Healio (1/16, Rhoades) reports “reduced drug use was linked to lower levels of craving, depression and other drug-related problems among individuals with stimulant use disorder, even if they did not achieve abstinence, according to a study.” The researchers involved in the study “said they also observed improvements in the severity of drug-related symptoms and psychosocial functioning.” The findings were published in Addiction.

Related Links:

— “Reducing drug use improves clinical outcomes in patients with stimulant use disorder,” Andrew Rhodes, Healio, January 16, 2024

HealthDay (1/12, Thompson ) reported that individuals “who use exposure therapy to overcome one phobia can find themselves less afraid of other things, according to the results of a study.” Investigators found that “people who underwent exposure therapy for spiders wound up experiencing an average 15% reduction in their fear of heights.” The findings were published in Translational Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Overcoming One Phobia Might Ease Other Fears, Study Finds,” Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, January 12, 2024

Healio (1/12, Herpen) reported, “In a cohort of adults with traumatic brain injury, level of impairment for those who exhibited cognitive impairment after 6 months was directly correlated to TBI severity, according to” a study.

The findings were published in JAMA Network.

Related Links:

— “Degree of cognitive impairment after 6 months dependent on TBI severity,” Robert Herpen, MA, Healio, January 12, 2024

HCP Live (1/12, Campbell ) reported, “Looking to avoid physician burnout? A new study suggests taking vacation time and avoiding work while on vacation could be a good place to start.” Conducted by American Medical Association scientists, the study results “suggest more than 50%” of physicians “were taking 15 or fewer vacation days per year, with 1 in 5 taking 5 or fewer, and 70% reporting performing work on the typical vacation day.” The results were published in JAMA Network.

Related Links:

— “Physicians Who Take Vacation Time, Avoid Working on Vacation Less Likely to Suffer Burnout,” Patrick Campbell, HCP Live, January 12, 2024

HCP Live (1/12, Derman) reported, “Physical activity could help prevent depression in older adults, according to new research.” Investigators came to this conclusion after looking at “data from 3 studies: Health and Retirement Study, Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe, and Korean Longitudinal Study.” The findings were published in Sports Medicine.

Related Links:

— “Physical Activity Linked to Decreased Risk of Depression in Older Adults,” Chelsie Derman, HCP Live, January 12, 2024