Effect Of Heroin Use Research Articles

Labor Market Effects of the Oxycodone-Heroin Epidemic

<ns3:p>We estimate the causal effects of heroin use on labor market outcomes by proxying for heroin use with prior exposure to oxycodone, the largest of the prescription opioids with a well-documented history of abuse. After a nationwide tightening in the supply of oxycodone in 2010, states with greater prior exposure to oxycodone experienced much larger increases in heroin use and mortality. We find increases in heroin use led to declines in employment and labor force participation rates, particularly for white, young, and less educated groups, consistent with the profile of oxycodone misusers. The results show the importance of extending beyond prescriptions when accounting for the labor market effects of the opioid crisis.</ns3:p>

Effect of Heroin Use on Immune Activation and Cardiovascular Risk in HIV

Effect of Heroin Use on Immune Activation and Cardiovascular Risk in HIV

The following abstracts were presented as posters at the 2017 NEI Congress.

Congratulations to the scientific poster winners: 1 st Place: #178-Gender Differences in Prodromal Symptoms of Dementia 2 nd Place: #146-Effect of Heroin Use on Changes of Brain Functions As Measured by fMRI, a Systematic Review 3 rd Place: #185-Second Generation Antipsychotics and Catatonia: A Literature Review.

Effect of heroin use on changes of brain functions as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging, a systematic review

ABSTRACTIn this study the authors focus on reviewing imaging studies that used resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging for individuals with a history of heroin use. This review study compiled existing research addressing the effect of heroin use on decision making by reviewing available functional neuroimaging data. Systematic review of the literatures using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Eligible articles were retrieved through a computer-based MEDLINE and PsycINFO search from 1960 to December 2015 using the major medical subject headings “heroin, fMRI” (all fields). Only English language was included. Thirty-seven articles were initially included in the review. Sixteen were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. The results of 21 articles that met all the inclusion criteria were presented. Based on the 21 studies included in the current review, there is evidence that heroin use may have a direct and damaging effect on certain brain functions and that these changes may be associated with impulsive and unhealthy decision making. From the review of these studies, the authors understand that a longer duration of heroin use may be associated with more damaging effects on brain functions. The authors also understand that these brain changes could last long after abstinence, which may increase the risk of relapse to heroin use. More research is needed to create a biomarker map for patients with heroin use disorder that can be used to guide and assess response to treatment.

Neuropsychological Status of Heroin Users Undergoing Methadone Maintenance in Harm Reduction Program and Therapeutic Community

The neuropsychological consequences of opioid abuse are particularly evident in attention, memory and executive functioning, but it remains unclear whether these consequences persist in heroin users doing methadone in harm reduction programs and therapeutic community treatments. Thus, the current study aimed to assess these cognitive domains in distinct clinical groups of heroin users undergoing methadone maintenance. The sample consisted of 110 participants divided in four groups (low threshold methadone program, short-term community treatment, long-term community treatment, drug-free controls). These groups were compared regarding memory and attentional abilities. Multiple linear regressions were then conducted to obtain standardized effect sizes for significant comparisons. Results showed a better attentional and memory function in patients that were in opioid dependence treatment in community opposed to patients in harm reduction programs (p’s < 0.05). Standardized effect sizes suggest larger improvements in cognition in long-term heroin-abstinent individuals doing methadone maintenance. These results highlight the detrimental effect of heroin use in cognitive function, but also suggest that this decrement may be reversed during long-term opioid dependence treatment.

Finite mixture varying coefficient models for analyzing longitudinal heterogenous data

This paper aims to develop a mixture model to study heterogeneous longitudinal data on the treatment effect of heroin use from a California Civil Addict Program. Each component of the mixture is characterized by a varying coefficient mixed effect model. We use the Bayesian P-splines approach to approximate the varying coefficient functions. We develop Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms to estimate the smooth functions, unknown parameters, and latent variables in the model. We use modified deviance information criterion to determine the number of components in the mixture. A simulation study demonstrates that the modified deviance information criterion selects the correct number of components and the estimation of unknown quantities is accurate. We apply the proposed model to the heroin treatment study. Furthermore, we identify heterogeneous longitudinal patterns.

Retrospective recall of heroin initiation and the impact on peer networks

Initiation to heroin use is an event that is evidently memorable for the individual–even many years later. The current exploratory study assesses heroin initiation among a cohort of long-term substance users to assess the effects of heroin use on peer networks. Participants were able to recollect the occasion of their initiation in considerable detail and were able to recall and describe the peer networks in which they were involved at the time. Initiation into heroin use had had a profound effect on these networks, fragmenting groups between those who initiated and continued to use and those who did not. However, even among the continued users, there was a more gradual rupture, with loosening of social bonds outside family and the closest friendship dyads. Heroin initiation is a critical event that has received little research attention, yet its impact on social functioning is reported here as dramatic and influential in shaping the users’ self-perceptions and identity.

MAPPING THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN UNANTICIPATED DRUG SUPPLY CHANGE OF UNCERTAIN ORIGINS: RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTARIES

MAPPING THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN UNANTICIPATED DRUG SUPPLY CHANGE OF UNCERTAIN ORIGINS: RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTARIES

Impulse control differences between abstinent heroin users and matched controls

Objective : Heroin use has been associated with increased impulsive behaviour. This study examined the lasting effect of heroin use on impulse control in a group of ex-heroin addicts. Research design and method : Twenty-eight men, 14 ex-heroin addicts and 14 matched controls, participated in this study. The impulse control ability between the two groups was compared. Each participant was individually interviewed for demographic data and testing of their impulse control ability using the Porteus Maze Test. Results : The findings indicated that the ex-heroin addicts performed significantly more poorly on the measure of impulse control than the matched controls. Conclusions : This observation suggests that the adverse effect of heroin on impulse control may be long lasting. Alternative explanations for the findings were also discussed.

Recreational drug use: A neglected risk factor for end-stage renal disease

Case series have suggested that heroin and cocaine users are at increased risk for renal failure, but the contribution of heroin and other addictive drugs to the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the general population remains unknown. To clarify this issue, we conducted a case-control study in the general population to examine associations between drug use and treated ESRD. Cases were 716 patients who started therapy for ESRD in 1991, identified through a regional registry. Controls were 361 persons of similar age (20 to 65 years) selected by random digit dialing. Main risk factors examined were the lifetime use of heroin, cocaine, and other addictive drugs, assessed by telephone interview. After adjustment for age, sex, race, socioeconomic status, and history of hypertension and diabetes, persons who had ever used heroin or other opiates (any amount) were at increased risk for ESRD (adjusted odds ratio, 19.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 208.7). After adjustment for the same sociodemographic and medical history variables, the use of cocaine or crack and psychedelic drugs was also associated with ESRD, but these associations could not be separated from the effects of heroin use. © 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.

Motivation to withdraw from heroin: a factor-analytic study.

A 30-item motivation scale and a locus of control scale were given to 165 heroin users within the first 2 days of a new attempt to withdraw from heroin. Factor analysis of the motivation items revealed three factors, the largest of which was labelled 'private affairs motivation' (factor one), and accounted for 26.5% of the variance. A significant positive correlation was found between scores on this factor and the I sub-scale for locus of control. The other two factors were labelled 'external constraints' (7.2% of the variance) and 'negative effects of heroin use' (6.6% of the variance). There was a tendency for subjects attending community drug teams to have lower scores on these factors than those attending other types of agencies, especially in-patient detoxification wards. Further research is required to examine the relationship between the different motivations to withdraw from heroin and other important variables such as withdrawal outcome.

Plasma testosterone levels during chronic heroin use and protracted astinence. A study of Hong Kong addicts.

The effects of heroin use and subsequent prolonged abstinence on plasma testosterone levels were examined in 31 male heroin addicts. Heroin (alone and in combination with methadone) significantly suppressed plasma testosterone levels. However, drug-induced testosterone suppression does not appear to be permanent in adult addicts. Recovery of testosterone levels to normal occurred after about one month of heroin abstinence.