Substance Abuse Care

Age-adjusted drug overdose deaths stabilized from 2021 to 2022

March 22, 2024 - A CDC analysis noted that between 2021 and 2022, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths did not change significantly, a variation from previous years where the rates climbed overall. However, the CDC notes a broader view of the rates reveals a significant increase from 8.2 deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2002 to 32.6 deaths per 100,000...

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FDA Approves Non-Opioid Painkiller for Mild-to-Moderate Pain

by Veronica Salib

Earlier this week, Hyloris Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Belgium, announced the approval of a potent non-opioid painkiller in the United States. The US Food and Drug...

FDA Issues Guidance on Drug Development for Stimulant Use Disorders

by Veronica Salib

On October 4, 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a draft guidance titled Stimulant Use Disorders: Developing Drugs for Treatment. The recommendations suggest protocols...

Understanding Pharmaceutical Drug Addiction: Types, Signs, Treatments

by Veronica Salib

Drug addiction and treatment have become an increasingly serious problem in the United States healthcare system. Substance use disorders are life-threatening mental illnesses that continue to take lives, alter families, and burden...

FDA Approves Second OTC Naloxone for Opioid Overdose Management

by Veronica Salib

Four months after approving the first over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone, the FDA has made another harm reduction tool available by supporting a second OTC Naloxone nasal spray, RiVive. The nasal spray...

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Devices for Opioid Use Disorder

by Veronica Salib

On July 27, 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a draft guidance titled Clinical Considerations for Studies of Device Intended to Treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) as part...

Applications of Psilocybin in Mental Health Disorder Treatments

by Veronica Salib

Over the past few years, researchers have explored psychedelics, including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, 3,4-methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine (MDMA), and more for treating mental health disorders. Among the many...

White House National Response Plan Addresses Xylazine, Fentanyl Risk

by Veronica Salib

A statement issued by the White House on July 11, 2023, outlined a national response plan to address the ongoing risk of fentanyl laced with xylazine. As more illicit drug overdoses are linked to...

Men in the US Are More Likely to Have a Fatal Overdose Than Women

by Veronica Salib

As the opioid epidemic in the United States continues to progress, a recent study revealed that men are more likely to have a fatal overdose than women. Data from a study — led by researchers...

Government Health Leaders Request Additional Data on Drug Test Strips

by Veronica Salib

Although drug-checking tools such as fentanyl test strips have been championed as critical harm-reduction tools in the opioid epidemic, additional data and research are required to assess their...

Sackler Family Granted Legal Immunity Despite Opioid Epidemic

by Veronica Salib

The Sackler family is getting away with falsely marketing OxyContin, a highly addictive opioid manufactured by their company, Purdue Pharma, as non-addictive. The United States Court of Appeals for the...

Researchers Explore Ozempic as a Potential Addiction Treatment

by Veronica Salib

Gaining popularity from celebrity endorsements and public speculation, Ozempic has become a staple weight loss drug in the United States. However, researchers speculate that the medication could...

FDA Approves New Opioid Reversal Nasal Spray, A Harm Reduction Tool

by Veronica Salib

On May 22, 2023, the FDA approved Opvee, a nalmefene hydrochloride nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose in patients 12 and older. This approval adds a harm-reduction tool to existing tools,...

Study Links Stimulant Prescription Rates to Teen Drug Misuse

by Veronica Salib

On April 18, 2023, JAMA Network Open published an article linking stimulant prescription rates for ADGD to teen drug misuse. The study analyzed the medical and nonmedical use of prescription stimulants...

DEA Issues Public Safety Alert for Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine

by Veronica Salib

On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a public safety alert on fentanyl mixed with xylazine. Linked to a press release by the Biden...

FDA Requires Mail-Back Envelops with Opioid Analgesics Dispensation

by Veronica Salib

As a modification to the Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (OA REMS), the FDA will now require mail-back envelops with opioid analgesic dispensation in outpatient settings to...

FDA Grants Approval to Emergent BioSolutions for Over-the-Counter Narcan

by Hayden Schmidt

On Wednesday, the FDA approved Narcan nasal spray for non-prescription over-the-counter use, making it available to consumers across various markets and retail locations. The approval went to Emergent...

Legalizing Recreational Cannabis May Reduce Some Opioid Distribution

by Veronica Salib

Recreational cannabis availability through state-level legalization may contribute to reduced rates of opioid distribution, opioid use disorder (OUD), and overdose. As the opioid epidemic has evolved...

How Naloxone Co-Prescribing Laws Can Facilitate Opioid Education

by Veronica Salib

Fueled by deceit from pharmaceutical companies and over-prescription, the opioid epidemic has continued to impact thousands of lives. Throughout recent years, public health organizations and healthcare professionals have been working to...

Flexible Prescribing Did Not Increase Buprenorphine Overdose Deaths

by Veronica Salib

Despite common misconceptions, researchers published an article in JAMA Network Open noting that buprenorphine overdose-related deaths did not increase during the COVID-19 pandemic when providers were...

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