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Addiction Disorders
Science behind genetic testing for identifying risk of opioid misuse remains unproven
Science behind genetic testing for identifying risk of opioid misuse remains unproven
A new report from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine and Crescenz VA Medical Center has evaluated a genetic test for opioid use disorder that recently received pre-marketing approval by the FDA, finding that the genes comprising it do not accurately identify individuals likely to develop the disorder.
Unveiling the brain’s reward circuitry
Unveiling the brain’s reward circuitry
A new study from Penn Nursing identifies 34 subtypes of neurons in the brain that play potential roles in substance use disorders.
Identifying connections between adverse childhood events and substance use disorders
Identifying connections between adverse childhood events and substance use disorders
New research from Penn Medicine finds that people with anxiety and substance use disorders reported experiencing more adverse childhood experiences and lacking protective factors, such as close family connections, that can mitigate their harms.
How incentives could better treat stimulant use disorder
How incentives could better treat stimulant use disorder
Researchers at Penn Medicine are working to update contingency management protocols and dissemination practices that focus on incentivizing behavior for patients.
Humanizing the hospital experience for people with substance use disorders
Humanizing the hospital experience for people with substance use disorders
Anooshey Ikhlas, Catherine Hood, and Brianna Aguilar, winners of a 2024 President’s Engagement Prize, will work with Penn Presbyterian Medical Center to address challenges faced during hospitalization and reduce premature discharges.
Helping hospitalized patients address addiction with empathy
Helping hospitalized patients address addiction with empathy
Certified recovery specialist Eric Ezzi brings compassionate care to for patients dealing with substance use, a role that is part Penn Medicine’s efforts to address the urgent drug addiction crisis.
New Penn Medicine Nudge Unit pilots show simple questions can improve care
New Penn Medicine Nudge Unit pilots show simple questions can improve care
Experts at the Penn Medicine Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy have seen success in treatment after posing one question: “Why not treat alcohol use the same way we’ve been treating opioid use?”
One in six patients with opioid use disorder leaving the hospital before completing treatment
One in six patients with opioid use disorder leaving the hospital before completing treatment
A new Penn Medicine analysis shows that discharges too early for patients with opioid use disorder increased over 50% between 2016 and 2020.
The new U.S. plan to target xylazine-laced fentanyl
The new U.S. plan to target xylazine-laced fentanyl
Researchers from Penn LDI, in conjunction with the Center for Health Economics of Treatment Interventions for Substance Use Disorder, analyze the plan and raise the question of whether it goes far enough.
Auto-nudges increase emergency department treatment of opioid use disorder
Auto-nudges increase emergency department treatment of opioid use disorder
A Penn Medicine study finds assessment for opioid withdrawal doubles when a triage screening question is paired with electronic health record automated prompts.
In the News
Self
The surgeon general calls for new warning labels on alcohol—here’s the truth about how it impacts your health
Henry Kranzler of the Perelman School of Medicine says that alcohol’s effects on the brain are observed more readily because it’s the organ of behavior.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Penn is offering free Narcan through vending machine on campus
A vending machine on Penn’s campus will offer free Narcan and other wellness and health products, with remarks from Jackie Recktenwald and Benoit Dubé of Wellness at Penn.
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Yahoo! Life
Could Ozempic curb your cigarettes craving? A new study suggests semaglutide may help people quit smoking
Heath Schmidt of the Perelman School of Medicine says that it’s not fully understood how weight loss drugs work in the context of substance use disorder.
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Philadelphia Tribune
‘A system of disjointed pieces’: Philly addiction medicine experts call for reforms in substance use treatment
Margaret Lowenstein of the Perelman School of Medicine says that patients seeking substance use treatment who also have infections or wounds struggle to get into a rehab that has the capacity to care for these issues.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Drug deaths and overdoses plague Philly jails, raising concerns about plans to step up Kensington arrests
Jeanmarie Perrone of the Perelman School of Medicine says that opioid withdrawal is typically not life-threatening, but that underlying health conditions or multidrug use can result in serious complications.
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Psychology Today
Fentanyl overdoses may cause brain injury
Researchers from Penn and the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggest that neurologic and cognitive impairments could interfere with a patient’s ability to engage in addiction treatment.
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