The toll of the opioid epidemic is often derived from toxicology reports. These rely on drug tests. A medical historian explains these tests and how they fall short of capturing why people are dying.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Articles on Opioid epidemic
Displaying 21 - 40 of 61 articles
The opioid crisis in the US has quadrupled the number of babies born addicted to drugs.
The US opioid epidemic killed more than 40,000 people in 2016 – now, other countries are at risk.
As the nation grapples with its opioid addiction epidemic, one solution for many with chronic joint pain and back pain could be physical therapy. But it’s often underutilized. Here’s why.
Most countries need to find a happy balance between the American attitude that all pain needs to be cured – and the ethos in other countries that pain is to be endured.
Scientists have taken atomic resolution snapshots of an opioid receptor interacting with a drug. Now they are using these images to design “biased” opioids that block pain without the dangerous side effects.
A bill to deal with the opioid crisis recently came out of a Senate committee. While some of its recommendations are good, some key points are missing.
Opioids kill 100 people each day in the US, more than vehicular accidents. Those addicted are often left without treatment. An addiction researcher offers six steps to address the epidemic.
Each person experiences pain differently, depending on his or her genetic makeup. That makes it difficult to figure out what treatments patients need.
Scientists are just starting to understand how your parents’ genes and experiences might shape your own susceptibility to dangerous drugs. Could that help to stop addictions before they start?
Trust Me I’m An Expert: The science of pain.
The Conversation58.7 MB (download)
Our podcast Trust Me, I'm An Expert, goes beyond the headlines and asks researchers to explain the evidence on issues making news. Today, we're talking pain and what science says about managing it.
As the nation grapples with its opioid addiction epidemic, an understanding of how the drugs affect people is important. The powerful class of drugs actually can change the brain.
The U.S. has had multiple drug epidemics, and, until recently, has not had evidence-tested ways to help people. That has changed. New medicines can help. But other medical issues should also be addressed.
The herb kratom has a large following and is so popular that it is sold in vending machines. The FDA recently issued a public warning about the herb, which contains low levels of opioids.
Opioids kill an average of eight people every day in Canada. The federal government must officially declare this a ‘public welfare emergency’ and invest the funds critical to a humane response.
Your guide to a public health crisis that’s likely to get worse.
While talking about drugs with young people isn’t always comfortable, research has shown that it’s critical for prevention.
How can we fight the opioid epidemic? Redesign the drugs, rethink how we assess patients and mandate prescription monitoring.
Drug addiction isn’t about bad habits, fear of withdrawal or a selfish search for pleasure. It’s about the brain.
HIV, STIs and other dangerous infections are feeding off of the opioid epidemic, creating an even more complicated threat to public health.
Top contributors
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Professor and Deputy Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University
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Chancellor's Professor of Medicine, Liberal Arts, and Philanthropy, Indiana University
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Associate Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine; Weiner Hailey Family Professor, Tufts University
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Professor of Population Health Science, University of Dundee
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Professor of Social Work, Director of Social Intervention Group, Columbia University
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Co-Director, Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network and Assistant Professor, University of Michigan
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Professor of Clinical Neurosciences and Foundation Chair in Physiotherapy, University of South Australia
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Professor of Criminology, Western Sydney University
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Professor of Law and Public Health, The Ohio State University
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Professor of Emergency Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Boston University
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Associate professor and Co-Director, Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness, Johns Hopkins University
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Research data analyst, Johns Hopkins University
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Johns Hopkins University
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Professor of Sociology, Suffolk University
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Associate Professor of Psychology, Indiana University
