Psychological Dependence Research Articles

Gabapentinoids: Considerations on their contextual harmfulness and psychological dependence potential

Gabapentinoids: Considerations on their contextual harmfulness and psychological dependence potential

DBPR116, a Prodrug of BPRMU191, in Combination with Naltrexone as a Safer Opioid Analgesic Than Morphine via Peripheral Administration.

The development of opioid analgesics with reduced adverse effects is an unmet need. In a previous study, we discovered a unique combination of BPRMU191 and morphinan antagonists that produced potent antinociception with reduced adverse effects after central administration (intrathecal or intracerebroventricular). BPRMU191/naltrexone exhibits notable in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties. However, the poor blood-brain barrier penetrative ability of BPRMU191 restricts its clinical application. In this study, we utilized a prodrug strategy to deliver sufficient brain concentrations of BPRMU191 and selected compound 2 (DBPR116) with the best physicochemical and pharmacological properties among other in vivo active prodrugs. The in vivo pharmacological studies of compound 2/naltrexone, including thermally stimulated pain, cancer pain, constipation, sedation, psychological dependence, heart rate, and respiratory frequency measurements, demonstrated that it was a safer opioid analgesic than morphine in pain control.

The Effect of Memantine on the Expression of Dopamine Receptors in the Striatum of Male Rats With Morphine Addiction

Background and Objectives: Studies have indicated that the chronic use of morphine can result in physical and psychological dependence. Morphine dependence is associated with several cellular and molecular alterations in the mesocorticolimbic system, and striatal dopamine signaling is involved in this process. In the present study, we aim to investigate possible alterations in the level of dopamine receptors DRD2 and DRD4 in the striatum of male rats following chronic oral administration of morphine and assess the effect of subcutaneous injection of memantine on morphine-induced effects. Methods: In this experimental study, 16 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, morphine, memantine, and morphine+memantine. The morphine group received increasing doses of morphine (0.1-0.4 mg/kg) via their drinking water for 21 consecutive days. The memantine groups, after receiving distilled water without morphine for 21 days, received a subcutaneous injection of 5 mg memantine. The morphine memantine group received 5 mg of memantine subcutaneously on day 21 and 30 minutes after the last oral administration of morphine. After collecting striatum tissue, dopamine receptor levels were evaluated by the western blotting method. Results: The chronic use of morphine increased the levels of DRD2 and DRD4 compared to the controls. Memantine administration also increased the level of these receptors compared to the controls. In addition, the expression of DRD2 and DRD4 increased in the morphine+ memantine group compared to the memantine group. Conclusion: Morphine affects the expression of dopamine receptors in the striatum. Treatment with memantine can increases dopamine receptors’ expression.

Is cannabis a slippery slope? Associations between psychological dysfunctioning, other substance use, and impaired driving, in a sample of active cannabis users.

Cannabis is a gateway drug that can lead to the engagement of other substances. Psychological dysfunctioning and dependence have been highlighted as primary components to substance misuse. The purpose of this study was to investigate what aspects of cannabis use and psychological dysfunctioning are associated with the engagement of other substances and impaired driving. Subject to screening, 200 active adult cannabis users completed an online survey. Existing data involving non-cannabis users (N = 833) were also implemented as comparative data. The comparisons suggested that cannabis users were far more likely to have used other drugs in the past 12 months, compared to non-cannabis users. Bivariate correlations and multiple regressions indicated that the degree of cannabis use and likely dependence, psycho-social motives for using cannabis, emotion dysregulation, and psychopathology were positively associated with the frequency of using and driving on other substances. Finally, an ANOVA demonstrated that outside of age, there were no apparent differences in substance use behaviours, motives for using cannabis, and psychological dysfunction, between medicinal and black-market cannabis users. These findings highlight the potential benefits of incorporating self-regulatory concepts into current road safety initiatives, which aim to reduce the interconnected issue of substance misuse and impaired driving behaviours.

Relationship between Social Media Addiction and Urgency in Young Adults

This study intended to inspect the relationship of urgency (positive and negative) and social media addiction (SMA) in young adults. The study also explored the gender differences on SMA and urgency. Two of the proposed hypotheses were put into testing, i.e., i) There is a relationship between SMA and urgency among young adults, and ii) There are gender differences in SMA and urgency. This research used a correlational research design and convenience sampling strategy. A sample of 300 university students was collected that included 150 males and 150 females age ranging between 18-25 years (M= 19.03, SD= 3.29). The data was collected in person through a self-constructed demographic questionnaire, Social Networking Addiction Scale (SNAS), and Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, and Positive Urgency (UPPS-P) Impulsive Behavior Scale. The data was analyzed through SPSS software and Pearson correlation along with independent sample t-test were employed to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that there is a positive relationship between urgency and SMA among young adults, however, no significant gender differences were found in urgency, social media addiction, and their subscales. This study urges young adults to limit social media use to prevent psychological dependence that can harm both productivity and mental well-being. It highlights the tendency of individuals to turn to social media as an escape when overwhelmed by emotional states, often sharing more than they would in a more balanced state of mind. This emotional oversharing can lead to unintended consequences, impacting personal and professional lives.

민법 개정안에서 의사표시의 유효성

This article analyzes the main contents of the proposed amendments to the Civil Code suggested by the Civil Code Amendment Committee, which was launched on June 16, 2023, in relation to the validity of declarations of intent from a legislative policy and comparative law perspective. First, the proposed amendments maintain the current law for Articles 107, 108, and 110, except for minor modifications in wording. Next, the proposed amendment to Article 109 on mistakes explicitly includes mistakes regarding the juridical act's necessary basis (Grundlagenirrtum) and mistakes induced by the other party as grounds for avoidance. It also modifies the wording of the essential part requirement to clarify the subjective and objective causal relationships as its meaning. Furthermore, it exceptionally allows avoidance even when the declarant is grossly negligent, provided that the other party is also grossly negligent. These changes reflect both case law and comparative law. However, the proposed amendment does not accept the declarant's liability for damages in case of negligence and leaves the possibility of contract modification in case of mutual mistakes to doctrine and case law. Meanwhile, the newly introduced Article 110-2 recognizes a new ground for avoidance when the declarant makes a declaration of intent under undue interference in their decision-making due to a state of psychological dependence or a close relationship of trust. This rule attempts to introduce the common law doctrine of undue influence and protect the autonomy of intent in a manner equivalent to fraud and duress. The content and direction of the above-mentioned amendments appropriately reflect the current state of our doctrine and case law and align with recent legislative trends from a comparative law perspective.

Management of intensive care unit withdrawal syndrome

Intensive care unit (ICU) patients frequently develop physical and psychological dependence on analgesic and sedative medications, which can lead to Iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome (IWS) upon discontinuation or tapering. The incidence of IWS in adult ICU patients varies significantly, with reported rates ranging from 12% to 100%. Identified risk factors for IWS include advanced age, obesity, medication dosage, and duration of exposure. The clinical manifestations of IWS are varied and include increased excitability of the central nervous system, gastrointestinal disturbances, and sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity. Preventive and therapeutic strategies for IWS encompass individualized medication regimens, structured withdrawal protocols, and a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. This review emphasizes the critical need for heightened awareness and improved management strategies to mitigate the incidence of IWS in ICU patients.

Structural Relationship Among Mindfulness, Perceived Stress Level, and Psychological Dependence on Smoking

Structural Relationship Among Mindfulness, Perceived Stress Level, and Psychological Dependence on Smoking

The cell-permeant antioxidant D-thiol ester D-cysteine ethyl ester overcomes physical dependence to morphine in male Sprague Dawley rats.

The ability of morphine to decrease cysteine transport into neurons by inhibition of excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAA3) may be a key molecular mechanism underlying the acquisition of physical and psychological dependence to morphine. This study examined whether co-administration of the cell-penetrant antioxidant D-thiol ester, D-cysteine ethyl ester (D-CYSee), with morphine, would diminish the development of physical dependence to morphine in male Sprague Dawley rats. Systemic administration of the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (NLX), elicited pronounced withdrawal signs (e.g., wet-dog shakes, jumps, rears, circling) in rats that received a subcutaneous depot of morphine (150mg/kg, SC) for 36h and continuous intravenous infusion of vehicle (20μL/h, IV). The NLX-precipitated withdrawal signs were reduced in rats that received an infusion of D-CYSee, but not D-cysteine, (both at 20.8μmol/kg/h, IV) for the full 36h. NLX elicited pronounced withdrawal signs in rats treated for 48h with morphine (150mg/kg, SC), plus continuous infusion of vehicle (20μL/h, IV) that began at the 36h timepoint of morphine treatment. The NLX-precipitated withdrawal signs were reduced in rats that received a 12h infusion of D-CYSee, but not D-cysteine, (both at 20.8μmol/kg/h, IV) that began at the 36h timepoint of morphine treatment. These findings suggest that D-CYSee may attenuate the development of physical dependence to morphine and reverse established dependence to the opioid in male Sprague Dawley rats. Alternatively, D-CYSee may simply suppress the processes responsible for NLX-precipitated withdrawal. Nonetheless, D-CYSee and analogues may be novel therapeutics for the treatment of opioid use disorders.

Isobutyryl-carfentanyl has strong acute toxicity and analgesic effects with high addiction potential.

Isobutyryl-carfentanyl is the most recently discovered fentanyl analogue with a chemical structure that is similar to that of carfentanyl. Its analogue, carfentanyl, is regarded as one of the most lethal drugs in the world, with a potency of 10,000 times that of morphine. Therefore, isobutyryl-carfentanyl may possess a comparably high potency and its harmful effects cannot be ignored. This study was designed to assess the analgesic effect of isobutyryl-carfentanyl and the potential risks associated with its misuse. In this study, we assessed the acute toxicity of isobutyryl-carfentanyl by up-and-down-procedure, the analgesic efficacy by hot-plate test, the abuse potential by conditioned place preference (CPP), drug self-administration, and drug discrimination tests, and compared it with fentanyl and carfentanyl. The estimated median lethal dose (LD50) of isobutyryl-carfentanyl administered were 175mg/kg (intragastric administration, IG), 15.84mg/kg (intraperitoneal injection, IP), 15.84mg/kg (subcutaneous injection, SC), and 1.6mg/kg (intravenous injection, IV), respectively. The 50% maximal analgesic effect (ED50) of isobutyryl-carfentanyl was determined to be 0.00319mg/kg, with an analgesic potency 14 times that of fentanyl and 0.82 times that of carfentanyl. Isobutyryl-carfentanyl exhibited a significant positional preference at a minimum dose of 0.1mg/kg, while fentanyl exhibited a significant positional preference at a minimum dose of 0.3mg/kg. In the heroin (0.05mg/kg/infusion) self-administration substitution experiment, isobutyryl-carfentanyl showed significant self-administration behaviour at doses of 0.0005-0.001mg/kg/infusion, with the maximum number of infusions observed at a dose of 0.001mg/kg. In the heroin (1mg/kg) drug discrimination experiment, fentanyl (0.005-0.02mg/kg), carfentanyl (0.0005-0.002mg/kg), and isobutyryl-carfentanyl (0.001-0.005mg/kg) were tested in the dose-effect curves. The results showed that all three drugs exhibit dose-dependent increase in the number of drug-associated nose pokes responses and reduction in the rate of nose pokes. The subjective effect potency of isobutyryl-carfentanyl was found to be 4.4 times that of fentanyl and 0.5 times that of carfentanyl. In summary, isobutyryl-carfentanyl has high acute toxicity and analgesic effect, with strong psychological dependence approximately 5 times that of fentanyl and 0.5 times that of carfentanyl, and has extremely high abuse potency.

Law Enforcement Against Drug Abusers Through Medical Rehabilitation and Social Rehabilitation

Drug abuse is a global threat that damages society. Although various efforts have been made, there is still a lot of confusion and misunderstanding in the community about the dangers of narcotics. Patterns of drug use have pathological features, causing physical and psychological dependence. Law enforcement against drug abuse involves medical and social rehabilitation to help individuals recover and return to functioning in society. A holistic and collaborative approach from various parties as well as the use of new disciplines and technologies are needed to effectively address this problem. NThis research uses a normative legal analysis approach that focuses on law enforcement against drug abuse. The normative approach is used by analysing the synchronisation of vertical and horizontal legal norms and related legal systematics. The implementation of medical and social rehabilitation emphasises the importance of a holistic approach in helping individuals affected by drug abuse. This approach includes medical, social, and spiritual dimensions, such as Ruqyah, Dhikr, and spiritual contemplation methods, to design a more comprehensive and effective rehabilitation strategy. Recommendations for enforcement for people who misuse drugs should promote a holistic approach that includes medical, social, and spiritual aspects, such as Ruqyah and Dhikr, to support comprehensive recovery. Law enforcement should focus on treatment and recovery rather than punishment, and be supported by communities and based on social and humanitarian understanding.

The Tendency to Use Substances/Drugs and its Association with Interpersonal Dependence in Iranian Medical Students.

Personality traits or disorders are now attracting more attention as factors in the initiation and continuation of substance/drug use. However, few studies have been conducted on the association between interpersonal dependence and substance/drug use. The present study aimed to investigate the association between this form of psychological dependence and the tendency to use substances/drugs in medical students. The present study was based on an analytical cross-sectional design and conducted on 310 medical students selected by stratified sampling at Guilan University of Medical Sciences in 2021. The Interpersonal Dependency Inventory and the Iranian Addiction Potential Scale were employed to assess the two variables of interpersonal dependence and the tendency to use substances/drugs. The correlation matrix shows that the tendency to use substances/drugs has a significant negative correlation with interpersonal dependence (P=0.0001, r=-0.285) in general and emotional reliance on another person (P=-0.0001, r=-0.264) and lack of social self-confidence (LSSC) (P=0.0001, r=-0.297) in particular. Female (F=8.57, P=0.004) and married (F=5.14, P=0.024) students showed more tendency to use substances/drugs than male and single students, but no significant difference was observed regarding interpersonal dependence. Academic course, residence status, parents' occupation, number of family members, and birth order did not significantly affect the scores. Interpersonal dependence can have different functions, depending on its level. Although interpersonal dependence at maladaptive levels can act as a risk factor and make a person vulnerable to some behavioral problems, at adaptive levels, it acts as a protective factor and reduces those problems.

Exploring the Cyberpsychology of Social Media Addiction and Public Health Risks among Black American Women in the USA

This study is a pioneering effort to address the under-researched intersection of Black American women, social media addiction, and associated health risks due to their significant engagement with these platforms. It delves into aspects of cyberpsychology concerning how social media serves as a tool for empowerment among Black women, yet simultaneously poses risks of addiction and potential public health consequences. By drawing on established addiction theories, frameworks, and a thorough review of existing literature, this research offers a critical analysis of a demographic that has been traditionally overlooked in scholarly discourse. The article analyses the risks associated with social media and the specifics of their manifestation during the COVID-19 pandemic. It identifies the forms of social media addiction. The paper examines the problem from the perspective of various scientific theories and research schools. In particular, that deals with the theory of social comparison, the theory of symbolic interactionism, the theory of positive reinforcement, the theory of behavioural dependence, the theory of operant conditioning, the theory of attachment, the theory of social construction of technologies (SCOT), the health belief model (HBM). Also, it concerns concepts that study addiction to social networks due to the need for attention and fear of missing out (FOMO) through the analysis of reflective and impulsive cognitive processes and the reward deficiency syndrome (RDS). The main signs of psychological dependence on social networks are identified, including excessive time on the Internet, constant checking, neglect of duties, lack of sleep, social isolation, mood swings, comparison and envy, unsuccessful attempts to reduce online time, negative impact on well-being, secrecy, or defensiveness. Based on the inquiry’s results, several recommendations have been developed to reduce psychological dependence on social media, specifically for black American women, namely digital literacy, prevention, and intervention. Cognitive behavioural therapy, support groups, mobile health apps, etc. are discussed as well.

Discovery of a mu-opioid receptor modulator that in combination with morphinan antagonists induces analgesia.

Morphinan antagonists, which block opioid effects at mu-opioid receptors, have been studied for their analgesic potential. Previous studies have suggested that these antagonists elicit analgesia with fewer adverse effects in the presence of the mutant mu-opioid receptor (MOR; S196A). However, introducing a mutant receptor for medical applications represents significant challenges. We hypothesize that binding a chemical compound to the MOR may elicit a comparable effect to the S196A mutation. Through high-throughput screening and structure-activity relationship studies, we identified a modulator, 4-(2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-3-methylbenzoic acid (BPRMU191), which confers agonistic properties to small-molecule morphinan antagonists, which induce G protein-dependent MOR activation. Co-application of BPRMU191 and morphinan antagonists resulted in MOR-dependent analgesia with diminished side effects, including gastrointestinal dysfunction, antinociceptive tolerance, and physical and psychological dependence. Combining BPRMU191 and morphinan antagonists could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for severe pain with reduced adverse effects and provide an avenue for studying G protein-coupled receptor modulation.

The harmful effects of smoking and factors affecting smoking: maximal voluntary breath-holding time and exercise capacity

Aim: The harmful effects of smoking and its impact on respiratory functions and exercise capacity are well-recognized health concerns in the present day, demanding further investigation. This study aims to assess the association between smoking and respiratory functions and exercise capacity while exploring factors contributing to smoking addiction. Methods: A total of 893 volunteers (mean age: 27.24 years, range: 17-67) participated in this study, with 77% having a university education and 58% being female. Participants were categorized into active smokers, passive smokers, and non-smokers. Maximum Voluntary Breath-holding Time , 6-minute walk test distance, and 30-second chair stand test were used to assess respiratory functions and exercise capacity. Participants provided information about their smoking habits, which was analyzed and reported. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in Maximum Voluntary Breath-holding Time, 6-minute walk test distance, and 30-second chair stand test scores between the groups (p>0.05). However, all smokers exhibited psychological dependence on cigarettes, with 88% showing signs of physical dependence. Smoking initiation was significantly influenced by friends (64%). While 61% of active smokers acknowledged potential health issues associated with smoking, only 92% had not sought medical advice to quit smoking. Conclusion: This study did not demonstrate a conclusive effect of cigarette consumption on respiratory functions and exercise capacity. However, it revealed a strong association between smoking habits and social factors such as friendships. Additionally, most smokers exhibited psychological and physical dependence on cigarettes, emphasizing the need for further research and awareness campaigns to highlight the detrimental consequences of smoking.

Transformasi Kehidupan: Peran Konselor Adiksi dan Pekerja Sosial dalam Proses Rehabilitasi di Panti Rehabilitasi Narkoba

This visit activity is the result of theoretical learning that has been explained. In understanding the roles of addiction counselors and social workers, the author used a research method involving in-depth interviews with addiction counselors and social workers. The counselor is a former user who has proven that they have escaped the brink of death. The difference in roles between addiction counselors and social workers can be seen from the tools they use; although different, they remain aligned. The goal is the same: to design rehabilitation programs aimed at helping addicts recover from their physical and psychological dependence on narcotics, alcohol, or other addictive substances.

Social media: Does it always hurt? Self-compassion and narcissism as mediators of social media’s predicting effect on self-esteem and body image and gender effect: A study on a Polish community sample

Extensive social media usage causes psychological dependence and impacts people’s self-evaluations. It is vital to seek possible buffers to social media addiction’s detrimental effect on self-esteem and body image. Poland has one of the highest scores on problematic social media usage. Past studies pointed to narcissism and self-compassion as possible mediators of such effects. The present study aimed to explore Polish individuals’ (N=527) social media usage habits. We hypothesised gender differences and social media addiction predictive effect on self-evaluations (self- esteem, body image), with narcissism and self-compassion as mediators of such relationships. The results revealed that only visual media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) had a negative effect on self-evaluations and that women reported more social media addiction and decreased self-esteem, self-compassion and body image. Social media addiction was negatively predicting body image for both genders and self-esteem for women but not for men, with self-compassion and narcissism mediating such relationships.

MP-13, a novel chimeric peptide of morphiceptin and pepcan-9, produces potent antinociception with limited side effects

Pharmacological investigations have substantiated the potential of bifunctional opioid/cannabinoid agonists in delivering potent analgesia while minimizing adverse reactions. Peptide modulators of cannabinoid receptors, known as pepcans, have been investigated before. In this study, we designed a series of chimeric peptides based on pepcans and morphiceptin (YPFP-NH2). Here, we combined injections of pepcans and morphiceptin to investigate the combination treatment of opioids and cannabis and compared the analgesic effect with chimeric compounds. Subsequently, we employed computational docking to screen the compounds against opioid and cannabinoid receptors, along with an acute pain model, to identify the most promising peptide. Among these peptides, MP-13, a morphiceptin and pepcan-9 (PVNFKLLSH) construct, exhibited superior supraspinal analgesic efficacy in the tail-flick test, with an ED50 value at 1.43 nmol/mouse, outperforming its parent peptides and other chimeric analogs. Additionally, MP-13 displayed potent analgesic activity mediated by mu-opioid receptor (MOR), delta-opioid receptor (DOR), and cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor pathways. Furthermore, MP-13 did not induce psychological dependence and gastrointestinal motility inhibition at the effective analgesic doses, and it maintained non-tolerance-forming antinociception throughout a 7-day treatment regimen, with an unaltered count of microglial cells in the periaqueductal gray region, supporting this observation. Moreover, intracerebroventricular administration of MP-13 demonstrated dose-dependent antinociception in murine models of neuropathic, inflammatory, and visceral pain. Our findings provide promising insights for the development of opioid/cannabinoid peptide agonists, addressing a crucial gap in the field and holding significant potential for future research and development. PerspectiveThis article offers insights into the combination treatment of pepcans with morphiceptin. Among the chimeric peptides, MP-13 exhibited potent analgesic effects in a series of preclinical pain models with a favorable side-effect profile.

Celebrity Worship, Social Media Use, and Mental Health

Over the past two decades, social media use has become increasingly popular including its use by celebrities. Related to this, research has indicated that a minority of individuals may develop a psychological dependence on celebrities that can lead to obsessions and diminished functioning. Although research has also shown that worshipping celebrities can have positive consequences, research has also shown that there is an association between the pathological aspects of celebrity worship and poor mental health such as high anxiety, increased depression, high stress levels and poor body image. Moreover, there appears to be evidence that pathological celebrity worship has increased over the past two decades and one of the primary reasons for this may be increased social media use by both celebrities and their fans.

Validity of severity of dependence scale-Indonesia in patients with drug and alcohol dependence

A quick and self-administrative screening tool to detect dependence on various substances is vital in the early detection of multiple substance dependence. This study aimed to validate the severity of the dependence scale Indonesian version (SDS-Ina) in a sample of clinically diagnosed substance-related disorder subjects. The study was an observational study and rapid assessment of suspected patients with drug and alcohol dependence in an outpatient psychiatric unit in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The translated severity of dependence scale-Indonesia (SDS-Ina) questionnaire was given out to 65 subjects through an online form. The content validity of the translated SDS was assessed with Aiken’s V, and concurrent validity was analyzed in comparison to the Diagnostic of Statistical and Manual Mental Disorder IV (DSM-IV) diagnosis criteria with Pearson correlation coefficient and factor validity through principal component analysis (PCA). Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha and test-retest reliability. Aiken’s V index concluded that our content validity was valid (all>0.75). A Pearson correlation coefficient of=0.93 (P<0.001), PCA of all items ≥0.60 further validates the SDS-Ina. Internal reliability of Cronbach’s Alpha 0.907 and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC): all≥0.75). In conclusion, the translated SDS is a valid and reliable tool to measure the psychological dependence of Indonesian subjects involved in this study.