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Boots on the ground for the opioid task force
pill sorting at pharmacy

Boots on the ground for the opioid task force

Opioid addiction is a “public health emergency,” according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Overdose deaths involving opioids—both prescription and illegal—have increased fivefold between 1999 and 2016.

Penn Today Staff

From addiction and loss to recovery and empathy: Q&A with Nicole O’Donnell
recovery

From addiction and loss to recovery and empathy: Q&A with Nicole O’Donnell

At Penn Medicine’s Center of Excellence, the certified recovery specialist reaches out to people who are addicted in need of support and guidance, drawing on her own experience to be uniquely helpful and intuitive for people who need the most help.

Penn Today Staff

A potential new weapon in the battle against addiction
Research from Penn’s Heath Schmidt revealed that drugs already approved by the FDA to treat diabetes and obesity may reduce cocaine relapse and help addicted people break the habit

The green fluorescent ‘dots’ above show where Exendin-4, an FDA-approved drug used to treat diabetes and obesity, ends up in the brain. The drug activates receptors for glucagon-like peptide 1 or GLP-1, a hormone that reduces food intake. The blue and red coloring indicate neurons and astrocytes, respectively.

A potential new weapon in the battle against addiction

New research revealed that FDA-approved drugs to treat diabetes and obesity may reduce cocaine relapse and help addicts break the habit. Such medications work by targeting receptors for glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone in the brain.

Michele W. Berger

Xylazine wounds are a growing crisis among drug users in Philly—a nurse explains potential causes and proper treatment

Xylazine wounds are a growing crisis among drug users in Philly—a nurse explains potential causes and proper treatment

Rachel McFadden of the Perelman School of Medicine and Leonard Davis Institute writes that “tranq” wounds—characterized by deep pockets of dead tissue—have become increasingly visible in Philadelphia among people who use drugs. [This article contains graphic images.]