Risky Drinkers Less Likely to Seek Medical Care

Women and men who engage in frequent heavy drinking report significantly worse health-related practices, according to a Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research study in the journal Addiction Research & Theory. For the study, researchers surveyed 7,884 members of the Kaiser Permanente Northwest integrated health plan in Oregon and Washington.

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Long-Time Cannabis Use Linked to Psychosis

Young adults who have used cannabis or marijuana for a longer period of time appear more likely to have hallucinations or delusions or to meet criteria for psychosis, according to a report in the Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

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FDA Approves Over-the-Counter Narcan

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.

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More Alcohol Outlets Mean More Violence

More alcohol sales sites in a neighborhood equates to more violence, and the highest assault rates are associated with carry-out sites selling alcohol for off-premise consumption, according to new research released by two Indiana University professors.

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Energy Drinks A Dangerous Mix

Energy drinks, favored among young people for the beverages' caffeine jolt, also play a lead role in several popular alcoholic drinks, such as Red Bull and vodka. But combining alcohol and energy drinks may create a dangerous mix, according to University of Florida research.

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Drinking Linked to 232 Million Missed Workdays a Year

Heavy alcohol use is associated with missing work, but the scope of that relationship has not been well understood. Now, based on survey data from more than 110,000 U.S. adults with full-time jobs, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have quantified the extent of the problem. Among U.S. adults working full time, an estimated 9 percent — almost 11 million full-time workers — met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder, a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse consequences in one's social life, work life or health.

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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.

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Alcohol Can Cause Immediate Risk of Atrial Fibrillation

A single glass of wine can quickly and significantly raise the drinker's risk for atrial fibrillation, according to new research . The study provides the first evidence that alcohol consumption substantially increases the chance of the heart rhythm condition occurring within a few hours. The findings might run counter to a prevailing perception that alcohol can be "cardioprotective," say the authors, suggesting that reducing or avoiding alcohol might help mitigate harmful effects.

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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.

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