The American journal on addictions
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Prescription drug abuse has been a focus of public health concern over the past two decades with many studies addressing patterns of narcotic analgesic abuse and diversion. Most research in this domain has centered on controlled substances with known abuse liability. However, the scientific literature has been virtually silent regarding other prescribed medications with previously undocumented addictive potential, such as antiretroviral (ARV) medications for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus. ⋯ This article reviews the evidence to date of an emerging problem of diversion and misuse of ARV medications for recreational purposes. Implications of ARV misuse and diversion are discussed with suggestions for future research and intervention.
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Cues associated with heroin use (eg, needles, powder) elicit robust craving responses in individuals dependent upon heroin. Elevated cue-induced craving may be a risk factor for relapse and can persist after periods of drug abstinence. Despite the growing prevalence of opioid dependence involving prescription opioids, published studies have yet to examine whether cue-induced craving is also present in prescription opioid dependence. ⋯ As elevated craving reactivity to drug cues may reflect a risk factor for relapse, understanding the nature of cue-induced craving in individuals with opioid dependence is important to improving treatments for this population.
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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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Despite recent increases in crystal methamphetamine use among high-risk populations such as street-involved youth, few prospective studies have examined the health and social outcomes associated with active crystal methamphetamine use. ⋯ Evidence-based strategies to prevent and treat crystal methamphetamine use are urgently needed.