We curate a digest of the latest news in our field for advocates, policymakers, community coalitions and all who work toward shaping policies and practices to effectively prevent substance use and treat addiction.
A new animal study suggests a missing brain enzyme increases concentrations of a protein related to opioid addiction, Science Daily reports.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and autism spectrum disorder may share some molecular similarities, a new study of rats suggests. The findings could help researchers trying to develop new treatments for both disorders, Fox News reports.
Join Together chats with New York Times best-selling author Anne Fletcher, MS, RD, whose latest book is “Inside Rehab: The Surprising Truth About Addiction Treatment – And How to Get Help That Works” (Viking, 2013), to discuss addiction treatment today and the future of recovery.
The percentage of adult smokers in the United States declined last year to 18 percent, from 18.9 percent the previous year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Doctors should not prescribe medical marijuana to teens with chronic pain, say researchers at the Mayo Clinic. Marijuana can lead to some negative short-term side effects, including impaired concentration, fatigue and slower reaction times, they write in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
The smoke of cigarettes from bar and restaurant patrons who stand just outside the entrance appears to drift inside, a new Spanish study suggests. The researchers call for laws that restrict smoking outside these venues, to more completely protect against secondhand smoke.
Officials in Kentucky will study the effectiveness of new laws designed to reduce prescription drug abuse, The Courier-Journal reports.
Urban Outfitters announced Friday it will discontinue selling products that promote prescription drug abuse. The move comes after a campaign by public health groups, state attorneys general and legislators.
A survey of eighth and ninth graders prescribed medication finds 83.4 percent say they have unsupervised access to the drugs at home.
A group of entrepreneurs is looking to invest in legal marijuana companies, according to The New York Times. ArcView Investor Network recently organized a conference with 18 start-up companies that provide services to the marijuana industry.
Many baseball players are tired of seeing colleagues who are punished for using performance-enhancing drugs (PED), then receive large contracts a short time later, the Los Angeles Times reports. They are calling for tougher sanctions for players who use PEDs.
From small towns like Page, Arizona to major cities like Denver, Colorado and Brooklyn, New York, All Rise America! put a spotlight on what can be achieved when justice and treatment professionals work together to give addicted offenders the opportunity for treatment.
Some men who use the baldness drug finasteride (Propecia) report drinking less alcohol, according to a new study. The researchers say they are not sure why the medication may reduce the urge to drink, but suggest the drug may change the brain’s chemistry.
The number of tobacco ads preteens and teens are exposed to influences their risk of starting to smoke, a new study suggests. Researchers found for every 10 tobacco ads that they see, their risk of starting to smoke increases by almost 40 percent.
A new study finds states that have more restrictive rules on youth access to tobacco also have lower rates of adult smoking.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York is asking colleges in his state to tighten restrictions on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs used by students to increase their focus, known as “study drugs.”
A new study finds people who inject drugs can cut their risk of developing HIV in half by taking a daily antiretroviral medication, The New York Times reports.
Outlawing psychoactive drugs such as marijuana and “magic mushrooms” impedes research and amounts to scientific censorship, according to three researchers.
Heroin use is on the rise in Washington state, particularly among young people, according to a new report. The increase can be traced to laws that have made it more difficult to obtain prescriptions for opioids such as oxycodone, the researchers say.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida this week criticized state and local officials for releasing thousands of prescription drug records. The group asked to see documents related to the data release.
Walgreens on Tuesday agreed to pay $80 million in civil penalties, in order to resolve allegations by the Drug Enforcement Administration that the company violated federal rules regarding the distribution of prescription painkillers such as oxycodone.
The American Academy of Family Physicians, in cooperation with the National Institute on Drug Abuse, is offering its members online tools to help them care for patients and families struggling with addiction.
The three largest tobacco manufacturers announced they are increasing cigarette prices, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, along with substance abuse prevention and treatment professionals, are calling for rules that would limit youth access to marijuana in Washington state, now that the drug is legal there for adults.
A researcher at Harvard Medical School is studying which substance use disorders are more common among people with different types of mental illness, and when they tend to develop.
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