New research published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence suggests that individuals with social anxiety disorder are at a heightened risk of developing alcohol use disorder. This connection is unique to social anxiety, distinguishing it from other forms of anxiety disorders.
Researchers have uncovered a novel approach to chronic pain and opioid craving management by integrating the Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) method with smartwatch technology. The innovative study, conducted through Zoom and wearable sensors, revealed significant reductions in both pain and...
A neuroimaging study of individuals suffering from cocaine use disorder in China showed that these individuals showed signs of atrophy in various brain regions. These alterations were more pronounced in individuals who started using cocaine as minors, before the age...
A new neuroimaging study has found that individuals who consumed their first alcoholic drink before the age of 18 had weaker connections in the brain's cognitive control network compared those who consumed their first alcoholic drink after the age of...
A recent study found that the initial sensitivity of neurons to cocaine in a brain region known as the nucleus accumbens shell can predict future increases in cocaine intake. These individual differences in neuronal sensitivity may have implications for understanding...
A recent study explored deep brain stimulation (DBS ) as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder. The findings suggest that DBS may help reduce symptoms related to alcohol use disorder, such as increased abstinence, reduced cravings, and decreased anhedonia....
A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence explored the potential cognitive decline in individuals following an opioid overdose. The findings suggest a link between opioid overdose and a decline in thinking skills, emphasizing the importance of understanding these...
A study found that people who experienced childhood maltreatment but did not develop substance use disorder had better emotional control and higher levels of endocannabinoid function. Understanding these factors could aid in the development of interventions to prevent substance use...
Analyzing social media activity can help predict whether individuals will continue their treatment for substance use disorder. Using artificial intelligence to analyze Facebook posts proved more effective than standard psychological tests in predicting treatment dropout, with high-risk individuals more likely...
A recent study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior examined the impact of a week-long period of abstaining from pornography use on withdrawal symptoms experienced by regular pornography users, finding no effect.
A new study conducted in 42 countries suggests that almost 5% of people may be at high risk of experiencing compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD). However, only 14% of them have ever sought treatment for these behaviors, according to the...
A recent study examining death records in the United States revealed that men faced a significantly higher risk of overdose deaths involving opioids and stimulant drugs compared to women in 2020-2021. The research, published in Neuropsychopharmacology, showed that men had...
Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered that chronic alcohol consumption can increase sensitivity to pain through two distinct molecular mechanisms: one related to alcohol intake and the other to alcohol withdrawal. This finding, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology,...
Opioid signal transduction is complex, and scientists are just starting to figure out how it works. However, one thing is clear: Not every protein involved in this process does the same thing. Some are more important for pain relief, while...
Exercise-based interventions for substance abuse populations are a topic of interest in research and clinical practice. However, a new scientific review argues that the wide number of methodological concerns and knowledge gaps in the literature prevents the development of clinical...