BACKGROUND: Prescription drug use disorders are increasingly becoming a reason for people contacting addiction services. The onset is often slow and not obvious. People can be very good at hiding the problem from their social environment. When overused, psychoactive medications, particularly sedatives, hypnotics, and/or opioid analgesics, may cause a range of severe health and social difficulties. Some of these issues may be due to cognitive function deficits or impairments which are reflected in various ways in the daily functioning of an individual.

AIM: The aim of the research is to...

INTRODUCTION: Psychoactive substance use constitutes a significant determinant of morbidity and mortality among adolescent and emerging adult populations across European Union member states. This study aims to examine associations between substance use prevalence and drug-induced mortality rates, with a focus on age- and gender-specific disparities and spatiotemporal patterns across selected EU countries.

METHODS: The research design employed a quantitative descriptive-comparative analysis of EMCDDA and EUDA datasets spanning the years 2010–2022, complemented by predictive modelling using...

The article explores basic personality characteristics in accordance with the Big Five inventory; it concerns the age category of adolescence, i.e. the ages 11–19. Particular attention is paid to the variables of age, sex, and nationality as factors contributing to the establishment of these personality characteristics. The research involved 2,830 adolescents aged 11–19. The average age was 14.89 (SD = 2.23). Participants attended lower or higher secondary education (ISCED 2 and 3) in the Czech Republic or the Slovak Republic. The research employed the Big Five Inventory BFI-10. While...

INTRODUCTION: Substance use among adolescents in the European Union constitutes a significant public health challenge. Particularly concerning are the early onset of use, patterns of polydrug consumption, and the emergence of novel psychoactive substances. This study examines prevailing trends and associated mental health risks through a secondary analysis of available data sources.

METHODS: The study employs secondary analysis of quantitative data from international and national databases (EMCDDA, ESPAD, Euro-DEN Plus, Public Health England), focusing on adolescents aged 10–24 years. The...

More than 100 million people — including at least 15 million children — are now using e-cigarettes, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Children are nine times more likely than adults to vape, raising serious concerns about early nicotine dependence. WHO officials warn that e-cigarettes, often marketed as “harm reduction,” are in fact hooking a new generation on nicotine and undermining decades of progress in tobacco control.

While traditional tobacco use continues to decline globally, vaping is rapidly increasing, especially in high-income countries. Yet by the end of 2024, 62...

The European Union and Central Asian countries have joined forces through the EU–Central Asia Action Plan on Drugs 2014–2020, building on earlier cooperation dating back to 2002. This plan recognises the shared challenges posed by drug trafficking, drug abuse and the security risks linked to developments in neighbouring Afghanistan. With law enforcement and judicial systems in need of modernisation, the Action Plan focuses on reducing both the demand for and supply of illicit drugs, while also strengthening national capacities to respond effectively.

At its core, the Action Plan represents...

The UNODC has developed a Toolkit designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society, academia, and the private sector to support the implementation of the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and its Protocols.

The Toolkit aims to:

• Equip non-governmental stakeholders with practical strategies to engage with governments and build partnerships with UNODC.

• Facilitate knowledge-sharing, showcase promising practices, and provide useful resources for preventing and combating organized crime.

• Highlight the importance of collaboration across sectors...

This report from the Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health reviews what we know about women’s substance use treatment and recovery in Canada. It highlights the need for trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and family-focused care. Since women-centred treatment has been under-researched and underfunded, the report brings together researchers, service providers, and organisations to discuss current evidence and identify key research priorities. The discussion focuses on four main areas essential to women’s recovery, emphasising Indigenous principles of purpose, belonging, hope, and...

This Charter introduces a visionary plan for a global partnership focused on recovery advocacy. The Global Recovery Network (GRN) is a new international group supported by several organizations. It offers a platform where members can strengthen their recovery support through lifelong learning, build meaningful connections, and promote better understanding and practices of recovery worldwide. GRN brings together people in recovery from substance use disorders and Recovery Allies—those who support recovery through personal efforts, programs, or advocacy. Together, they work to promote a shared...

AI is helping improve addiction treatment in many ways. It creates personalized treatment plans based on a person’s history and needs, and can even detect early signs of risk before addiction develops. AI also analyzes large amounts of data to better understand addiction patterns and improve recovery methods. Tools like AI chatbots offer around-the-clock support and a safe space to talk, while remote monitoring through apps and wearables helps counsellors track progress and prevent relapse. Virtual reality therapy lets individuals practice coping skills in realistic situations, making recovery...

INTRODUCTION:

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly commorbid among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). PTSD among people with OUD is associated with severe opioid use, depression, and suicidality. Tanzania has seen a rise in opioid use over the past few years and the presence of PTSD among people with OUD predisposes patients to more negative impacts and impedes the recovery process. We aim to assess the prevalence and factors associated with PTSD among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) attending medication-assisted therapy (MAT) clinic in comparison to non-opioid...

INTRODUCTION: Third-party sperm donation represents the sole viable option for conception for a considerable number of infertile couples. The donation process is predicated on ensuring the high quality and safety of the donated cells. While screening for transmissible and genetic diseases is in place, there is an absence of uniform screening for substance use in potential donors.

AIM: The aim of this review is to provide summary information on national approaches to sperm donation and to highlight the lack of standardised screening protocols and a uniform approach to assessing dependency...

INTRODUCTION:

Addiction studies programmes are very diverse around the world. To respond to the public health perspective needs to decrease problems related to drug use, empowering the addiction workforce in a sustainable way is a relevant pathway. The main aim of the study was to describe and compare successfully running academic master’s programmes in addictions with proven sustainability and to find key supporting factors of these programmes.

METHODS:

The study was conducted in 2022-2023 with selected master’s-level study programmes in addictions actively participating in...