Trends in Opioid Analgesic Abuse and Mortality in the United States New England Journal of Medicine Prescriptions for opioid analgesics increased substantially from 2002 through 2010 in the United States but then decreased slightly from 2011 through 2013 (RADARS data). While hopefully attributable to trafficking interdictions, the data set does not consider non-prescription opioid use, such as that of heroin or tar opium.
FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA has Reviewed Possible Risks of Pain Medicine Use during Pregnancy Food and Drug Administration This summary statement reflects a recent FDA review of the literature on analgesia and pregnancy. As the review yielded ambiguous or contradictory conclusions, no changes in the current prenatal and perinatal analgesia recommendations are forthcoming.
Effects of Biological Explanations for Mental Disorders on Clinicians’ Empathy Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America The authors tested the effects of biological explanations for mental disorders among clinicians, specifically examining their empathy toward patients. Conventional wisdom suggests that biological explanations reduce perceived blameworthiness against those with mental disorders, which could increase empathy. Yet, conceptualizing mental disorders biologically can cast patients as physiologically different from “normal” people and as governed by genetic or neurochemical abnormalities instead of their own human agency, which can engender negative social attitudes and dehumanization.
Biomarkers of Tobacco Smoke Exposure Advances in Clinical Chemistry Noting that, “Diseases and death caused by exposure to tobacco smoke have become the single most serious preventable public health concern,” this review by William Mattes and colleagues of the current state of bioassays of tobacco use focuses on inhalable tobacco use. Of the tests considered, several have applicability to nicotine taken in other forms.
An Examination of How Professionals Who Abstain from Alcohol Communicatively Negotiate Their Non-Drinking Identity Journal of Applied Communication Research Reviewing non-drinking in the context of both professional respect and social deviance, Lynsey K. Romo and co-authors provide a report on 29 non-drinking professionals that provides a fascinating view of abstinence:“As the majority of full-time employees drink alcohol, and alcohol can play an important role in professional interactions and career success, the current study examined the ways in which working professionals who abstain from alcohol manage communication about their non-drinking status.” Free full-text provided.
Colorado Begins $5.7 Million ‘Good to Know’ Campaign for Marijuana Awareness Time The state of Colorado is spending $5.7 million to educate its citizens about the responsible use of marijuana in a major public campaign beginning January.
Varenicline for Opioid Withdrawal in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Placebo Controlled Pilot Trial Addictive Behaviors “The objectives of this randomized, single–blinded, placebo–controlled pilot trial were to investigate the effects of varenicline on opioid withdrawal among chronic pain patients undergoing opioid detoxification in an interdisciplinary pain program and the feasibility of varenicline use.” The challenges posed by this complex clinical problem are readily appreciated. A positive outcome in this pilot RCT of 21 individuals, 18 completers, gives a foundation for larger trials.
The Drug Suboxone Could Combat the Heroin Epidemic. So Why is it So Hard to Get? Washington Post ASAM member Edwin Chapman is an internist, a cardiologist. Suboxone has transformed his D.C. medical practice — now more than half of his patients are there to seek it, patients with drug addiction edging out elderly ladies with arthritis and diabetes. And the drug, he believes, has transformed lives. He wishes more people could get it.
A Conserved Salt Bridge between Transmembrane Segments 1 and 10 Constitutes an Extracellular Gate in the Dopamine Transporter Journal of Biological Chemistry Bench research bearing on dopamine transporter systems: Neurotransmitter transporters play an important role in termination of synaptic transmission by mediating reuptake of neurotransmitter, but the molecular processes behind translocation are still unclear. The crystal structures of the bacterial homologue, LeuT, provided valuable insight into the structural and dynamic requirements for substrate transport. These structures support the existence of gating domains controlling access to a central binding site.
Cocaine Antidote Closer than Ever (ScienceDaily)
“If we have a better understanding of the dopamine transporter function we will become more proficient in developing an antidote against cocaine addiction,” says Associate Professor Claus Juul Loland, Univ. of Copenhagen.
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