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People with severe mental illness may have higher risk for substance use

People with severe mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder have a higher risk for substance use, especially cigarette smoking, and protective factors usually associated with lower rates of substance use do not exist in severe mental illness, according to a new study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health.

5 Jan 2014

Rates of smoking, drinking and drug use are higher among people with psychotic disorders

In the largest ever assessment of substance use among people with severe psychiatric illness, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Southern California have found that rates of smoking, drinking and drug use are significantly higher among those who have psychotic disorders than among those in the general population.

2 Jan 2014

Secondary conditions can become deadly and affect how long HIV patients stay in hospital

A University of Arkansas researcher and her colleagues have found that secondary conditions and diseases that could become deadly significantly affect how long HIV patients stay in the hospital.

17 Dec 2013

Cinnamon, nutmeg, marshmallows provide more than taste of holiday spice

Cinnamon, nutmeg and marshmallows provide more than a taste of holiday spice or a sugar rush. They are the ingredients for recipes for trendy risky games played by many to disasterous consequences.

13 Dec 2013

State highlights: Kaiser Permanente says some patient data; Wis. Dems strategize about Medicaid expansion; Va. mental health money

Health care giant Kaiser Permanente has notified about 49,000 patients of a privacy breach at its Anaheim Medical Center. Kaiser said a computer flash drive was reported missing Sept. 25 inside the hospital's nuclear medicine department. The storage drive included patient names, date of birth, their medical record number and the type and amount of a specific medication (Terhune, 12/10).

12 Dec 2013

U.S. Marines investigate association between traumatic brain injury and risk of PTSD

In a novel study of U.S. Marines investigating the association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) over time, a team of scientists led by researchers from the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System and University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report that TBIs suffered during active-duty deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan were the greatest predictor for subsequent PTSD, but found pre-deployment PTSD symptoms and high combat intensity were also significant factors.

12 Dec 2013

Cenpatico, UAHN partner to deliver whole health integrated care model in Arizona

The State of Arizona has made a critical change to how it provides services to its most vulnerable populations. This approach favors a whole health integrated care model where one organization is responsible for providing both physical and behavioral health care services. To meet this best practice model, Cenpatico of Arizona and The University of Arizona Health Network have partnered to bring the behavioral and physical health systems together.

10 Dec 2013

WHO's MiNDbank database goes online

MiNDbank, a new WHO database goes online today, presenting a wealth of information about mental health, substance abuse, disability, human rights and the different policies, strategies, laws and service standards being implemented in different countries. It also contains key international documents and information.

10 Dec 2013

Research roundup: 'Substantial' Medicare savings from avoiding ERs; new ways for primary care; trends in kids' fast food consumption

Some Medicare beneficiaries who place 911 calls to request an ambulance might safely be cared for in settings other than the emergency department at lower cost. Using 2005–09 Medicare claims data and a validated algorithm, we estimated that 12.9–16.2 percent of Medicare-covered 911 emergency medical services transports involved conditions that were probably nonemergent or primary care treatable.

9 Dec 2013

Nurses bring fresh perspective to caring for troubled teens, Saint Louis U researcher finds

Psychiatric nurses offer a missing and critical point of view in treating adolescents in foster care who have mental health issues, an instructor at Saint Louis University School of Nursing found.

9 Dec 2013

Inflexible thinking in ADHD blamed on bipolar disorder

Impaired cognitive flexibility in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be entirely due to the presence of comorbid bipolar disorder, say researchers.

6 Dec 2013

Research highlights value of fathers in both neurobiology and behavior of offspring

Even with today's technology, it still takes both a male and a female to make a baby. But is it important for both parents to raise that child? Many studies have outlined the value of a mother, but few have clearly defined the importance of a father, until now.

5 Dec 2013

Frequent emergency department users have multiple chronic conditions, many hospitalizations

While it has often been said that the most frequent users of overburdened hospital emergency departments are mentally ill substance abusers, a study out today (Dec. 3) by researchers from NYU Wagner and the University of California, San Francisco, has found that this belief is unfounded - an "urban legend."

4 Dec 2013

Study reveals effect of energy drinks on the function of the heart

Healthy adults who consumed energy drinks high in caffeine and taurine had significantly increased heart contraction rates one hour later, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.

2 Dec 2013

After son's death, Virginia official vows to help change state's mental health system

Former gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds, who was stabbed repeatedly by his son before the young man took his own life, says, "I am alive for a reason and I will work for change."

27 Nov 2013

Non-specialist health workers provide treatment for people with MNS problems in developing countries

Non-specialist health workers are beneficial in providing treatment for people with mental, neurological and substance-abuse (MNS) problems in developing countries - where there is often a lack of mental health professionals - according to a new Cochrane review.

20 Nov 2013

Heart disease: The leading cause of deaths related to pregnancy in California

Heart disease is the leading cause of women's pregnancy-related deaths in California - but nearly one-third could be prevented, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.

18 Nov 2013

Morningside Recovery starts highly unique program for video and online gamers

Morningside Recovery, a leading substance abuse and mental health recovery center in Southern California, has founded a highly unique, all-inclusive recovery program focusing on compulsive video and online gaming—a growing issue among teen and young adult males.

16 Nov 2013

Viewpoints: Despite website woes, administration should be given more time; health law credibility 'going up in smoke'

The enrollment numbers are in, and as expected, they are well short of projections. Around 106,000 enrolled in new plans during October -; with approximately 27,000 coming from states where the federal government is running the exchange (with its extensive problems), and another 79,000 coming through the state exchanges. Republicans are gleefully pointing to the numbers as proof Obamacare needs to be scrapped entirely. That confirms two things we've long known to be true: the website is a disaster, and short term enrollment figures are a serious political problem for the White House and Democrats (Greg Sargent, 11/13).

15 Nov 2013

Spirituality in teens linked with increased positive social behaviors, reduced narcissism

If the spirit is truly willing, perhaps the flesh is not so weak, after all. Increased spirituality in teens undergoing substance abuse treatment is associated with greater likelihood of abstinence (as measured by toxicology screens), increased positive social behaviors, and reduced narcissism, according to a study by researchers from The University of Akron, Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and Baylor University.