NIDA Notes Articles

Receptor May Underlie Gender Differences in Response to Smoking Cessation Therapy

May 2013

Men benefit more than women from nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation because nicotine affects a key neuroreceptor differently in the two sexes, a NIDA-sponsored study suggests. The findings highlight the need for alternative therapies for women smokers, and point to the female hormone progesterone as a potential therapeutic target.

Counselors’ Perceptions of Organizational Justice and Support Predict Job Turnover

May 2013

Forty-seven percent of substance abuse treatment counselors in a national sample left their jobs voluntarily within 3 years.

Study Endorses Onsite HIV Testing Without Risk Reduction Counseling

April 2013

Patients were more likely to take a rapid HIV test when substance abuse treatment programs offered the test onsite rather than referred for offsite testing. Patients were equally likely to accept and learn their HIV status whether the offer of onsite testing was accompanied by 30 minutes of risk reduction counseling or by 5 minutes of brief information on the testing procedure. Onsite testing accompanied by brief information was cost effective, taking into account the projected lifetime costs of treatment and the gains in health and longevity for detected cases.

Gabapentin Tested To Treat Marijuana Dependence

April 2013

Marijuana-dependent outpatients who were treated with the medication gabapentin in a pilot clinical trial reduced their cannabis use more and reported fewer symptoms of drug withdrawal than patients who received a placebo.

Q & A: Dr. Redonna Chandler

April 2013

The chief of NIDA's Services Research Branch talks about drug abuse treatment within the criminal justice system, and assesses the challenges facing drug abuse treatment overall in the United States.

Thoughts of Suicide May Persist Among Nonmedical Prescription Opiate Users

March 2013

People who use prescription opiates nonmedically are more likely to consider suicide than those who use these medications only appropriately or not at all. A recent NIDA-supported study also disclosed that the risk for suicidal thoughts remains elevated after cessation of use.

Deadline Approaching: U.S.-Mexico Drug Abuse Prevention Research Fellowship

February 2013

Researchers interested in applying for the NIDA U.S.-Mexico Drug Abuse Prevention Research Fellowship need to submit application materials by April 1, 2013.

Adolescent Cigarette, Alcohol Use Declines as Marijuana Use Rises

February 2013

Fewer teens are using cigarettes, alcohol, and most illicit drugs, according to NIDA’s latest Monitoring the Future study. Troubling trends persist in marijuana use, however, and nonmedical prescription drug use remains a concern.

Staff Stress Affects Patients’ Engagement in Therapy

February 2013

Several factors contribute to treatment professionals’ stress and burnout, including how much influence they feel they have in their organization and their caseload. Surprisingly, a NIDA-supported study found that the link between staff stress and burnout was weaker in programs with higher patient caseloads than those with lower caseloads. In addition, program administrators can help counselors reduce their stress by giving them a voice in organizational policies and procedures.

Nicotine Makes Mouse Brain More Responsive to Cocaine

February 2013

Nicotine sensitizes the mouse brain to the addictive effects of cocaine, according to recent NIDA-supported research. The results accord with the hypothesis that a person’s initial use of an addictive substance physiologically sensitizes his or her brain to the rewarding and addictive effects of other substances. If the findings carry over to people, then preventing youths from smoking might reduce their vulnerability to cocaine abuse and addiction, and cocaine-dependent individuals might ease their path to recovery by quitting smoking.

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Receptor May Underlie Gender Differences in Response to Smoking Cessation Therapy

Counselors’ Perceptions of Organizational Justice and Support Predict Job Turnover

Study Endorses Onsite HIV Testing Without Risk Reduction Counseling

Gabapentin Tested To Treat Marijuana Dependence

Q & A: Dr. Redonna Chandler

Thoughts of Suicide May Persist Among Nonmedical Prescription Opiate Users

Deadline Approaching: U.S.-Mexico Drug Abuse Prevention Research Fellowship

Adolescent Cigarette, Alcohol Use Declines as Marijuana Use Rises

Staff Stress Affects Patients’ Engagement in Therapy

Nicotine Makes Mouse Brain More Responsive to Cocaine

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