The intersection of substance use with broader public health concerns.
Public Health
The Impact of Alcohol Availability Interventions
Interventions that restrict the availability of alcohol reduce the risk of harm. However, until now it has been unclear why this is the case. In this research, the views of public health teams, police, local authority licensing teams and...
How alcohol consumption contributes to chronic pain
A team showed how both alcohol intake and alcohol withdrawal can lead to increased pain and hypersensitivity. Chronic alcohol consumption may make people more sensitive to pain through two different molecular mechanisms -- one driven by...
National Drug Observatories from Latin American and Caribbean countries meet in Lisbon for ‘COPOLAD week’
National Drug Observatories (NDOs) from Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries are gathering in Lisbon from 22–26 May for a week of activities under the COPOLAD III programme. The overarching theme of the initiative will be...
Focal mu-opioid receptor activation promotes neuroinflammation and microglial activation in the mesocorticolimbic system: Alterations induced by inflammatory pain
Abstract Microglia participates in the modulation of pain signaling. The activation of microglia is suggested to play an important role in affective disorders that are related to a dysfunction of the mesocorticolimbic system (MCLS) and are...
Implementation and workflow strategies for integrating digital therapeutics for alcohol use disorders into primary care: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are prevalent and often go untreated. Patients are commonly screened for AUD in primary care, but existing treatment programs are failing to meet demand. Digital therapeutics include novel...
Exploring the link between cannabis use and future substance use in younger adults
Abstract Introduction Young adults report high rates of current cannabis use. The increase of legalised cannabis in the United States has led to greater access and availability, causing cannabis to become the new “gateway” drug. This study...
2022-2023 Medical Council on Alcohol (MCA) Legacy Essay Competition
It has been widely reported that youth alcohol consumption has decreased over recent years. What is the evidence to support this view? What are the implications for alcohol related health harm, promotion of safe drinking and health policy...
Pain, Opioids, Addiction, and Worker Wellness
This session will focus on substance use and pain with an occupational health lens, addressing worker wellness, the return-to-work process, and the role of the clinician, as well as employer engagement in promoting employee wellbeing.
