Weather extremes can affect how often people with substance use problems need urgent medical help. This is a big deal because it shows how the environment can affect health in ways we might not expect. The link between hot or cold weather and emergency medical care for substance use issues has been studied. Researchers looked at many studies from 2000 to 2023. Th...
Ibogaine is a substance that has been getting a lot of buzz lately. It's not your typical psychedelic, but it's shown promise in helping people with substance use disorders. However, there are some big hurdles to overcome before it can be widely used. One major issue is the lack of big companies backing it, and there are also some serious safety concerns. To get a b...
A gathering at Viterbo University aims to tackle the opioid crisis head-on. This is the second year for the RESPOND Together summit, a platform for providers to share insights and strategies. The summit's goal is to educate and improve services for those battling substance and opioid use disorders. It's a tough problem. The summit brings together a mix of profession...
Cannabis tops the list of most commonly used substances in Brazil. A recent study dug into the habits of cannabis users and how these habits link to other substance use and potential harm. Researchers looked at data from over 5, 000 people in Sao Paulo. They found four distinct groups of cannabis users. The study used a method called latent class analysis. T...
Substance use disorders, or SUDs, are a big challenge. They affect millions of people worldwide. One approach to tackling this issue is patient-centered care, or PCC. This approach focuses on the patient's needs, preferences, and values. The idea is to make the patient feel more in control of their treatment. But does this approach actually lead to better outcomes? ...
Imagine trying to figure out if mental health care is improving without knowing how many people are actually getting the help they need. It's like trying to navigate a dark room without a flashlight. That's why it's crucial to have a clear picture of how many people with mental health issues are receiving effective treatment. Now, think about this. If we want to che...
Mental health and substance abuse issues often start in young people's lives and can happen together. Treating both at the same time is becoming more common in real-world clinics. But what works best? No one's quite sure yet. Many young people face a tough battle with mental health and substance use problems at the same time. This is called having a dual diagnosis. ...
Substance use disorders are complex issues that are influenced by both our genes and our environment. One key player in this mix is serotonin, a chemical in our brain that's linked to how we feel and behave. Scientists have found that variations in the genes that control serotonin receptors might make some people more likely to develop substance use disorders. Imagi...
Ever thought of your brain as a bustling city with tiny garbage trucks inside? These are actually macroautophagy, the process our brain cells use to clean themselves. It's crucial for keeping our brains in tip-top shape. But drugs like cocaine, meth, opiates, or alcohol can give it a run for its money. When you first use these drugs, macroautophagy kicks into high g...
These days, mobile health or mHealth technologies are super popular. But guess what? We don't know much about how these apps and tools help people with HIV who also deal with substance use disorders. The big question is: Which mHealth system features can really make a difference in keeping these folks on track with their antiretroviral therapy? You might be wonderin...