Some people use drugs and alcohol as a way to relieve anxiety, depression, anger, and other unwanted feelings. This is called “self-medication,” and now a new study indicates that people who self-medicate this way are more likely to develop substance abuse disorders.
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Recent research into the nature of drug addiction is pointing to the connection between specific brain regions, and utilizing technology in methods not previously performed. Called optogenetics, the research explores the way the brain reacts to rewards and uses manipulations of key brain regions and could provide knowledge experts haven’t seen before.
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A young mother attending her children’s school functions and sports events might not be the typical picture of a person with a drug addiction, but it’s an alarming and growing reality, say experts. Recent articles have highlighted moms who have had children removed from the home or who have spent time incarcerated for drug use. The proverbial soccer mom may resort to stimulants to keep up with a busy schedule, or Xanax to relieve the stress of multiple responsibilities.
Read more about Addiction and Moms: Numbers Rising, But Many Keep Problem Secret
What happens when pills resembling a popular candy are abused, and then given a popular term? A dangerous and life-threatening mix results, especially for middle school and high school students, experts warn.
Called “skittling,” the term refers to young people substituting cough suppressants and a decongestant or antihistamine, often found in a little red pill, for the red candies found in a Skittles bag. Then the drugs are consumed by the handful.
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Baby Boomers, representing 78 million Americans, may also represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the population to experiment with drugs, say experts.
Read more about Drug Abuse Numbers Rapidly Rising Among Baby Boomer Generation
People who use hand sanitizer frequently, especially formulas containing alcohol, may see unexpected positive results in alcohol use tests, says a University of Florida study.
Vaccines are a hot topic in the medical community. With parents across the nation debating whether to give their children vaccinations that most doctors consider to be unquestionably the best option for preventing some serious diseases, it has become a divisive issue.
According to a new report in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, scientists are creating three formulations that could be used in a vaccine to treat methamphetamine addiction.
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A new study has found that Aboriginal youth not living on reservations in Canada use tobacco, alcohol, and drugs significantly more than non-Aboriginal youth, and have more health risks. Most Aboriginals in Canada live off-reserve, and those age 15 and older are more likely than non-Aboriginals to have chronic health conditions, to drink heavily, and to use tobacco and marijuana.
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A potentially vital part of methamphetamine research comes in a very tiny package – the fruit fly. Researchers are studying the impact of methamphetamines on the molecular function of fruit flies, and looking to see what other systems are affected, in hopes of learning more about how the drug impacts human systems and pathways – and encountering surprising findings, including some related to cancer research.
Read more about Fruit Flies Reveal Surprising Findings About Impact of Meth on Human Body