Opioids News and Research

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An opioid is a chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. The receptors in these two organ systems mediate both the beneficial effects and the side effects of opioids.

Review reveals high rates of opioid dependence among chronic pain patients

A new scientific review of 148 studies enrolling over 4.3 million adult chronic pain patients treated with prescription opioid painkillers has found that nearly one in ten patients experiences opioid dependence or opioid use disorder and nearly one in three shows symptoms of dependence and opioid use disorder.

8 Aug 2024

Study: Drug-involved overdose deaths increased by over 500% in 2022

Drug-involved overdose deaths increased by over 500 percent in 2022 according to a study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, with trends attributed to synthetic opioids.

5 Aug 2024

Study reveals strong associations between sleep problems, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation in teens

Rebecca Robbins, PhD, of the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital, is the senior author of a paper published in Psychiatry Research, "Exploring sleep difficulties, alcohol, illicit drugs, and suicidal ideation among adolescents with a history of depression."

2 Aug 2024

Researchers identify strategy to design safer opioids

Opioid medications offer people relief from debilitating pain, but these drugs come with dangers: the risk for addiction, miserable withdrawal symptoms and the potential for fatal overdose.

2 Aug 2024

How states pioneered the medical marijuana movement in America

From the war on drugs to the current wave of legalization efforts, public opinion in the United States has shifted on few issues like it has with marijuana.

1 Aug 2024

Specialized medication management improves care for elderly patients

Ensuring older hospital patients receive specialized medication management could reduce their stay in hospital and potentially lower their risk of death, according to new research conducted by Flinders University in collaboration with Flinders Medical Centre.

31 Jul 2024

Changes in prescribing practices and parental awareness contribute to teen drug decline

Since 2009, U.S. high school seniors have reported steep declines in medical use, misuse and availability of the three most commonly prescribed and misused controlled substances for teens, a new University of Michigan study found.

25 Jul 2024

Louisiana reclassifies drugs used in abortions as controlled dangerous substances

Louisiana lawmakers have added two drugs commonly used in pregnancy and reproductive health care to the state's list of controlled dangerous substances, a move that has alarmed doctors in the state.

24 Jul 2024

Increased cannabis use in diabetics raises concerns about health risks

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have found a significant increase in cannabis use among adults with diabetes in the United States, raising concerns about the potential impact on their health outcomes. The new study, which analyzed nationally representative data from the 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), estimated that 9.0 percent of adults with diabetes used cannabis in the past month, with a 33.7 percent increase in prevalence - from 7.7 percent to 10.3 percent - between 2021 and 2022.

23 Jul 2024

Mobile apps and wearables show promise in easing mental health symptoms during therapy wait times

The recent surge in people seeking mental health care across the country has led to long wait times for first appointments with therapists and psychiatrists.

18 Jul 2024

Study identifies a new way to make opioids safer

Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences identified a new way to make opioids safer, increasing the pain-relieving properties of opioids while decreasing unwanted side effects through the spinal inhibition of a Heat shock protein 90 isoform.

17 Jul 2024

Marine fungus-derived aniquinazolin B could be a potential opioid alternative

Opioids have long been known as natural substances with substantial pharmacological effect. They have been used as effective painkillers.

17 Jul 2024

Breakthrough biosensors illuminate opioid dynamics in the brain

New research from a Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience researcher could transform how we understand the way opioids affect the brain.

15 Jul 2024

New research aims to help lessen the risk of opioid misuse and overdose

New research aims to help reduce the quantity of unused prescription opioids after emergency department visits and lessen the risk of opioid misuse and overdose.

15 Jul 2024

Lifesaving drugs and police projects mark first use of opioid settlement cash in California

Sonja Verdugo lost her husband to an opioid overdose last year. She regularly delivers medical supplies to people using drugs who are living — and dying — on the streets of Los Angeles. And she advocates at Los Angeles City Hall for policies to address addiction and homelessness.

12 Jul 2024

Study finds early, unnecessary opioid prescriptions for teen surgery

A multi-institutional study found that 1 in 6 youths fill an opioid prescription prior to surgery, and 3% of patients were still filling opioid prescriptions three to six months after surgery, indicating persistent opioid use and possible opioid dependence.

12 Jul 2024