The Evolution of Telepsychiatry for Substance Use Disorders During COVID-19: a Narrative Review
This article aims to review and synthesize the current research evidence regarding the efficacy of telepsychiatry-delivered substance use disorder treatment using a narrative review with a focus on the effects of remote healthcare delivery within the substance abuse treatment space.Recent FindingsThe COVID-19 pandemic exerted substantial pressures on all levels of society. Social isolation, loss of employment, stress, physical illness, overburdened health services, unmet medical needs, and rapidly changing pandemic restrictions had particularly severe consequences for people with mental health issues and substance use diso...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - April 25, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Kratom ’s Emergence and Persistence Within the US Polydrug Epidemic
AbstractPurpose of ReviewUse of “kratom” products, derived from the bioactive botanicalMitragyna speciosa have increased amidst US polydrug use epidemics. Kratom alkaloids interact with opioid, serotonergic, adrenergic, and other receptors and regular users have described experiencing a wide range of effects. Some with polydrug use histories have reported using kratom as a substitute for other drugs or to nonmedically self-manage substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms. Data describing this remain scare and come from self-report. We review this literature describing kratom use as a drug substitute, or as a nonmedical “...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - April 18, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Substance Use Disorders Among Forcibly Displaced People: a Narrative Review
We present here a narrative review informed by syndemic theory to understand the existing literature on the associations between substance use disorders and experiences of forced displacement.Recent findingsThe risk factors associated with SUDs are similar to or overlap with those experienced by forcibly displaced people, yet there is substantial heterogeneity in patterns and prevalence of substance use across the different forcibly displaced people. Despite recognition that SUDs among forcibly displaced people are concerning, there are large gaps in knowledge. These include questions around whether forced displacement is ...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - April 14, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Effects of Psychological or Exercise Interventions on Problematic Mobile Phone Use: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
This study sought to investigate the effects of psychological interventions (PI) or exercise interventions (EI) for PMPU through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A literature search of ten databases was executed from January 2001 to August 2022. A total of 26 eligible RCTs (31 pairwise comparisons) were finally included. Posttreatment means and SDs were compared between intervention and control groups, and pooled effect sizes were calculated. This study is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42022296418.Recent findingsA meta-analysis of 31 pairwise comparisons showed that interventions significantly reduced the total P...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - April 14, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Adoption, Adaptation or Exposure? Novel Digital Gambling Activities and Links with Gambling Problems
AbstractPurpose of ReviewGambling problems are much more common amongst people who use novel gambling products, including skin gambling, esports betting and fantasy sports betting. The exposure and adaptation effects suggest that, like a novel pathogen, new products produce gambling problems until adaptation can counteract vulnerabilities. The purpose of this review is to posit, based on recent data, that an adoption effect provides a more parsimonious account for why novel gambling products are associated with problems.Recent FindingsPeople who are more vulnerable to a gambling problem are more likely to adopt novel gambl...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - April 10, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Assessing the Impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization on Cannabis Use Disorder and Admissions to Treatment in the United States
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPolicy implications from changes in recreational cannabis laws (RCLs) have raised public health concerns. While numerous studies have examined the impact of RCLs on cannabis use, there is less research on the risk of developing cannabis use disorder (CUD). This review summarizes the latest research on the effects of RCLs on CUD prevalence and cannabis treatment admissions.Recent FindingsNine studies were published between 2016 – 2022 that examined RCLs and CUD or treatment. Findings generally indicate an increase in CUD prevalence associated with legalization, but effects differ by age group. The...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - April 10, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Substance-Induced Psychosis: a Narrative Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSubstance-induced psychosis (SIP) is a term used to
refer to a psychotic disorder triggered by recent substance use. The purpose of
this review article is to discuss how to diagnose/assess individuals with SIP versus
schizophrenia; how to differentiate between these conditions; morbidity and
mortality; etiology; risk factors for SIP transition; and treatment options.Recent FindingsSIP has a significant likelihood of transitioning to an
idiopathic psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. The mechanisms for SIP are
not well-understood, but genetic, neurobiological, environmental, a...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - April 6, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Diagnostic Ambiguities and Underuse of Clinical Assessment Tools: A Systematic Review of Case Reports on Kratom Addiction and Physical Dependence
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis systematic review examines case reports of kratom physical dependence or addiction, focusing on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment methods and the completeness of the clinical data presented.Recent FindingsMost peer-reviewed clinical literature on kratom physical dependence and addiction comes in the form of case reports. However, these reports often provide incomplete descriptions of complex circumstances, and there remain no standardized assessment, diagnostic, or treatment methods for patients presenting with these morbidities.SummaryMany reports were difficult to interpret due to missing...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - April 5, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Receptor Selectivity and Therapeutic Potential of Kratom in Substance Use Disorders
AbstractPurpose of ReviewKratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth) contains several alkaloids, some interacting with opioid receptors and attracting recreational use in the western world. Human self-report has consistently documented the use of kratom for treating pain, mood elevation, and substance use disorders (SUDs). These anecdotal uses are also supported by preclinical findings. According to preclinical research, kratom may induce these positive effects without any respiratory suppression, unlike traditional opioids. This review summarizes kratom as a potential substitution for opioids and compiles all the latest inventions ...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - March 29, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Problematic Pornography Use in Adolescents: From Prevention to Intervention
This article reviews studies investigating prevention and treatment of PPU in adolescents, discussing current issues and future directions.Recent FindingsPrevention studies include pornography education based on media-literacy approaches. These programs are aimed at helping young people develop critical thinking and understanding of the nature of pornography. Some recommendations for pornography-education programs have emerged from the prevention literature such as the relevance of using age-appropriate content and participatory teaching and learning methods that involve appropriately trained staff. Treatment studies of PP...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - March 29, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Pornography Use, Problematic Pornography Use, and Potential Impacts on Partners and Relationships
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe present review focuses on relationships between pornography use, problematic pornography use, and their possible effects on partners and relationships.Recent FindingsPornography use has been examined in the setting of marriages and other partnered relationships. Aspects considered include pornography-use patterns, perceptions of a partner ’s pornography use, relationship satisfaction and happiness, relationship quality, partner’s problematic pornography use, infidelity/extramarital sex, and relationship stability (breakup/divorce).SummaryStudying potential effects of pornography use in the ...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - March 3, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Omissions, Ambiguities, and Underuse of Causal Assessment Tools: a Systematic Review of Case Reports on Patients Who Use Kratom
AbstractPurpose of reviewIn this systematic review, we examined case reports of patients who use kratom and evaluated their rigor based on reporting of clinically relevant information.Recent findingsMillions of people use kratom in the USA each year. Despite its prevalence, there is little peer-reviewed clinical literature available on kratom, and clinicians must predominantly rely on case reports for guidance in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients who use kratom.SummaryWe found considerable variation in reported information and in the thoroughness of the case reports. Reports tended to be inadequate in fu...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - March 2, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Cyberchondria: a Growing Concern During the COVID-19 Pandemic and a Possible Addictive Disorder?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe main purpose of this narrative review is to provide a brief overview of the current empirical evidence regarding the conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of cyberchondria, with a focus on the potential classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction. Although cyberchondria has been widely associated with anxiety, it has also been suggested that it may be linked to obsessive –compulsive features. A less explored proposal is the categorization of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction. The present review explores the existing literature with respect to the possible classifica...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - February 9, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
A Cautionary Tale of Herbal Supplements: What We Have Learned from Kratom
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review enumerates seven outbreaks of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) product adulteration and contamination in the context of the United States Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).Recent FindingsAt least seven distinct episodes of kratom product contamination or adulteration are known: (1) krypton, a kratom product adulterated with O-desmethyltramadol that resulted in at least nine fatal poisonings; (2) a suspected case of kratom contamination with hydrocodone and morphine; (3) a case of kratom adulteration with phenylethylamine; (4) contamination of multiple kratom products with h...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - February 4, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
What Is the Kratom Overdose Risk? A Systematic Literature Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe rising public interest in kratom is paralleled by concerns of adverse outcomes, particularly overdose. Such claims span a multitude of reporting modalities, including case reports, analyses of data from poison control and coroners ’ reports, and warnings from government agencies. Here we evaluate the literature in efforts to assess kratom’s potential overdose risk. A keyword search of online literature databases identified 12 preclinical studies, 23 case reports, and 15 observational studies/reports meeting our pre-select ed criteria.Recent FindingsCase reports describe outcomes where krato...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - January 18, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
