The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first nonprescription, "over-the-counter" (OTC) naloxone nasal spray, Narcan. Naloxone -- a medicine that can reverse an opioid-related overdose -- has been shown to be a critical tool to prevent fatal overdoses, connect more people to treatment for substance use disorder, and save lives.
Substance Abuse
Drugs and addiction
SAMHSA to Launch New 'Office of Recovery'
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is launching an Office of Recovery, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to advance the agency's commitment to, and support of, recovery for all Americans. SAMHSA will now have a dedicated team with a deep understanding of recovery to promote policies, programs and services to those in or seeking recovery.
Cravings Stronger for Those Who Smoke and Drink
People who drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes may have stronger cravings and greater drug-seeking responses, which could explain why those who use multiple substances find it more difficult to quit. Researchers at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York have explored the motivational impact of cigarette and alcohol "cues", with important implications for understanding and treating addiction and relapse. Over time, individuals who drink heavily and smoke cigarettes frequently begin to associate simple stimuli in their environment – such as the sight or smell of a lit cigarette or their favorite drink – with the rewarding effects of the substance.
Half of ADHD Adults Have Had a Substance Abuse Disorder
Half of adults aged 20-39 diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have had a substance use disorder (SUD) in their lifetime according to new research. This is markedly higher than the 23.6 percent of young adults without ADHD who have had a substance use disorder in their lifetime. Even after considering factors such as age, race, income, education, childhood adversities and other mental illness, young adults with ADHD were still 69 percent more likely to have had a substance use disorder when compared to their peers without ADHD.