Summary: Drug or opioid addiction treatment is quite challenging, and even more challenging is preventing relapse. For decades researchers have focused on neurons and various brain centers to understand changes that occur with drug addiction and neuronal changes associated with heroin relapse. However, now researchers realize that what they have been considering as supportive brain cells, glial cells like astrocytes, appear to play a vital role in heroin relapse. 

Substance-related disorders or drug addiction is a significant problem. Among illicit drugs, heroin use remains the most significant problem. It is an illicit stimulant. Heroin overdose-related deaths among young adults are not rare in the US.

SUD is not merely a behavioral disorder; it is a neurological disorder. Some people are prone to SUD, which occurs due to some changes in the brain. However, what anatomical or neurochemical changes cause SUD is still poorly understood, though there are many theories. In addition, when treated for heroin addiction, some individuals are more likely to relapse.

In recent years, researchers have paid significant attention to understanding substance-related disorders. They also understand that though most addictions share common traits, some brain changes are unique to specific substances. That is why some are prone to alcohol addiction, others to heroin, and so on.

Researchers have paid much attention to changes in the neurons when it comes to studying addiction effects on the brain. Neurons are the primary brain cells responsible for various mental abilities. Researchers have identified multiple changes in various brain parts. For example, they now better understand the role of the reward pathway in addiction. They have also identified the role of neurotransmitters like dopamine in addiction and relapse.

However, health experts also realize that many things still need to be understood. For example, there are many drugs that can modulate the working of dopamine or reward pathways, but they fail to prevent heroin relapse in many.

Researchers think that one of the reasons why their efforts failed to find treatment for heroin addiction signs and many other brain disorders is due to too much focus on neurons. Since neurons are responsible for mental abilities, it is easy to conclude that neuronal dysfunction causes brain disorders.

However, there are other types of brain cells too. For example, the human brain has glial cells that are more than neurons in numbers. They were thought to be supportive brain cells that hold neurons in their place or play an important role in brain metabolism and immunity. 

However, now researchers have started realizing that glial cells also play a role in the brain’s working. It appears that they regulate neuronal activity. Astrocytes, a type of glial cells, produce neurotransmitters like glutamate to control neuronal activity levels. They seem to act as traffic lights in the brain. Thus, they may modulate the working of neurons significantly. Now studies suggest that astrocyte dysfunction has much to do with heroin relapse.

Researchers used a mice model to study heroin addiction in a new study. First, they used a typical addiction model in which mice get their dose of heroin by pressing a button. Then, they are given other clues like light and sound. The next time when cues are repeated, they know about the availability of the heroin or substance. 

Using this approach, they were able to induce signs of heroin addiction, withdrawal, craving, and relapse in mice. Furthermore, they found that there were significant changes in the astrocyte working in those with relapse. Astrocytes in these mice moved further away from neurons, and thus they were less likely to act as breaks. In addition, they were less likely to use glutamate to prevent drug-using behavior. Hence, the researchers concluded that this altered astrocyte plasticity plays a central role in heroin relapse. 

These are still early days into the research. However, it is clear that using drugs modulating glutamate activity is not enough. There is a need to find medications that can influence the working of astrocytes. If experts can find a way to modulate astrocytes, they can also alter the working of neurons, strengthening this breaking mechanism and hence preventing heroin relapse.

Summary: Addiction is a global pandemic, affecting millions in every nation. It is a kind of mental health disorder that requires treatment. However, data shows that 90% of people do not seek medical attention for their addiction. There are many barriers to seeking medical help, like high costs, inability to travel, and low patient privacy. Quit Genius plans to overcome these barriers and improve addiction treatment by providing telehealth services and investing in clinical research. They have already raised $64 million for their project.

Addiction is a severe problem affecting millions of lives. It is a pandemic in every way and yet remains neglected. No nation is free from the problem, though its severity might vary. It means that there is much still to be done in the sphere of addiction treatment. Addiction treatment urgently needs innovation and investments if we want to tame this pandemic.

Not many people are seeking addiction treatment

US addiction statistics are better viewed as an epidemic within the pandemic. Data suggests that 21 million Americans are addicted to one or another thing. Though many believe these are still conservative estimates, real numbers are greater. However, more worrisome is the fact that most people do not seek addiction treatment. Even in the US, just about 10% receive treatment.

These low addiction treatment rates are especially problematic as substance abuse or drug addiction remains prevalent. This is despite being a readily treatable condition. In addition, the annual death rate due to drug overdose is rising. Another worrisome fact is that addiction mainly affects young adults, resulting in significant economic losses for the nations.

Addiction could be too many things, but a more significant concern remains substance misuse. About 15 million people in the US regularly abuse alcohol, more than 2 million are living with opioid addiction, and a few million are addicted to street drugs.

Doctors these days do not see addiction as merely a bad habit, or social issue, as they thought a few decades back. Extensive research into the subject shows that some individuals are prone to addiction. It is a kind of mental health disorder that must be treated.

There are multiple barriers to seeking addiction treatment

However, experts also realize that there is a need to have an innovative approach to addiction treatment to overcome barriers to seeking treatment. Studies show that some of the most significant barriers to seeking addiction treatment are:

● High treatment costs or perceived high treatment costs
● The belief that one can overcome the condition without treatment
● Do not know where to seek medical attention
● Worried that people around will learn about addiction
● Health insurance does not pay for addiction treatment
● It may negatively effect on job
● Disbelief in treatment methods

Quit Genius intends to simplify addiction treatment

One of the ways out could be putting the new technology at work for addiction treatment. Thus, Quit Genius wants to develop a telehealth solution for addiction treatment.

They believe that this would help overcome many barriers to addiction treatment. For example, telehealth can provide better information, help reduce costs, discreetness, and more.

Thus, Quit Genius has already raised $64 million, and they are confident that their approach can significantly impact addiction treatment. They do not just plan to help manage addiction but also focus on investing in addiction research. More significant investment in clinical research would help improve treatment programs.

Founders of Quite Genius believe that telehealth is the way forward as people are now less hesitant to see such a kind of help since they know that there is a person on the other side, too. Thus, now people know that telehealth can provide personalized treatment and emotional support, yet seeking such help does not require much time.

Summary: Easy access to porn has emerged as a significant threat to the mental well-being of children and young adults. Children exposed to porn at an early age are more likely to be addicted to porn as adults and have compulsive behavior. In addition, studies suggest that porn addiction causes changes in the brain, the remainder of drug addiction. It means that if porn addiction in children is not controlled, it may result in some permanent changes in their brains, making them susceptible to compulsive behavior and even drug addiction as adults.

Be it drugs, violence, compulsive behavior, or addiction to porn. Researchers now know that different addictions are interrelated. They lead to similar kinds of changes in the brain. Thus, fighting one kind of addiction would help reduce the risk of another kind of addiction.

In recent years, easy access to porn among teens has emerged as a significant concern. It is frightening to think that even young kids can readily watch porn. Moreover, the impact of porn on young minds is not fully understood yet. Nonetheless, it is evident that young brains are not ready to consume porn, and its unlimited access may only cause harm.

As someone has rightly said, just imagine a situation when a child can go to a candy store 24 hours a day and eat as many candies as they like. It is easy to guess that the end result will not be good. Children still lack that self-control like adults. They have limited understanding of what is good for their health and what is not, and thus they are more likely to follow their impulses.
Once the children are allowed to follow their impulses, it may become their habit. They might get addicted to it.

Now just imagine the situation with porn. It is readily available to kids 24 hours a day. A new survey suggests that 80% of teens have seen porn multiple times. What is worrisome is that studies show that some start watching porn quite early.

Impact Of Porn On The Brain

One of the issues in studying the impact of porn on young brains is that exposing children to porn and then scanning the brains are not allowed by law. It is unethical. It means that carrying out clinical studies on young children is not possible.

Nonetheless, it is possible to analyze the brain of young adults. Researchers have studied the brains of those exposed to porn at a young age. They often grow out as adults that are addicted to porn and have impulsive behavior.

Scans of young adults addicted to porn show that they have brain changes that are quite similar to those found in drug addicts. Their reward pathway has changed. It means they start seeking pleasure or reward from watching porn.

Researchers are indeed confused by a few things. First, they are not sure about how many changes in the brain of these young adults are a result of watching porn. After all, it is pretty likely that some were born with certain traits predisposing them to porn addiction.

Another thing that many people argue is that the human brain lights up when it anticipates anything exciting, from ice cream and videogame to sex. However, this is not the case. Experts explain that the way the brains of those addicted to porn light up is quite different. Their response to exposure to something they are addicted to is much stronger. It means that they gain far more pleasure when exposed to these things.

Simply said, those addicted to porn and living with compulsive behavior have greater activity in the reward centers of the brain when compared to relatively healthy people. In addition, studies suggest that most of them are adults who were exposed to porn at quite a young age. Most started watching porn perhaps in their early teenage years.
In individuals addicted to porn, their brain starts processing emotions faster than they can control impulses.

Experts Recommend Using Tech To Block Porn

Experts recommend that parents should talk to their children about porn, especially if they think that they are viewing porn. Additionally, using various tools to block porn is a good idea. There are many apps that can block adult content or explicit images.

One needs to conduct some research, but finding these tools is pretty simple. Most of these tools are available for free. For example, the Family Link app by google for Android phones can not only block porn but can also help limit screen time and much more. There are such apps for almost every platform.

If you think your child is addicted to porn, it may also be suitable to seek the attention of experts who know how to treat various addictions and manage compulsive behavior through telehealth or telemedicine, keeping your privacy intact.

Summary: Heave drinking, binge drinking, and AUD are significant social and health problems. Many people struggle to say no to alcohol despite realizing the ill effects of heavy drinking. Psychotherapy is one of the effective and safe ways to manage the condition, as it helps rewire the brain and alter the thinking pattern. Now a new study shows that using psilocybin along with psychotherapy may have much higher benefits. After such a treatment, people are almost twice more likely to abstain from alcohol and report a significant decline in cravings.

Alcohol is widely consumed in the US. About 80% of all adults drink alcohol now and then, and some of them consume it quite frequently. However, some people start engaging in excessive alcohol consumption, which is harmful to health.

According to the CDC, binge drinking is having four or more drinks on a single occasion. And heavy drinking means having eight or more drinks.

Excessive and irresponsible alcohol use is a significant problem in the US. Moreover, this problem is quite common in young adults. It is among the leading cause of death in young adults. AUD causes 140,000 deaths each year, and it also causes significant disability and economic harm.

Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound from magic mushrooms widely used for its trippy effect. It causes hallucinations. Yes, it remains a controversial compound for clinical use. It is still a substance of abuse, and FDA does not allow its clinical use. However, FDA allows its use for clinical studies.

Researchers have been experimenting with psychedelics for more than half a century to treat various mental health issues.

However, they have recently discovered how to use these agents safely and effectively. They understood that these agents are only suitable for use under medical supervision and for the short term. They work at lower dosages and are more effective when combined with psychotherapy.

When combined the psychotherapy, they help rewire the brain quickly. Their effect is unlike other medical drugs that take a long time to start acting and have a short-lasting action. Instead, psychedelics work fast and may provide long-lasting relief due to improved brain rewiring. They are especially good for managing mood disorders like depression.

However, now a new study confirms that they can be pretty good for managing substance abuse disorders like AUD.

In a new study published in the journal JAMA, researchers compared the effectiveness of psilocybin with diphenhydramine, a kind of antihistamine with a sedative effect and known to lower cravings. The study found that when combined with psychotherapy, psilocybin is much better and has a long-lasting effect.

Researchers say that what has amazed them is the persistent effect of psilocybin. Though the study was small and had a sample size of only 100, the findings were quite surprising. They found that psilocybin was almost twice more effective compared to diphenhydramine.

In the study, researchers divided participants into two equal groups. Both groups received 12 psychotherapy sessions over 12 weeks. However, one group received two dosages of psilocybin and the other group, diphenhydramine, as a placebo. They tracked the patients for six months.

At the end of the study, they found that just by adding two doses of psilocybin, the effect of psychotherapy increased considerably. Thus, after six months, about 10% still reported drinking heavily. However, these numbers were almost 25% in the diphenhydramine group.

What is impressive is that in the psilocybin group, twice as many participants stopped drinking altogether, 48% vs. 24%. They said that they had reduced cravings for alcohol after a psilocybin treatment. Those who stopped drinking said they did not consider themselves alcoholics anymore.

Researchers then went further and offered a third dose of psilocybin to study participants at the end of the six-month study. They said that after this dosage, many more reported benefits.
Researchers say they are very encouraged by their findings, and study results surpass their expectations. Moreover, psilocybin did not cause any side effects, and yet it had a prolonged benefit.
Researchers say that they are now planning more extensive study. They are planning a 3-year study with more than 200 participants. And they also plan to have participants from diverse backgrounds. Nevertheless, researchers think that psilocybin appears to be a real breakthrough in managing AUD.

Summary: A new annual survey report by the University of Michigan shows that opioid misuse in young adults has fallen to a new record low level in 2021 since its peak in 2006. Now just about 1.7% of young adults misuse prescription opioids. However, the study found that marijuana and hallucinogen use has increased in young adults. Similarly, alcohol use remains quite common. Thus, the study shows a shift in the substance abuse landscape.

Misuse of prescription opioids has fallen to the record lowest level in young adults in the US. In the year 2021, the lowest number of young adults abused prescription opioids since 1975, a survey found. But, of course, this does not mean that substance use disorder has become less severe. It also does not mean that opioid overdose-related deaths have declined.

Here it is vital to understand that prescription opioids are a vague term. It generally includes opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone. Further, it is worth understanding that this report is about prescription opioid misuse and not essentially opioid overdose and related deaths. Nevertheless, it means that though the abuse of prescription opioids continues to decline, opioid overdose-related deaths continue to increase.

So, no, opioid overdose-related deaths are not decreasing. Opioid misuse is also not showing any signs of decreasing. Nonetheless, there is good news prescription opioid misuse is decreasing. These findings are significant since it shows that opioid prescription by doctors is not fueling opioid addiction treatment, as proposed by many. These new findings regarding a significant decline in prescription opioid misuse by young adults were published by the Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan. They published this information in their Monitoring the Future Panel Study annual report: National data on substance use among adults ages 19 to 60, 1976-2021.2

As per this new study, now only about 1.7% of young adults are abusing prescription opioids, which they generally describe as “narcotics other than heroin.” This is a massive decline from a peak of about 9% in 2006. Moreover, it means that most adults who are prescribed opioids are using them responsibly. The MFT survey and CDC data confirm that prescription opioid misuse has been declining. However, the opioid overdose epidemic continues mainly due to illicitly procured fentanyl and other opioids.

One of the reasons for such a decline in opioid misuse has been a significant decline in opioid prescriptions by doctors. Market data shows that prescriptions of opioids have also fallen to half since their peak in the early 2000s. However, the picture is not as rosy as it may sound. Though prescription opioid misuse is declining consistently, the use of illicit opioids is not declining. Even worse, the misuse of many other substances is increasing. Thus, now more young adults are abusing marijuana and hallucinogens, compared to the year 2000.

Not only that, but the MFT survey also found other causes of concern, like alcohol misuse is not showing any signs of significant decline. Similarly, vaping is gaining momentum. Though people may not be smoking cigarettes, they are now vaping nicotine more frequently. These findings show that the drug landscape is shifting fast. It shows that pattern of drug misuse is changing fast. It means that now doctors need to focus on the ill effects of marijuana and hallucinogens misuse. They also need to focus more on other drugs, like stimulants, that continue to cause significant mortality.

Further, alcohol use disorder still remains a significant problem. It appears that though heavy drinking has been declining in the last few years, things changed in 2021. It appears that the Covid-19 pandemic caused a significant increase in alcohol consumption.

Summary: The incidence of a heart infection or endocarditis is unusually high in those who inject drugs due to syringe contamination. Moreover, AHA says that endocarditis treatment often fails in those who inject drugs and have opioid dependency, as such individuals often fail to complete prolonged intravenous antibiotic treatment. Hence, AHA says treating addiction is key to managing endocarditis in those who inject drugs. A dedicated opioid addiction treatment program can become the key factor here.

With the advent of antibiotics, heart infections have increasingly become less common. Nonetheless, it remains a significant problem in specific population groups like those injecting drugs. Though the problem is pretty common among drug addicts, there has not been a specific treatment recommendation for the population group. AHA (American Heart Association) has published a new statement in their journal Circulation.

Managing any infection is challenging in the population groups who inject drugs. Since these are people living with multiple infections, many are immune compromised, and they have poor health. However, infections like heart infections are challenging to manage in non-addicts and highly challenging to manage in those who inject drugs. Since a considerable number of those living with endocarditis inject drugs, AHA has come up with detailed guidelines.

AHA states that treating endocarditis in this population group poses many challenges. Moreover, they noted a disproportionately high prevalence of endocarditis in those who inject drugs. In addition, they have found that without the treatment of substance use disorder (SUD), these patients are unlikely to benefit. Hence, the treatment of endocarditis in those living with SUD must be done by multispecialty teams. Else, preventing frequent infection relapse will remain challenging.

About infective endocarditis:

• Each year more than 35K cases of endocarditis are reported in the US.
• The condition has a high mortality rate of about 20%.
• Heart valve disorders are common in those affected by endocarditis. In addition, infection of heart valves is challenging to treat as valves lack blood supply.
• There are many sources of heart infection, like poor dental health, burns, and injecting drugs is among the relevant causes.
• Studies show a significant increase in endocarditis due to drug injections between 2002 to 2016. Such patients now make up 16% of all cases of endocarditis, a rise from 8% since 2002.
• People who inject drugs are more likely to be affected by endocarditis at a young age. The average age of such patients is 38 years. In contrast, non-drug users are rarely affected by endocarditis before the age of 45 years.

Specialists say that endocarditis treatment often fails in those injecting drugs. Endocarditis requires prolonged antibiotic therapy of 6 weeks. However, drug addicts often leave the hospital before antibiotic therapy is completed. Therefore, doctors are also exploring other treatment options like using intravenous antibiotics requiring shorter treatment or switching drug users to oral antibiotics so that they can finish their treatment.

Further, experts say that for successful treatment of endocarditis in those who inject drugs, it is vital to initiate substance use disorder treatment using FDA-approved medications. This can help reduce withdrawal syndrome and thus reduce the chances of patients abandoning endocarditis treatment prematurely.

Additionally, experts also recommend screening patients for drug use. This will help provide medical care without judgment and also for opioid addiction treatment. Further, there is a need to raise awareness regarding the risk of endocarditis among drug users, as safer injection practices may significantly reduce the risk of the condition.

Finally, treating doctors should keep in mind that drug users often lack health insurance and have many financial issues, which may also adversely impact treatment outcomes. Moreover, those using drugs are more likely to live with other mental health issues.

Further, it is vital to overcome professional bias when treating people addicted to drugs. For example, many hospitals may not provide adequate help or accept patients for valve surgery if they learn that the patient injects drugs. However, studies show that outcomes of valve surgery are quite similar in drug users and non-drug users.

Summary: Substance abuse disorder (SUD) is a significant health problem. Drug addiction is among the leading causes of mortality in young adults. Medical specialists often struggle to treat SUD, and it has a high relapse rate. A new longitudinal study with a follow-up period of 32 years shows that those who abuse substances in adolescence are more likely to abuse substances in their older age. Thus, people are not likely to grow out of their old addiction. This underlines the importance of seeking early addiction treatment and prolonged care.

Substance abuse disorders are the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in young adults. The problem of substance use disorder (SUD) is even increasing in older adults. Studies now suggest that it is something that starts in adolescence, and people are unlikely to grow out of it.

SUD, or addiction to various substances, including drug addiction, is now a well-studied phenomenon. It is a problem of colossal scale. What is worrisome is that there are no signs that people are anywhere close to overcoming this problem. It remains a major health problem, and even worse are the findings that its prevalence continues to increase.

Treating teenage drug and alcohol abuse is challenging, and there are high relapse rates. Thus, there is a need to counter the problem in its early stages. Hence, it is vital to prevent or manage SUD in adolescents and young adults.

Generally, as people grow older, their habits and preferences change. Therefore, they are pretty likely to give up certain habits. However, the new findings published in the journal JAMA are worrisome, as they indicate that people are not likely to grow out of the problem of SUD.

The findings of the study done by the New University of Michigan are pretty grim. It has been quite a long study with a follow-up period of 32 years. The study found that most of those addicted to various substances at the age of 18 were still suffering from SUD, even after three decades.

Some of the significant findings of study were:

• The study found that addiction problems or SUD was common in adolescents, with 12% living with severe symptoms.
• The follow-up study found that those with severe SUD were more likely to abuse substances or suffer from addiction as adults.
• This relationship between SUD at an early age and the risk of addiction later in life was more visible in those addicted to alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs in their adolescence.
• Most adults prescribed medications like opioids, sedatives, and benzodiazepines were those living with SUD during their adolescence.

Experts say this is a wake-up call, as it shows that the problem of SUD starts quite early and continues to affect people for the rest of their lives. Furthermore, it means that treating addiction at a young age is of significant importance, as preventing addiction in those living with SUD in adolescence is quite challenging.

Another issue is the choice of medications. Many medications used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction may also increase the risk of SUD later in life. Thus, people treated with anti anxiety drugs, painkillers, and given sedatives at a young age are also more likely to develop SUD later in life.

It also underlines the importance of history taking when treating older adults living with SUD. Knowing more about their past habits and what medications they took as young adults is vital.

The study also found that most people living with SUD did not seek opioid treatment. Thus, educating people and raising awareness of the topic is also necessary. This education regarding the health risks of addiction must continue through adulthood.

Additionally, people with a history of abusing multiple substances during adolescence must be treated as high-risk individuals. These are the people who are pretty likely to misuse drugs later in their life.

Further, experts recommend that there is a need to find innovative ways of preventing SUD in older adults. For example, health insurance may include other services aimed at preventing and treating relapse later in life.

This study clearly highlights the importance of long-term follow-up of individuals who were treated for SUD as young adults. Such individuals should get continuous education and care during their adulthood.