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New research reveals how substance abuse problems take hold in returning veterans

Of nearly 1 million veterans who receive opioids to treat painful conditions, more than half continue to consume opioids chronically or beyond 90 days, new research says. Results presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine reported on a number of factors associated with opioid discontinuation with the goal of understanding how abuse problems take hold in returning veterans.

10 Mar 2014

APS annual meeting to be held in Tampa from April 30 to May 3, 2014

The 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society (APS) will convene April 30 through May 3 at the Tampa Convention Center.

7 Mar 2014

Groups, insurers, officials mobilize for health law enrollment push

March 31 is the deadline for signing up for insurance, and young adults and minorities are among the groups being targeted.

7 Mar 2014

Consumption of energy drinks may be linked with poor mental health, substance use among teens

The uplifting effects of energy drinks are well advertised, but a new report finds consumption among teenagers may be linked with poor mental health and substance use.

6 Mar 2014

States: Texas GOP rift in primary; L.A. nursing homes scrutiny; Calif. health costs protest

A selection of health policy stories from Texas, California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Virginia and Georgia.

6 Mar 2014

Diagnostic errors common among patients with bipolar disorder

Russian study data bolster the existing body of evidence showing that bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as depression.

5 Mar 2014

Studies examine issues of sexual orientation and intimate partner violence

Two studies at Sam Houston State University examined issues of sexual orientation and intimate partner violence, including its impact on substance abuse and physical and mental health as well as the effects of child abuse on its victims.

5 Mar 2014

Study: Combination intervention completely eliminates HIV transmission

A computer model has created the most effective formula for reducing the spread of HIV among drug users in New York City over the next 25 years.

5 Mar 2014

Taiwanese teenagers who become sexually active at young age are more likely to be aggressive

Taiwanese teenagers - and especially females - who become sexually active at a very young age are more likely to be rule-breakers and be more aggressive than their peers. These are the findings of a national study of Taiwanese youth led by Wei J. Chen of the National Taiwan University, with Chia-Hua Chan as first author.

5 Mar 2014

Health reform gives people with history of jail time access to continuous health care

Under the Affordable Care Act, an estimated 4 million people who have spent time in jail will have better access to health coverage for conditions that might-if left untreated-result in higher health care costs and an increased risk of recidivism.

4 Mar 2014

Experts recommend several steps to improve care for prisoners

The very premise of prison invites members of society to think of the people there as walled-off and removed. But more than 95 percent of prisoners will return to the community, often carrying significant health burdens and associated costs with them. In an article in the March issue of the journal Health Affairs, several experts who participated in a scientific workshop convened by the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine recommend several steps and ideas consistent with health reform to improve care for prisoners while they are incarcerated and after they return to society.

4 Mar 2014

Researchers examine how ACA could affect Americans living with HIV/AIDS

A series of papers in the March issue of Health Affairs examines how the Affordable Care Act could affect two sectors of the most vulnerable Americans - those living with HIV/AIDS and people who have recently cycled through jail.

4 Mar 2014

States: Calif. malpractice bill; Conn. braces for mental health cuts; Fla. advance practice nurses bill

A selection of health policy stories from California, Connecticut, Florida and Arizona.

26 Feb 2014

Substance abuse worsens course of first-episode psychosis

Patients with first-episode psychosis who also present with substance abuse have a higher rate of hospitalisation after 12 months than their peers who do not, an Italian study reports.

25 Feb 2014

Drexel University to expand nurse-managed health center

Drexel University will begin a major expansion of its nurse-managed health center which is nationally recognized as a model of integrated care.

25 Feb 2014

New report reveals prevalence of heroin-related overdose deaths in Kentucky

A new report from the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC) reveals the prevalence and charges associated with drug overdose in the Bluegrass state.

25 Feb 2014

Pregnant women with bipolar disorder more frequently have mental health

Pregnant and postpartum women with bipolar disorder more frequently have significant mental health and early mothering challenges than other perinatal women undergoing psychiatric treatment, according to a study in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

25 Feb 2014

Factors predicting disengagement from psychosis early intervention identified

A study of first-episode psychosis patients in Hong Kong has found that those with fewer negative symptoms at presentation and poor medication compliance were more likely than others to disengage from an early intervention program.

21 Feb 2014

Standards of Care for the Addiction Specialist Physician released by ASAM

The American Society of Addiction Medicine announces its release of the Standards of Care for the Addiction Specialist Physician. Drafted by a diverse panel of addiction treatment providers, researchers and academicians and clinical outcomes experts, this document enumerates the essential treatment standards that should be met by a physician who manages or oversees the care of a patient with addiction and related disorders.

20 Feb 2014

Research finds correlation between OCD, body dysmorphia and tanning addiction

They keep tanning, even after turning a deep brown and experiencing some of the negative consequences. Skin cancer is among the most common, preventable types of the disease, yet many continue to tan to excess.

20 Feb 2014