News | Addiction and substance misuse

News

Vapes to be used in community pharmacy smoking cessation pilot

A Kent-based community pharmacy smoking cessation pilot has been launched “in response to the government's ambition for England to be smoke-free by 2030”.…

Published: 19 November 2024

News

Smoking cessation drug to be provided on NHS three years after its withdrawal over carcinogen concerns

NHS England says generic varenicline could help more than 85,000 people stop smoking each year.…

Published: 12 November 2024

News

Government-funded trial will test psilocybin as treatment for opioid use disorder

The project is one of four funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research aimed at cutting harm from illegal drugs.…

Published: 23 October 2024

Opinion

Introducing a new quality-focused supervised consumption service in community pharmacy

The charity Change, Grow, Live has trialled a community pharmacy service for all service users receiving medication-assisted treatment, aiming to provide them with more holistic care for the first time.…

Published: 14 October 2024

News

Nitazenes linked to 179 deaths in 12 months, government data show

According to data analysis by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, protonitazene was linked to the most reported deaths — 73 out of 179.…

Published: 9 October 2024

News

UK’s first safe drug consumption room expected to open in October 2024

The safe drug consumption facility will allow people to use illegal drugs in a sterile environment at Hunter Street Health and Social Care Centre in Glasgow, Scotland.…

Published: 22 August 2024

News

Deaths related to drug misuse in Scotland rose by almost 12% in 2023

The National Records of Scotland data show that opioids were implicated in 80% of the misuse-related deaths in 2023.…

Published: 20 August 2024

News

Largest ever trial of ketamine to treat alcohol abuse to launch across eight NHS sites

The phase III clinical trial will explore the use of low-dose ketamine combined with psychological support as a therapy for people with alcohol use disorder.…

Published: 19 August 2024

News

One in ten people with chronic pain could experience opioid dependence, suggest study results

The pooled prevalence of dependence and opioid use disorder was 9.3% across 148 studies, but the researchers say high heterogeneity means the results should be “interpreted with caution”.…

Published: 9 August 2024

Opinion

People with substance use disorders need more compassion from community pharmacy

Several factors impact how services are delivered across integrated care boards that offer NHS Inclusion drug treatment services, making it increasingly difficult for people with substance use disorders to access the care they need when and where they need it.…

Published: 24 July 2024