The Latest News from Our Field

We curate a digest of the latest news in our field for advocates, policymakers, community coalitions and all who work toward shaping policies and practices to effectively prevent substance use and treat addiction. Sign up here to receive weekly updates straight to your inbox.

The use of long-term opioid agonist and partial agonist medication is often reserved for older opioid-dependent individuals, while a brief detoxification with medication or medication-free treatment is offered to younger individuals. In a randomized trial, researchers evaluated the efficacy of buprenorphine-naloxone tapers of 2 versus 12 weeks in younger subjects.

Universal Screening, Assessment, and Treatment of Substance Use at Prenatal Visits Improves Obstetric Outcomes

Substance use during pregnancy remains a serious problem. This study examined whether Early Start, a coordinated program of prenatal substance abuse screening, treatment, and patient/provider education improved perinatal outcomes.

The Effectiveness of a Brief Intervention for Illicit Drugs in Primary Health Care Settings

Brief intervention (BI) can decrease alcohol consumption among some patients with nondependent unhealthy use. But does BI have efficacy for illicit drugs? The World Health Organization published the first randomized trial of drug BI.

Crack Cocaine's Effect on HIV Disease Progression in Women: What Are the Major Outcomes?

The role of individual substances on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression has been a complicated puzzle. This study looks at the impact of crack cocaine use among HIV-positive women in the Women's Interagency Cohort Study between 1996 and 2004, the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Effectiveness of a Smoking Cessation Intervention in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Patients in treatment for substance use disorders have a high prevalence of smoking. Treating nicotine dependence in substance abuse treatment (SAT) settings, however, is uncommon. Researchers conducted a randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a smoking cessation intervention in SAT programs.

Reduction in Drinking During Alcohol Treatment Reduces Hypertension

Studies of persons with hypertension have demonstrated a reduction in blood pressure if heavy alcohol consumption is reduced or eliminated, but few studies have focused on persons who met criteria for alcohol dependence. This large, multi-center study of alcohol dependence treatment analyzed data over a 16-week treatment period.

New York Trains Counselors to Treat Dual Diagnosis

New York's Medicaid program has long hindered comprehensive treatment for people with co-occurring addiction and mental-health problems, but now the state is training more counselors to provide services to dually diagnosed patients.

Some Needle-Exchange Counselors Fall Victim to Heroin Use

Needle-exchange programs have been credited with saving many lives by preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS among injection-drug users, but some counselors at the harm-reduction programs have been fatally tempted by easy availability of heroin.

New Mexico Puts Medical Marijuana Regulations in Place

The state of New Mexico will issue ID cards to medical-marijuana users, allow qualified patients to grow their own marijuana, and permit nonprofit groups to produce and distribute the drug to medical users under final regulations released last week.

Army Proposes Suspension of Counseling Notification Policy

Less Than One in Five Inmates Needing Addiction Treatment Gets Help, NIDA Reports

Feds, Most States Fail to Protect Public from Tobacco-Related Illnesses, Group Says

Images of Smoking May Trigger Relapse

Legislators Move to Renew Children’s Insurance Program

Legislators Move to Renew Children's Insurance Program

A bill to reauthorize a popular children's health insurance program is expected to be ready for President-elect Obama's signature soon after the inauguration.

New Treatment Methods for Returning Troops Sought

The U.S. government and experts from academia are looking for new ways to treat the growing number of American troops with addiction problems and post-traumatic stress disorders.

New York Gov. Slams Harsh Drug Laws, Calls for Reform

New York Gov. David Paterson harshly criticized his state's Rockefeller-era drug laws and called for reforming sentences for drug possession.

U.S. Prepares Border 'Surge' to Protect Against Drug Violence

The U.S. government is prepared to increase Border Patrol and possibly military law enforcement as part of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) plan to deal with drug-related violence spilling across the border with Mexico.

Drugs Top Agenda for Obama’s Meeting with Mexican President

U.S. Prepares Border ’Surge’ to Protect Against Drug Violence

Drugs Top Agenda for Obama's Meeting with Mexican President

Mexico's bloody war with drug traffickers was at the top of the agenda as President-elect Barack Obama met with Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Monday.

NIDA Releases New Report on Comorbidity of Addiction and Other Mental Illnesses

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