Multivariate genome-wide association meta-analysis of over 1 million subjects identifies loci underlying multiple substance use disorders

Genetic liability to substance use disorders can be parsed into loci conferring general and substance-specific addiction risk. We report a multivariate genome-wide association study that disaggregates general and substance-specific loci for problematic alcohol use, problematic tobacco use, and cannabis and opioid use disorders in a sample of 1,025,550 individuals of European and 92,630 individuals of African descent. Nineteen loci were genome-wide significant for the general addiction risk factor (addiction-rf), which showed high polygenicity. Across ancestries PDE4B was significant (among others), suggesting dopamine regulation as a cross-trait vulnerability. The addiction-rf polygenic risk score was associated with substance use disorders, psychopathologies, somatic conditions, and environments associated with the onset of addictions. Substance-specific loci (9 for alcohol, 32 for tobacco, 5 for cannabis, 1 for opioids) included metabolic and receptor genes. These findings provide insight into the genetic architecture of general and substance-specific use disorder risk that may be leveraged as treatment targets.

Hypothesizing in the Face of the Opioid Crisis Coupling Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) Testing with Electrotherapeutic Nonopioid Modalities Such as H-Wave Could Attenuate Both Pain and Hedonic Addictive Behaviors

In the United States, amid the opioid overdose epidemic, nonaddicting/nonpharmacological proven strategies are available to treat pain and manage chronic pain effectively without opioids. Evidence supporting the long-term use of opioids for pain is lacking, as is the will to alter the drug-embracing culture in American chronic pain management. Some pain clinicians seem to prefer classical analgesic agents that promote unwanted tolerance to analgesics and subsequent biological induction of the “addictive brain”. Reward genes play a vital part in modulation of nociception and adaptations in the dopaminergic circuitry. They may affect various sensory and affective components of the chronic pain syndromes. The Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) test coupled with the H-Wave at entry in pain clinics could attenuate pain and help prevent addiction. The GARS test results identify high-risk for both drug and alcohol, and H-Wave can be initiated to treat pain instead of opioids. The utilization of H-Wave to aid in pain reduction and mitigation of hedonic addictive behaviors is recommended, notwithstanding required randomized control studies. This frontline approach would reduce the possibility of long-term neurobiological deficits and fatalities associated with potent opioid analgesics.

Psychometric Properties of Heavy Work Investment Measures: A Systematic Review

In recent years, the study of heavy work investment (HWI) has been diversifying greatly in the various fields of application in the organizational field, for example, occupational health, human resources, quality at work among others. However, to date, no systematic review has been carried out to examine the methodological quality of the instruments designed to measure HWI. Therefore, the present systematic review examines the psychometric properties of three main measures of HWI: Workaholism Battery (WorkBAT), Work Addiction Risk Test (WART), and Dutch Work Addiction Scale (DUWAS). Five electronic databases were systematically searched, selecting psychometric articles. Of the 2621 articles identified, 35 articles met all inclusion criteria published between 1992 and 2019. The findings indicated that most of the articles were focused on reviewing psychometric properties, analyses were conducted from classical test theory, collected validity evidence based on internal structure and relationship with other variables, and reliability of scores was obtained through the internal consistency method. Of the instruments reviewed, the DUWAS is the one with the highest methodological quality. Recommendations are made for future research to address the psychometric study of these instruments based on recent advances in the field of organizational measurement.

Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS): A Cytoarchitectural Common Neurobiological Trait of All Addictions

Alcohol and other substance use disorders share comorbidity with other RDS disorders, i.e. a reduction in dopamine signaling within the reward pathway. RDS is a term that connects addictive, obsessive, compulsive, and impulsive behavioral disorders. An estimated 2 million individuals in the United States have opioid use disorder related to prescription opioids. It is estimated that the overall cost of the illegal and legally prescribed opioid crisis exceeds one trillion dollars. Opioid Replacement Therapy is the most common treatment for addictions and other RDS disorders. Even after repeated relapses, patients are repeatedly prescribed the same opioid replacement treatments. A recent JAMA report indicates that non-opioid treatments fare better than chronic opioid treatments. Research demonstrates that over 50 percent of all suicides are related to alcohol or other drug use. In addition to effective fellowship programs and spirituality acceptance, nutrigenomic therapies (e.g., KB220Z) optimize gene expression, rebalance neurotransmitters, and restore neurotransmitter functional connectivity. KB220Z was shown to increase functional connectivity across specific brain regions involved in dopaminergic function. KB220/Z significantly reduces RDS behavioral disorders and relapse in human DUI offenders. Taking a Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) test combined with a the KB220Z semi-customized nutrigenomic supplement effectively restores dopamine homeostasis. (WC 199).

Developing and Testing a Smartphone Dependency Scale Assessing Addiction Risk

A 2019 Pew study of emerging economies revealed citizen concerns over smartphone use as risky behavior and their ill effects, such as addiction and overdependency, among many factors. In response, the authors developed a smartphone dependency scale (SDS) of factors that contribute to smartphone addiction, particularly for emerging economies like the Philippines. The instrument was developed from previously validated constructs. They propose that social influence, convenience, affective (anxiety), physiological (maladjustment), and cognitive (mindfulness) factors separately drive smartphone dependency. To test the SDS, the authors surveyed 901 Philippine participants. The scales showed excellent internal consistency and reliability and adequate concurrent and criterion-related validities. A confirmatory factor analysis showed that SDS factors had good data fit. This instrument is a first step in (1) exploring why individuals become dependent (addicted) on mobile devices and (2) stimulating further research concerning smartphone dependency for emerging market settings.

Smartphone Addiction and Anxiety in Adolescents – A Cross-sectional Study

Objectives: The overuse of smartphones affects physical, social, and psychological well-being. However, research on smartphone addiction and anxiety disorders is scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between anxiety and smartphone addiction risk in Korean adolescents. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional survey method. We used the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale to assess anxiety symptoms and we used the Korean Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale index to evaluate the degree of high-risk or at-risk for smartphone addiction. Results: Analyses were performed for 1733 adolescents, including 771 boys and 962 girls. The high-risk or at-risk group for smartphone addiction accounted for 20.1% (p < .0001). Total anxiety scale score, as well as physiological anxiety, oversensitivity, and social concern categories were statistically different among levels of smartphone addiction risk (all ps < .0001). Multivariate analysis showed that poor self-reported health level, higher risk of smartphone addiction, having fewer close friends, caffeine drink consumption, female sex, and alcohol use were associated with greater anxiety. Conclusions: Management of smartphone addiction seems to be essential for proper psychological health. There is an urgent need to develop a way to prevent smartphone addiction on a social level.