Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Drug Dependence

Drug Dependence

Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...

Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs

Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs

Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Suicidal Ideation in Medicinal Cannabis Patients: A 12-Month Prospective Study.

Archives of suicide research : official journal of the International Academy for Suicide Research·2024

Same author

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease screening and management protocols among adult HIV clinics in Asia.

Journal of virus eradication·2020

Same author

Humor and Borderline Personality - Retraction.

Twin research and human genetics : the official journal of the International Society for Twin Studies·2019

Same author

Cardiovascular disease and diabetes in HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay and bisexual men over the age of 55 years in Australia: insights from the Australian Positive & Peers Longevity Evaluation Study.

HIV medicine·2018

Same author

Trends in hepatocellular carcinoma incidence and survival among people with hepatitis C: An international study.

Journal of viral hepatitis·2017

Same author

Genome-wide association study identifies a novel locus for cannabis dependence.

Molecular psychiatry·2017

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

A Procedure to Study the Effect of Prolonged Food Restriction on Heroin Seeking in Abstinent Rats

A Procedure to Study the Effect of Prolonged Food Restriction on Heroin Seeking in Abstinent Rats

Published on: November 11, 2013

How many dependent heroin users are there in Australia?

W D Hall¹, J E Ross, M T Lynskey

¹National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney.

The Medical Journal of Australia

|February 24, 2001

Summary

Estimating the prevalence of dependent heroin users in Australia revealed a substantial public health issue. The study found a similar prevalence to Britain and the European Union, indicating a comparable magnitude of the problem.

More Related Videos

High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry

High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry

Published on: April 23, 2019

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

Published on: March 23, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 17, 2026

A Procedure to Study the Effect of Prolonged Food Restriction on Heroin Seeking in Abstinent Rats

A Procedure to Study the Effect of Prolonged Food Restriction on Heroin Seeking in Abstinent Rats

Published on: November 11, 2013

High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry

High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry

Published on: April 23, 2019

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

Published on: March 23, 2022

Area of Science:

Public Health
Epidemiology
Substance Abuse Research

Background:

Estimating the prevalence of dependent or daily heroin users is crucial for public health planning.
International comparisons are needed to contextualize national prevalence rates.

Purpose of the Study:

To estimate the prevalence of dependent or daily heroin users in Australia.
To compare Australian heroin use prevalence with that of other developed countries.

Main Methods:

Employed three estimation methods: back-projection, capture-recapture, and multiplier.
Utilized data on national opioid overdose deaths, methadone maintenance treatment entrants, and heroin-related arrests.
Compared Australian estimates with those from European Union countries using similar methodologies.

Main Results:

Estimated 67,000 to 92,000 dependent heroin users in Australia (1997-1998), with a median estimate of 74,000.
Population prevalence was 6.9 per 1000 adults aged 15-54 years.
Prevalence in Australia is comparable to Britain (7 per 1000) and within the EU range (3-8 per 1000).

Conclusions:

Dependent heroin use presents a substantial public health problem in Australia.
The magnitude of heroin dependence in Australia is similar to that observed in comparable European societies.