July 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Alcohol-Related Deaths in Young Women Rising in UK Cities,"The synthetic compound MDPV, which is commonly found in the illicit drugs known as 'bath salts,' may be more addictive than methamphetamine, new research suggests."
September 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,Chronic Care Management for Alcohol/Drug Addiction,A new study calls into question the value of chronic care management for alcohol and drug addiction.
September 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Novel Program Offers Insight Into Mental Illness Recovery,A novel program that combines photography and group discussion sessions may provide greater insight into the recovery process of patients with mental illness.
September 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Stroke Risk Equally High in Men and Women Who Smoke,Women may be at higher risk for hemorrhagic stroke; both sexes benefit equally from quitting smoking.
September 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Varenicline's Neuropsychiatric Safety Concerns Allayed,"A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 4 postmarketing study suggests varenicline is effective and safe in patients with stably treated current or past depression."
September 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,New Treatment for Opioid Dependence Now Available,"Zubsolv, a recently approved medication for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence, is now available in pharmacies across the United States."
September 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,More Teens Driving High,The increase in recent years of America's high school seniors driving after using marijuana is causing growing concern.
September 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Pain Experts Confront the 'Great Divide' on Chronic Opioids , Contentious issues related to the long-term use of opioids for chronic pain were the focus of a lively panel discussion at PAINWeek 2013.
September 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Electronic Cigarette Use Doubles Among Adolescents in 1 Year,"Electronic cigarette, or 'e-cigarette,' use more than doubled among US middle and high school students from 2011 to 2012, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. "
September 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,SAMHSA Report: Good and Bad News on Drug Use in America,"A new SAMHSA report shows that although alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use decreased in teens last year, almost 24 million Americans used illegal substances, with only a fraction receiving treatment."
September 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Public in a Haze About Marijuana's Safety,"While marijuana is increasingly viewed as a relatively safe recreational drug, a new review of more than 120 studies underscores that it is not as harmless as perceived — particularly for adolescents."
September 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Exposure to Opioid Detox Meds Can Be Deadly in Kids ,"Tablet formulations of buprenorphine are much more likely to be accidentally ingested by young children than the film-strip formulation, new research shows. "
August 2013 ,Heartwire from Medscape, Electronic Cigarettes: Safe for Microcirculation,"Authors of a small study say their findings offer more reassurances in the absence of long-term, real-world safety data for the increasingly popular devices."
August 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Daily Substance Use in US Teens Common,"A typical day in the life of many US teens includes cigarette smoking, marijuana use, and/or alcohol consumption."
August 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Feds Unveil New Weapon in War on US Opioid Overdose Epidemic,The US federal government has released a new 'toolkit' designed to stop the rising number of deaths caused by the opioid overdose epidemic plaguing the US.
August 2013 ,Reuters Health Information,States Allowed to Legalize Recreational Marijuana Within Limits,The Obama administration began giving U.S. states wide leeway to experiment with pot legalization and started by letting Colorado and Washington carry out new laws permitting recreational use.
August 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Opioids Front and Center in Picture of Global Drug Abuse,"The first-ever analysis to examine global prevalence of dependence on amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis, and opioids shows that of all the illicit drug-related deaths, more than half were due to opioids."
August 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Mental Disorders Leading Cause of Nonfatal Illness Worldwide,"Mental and substance use disorders are the leading cause of nonfatal illness worldwide, with a global disease burden that trumps that of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, diabetes, or transport injuries."
August 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,USPSTF Guidelines: Counseling Prevents Youth Smoking,"New evidence has shown that simple, economical, and effective primary care interventions can help prevent tobacco use among children and teenagers, according to new USPSTF guidelines. "
August 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Smoking Habit Should Be Part of Death Records ,"An analysis has shown that tobacco-related deaths in a mixed-ancestry population were more than double those in whites, showing the value of recording the smoking habit in death records. "
August 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Quit Smoking Program Effective in Psychiatric Inpatients,Initiating smoking cessation treatment in psychiatric inpatients may improve mental health and significantly reduces the risk for rehospitalization.
November 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Prescription Drug Deaths Rise With Opioid Sales,A small number of physicians account for a large proportion of opioid prescriptions given to patients who die of overdoses.
November 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Top Pain Pill Prescriber in Pennsylvania Lands in Prison,"Van Edward Scott, MD, claimed he was providing 'appropriate and compassionate care,' but some of his patients resold prescribed pain pills right outside his office."
November 2013 ,Medscape Medical News,Body Building Linked to Eating Disorders in Boys,"Body building may put teenage boys at increased risk for eating disorders, drug use, and binge drinking."