Latest News

Lancet Article Series on Postoperative Pain Management Practices

A series of 3 articles published in the Lancet is dedicated to highlighting the nature of current postsurgical pain management practices, including the use of peri- and postoperative opioids, that are thought to play a part in driving the opioid crisis.

Child and Adolescent Anxiety May Be Associated With Later Alcohol Use

While not conclusive, evidence suggests a positive association between anxiety during childhood and adolescence and subsequent alcohol use disorder.

Mortality Rates Related to Synthetic Opioids Rising in Eastern United States

Opioid-related deaths, particularly those associated with synthetic opioids, increased in the eastern United States between 1999 and 2016, leading to lower life expectancies.

Many Nurse Practioners Unable to Prescribe Medication to Treat Opioid Addiction

Greater practice restrictions are associated with a lower percentage of nurse practitioners with waivers to prescribe buprenorphine, but no association is seen for physician assistants.

FDA: Seizures Reported Following E-Cigarette Use

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is notifying the public that cases of seizures have been reported following the use of e-cigarettes.

Regional Variance in Prevalence of Opioid Use Disorder Diagnosis, Treatment During Pregnancy

The presence of civil or criminal penalties for OUD diagnosis during pregnancy was associated with the prevalence of OUD diagnosis.

Plasma Levels of Naloxone Compared Using Various Administration Methods

According to the results of a recently published study, FDANxSpray, the FDA-approved Narcan device for nasal administration, was found to yield higher plasma concentrations of naloxone compared to other devices used to treat opioid overdoses.

E-Cigarettes Increasingly Perceived to Be More Harmful Than Cigarettes

From 2012 to 2017, the proportion of US adults who perceived electronic-cigarettes to be as harmful as or more harmful than cigarettes increased.

Hearing Loss Before Age 50 Tied to Higher Substance Use

Hearing loss is independently associated with substance use disorders among those aged 49 years and younger.

Substitution of Opioids With Cannabis Not Recommended for Treating Addiction

The current evidence for the efficacy and safety of replacing opioids with medical cannabis for treating opioid addiction does not meet standards for recommendation.