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Addiction Treatment

All articles tagged with #addiction treatment

Months-Long Shield Against Fentanyl: San Francisco's Breakthrough Addiction Therapy
health1 month ago

Months-Long Shield Against Fentanyl: San Francisco's Breakthrough Addiction Therapy

San Francisco is expanding long-acting injectable buprenorphine to treat fentanyl addiction, a therapy that blocks opioids for weeks and has shown higher retention than daily meds: the city logged about 1,400 injections in 2024 and 2,800 in 2025, with jail programs reporting 43% follow-up after release versus 29% for daily-pill users. While promising, the first dose can cause intense withdrawal if dosing is not precise, and some patients still relapse. Experts view this as a major breakthrough that could widen access beyond SF as research continues.

Doctors Discover Surprising Effects of Drinking on Ozempic
health-and-science4 months ago

Doctors Discover Surprising Effects of Drinking on Ozempic

Recent research suggests that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic not only aid weight loss but also reduce alcohol cravings and alter alcohol processing in the body by slowing gastric emptying, which delays alcohol absorption and effects. This could have implications for addiction treatment, though further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms involved.

GLP-1 Diabetes Drugs Show Promise in Reducing Alcohol Consumption
health1 year ago

GLP-1 Diabetes Drugs Show Promise in Reducing Alcohol Consumption

GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs like Ozempic, initially used for weight loss, are showing potential in reducing cravings for alcohol and other substances. Studies indicate that these drugs may lower the risk of alcohol use disorder and reduce nicotine and opioid overuse by influencing dopamine pathways in the brain. While not yet approved for treating substance use disorders, these drugs could revolutionize addiction treatment if further research supports their efficacy. Experts are hopeful that GLP-1 drugs could become a major tool in addiction therapy, similar to how SSRIs transformed depression treatment.

"Shift Focus to Treatment Over Criminalization for Addiction Recovery"
health-policy1 year ago

"Shift Focus to Treatment Over Criminalization for Addiction Recovery"

Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, advocates for shifting U.S. drug policy from criminalization to treatment-focused approaches, particularly for incarcerated individuals. She emphasizes the need for medication-assisted treatment to combat the opioid crisis and reduce recidivism, highlighting the public health and safety benefits. Volkow criticizes the current system for exacerbating inequalities and calls for proactive measures to address addiction and mental health needs.

"New Opioid Treatment Policy Embraces Alternatives to Abstinence"
health1 year ago

"New Opioid Treatment Policy Embraces Alternatives to Abstinence"

The Biden administration is shifting federal addiction treatment policies to acknowledge that while total abstinence is ideal, reducing drug use can also significantly lower risks and improve outcomes. This approach aligns with harm reduction strategies and aims to support patients who may not achieve complete abstinence but can still benefit from reduced use. Key federal agencies, including NIDA, SAMHSA, and the FDA, are updating guidelines and regulations to reflect this more flexible and pragmatic stance on addiction treatment.

"Semaglutide's Potential in Treating Cannabis Dependence"
health1 year ago

"Semaglutide's Potential in Treating Cannabis Dependence"

A study suggests that semaglutide, a medication used for type 2 diabetes and weight management, may reduce the risk of developing and relapsing into cannabis use disorder. The research, published in Molecular Psychiatry, utilized a large electronic health record database and found that semaglutide was associated with a reduced risk of new cannabis use disorder cases and a decreased likelihood of recurrence. While the study shows promise, further research, including randomized clinical trials, is needed to validate these findings and understand the underlying molecular mechanisms.