The American journal on addictions
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Psychometric assessment of the Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System and the MOTHER NAS Scale.
The present study examined the psychometric characteristics of the Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (NASS; "Finnegan Scale") and the MOTHER NAS Scale (MNS). ⋯ This study found that two frequently used measures of neonatal abstinence syndrome suffer inadequacies in regard to their basic measurement characteristics. (Am J Addict 2016;25:370-373).
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of varenicline, nicotine or placebo on depressive symptoms in postmenopausal smokers.
Varenicline carries a black box warning for neuropsychiatric adverse events. ⋯ Pharmacologic aids did not increase depression symptoms in this select population of postmenopausal women without current depression. Smoking cessation does increase depressive symptoms in those with LH-MDD, though the degree of increase was not clinically meaningful.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
The relationship between primary prescription opioid and buprenorphine-naloxone induction outcomes in a prescription opioid dependent sample.
This analysis aims to: (1) compare induction experiences among participants who self-reported using one of the four most commonly reported POs, and (2) examine factors associated with difficult bup-nx induction. Our hypothesis, based on previous research and current guidelines, is that those on longer-acting opioids will have experienced more difficult inductions. ⋯ Difficult bup-nx inductions were not associated with participants' primary PO. Severity of withdrawal, measured with the COWS, was an important variable, reminding clinicians that bup-nx should not be commenced prior to evidence of moderate opioid withdrawal. These findings add to the evidence that with careful procedures, bup-nx can used with few difficulties in PO-dependent patients. (Am J Addict 2014;23:343-348).
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Early outcomes following low dose naltrexone enhancement of opioid detoxification.
Although withdrawal severity and treatment completion are the initial focus of opioid detoxification, post-detoxification outcome better defines effective interventions. Very low dose naltrexone (VLNTX) in addition to methadone taper was recently associated with attenuated withdrawal intensity during detoxification. ⋯ VLNTX addition was also associated with higher rates of negative drug tests for opioids and cannabis and increased engagement in outpatient treatment after one week. Further studies are needed to test the utility of this approach in easing the transition from detoxification to various follow-up treatment modalities designed to address opioid dependence.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A preliminary trial: double-blind comparison of nefazodone, bupropion-SR, and placebo in the treatment of cannabis dependence.
The present study investigated the efficacy of nefazodone and bupropion-sustained release for treating cannabis dependence. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, piggy back design was employed to assess if nefazodone and bupropion-sustained release increased the probability of abstinence from cannabis and reduced the severity of cannabis dependence and cannabis withdrawal symptoms during a 13-week outpatient treatment program. ⋯ There were no significant effects demonstrated for nefazodone and bupropion-sustained release on cannabis use or cannabis withdrawal symptoms. The results indicate nefazodone and bupropion-sustained release may have limited efficacy in treating cannabis dependence.