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The article discusses Boston Medical Center's (BMC) Project ASSERT that provides services to alcohol and substance abuse disorder patients in the emergency department. Topics discussed include the complex social and medical issues affecting substance abuse disorder patients and how BMC created a more informed options for patients at discharge from the emergency department. Also mentioned are BMC partnerships with other organizations to improve overdose recognition and appropriate response.

The article examines the growing rate of risky drinking among people in their 50s or older in Great Britain and its public health implications. Based on National Health Service Digital data, there were 1.1 million alcohol-related hospital admissions during the period of 2015 to 2016 in England alone, and 45% of those patients were aged between 55 and 74. Screening for alcohol misuse and providing brief intervention for older people are suggested.

Involving and empowering people who use health services, and taking their experiences into account, has evolved from being considered good practice to being duties of the NHS. However, evidence suggests that the rate of progress and change has been slow, despite the constant emphasis on the merits of involving and engaging the public and patients. This article, written in collaboration with two service users, reports on efforts by nursing staff working in alcohol addiction to involve service users in setting up and managing the self-management and recovery training initiative at the Brian Hore Unit, part of the Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust. The article aims to encourage healthcare professionals to appreciate the benefits of proactive patient and public involvement for their organisations and for those who get involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To identify the experiences of service users, family members and staff involved with a community alcohol service that provided home detoxification and psychosocial support. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with service users, family members and staff (n=35). Comment sheets were sent to all service users and 22 were returned. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Participants were positive about the detoxification service and particularly valued the therapeutic relationship with nursing staff. Service users also valued the availability of psychosocial services. Contradictory views from service users and staff were identified regarding some aspects of the service. Conclusion: Service users were very satisfied with the community alcohol service and valued the support offered by nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the pharmacokinetics of several drugs used to treat substance abuse disorders in children and adolescents in the U.S. It discusses the mechanisms and side effects of disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate, opiates, methadone and buprenorphine for alcoholism treatment. It examines the components and effectiveness of nicotine addiction treatment nicotine replacement, varenicline and bupropion. It says that there are no stimulants approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cannabis treatment.

The article discusses a one year project of the British Royal College of Nursing (RCN) that demonstrated the use of nursing interventions to meet the health needs of people who misuse alcohol. The nursing services in the project improved patient care and saved money for the hospitals. The author also explores statistics on the use of alcohol in Great Britain, the impact of alcohol misuse on violence and disease, and the financial cost of the problem.

Some A&E departments have devised strategies to help young people with alcohol-related problems. Catharine Sadler reports [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that researchers Markus Heilig and Eric Augier at Linkoping University, Sweden have identified a potential drug targeting alcohol addiction by studying brains of rats that displayed alcoholic tendencies.

The article shares readers' insights on the capacity of specialist nurses and hospitals in Great Britain to address the rising toll of alcohol-related activity and the possible steps to take to lift the alcohol burden. One respondent suggests the importance of having a consistent basic level of support for hospitals to provide alcohol service. Other respondents raise concern over the effect of budget cuts on patient care and lack of specialist service at hospitals.

The article presents 2012 news on medicine. A conference on pediatric brain injury will be offered on October 18, 2012 in Surrey, England by the organization The Children's Trust. A training program for medical practitioners who work with children and families affected by parental alcohol abuse will be offered by the agency Alcohol Concern. Medipex, the National Health Service Innovation Hub for the Yorkshire and Humber region, has launched its annual innovation competition.

The article focuses on alcohol withdrawal, its signs, symptoms and ways to treat them. It cites the key symptoms of alcoholism, namely craving, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome or an abrupt alcohol cessation resulting to brain hyperexcitability has several symptoms including increased pulse and blood pressure, increased body temperature, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, tremors and hallucinations. In order to combat this syndrome, there are several treatment options including benzodiazepines and oxazepam.

The article reflects on the important role of nurses in dealing with alcohol dependents in England. It reports that a despairing number of adults are engage in excessive drinking which could result to several health problems. A challenge has been set out to health care agents to find better ways in handling alcohol related cases. New strategies have to be developed such as counseling and disorder identification tests which will greatly help patients' recovery. INSET: What are 'sensible' levels of alcohol consumption?.

Reports on research which found that long-acting naltrexone can be of benefit in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Results of a randomized trial of long-acting injectable naltrexone.

Several case study are presented including 32-year-old woman with a new prescription for gabapentin daily for alcohol dependence and 42-year-old man for appointment with his new primary care physician (PCP) following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. It discusses the need of vitamin supplementation per instructions in 42-year-old man case. It discusses the role of gabapentin in the management of alcohol dependence.

The article cites a study by researchers from Liverpool John Moores University, led by reader in public health Gordon Hay, which indicated that the NHS could save millions of pounds a year by setting up small nurse-led detox units to treat patients with alcohol dependency.

The article discusses research which was reported in the article "Adolescent Male Hazardous Drinking and Participation in Organised Activities: Involvement in Team Sports Is Associated With Less Hazardous Drinking in Young Offenders" by B. Hallingberg et al. in a 2014 issue of "Criminal Behavior and Mental Health", which found that participation in team games helps young offenders avoid heavy drinking.

The article presents 2013 news on nursing. Charlotte McArdle has been appointed as the chief nursing officer of Northern Ireland's Department of Health. At an April 2013 congress of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) 99.79% of members approved a resolution asking the British government to review and regulate national guidance on the physical restraint of patients. There were differences of opinion seen during a discussion at the 2013 congress of the RCN about the management of obese patients.

The article presents 2011 news items related to medical care. A nursing care service called the Marie Curie Cancer Care service has been launched in Great Britain to enable terminal patients to die at home. Former Royal College of Nursing president Roswyn Hakesley-Brown has been chosen as the chair of the Academy of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting Research. A National Health Service trust has initiated a nurse-led approach to treat patients with alcohol addiction.

The article presents news briefs of interest to British nurses. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is asking nurses to participate in the consultation into laws regarding dangerous dogs. Research indicates that specialist nurses could help 40 percent of persons dependent on alcohol to quit drinking. The author reports that research demonstrates that British specialist nurses have greater autonomy than their European counterparts.

The article reports on the study by Elisabet Jerlhag and colleagues which examines the association between ghrelin hormone and level of alcohol consumption. It mentions that when mice were sbjected to ghrelin dosage, they consumed alcohol more than the normal level. However, a compound that blocks the ghrelin receptor was effective in reducing alcohol consumption of mice. The research concludes that compounds which are capable of blocking ghrelin receptor can be used to treat alcohol abuse.

The RCN has released clear evidence of a demand for specialist alcohol nursing services and interventions across the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the availability of support for health care personnel who drink heavily to cope with their work in Great Britain. Priority Group psychotherapist Richard Renson believes that public sector workers, especially those in health care, drink to relieve the day's stresses. Georgia Foster is a therapist who helps heavy drinkers to consume less. She offers sessions including hypnotherapy.

The article reports that due to his support of the MusiCares MAP Fund and his devotion to helping other addicts with the recovery process, musician Alice Cooper will receive the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award at the fourth annual MusiCares MAP Fund in 2008. According to the author, Cooper, a recovering alcoholic, believes that programs such as the Recording Academy's MusiCares, which provides artists with access to addiction recovery treatment, are invaluable to the music community.

The article reports on the statements by U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism neuroscientist Markus Heilig that the compound MTIP developed by Eli Lilly & Co. could control excessive alcohol use in rats and shows potential for clinical use in alcoholism. MTIP inhibits binding of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) to the CRF receptor.

Presents an update on news related to the television broadcasting industry in the U.S. as of March 28, 2005. Statement issued by Mandred Westphal, spokesman of Paramount Domestic Television on the decision of its newsmagazine host Pat O'Brien to enter a facility to treat his alcoholism; Reason behind the resignation of Josh Howard, executive producer of the show "60 Minutes Wednesday"; Extension secured by CBS Television Network on broadcast rights for the daytime drama "The Bold and the Beautiful."

Reports that researchers at the University of California, San Francisco confirmed findings that ibogaine reduces cravings for alcohol and other drugs of abuse in rodents. Finding that ibogaine interacts with the brain's reward circuits; Hallucinogenic and neurotoxic side effects of ibogaine that has prevented its approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Presents news briefs on medical care in the United States as of October 2001. Information on the gene therapy for alcoholism; Research findings on the treatment for alcoholic mothers; Safety tips while on a Halloween party.

Reports on Harvard Medical School scientist's research on the use of a plant called kudzu for the treatment of alcohol abuse. Use of kudzu by Chinese healers for alcohol abuse treatment; Effect of kudzu on alcohol consumption.