Latest News and Articles on Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

Articles and information relating to substance abuse and treatment…

Over time, it is our intent to continue growing this page as a full-scale resource for news, information and events relating to all matters of drug addiction, alcoholism, chemical dependency, drug rehab services, current events and more. The focus will expand far beyond local areas such as Phoenix, Scottsdale and Arizona, and will in fact cover all regions, both nationally and internationally.

We very much hope to offer additional insight from various addiction treatment professionals as they offer their insights and expertise and various related topics.

Recent News and Articles Relating to Drug Abuse by Medical News Today

Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal March 22, 2019
Caffeine withdrawal symptoms can occur when a person abruptly stops consuming caffeine. Symptoms can last for a week or more and include headaches, fatigue, mood changes, concentration difficulties, and constipation. Learn more about caffeine withdrawal here.
Could cannabis use contribute to psychosis? March 20, 2019
Researchers have found strong associations between the frequent use of highly potent cannabis and reports of first-time psychotic episodes.
Is it safe to mix ibuprofen and alcohol? March 5, 2019
Ibuprofen is a common medication that people use to reduce pain and inflammation. In this article, we discuss the risks of mixing alcohol and ibuprofen.
Munchies: Does cannabis really increase desire for junk food? March 3, 2019
A recent study charts the effect of recreational marijuana laws on the purchase of junk food. Their findings provide new evidence for the 'munchies.'
Can our surroundings fuel addiction? February 28, 2019
New research finds that environmental cues related to drugs can strengthen memories and implicitly make addictive habits harder to kick.
Alcohol may be less harmful for people over 50 February 28, 2019
A new study investigates the potential protective effects of alcohol at different ages. They find that it is not a level playing field.
Through my eyes: Opiate addiction February 21, 2019
I remember my doctor telling me, 'Now, don’t get hooked on these sweetheart,' but it was too late. I already was. This is the story of my opiate addiction.
Marijuana may be risky for those with heart disease February 18, 2019
The case of a 70-year-old man who had a heart attack after eating a marijuana lollipop has caused concern in the medical community.
Lovesick: What are the adverse effects of love? February 14, 2019
Love can be an exhilarating feeling, but it can also lead to psychological distress. We look at some of the adverse effects of intense romantic feelings.
Breast cancer: Cut down on alcohol to lower risk February 14, 2019
The results of a new study show that Australian women remain unaware of the fact that alcohol consumption really does increase breast cancer risk.

Recent News and Articles by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Dr. Jack Stein appointed NIDA Chief of Staff March 20, 2019
Jack B. Stein, Ph.D. Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), has appointed Jack B. Stein, Ph.D., to be the NIDA Chief of Staff, a newly created position to support and assist the Director with coordination and strategic planning of key institute initiatives....
Opioid Overdose Reversal News: FDA-approved naloxone devices produce substantially higher blood levels of naloxone than improvised nasal spray March 15, 2019
Naloxone is a potentially life-saving drug commonly used to reverse opioid overdoses and can be injected as a liquid or delivered as a nasal spray. The fastest method of delivery is through an intravenous (IV) dose, but many first responders, police, families or friends are not well equipped...
Serotonin Unexpectedly Regulates Expression of Brain Genes March 13, 2019
The brain chemical serotonin can regulate expression of genes within neurons in a very unexpected way, as described in a NIDA-funded paper just published in the journal Nature. It is all part of the marvel of DNA and how it works to form our individual biological maps. The mechanism...
New toolkit for genomic editing holds promise for addiction research February 19, 2019
The scientific world has advanced immeasurably by the science of DNA and genetics. Manipulating gene expression to change the way that cells such as neurons function has helped scientists create very specific tools to use for understanding and developing treatments for human diseases. For human...
Monthly buprenorphine injections effective for opioid use disorders February 19, 2019
A newly published study suggests the long-acting buprenorphine formulation BUP-XR is more effective than placebo in helping patients struggling with addiction to opioids. BUP-XR is a monthly extended-release injection. Source: Photo by ©iStock.com/ognianm Daily dose buprenorphine was...
Higher rates of NAS linked with economic conditions January 29, 2019
©iStock/brebca A NIDA-funded analysis of eight states showed a significant association between rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and poor economic conditions. NAS is a series of uncomfortable symptoms experienced by newborns suffering from opioid withdrawal after their mothers...
Cascade of Care model recommended for opioid crisis January 25, 2019
Courtesy of NIDA A team of NIDA-funded scientists has offered a critical look at how to build an improved framework of care for the identification and treatment of people with opioid use disorder (OUD). Building upon the successful Cascade of Care model developed in 2017 to manage...
A whole new view of CB2 January 25, 2019
The cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 are key components of the human endocannabinoid system, a biological network involved in regulating physiological and cognitive processes. NIDA-funded scientists have recently identified the crystal structure of the CB1 receptor and have some...
Scientists closer to finding inherited traits in addiction January 14, 2019
A computer-generated strand of DNA on a black background. Courtesy of ©Shutterstock. Scientists have concluded that the risk of addiction is a complex combination of both genes and environmental influences. Despite advances in the science of genetics, it has been extremely difficult to...
Teens using vaping devices in record numbers December 17, 2018
America’s teens report a dramatic increase in their use of vaping devices in just a single year, with 37.3 percent of 12th graders reporting “any vaping” in the past 12 months, compared to just 27.8 percent in 2017. These findings come from the 2018 Monitoring the Future (MTF)...