The Hypothesis of Subliminal Cue Reactivity in Addiction Revisited: An fMRI Study

Introduction: Exposure to conditioned cues is a common trigger of relapse in addiction. It has been suggested that such cues can activate motivationally relevant neurocircuitry in individuals with substance use disorders even without being consciously perceived. We aimed to see if this could be replicated in a sample with severe amphetamine use disorder and a control group of healthy subjects. Methods: We used fMRI to test the hypothesis that individuals with amphetamine use disorder, but not healthy controls, exhibit a specific neural reactivity to subliminally presented pictures related to amphetamine use. Twenty-four amphetamine users and 25 healthy controls were recruited and left data of sufficient quality to be included in the final analysis. All subjects were exposed to drug-related and neutral pictures of short duration (13.3 ms), followed by a backward visual mask image. The contrast of interest was drug versus neutral subliminal pictures. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in BOLD signal between the drug and neutral cues, neither in the limbic regions of primary interest nor in exploratory whole-brain analyses. The same results were found both in amphetamine users and controls. Discussion/Conclusion: We found no evidence of neural reactivity to subliminally presented drug cues in this sample of subjects with severe amphetamine dependence. These results are discussed in relation to the earlier literature, and the evidence for subliminal drug cue reactivity in substance use disorders is questioned.

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Nonjudgmental acceptance: Associations with substance-related cue reactivity in adults with substance use disorders and posttraumatic stress

Addictive Behaviors ◽

10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107211 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 126 ◽

pp. 107211

Author(s):

Anka A. Vujanovic ◽

Heather E. Webber ◽

Margaret C. Wardle ◽

Charles E. Green ◽

Scott D. Lane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Cue Reactivity

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Treatments for Substance Use Disorders

Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1093/med/9780197537046.003.0007 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 267-324

Author(s):

Arash Ansari ◽

David N. Osser

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Black Box ◽

Brand Names ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Black Box Warnings ◽

Amphetamine Use ◽

Opioid Use Disorders

The chapter on treatments for substance use disorders discusses and reviews the use of medication-assisted treatments with (a) methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone, and naltrexone for opioid use disorders; (b) disulfiram, acamprosate, naltrexone, and several off-label medications for alcohol use disorders; and (c) nicotine replacement therapies, bupropion, and varenicline for tobacco use disorders. The chapter reviews the mechanisms of action, clinical characteristics, potential medication interactions, and adverse effects of these medications, followed by an in-depth discussion of their clinical use in these disorders. The chapter also briefly reviews several non-Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medicines studied for cocaine, cannabis, and amphetamine use disorders. It also briefly discusses complementary and alternative pharmacotherapies, such as the use of cannabinoids. It also discusses the use of these medicines in women of childbearing age, notably for pregnancy and breastfeeding considerations. Finally, the chapter includes a table of approved substance use disorder medicines that includes each medicine’s generic and brand names, usual adult doses, pertinent clinical comments, black box warnings, and FDA indications.

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The Effects of Malnutrition in a Human Population on Addictive Behavior and Sex Ratio at Birth

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)73718-x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 2015-2015

Author(s):

E.J. Franzek ◽

H.G. Roozen

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Sex Ratio ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Prenatal Exposure ◽

First Trimester ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Sex Ratio At Birth ◽

Exposed Population ◽

Patient Groups ◽

Future Consequences

The objective and aim of this case-control study was to replicate an earlier finding of a significant relationship between prenatal exposure to famine and substance use disorders later in life and to examine the sex ratio at birth in the study populations. We compared the number of addicted individuals in a population prenatally exposed to a severe hunger period with matched individuals in a non-exposed population. The gender distribution of patients with substance use disorders and healthy controls were calculated and all data were quantified as odds ratios. The findings confirm that prenatal exposure to famine is a risk factor to develop substance use disorder later in life. Men are at risk in particular by exposure to famine during the first trimester, women by exposure during the third trimester. The sex ratio men to women at birth was 3 : 1 in the patient groups compared to 1:1 in the healthy controls. The results were discussed in the light of the possible disastrious future consequences for the hunger regions in our world.

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Distress tolerance: Associations with trauma and substance cue reactivity in low-income, inner-city adults with substance use disorders and posttraumatic stress.

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors ◽

10.1037/adb0000362 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 264-276 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anka A. Vujanovic ◽

Margaret C. Wardle ◽

Jafar Bakhshaie ◽

Lia J. Smith ◽

Charles E. Green ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Inner City ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Low Income ◽

Distress Tolerance ◽

Cue Reactivity

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Elevated neutrophil lymphocyte ratio in patients with substance use disorders

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1754 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S872-S873 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

N. Ozkan ◽

M.B. Sonmez ◽

P. Tas Durmus ◽

Y. Gorgulu ◽

R. Kose Cınar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Synthetic Cannabinoid ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Addiction Severity ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

The Difference ◽

Competing Interest

IntroductionDisturbances in inflammatory processes may play a role in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are indicators of the systemic inflammatory response.ObjectivesThe current study was prepared based on the assumption that dysregulated immune function and elevated inflammation markers may be seen in substance use disorders.AimsOur aim was to investigate whether NLR and CRP are higher in patients diagnosed with substance use disorders than in healthy subjects.MethodsThe participants in the study included 115 male inpatients diagnosed with alcohol (n = 41), heroin (n = 46), or synthetic cannabinoid (n = 28) dependence according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV-TR), and 32 healthy male volunteers. We used NLR and CRP as measures of systemic inflammation. Blood samples were taken on the next morning of admission for detoxification. Addiction severity was assessed using the Addiction Profile Index (API).ResultsThe difference between the groups with respect to NLR was statistically significant (P = 0.014). Patients diagnosed with alcohol, heroin or synthetic cannabinoid dependence had similar NLR. Patients with alcohol or synthetic cannabinoid dependence had significantly higher NLR than healthy controls (P = 0.001 and P = 0.029, respectively). Patients with heroin dependence trended towards statistically significantly higher NLR compared to healthy controls (P = 0.067). CRP levels did not differ significantly between the patient and control groups. NLR and CRP were not significantly correlated with API scores.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that NLR is elevated in patients with substance use disorders in comparison to healthy controls.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Low prevalence of substance use in people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.2018.258 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 215 (5) ◽

pp. 661-667 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Claudia Vingerhoets ◽

Mathilde J.F. van Oudenaren ◽

Oswald J.N. Bloemen ◽

Erik Boot ◽

Esther D.A. van Duin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

22Q11.2 Deletion Syndrome ◽

Deletion Syndrome ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

22Q11.2 Deletion ◽

Comt Genotype ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk

Background22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), one of the most common recurrent copy number variant disorders, is associated with dopaminergic abnormalities and increased risk for psychotic disorders.AimsGiven the elevated prevalence of substance use and dopaminergic abnormalities in non-deleted patients with psychosis, we investigated the prevalence of substance use in 22q11DS, compared with that in non-deleted patients with psychosis and matched healthy controls.MethodThis cross-sectional study involved 434 patients with 22q11DS, 265 non-deleted patients with psychosis and 134 healthy controls. Psychiatric diagnosis, full-scale IQ and COMT Val158Met genotype were determined in the 22q11DS group. Substance use data were collected according to the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.ResultsThe prevalence of total substance use (36.9%) and substance use disorders (1.2%), and weekly amounts of alcohol and nicotine use, in patients with 22q11DS was significantly lower than in non-deleted patients with psychosis or controls. Compared with patients with 22q11DS, healthy controls were 20 times more likely to use substances in general (P < 0.001); results were also significant for alcohol and nicotine use separately. Within the 22q11DS group, there was no relationship between the prevalence of substance use and psychosis or COMT genotype. Male patients with 22q11DS were more likely to use substances than female patients with 22q11DS.ConclusionsThe results suggest that patients with 22q11DS are at decreased risk for substance use and substance use disorders despite the increased risk of psychotic disorders. Further research into neurobiological and environmental factors involved in substance use in 22q11DS is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms involved.Declaration of interestNone.

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The Allele Frequency Variation of Autosomal 19 Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Loci in Drug Abuser: A Pilot Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-44895/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

xia LIN ◽

xiaoyan ZHANG ◽

qin SU ◽

Bo Jin

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Tandem Repeat ◽

Short Tandem Repeat ◽

Drug Abuser ◽

Control Group ◽

Frequency Variation ◽

Drug Abusers ◽

Str Loci ◽

Short Tandem

Abstract Backgrounds: Substance use disorders (SUDs) refers to drug abuse of 10 separate classes impacting seriously mental health.Objective: This study aims to explore the genetic polymorphism of the 19 short tandem repeat (STR) loci (D19S433, D5S818, D21S11, D18S51, D6S1043, D3S1358, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, VWA, D8S1179, TPOX, Penta E, TH01, D12S391, D2S1338, and FGA) and the risk genetic factors of substance use disorders(SUDs).Methods: The capillary electrophoresis was applied to analyze 19 STR loci in 156 drug abusers. The data of 6,134 healthy people in a previous study were applied to contrast as the control group. The differences in the frequency of the gene were analyzed by Chi-square test. Results: The gene distributions of 19 STR in drug addicts were consistent with hereditary rules. The frequency of vWA, FGA, Penta E was significantly different between the drug abuser and the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: The 19 STR loci might provide highly informative polymorphic data for addicted genetic studies. Furthermore, there might be a predisposing gene for the drug abuser.

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Investigating the efficacy of meaning-centred therapy among a sample of individuals with substance use disorders

Research Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/rejhs.v9i3.7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 264-272

Author(s):

S.F. Agberotimi ◽

C. Oduaran

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Substance Use Disorder ◽

Repeated Measure ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Post Test ◽

Nigerian Population ◽

And Control

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of meaning-centred therapy (MCT) in the management of substance use disorders (SUD) in Nigeria. Methods: A pre-test post-test control group experimental study was conducted among young individuals with substance use disorders. Participants were purposively selected and randomly assigned to treatment (MCT) and control groups. Participants' mean age was 22.05±2.14 years. Assessments of both groups were done at intake, immediately after completion of the therapy (which is 10-weeks), and at 1-month follow-up. Independent-sample t-test and one-way repeated measure of analysis of variance were used for analyses at 0.05 significant level. Result: Individuals in the MCT group reported significantly lower substance use disorder symptoms compared to those in the control group. There was an overall significant difference between the SUD means of participants that received MCT at pre-test, post-test, and 1-month follow-up. Conclusion: It was concluded that MCT provided effective treatment of substance use disorder among the Nigerian population; its utilization is therefore recommended.

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Effects of Acute Exercise on Drug Craving, Self-Esteem, Mood, and Affect in Adults with Polysubstance Use Disorder: Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.18553 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Maren Mikkelsen Ellingsen ◽

Sunniva Launes Johannesen ◽

Egil Wilhelm Martinsen ◽

Sandra Rinne Dahl ◽

Mats Hallgren

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Psychological Effects ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Short Term ◽

Polysubstance Use ◽

Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND Novel treatments for substance use disorders are needed. Acute bouts of exercise can improve mood states and craving in nonclinical populations. Exercise effects in those with polysubstance dependence are understudied; controlled trials are needed. OBJECTIVE This protocol describes a clinical study examining the short-term psychological effects of 2 types of physical activity, soccer and circuit training, in patients with substance use disorders. Effects will be compared with a nonexercise control group. Specific aims are to investigate whether there are differences between the activities and the duration of changes. METHODS This study is a short-term multicenter randomized control trial with a crossover design. Patients consecutively admitted to 4 inpatient treatment centers were invited to participate in 3 conditions, each lasting 45 minutes, within one week. The order of the conditions was randomized. There were a total of 5 assessments, taken at baseline, immediately before each condition, immediately after each condition, and 1, 2, and 4 hours postintervention, enabling patterns of change over time to be observed. Psychological effects were assessed with self-report questionnaires, which included scales for craving, state anxiety, positive and negative affect, self-esteem, and mood. Exercise intensity was assessed with the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale and a heart rate monitor (Polar M200; Polar Electro Ltd). Cortisol was assessed in saliva before and 4 hours after the intervention. RESULTS A total of 39 patients were included in the study. Data collection was completed in 2019. CONCLUSIONS We anticipate larger improvements in the intervention groups than among controls, indicating positive psychological effects during and after exercise. The study will add clinically relevant information about the short-term psychological effects of exercise in the treatment of substance use disorders, using activities that are easily accessible in different clinical settings. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00018869; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00018869 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/18553

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Effects of Acute Exercise on Drug Craving, Self-Esteem, Mood, and Affect in Adults with Polysubstance Use Disorder: Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

JMIR Research Protocols ◽

10.2196/18553 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. e18553

Author(s):

Maren Mikkelsen Ellingsen ◽

Sunniva Launes Johannesen ◽

Egil Wilhelm Martinsen ◽

Sandra Rinne Dahl ◽

Mats Hallgren

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Psychological Effects ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Self Report ◽

Control Group ◽

Short Term ◽

Polysubstance Use ◽

Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Novel treatments for substance use disorders are needed. Acute bouts of exercise can improve mood states and craving in nonclinical populations. Exercise effects in those with polysubstance dependence are understudied; controlled trials are needed. Objective This protocol describes a clinical study examining the short-term psychological effects of 2 types of physical activity, soccer and circuit training, in patients with substance use disorders. Effects will be compared with a nonexercise control group. Specific aims are to investigate whether there are differences between the activities and the duration of changes. Methods This study is a short-term multicenter randomized control trial with a crossover design. Patients consecutively admitted to 4 inpatient treatment centers were invited to participate in 3 conditions, each lasting 45 minutes, within one week. The order of the conditions was randomized. There were a total of 5 assessments, taken at baseline, immediately before each condition, immediately after each condition, and 1, 2, and 4 hours postintervention, enabling patterns of change over time to be observed. Psychological effects were assessed with self-report questionnaires, which included scales for craving, state anxiety, positive and negative affect, self-esteem, and mood. Exercise intensity was assessed with the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale and a heart rate monitor (Polar M200; Polar Electro Ltd). Cortisol was assessed in saliva before and 4 hours after the intervention. Results A total of 39 patients were included in the study. Data collection was completed in 2019. Conclusions We anticipate larger improvements in the intervention groups than among controls, indicating positive psychological effects during and after exercise. The study will add clinically relevant information about the short-term psychological effects of exercise in the treatment of substance use disorders, using activities that are easily accessible in different clinical settings. Trial Registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00018869; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00018869 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/18553

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