http://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. Persons addicted to heroin or prescription pain killers can get help kicking their habit by using an implanted device under the skin that delivers small doses of medication, researchers reported Tuesday. http://phys.org/news206116052.html Medicine & Health Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:27:58 EST news206116052 Thousands of infants each year have exposure to opioids before they are born. Over half of these infants are born with withdrawal symptoms severe enough to require opioid replacement treatment in the nursery. Such treatment is associated with long hospital stays which interferes with maternal/infant bonding. Now, a team of researchers at Thomas Jefferson University has tested a semi-synthetic opioid they say has the potential to improve the treatment of these newborns, which could save hundreds of millions in healthcare costs annually if future tests continue to show benefit. http://phys.org/news205585840.html Medicine & Health Wed, 06 Oct 2010 12:50:02 EST news205585840 (PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers in Britain have discovered the molecular basis of some of the symptoms of hangover and alcohol withdrawal that appear as the body attempts to adapt to reduced levels of alcohol. http://phys.org/news192874484.html Medicine & Health Wed, 12 May 2010 09:15:32 EST news192874484 Drinking alcohol over a long period of time profoundly affects the brain, which adapts to the intoxicant and causes withdrawal symptoms when consumption stops. http://phys.org/news192284069.html Medicine & Health Wed, 05 May 2010 13:40:13 EST news192284069 The causes of obesity are complex and individual, but it is clear that chronic overeating plays a fundamental role. But when this behaviour becomes compulsive and out of control, it is often classified as "food addiction" - a label that has generated considerable controversy, according to a McMaster University psychiatrist and obesity researcher. http://phys.org/news180708652.html Medicine & Health Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:10:01 EST news180708652 A dramatic rise in antidepressant prescriptions issued by GPs has been caused by a year on year increase in the number of people taking antidepressant drugs on a long-term basis, according to researchers from the University of Southampton. http://phys.org/news175431116.html Medicine & Health Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:50:02 EST news175431116 Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that a commonly available non-addictive drug can prevent symptoms of withdrawal from opioids with little likelihood of serious side effects. The drug, ondansetron, which is already approved to treat nausea and vomiting, appears to avoid some of the problems that accompany existing treatments for addiction to these powerful painkillers, the scientists said. http://phys.org/news154121670.html Medicine & Health Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:35:13 EST news154121670 Previous animal research showed an association between the neuropeptide Y (NPY) pathway and its three receptor genes and response to alcohol and cocaine. A new study has examined the relationship of the human NPY system with alcohol dependence (AD), with and without withdrawal symptoms, and cocaine dependence. Two receptor genes in particular, NPY2R and NPY5R, were found to be associated with a more severe subtype of AD – characterized by withdrawal symptoms or coexisting alcohol and cocaine dependence – and cocaine dependence. http://phys.org/news141403734.html Medicine & Health Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:48:54 EST news141403734