Cochrane

Background Cannabis use disorder is the most common illegal substance use disorder in the general population. Despite the large number of cannabis users seeking treatment, clinical trials conducted to explore the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for cannabis use disorder are rare. Study characteristics Review authors included a total ...

Review question We reviewed the evidence about the effect of alpha2-adrenergic agonists (clonidine, lofexidine, guanfacine, and tizanidine) in managing withdrawal in people who are dependent on opioid drugs (for example heroin, methadone). Background Managed withdrawal, or detoxification, is a required first step for longer-term treatments of opioid ...

Background Mobile phones are being used more to support healthy lifestyles. We wanted to know whether they could be used to support people to stop smoking. We reviewed the evidence on the effect of quit smoking programmes delivered by mobile phones to people who want to stop smoking. Study characteristics We found 12 studies up to April 2015 that ...

Background Behavioural support (such as brief advice and counselling) and medications (including varenicline, bupropion, and nicotine replacement therapies like patches or gum) help people quit smoking. Many guidelines recommend combining medication and behavioural support to help people stop smoking, but it is unclear if some combinations are more ...

Background Cocaine dependence is often associated with medical, psychological and social problems for individual and public health, generating problems for the community. Users play a role in the spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis, as well as in crime, violence and neonatal drug exposure. Use of drugs such as antidepressants, ...

Since the first national legislation banning indoor smoking in all public places was introduced in 2004, there has been an increase in the number of countries, states and regions adopting similar smoke-free legislation banning smoking in public places and work places since this review was first published. The main reason is to protect nonsmokers from ...

Review question: We reviewed evidence on the effects of brief school-based interventions for substance use and substance-related problem behaviours among adolescents. We found six studies. Background: Adolescents worldwide are known to use both legal and illegal substances, which can lead to other problems. These high rates of substance use are concerning, ...

Review question Do treatments to help people with tuberculosis (TB) of the lungs to stop smoking also improve how they respond to treatment for their TB? Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that can affect any organ of the human body. TB of the lungs can be transmitted from one person to another through the air when people who ...

Background: Drinking is influenced by youth perceptions of how their peers drink. These perceptions are often incorrect, overestimating peer drinking norms. If inaccurate perceptions can be corrected, with social norms information or feedback, young people may drink less. Search date: To July 2015. Study characteristics: 70 studies were included ...

Smoking during pregnancy harms women and infants. Women who continue to smoke during pregnancy generally are poorer and more poorly educated and are more likely to have no partner or have a partner who smokes. Medications to help stop smoking include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion and varenicline. E-cigarettes contain nicotine and are ...