Addiction and obesity share similar neurological pathways, both linked to compulsive behaviors and the brain's reward system. Research has highlighted the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally developed for diabetes, to help manage both appetite and addictive cravings. These medications, such as semaglutide, may regulate addictive behaviors by influencing reward circuits in the brain. However, they come with potential side effects, and their long-term effects are still under investigation.

In addition, a new compound, 5-Methoxy-2-aminoindane (MEAI), is being researched for its...

Individuals with chronic pain are more likely to engage in hazardous alcohol use compared to the general population. Despite this increased risk, they are an underserved group regarding targeted interventions. There is a pressing need to explore and develop alternative strategies to effectively reduce hazardous drinking in this vulnerable population. One promising approach is to focus on managing pain-related anxiety, which is a potential mechanism linked to hazardous drinking.

Researchers adopted a phased model (1A/1B) to address this need to create and test a new personalized feedback...

Co-morbidity or dual diagnosis is established by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the 'co-occurrence in the same individual of a dysfunction of psychoactive substance use and other psychiatric disorder' (WHO, 1995). There is a growing feeling on the part of psychologists and other professionals working in the treatment of addictive behaviors, that there is a high occurrence of not characterized psychopathological problems with implications for the treatment of drug addicts. Resulting from this observation and the need felt in clinical practice, the Regional Delegation of the Alentejo...

Abstract

Background

Treating severe emotional dysregulation and co-occurring substance misuse is challenging. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive and evidence-based treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). It has been hypothesised that the skills training, which is a facet of the full DBT programme, might be effective for people with severe emotional dysregulation and other co-occurring conditions, but who do not meet the criteria for BPD. However, there is limited research on standalone DBT skills training for people with substance misuse and emotional...

Research suggests clear associations between the severity of childhood trauma, levels of substance use and dissociation - the detachment or disruption to normal consciousness. Despite the apparent link, it remains unclear whether the level of substance use can, in some part, explain the relationship between trauma severity and the extent of dissociation.

A recent study, published in the Journal of Substance Use, has investigated whether substance use significantly influences the link between childhood trauma and the severity of depersonalization - a common symptom of dissociation involving...

Abstract

Background

To facilitate decentralisation and scale-up of mental health services, Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services committed to implementing the World Health Organization’s mental health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP). mhGAP training has been prolific; however, it remains unclear, beyond this, how successfully Fiji’s national mental health program has been implemented. We aim to evaluate Fiji’s mental health program to inform Fiji’s national mental health program and to develop an evidence-base for best practice.

Methods

The study design was guided by the National...

Esta publicación forma parte de la serie “Recomendaciones para la Red Integrada de Salud Mental con base en la Comunidad”, y tiene como objetivo acercar sugerencias y recomendaciones como herramientas de trabajo que orienten a la asistencia de las personas que refieran o presenten un padecimiento mental (incluyendo consumo problemático de sustancias y/o adicciones), sin ningún tipo de menoscabo o discriminación en toda institución de salud y en la zona o ámbito comunitario de atención de dicha institución. Se halla enmarcado en la Convención de los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad y...

Applications are now open for the 2019 round of UNSW Medicine Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction Theme and SPHERE Clinical Academic Group (CAG) Collaborative Research Seed Funding.

The UNSW Medicine Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction Theme and SPHERE CAG aims to address the burdens imposed by neurological, mental health, and drug and alcohol disorders. It constitutes a network of internationally recognised researchers and clinicians leading in the understanding and treatment of complex clinical conditions with physical, behavioural, mental and social dimensions across the...

There has been increasing support for the engagement of people who use mental services in the process of policy improvement. It would seem to make sense that those most directly affected by policy responses should have their views represented. This brings in to question the alternate forms of ‘evidence’ that can be used as part of evidence-based practice.

A recent study, conducted in Australia, has analysed interviews with individuals involved in drug policy discussions.

The aim of the study was to see how the idea of “consumer” is considered in relation to the discussion around the...