The incentive-sensitization theory (IST) of addiction was first published in 1993, proposing that (a) brain mesolimbic dopamine systems mediate incentive motivation (“wanting”) for addictive drugs and other rewards, but not their hedonic impact (liking) when consumed; and (b) some individuals are vulnerable to drug-induced long-lasting sensitization of mesolimbic systems, which selectively amplifies their “wanting” for … Read more
Document Type: Journal Article
BACKGROUND: Central sensitization is an important mechanism underlying many chronic pain conditions. Chronic pain and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are highly comorbid. Despite great scientific interest in brain mechanisms linking chronic pain and AUD, progress has been impeded by difficulty assessing central sensitization in AUD. OBJECTIVE: The present study is the first to employ a … Read more
Persistent opioid use after surgery is a common morbidity outcome associated with subsequent opioid use disorder, overdose, and death. While phenotypic associations have been described, genetic associations remain unidentified. Here, we conducted the largest genetic study of persistent opioid use after surgery, comprising ~40,000 non-Hispanic, European-ancestry Michigan Genomics Initiative participants (3198 cases and 36,321 surgically … Read more
BACKGROUND: Our objective is to determine the effect of a new national clinical practice guideline (CPG) for pain management after childbirth, as implemented with less vs. more intensive implementation support, on postpartum opioid prescribing. METHODS: A quasi-experimental analysis will measure the impact of post-childbirth pain management guidelines on opioid prescribing in a statewide hospital collaborative, … Read more
BACKGROUND: Adolescent substance use (SU) is often motivated by a desire to alleviate undesirable symptoms. To test the self-medication hypothesis, we examined associations between comorbid psychologic and somatic symptom trajectories across early adolescence and early onset SU. METHODS: Using Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study® data, we differentiated youth who reported no SU at baseline based … Read more
Introduction: The opioid crisis has severely impacted youth, with overdose deaths increasing by 109% from 2019 to 2021 and fentanyl-specific deaths by 182%. Prevention remains underutilized in addressing youth addiction and overdose. Adapting school-wide prevention curricula offers a cost-effective strategy. The Michigan Model for Health (MMH), a universal, skills-based curriculum implemented in Michigan and 39 … Read more
Non-pharmacological techniques designed to reduce anxiety, pain, and healthcare utilization have shown effectiveness in pediatric and non-surgical adult populations; however, their application has not been widely evaluated among adult surgical patients. This study randomized opioid-naive adults undergoing first-time, elective cardiac surgery to receive either targeted interventions from a trained comfort coach or usual care. The … Read more
Positive allosteric modulation of the mu-opioid receptor is a promising strategy to address the ever-growing problem of acute and chronic pain management. Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the mu-opioid receptor could be employed to enhance the efficacy of endogenous opioid peptides to a degree that provides pain relief without the need for traditional opioid drugs. … Read more
INTRODUCTION: Cannabis is increasingly available to individuals in the United States, with the majority of states legalizing medical or recreational cannabis use. Cannabis expectancies (e.g., positive expectations from cannabis use) are related to more frequent cannabis use and associated with greater odds of lapse following a cessation attempt. METHODS: To evaluate the relationship between expectancies … Read more