Addiction
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Previous research has shown that a substantial proportion of smokers believe that nicotine causes serious diseases such as cancer, possibly deterring the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation or smoking reduction. This study examined beliefs about the harms specifically from long-term use of NRT and associations between these and its use for smoking cessation and smoking reduction. ⋯ A significant minority of smokers in England believe that the use of nicotine replacement therapy for a year or more is harmful. However, belief that long-term nicotine replacement therapy use can cause health harm does not appear to act as a deterrent to using it in a quit attempt or for smoking reduction.
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The rapid emergence of myriad substances openly marketed as 'legal highs' is straining traditional drug control systems which require time and basic scientific data on harms to react, presenting governments with the dilemma of no response or a disproportionate response. Some countries have side-stepped this using novel policy and legislative approaches. Should other countries consider them? ⋯ Every EU country should have existing laws for protecting public health that can be applied swiftly yet proportionately to new drugs appearing on the open market with minimum political involvement. It seems the key is the speed, not the weight, of response. Given support for their enforcement mechanisms, these systems might be as effective and more efficient than the old ones.
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Review Meta Analysis
Evidence of HIV epidemics among non-injecting drug users in Iran: a systematic review.
In Iran, injecting drug users have been recognized as a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS for years. However, evidence of HIV epidemics in non-injecting drug users (non-IDUs) has also been found in recent years. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the prevalence of HIV in non-IDUs in Iran. ⋯ Iran is facing a major HIV epidemic among non-injecting illicit drug users, which necessitates an urgent preventive response.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Differences in the profile of neonatal abstinence syndrome signs in methadone- versus buprenorphine-exposed neonates.
To compare the profile of signs of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in methadone- versus buprenorphine-exposed infants. ⋯ The profile of neonatal abstinence syndrome differs in methadone- versus buprenorphine-exposed neonates, with significant differences in incidence, severity and treatment initiation time. Overall, methadone-exposed neonates have a more severe neonatal abstinence syndrome.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Neonatal neurobehavior effects following buprenorphine versus methadone exposure.
To determine the effects of in utero exposure to methadone or buprenorphine on infant neurobehavior. ⋯ While neurobehavior improves during the first month of postnatal life for in utero agonist medication-exposed neonates, buprenorphine exposure results in superior neurobehavioral scores and less severe withdrawal than does methadone exposure.