Treatment

Helping smokers deal with financial problems could improve their chances of staying abstinent after receiving treatment, according to a new study. Participants with the most financial strain had the least success in remaining abstinent.

An in vitro test demonstrates the potential of a programmable skin patch that will enable physicians to tailor transdermal medication doses to match patients' fluctuating needs.

Reports on researchers who demonstrated the economic value of a computer-based treatment as an adjunct to standard addiction therapy.

Reports on a new medication strategy under investigated in animal studies that shows promise for preventing relapse to drug abuse.

Describes research that sheds light on the correlation between increased dental disease and methamphetamine abuse.

Summarizes a study to determine whether a stress-related biological marker in saliva can predict how long a drug user will remain in treatment.

Describes a new intervention that enhances recovery prospects for substance abusers whose mental illness complicates the path toward recovery.

Describes research to develop new compounds that match or exceed the pain relief provided by opioids while avoiding their shortcomings.

Highlights results from a pilot study suggesting that lofexidine, an anti-hypertensive medication, can enhance success rates among patients taking maintenance naltrexone to avoid opioid relapse.

Reports on a randomized controlled trial of HIV-infected men and women who, as a result of receiving selenium supplements, experienced lower HIV viral load and greater CD4 cell count.