Taking a scalpel to opioid painkiller risks: New surgery research shows progress and opportunities

Original post: Newswise - Substance Abuse Taking a scalpel to opioid painkiller risks: New surgery research shows progress and opportunities

A wave of new studies shows what happens when surgical teams work together to reduce the emphasis on, and supply of, opioid painkillers while still seeking to ease surgery patients’ pain.

Diseases of despair diagnoses increase in Pennsylvania

Original post: Newswise - Substance Abuse Diseases of despair diagnoses increase in Pennsylvania

Newswise imageMedical diagnoses involving alcohol-related disorders, substance-related disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors – commonly referred to as diseases of despair – increased in Pennsylvania health insurance claims between the years 2007 and 2018, according to researchers.

Excessive Alcohol Consumption During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Original post: Newswise - Substance Abuse Excessive Alcohol Consumption During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Study Highlights
* The full impact of COVID-19 on alcohol use is not yet known, but rates have been rising during the first few months of the pandemic

* There’s an urgent need for public health and medical responses to address harmful alcohol use

Scientists Report Role for Dopamine and Serotonin in Human Perception and Decision-making

Original post: Newswise - Substance Abuse Scientists Report Role for Dopamine and Serotonin in Human Perception and Decision-making

Scientists at Wake Forest School of Medicine have recorded real time changes in dopamine and serotonin levels in the human brain that are involved with perception and decision-making. These same neurochemicals also are critical to movement disorders and psychiatric conditions, including substance abuse and depression.

Reducing Drinking Among US Veterans with Unhealthy Alcohol Use Might Improve Chronic Pain Symptoms and Reduce Other Substance Use

US veterans with unhealthy alcohol use who reduce their drinking may gain some improvement in chronic pain symptoms and use of other substances, according to a study in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. Hazardous drinking is common in the US, and frequently co-occurs with chronic pain, depression and anxiety, and with tobacco, cannabis or cocaine use. Many people use alcohol and other substances to mask or self-manage pain and psychiatric symptoms, although there is little evidence to support such use. If, conversely, a reduction in drinking (or use of treatment for alcohol misuse) were to benefit co-occurring conditions or substance use, this could support an integrated approach to screening or treatment. The new analysis assessed the impact of drinking reduction on improvement of chronic pain, psychiatric symptoms, and other substance use among US veterans with unhealthy alcohol use – a population with high rates of these co-occurring conditions.

People with Heroin Addiction Have Unique Molecular Alterations to The Brain That Resemble Brain Disturbances Seen in Neurodegenerative Disorders Like Alzheimer’s Disease

Sexual Minority Men Who Smoke Report Worse Mental Health and More Frequent Substance Use

Original post: Newswise - Substance Abuse Sexual Minority Men Who Smoke Report Worse Mental Health and More Frequent Substance Use

Cigarette smoking is associated with frequent substance use and poor behavioral and physical health in sexual and gender minority populations, according to Rutgers researchers.