substance misuse

A drug is a chemical substance that acts on the brain and nervous system, changing a person’s mood, emotion or state of consciousness. Drugs are often classified by the effect they have.
Stimulants, such as cocaine, make people feel full of energy. Depressants (or sedatives), such as heroin, make people feel relaxed. Hallucinogens, such as LSD, make people see, feel or hear things that are not real. Drug or substance misuse is when a person regularly takes one or more drugs to change their mood, emotion or state of consciousness.

Our substance misuse Blogs

Is reading for pleasure in childhood good for your health?

No Responses »
Profile photo of Francesca Bentivegna
Posted by
Although an association between reading for pleasure and healthy behaviours was identified, causation is still unclear.

Francesca Bentivegna summarises a recent study of the benefits of reading for pleasure in childhood, which finds an association 3 years later with consuming more fruit and being less exposed to both cigarette and alcohol use.

[read the full story...]

The never-ending story: the problematic relationship between youth anxiety and later alcohol use

No Responses »
Profile photo of Francesca Bentivegna
Posted by
Featured

Francesca Bentivigna summarises a systematic review that explores the associations of child and adolescent anxiety with later alcohol use and disorders.

[read the full story...]

Long-term outcomes of childhood sexual abuse #ISTSS2019

2 Responses »
Raphael Underwood
Posted by
shutterstock_731750611

Raphael Underwood summarises a recent umbrella review (a synthesis of meta-analyses), which aimed to evaluate the current literature regarding childhood sexual abuse and long-term outcomes (psychosocial outcomes, psychiatric diagnoses and physical health outcomes).

[read the full story...]

The global drug problem: who cares? #LxAddictions19

No Responses »
Profile photo of Ian Hamilton
Posted by
shutterstock_161191178

Ian Hamilton shares his thoughts on the new Drug Use series published yesterday in The Lancet: The global drug problem – change but not progression.

[read the full story...]

Amphetamine-like stimulant use: what do we know about who uses them and how drug using careers develop?

No Responses »
Profile photo of Harry Sumnall
Posted by
charisse-kenion-AZRVxIyCLxY-unsplash

Harry Sumnall considers a systematic narrative review, which looks at the individual, social and environmental influences that shape key phases in the amphetamine-like stimulant use trajectory

[read the full story...]

“It doesn’t mean they aren’t after you”: sexual minorities and paranoia

1 Response »
Profile photo of Sarah Carr
Posted by
shutterstock_1151758097

Sarah Carr explores a recent cross-sectional study on sexual minority status and symptoms of psychosis, which looks at the role of bullying, discrimination, social support and drug use.

[read the full story...]

Can contingency management help people with psychosis give up cannabis? The CIRCLE trial

1 Response »
Profile photo of Ian Hamilton
Posted by
ben-sweet-2LowviVHZ-E-unsplash

Ian Hamilton summarises the recently published CIRCLE trial, which looks at the clinical and cost-effectiveness of contingency management for cannabis use in early psychosis.

[read the full story...]

Can a ‘personalised psychosocial toolbox’ help people reduce ‘on-top’ drug use during opioid substitution treatment?

2 Responses »
Profile photo of Vicky Carlisle
Posted by
shutterstock_1454328929

Vicky Carlisle summarises a promising recent RCT on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an adjunctive personalised psychosocial intervention in treatment-resistant maintenance opioid agonist therapy.

[read the full story...]

Prevalence of comorbid personality disorder and alcohol use disorder

1 Response »
Profile photo of Dean Connolly
Posted by
shutterstock_228130675

People diagnosed with “personality disorders” are likely to also experience alcohol problems.

Dean Connolly summarises a recent systematic review that confirms the very high prevalence of comorbid personality disorders and alcohol use disorders.

[read the full story...]

We know how to reduce premature deaths from co-morbid mental health and substance use problems, so why aren’t we doing anything about it?

No Responses »
Profile photo of Ian Hamilton
Posted by
shutterstock_1397419571

Ian Hamilton looks at a Swedish 42-year follow-up study, which looks at the impact that psychiatric comorbidity can have on premature death in a cohort of patients with substance use disorders.

[read the full story...]