Abstinence News and Research

RSS

Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging a desire or appetite for certain bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. Most frequently, the term refers to abstention from sexual intercourse, alcohol or food. The practice can arise from religious prohibitions or practical considerations.

Insights into the biology of the monkeypox virus

Researchers provided insights into monkeypox virus structural characteristics, epidemiology, transmission, zoonotic reservoirs, pathogenesis, and clinical management.

23 Aug 2022

What is the impact of cannabis use in adolescence?

A new study summarized the use of cannabis among adolescents, its negative health impacts, and interventions to stop or reduce

22 Aug 2022

Lung cancer patients in a screening program who participated in stop smoking study achieve more than 30% abstinence rates

Patients with lung cancer who attended a lung cancer screening event and who then participated in a personalized smoking cessation study achieved smoking abstinence rates of more than 30 percent, according to research presented today at the IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer 2022 in Vienna.

8 Aug 2022

Varenicline and cytisine not more efficacious than nicotine to treat risky drinking and smoking, study says

A clinical trial to test whether three proven smoking cessation treatments could also reduce alcohol intake found no differences between the medications, but the rates of behavior change for alcohol consumption and smoking were high in all treatment groups. Results suggest these medications could play an important role to reduce alcohol use and smoking at the same time. Unexpectedly, nicotine replacement therapy performed as well as the prescription drugs varenicline and cytisine.

8 Aug 2022

Study shows efficacy and safety of cytisine as a smoking cessation therapy

Research published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology shows cytisine may be a safe and effective smoking cessation therapy in lung cancer screening volunteers.

28 Jul 2022

Tobacco-cessation program must be expanded and extended to curb smoking among prisoners

More than half of all people incarcerated in the U.S. smoke cigarettes, a hidden health crisis that has long been under-researched and under-resourced.

5 Jul 2022

Managing smoking cessation via a healthcare system model seems better than telephone quitline

A healthcare system model that offered tobacco cessation treatment to smokers being discharged from a hospital produced a higher rate of tobacco abstinence during the three- month program than referral to a state-based telephone quitline.

28 Jun 2022

Kratom: A dangerous or beneficial plant?

A new study summarizes the traditional and modern uses of kratom, as well as its pharmacology, benefits, and adverse health impacts.

23 Jun 2022

Sobering lessons in untying the knot of a homeless crisis

Michelle Farris never expected to become homeless, but here she was, sifting through garbage and towering piles of debris accumulated along a roadway on the outskirts of Northeast Portland.

21 Jun 2022

Varenicline improves quit rates among African American daily smokers

African Americans have been underrepresented in tobacco treatment research, including the clinical trials that led to the 2006 FDA approval of varenicline, the leading pharmacological treatment for smoking cessation commonly known by the brand name Chantix.

14 Jun 2022

Hennepin Healthcare researchers test an innovative way to help people quit smoking

Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute is testing an innovative way to help people quit smoking – by letting them bet on themselves and win real money.

27 May 2022

Virginia Tech scientist receives $2 million to examine the brain circuit responsible for high-fat food overconsumption

Eliminating your favorite treats could make your brain want them even more, according to a Virginia Tech scientist.

26 May 2022

Study shows effectiveness of point-of-care smoking cessation program for cancer patients

New research in the May 2022 issue of JNCCN - Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network finds the inclusion of the smoking cessation tool Electronic Health Record-Enabled Evidence-Based Smoking Cessation Treatment (ELEVATE, from Epic) into electronic health records (EHRs) can increase self-reported patient quit rates by more than 5 percentage points.

11 May 2022

Cancer mortality in sub-Saharan Africa could reach 1 million by 2030 without rapid interventions

Annual cancer deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) could reach 1 million by 2030, nearly double the 520,000 deaths from cancer that occurred in 2020.

9 May 2022

Discovery could lead to new treatments to minimize cravings in people with addictions

For some people with alcohol use disorder, it might be the sight of a familiar bar or a favorite bottle; for others, it might be the feeling of leaving the office after a stressful day at work or stepping into a crowded party. Most people who struggle with drug or alcohol addiction have particular cues that set off their cravings.

4 May 2022

$11M for North Carolina work-based rehab raises concerns

An addiction treatment facility, highly regarded by North Carolina lawmakers, sits in a residential neighborhood here and operates like a village in itself.

6 Apr 2022

CBD and THC may be safe for use with opioid pain relievers, animal study suggests

Findings from a new animal study suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) might be safe for use with opioid pain relievers.

4 Apr 2022

Drug use beliefs are most influential and salient for youth substance use, suggests study

What are the most important factors to consider for developing effective drug use prevention programs? Many current programs for adolescents focus on elements including peer and family relationships, school connection, and youth's self-confidence and self-assertion.

23 Mar 2022

Money flows into addiction tech, but will it curb soaring opioid overdose deaths?

David Sarabia had already sold two startups by age 26 and was sitting on enough money to never have to work another day in his life.

21 Mar 2022

Relationship satisfaction changes in the early COVID-19 phases

A new study evaluated the relationship satisfaction among couples from different countries during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

8 Mar 2022