Addiction

PhD studentships- SSA

Overall purpose: to provide the opportunity to pursue a PhD in addiction science registered at a UK university and hosted at an appropriate organisation which, in the opinion of the Trustees (or officers with devolved authority), furthers the aims of the SSA. The SSA aims to provide up to two full-time studentships per year. Scope: No restrictions are placed on the precise topic of proposed PhD study, except that it must address areas which support

Prescription Opioid Use among Military Veterans

There is growing concern about levels of opioid misuse amongst military veterans. Conditions, such as PTSD, brain injury, and chronic pain, elevate the risk among this population. In a recent study, conducted by psychology professor Kaston Anderson-Carpenter- a behavioural and social scientist at Michigan State University, concerning trends became apparent amongst particular groups of veterans- namely bisexual veterans and veterans over the age of 50. The research found that: Bisexual women veterans are especially at

The Problematic Relationship Between Youth Anxiety and Later Alcohol Use

Dyer, M. L., Easey, K. E., Heron, J., Hickman, M., & Munafò, M. R. (2019). Associations of child and adolescent anxiety with later alcohol use and disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies (PDF). Addiction, 114(6), 968-982. doi: 10.1111/add.14575

Researchers have continuously debated the link between anxiety and alcohol use. However, despite the previous examination of the direction and strength of the association, the form of the relationship remains unclear.

Alcohol-Related Deaths Increasing in the United States

There has been a steady rise in deaths caused by alcohol, according to a study by researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health. The research examined U.S. death certificate data from 1999 to 2017, classing deaths as alcohol-related if an alcohol-induced cause was listed as the underlying cause or as a contributing cause of death. The team found that, in 2017, nearly half of

The Best Way to Ditch Bad Habits: What Science Can Teach Us

Changing your lifestyle and making the decision to ditch bad habits can be a challenge for us all. Researchers from Kings College London and the University of York recommend some simple techniques that have been scientifically proven to increase chances of success of ditching bad habits. The two Ps- Perseverance and Planning. Understand it may take more than one attempt and the journey may not always be smooth. Planning your time and method can ensure

Changes in Smoker Characteristics in England

Garnett, C., Tombor, I., Beard, E., Jackson, S., West, R., & Brown, J. (2019). Changes in smoker characteristics in England between 2008 and 2017. Addiction.

Smoking in England has decreased over the last decade. It is vital to monitor the trends and examine the factors that may be influencing the downward curve, so as to maintain the pattern and make predictions about future smoking rates.

A recent study, published in Addiction, has examined:

Opioid Atlas

Opiates are some of the most effective pain relief medications for patients suffering from cancer- and surgery-related pain.

Unfortunately, medications in this class are also used as drugs of abuse. Despite the affordability and effectiveness of these medications, access to opiates is highly geographically variable.

Scaife Medical Student Fellowship in Substance Use Disorders

With the generous support of the Scaife Family Foundation, the Institute for Research, Education and Training in Addictions (IRETA) is able to conduct this specialised program. The program offers medical students an intensive learning experience about addiction and its treatment far beyond anything they may have encountered in their prior medical school education or clinical rotations. Program Philosophy Because patients with addiction have historically been neglected and mistreated by the healthcare system, healthcare professionals have

Fentanyl Deaths on the Rise

Deaths caused by the drug fentanyl are on the rise in the UK, a recent report published by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) warns. The report, which included a a literature review of the effects of fentanyl, details of misuse of the compound, and a summary of the associated harms as documented internationally and in the UK, found that deaths related to Fentanyl have risen from eight in 2008 to 135