Health · Addictions
how do advertising practices influence prescription opioid misuse rates?
Aggressive commercial promotion of opioid products altered clinician perceptions of benefits and risks and contributed to higher prescribing volumes that increased opportunities for misuse. Roger A. Van Zee Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical
how does air pollution exposure influence risk of substance use disorders?
Air pollution exposures are increasingly recognized as a contributor to vulnerabilities in mental health and substance use. Evidence from environmental health research links airborne particulate matter and combustion-related pollutants to
how does cannabis legalization affect rates of cannabis use disorder?
Legalization of cannabis changes the pattern of harms and health service needs, and evidence indicates an increased, though heterogeneous, risk of cannabis use disorder across populations. Researchers and public health
what role does physical exercise play in improving addiction recovery outcomes?
Physical activity plays a measurable role in improving addiction recovery outcomes by acting on brain systems, mood, sleep, and social connection. Evidence-based commentary from Nora D. Volkow National Institute on
how should chronic pain be managed to minimize opioid addiction risk?
Chronic pain management should balance effective relief with strategies that reduce the risk of opioid addiction. multimodal care and opioid stewardship are central: combine nonpharmacologic therapies, non-opioid medications, careful patient
how does prenatal substance exposure affect addiction risk in offspring?
Prenatal exposure to alcohol, nicotine, opioids, or other substances alters fetal brain development in ways that increase later vulnerability to substance use disorders. Research by Nora D. Volkow at the
after the storm: new research shows natural disasters and power outages drive a hidden surge in relapse — how cities are rewriting emergency care for people in recovery?
Natural disasters and prolonged power outages increase relapse risk among people in recovery by combining psychological stressors with concrete treatment disruptions. Research led by Kate Flory at the University of
do vaping flavors increase likelihood of nicotine addiction among teenagers?
Evidence from public health agencies and nicotine researchers indicates that flavored e-cigarettes increase the likelihood of nicotine addiction among teenagers. Flavors lower the sensory barriers to inhaling aerosol, making initiation
what biomarkers predict relapse risk in stimulant use disorder?
Relapse after stimulant use is associated with measurable biological signals that reflect brain dopamine function, stress responsivity, and systemic physiology. Multiple research groups have linked these markers to risk, suggesting
what role does the gut microbiome play in addiction vulnerability?
The gut hosts a dense microbial community whose composition and activity shape physiology beyond digestion. Emerging research by John F. Cryan University College Cork and Timothy G. Dinan University College