Addiction Research Articles

Using Social Media to Promote Life Skills Among Adolescents: A Debate on Opportunities, Challenges, and Implications for Health and Education.

The digitalization of society increasingly blurs boundaries between analog and digital worlds, offering opportunities such as telemedicine and global connectivity through digital platforms. However, it also presents risks, including cyberbullying, addiction potential, harmful content, misinformation, and privacy concerns from data breaches and surveillance technologies. Social media, with its global reach, amplifies both opportunities for positive engagement and the responsibility to navigate largely unregulated content. Adolescents, due to their developing critical evaluation skills and high prevalence of mental health challenges, are particularly vulnerable in this space and must navigate the risks associated with social media while simultaneously leveraging it for essential developmental tasks, such as identity formation and building social connections. To support them in this challenge, we propose adapting the traditional life skills approach to address the challenges of social media use, empowering adolescents to navigate both digital and analog environments effectively. These life skills include critical thinking, communication, and managing emotions and stress - all of which are essential for navigating social media. Despite its complexities, social media offers a unique platform for health promotion and prevention interventions due to its wide accessibility and reach. It holds significant promise for adolescent health by providing information, motivation, and social support. However, evidence-based, youth-centered prevention strategies on these platforms are still in early development and require further research to ensure effectiveness. Prevention programs integrating proven behavior change techniques, aligning with the preferences and needs of adolescents, and teaching essential life skills can empower them to navigate digital and analog challenges effectively.

A Comprehensive Review of Psychosocial, Academic, and Psychological Issues Faced by University Students in India.

University students confront a wide range of issues during their pursuit of education. Understanding these issues is essential for developing effective treatments and support systems. This study aims to delineate the landscape of scholarly literature pertaining to psychosocial, academic, and psychological issues among university students. It further identifies key journals and publishing trends within the fields, thereby significantly contributing to this domain. Additionally, this study outlines the scientific field networks that offer theoretical and conceptual foundations for exploring the psychosocial, academic, and psychological challenges faced by university students. Furthermore, it also intends to systematically categorise various types of problems encountered by university students in India. To systematically gather and investigate the problems encountered by students in higher education, this study utilises bibliometric analysis, highlighting topics related to mental health. Data were extracted from Scopus and Web of Sciences databases. The analysis of the literature yielded 12 overarching categories related to challenges faced by university students: stress, academic stress, depression, anxiety, internet/ smartphone addiction/ gaming disorder, low self-esteem, loneliness, insomnia, suicidal ideations, eating disorders, drug addiction, adjustment issues. Academic institutions should prioritise student mental health, as it affects academic performance and can lead to psychological disorders. Universities need Guidance and Counselling Cells staffed with professionals to help students manage psychosocial, academic, and psychological challenges.

Clinical patterns of personality and family functioning in drug addicts

Personality patterns and family functioning can enhance or mitigate the development of addictive behaviors, a psychosocial problem that affects vulnerable groups worldwide. This research aimed to establish the relationship between clinical personality patterns and family functioning according to the substance consumed in a population of drug-dependent patients admitted to rehabilitation centers in Zone 3, Ecuador. Its design was a non-experimental, transversal, and correlational type. The data were obtained through the documentary analysis technique from the review of medical records recorded by the institute's professionals, in which psychometric instruments were applied for psychological evaluation: Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III) and the Family Functioning Questionnaire (FF-SIL). The avoidant, antisocial, and depressive clinical patterns predominated among the different substances consumed. The dysfunctional family was highlighted in users of alcohol (44.4%), marijuana (45.5%), cocaine (63.7%), and multiple substances (60.9%). No statistically significant differences were found between the study variables concerning the consumption group. The correlation between personality patterns and family functioning was statistically significant and inversely proportional, with a moderate intensity between avoidance and functionality (-0.251). Therefore, when personality patterns increased, family functioning tended to decrease.

Special Issue on Substance Misuse and Addiction Disorders

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Analysing media portrayals of people with substance use disorder and addiction: A scoping review

Stigma about substance use disorders (SUDs) is a barrier to treatment and care. Media portrayals of SUDs influence public perceptions of people with SUDs and form the foundation for societal opinions and perspectives. For this reason, it is crucial to evaluate how the media portrays SUDs. This paper examines how the mass media portrays individuals with SUDs and how these portrayals reinforce negative stereotypes. It also evaluates the influence of media portrayals and the intersection of skin colour with these depictions. Additionally, this paper advocates for communication strategies that aim to destigmatize SUDs to enhance public education and encourage treatment-seeking behaviour. We used a scoping review approach, searching PubMed for medical subject heading (MeSH) terms ‘(addiction) and (portrayal)’ ( n = 58) and ‘(addiction) and (portrayal) and (media)’ ( n = 37). The search yielded 58 unique peer-reviewed articles (duplicates removed; n = 37). Of these, 42 did not meet our topic criteria, leaving 16 articles for analysis. Inductive thematic coding was performed on the 16 articles and uncovered eight portrayal themes: (1) positive endorsement ( n = 8, 50.0%), (2) violent or dangerous ( n = 7, 43.8%), (3) criminal ( n = 6, 37.5%), (4) risky behaviours ( n = 6, 37.5%), (5) policy-making ( n = 5, 31.3%), (6) unreliable, unstable or uncontrollable ( n = 3, 18.8%), (7) interventions or treatments ( n = 3, 18.8%), and (8) celebrity ( n = 3, 18.8%). These themes were observed in four types of media: entertainment media ( n = 9), social media ( n = 1), news media ( n = 7) and marketing media ( n = 5). The findings show that media portrayals of individuals with SUDs continue to reinforce negative stereotypes. Effective campaigns to counter this portrayal with anti-stigmatizing communication of addiction-related topics require collaboration between patients as partners, experts in addiction science and science communicators.

Substance Use and Addiction Disorders : A Call for Increased Screening and Treatment in the Emergency Department

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Practices in Addiction Treatment of Voluntary Drug Rehabilitation Institutions in Northwest China

Anti-Drug Law of the People’s Republic of China has made clear legal provisions for various measures to combat drug addiction, including voluntary rehabilitation, community rehabilitation, compulsory drug rehabilitation, and community rehabilitation. It has established a working system that combines drug rehabilitation treatment, rehabilitation guidance, and assistance services. Voluntary drug rehabilitation institutions are a crucial social force that not only reduces the public power’s expenses for mandatory drug rehabilitation but also helps drug users receive professional and standardized treatment, according to analyzing the treatment practices of voluntary drug rehabilitation institutions in Northwest China by conducting fieldwork at Huayou Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Xi’an. It is argued that the voluntary drug rehabilitation institutions in this region adhere to a holistic approach and utilize drug detoxification, methadone maintenance treatment, psychosocial support, and nursing intervention to provide patient-oriented treatment for addicted patients. However, most drug users tend to self-medicate, leading to low treatment compliance and high relapse rates. Consequently, drug rehabilitation medical institutions in Northwest China face new challenges, such as an increase in patients with alcohol and iatrogenic addictions, and a decrease in drug addiction patients. How to scientifically analyze the micro-meso-macro environmental factors affecting voluntary drug rehabilitation institutions in Northwest China, and then effectively integrate resources are the current work priorities of voluntary drug rehabilitation institutions in this region.

Stigma in substance-based and behavioural addictions: A systematic review.

The study of stigma contributes greatly to our understanding of individuals' experiences of mental disorders. Addictive disorders are often associated with public misconceptions of the disorder, which can contribute to shame, discrimination, and reticence to seek help. This review aimed to: (1) evaluate the nature, frequency, and prevalence of addiction stigma; (2) identify the correlates of addiction stigma; and (3) examine the psychometric qualities of addiction stigma measures. A search of Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and PsycNet, had 5,515 results which were screened for eligibility using Covidence. Eligible papers were quantitative, peer-reviewed studies, which reported an outcome variable of stigma related to an addiction. A total of 99 studies were included in the review, including 70 studies of substance-based addictions, 19 studies of behavioral addictions, and 10 studies which examined both. Thirteen of the 20 studies examining the impact of familiarity with addiction reported that greater familiarity was associated with lower public stigma. Studies comparing substance and behavioral addictions (n = 5) typically reported greater public stigma towards vignettes depicting substance-based addictions than for behavioral addictions. Between 22% and 40% of individuals with an addictive disorder identified stigma as a significant barrier to seeking help; however, the relative importance of stigma among other barriers was unclear. Evidence for countermeasures to prevent and/or reduce stigma is currently limited. Further research on the nature and prevalence of addiction stigma is needed to inform the development of effective clinical and public health countermeasures.

Use of antiepileptic drugs in mental disorders

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are quite often used in psychiatric practice and are considered the drugs of choice for mental disorders, primarily recurrent and bipolar depression and mania, behavioral and anxiety disorders with signs of bipolar emotional dysregulation, mental disorders with dependence on psychoactive substances. The level of evidence for the use of AEDs varies, sometimes they are used outside the recommendations of the FDA, EMA, outside the instructions of the Pharmcenter of Ukraine. Currently, mood stabilizers such as valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine have the highest level of evidence. Most psychotropic drugs are recommended for use in the treatment of affective disorders (antipsychotics, antidepressants, lithium salts) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (psychostimulants, atomoxetine) from the age of 6, which explains the widespread use of valproate and lamotrigine in pediatric practice outside direct indications. Bipolar affective disorders have a high level of comorbidity with generalized anxiety and panic disorder, which sometimes demonstrate low sensitivity to benzodiazepine therapy, but respond well to valproic acid salt therapy. The use of gabapentin in anxiety disorders is based on the results of controlled studies. Anticonvulsants are widely used in alcohol and substance abuse, addictive disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders associated with withdrawal states. The therapeutic and side effects of AEDs are closely related to behavioral disorders in epilepsy. They can improve or worsen behavioral symptoms associated with signs of emotional bipolar dysregulation and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is expected that the list of AEDs will continue to grow, and new proposals for use in psychiatric practice will appear.

Cannabinoid-based Pharmacology for the Management of Substance Use Disorders.

In the last two decades, the endocannabinoid system has emerged as a crucial modulator of motivation and emotional processing. Due to its widespread neuroanatomical distribution and characteristic retrograde signaling nature, cannabinoid type I receptors and their endogenous ligands finely orchestrate somatic and axon terminal activity of dopamine neurons. Owing to these unique features, this signaling system is a promising pharmacological target to ameliorate dopamine-mediated drug-seeking behaviors while circumventing the adverse side effects of, for instance, dopaminergic antagonists. Despite considerable preclinical efforts, an agreement on the efficacy of endocannabinoid-targeting compounds for treating drug substance use disorders in humans has not been reached. In the following chapter, we will summarize preclinical and clinical evidence addressing the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and endocannabinoid-targeting compounds in substance use disorders. To bridge the gap between animal and clinical research, we capitalize on studies evaluating the impact of endocannabinoid-targeting compounds in relevant settings, such as the management of drug relapse. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of novel cannabinoid compounds that hold promise for treating substance use disorders.

Role of Hypothalamus in Acupuncture's Effects.

The significant correlation between ancient medicinal practices and brain function marks a revolutionary frontier in the field of neuroscience. Acupuncture, a traditional oriental medicine, can affect brain regions, such as the hypothalamus, anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, and hippocampus, and produces specific therapeutic effects, such as pain relief, suppression of hypertension, and alleviation of drug addiction. Among the brain regions, the hypothalamus, a small yet critical region in the brain, plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating a wide array of physiological processes, including stress responses, energy balance, and pain modulation. Emerging evidence suggests that acupuncture may exert its therapeutic effects by modulating the activity of the hypothalamus and its associated neural circuits, particularly in relation to pain, stress, and metabolic regulation. Thus, we conducted a comprehensive review of past and current research on the role of the hypothalamus in mediating the therapeutic effects of acupuncture.

Neuromodulatory effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on cue reactivity and craving in young adults with internet gaming disorder: an event-related potential study.

This study assessed the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cue reactivity and craving for game-related cues using event-related potentials (ERPs) in internet gaming disorder (IGD) patients. At baseline, a series of game-related and neutral pictures were shown to both IGD and healthy controls (HCs) while ERPs were recorded. Late positive potentials (LPP) were used to investigate cue reactivity. During intervention, IGD patients received 10 sessions (two sessions/day for 5 consecutive days, 2 mA for 20 min/session) of tDCS to the left (anode stimulation) and right (cathode) dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Subjectively assessed craving and LPP component was analyzed before stimulation and at the 1-month follow-up after tDCS in IGD. At baseline, patients with IGD showed higher LPP amplitudes for game-related cues in the centro-parietal and parietal regions than HCs. After 10 sessions of tDCS, increased LPP amplitudes decreased significantly at 1-month follow-up., as well as subjective craving for gaming. These findings suggest that neurophysiological arousal in response to game-related cues in the IGD group could be modulated by the effects of tDCS. LPP was a significant neurophysiological marker of the neuroplastic response of cue reactivity underlying the therapeutic effect of tDCS on IGD. Based on the present findings, tDCS could be expanded to the treatment of other addictive disorders, including substance use disorder and behavioral addictions.

Changes in RNA Splicing: A New Paradigm of Transcriptional Responses to Probiotic Action in the Mammalian Brain.

Elucidating the gene regulatory mechanisms underlying the gut-brain axis is critical for uncovering novel gut-brain interaction pathways and developing therapeutic strategies for gut bacteria-associated neurological disorders. Most studies have primarily investigated how gut bacteria modulate host epigenetics and gene expression; their impact on host alternative splicing, particularly in the brain, remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the effects of the gut-associated probiotic Lacidofil® on alternative splicing across 10 regions of the rat brain using published RNA-sequencing data. The Lacidofil® altogether altered 2941 differential splicing events, predominantly, skipped exon (SE) and mutually exclusive exon (MXE) events. Protein-protein interactions and a KEGG analysis of differentially spliced genes (DSGs) revealed consistent enrichment in the spliceosome and vesicle transport complexes, as well as in pathways related to neurodegenerative diseases, synaptic function and plasticity, and substance addiction across brain regions. Using the PsyGeNET platform, we found that DSGs from the locus coeruleus (LConly), medial preoptic area (mPOA), and ventral dentate gyrus (venDG) were enriched in depression-associated or schizophrenia-associated genes. Notably, we highlight the App gene, where Lacidofil® precisely regulated the splicing of two exons causally involved in amyloid β protein-based neurodegenerative diseases. Although the splicing factors exhibited both splicing plasticity and expression plasticity in response to Lacidofil®, the overlap between DSGs and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in most brain regions was rather low. Our study provides novel mechanistic insight into how gut probiotics might influence brain function through the modulation of RNA splicing.

Interdisciplinary Study on the Peculiarities of Preserving the Mental Health of Minors and Youth in Conditions of Martial Law

According to estimates by experts from the World Health Organization, approximately 10 million citizens in Ukraine may be at risk of mental disorders that are directly associated with post- and long-COVID conditions, as well as the ongoing effects of martial law. These challenges have led to significant changes in the nation’s psycho-neurological and psycho-emotional health. Under ICD-11, recognized risk factors span infections, depression, substance addictions, polydrug use, smoking, and excessive consumption of alcohol or psychoactive substances. In wartime, such mental health disorders can reduce educational attainment, limit athletic performance, and undermine work capacity and professional qualifications. Recognizing the urgent need to address these issues, an interdisciplinary study has been conducted to identify the root causes and the conditions that give rise to mental health challenges among minors and youth. Drawing on forensic medical practice, it emphasizes the necessity of protecting the psychological well-being of the younger population during martial law. In addition, the study clarifies its relevance by examining factors that adversely affect minors and youth, including the stressful impacts of ongoing conflict and restricted access to support systems. It also explores psychological support methods that are both environmentally safe and sanctioned for use in Ukraine. Findings show that when psychologists with specialized training are involved, minors’ and youth mental health is safeguarded. By using evidence-based approaches, they boost resilience and foster healthier outcomes under challenging conditions. Such efforts not only preserve individual well-being but also support the broader goal of sustaining a capable population in times of crisis.

Neurotransmitters crosstalk and regulation in the reward circuit of subjects with behavioral addiction.

Behavioral addictive disorders (BADs) have become a significant societal challenge over time. The central feature of BADs is the loss of control over engaging in and continuing behaviors, even when facing negative consequences. The neurobiological underpinnings of BADs primarily involve impairments in the reward circuitry, encompassing the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens in the ventral striatum, and prefrontal cortex. These brain regions form networks that communicate through neurotransmitter signaling, leading to neurobiological changes in individuals with behavioral addictions. While dopamine has long been associated with the reward process, recent research highlights the role of other key neurotransmitters like serotonin, glutamate, and endorphins in BADs' development. These neurotransmitters interact within the reward circuitry, creating potential targets for therapeutic intervention. This improved understanding of neurotransmitter systems provides a foundation for developing targeted treatments and helps clinicians select personalized therapeutic approaches.

Astrocytes Mediate Psychostimulant-Induced Alterations ofSpike-Timing Dependent Synaptic Plasticity.

At cellular and circuit levels, drug addiction is considered a dysregulation of synaptic plasticity. In addition, dysfunction of the glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has also been proposed as a mechanism underlying drug addiction. However, the cellular and synaptic impact of GLT-1 alterations in the NAc remain unclear. Here we show in the NAc that 10 days withdraw after 5 days treatment with cocaine or amphetamine decreases GLT-1 expression in astrocytes, which results in the prolongation of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) decay kinetics in D1 receptor-containing medium spiny neurons (D1R-MSNs). Using the spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP) paradigm, we found that enlargement of EPSP duration results in switching the LTP elicited in control animals to LTD in psychostimulant-treated mice. In contrast to D1-MSNs, D2-MSNs did not display changes in EPSP kinetics and synaptic plasticity. Notably, the psychostimulant-induced synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity effects were absent in IP3R2-/- mice, which lack astrocyte calcium signal, but were mimicked by the selective astrocytes stimulation with DREADDs. Finally, ceftriaxone, which upregulates GLT-1, restored normal GLT-1 function, EPSP kinetics, and synaptic plasticity in psychostimulant-treated mice. Therefore, we propose that cocaine and amphetamine increase dopaminergic levels in the NAc, which stimulates astrocytes and downregulates the GLT-1. The decreased GLT-1 function prolonged the EPSP kinetics, leading to the modulation of the STDP, transforming the LTP observed in control animals into LTD in psychostimulant-treated mice. Present work reveals a novel mechanism underlying the synaptic plasticity changes induced by these drugs of abuse.

What constitutes a women’s recovery from addiction? Examining lived experiences and recovery capital of women from diverse European backgrounds

The majority of research on addiction recovery has been based on male samples using traditional, structured methods and interviews. This study brings the voices of women from diverse European countries to bring authentic lived experience voices into the research and showcase their perspectives on what constitutes their recovery journey and how these sources are intertwined. This study employs the Photovoice method as a participatory, arts-based approach to examine the recovery experiences of 17 women from diverse backgrounds in the UK, Sweden, and the Balkans, engaging participants throughout the research process. By engaging women with histories of substance addiction in discussing their photographs and linked narratives, we identified 11 themes that illuminate recovery complexities. Our findings highlight the interplay between personal, social, and community recovery capital, revealing the significant influence of gender-specific challenges and stigma. The collaborative nature of this study generated lived experience insights into recovery capital and enhanced visibility and participation, underscoring the method’s potential to capture nuanced recovery dynamics. Recognizing that recovery is not a straightforward process and often involves ongoing barriers, the study adds diverse women’s perspectives to the literature, emphasizing the importance of developing effective gendered and culturally-sensitive approaches to support systems.

Gut dysbiosis was inevitable, but tolerance was not: temporal responses of the murine microbiota that maintain its capacity for butyrate production correlate with sustained antinociception to chronic morphine

ABSTRACT The therapeutic benefits of opioids are compromised by the development of analgesic tolerance, which necessitates higher dosing for pain management thereby increasing the liability for drug dependence and addiction. Rodent models indicate opposing roles of the gut microbiota in tolerance: morphine-induced gut dysbiosis exacerbates tolerance, whereas probiotics ameliorate tolerance. Not all individuals develop tolerance, which could be influenced by differences in microbiota, and yet no study design has capitalized upon this natural variation. We leveraged natural behavioral variation in a murine model of voluntary oral morphine self-administration to elucidate the mechanisms by which microbiota influences tolerance. Although all mice shared similar morphine-driven microbiota changes that largely masked informative associations with variability in tolerance, our high-resolution temporal analyses revealed a divergence in the progression of dysbiosis that best explained sustained antinociception. Mice that did not develop tolerance maintained a higher capacity for production of the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate known to bolster intestinal barriers and promote neuronal homeostasis. Both fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) from donor mice that did not develop tolerance and dietary butyrate supplementation significantly reduced the development of tolerance independently of suppression of systemic inflammation. These findings could inform immediate therapies to extend the analgesic efficacy of opioids.

Thinking beyond substances: Why behavioral "addiction" research must move past substance use disorder paradigms.

In this viewpoint article, the authors contend that behavioral addiction (BA) research must move past substance use disorder paradigms. Under the most liberal definitions of BA, activities such as eating, exercise, work, smartphone use, and a litany of others could all become addictions. Abundant clinical evidence shows that people may frequently engage in behaviors in ways that become impairing. Yet, frequency of engagement in a behavior is insufficient evidence that addiction is occurring and may be of little evidentiary value at all. There are also severe problems with assuming equivalence between all behavioral processes and substance use. The conceptual problems manifest in methodological problems, meaning that many of the methodological approaches used in substance use research are likely not valid for BA research. Given abundant evidence that the behavior patterns commonly referred to as BAs are associated with distress and impairment, BAs are likely to continue to garner interest in both clinical care and clinical science. To better understand the phenomenology of BAs, research should first start with systematic and multimethod investigations among patients reporting such problems. That is, rather than simply co-opting methods and measures from substance use disorder (SUD) research, BA research should carefully consider the signs and symptoms reported by people experiencing real impairments from excessive and dysregulated behavioral engagements. Additionally, BA researchers should seek to engage with larger theoretical perspectives on psychopathology regarding the core processes that seem to be driving such impairments. For BA research to achieve scientific legitimacy, explain clinical phenomena, and, ultimately, reduce human suffering, the study of such disorders must move beyond SUD paradigms and addiction framing alone and instead strive for riskier tests of validity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Factors Contributing to On-campus Drug use among Students: A Study of the Boys’ Hostels in the University of Peshawar

This study highlights the role of hostel life in promoting/reducing drug use amongst university students. The major question asked was whether hostel life has played any role in promoting drug use amongst the students? The study was conducted on mixed method concurrent design in which 279 substance users participated. The snow-ball sampling technique was used to identify respondents. Quantitative data was collected through questioner and qualitative data was collected through interview. The results indicate that there is highly significant relationship between substance abuse and role of university hostels lives in promoting or initiate taking substances. According to the user’s perspective, the major findings of the study which play important role in increasing trends of substance abuse in university hostels as peer pressure, hostel roommates, hostel mates, campus friends and the surrounding environment. The researchers propose that university administration and hostel authority should enhance strict rules, regulation and monitor the hostels students to reduce the substance addiction in university hostels.