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Neuropharmacology Mar 2021Genetics are known to be a significant risk factor for drug abuse. In human populations, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) D398N in the gene CHRNA5 has been... (Review)
Review
Genetics are known to be a significant risk factor for drug abuse. In human populations, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) D398N in the gene CHRNA5 has been associated with addiction to nicotine, opioids, cocaine, and alcohol. In this paper, we review findings from studies in humans, rodent models, and cell lines and provide evidence that collectively suggests that the Chrna5 SNP broadly influences the response to drugs of abuse in a manner that is not substance-specific. This finding has important implications for our understanding of the role of the cholinergic system in reward and addiction vulnerability. This article is part of the special issue on 'Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse.'
Topics: Animals; Brain; Genetic Linkage; Humans; Nerve Net; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neuroimaging; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Receptors, Nicotinic; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 33539855
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108480 -
PloS One 2024This study explored the pressing issue of drug and substance abuse (DSA) among adolescents in drug hotspots in Malaysia. The Malaysian Anti-drug Agency (AADK) has...
This study explored the pressing issue of drug and substance abuse (DSA) among adolescents in drug hotspots in Malaysia. The Malaysian Anti-drug Agency (AADK) has identified 155 hotspot areas across Malaysia, of which 78 were randomly selected as the study sites. These areas were identified as having extreme drug-related activities such as drug trafficking and drug-related crimes. According to the literature, several factors influence adolescents to be involved in DSA. Therefore, understanding the risk factors in the context of Malaysian school-going adolescents is of utmost importance. The study examined, in particular, a wide range of potential predictors, including socioeconomic factors, peer influence, family dynamics, educational experiences, drug access, and community characteristics. Adolescents in the hotspot areas were selected by means of a cross-sectional survey design with a cluster sampling method. The sample comprised 3382 school-going adolescents, and the data were collected through face-to-face interviews. The logit model method with STATA software was used to analyse the data. The findings of the study revealed that school-going adolescents with disciplinary issues face a two-fold increase in the risk of becoming current drug users compared to their peers. Further, those exhibiting externalising behaviours, such as aggression and rule-breaking, also face greater odds of becoming involved in DSA. Drug pushers were identified as the most significant risk factor, with adolescents exposed to them being 46 times more likely to become current drug users. The factors of friends and family also contribute significantly to adolescent drug involvement. However, adolescents with academic-related issues may be less involved if they have the protective factor of better coping skills. These findings will contribute to efforts to mitigate drug addiction and drug-related activities, particularly in high-risk communities, as well as help policymakers and healthcare professionals develop targeted interventions and generally promote the well-being of adolescents.
Topics: Humans; Malaysia; Adolescent; Substance-Related Disorders; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Risk Factors; Schools; Adolescent Behavior; Drug Trafficking; Socioeconomic Factors
PubMed: 38875293
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305460 -
BMC Psychiatry Feb 2023To investigate whether adults suffering from violence were at risk of substance abuse and provides insight into the relationship between male and female abusers and...
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether adults suffering from violence were at risk of substance abuse and provides insight into the relationship between male and female abusers and substance abuse from 2000 to 2015 in Taiwan.
METHODS
This study used data on outpatient, emergency, and inpatient visits for 2 million people enrolled in universal health insurance from 2000 to 2015. ICD-9 diagnosis codes 995.8 (abused adult) and E960-E969 (homicide and injury purposely inflicted by other persons) were defined in this case study, analyzing first-time violence in adults aged 18-64 (study group). Non-abused patients (control group) were matched in a 1:4 ratio, and the paired variables were gender, age (± 1 year), pre-exposure Charlson Comorbidity Index, and year of medical treatment. SAS 9.4 and Cox regression were used for data analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 8,726 people suffered violence (control group: 34,904 people) over 15 years. The prevalence of substance abuse among victims of violence was 78.3/10, 61.9/10, and 51.5/10 for tobacco use disorder, alcoholism, and alcohol abuse, respectively. The risk (adults, overall) of drug abuse, drug dependence, and alcoholism after exposure to violence (average 9 years) was 7.47, 7.15, and 6.86 times (p < 0.01), respectively, compared with those without violence. The risk (adults, males) of drug abuse, drug dependence, and alcohol abuse after exposure to violence (average 9 years) was 6.85, 6.27, and 6.07 times, respectively, higher than those without violence (p < 0.01). Risks of drug dependence, alcohol abuse and alcoholism (adults, females) after exposure to violence (average 9 years) were 14.92, 12.26, and 11.55 times, respectively, higher than non-abused ones (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION
The risks of substance abuse, after adult violence, are higher than in those who have not suffered violent injuries.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Male; Female; Alcoholism; Taiwan; Homicide; Violence; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 36823534
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04608-z -
Drug and Alcohol Dependence Jun 2023Drug testing is widely implemented as a work-based prevention strategy for employee substance use. However, it has raised concerns about its potential use as a punitive...
BACKGROUND
Drug testing is widely implemented as a work-based prevention strategy for employee substance use. However, it has raised concerns about its potential use as a punitive measure in the workplace where racialized/ethnic workers are over-represented. This study examines the rates of exposure to workplace drug testing among ethnoracial workers in the United States and the potential differences in the employers' responses to positive test results.
METHODS
A nationally-representative sample of 121,988 employed adults was examined using the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data. The rates of exposure to workplace drug testing were estimated separately for ethnoracial workers. Then we used multinomial logistic regression to test differences in employers' responses to the first positive drug test results across ethnoracial subgroups.
RESULTS
Since 2002, Black workers reported 15-20% points higher rates of having a workplace drug testing policy than Hispanic or White workers. When tested positive for drug use, Black and Hispanic workers were more likely to be fired than White workers. When tested positive, Black workers were more likely to be referred to treatment/counseling services while Hispanic workers were less likely to be referred compared to White workers.
CONCLUSION
Black workers' disproportionate exposure to drug testing and punitive responses in the workplace may potentially place individuals with substance use problems out of the workforce, limiting their access to treatment/other resources available via their workplaces. Also, Hispanic workers' limited accessibility to treatment and counseling services when tested positive for drug use requires attention to address unmet needs.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Black or African American; Hispanic or Latino; Policy; Substance Abuse Detection; Substance-Related Disorders; United States; White; Workplace; Racism
PubMed: 37148632
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109898 -
Translational Psychiatry Sep 2023Significant trauma histories and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common in persons with substance use disorders (SUD) and often associate with increased SUD...
Significant trauma histories and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common in persons with substance use disorders (SUD) and often associate with increased SUD severity and poorer response to SUD treatment. As such, this sub-population has been associated with unique risk factors and treatment needs. Understanding the distinct etiological profile of persons with co-occurring SUD and PTSD is therefore crucial for advancing our knowledge of underlying mechanisms and the development of precision treatments. To this end, we employed supervised machine learning algorithms to interrogate the responses of 160 participants with SUD on the multidimensional NIDA Phenotyping Assessment Battery. Significant PTSD symptomatology was correctly predicted in 75% of participants (sensitivity: 80%; specificity: 72.22%) using a classification-based model based on anxiety and depressive symptoms, perseverative thinking styles, and interoceptive awareness. A regression-based machine learning model also utilized similar predictors, but failed to accurately predict severity of PTSD symptoms. These data indicate that even in a population already characterized by elevated negative affect (individuals with SUD), especially severe negative affect was predictive of PTSD symptomatology. In a follow-up analysis of a subset of 102 participants who also completed neurocognitive tasks, comorbidity status was correctly predicted in 86.67% of participants (sensitivity: 91.67%; specificity: 66.67%) based on depressive symptoms and fear-related attentional bias. However, a regression-based analysis did not identify fear-related attentional bias as a splitting factor, but instead split and categorized the sample based on indices of aggression, metacognition, distress tolerance, and interoceptive awareness. These data indicate that within a population of individuals with SUD, aberrations in tolerating and regulating aversive internal experiences may also characterize those with significant trauma histories, akin to findings in persons with anxiety without SUD. The results also highlight the need for further research on PTSD-SUD comorbidity that includes additional comparison groups (i.e., persons with only PTSD), captures additional comorbid diagnoses that may influence the PTSD-SUD relationship, examines additional types of SUDs (e.g., alcohol use disorder), and differentiates between subtypes of PTSD.
Topics: Humans; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Comorbidity; Anxiety; Aggression; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 37709748
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02591-3 -
Revista Colombiana de Obstetricia Y... Jun 2021To reflect on the reciprocal etiologic relationship between female sexual dysfunction and drug abuse, and its implications for practice and research.
OBJECTIVE
To reflect on the reciprocal etiologic relationship between female sexual dysfunction and drug abuse, and its implications for practice and research.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A description of the effects and short-term and long-term consequences of drug use in women is presented together with an analysis of whether drug use is the cause of sexual dysfunction or on the contrary, if sexual dysfunction leads to drug abuse. The need to conduct further research into the relationship between these two variables and their clinical implications is also discussed.
CONCLUSION
Drug use affects female sexual function, hence the importance of initial diagnosis and sexual rehabilitation following chronic use of psychoactive substances; Implementing prophylactic measures in order to reduce drug use during sexual activity and its associated consequences; and expanding research in this area of medical and psychological knowledge.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 34506705
DOI: 10.18597/rcog.3627 -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Oct 2022We described screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) results and assessed whether SBIRT is associated with positive changes in substance use,...
PURPOSE
We described screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) results and assessed whether SBIRT is associated with positive changes in substance use, risky use, and educational/employment outcomes for youth in community-based settings that are not healthcare focused.
METHODS
YouthBuild USA serves youth of ages 16-24 who are neither in school nor employed. In an SBIRT intervention, youth completed substance use surveys and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and Drug Abuse Screening Test screenings at entry and program completion. Staff reported on services provided in response to screening scores. Regression models compared changes in youth screening results and substance use from intake to follow-up and, with aggregate program-level data, youth outcomes across programs with and without the SBIRT intervention.
RESULTS
Youth significantly reduced Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (3.1 vs. 2.3, p < .001) and Drug Abuse Screening Test (1.9 vs. 1.4, p < .001) scores, positive screens (64% vs. 54%, p < .001), and need for referrals to treatment (48% vs. 37%, p < .001), indicating less risky substance use, although self-reports of substance use in the past 30 days did not decrease. Proportionately more youth in SBIRT programs attained a high school diploma or equivalent (49% vs. 42%, p = .01) and were still in educational/job placements 3 months after program completion (67% vs. 59%, p = .02), compared to youth in non-SBIRT programs.
DISCUSSION
These findings suggest that community-based SBIRT is associated with positive outcomes-both reduced risky substance use and improved education and employment-that relate to longer-term positive development for youth. SBIRT appears to be an evidence-based approach to intervene and help youth.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Alcoholism; Crisis Intervention; Humans; Mass Screening; Referral and Consultation; Substance-Related Disorders; Young Adult
PubMed: 36122972
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.06.001 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jan 2022: Drug abuse has become a major worldwide health concern among all age groups. The present study analyses substance misuse and its social and personal consequences using...
: Drug abuse has become a major worldwide health concern among all age groups. The present study analyses substance misuse and its social and personal consequences using a population-based internet survey in Spain. : Screening for drug abuse (of alcohol, marijuana/hashish and psychostimulants) and its related risks and problems was performed using the Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT) score. Socio-demographic factors, depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms as well as health habits were also evaluated. We used Linear regression methods to compare each variable's individual contribution so as to determine which one best explains the results. : In this population-based study, 1224 people completed and returned the online survey. Of all participants, 57% reported consuming at least one substance based on the CRAFFT scale. While increasing age reduces the probability of personal and social consequences of consumption, people who smoke receive up to three times more (OR = 3.370) recommendations from family and friends to reduce their consumption. As for the type of substance, the consumption of marijuana increases the risk of forgetting (OR = 2.33) and the consumption of other psychostimulant substances almost triples the risk of consuming alone (OR = 2.965). Combining substances can increase the rate of driving a vehicle after consumption by 3.4 times. : Although age, smoking and the type of substances used increase the risk of suffering from social and personal consequences of the use or abuse of substances, future studies are needed to determine the influence of new variables as a potential tool for treating and minimizing the adverse consequences of drug abuse.
Topics: Anxiety Disorders; Humans; Internet; Mass Screening; Substance-Related Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35056373
DOI: 10.3390/medicina58010065 -
European Review For Medical and... Nov 2019New psychoactive substances (NPS), are a range of drugs designed to mimic the effects of established illicit drugs, being legal at the time of their distribution in... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
New psychoactive substances (NPS), are a range of drugs designed to mimic the effects of established illicit drugs, being legal at the time of their distribution in illicit markets. The review aims to shed a light on the growing threat caused by NPS, and on the dynamics and developments that have led to their spread, including the risk of new adulteration practices which can cause a serious health threat, due to their increased toxicity, e.g., through fentanyl and its analogs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An overview of statistical trends relative to NPS use has been provided, in addition to regulatory and legislative approaches in several countries and recommendations and data from International institutions: UN Office on Drugs and Crime, United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, WHO, European Parliament, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Europol and international collaborative efforts such as the Trans European Drug Information (TEDI) project and the Spanish Energy Control.
RESULTS
Given the elusive nature of NPS, spontaneous pharmacovigilance reporting systems are needed to identify new trends of drug abuse. Broad-ranging legislative initiatives are needed in order to set common international standards (e.g., the European Parliament Regulation 2017/2101, with information exchange, an early warning system and risk assessment procedure for NPS) to tackle a potentially catastrophic and growing threat.
CONCLUSIONS
By virtue of all the complexities and hurdles that have to be overcome in the fight against NPS, and to assist national governments in their identification and reporting, supranational organizations can come to play a key role. Only through international measures, supplementing national legislative initiatives, can this multi-faceted problem be effectively addressed and information about NPS be gathered and disseminated in a timely fashion.
Topics: Humans; Illicit Drugs; Psychotropic Drugs; Public Health; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 31799633
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201911_19529 -
Therapie 2020Addictovigilance is a safety monitoring targeted at substances with potential for abuse and dependence. This vigilance was involved during the period of COVID-19... (Review)
Review
Addictovigilance is a safety monitoring targeted at substances with potential for abuse and dependence. This vigilance was involved during the period of COVID-19 epidemic due to the significant changes in access to drugs and psychological disruption caused by the pandemic and lockdown. This article aims to present the different steps implemented by the French Addictovigilance network in collaboration with the French Health authorities from March to May 2020, including monitoring of potential harmful events, and scientific communication. The first events were identified through the continuity of the networking between the French addictovigilance centres and their partners: community pharmacies, general practitioners, specialized structures and emergency wards. As soon as the lockdown began, first cases of overdoses (lethal or not) were reported with opioids, mainly with methadone, and other opioids (heroin, oxycodone, tramadol or antitussive codeine). Lockdown-related noteworthy events consisted in clinical cases or other relevant information for which lockdown clearly played an important role: among the many substances identified at least once, pregabalin, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine and nitrous oxide were the most significant in terms of prevalence, seriousness or particularly specific to the lockdown context. Despite significant decrease in the activity and travel limited to vital needs, community pharmacies continued to identify falsified prescriptions in this period, highlighting an increase in suspicious requests for pregabalin, codeine and tramadol. In parallel, the French addictovigilance network continued its communications efforts in the period, issuing a newsletter on tramadol, a press release on methadone and naloxone, and participating in the COVID-19 frequently asked questions (FAQs) of the French Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutic website (https://sfpt-fr.org/covid19). COVID-19 epidemic has been an important challenge for addictovigilance, and has proved that this monitoring is highly essential for alerting health professionals and health authorities to points of vigilance in the field of psychoactive substances.
Topics: COVID-19; Community Pharmacy Services; Coronavirus Infections; Drug Overdose; France; General Practitioners; Health Personnel; Humans; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Quarantine; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 32660776
DOI: 10.1016/j.therap.2020.06.006