Prescription Drugs

Study: Surge of teen vaping levels off, but remains high as of early 2020

Annual Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey results released.

Reviewing NIDA’s 2019 Achievements and Looking to the Future

Vaping of marijuana on the rise among teens

Findings from the 2019 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey demonstrate the appeal of vaping to teens, as seen in the increased prevalence of marijuana use as well as nicotine vaping.

NIDA Announces New NIH HEAL Initiative Awards to Address the Opioid Crisis

Teens who misuse medicines get them from multiple sources

Two NIDA-funded studies have found that adolescents using multiple sources for prescription medications are at high risk for other substance use.

A Promising Alternative to Opioid Pain Medications

This research shows: An experimental compound with a dual action at two opioid receptors may provide powerful pain relief without many of opioids' harmful side effects. The compound may also have potential as a treatment for opioid addiction. A novel compound represents a potential advance toward the goal of nonaddicting analgesics that are at least as effective as opioids but without typical opioid liabilities. The new compound, called AT-121, may also have potential as a treatment alternative for opioid addiction. Dr. Nurulain Zaveri and colleagues at Astraea Therapeutics used medicinal

Drug Use and Its Consequences Increase Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Studies found: The spread of marijuana use and the opioid epidemic over the past 10 years have affected middle-aged and older Americans. Prescription opioid and benzodiazepine misuse increased older adults’ risk of suicidal thoughts. Three recent NIDA-supported studies highlight the importance of screening older adults for drug use and its consequences. Researchers demonstrated steep rises in marijuana use among middle-aged and older Americans, and prescription opioid misuse and heroin use among older Americans. The researchers also documented widespread polydrug use among older people who use

Prescription opioid misuse in high school linked to later heroin use

A NIDA-funded study suggests that misuse of prescription opioid pain relievers in high school could be linked to heroin use later in life.

Scientists identify brain circuits engaged in compulsive heroin use

People addicted to heroin and other opioids experience withdrawal when they discontinue or no longer have access to these drugs. Scientists at NIDA’s Intramural Research Program (IRP) wanted to learn more about the brain circuits that enable these conditioned withdrawal cues to promote compulsive heroin use.

Opioid Dose Variability Associated with Overdose

A new study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that high dose variability increases the odds for an opioid overdose independent of dose alone.