Abstinence

BACKGROUND: Substance use disorder (SUD) remains a significant public health issue, with a high relapse rate even after detoxification treatment. Family dysfunction has been identified as a closely related factor contributing to relapse in individuals with SUD. The objective of this study was to investigate the mediating role of family climate in the relapse tendency among patients with SUD. METHODS: The study employed a case-control design using the survey method...

Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a global health problem with no approved medications. One potential treatment target is the gut microbiome, but it is unknown if cocaine induces long-lasting effects on gut microbes. A novel therapeutic candidate for CUD, cannabidiol (CBD), can improve gut function in rodent models. It is possible that protective effects of CBD against cocaine use are mediated by improving gut health. We examined this question in this experiment. Cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) was conducted in adult male C57BL/6JArc mice...

Peritonsillar abscesses (PTAs) are typically caused by group A Streptococcus or mixed oral flora. Gardnerella vaginalis is a part of the normal vaginal microbiome, and overgrowth can cause bacterial vaginosis. We present a case of recurrent PTA with G. vaginalis superinfection, which occurred after the patient performed oral sex on a female after incision and drainage of her initial PTA. The patient continued to have recurrent PTAs until G. vaginalis was identified, and antibiotic coverage was broadened to cover both group A Streptococcus and G...

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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the longitudinal association between alcohol abstinence and accelerated biological aging among middle-aged and older adults and to explore the potential effect modifiers influencing the association. METHODS: Utilizing the clinico-biochemical and anthropometric data from the baseline and first repeat survey of the UK Biobank (UKB), we employed the Klemera and Doubal method (KDM) to construct the biological age (BA) and calculate BA acceleration...

BACKGROUND: Homelessness is a traumatic experience, and can have a devastating effect on those experiencing it. People who are homeless often face significant barriers when accessing public services, and have often experienced adverse childhood events, extreme social disadvantage, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, low self-esteem, poor physical and mental health, and much lower life expectancy compared to the general population. Rates of problematic substance use are disproportionately high, with many using drugs and alcohol to deal with the stress of living on the street, to keep warm, or to block out memories of previous abuse or trauma...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The role of alcohol varies considerably among Indigenous Peoples and is the backdrop of persistent stereotypes despite decades of research. This paper provides an updated narrative review on the alcohol literature among Indigenous communities, highlighting recent studies published since 2017. RECENT FINDINGS: We examined published literature involving alcohol use rates, including abstinence; risk and protective factors; treatment; and recovery, as well as future directions for alcohol prevention and intervention efforts with Indigenous communities...

BACKGROUND: In the UK, smoking prevalence in people with depression (34%) and anxiety (29%) is more than double that of the general population (13%). People who stop smoking improve their mental health with comparable effect sizes found for antidepressants. In England, online psychological therapy is a standard treatment for depression and anxiety. Online therapy is an acceptable setting for smoking cessation support; however, integrated smoking and mental health support is not available...

BACKGROUND: Recovery from addiction is frequently equated with abstinence. However, some individuals who resolve an addiction continue to use substances, including via substitution (i.e., increased use of one substance after eliminating/ reducing another). Substitution may play a distinct role during early recovery (≤ 1 year), as this period is marked by dramatic change and adjustment. Cannabis is one of the most used substances and is legal for medical and recreational use in an increasing number of states...

Cigarette smoking has been considered a major public health concern due to its serious impact on health. However, smokers intending to quit may find long-term abstinence challenging. When smoking an electronic cigarette (EC), users can experience a sensation and taste similar to that of smoking a combustible cigarette. Therefore, manufacturers promote these products as a viable substitute for combustible cigarettes. However, several researchers report the serious health impacts experienced by EC users. Therefore, this review aims to examine the health impacts of EC use...

INTRODUCTION: Acupuncture and related acupoint therapies have been widely used for smoking cessation. Some relevant systematic reviews (SRs) have been published. There is a need to summarize and update the evidence to inform practice and decision-making. METHODS: Eight databases were searched from their inception to December 2023. SRs, any randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture therapies with sham acupuncture, pharmacotherapy, behavioral therapy, or no treatment, were included...

BACKGROUND: Factors that predict attempts to discontinue drug use are clinically relevant and may inform treatment. This study investigated drug use-related consequences as a predictor of drug quit attempts and treatment seeking among two cohorts of persons who use drugs. METHODS: Drug use and clinical characteristics were assessed among persons who use cocaine (N=176; urine-verified; 'Cocaine Cohort') and among those who use heroin (N=166; urine-verified; 'Heroin Cohort')...

Jordan and Palestine are tightly related countries as the same families live in the two adjacent countries. The present study sought to examine the prevalence and determinants of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)symptoms, insomnia, and fatigue among a cohort of People with Epilepsy (PWE) in Jordan. This is a cross-sectional study with inclusion criteria. PTSD, insomnia, and fatigue were assessed using validated scales. Data were analyzed from 109 PWE, PTSD symptoms were screened in (35.5 %), and Insomnia was screened in 51...

BACKGROUND: People experiencing homelessness co-occurring with substance use or offending ('severe and multiple disadvantage' SMD) often have high levels of poor oral health and related health behaviours (particularly, substance use, smoking, poor diet). This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions in adults experiencing SMD to improve oral health and related health behaviours. METHODS AND FINDINGS: From inception to February 2023, five bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus) and grey literature were searched...

Research on online pornography abstinence movements has predominantly focused on men's perspectives, often within the context of the broader manosphere. This focus has overshadowed the unique experiences and viewpoints of women in these movements. Our study aimed to fill this gap by exploring women-centric perspectives in pornography abstinence forums, particularly Porn Free Women (r/pornfreewomen). Using a mixed methods approach, this study examined the sexual scripts presented in women-dominated pornography abstinence communities...

INTRODUCTION: International research suggests that poor patient compliance is the main cause of tutor failures in the context of potential novel orthopedic bivalve braces for conservative treatment of pectus carinatum. Our entire experimental study is based on the hypothesis that a rigid bivalve brace that patients can accept could solve the main problem associated with the conservative approach-poor compliance. The hypothesis was to reduce the thickness and weight of the classic bivalve brace to ensure concealment and make it sustainable enough to be worn several hours a day without compromising its therapeutic efficacy...

The use of direct alcohol biomarkers (ethylglucuronide and phosphatidylethanol) has recently been implemented in a clinical setting. Due to their low alcohol detection threshold, high sensitivity, and specificity, these tools are very useful in the pre- and post-liver transplantation setting, where the history and physical signs are not always reliable. However, the interpretation of the results can sometimes be misleading and must be integrated into a global clinical evaluation and, more importantly, in the clinical context of each patient...

INTRODUCTION: Substance use disorder (SUD) is often considered a chronic illness in which prolonged recovery, in terms of abstinence, is uncommon. Personality has been found to predict recovery, but not much is known about its long-term predictive ability as the majority of previous studies have had short follow-up periods (≥ one year). The current longitudinal cohort study therefore investigated whether personality traits predict short- (STR) as well as long-term recovery (LTR) in SUD patients...

INTRODUCTION: Smoking cessation is the best strategy for reducing tobacco-related morbimortality. The goal of this randomized controlled trial was to test whether using the genetically favorable markers to choose a smoking cessation drug treatment (precision medicine) was superior to using the most effective drug (varenicline) in terms of abstinence rates. Additionally, combination therapy was tested when monotherapy failed. METHODS: This partially blind, single-center study randomized (1:1) 361 participants into two major groups...

Mpox is a double-stranded DNA virus of the Orthopoxvirus genus related to smallpox virus endemic to Africa with more than 16,000 cases reported in nonendemic countries in 2022. Classically associated with adult men who have sex with men (MSM), Mpox was once labeled a public health emergency by the World Health Organization as concerning to the general population. Supraglottitis is a rare complication of Mpox that is underreported in the literature and presents a potential airway emergency. Prompt identification is necessary for preventing airway decompensation...