Weekly buprenorphine injections improve opioid abstinence during pregnancy

In a clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a research team found that administering weekly injectable extended-release buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) during pregnancy led to higher rates of abstinence from illicit opioids than buprenorphine given daily under the tongue (sublingual), one of the standard methods of treatment. … Read more

Smartwatch data may help detect opioid misuse risk

Opioid overdoses continue to take a devastating toll across the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2023, the nation recorded roughly 105,000 drug overdose deaths overall, with nearly 80,000 deaths involving opioids. Worldwide, opioids are also responsible for the majority of drug-related deaths. A University of California … Read more

Mixed Results for BC’s Opioid Standard for Noncancer Pain

An opioid prescribing practice standard for chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) was associated with accelerated declines in opioid doses and high-dose prescribing in British Columbia (BC) but also with more aggressive and inappropriate dose tapering, a new analysis showed. In addition, the standard resulted in restricted access to opioids for patients who may have benefited from … Read more

Illicit fentanyl use in the U.S. far higher than previously reported

More Americans use illicit opioids such as fentanyl than previously estimated, highlighting the need for better methods to understand the depths of the opioid crisis, according to a new study. A survey of American adults found that 11% reported illicit opioid use within the past 12 months and 7.5% reported use of illicitly produced fentanyl … Read more

Mindfulness Therapy Reduces Opioid Cravings

Archyde Mindfulness Therapy Shows Promise in Combating Opioid Addiction Published: April 30, 2025 17:51:33 UTC SAN DIEGO – A mindfulness-based therapy is showing potential as a weapon against the opioid crisis. Researchers at the University of California San Diego have discovered that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can effectively rewire the brain’s response to natural pleasures, … Read more

Mindfulness-based therapy found to decrease opioid cravings and improve emotional health

Researchers from the University of California San Diego have found that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can help rewire the brain’s response to natural healthy pleasure, leading to improved mood, greater attention to positive experiences and reduced opioid cravings. The findings, published on April 30, 2025 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), suggest … Read more

A Safer Sedation for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation?

TOPLINE: The combination of remimazolam and ketamine for deep analgosedation during pulsed-field ablation for atrial fibrillation was associated with fewer adverse events than propofol-based methods, with the regimen significantly reducing hypoxemia and hypotension. METHODOLOGY: Czech researchers conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial involving 127 patients (mean age, 62.9 years; 35.1% women) with an indication for … Read more

Doctor Shopping: Trends & Risks

The Shadow Economy of prescription Drugs: A Firsthand Account of Exploitation and its Aftermath Table of Contents The Shadow Economy of prescription Drugs: A Firsthand Account of Exploitation and its Aftermath The Rise of “Doctor Shopping” Monetizing Medication: A Parallel Market Doctor Shopping: Trends, Risks, and How to Spot It What is Doctor Shopping? Current … Read more

Canadian Pediatricians Ill Prepared to Treat Drug Overdoses

Illicit drug toxicity is an “escalating public health emergency” in Canada that significantly affects adolescents, yet pediatricians are ill prepared to manage it, new research suggested. A study of more than 1000 pediatricians in Canada who care for young people aged 12-18 years found that while close to 14% reported caring for at least one … Read more

Mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapies offer lasting relief for chronic low back pain

A year-long clinical trial showed that both mindfulness-based therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduce pain and opioid use in adults with chronic low back pain, with comparable long-term outcomes. Study: Mindfulness vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain Treated With Opioids: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Image Credit: Sasin Paraska / Shutterstock.com Both mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) and … Read more