Addiction Disorders | Penn Today

The Economist

Why America has not passed a law to treat addiction better

Ashish Thakrar of the Perelman School of Medicine says that federal regulations prevent him from administering methadone for pain or opioid addiction at his outpatient addiction clinic.

Uncovering key brain circuit in the fight against cocaine use disorder

A new study published in Science Advances by Penn Nursing’s Heath Schmidt has identified a critical brain circuit that plays a pivotal role in regulating cocaine-seeking behavior.

A scientist with a pipette and a test tube with a computer screen in the background.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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