Top 10 developments in addiction research

Addiction research has become increasingly significant as the opioid epidemic worsens and gains attention as a substantial public health issue.

The most looked at addiction and substance use disorder researcher on Healio.com/Psychiatry includes CDC reporting on drug overdose death rates, pharmacotherapy for alcohol addiction, combination treatments for opioid addiction, federal funding of needle exchange programs, and more.

Congress lifts ban on federal funding of needle exchange programs

As part of the budget deal made in December 2015, Congress lifted its ban on federal funding of needle exchange programs, according to a press release from the National Council for Behavioral Health. Read more

Drug overdose deaths double from 2000 to 2014; opioids play significant role

Drug overdose deaths have more than doubled since 2000 and deaths involving opioids increased 14% from 2013 to 2014, according to recent findings from the CDC. Read more

SAMHSA names new Center for Substance Abuse Treatment director

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently announced the appointment of Kimberly A. Johnson, PhD, of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, as the director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Read more

Meta-analysis shows limited efficacy of nalmefene for alcohol addiction

A recently published meta-analysis suggests limited efficacy of nalmefene for the treatment of alcohol addiction. Read more

Review calls for further research on combination treatments for opioid addiction

Findings from a systematic review generally support the efficacy of psychosocial interventions in conjunction with medications to treat opioid addiction, though evidence is significantly lacking. Read more

Buprenorphine yields lower mortality risk during first weeks of opioid substitution therapy

Individuals receiving buprenorphine had lower mortality risk during the first 4 weeks of opioid substitution therapy compared with those receiving methadone; however, there was little difference between the two treatments thereafter. Read more

Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grant still needed, despite Medicaid expansion

Substance Abuse Block Grants will continue to be significant for uninsured, low-income individuals to pay for specialty substance use treatment, despite expected increases in Medicaid enrollment, according to recent findings. Read more

Tamper-resistant drugs may not solve opioid addiction epidemic

Tamper-resistant drugs cannot solve the opioid addiction crisis, according to Pamela Leece, MD, MSc, of the University of Toronto, and colleagues. Read more

Study: Overuse of smartphones harmful to adolescents

SAN FRANCISCO – Adolescents who overuse their smartphones are at greater risk for more severe psychopathologies, thus psychiatrists should screen for smartphone addiction as well as Internet/computer addiction, Jonghun Lee, MD, PhD, said here. Read more

NIAAA to conduct clinical trial of Horizant for severe alcohol use disorder

The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recently announced it is conducting a clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of Horizant to treat severe alcohol use disorder. Read more