Clinical and forensic signs related to opioids abuse.
Authors: Dinis-Oliveira RJ, Carvalho F, Moreira R, Duarte JA, Proenca JB, Santos A, Magalhaes T
Abstract
For a good performance in Clinical and Forensic Toxicology it is important to be aware of the biological and non-biological signs and symptoms related to xenobiotic exposure. This manuscript highlights and analyzes clinical and forensic imaging related to opioids abuse critically. Particularly, respiratory depression, track marks and hemorrhages, skin "popping", practices of phlebotomy, tissue necrosis and ulceration, dermatitis, tongue hyperpigmentation, "coma blisters", intra-arterial administration, ...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Substance-related disorders and somatic symptoms: how should clinicians understand the associations?
Authors: Yoshimasu K
Abstract
There are five major patterns which explain the associations between somatic symptoms and substance-related disorders (SRD) in patients without organic disorders. They are withdrawal somatic symptoms, somatic symptoms related to co-morbid mental disorders, those related to co-morbid infectious diseases, functional intractable somatic symptoms (including somatoform disorders), and symptoms associated with intoxication. Those somatic symptoms that occur according to those five patterns might overlap each other, making it difficult for physicians to precisely grasp the associatio...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Single chemical entity legal highs: assessing the risk for long term harm.
Authors: McNabb CB, Russell BR, Caprioli D, Nutt DJ, Gibbons S, Dalley JW
Abstract
A recent and dramatic increase in the emergence of novel psychoactive substances ('legal highs') has left many governments unable to provide a timely response to an increasing number of potentially harmful drugs now available to the public. In response to this rapid increase in lawful drug use, the UK government intends to implement temporary class drug orders, whereby substances with a potential for misuse and harm can be regulated for a 12 month period. During this period an investigation of the potential for harms induced...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Efficacy of contingency management for cocaine dependence treatment: a review of the evidence.
Authors: Schierenberg A, van Amsterdam J, van den Brink W, Goudriaan AE
Abstract
Cocaine dependence causes serious individual and social harm and a considerable proportion of substance related treatment capacity is devoted to cocaine dependent persons. In the absence of approved pharmacotherapies, other treatments for cocaine dependence should be explored. In this review, the efficacy of Contingency Management (CM), a promising behavior therapy using operant conditioning, is evaluated for the treatment of cocaine dependence. A systematic evaluation of 19 studies with a total of 1,664 patients showed that C...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Editorial: Cognitive enhancement: are we barking up the wrong tree?
Authors: Scholey A, Stough C, Verster JC
PMID: 23252915 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews)
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Cognitive function in ecstasy naive abstinent drug dependants and MDMA users.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that despite a 6-month prolonged abstinence the cognitive deficits ostensibly caused by 'heavy' usage or the dependence on or abuse of illicit drugs are not reversed by abstinence.
PMID: 23259912 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews)
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone intoxication in children - how strong is the risk?
Authors: Soyka M
Abstract
Opioid maintenance therapy with methadone or buprenorphine is an established and first-line treatment for opioid dependence. Risk of diversion and toxicity of opioid prescription drugs, including buprenorphine, causes significant concerns. This is particularly the case in the United States, where the number of related emergency visits is increasing, especially in children. A systematic literature research (Medline, Pubmed) was performed to assess the risk associated with buprenorphine. The search, which was not limited to particular publication years, was performed with the key wo...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Cigarette smoking in methadone maintained patients: an up-to-date review.
Authors: Zirakzadeh A, Shuman C, Stauter E, Hays JT, Ebbert JO
Abstract
Tobacco dependence is the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States. While smoking prevalence among U.S. adults is 19.3%, the prevalence of smoking among methadone-maintained patients ranges between 73.5% and 94%. Most methadone-maintained smokers (76%-80%) desire to quit smoking; however only a minority of these smokers receive cessation treatment or referrals for smoking cessation intervention. Smoking cessation treatment in methadone-maintained patients has generally been successful in reducing the daily...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Ibogaine in the treatment of substance dependence.
This article reviews the history of ibogaine's use in the treatment of drug addiction, and discusses progress made towards, and obstacles blocking, the establishment of controlled clinical trials of ibogaine's efficacy. Preclinical research has generally supported anecdotal claims that ibogaine attenuates withdrawal symptoms and reduces drug cravings. Concerns about ibogaine's safety, as well as a dearth of solid data from human studies, have hampered progress in its development as an approved medication. This article outlines major findings from preclinical studies, discusses concerns about ibogaine's safety, and details ...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Studying the effects of classic hallucinogens in the treatment of alcoholism: rationale, methodology, and current research with psilocybin.
This article will first provide a brief review of the research literature providing direct and indirect support for the possible therapeutic effects of classic hallucinogens such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in the treatment of addictions. Having provided a rationale for clinical investigation in this area, we discuss design issues in clinical trials using classic hallucinogens, some of which are unique to this class of drug. We then discuss the current status of this field of research and design considerations in future randomized trials.
PMID: 23627783 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Ayahuasca-assisted therapy for addiction: results from a preliminary observational study in Canada.
CONCLUSIONS: This form of ayahuasca-assisted therapy appears to be associated with statistically significant improvements in several factors related to problematic substance use among a rural aboriginal population. These findings suggest participants may have experienced positive psychological and behavioral changes in response to this therapeutic approach, and that more rigorous research of ayahuasca-assisted therapy for problematic substance use is warranted.
PMID: 23627784 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews)
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Salvia divinorum: a psychopharmacological riddle and a mind-body prospect.
Authors: Diaz JL
Abstract
The multidisciplinary research on Salvia divinorum and its chemical principles is analyzed concerning whether the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, mental effects, and neuropharmacology of this sacred psychoactive plant and main principle clarify its experienced effects and divinatory uses. The scientific pursuit spans from the traditional practices, continues with the botanical identification, isolation of active molecules, characterization of mental and neural effects, possible therapeutic applications, and impinges upon the mind-body problem. The departure point is ethnopharmacology...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Can MDMA play a role in the treatment of substance abuse?
Authors: Jerome L, Schuster S, Yazar-Klosinski BB
Abstract
A wider array of treatments are needed for people with substance abuse disorders. Some psychedelic compounds have been assessed as potential substance abuse treatments with promising results. MDMA may also help treat substance abuse based on shared features with psychedelic compounds and recent reports indicating that MDMAassisted psychotherapy can reduce symptoms of PTSD. Narrative reports and data from early investigations found that some people reduced or eliminated their substance use after receiving MDMA, especially in a therapeutic setting. M...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Smoking cessation in people with schizophrenia.
CONCLUSIONS: Intervention development must include strategies to overcome barriers to smoking cessation that are most relevant to individuals with schizophrenia and focus on translating short term gains into long term abstinence.
PMID: 23721094 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews)
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
Methadone maintenance treatment and cognitive function: a systematic review.
Authors: Wang GY, Wouldes TA, Russell BR
Abstract
Methadone has been used as a pharmacotherapy for the treatment of opiate dependence since the mid-1960s. Many studies examining the benefits of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for opiate dependence have documented a significant reduction in both criminal behavior and the use of other opiates. Nevertheless, emerging evidence suggests that MMT may impair cognitive function. However, it is unclear as to the part methadone dose, duration of MMT or plasma level may play in any observed deficits. Given the large number of people enrolled in MMT world-wide a...
Source: Current Drug Abuse Reviews - November 14, 2014 Category: Addiction Tags: Curr Drug Abuse Rev Source Type: research
