Articles related to ADDICTION/SUBSTANCE ABUSE

A new network meta-analysis reveals that high-dose psilocybin may be as effective as escitalopram for treating depressive symptoms, with a standardized mean difference of 0.31 compared to placebo in antidepressant trials.

A 24-year prospective study involving 362 inpatients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) has found that while the prevalence of symptomatic disorders declines over time, the absence of substance use disorders is the strongest predictor of BPD recovery.

Purulent pericarditis, while rare, remains a potentially fatal complication that requires prompt recognition and management, particularly in patients with a history of intravenous drug use.

Cannabis use was associated with a more than 11 times greater risk for psychotic disorder among adolescents, compared to no cannabis use.

Proper management of benzodiazepine withdrawal requires individualized care plans and close patient monitoring to mitigate potentially severe health risks.

High doses of loperamide, an OTC antidiarrheal, are being abused for opioid-like effects, leading to severe cardiac risks. Clinicians should screen for loperamide toxicity in patients with a history of opioid use presenting with related symptoms.