Clinical trial begins for an experimental drug for opioid cravings

Clinical trial begins for an experimental drug for opioid cravings

/in , , /by

The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center has begun a research on a drug developed to deal with the cravings linked with opioid use. The clinical trial would test the safety of the active compound in the drug, ANS-6637, in healthy individuals. It would also look at how the body processes the drug when administered with an additional drug metabolized by similar liver enzymes. The trial is being conducted with the help of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and funded by the NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative. This is an extensive program to fast-track the research endeavors to curtail the opioid epidemic, which has become a public health crisis. Read more

Substance abuse among nurses: Risk factors and treatment

Substance abuse among nurses: Risk factors and treatment

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

Substance use disorder (SUD) is rampant across the length and breadth of the United States, afflicting millions of people regardless of their culture and occupations, including the world of nursing. According to the official journal of the American Nurse Today (ANT), approximately 10-15 pertcent of the nursing population or one in 10 nurses is struggling with a drug or an alcohol addiction or are in recovery. Compared to the general population, nurses develop dependence and addiction to substances because of easy access to drugs. Read more

Importance of evidence-based treatment in curing loved ones’ opioid addiction

Importance of evidence-based treatment in curing loved ones’ opioid addiction

/in , /by

Discovering that a loved one is suffering from an addiction can be devastating. Family members not only find it difficult to cope with the condition but they are also left wondering what to do. Multiple sources of advice, such as treatment groups and counseling programs, often have divergent views on treatment options. More importantly, much of this counseling may not be backed by sufficient scientific research. In many U.S. states, a very high level of education or professional qualification is not a prerequisite for becoming an addiction counselor. Even an associate degree can warranty certificate for an addiction counselor.  Read more

Is medication sufficient to treat opioid addiction?

Is medication sufficient to treat opioid addiction?

/in , , /by

The United States continues to be in the grip of an opioid epidemic. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that in 2015 more than 52,000 people died of drug overdoses, the highest ever in a year. Around 63 percent of these deaths involved opioid use. There has been a threefold increase in drug overdose deaths between 1999 and 2014, which can be attributed to frequent use of painkillers and easy availability of inexpensive versions of heroin and synthetic opioids. Read more

Unique addiction habits in American youth

Unique addiction habits in American youth

/in , , , , , , /by

Drugs have penetrated the American society deeply and have left no socioeconomic group untouched. The most commonly abused drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, methamphetamine and prescription medications, have a long-term negative impact on the physical and mental health of a person. Read more