Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is a key neuromodulator involved in the regulation of mood, appetite, aggression, and impulse control. Dysregulation of central 5-HT function has been implicated in alcohol use disorder (AUD) and comorbid depression. This review summarizes clinical and preclinical evidence on the role of 5-HT in AUD development, heterogeneity, and treatment response....
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is increasingly recognized as a potential novel treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). As evidence continues to grow, the successful implementation of this modality into clinical practice will depend significantly on the perceptions and attitudes of mental healthcare professionals. Accordingly, a systematic review was conducted to provide a comprehensive...
Abstract The Czech Republic, like many European countries, continues to face significant challenges in treating substance use disorders (SUDs), with high relapse rates and complex comorbidities often linked to trauma and mental illness. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has re-emerged internationally as a promising therapeutic modality, although available evidence remains heterogeneous...
Purpose of Review: Neuroscientific models of addiction have evolved over the past four decades from single-circuit dopamine frameworks to dual-process, tripartite, and multidimensional accounts. Despite these advances, existing models incompletely account for the lived experience of addiction and for developmental, social, and mental-health factors that contribute to heterogeneity in risk and...
BACKGROUND: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains a major global health concern, with high morbidity and mortality and limited long-term treatment success. Psychedelic therapy has re-emerged as a potential novel intervention for AUD, yet little is known about how affected individuals perceive such treatments. METHODS: This mixed-method study explored attitudes and perceptions of psychedelic...
Substance use and behavioral addictions are escalating on a global scale. The Global Burden of Disease Study underscores a rising impact on disability-adjusted life years attributable to substance use. This challenge influences families, communities, healthcare infrastructure, and legal systems; nevertheless, the majority of individuals suffering from substance use disorders face challenges in...
Introduction Digital addiction, particularly in the context of excessive smartphone and social media use, has been associated with impaired cognitive control, emotional dysregulation, and social withdrawal. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely recognized for addressing maladaptive thought patterns, while mindfulness-based strategies enhance present-moment awareness and reduce...
European PsychiatryJune 1, 2026L. Jishkariani, D. Zurabashvili, K. Gigolashvili et al.
Introduction Cannabis decriminalization raises concerns about its psychiatric impact, particularly on psychosis risk. As cannabis became decriminalized in Georgia in 2018, questions emerged regarding changes in substance-related and acute psychotic disorders. Examining these trends is essential to guide prevention, treatment, and policy in a shifting drug landscape. Objectives This study aims...
Aims: Ketamine misuse is an emerging public health concern, with increasing reports of severe physical and psychological complications. Chronic use is associated with hepatobiliary and urinary tract injury, often linked to ketamine’s metabolic pathways and toxicological effects (1-3). This report describes the complications and treatment outcomes of a young adult with severe ketamine dependence...
Aims: Recreational ketamine use and treatment-seeking for associated complications is increasing in England. Complications of ketamine dependence can be debilitating, leading to continued dependence and surgical intervention. However, treatment remains under-researched, with lacking understanding of those seeking treatment or requiring specialist inpatient detoxification. This study aims to...