Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons^™

Molecular Mechanisms Of Opioid Use Disorder In Human Brain Models, Emily Mendez

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a national and global public health crisis with no end in sight. While studies from animal models hint at widespread epigenetic and transcriptomic alterations of opioid drugs, the molecular consequences of long-term exposure to opioid drugs in human brain is still unclear, and human-centered translational models are necessary to discern the human cell type-specific effects of OUD.

Using postmortem brain Brodmann area 9 (BA9) from the UTHealth Brain Collection for Research on Psychiatric Disorders, I identified angiogenic gene networks perturbed in the RNA and protein of OUD subjects, as well as downregulation of many neuron-correlated …

Innovative Virtual Wellness Interventions At An Academic Medical Center: A Pilot Feasibility Study, Ritika Baweja, Michael Hayes, Aditya Joshi, Raman Baweja

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: There is generally a concerning likelihood of burnout in healthcare workers. Given the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers, our institution identified the need for wellness interventions to foster adaptive functioning and mitigate burnout. The purpose of this pilot project was to assess the feasibility of virtual holistic interventions like meditation, art, laughter therapy and dance and their impact on overall well-being of physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs).

Methods: A series of 12 virtual sessions (art therapy, dance therapy, mindfulness-based practices/meditation and laughter therapy) were offered to providers over a 6-month period. Participants completed an online survey reporting …

Recovery Capital, Mental Health And Substance Use Among Individuals Initiating Office-Based Buprenorphine Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder, Hannah R. Callahan, Karen Dugosh, Emily Hurstak, Patty Mccarthy, Emily Garber, Daniel Dejoseph, Julia Dejoseph, Michelle R. Lent

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Recovery capital refers to the internal and external resources available to support an individual in their recovery from substance use disorders. Using data from an ongoing trial, the current study examined recovery capital among 225 individuals initiating office-based buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) at Federally Qualified Health Centers in the mid-Atlantic region. At baseline, participants completed the Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital-10 (BARC-10), a validated measure assessing the 4 major domains of recovery capital and completed a urine toxicology screening. Participants reported BARC-10 scores of 49.22 on average (SD = 8.14). Average scores were highest for the …

Illness Trajectory From Prodromal Symptoms To Incident Bipolar Disorder And Schizophrenia, Manuel A. Gardea Resendez, Javier Ortiz-Orendain, Brandon J. Coombes, Aysegul Ozerdem, Monica J. Taylor-Desir, Balwinder Singh, Alastair J. Mckean, Mark Frye

Research Symposium

Background: The concept of prodrome is highly variable but, when applied retrospectively in cohorts who progress to meet diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ), it can contribute to clarify early origins and trajectory of the illness. In the context of race and ethnicity, studies with population-based and registry-based cohorts, such as the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP), can potentially identify, through retrospective assessment of the prodromes of BD and SZ, differences while addressing the heterogeneous nature of the illness.

Objective: We aim to describe and compare the illness trajectories of individuals with BD or SZ prior to the …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Resilience In Medical School Students: A Scope Of Medical Literature, Andrea Soto Abarca, Yvette Cortino, Juan Carlos Lopez Alvarenga, Maya Guevara

Research Symposium

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) represent types of childhood trauma that are associated with long-term negative effects on health and wellbeing. An elevated number of ACEs can lead to depression, suicidality, alcoholism, and substance use. Factors that can protect a person from increased health risks include resilience, which is broadly defined as the ability to bounce back from adversity. Few studies have analyzed the exposure of ACEs in medical students, however, there is extensive literature on how low levels of resilience are linked to higher rates of depression, fatigue, and burnout among medical students. Little is known about the …

Improving Minors' Access To Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder: A Policy Analysis, Sara Jane Hamilton

Master's Projects and Capstones

As the opioid epidemic continues to have devastating effects on our communities, medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUDs) are severely underutilized especially for adolescents. Unlike adults, minors need parental approval before obtaining MOUDs presenting a key barrier to timely treatment. Being able to treat adolescents as soon as they are ready is critically important for people with OUD, and while cost and other barriers have been addressed in the literature, there is a paucity on how parental consent affects the accessibility of treatment. This paper aims to explore a potential policy in California that addresses the lack of access …

Identifying Associations Between The Family Environment And Anxiety And Depression Among Children Ages 0-17 In The United States, Reagan A. Richardson, Nicole M. Holt

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

This study analyzes whether physical, emotional & neurological, family environment, or community-related factors display the strongest association with anxiety and depression among children ages 0-17 in the United States.

Using IBM SPSS v. 27, we conducted a univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis on data from the 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) with a sample size of 21,599. Our independent variables included 30 questions from the NSCH which were compared to a mental health index score.

Our study shows that about 10.6% of children suffer from either anxiety, depression, or both, and the univariate model found that 19 …

Implementation Of Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment: Alcohol Revised (Ciwa-Ar) Education Program In A Crisis Stabilization Unit, Amanda Dehart

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Background: At this time the crisis stabilization Units do not currently utilize the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment: Alcohol Revised tool with patients who may experience Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. Patients with alcohol use disorders have a high comorbidity rate with psychiatric disorders (Butterfield, et al, 2020). The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment: Alcohol Revised or CIWA-Ar is currently the most widely used assessment tool in the psychiatric setting when assessing patients who may be experiencing Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (Pribék, et al, 2021) .

Purpose of Project: The purpose of this project is to measure pre and post -education knowledge of the registered …

A Literature Review Exploring The Effectiveness Of Dance/Movement Therapy As A Treatment Modality For Adults With Dual-Diagnosis In Recovery, Helen Turnbull

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Abstract

The following literature review is an investigation of the current state of the literature regarding the use of dance/movement therapy as a treatment modality for adults with dual diagnosis in recovery. The theories explored in this paper present the primary and conventional modes that are currently being used to treat substance use and comorbid mental health disorders, such as the 12-Step program model of Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as introducing alternative methods of treatment, which include the use of dance/movement therapy, body-oriented psychotherapy, and the somatic work of the Alexander Technique, which offer a more holistic approach to healing …

Therapeutic Gardening For Mental Health In Substance Use Recovery, Stephanie E. Schafer

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

As the clinical nurse leader (CNL) in this project, I used the “[CNL]

Essential 1: Background for Practice from Sciences and Humanities” (Competencies and Curricular Expectations for Clinical Nurse Leader Education and Practice, 2013) and its competencies to focus on designing nursing care for a clinical or community-focused population based on biopsychosocial, public health, nursing, and organizational sciences and to synthesize evidence for practice to determine appropriate application of interventions across diverse populations. With the help of the CNL competencies and collaboration with the healthcare team, we created and implemented a therapeutic garden for residents in a substance use …

The Impact Of The Deinstitutionalization Policies On Homelessness, Henrique Krigner

Helm's School of Government Conference - American Revival: Citizenship & Virtue

Homelessness is a growing issue in America. In 2019 there were 567,715 homeless individuals in the United States, distributed in emergency shelters (63%) or residing unsheltered on streets (27%). In 2021, even though specialists argue that the Covid-19 restrictions greatly harmed an accurate counting, the total number of unsheltered homeless in America increased in 20%. Such increase became a central discussion not only to regular citizens and neighborhood associations, but it also became a great concern within the federal government which has been appropriating billions of dollars each year to “end homeless”.

Specialists point out that the growth of the …

Body Dysmorphic-Induced Androgenic Anabolic Steroids Usage And Its Association With Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review, Ahmed Gawash, Hasan Zia, David Lo

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This systematic review on body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use, and mental health outcomes aim to examine the relationship between them. While looking at prior research, it has been suggested that individuals with BDD may be more likely to abuse AAS due to their preoccupation with appearance but, unfortunately, AAS use may worsen mental health issues in this population and exacerbate the issue. This systematic review will also discuss treatments that will help mitigate the effects of AAS on individuals with BDD. The review will include only published literature from a variety of databases such as PubMed, Scopus, …

Surviving The Stigma: Incorporating Mental Health Literacy To Increase Help-Seeking In California First Responders, Yvonne C. Newson

Master's Projects and Capstones

First responders are at risk of developing mental health problems due to repeated exposure to traumatic incidents, increasing their chance of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and suicide. Unfortunately, first responders do not recognize that they may have a mental illness and are reluctant to seek help. This paper will discuss the prevalence of mental health problems among first responders and the barriers to their help-seeking. These barriers include the stigma around mental illness within the culture, the assessability of professional help, and the lack of mental health literacy regarding their well-being. Further discussion will focus …

A Retrospective Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Buprenorphine Versus Baclofen For Acute Opioid Withdrawal, Matthew Hermenau, Benton Stamper, Kitty Leung, Raymond Pomm, Christina Guerrier, Joseph Cammilleri, Brittany Johnson

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

A significant impediment to opioid cessation or dose reduction is mitigating withdrawal severity that has been shown to affect the course of opioid dependence. Current guidelines recommend the use of buprenorphine and methadone over alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. Baclofen, a GABA-B agonist, has promising results as an adjunct agent for opioid withdrawal but has not been compared to buprenorphine. This study compared the ability of buprenorphine and baclofen to mitigate acute opioid withdrawal.

Methods

This was a single-center, retrospective chart review of 63 patients with diagnosed opioid use disorder that received scheduled buprenorphine or baclofen for 3 days, in addition …

Mental Health In M*A*S*H: An Analysis Of The Changing Portrayal Of Mental Health Topics In The 1970s And Early 1980s, Lyndsey Clark

Student Research Submissions

This paper studies all eleven seasons of the hit television show M*A*S*H (1972-1973) and examines how the portrayal of mental health changed in the show’s plotlines in response to changing guidelines and mental health policy in the 1970s and early 1980s. This study focuses on the association of mental illness with homosexuality, the changes made to the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in the 1970s and early 1980s, the rise and fall of mental health policies from the Kennedy Administration to the Reagan Administration, and the portrayal of several pertinent mental conditions, such as …

How The United States Can Improve The Prevention And Treatment Of Substance Abuse Disorders, Kimberly E. Combs

Classical Conversations

Over thirty million people worldwide suffer from diagnosed drug-use disorders. In the United States alone, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found in the 2020 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) that of people aged 12 or older, over 40 million reported struggling with substance abuse at some point in their life. Alarming statistics suggest that rates of drug abuse continue to rise worldwide. Drug use is a recognized epidemic in the United States, and it is far from a recent issue. Health professionals, government officials, and researchers have been trying to solve the problem for …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Medication-Assisted Treatment For First Episode Psychosis: A Scoping Review, Chanel Thomas Msn, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Rn-Bc, Alexandra Wittenberg Bsn, Rn-Bc, Anttrenika Anderson Bsn, Rn, Tracy Mcclinton Dnp, Aprn, Agacnp-Bc, Ebp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose/Background

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends that individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) receive medicated-assisted treatment (MAT), as a complete approach to substance use treatment (SAMHSA, 2019). However, treatment measures using combination treatment for SUD in individuals experiencing first episode psychosis (FEP) are seldom used. This scoping review assesses the efficacy of MAT in conjunction with antipsychotics compared to the use of antipsychotic monotherapy for FEP individuals on hospital readmission rates.

Methods

The authors conducted a literature review utilizing PubMed, EBSCO, Elsevier, Google Scholar, PsychINFO, and Medline from August 2020 to November 2022. Key phrases …

Demographic And Psychosocial Factors Associated With Suicide Mortality Among Childbearing-Aged Individuals: A Case-Control Study, Katerina A. Furman, Amy Loree Phd, Lyuba Gavrilova Bs, Leah Hecht Phd, Hsueh-Han Yeh, Frances Lynch, Brian Ahmedani, Rebecca Rossom, Anne Beck Phd, Yihe Daida Phd, Gregory Simon Md, Christine Lu Phd, Joslyn Westphal Mph, Ashii Owen-Smith Phd, Stephen Waring, Cathrine Frank Md

Medical Student Research Symposium

Objective: Examine pregnancy-related, demographic, psychosocial and healthcare utilization factors associated with suicide mortality among childbearing-aged women. Methods: Data from nine health care systems in the Mental Health Research Network were included. A case-control study design was used in which 290 childbearing-age women who died by suicide (cases) from 2000-2015 were matched with 2,900 childbearing-age women from the same healthcare system and enrolled during the same time period who did not die by suicide. Conditional logistic regression was used to analyze associations between patient characteristics and suicide. Results: Women who died by suicide were more likely to have mental health or …

Childhood-Onset Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Exacerbates Opioid Use Disorder Consequences: Mediation By Impulsive Phenotypes, Liam R. Browning, Ciara Cannoy, Tabitha E. H. Moses, Leslie H. Lundahl Phd, David M. Ledgerwood Phd, Mark K. Greenwald Phd

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly prevalent and associated with opioid use disorder (OUD). Yet, little is known about the mechanisms by which ADHD (which is a heterogeneous construct/diagnosis) might alter the trajectory of OUD outcomes.

Aim: This cross-sectional study examines relationships between childhood ADHD (inferred as predating substance use) and the extent to which the effects of ADHD on lifetime heroin-use consequences are mediated by foreshortened time perspective and drug-use impulsivity.

Methods: Individuals who report heroin use (N=214) were screened using the Assessment of Hyperactivity and Attention (AHA), Impulsive Relapse Questionnaire (IRQ), Stanford Time Perception Inventory (STPI), …

How We Debrief: An Interpretive Description Of Social Service Community Workers' Experiences, Andrea C. Krywucky

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The aim of this research was to understand current practices of debriefing being used or not used in community social service organizations and the presumed frameworks or evidence justifying these practices in London, Ontario. The geographical area under concern has seen an increasing poverty gap, lack of affordable housing, toxic drug crisis, with mental health issues being exasperated by the pandemic. Social service agencies are overwhelmed with caseloads, creating an increase in need of care for frontline workers, as they are the first point of contact for many. This research utilized an interpretive description methodology to explore workers’ experiences and …

Mental Health In Pilots Ages 19-26: What Are The New Pilots Telling Us?, Jason T. Lorenzon, Diana Semilia

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Mental Health is stigma that reaches all professional pilots. After spending a considerable amount of money, a pilot is always afraid of losing his/her medical certification. This leads many pilots to not be honest and forthcoming about his/her own health situation or if he/she is forthcoming with any medical deficiency, the regulatory framework at the Federal Aviation Administration may put a further burden on the pilot to provide additional medical documentation, or the FAA may even amend, revoke, or suspend a pilot's medical certificate.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations,14 CFR Parts 61 and 67 and internal protocols creates a …

Socio-Demographic Determinants Of Non-Utilisation Of Antenatal Care Services By Women In The Northern Region Of Nigeria, Abubakar Yakubu Abbani, Yothin Sawangdee, Olusola Akintoye Omisakin, Maretalinia Maretalinia

Journal of Health Research

Background: A large proportion of women in the northern region of Nigeria do not utilise antenatal care (ANC) services. As a result, the region has the worst maternal and child health indicators. This study aims to identify the socio-demographic determinants of the non-utilisation of ANC services by pregnant women to provide evidence for policymakers to base decisions towards addressing the problem.

Methods: Data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey was used with a sample of 14,421 women with a pregnancy history. Descriptive, bivariate, and hierarchical regression analyses were applied to the data using STATA software version 15.

Results: …

Outcomes Of Directly Observed Therapy In People Living With Hiv Who Experience Homelessness And Substance Use Disorder, Mara C. Clawson

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Antiretroviral directly observed therapy, in which nurses or other allied health professionals provide patients with daily medication, is an evidence-based solution for viral load suppression in people living with HIV who experience homelessness. Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to assess the outcomes of antiretroviral directly observed therapy at one urban clinic caring for people living with human immunodeficiency virus who experience homelessness and substance use disorder. Methods: Data was collected from the electronic health record for the antiretroviral directly observed therapy patient cohort (n = 33); 10 of them were surveyed. Fisher exact tests determined nonrandom associations between …

Emergency Department Safety With Psychiatric Unit, Mallorie Stiner, Sofia Splendore

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Background: Safety in the emergency department is of the highest priority with patient care for ED staff and psychiatric patients. Psychiatric patients are unpredictable and can have violent outbursts, especially in a mental health episode or under the influence of drugs and or alcohol. Research on psychiatric units in the emergency department has primarily focused on minimizing patient wait times, however, there is a lack of research on patient and staff safety. Objective: This thesis investigates the impact of incorporating a psychiatric unit staffed by mental health professionals and patient safety within the emergency department. Methods: This thesis will include …

Comparison Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Pharmacologic Intervention In Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment, Analily Wong, Collin Owen, Meghan Vatave

Symposium of Student Scholars

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a condition that can result in chronic health conditions that negatively impact a person’s life. Methods to treat AUD involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacologic intervention, including disulfiram (DIS), naltrexone (NTX), and acamprosate (ACA).

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to determine the efficacy of CBT compared to pharmacologic intervention within one year of treatment in adult patients who have been diagnosed with AUD.

Methods: A reference search was conducted using various databases to locate literature. Combined keywords and Boolean operators were utilized to reveal desired articles. A total of 10 …

Mental Health, Substance Use, And The Importance Of Religion During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ji-Yeun Park, Thushara Galbadage, Hyuna Lee, David C. Wang, Brent M. Peterson

Faculty Articles & Research

COVID-19 impacted multiple facets of life, with implications on physical, mental, and societal health. Specifically, long COVID and related losses have exacerbated complex and prolonged grief responses and mental disorders including depression and anxiety. These mental health concerns are in turn associated with increased detrimental coping strategies including substance use disorders (SUD). The social and interpersonal implications of SUD are varied. Secondary data analyses from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) collected during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed an increase in substance use behaviors and mental health problems. Self-reported religious activities had a positive meditating effect on reducing …

A Descriptive Analysis Of Patients With Attempted Suicide At A Rural Level I Trauma Center, Evelyn Coile, Tatiana Eversley-Kelso, Eric K. Shaw, Cynthia Ponir, Mickey M. Ott

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Objectives

For patients with self-harm, suicide attempt, or suicide completion, the trauma bay is often the single point of contact. Regional differences and patterns exist for suicide that should be studied to enhance preventive strategies. Our goal was to critically evaluate the suicidal population of Southeast Georgia over a 9-year period.

Methods

A retrospective review of our trauma database from January 2010 through December 2019 was conducted at a Level I Trauma Center. All ages were included. All patients arriving with attempted suicide or death due to a suicidal complication were included. Patients with deaths highly suspicious for suicide were …

How To Survive College As An Acoa: The Effectiveness Of University Resources On Helping Acoas Socially And Psychologically Succeed During Their Academic Career, Kelly Buchan

Senior Theses

In 2019, 14.5 million people ages 12 and older had Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), but only 10% received treatment (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAAA], 2022). Parental drinking problems can directly affect children, or “Adult Children of Alcoholics.” Of the few studies targeting ACoAs, results show that ACoAs not only have higher risks of mental illness, but they also have lower GPAs and social health (Schroeder & Kelley, 2008). Thus, this study assessed the extent to which perceptions of the college drinking environment are related to higher depression rates in ACoAs, certain drinking motivations, and reluctance to use …

Correlates Of Caffeinated Energy Drinks, Substance Use, And Behavior Among Adolescents, Lauren N. Maziarz, Lauren A. Dial, Bradley Fevrier, William Ivoska

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Background: Caffeinated energy drinks (CCEDs) are frequently consumed by adolescents aged 10-19, yet the effects of consumption on adolescent behavior are not well understood. Previous research has identified positive associations between CCED use and other substances such as alcohol and marijuana but studies among adolescents are lacking. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis using data collected from the 2019 Alcohol, Drug Addition, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board/Wood County Educational Service Center’s youth survey. Ten public schools in Wood County, Ohio participated (n=6,152). Results: CCED use was common among our sample (43.4% overall). Reported consumption increased with age and was …

Associations Between Cannabis, Psychosis, And Schizophrenia In Adolescents, Lauren Moment

Academic Leadership Journal in Student Research

The effects of cannabis use on the brain, mind, and body have been studied for decades. The developing brain, particularly the adolescent and young adult brain, undergoes critical development that makes it especially susceptible to the effects of cannabis use. Among the adverse effects of cannabis use in adolescence and young adulthood, psychosis and psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia) have been examined. The association of cannabis use with schizophrenia was first elucidated in a Swedish study of army conscripts. Specifically, conscripts reported their cannabis use exposure and were followed longitudinally to assess the emergence of schizophrenia. The authors found that those …