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Credibility and expectancy are important aspects of therapy/treatment processes. We aimed to perform cross-cultural validation and examine the psychometric properties of the Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ). Ninety-one patients with opioid use disorder from Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Addiction Treatment Program were included in the study. Sociodemographic data form, CEQ, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Professional Help Scale-Short Form (ATSPPHS-SF) were filled out by participants. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that CEQ has two factors in our sample, similar to the original version. Reliability analyses showed that CEQ has a high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Regarding convergent validity results, CEQ was correlated with ATSPPHS-SF. No significant correlation was found between CEQ and BDI and STAI regarding discriminant validity results. In conclusion, the Turkish version of CEQ is a valid, reliable scale and could be used in patients with opioid use disorder. In patients with opioid use disorder, we contributed to the addiction literature by adapting a short and effective survey that measures trust and expectation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs) in particular, contribute greatly to the global burden of disease. Psychedelics, including entactogens and dissociative substances, are currently being explored for the treatment of SUDs, yet with less empirical clinical evidence than for other mental health disorders, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this narrative review, we discuss the current clinical research evidence, therapeutic potential and safety of psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and ibogaine, particularly in the context of the SUD treatment. Our aim was to provide a balanced overview of the current research and findings on potential benefits and harms of psychedelics in clinical settings for SUD treatment. We highlight the need for more clinical research in this particular treatment area and point out some limitations and challenges to be addressed in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Substance use disorders have profound implications for individuals, their families, and society as a whole. At present, drug trafficking and addiction have ensnared every corner of the globe, impacting millions of individuals worldwide. This pressing issue of drug abuse is concerning due to the underlying conditions fueling it, including shifting cultural values, increasing economic stress, and weakened social support networks. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to identify the trends in drug abuse and its influencing factors among patients undergoing treatment for addiction in rehabilitation centers in Telangana. Materials and Methods: The study, a descriptive cross-sectional analysis, involved 222 individuals grappling with drug addiction at the primary rehabilitation center for drug addiction treatment in Telangana. Information was gathered using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire between September and December 2022 under the Department of Pharmacology. Results: Among the respondents, 95% were male and 5% were female, with a majority falling in the 21-30 age brackets. The religious breakdown comprised 151 Hindus, 32 Muslims, and 30 Christians, while 41% hailed from tribal regions. Injection emerged as the most prevalent method of substance abuse among 194 participants. The onset of drug abuse mostly occurred between ages 11 and 20, primarily driven by self or peer pressure. Notably, 89% of participants reported being compelled to consume substances. Conclusion: The study found a significant correlation between male gender and drug consumption (P<0.05), as well as between the 21 and 30 age group and drug intake (P<0.05). Additionally, the research highlighted a high prevalence of drug dependence among educated individuals, with familial conflicts and peer pressure being cited as common triggers for various forms of substance abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex, relationships, and substance use often go hand in hand. Despite this, the impact of sex and relationships on recovery are often overlooked in the field of substance use disorder treatment (SUDT). This study aims to explore sex, relationships, and relapse risk for people in recovery and as an overlooked area of importance in SUDT. This qualitative study uses semi-structured interviews with people currently and/or formerly in prison, together with ethnographic field data from four high security prisons in Norway, collected between July 2021–April 2022. Common sources of anguish around sex after release and recovery included both forming new and maintaining long-term relationships with partners at a different stage in their recovery, dating and initiating sexual relationships with new partners, concerns about sexual performance and fears around attaining sexual pleasure without chemical enhancements. The implications that sex, dating and intimate relationships may have for individual relapse to substance use, can and should play a greater role in both SUD treatment and preparation for release from prison. These problems are exacerbated in carceral settings and should be considered when planning re-entry to the community and in the development of individual relapse prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Type D personality is characterised by the presence of social inhibition (SI) and negative affectivity (NA). Individuals high in social inhibition (SI) often experience feelings of discomfort, anxiety, stress, and lack of confidence. In con trast, individuals high in negative affectivity (NA) tend to experience unpleasant feelings. The aim of the present study was to determine the relations hip between type D personality traits and social anxiety in individuals with alcohol and drug use disord ers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional was conducted with 140 individuals who were admitted to the XXX Health Sciences University Training and Research Hospital at the unit of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Research Center between Jul y and September in 2023. The Type D personality (DS-14) and Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) were applied to participants. A linear regression model is used to test the predictive effect of D Type Personality on social anxiety. Results: It was seen that there was a positive and significant relationship between social anxiety and social inhibition among participants. Similarly, a positive and significant relationship was seen between social anxiety and NA. The linear regression model was re vealed that SI was seen significant predictors in social anxiety, but NA was not seen as a predictor in this relation. Conclusion: In conclusion, the relationship between Type D personality features and social anxiety among individuals with substance use disorders is a complex and multifaceted issue influenced by various psychological, emotional, and personality factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reward has been shown to influence selective attention, yet previous research has primarily focused on rewards associated with specific locations or features, with limited investigation into the impact of a reward object on object-based attention (OBA). Therefore, it remains unclear whether objects previously associated with rewards affect OBA. To address this issue, we conducted two experiments using a paradigm that combined a reward training phase with a modified two-rectangle paradigm. The results indicate that a reward object modulates both space-based attention (SBA) and OBA. When cues appear on a reward object, the effects of both SBA and OBA are amplified compared to when cues appear on a no-reward object. This finding supports the value-driven attentional capture (VDAC) theory, which suggests that a reward object gain enhanced saliency to capture attention, thereby providing a theoretical support for the treatment of conditions such as drug addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) is widely considered the first-line treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), which causes significant morbidity and mortality in the United States, but prior to 2023, practitioners interested in prescribing buprenorphine/naloxone for OUD needed a special Drug Enforcement Administration certification (the X-Waiver) that imposed a patient cap and other limitations. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 considerably decreased the restrictions on prescribing practitioners. Buprenorphine/naloxone can now be prescribed like any other prescription opioid, excluding methadone. The historic context for the opioid crisis, OUD, the X-Waiver, and additional initiatives that may be needed beyond legislative change to effectively address OUD are the subjects of this review. Methods: To develop this review of the opioid crisis, OUD, and OUD treatment, we conducted a literature search of the PubMed database and constructed a timeline of the opioid crisis and changes in OUD treatment, specifically the X-Waiver, to characterize the historic context of OUD and the X-Waiver against the background of the opioid crisis. Results: The opioid crisis has had pervasive public health and economic impacts in the United States. Major changes to the treatment of OUD have occurred as a result of the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 that imposed the X-Waiver and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 that repealed the X-Waiver. Conclusion: The repeal of the X-Waiver is predicted to increase the accessibility of buprenorphine/naloxone in the United States. However, additional work beyond legislative change, including institutional support and reduction of stigma and disparities, is needed to substantially improve outcomes for OUD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery capital theory provides a biopsychosocial framework for identifying and measuring strengths and barriers that can be targeted to support recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. This systematic review analyzed and synthesized all quantitative approaches that have measured recovery capital since 2016. Three databases were searched to identify studies published from 2016 to 2023. Eligible studies explicitly stated they measured recovery capital in participants recovering from alcohol and/or drug addiction. Studies focusing on other forms of addiction were excluded. Sixty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Forty-six studies used one of the ten identified recovery capital questionnaires, and twenty-five studies used a measurement approach other than one of the ten recovery capital questionnaires. The ten recovery capital questionnaires are primarily developed for adult populations across clinical and community recovery settings, and between them measure 41 separate recovery capital constructs. They are generally considered valid and reliable measures of recovery capital. Nevertheless, a strong evidence base on the psychometric properties across diverse populations and settings still needs to be established for these questionnaires. The development of recovery capital questionnaires has been a significant advance in the field of addiction recovery, in alignment with the emerging recovery-oriented approach to addiction recovery care. Additionally, the non-recovery capital questionnaire-based approaches to recovery capital measurement have an important place in the field. They could be used alongside recovery capital questionnaires to test theory, and in contexts where the application of the questionnaires is not feasible, such as analyses of data from online recovery forums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social recovery capital (SRC) is the combination of social resources that can be used to initiate and sustain addiction recovery through friends, family, and peers. Broadly, understanding one's SRC allows us to get a sense of where one has social support for recovery and where there may be social barriers to their recovery process. SRC is often a vital component of many people's recovery journey, yet our understanding of how best to use this concept in research and practice remains underdeveloped. To improve understanding of the role of social recovery capital and strategies to measure and increase it, we present a roadmap involving a five-pronged research agenda to: (1) Refine the measurement of social recovery capital; (2) Model the complexity of social recovery capital empirically; (3) Integrate personality science with social recovery capital research; (4) Optimize evidence-based behavior change techniques of social recovery capital; and (5) Incorporate an intersectional framework when examining or applying social recovery capital. Overall, this five-pronged research agenda seeks to enhance the clinical utility of SRC research to maximize the impact of SRC on one's recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of chemical graph theory has been increased in almost every field of science in the last two decades. The graph invariants called topological descriptor are the numbers used to understand the physical and chemical properties of compounds. The use of narcotics causes many health and social issues in society. Narcotic drug addiction results in decreased pain perception, euphoria, dizziness, physical dependence, decreased breathing, and sleepiness in people. The overuse of narcotics may cause death. For the care and treatment of drug addictions, special health institutes provide proper medicines. The structures of narcotic drugs are explored with the help of degree-based graph invariants. In this article, we used degree-based topological indices to estimate the properties of narcotic drugs. Moreover, we have obtained that the topological indices utilize the antinarcotics drugs have a very strong correlation with the physicochemical properties mentioned in this manuscript. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in the purpose of investigating the effect of Tai Chi on drug craving for women with drug disorders. One hundred and twelve women were recruited from a drug rehabilitation center in China, and 47 and 48 were finally analyzed in the control group and exercise group, respectively. The exercise group underwent a 3-month Tai Chi training, whereas the control group experienced no exercise intervention during the same time period. The drug craving was measured by the visual analog scale. In data analysis, repeated-measures were utilized to test the differences between the control and exercise group over the course of the experiment time. The mean of the craving score significantly dropped from pre-test (control: mean = 5.38, SD = 3.04; exercise: mean = 4.68, SD = 2.93) to post-test (control: mean = 4.03, SD = 2.73; exercise: mean = 1.91, SD = 1.90) in both groups (control group: t = 3.84, df = 46, p < 0.001; exercise group: t = 5.941, df = 47, p < 0.001), with more decrease witnessed in the exercise group. Repeated-measures analysis with a Huynh–Feldt correction showed the significant effect of time (F = 27.383, p < 0.001) as well as the study group by time interaction (F = 3.52, p = 0.024). Tai Chi can ameliorate the drug craving in women and it could be a supportive treatment for drug addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palliative care is a growing medical specialty focusing on providing compassionate and holistic management for those facing life-threatening diseases. These patients frequently present with physical, functional, emotional, and psychosocial problems that require comprehensive interdisciplinary management. However, there is a substantial opportunity to improve care for patients in palliative care who also have a substance use disorder (SUD). These opportunities include direct provision of SUD treatments by specialist palliative care providers and the integration of physical medicine and rehabilitation services. The purpose of this article is to examine the misunderstood and underutilized interaction between palliative care and SUDs, as well as describing the unique opportunities provided by physical medicine and rehabilitation providers to achieve a patient's palliative care goals and optimize overall quality of life. Substance Use Disorder is a chronic, often relapsing, illness that is relevant to palliative care practice due to the potential for significant morbidity and mortality through organ failure, chronic infections, and overdose syndromes. In traditional palliative care practice, it has been observed that past or current SUD diagnoses are often left untreated, resulting in increased distress, and exacerbating an already complex medical situation. Furthermore, many of these patients also experience physical, functional, or psychosocial changes that, when left untreated, will worsen distress and quality of life. To provide more comprehensive and successful palliative care for patients with SUD, the authors recommend an increased emphasis on specialist palliative care training in SUD management, proactive integration of rehabilitation services into the palliative care team, and consistent advocacy for these steps in various arenas. Combined, these actions can improve the care team's ability to provide a holistic, patient-centered approach that can have substantial positive outcomes for patients, health systems, and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mental health and substance use services for youth in Canada continue to be fragmented. In response, Integrated Youth Services (IYS) has been proposed to address gaps in youth mental health services that can lead to improved youth outcomes. Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) was launched in 2017 as Ontario's IYS Network for youth ages 12–25, prioritizing continuous improvement through evaluation. Description: At the end of the first three years of the YWHO initiative, an evaluation was carried out to identify the barriers and facilitators to the initial implementation of YWHO and service delivery modifications resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic across ten sites. Reporting on these is the focus of this article. Key informant interviews were conducted in early 2021 with Network Leads from all ten initial YWHO sites. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze all interview data. Discussion: Facilitators to the implementation of the YWHO model included diversified funding models, YWHO Provincial Office implementation supports, clear hub processes, robust community partnerships, organizational support and dedicated staff. Common barriers included certain challenges related to staffing and finances, implementation of the shared data collection platform, implementation of measurement-based care, partnerships, integrated service delivery, and branding and communications. Conclusion: Implementation of IYS is highly collaborative and quite complex. As interest in such models increase, so does the need for knowledge related to optimal implementation. Learnings have informed developments and improvements made to the YWHO model. Insights will also inform how stakeholders support youth in their communities in designing and implementing services that improve youth mental health and overall well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many experts in the etiology, assessment, and treatment of substance use/addiction view stigma and stigmatization – negatively branding addiction and substance users – as obstacles to the solution of the substance misuse problem. Discussions on this topic impact research and policy, and result in oft-repeated calls to remove the stigma from substance use and users. The goal of the article is to analyze the stigmatization concept as applied to substance use/addiction. It is widely accepted in the literature that stigmatization negatively affects substance users because addiction stigma interferes in both seeking and receiving professional care. It is argued that the societal disapproval of substance use/addiction is inappropriate because it is a mental disorder, involving biological processes. Nonetheless, neither those processes nor negative attitudes towards substance use affirm the concept of stigmatization as currently applied. This concept conflates potential mistreatment and malpractice with the prosocial justified societal disapproval of a lethally dangerous behavior. Consequently, the stigmatization concept suffers from internal contradictions, is either misleading or redundant, and may do more harm than the supposed mistreatment of substance users that stigmatization connotes. On the contrary, the justified disapproval of harmful behavior may be a factor raising individual resistance to substance use. Instead of mitigating the effects of that disapproval, it may need to be capitalized on. If it is employed explicitly, conscientiously, and professionally, its internalization may be one of the resistance mechanisms needed to achieve any progress in the still elusive prevention of substance use and addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dual diagnosis is used in addiction medicine to refer to the co-occurrence of an addiction-related disorder and another psychiatric disorder in the same individual. Adolescence is a key period for the development of both mental disorders and addictions. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the relationships between psychiatric and addiction-related disorders in patients of the Outpatient Addiction Treatment Clinic for Children and Adolescents at the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague in 2015–2022. Methods: Data were retrospectively analyzed from the hospital's medical system, which collects basic diagnostic data on patients. Descriptive statistics and cluster analysis were performed to identify relationships between psychiatric and addiction-related disorders. Results: Of the 450 patients, 153 patients (34%) met the criteria for dual diagnosis. The most common addiction-related disorders were mental and behavioural disorders due to the use of cannabinoids (35%) and internet gaming disorder (35%). The most common psychiatric diagnoses were behavioural and emotional disorders with usual onset in childhood and adolescence (64%), with a lower prevalence in girls than in boys. Conclusions: These findings may be important for the diagnosis and treatment of risky behaviours and addictions in children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass communication is the essence of persuasive communication to the masses, and its dynamism is manifested through a variety of tools. Its general goals are usually achieved through the media, as a form of persuasive art that aims to influence individuals and groups through rational dialogue and emotional appeals, but with scientific and objective methods. In this context, drama plays a significant role as a media product with social, economic, cultural, and civilizational importance in preserving and developing societies within the framework of developmental media. Today, the drama industry has become an intellectual outlet for addressing social problems, incorporating functional elements that align with ethical frameworks and the commitment to credibility. The dramatic structure works to depict, solidify, and shape mental images of various social issues, intertwining technological and artistic factors within social and cultural contexts, while operating within scientific and methodological frameworks. Therefore, the nature of addressing drug abuse through television drama can be characterized by objectivity that serves societal interests. However, it may also experience dramatic deviations that could have negative repercussions on individual and societal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating drug addiction crisis in the United States underscores the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies. This study embarked on an innovative and rigorous strategy to unearth potential drug repurposing candidates for opioid and cocaine addiction treatment, bridging the gap between transcriptomic data analysis and drug discovery. We initiated our approach by conducting differential gene expression analysis on addiction-related transcriptomic data to identify key genes. We propose a novel topological differentiation to identify key genes from a protein–protein interaction network derived from DEGs. This method utilizes persistent Laplacians to accurately single out pivotal nodes within the network, conducting this analysis in a multiscale manner to ensure high reliability. Through rigorous literature validation, pathway analysis and data-availability scrutiny, we identified three pivotal molecular targets, mTOR, mGluR5 and NMDAR, for drug repurposing from DrugBank. We crafted machine learning models employing two natural language processing (NLP)-based embeddings and a traditional 2D fingerprint, which demonstrated robust predictive ability in gauging binding affinities of DrugBank compounds to selected targets. Furthermore, we elucidated the interactions of promising drugs with the targets and evaluated their drug-likeness. This study delineates a multi-faceted and comprehensive analytical framework, amalgamating bioinformatics, topological data analysis and machine learning, for drug repurposing in addiction treatment, setting the stage for subsequent experimental validation. The versatility of the methods we developed allows for applications across a range of diseases and transcriptomic datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an introduction to a tribute for Charles Melman, a prominent psychoanalyst and psychiatrist who passed away in 2022. The tribute was written by colleagues from the Association Lacanienne Internationale and aims to honor and make Melman's work better known to the English-speaking world. The tribute includes three texts: one on Melman's concept of the "new psychic economy" and its connection to neoliberalism, another on his studies on hysteria, and a third on a clinical phenomenon of psychosis called the "party wall." Melman was a student of Jacques Lacan and played a significant role in the psychoanalytic community, founding the Association Lacanienne Internationale and training generations of psychoanalysts. He also made contributions to the field of psychoanalysis through his writings and involvement in socially engaged projects. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Repeated exposure to cocaine induces microglial activation. Cocaine exposure also induces a release of high mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1) from neurons into the extracellular space in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). HMGB1 is an important late inflammatory mediator of microglial activation. However, whether the secretion of HMGB1 acts on microglia or contributes to cocaine addiction is largely unknown. Methods: Rats were trained by intraperitoneal cocaine administration and cocaine‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP). Expression of HMGB1 was regulated by viral vectors. Activation of microglia was inhibited by minocycline. Interaction of HMGB1 and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) was disrupted by peptide. Results: Cocaine injection facilitated HMGB1 signaling, together with the delayed activation of microglia concurrently in the NAc. Furthermore, the inhibition of HMGB1 or microglia activation attenuated cocaine‐induced CPP. Box A, a specific antagonist to interrupt the interaction of HMGB1 and RAGE, abolished the expression of cocaine reward memory. Meanwhile, the inhibition of HMGB1–RAGE interaction suppressed cocaine‐induced microglial activation, as well as the consolidation of cocaine‐induced memory. Conclusion: All above results suggest that the neural HMGB1 induces activation of microglia through RAGE, which contributes to the consolidation of cocaine reward memory. These findings offer HMGB1–RAGE axis as a new target for the treatment of drug addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: From 2014 to 2017, a manualized case management program adapted to the target group of aging opioid users was tested in Germany in a multicenter study. The aim was to analyze the feasibility of the procedure in the structures of the German addiction and drug treatment system and in different settings (low-threshold facilities, psychosocial counseling centers, assisted living homes). Methods: Quantitative data on 62 clients were collected in a pre-post design before the start of treatment and after completion of the six-month intervention. Quantitative data were also collected from 21 professionals in addition to qualitative interviews. Results: The results show that case management with older opioid users can be implemented, that changes are possible, and that both professionals and clients cope well with the process. The implementation differs depending on the setting. Case manager role diversity and duplicative treatment planning procedures complicate the implementation. Conclusions: Case management adapted to the target group and coordinated with other planning procedures could contribute to improving the living situation of older opioid users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical and preclinical research have demonstrated that short-term exposure to nicotine during the initial experimentation stage can lead to early manifestation of withdrawal-like signs, indicating the state of "acute dependence". As drug withdrawal is a major factor driving the progression toward regular drug intake, characterizing and understanding the features of early nicotine withdrawal may be important for the prevention and treatment of drug addiction. In this study, we corroborate the previous studies by showing that withdrawal-like signs can be precipitated after short-term nicotine exposure in mice, providing a potential animal model of acute dependence on nicotine. Results: To model nicotine exposure from light tobacco use during the initial experimentation stage, mice were treated with 0.5 mg/kg (-)-nicotine ditartrate once daily for 3 days. On the following day, the behavioral tests were conducted after implementing spontaneous or mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal. In the open field test, precipitated nicotine withdrawal reduced locomotor activity and time spent in the center zone. In the elevated plus maze test, the mecamylamine challenge increased the time spent in the closed arm and reduced the number of entries irrespective of nicotine experience. In the examination of the somatic aspect, precipitated nicotine withdrawal enhanced the number of somatic signs. Finally, nicotine withdrawal did not affect cognitive functioning or social behavior in the passive avoidance, spatial object recognition, or social interaction test. Conclusions: Collectively, our data demonstrate that early nicotine withdrawal-like signs could be precipitated by the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine in mice, and that early withdrawal from nicotine primarily causes physical symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between the public policies implemented and their impacts on addiction rehabilitation centers in the city of Mazatlán. The research was carried out using a qualitative methodological approach, using the focus group technique aimed at those in charge of said centers established in the city. Among the findings, the inefficiency of public policies stands out due to the lack of specific protocols for the treatment of addictions to new drugs of greater impact, such as crystal or methamphetamine, for which there are no specific treatment protocols. Finally, this work will contribute to generating new knowledge that will improve the regulations of rehabilitation centers, including specific procedures to combat emerging drugs that come onto the market, which will help prevent social problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tobacco use is a recognized risk factor for many chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer and microbial infections (respiratory tract infections, bacterial meningitis), etc. Material and Methods: A community-based "One group" interventional study was conducted to see the effect of cognitive behavioural therapy in reducing tobacco usage and its dependency among all the adult males population aged 18 years and above residing in Palam area of Delhi. Data was collected using a semi-structured, self-designed interview schedule to collect information from study subjects. Fagerstrom and Modified Fagerstrom questionnaire was used to assess the subject's nicotine dependence status. Result: The total population study was 274 out of which 105 were tobacco users. Out of 105,2 did not give consent for cognitive behaviour therapy.A total of 103 study subjects were given cognitive behavioral therapy and then followed at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months respectively, and analyzed for quitting at each follow-up. Study subjects who had quitted tobacco was 11 i.e. 10.6%. Change in Nicotine dependency was statistically significant. Conclusion: Cognitive behaviour therapy is found to be a very effective tool in reducing tobacco usage as well as nicotine dependency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data-driven techniques have utilized data mining and machine learning (ML) techniques in the biomedical and healthcare fields. The process of decision-making in uncertain contextual related to human addictions and emotions play an important role in the present research. The main aim of the research is to perform classification and generate a support system for uncertain addiction circumstances by proposing a technique for drug addiction treatment. The human behavior has majority shown challenges for the prediction of human behaviors that includes body poses estimation, movements and interaction with objects. This pose estimation has showed complexity with more pose aspects and the proposed research attempts to understand the human behaviors. The present research uses the local interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME) for finding the input features which are most important to generate a particular output based on decision service. LIME understands the model to perturb the data samples as an input and understands shows predictions change. Also, the ensemble classifier contains classifiers group that combines for performing the prediction of all unseen instances based on voting. The proposed LIME Feature-Ensemble classifier obtained 97.54% of accuracy when compared to the existing convolutional neural network (CNN) of 59.33% and Ensemble model of 93.33% accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Retention in abstinence-based treatment is often studied in the context of sociodemographic/clinical factors with scant literature on individual factors such as craving, personality, coping, and social support. Aims: A pilot study was conducted to assess the personality, coping strategies, social support, and craving during discharge, among individuals diagnosed with opioid (heroin) dependence syndrome and examine their retention into treatment and abstinence status at 3-month follow-up. Methods: Fifty-three male inpatients with heroin dependence were included in the study and their personality, coping strategies, social support, and craving for heroin were assessed using structured instruments, namely, Big Five Inventory-version 2 (BFI-2), coping strategies inventory (CSI), Social Support Questionnaire-Hindi adaptation, and Obsessive-Compulsive Drug Use Scale, respectively. The initial assessment was made at predischarge, followed by a 3-month follow-up for treatment retention and illicit opioid abstinence. Results: The mean age of the sample was 26.8 ± 8.6 years, with a mean duration of opioid use 6.6 ± 5.9 years. Around 80% (n = 43) followed up at 3 months, of whom 22 respondents reported sustained abstinence during the follow-up period. No significant differences were noted in the sociodemographic or clinical profile amongst those who remained in follow-up versus those who did not and based on who remained abstinent or not at 3 months. Problem-focused disengagement coping on CSI and openness-to-experiences scores on BFI-2 were significantly higher among individuals who did not follow up, while agreeableness scores on BFI were significantly elevated in those who remained abstinent. Conclusions: Although a small sample size, the study highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to match the particular coping mechanisms and personality traits of individuals grappling with opioid dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug addiction is a serious public health problem, related to several psychiatric and psychosocial problems. Drug users are generally inserted in a context of great social vulnerability, often associated with violence, poverty, and family conflicts. The effects on the cognitive sphere of drug user patients undergoing treatment at the Center for Psychosocial Care - Alcohol and Drugs (CAPS-AD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a diagnosis of crack dependence (CUD group - Drug Use Disorder) were evaluated. Cocaine) and/or alcohol (AUD group - Alcohol Use Disorder), according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This is a quantitative, exploratory, and descriptive research based on (sociodemographic research) and structured questionnaires (Frontal Assessment Battery, Mini-Mental State Examination, Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale, Cocaine ObsessiveCompulsive Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale). The results obtained after the application and interpretation of the questionnaires point to cognitive deterioration in drug users. At the same time, alcohol and drug users showed the worst results in the domains of attention/calculation, evocation memory and temporal/spatial orientation. The results obtained in the research showed that the users of alcohol and drugs participating in the research presented a worse result in the fields of attention/calculation, evocation memory and time/spatial orientation. This fact corroborates the hypothesis that the chronic use of alcohol and crack cocaine affects more directly prefrontal and temporal brain regions and the forebrain, areas responsible for abstract thoughts and planning, associations of thoughts and memories, attention, verbal fluency, memory visual, verbal memory, learning ability and executive functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use disorders have significant consequences for patients and those around them. A qualitative systematic review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of religiosity and spirituality (R/S) interventions based on Judeo-Christian principles during the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with substance dependence disorder. Studies of patients of both sexes, at any age, of any nationality, and from any geographic location who were participating in treatment programs with religious elements explicitly tied to Christianity or Judaism were eligible for inclusion. Other religious interventions were excluded. Seven electronic databases were searched to identify eligible intervention studies published in English until August 2021. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data. JBI tools were used to assess risk of bias. Of 146 articles retrieved for full text reading, five were ultimately included in this review published from July 2008 to August 2021. The R/S interventions used in the included studies were music therapy in a religious context, reading of the Bible or Torah, reflexive readings, personal prayer and reflection, and religiously integrated cognitive behavioral psychotherapy with or without a comparison group. Despite the broad search, there were found only a small number of studies and little homogeneity in the data of patients that reported positive impacts of treatments. Well-designed controlled studies are needed to truly investigate the efficacy of Judeo-Christian religious interventions for helping people with substance use problems, so as to strengthen the evidence of the benefits of these type of approaches in the treatment of drug addicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the role of microglia, immune cells in the central nervous system, in drug addiction. Microglia are activated when exposed to drugs and release inflammatory mediators that can lead to neuronal toxicity and synaptic dysfunction. Chronic drug abuse can also induce microglial priming, resulting in persistent neuroinflammation. The article explores potential therapeutic approaches for mitigating drug addiction by targeting microglia, such as inhibiting specific receptors and signaling pathways or depleting microglia. The concept of microglial replacement as a strategy for restoring normal microglial function is also discussed. The article emphasizes the need for further research in this area and the potential for personalized treatment strategies. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The adverse effects of addiction relapse have always been major challenges in addiction treatment. Perceived social support and childhood trauma are determinants of drug addiction and relapse prevention. The current study aimed to predict drug addiction relapse based on perceived social support and childhood trauma in drug addiction treatment centers in Qom, Iran. Methods: The present study examined 320 individuals, who visited drug addiction treatment centers in Qom, Iran and were selected using the purposive sampling method. The data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire, the Social Support Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), and the Addiction Relapse Frequency Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 and independent t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson test, and multivariate regression. Findings: The research results indicated that 49.4% (n = 158) of cases used opium. The results of multivariate regression of the factors related to addiction relapse indicated that the childhood trauma score had a significant effect on the relapse of more than 3 times in a way that childhood trauma increased the relapse rate of more than 3 times by 13%, but social support caused a significant reduction in the relapse rate of more than 3 times. Conclusion: The research findings indicated that addiction relapse had a significant relationship with childhood trauma and perceived social support. The results can be a guide for future studies to expand psychological knowledge about the determinants of the treatment and prevention of addiction relapse and help to develop psychological explanations of this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of drug abuse has been one of the most serious challenges to the healthcare system resulting in several psychological, medical, and social complications. The present study examines the effect of educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior on the prevention and risk reduction behavior of substance abuse in patients referred to drug addiction treatment centers in the southern region of Iran Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 130 addicts referred to Fasa Drug Addiction Treatment Center in 2020. A random sampling method was adopted to divide the samples into the control and experimental groups (n=65). Educational Intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior was followed in six forty-minute sessions in the experimental group. Data were analyzed by the paired t-test, independent t-test, and Chi-squared test using SPSS-22 software. Results: There was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention toward substance abuse preventive behavior before the educational intervention (P>0.05); however, there was a significant growth of attitude (53.06±4.48), subjective norms (35.34±3.65), perceived behavioral control (34.37±4.6), intention (7.38±1.92) toward substance abuse preventive behavior in the experimental group three months after the educational intervention (P<0.05). Conclusions: Educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior has effectively reduced substance abuse in the addicts treated with methadone. Accordingly, health system policymakers and managers can use the results of this study for planning and educational interventions in the prevention and risk reduction behavior of substance abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the degree to which counselors stigmatize individuals being treated for a SUD, and if specific characteristics predict stigma. Participants included 146 mental health counselors and chemical dependency counselors. A range of 15% to 26% of participants in both professions were found to hold stigma toward clients with SUDs, and all of the characteristics were found to have a proportion of variance ranging from.025 to.04 (or 2.5% to 4.0%). The results from this study warrant a need to explore predictors of stigma. Implications and recommendations to decrease stigma and improve the quality addiction treatment are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addiction treatment and sentencing methodologies are dynamic. Yet, at their intersection, a stagnant, inconsistent approach prevails. Section 9(3) of the Sentencing Act 2002 provides that "voluntary consumption" of intoxicants at the time of offending is not a factor that enables a sentence discount. Addiction, meanwhile, is a mitigating factor. This article examines the tension between s 9(3) and addiction at sentencing. First, it establishes how courts reconcile the two. The sample surveyed indicates that s 9(3) is inconsistently applied in addiction cases and triggers five different judicial responses. "Workarounds" which recognise addiction evidence under other names are common (especially as "rehabilitative potential", "personal hardship" or a separate mental health condition). Alternatively, some judges refuse to recognise addiction because of s 9(3). Others recognise addiction by omitting to consider the provision. This article then examines the harms of the current application of s 9(3). These include unequal access to addiction discounts, legal uncertainty and contravention of parliamentary intention. Finally, drawing on international comparisons, traditionalist criminalisation theory and holistic justice jurisprudence, this article proposes an alternative approach. It advocates appellate guidance which carves out addiction-based consumption as distinct from "voluntary consumption" in the short term. Taking a longer view, amendment of s 9(3) would be desirable to ensure policy concerns around intoxication are sufficiently balanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methamphetamine (Meth) withdrawal elicits anxiety, which is a public health concern with limited therapeutic options. Previous studies implied a strong correlation between mPFC and Meth withdrawal. Here, we examined the role of Gegen‐Qinlian decoction (GQD) in Meth withdrawal anxiety and explored potential therapeutic targets in mPFC. We found that intra‐gastric administration of GQD during the withdrawal period efficiently alleviated anxiety‐like behaviours in Meth‐withdrawn mice. Further, GQD could restore Meth withdrawal‐triggered pathway of GABAergic interneurons (GABA IN)‐pyramidal neurons (PN) in the mPFC of Meth‐withdrawn mice, especially the prelimbic cortex (PrL) sub‐region and PV‐positive GABA IN. While, GQD had no obvious effects on the glial cells in the mPFC of Meth‐withdrawn mice. By transcriptomic analysis and validation of several gene candidates, we found that genes in the MAPK signalling pathway, especially those related to heat shock proteins, including Hspa1a, Hspa1b and Hspb1, might be GQD‐targeting genes in mPFC to treat Meth withdrawal anxiety, as indicated that these genes were up‐regulated by Meth withdrawal but rescued by GQD in mPFC. Collectively, our findings identified for the first time that GQD could efficiently alleviate Meth withdrawal anxiety, partially through regulating the local GABA IN‐PN pathway and transcriptomic profile of mPFC. The present study confirms that TCM, such as GQD, will be a desirable therapeutic approach in the treatment of drug addiction and related emotional deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Our aim was to assess the use of dual/poly tobacco in a sample of pregnant women. Design: cross-sectional survey. Methods: Twenty prenatal care units in Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil. We evaluated 127 high-risk pregnant smokers during prenatal care. Those who were 12–38 weeks pregnant and were currently smoking conventional cigarettes. The study enrollment took place between January 2015 and December 2015. The dual/poly prevalence of tobacco products during pregnancy and the characteristics related to smoking in pregnant smokers through a specific questionnaire containing questions related to sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, gestational history, smoking history, secondhand smoke exposure, nicotine dependence, motivation stage and use of alternative forms of tobacco. Results: Mean age was 26.9 ± 6.6 years, most had only elementary education and belonged to lower income economic groups. Twenty-five (19.7%) smoked conventional cigarettes only while 102 used conventional and alternative forms of tobacco products. Smoking pack-years was significantly lower in those only smoking conventional cigarettes than in dual/poly users. Proportion of patients with elevated degree of nicotine dependence was higher in conventional cigarettes users. On the other side, alcohol intake was higher in dual/poly smokers when compared to conventional cigarettes group. The alternative forms of smoking were associated with significantly higher occurrences of comorbidities as pulmonary, cardiovascular and cancer. Conclusions for Practice: The prevalence of alternative forms users of smoking products is high during pregnancy. These data reinforce the importance of a family approach towards smoking in pregnant women and education about the risks of alternative forms of tobacco. Significance: What is Already Known? Studies show that the prevalence of pregnant women who consume alternative forms of tobacco is high, and that these types of smoking are also harmful to pregnancy. What this Study Adds? Our study describes the characteristics related to smoking in pregnant smokers and identifies dual/poly use of tobacco products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background • Drug addiction, or substance abuse disorder, has a long history. The use of a drug that causes dependence has been used in various religious and tribal initiation ceremonies. Currently, recreational use or peer modelling leads an individual to substance abuse. The magnitude of the problem of addiction increases multifold in the presence of stressors like broken families, joblessness, occupational stress, etc. Objectives • The de-addiction process is used to relieve an individual’s craving for the drug. It is a painful process, as several effects of withdrawal compel a person to return to the drugs again and again. Our aim is to explore the available literature on the use of Unani medicine for de-addiction. Methodology • We surveyed various classical books from the available literature for drug de-addiction in Unani medicine. Indexed journals were also surveyed for the available related material using various keywords like “opium addiction” and “Unani medicine and de-addiction ” and the information was filtered for this review. Results • We observed that there was an elaborate scheme for de-addiction in opium addiction and the process is so general that it could serve as a framework for the de-addiction process for other similar drugs. Conclusion • Unani medicine is significant in the literature as being among the the available de-addiction addiction processes and may furnish several leads for various herbal drugs that may be used for de-addiction in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present investigation aimed to explore the efficacy of schema therapy in enhancing the dimensions of interpersonal relationships among individuals undergoing treatment for drug addiction in the city of Sirjan (Iran). Methods: The research design employed was a semi-experimental approach, incorporating both control and experimental groups. The target population consisted of all drug addicts receiving treatment in Sirjan, while the sample size comprised 30 individuals, selected through the convenience sampling method and divided into two experimental groups (15 individuals each) and a control group (15 individuals). The experimental groups underwent schema therapy for a duration of 8 sessions, while data were collected using an interpersonal relationship questionnaire. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis of covariance using SPSS software version 26. Results: The findings of the data analysis revealed that the treatment protocol effectively influenced interpersonal relationships and their various dimensions, leading to improvement. Conclusions: According to our research outcomes, the implementation of schema therapy holds significant importance in the enhancement of interpersonal relationships dimensions throughout the duration of the therapeutic process for individuals receiving treatment for substance abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on opioid dependence treatment (ODT) in Western Australia, discussing the challenges faced by practitioners and services supporting patients with opioid addiction, highlighting recent developments in ODT, addressing the nationwide shortage of GP prescribers, and discussing the positive changes in ODT with the establishment of a new ODT community pharmacy program aimed at reducing the financial burden on patients.

This article discusses the case of a Parkinson's disease patient who experienced improvement in cocaine and dopamine abuse after undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the subthalamic nucleus (STN). The patient had a history of severe cocaine addiction and impulse control disorder (ICD) induced by dopamine replacement therapy. After STN-DBS, the patient no longer used cocaine, experienced a decrease in dopamine dependence, and had improved motor symptoms. However, the patient developed apathy and a mild depressive state, which may be a side effect of the surgery. The article suggests that STN-DBS may be a potential treatment for certain forms of addiction. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Opioids are the leading cause of overdose death in the United States, accounting for almost 70,000 deaths in 2020. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising new treatment for substance use disorders. Here, we hypothesized that VTA DBS would modulate both the dopaminergic and respiratory effect of oxycodone. Methods: Multiple-cyclic square wave voltammetry (M-CSWV) was used to investigate how deep brain stimulation (130 Hz, 0.2 ms, and 0.2 mA) of the rodent ventral segmental area (VTA), which contains abundant dopaminergic neurons, modulates the acute effects of oxycodone administration (2.5 mg/kg, i.v.) on nucleus accumbens core (NAcc) tonic extracellular dopamine levels and respiratory rate in urethane-anesthetized rats (1.5 g/kg, i.p.). Results: I.V. administration of oxycodone resulted in an increase in NAcc tonic dopamine levels (296.9 ± 37.0 nM) compared to baseline (150.7 ± 15.5 nM) and saline administration (152.0 ± 16.1 nM) (296.9 ± 37.0 vs. 150.7 ± 15.5 vs. 152.0 ± 16.1, respectively, p = 0.022, n = 5). This robust oxycodone-induced increase in NAcc dopamine concentration was associated with a sharp reduction in respiratory rate (111.7 ± 2.6 min-1 vs. 67.9 ± 8.3 min-1; pre- vs. postoxycodone; p < 0.001). Continuous DBS targeted at the VTA (n = 5) reduced baseline dopamine levels, attenuated the oxycodone-induced increase in dopamine levels to (+39.0% vs. +95%), and respiratory depression (121.5 ± 6.7 min-1 vs. 105.2 ± 4.1 min-1; pre- vs. post-oxycodone; p = 0.072). Discussion: Here we demonstrated VTA DBS alleviates oxycodone-induced increases in NAcc dopamine levels and reverses respiratory suppression. These results support the possibility of using neuromodulation technology for treatment of drug addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol dependence is characterized by the abnormal release of dopamine in the brain reward‐related areas. Trace amine‐associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) is a G protein‐coupled receptor that negatively regulates dopamine neurotransmission and thus is a promising target in the treatment of drug addiction. However, the role of TAAR1 in the regulation of alcohol abuse remains understudied. Here, we assessed the effect of TAAR1 activation on alcohol drinking behaviours of C57Bl/6J female mice housed in IntelliCages. The animals were administered with either vehicle or TAAR1 full selective agonist, RO5256390, and tested for alcohol consumption, alcohol preference and motivation for alcohol seeking. We found that mice with the highest preference for alcohol (high drinkers) in the RO5256390 group consumed less alcohol and had lower alcohol preference in comparison with high drinkers in the vehicle group, during 20 h of free alcohol access (FAA). We also found decreased alcohol consumption and alcohol preference comparing all animals in the RO5256390 to all animals in the vehicle group, during 20 h of FAA performed after the abstinence. These effects of RO5256390 lasted for the first 24 h after administration that roughly corresponded to the compound level in the brain, measured by mass spectrometry. Finally, we found that administration of RO5256390 may attenuate motivation for alcohol seeking. Taken together, our findings reveal that activation of TAAR1 may transiently reduce alcohol drinking; thus, TAAR1 is a promising target for the treatment of alcohol abuse and relapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opium tincture (OT) is one of the common drugs in the treatment of addiction. However, the metabolism of its chemical compounds (e.g. morphine) may be side effects on liver. The present study aimed to the effect of OT on liver tissue in animal model and also, evaluated outcome of dose-depended of chicory extract on hepatotoxicity. In the present study, 70Wistar rats were divided into 10 groups: 1. Control, 2. Vehicle, 3. Therapeutics groups (T1: 0.2 mL of OT, T2: 0.15 mL of OT, T3: 0.1 mL of OT, TC1: 0.15 mL of OT and 100 mg/kg of chicory, TC2: 0.15 mL of OT and 250 mg/kg of chicory, TC3: 0.15 mL of OT and 400 mg/kg chicory, CT1: 0.2 mL of OT and 250 mg/kg of chicory, CT2: 0.1 mL of OT and 250 mg/kg of chicory). The enzymes level of liver were measured. Also, the histopathological analysis were performed. The evaluation of liver enzymes level showed a significant difference between T1 and vehicle groups (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between groups received to chicory compared with vehicle group. Also, the mean of hepatocytes diameter and number of Kupffer cells significantly increase in T1 and T2 groups compared with vehicle group (P < 0.05). Administration of high concentration of OT may cause hepatotoxicity and it seems that 0.1 mL concentration of OT (2 mg of morphine) may be suitable in addiction withdrawal. Also, the chicory extract in a dose-dependent manner is useful in reduction of hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In France, addiction care in prison usually consists of nurses' interventions, medical care and socio-educational programs, but new alternatives have arisen, namely the therapeutic community (TC) model. This pilot study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this prison-based TC in comparison with classic and socio-educational care offered in French prisons. Methods: To compare these three types of prison-based care, two detention centers' files were screened for use of multiple drugs, willingness to participate and absence of psychiatric comorbidities incompatible with group therapy. A custom questionnaire was built based on the fifth version of the Addiction Severity Index. It investigates medical status, employment and support, primary addiction status, legal status, social/familial status and psychiatric status through various items. Results: Our sample only consisted of male repeat offenders with a mean age of 37.7 ± (9.1) years. Primary addiction status improvement was observed for all care studied but was more important in TC than in classic care. Self-esteem and social/familial status saw significant improvement throughout TC care. Conclusions: The TC model represents an alternative to classic and socio-educational care in French prisons. More studies are needed to assess the extent of the benefits provided on both the medical side and economic side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]