Peter J. Koutoujian , Robert M. Bohler , Thomas Senst , Kashif Siddiqi , Haresh Rochani , Andrew Kolodny
{"title":"Evaluation of an in-jail and post-release comprehensive treatment model for opioid use disorder in Massachusetts","authors":"Peter J. Koutoujian , Robert M. Bohler , Thomas Senst , Kashif Siddiqi , Haresh Rochani , Andrew Kolodny","doi":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112616","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112616","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder experience high rates of opioid-related mortality upon release. Buprenorphine and methadone are effective at reducing mortality rates in this population, but evidence for extended-release naltrexone is mixed. We evaluated a comprehensive jail-based program in Massachusetts (MATADOR 2.0), which combined extended-release naltrexone and recovery navigator support before and after release.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We examined opioid-related mortality up to one year after release among participants in MATADOR 2.0 using propensity-matched comparison groups and Cox proportional hazards models accounting for repeated treatment attempts and competing risks. Additionally, we performed a sensitivity analysis limiting the hazards model to the first treatment attempt. Lastly, we examined predictors of treatment completion using logistic regression.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There was no difference in opioid-related mortality between program participants and a propensity-matched comparison group (adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) 0.58, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.28–1.22). However, the sensitivity analysis found a decreased risk in the intervention group (aHR = 0.47, 95 % CI: 0.23–0.96) compared to a propensity-matched comparison group. Individuals who completed the program were less likely to experience an opioid overdose death (aHR=0.25, 95 % CI: 0.08–0.72) compared to a propensity-matched comparison group. Individuals who underwent a polysubstance detoxification upon incarceration were less likely to complete the program (adjusted odds ratio=0.32, 95 % CI: 0.17–0.59).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Extended-release naltrexone delivered within a comprehensive care model including recovery navigator support may be an effective option to reduce opioid-related mortality for incarcerated individuals who choose not to initiate opioid agonist treatment, but more research is needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11322,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 112616"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143508094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marta Bassi , Elisa Roda , Micaela Tirri , Giorgia Corli , Sabrine Bilel , Tatiana Bernardi , Federica Boccuto , Martina Borsari , Eleonora Buscaglia , Fabrizio De Luca , Fabiana Di Rosa , Adolfo Gregori , Valeria Buccilli , Pietro Maida , Davide Ambrogi , Sabina Strano-Rossi , Carlo Alessandro Locatelli , Matteo Marti
{"title":"α-PHP: Acute effects and pharmacokinetic in male and female mice, and clinical data on related intoxications","authors":"Marta Bassi , Elisa Roda , Micaela Tirri , Giorgia Corli , Sabrine Bilel , Tatiana Bernardi , Federica Boccuto , Martina Borsari , Eleonora Buscaglia , Fabrizio De Luca , Fabiana Di Rosa , Adolfo Gregori , Valeria Buccilli , Pietro Maida , Davide Ambrogi , Sabina Strano-Rossi , Carlo Alessandro Locatelli , Matteo Marti","doi":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112596","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112596","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Alpha-Pyrrolidinohexanophenone (α-PHP) is a synthetic pyrovalerone derivative with structural characteristics and stimulant effects on humans comparable to α-PVP and MDPV. Since its pharmaco-toxicological effects have been poorly investigated, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of α-PHP (0.1–30<!--> <!-->mg/kg; i.p.) on behavioral responses in CD-1 male and female mice. Sex-related differences in pharmacokinetic profile of α-PHP (30<!--> <!-->mg/kg; i.p.) in mice were evaluated by analyzing i) the urine concentration of α-PHP and its metabolites at different time points, and ii) α-PHP levels in plasma, brain, and kidneys at 35<!--> <!-->min after the injection. Clinical data related to α-PHP intoxications, recorded by the Pavia Poison Control Centre (PCC) are also described. The present study shows that female mice were more sensitive to the effects of α-PHP on visual object, tactile, mobility time, and hypothermia, but males showed a deeper effect on visual placing. Both sexes developed analgesia to the mechanical stimulation, but only males showed a slight increase in enduring the thermal stimulation. Male mice showed higher plasma levels of α-PHP and a different elimination of α-PHP and metabolites than females. Case reports highlighted severe toxidromes characterized by Central Nervous System alterations (psychomotor agitation, tremors/fasciculations, hallucinations), cardiovascular toxicity signs (tachycardia, tachypnoea, thoracic pain) and other peripheral symptoms (hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis). Our findings highlight the importance of the <em>in vivo</em> investigation of the effects and pharmacokinetic differences in male and female mice, to make contribution to the translational toxicological and forensic sex-related value.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11322,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 112596"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143463376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jessica Obeysekare , Irene Pericot-Valverde , Snehal Lopes , Megan Groome , Brianna L. Norton , Judith I. Tsui , Shruti H. Mehta , Lynn E. Taylor , Paula J. Lum , Judith Feinberg , Arthur Y. Kim , Kimberly Page , Moonseong Heo , Alain H. Litwin , the HERO Study Group
{"title":"Improvement in anxiety symptoms during treatment of Hepatitis C in people who inject drugs: The HERO study","authors":"Jessica Obeysekare , Irene Pericot-Valverde , Snehal Lopes , Megan Groome , Brianna L. Norton , Judith I. Tsui , Shruti H. Mehta , Lynn E. Taylor , Paula J. Lum , Judith Feinberg , Arthur Y. Kim , Kimberly Page , Moonseong Heo , Alain H. Litwin , the HERO Study Group","doi":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112592","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112592","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Anxiety disorders frequently occur in people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aimed to explore changes in anxiety among PWID during and after treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with direct-acting antiviral agents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study is a secondary analysis using a sample (N = 498) based on the per-protocol data from the HERO study, a multisite pragmatic randomized trial. Anxiety among PWID was measured using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD-7) scale. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze changes in anxiety across multiple timepoints (baseline and end-of-treatment follow-up weeks 12, 24, 48, 120, and 168) stratified by sustained virologic response (SVR) status, baseline anxiety categories, and baseline benzodiazepine use.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Anxiety significantly decreased overall during the study period (p < 0.001) except at week 48. A significant reduction in anxiety was also observed among those with SVR (p < 0.05 at all time points from baseline), but not among those without SVR. The baseline anxiety categories differed significantly with respect to the changes in anxiety scores over the study period (p < 0.001). Reductions of anxiety scores from baseline were significantly lower at all timepoints for the moderate and severe anxiety categories. Anxiety scores were significantly greater among people who tested positive for benzodiazepines at baseline versus those negative at baseline at all later time points (p < 0.05) except at week 24.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Following curative treatment of HCV in PWID, symptoms of generalized anxiety showed durable improvement through 168 weeks and among patients with moderate to severe anxiety. Those who used benzodiazepines at baseline showed elevated anxiety in the follow-up period.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11322,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 112592"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143478772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Danielle R. Fine , Natalia Critchley , Katherine Hart , Susan Regan , Nora Sporn , Jessie Gaeta , Joe Wright , Gina Kruse , Travis P. Baggett
{"title":"Buprenorphine adherence among a prospective cohort of homeless-experienced adults with opioid use disorder","authors":"Danielle R. Fine , Natalia Critchley , Katherine Hart , Susan Regan , Nora Sporn , Jessie Gaeta , Joe Wright , Gina Kruse , Travis P. Baggett","doi":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112598","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112598","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>People experiencing homelessness face high rates of opioid-related mortality. Buprenorphine is a medication that reduces opioid-related mortality, but adherence to this medication among people experiencing homelessness is not well-documented. This study assessed buprenorphine adherence and identified factors associated with it in this high-risk population.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a prospective cohort study of English- and Spanish-speaking adults (<span><math><mo>≥</mo></math></span>18 years) enrolled in the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program outpatient-based opioid treatment (OBOT) program from 1/6/2022–1/5/2023. Our primary outcome was buprenorphine adherence, measured by the percentage of days covered (PDC). We used multivariable linear regression to identify demographics, social determinants, and clinical characteristics independently associated with buprenorphine adherence.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 139 participants, 23 % were female, 45 % were non-Hispanic White, 37 % were Hispanic, 13 % were non-Hispanic Black, and the mean age was 42 years. The mean PDC was 49.4 % over the 4-month follow-up period. Older age (beta=7.03 % per decade; 95 % CI=1.99 %-12.08 %), living in a residential treatment facility at baseline (vs. being unhoused; beta=14.6 %; 95 % CI=1.7 %-27.6 %), higher levels of baseline recovery (beta=0.77 % per one-point increase in the recovery score; 95 % CI=0.21 %-1.32 %), a higher maximum buprenorphine dose (>16<!--> <!-->mg vs. <span><math><mo>≤</mo></math></span>16<!--> <!-->mg; beta=13.1 %; 95 % CI=2.4 %-23.9 %), and receiving extended-release buprenorphine (beta=18.1 %; 95 % CI=4.3 %-31.9 %) were independently associated with a greater PDC.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Buprenorphine adherence in this cohort of homeless-experienced adults was approximately 50 % over 4 months. Proactive up-titration of buprenorphine dosing, consideration of extended-release formulation, and ensured access to buprenorphine in residential treatment settings may improve adherence in this marginalized population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11322,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 112598"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143488620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
William H. Eger , Dafna Paltin , Jacob D. Ross , Katie Bailey , Amanda V. Nguyen , Eli M. Solomon , Tyler S. Bartholomew , Benjamin H. Han , Angela R. Bazzi
{"title":"Naloxone distribution amidst shifting drug use patterns: Insights from a needs-based syringe services program","authors":"William H. Eger , Dafna Paltin , Jacob D. Ross , Katie Bailey , Amanda V. Nguyen , Eli M. Solomon , Tyler S. Bartholomew , Benjamin H. Han , Angela R. Bazzi","doi":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112591","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112591","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>In the context of rising overdose deaths among people smoking opioids and stimulants nationally, we aimed to evaluate naloxone distribution within a needs-based syringe services program in Southern California.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using service delivery data spanning January–June 2024, we examined the distribution of pipes for safer smoking, sterile syringes, and naloxone. Modified Poisson regression estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) of encounters involving pipes only, syringes only, pipes and syringes together, and neither pipes nor syringes, and whether these encounters included naloxone. Negative binomial regression examined relationships between supplies acquired by participants and the number of overdoses to which they responded with naloxone in the past 14 days.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 1260 service delivery encounters, 50 % involved pipes only, 33 % involved pipes/syringes distributed together, 11 % involved syringes only and 7 % involved neither pipes nor syringes. Overall, nearly half (44 %) of encounters included naloxone. Compared to encounters involving pipe-only distribution, encounters involving syringe-only distribution (PR=1.41; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 1.78), combined pipe/syringe distribution (PR=1.90; 95 % CI: 1.64, 2.20), and neither (PR=2.39; 95 % CI: 1.92, 2.99) were more likely to include naloxone. There was no significant relationship between supply type and the 14-day rate of overdose responses involving naloxone.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Harm reduction service delivery encounters involving pipe-only distribution were less likely to involve naloxone than other types of encounters in this setting. To curb overdose deaths in communities shifting from injecting to smoking unregulated substances, specific strategies may be needed to promote naloxone uptake.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11322,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 112591"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143438245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sophia J. Luikinga , Heather B. Madsen , Isabel C. Zbukvic , Christina J. Perry , Andrew J. Lawrence , Jee Hyun Kim
{"title":"Adolescent vulnerability to methamphetamine: Dose-related escalation of self-administration and cue extinction deficits","authors":"Sophia J. Luikinga , Heather B. Madsen , Isabel C. Zbukvic , Christina J. Perry , Andrew J. Lawrence , Jee Hyun Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112599","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adolescence is the most vulnerable period for developing substance use disorders, with adolescents relapsing more compared to adults even after therapy. Methamphetamine is a widely-used illicit psychostimulant by adolescents that is showing a world-wide increase in its purity. However, how adolescents respond to changing doses of methamphetamine or reinstate use after therapy is poorly understood. Therefore, we examined intravenous self-administration of methamphetamine at varying doses followed by instrumental extinction, cue extinction and cue-induced reinstatement of methamphetamine seeking in adolescent and adult rats. We observed with two different starting doses (0.03 or 0.1<!--> <!-->mg/kg/infusion) that naive adolescent and adult rats acquire methamphetamine self-administration similarly in 2-hr daily sessions. However, a higher level of methamphetamine use was observed in adolescents compared to adults when the dose was increased, and this was regardless of the starting dose. Adolescent rats exhibited more persistent methamphetamine seeking behaviors, performing more lever presses when methamphetamine was not available during instrumental extinction. Lastly, adolescent rats still showed significant cue-induced reinstatement after 2 sessions of cue extinction, which was enough to completely prevent cue-induced reinstatement in adult rats. Taken together, our findings identify specific aspects of drug taking and seeking that are affected by methamphetamine use during adolescence compared to adulthood. We suggest that adolescents are vulnerable to methamphetamine use disorder because they are more likely to escalate methamphetamine use when dose is increased and more likely to reinstate to methamphetamine-associated cues after cue exposure therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11322,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 112599"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143438244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Camille Zolopa , Seema L. Clifasefi , Sophia Dobischok , Natalia Gala , Hannah Fraser-Purdy , Morgan Kahentonni Phillips , Sophie Blackmore , Dennis C. Wendt
{"title":"A scoping review of harm reduction practices and possibilities among indigenous populations in Australia, Canada, and the United States","authors":"Camille Zolopa , Seema L. Clifasefi , Sophia Dobischok , Natalia Gala , Hannah Fraser-Purdy , Morgan Kahentonni Phillips , Sophie Blackmore , Dennis C. Wendt","doi":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112597","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112597","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>There is a great diversity of traditions, practices, and experiences among the Indigenous Peoples of North America and Oceania. However, Indigenous Peoples across these regions are affected by the historical and ongoing violence of settler colonialism, resulting in disproportionately heightened drug-related harms. ‘Harm reduction’ refers to both an ethos and a set of strategies intended to lessen negative social and/or health effects associated with drug use. While harm reduction could therefore be valuable to Indigenous people who use drugs, important concerns remain regarding the culturally specific implementation and outcomes of such strategies. A clearer picture of research regarding harm reduction in Indigenous communities is needed.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>We conducted a scoping review of primary studies regarding drug use harm reduction approaches among Indigenous communities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. We included studies that (1) reported on harm reduction principles or strategies; and (2) either reported disaggregated results for Indigenous participants or were based on a sample in which at least half of the participants identified as Indigenous. Medline and PsycINFO were searched in March 2024; screening by two independent reviewers was completed in April 2024.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Screening 578 references generated a corpus of 28 studies, 16 (57 %) of which were conducted in Canada. Indigenous people who use drugs generally reported favourable attitudes towards harm reduction initiatives; other community members and healthcare providers were more hesitant. A variety of harm reduction strategies were discussed, most commonly needle-syringe programs (<em>n</em> = 8, 29 %). Barriers included the availability and acceptability of harm reduction services. Community members expressed concerns regarding cultural appropriateness, but also offered possibilities for improved integration of harm reduction into Indigenous traditions and practices.</div></div><div><h3>Interpretation</h3><div>This review indicated an emerging, wide-ranging, and somewhat disparate body of literature. While barriers remain, there are promising possibilities for reconceptualizing harm reduction from an Indigenous ethos.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11322,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 112597"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143429172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wei Li , Danielle R. Davis , Eugenia Buta , Ralitza Gueorguieva , Nashmia Khan , Barry G. Green , Kathleen A. Garrison , Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin
{"title":"“Ice” flavor elements in E-cigarette images: Influence on liking and intention to use among youth who are at risk of E-cigarette use","authors":"Wei Li , Danielle R. Davis , Eugenia Buta , Ralitza Gueorguieva , Nashmia Khan , Barry G. Green , Kathleen A. Garrison , Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin","doi":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112600","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112600","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>“Ice”-flavored e-liquids and e-cigarettes, marketed as both sweet and cooling recently entered the US marketplace and are popular among youth. Advertisements featuring attractive product images and descriptions are one of the first exposures to these products for youth. This study examines the appeal of e-cigarette images, with and without a cooling “ice” imagery, among youth who have limited e-cigarette use or who are at risk of future use.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted two online, within-subject experimental studies with 71 Connecticut youth at risk of e-cigarette use, using a Qualtrics survey. Participants viewed 34 images of sweet-flavored e-liquids with and without cooling imagery (e.g., mango vs. mango-ice) and 28 sweet-flavored disposables devices with (e.g., watermelon-ice) and without names indicating cooling (e.g., strawberry). Images were presented in randomized order and participants rated overall liking and intention to use on four-point scales. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze outcomes, reporting least-squares means (M) and standard errors (SE).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The sample was 59.2 % female with an average age of 16.5 years. No significant differences were observed for liking and intention to use between sweet-flavored e-liquids with and without cooling imagery (<em>ps</em> > 0.05). For disposable e-cigarette images, participants reported significantly higher overall liking (M = 1.72, [SE = 0.07] vs. 1.62 [0.07], <em>p</em> = 0.002) and intention to use (1.52 [0.06] vs. 1.46 [0.06]; <em>p</em> = 0.037) in response to images without descriptions of “ice” compared to those with “ice”.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Adding cooling images or descriptors did not increase appeal or use intentions of sweet-flavored e-liquids or disposable e-cigarettes among youth with limited e-cigarette experience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11322,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 112600"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143429175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Synthetic cannabinoid use among noninstitutionalized individuals in the United States, 2021–2023","authors":"Joseph J. Palamar, Nina Abukahok, Austin Le","doi":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112603","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112603","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>We sought to estimate the prevalence of synthetic cannabinoid use and characteristics of people who use in the US general population.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We compared the prevalence of past-year synthetic cannabinoid use in 2023 to 2021 among individuals ages ≥ 12 surveyed via the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (<em>N</em> = 173,808). We also compared prevalence according to demographic and drug use characteristics and delineated correlates of past-year use.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Synthetic cannabinoid use increased from 0.17 % in 2021 to 0.26 % in 2023, a 50.0 % increase (<em>p</em> = .042) (0.25 % prevalence in 2021–2023 overall). The largest increases were among those aged ≥ 35 (by 255.3 %), those with an annual family income of < $20,000 (by 242.1 %), and those who used methamphetamine in the past year (by 184.6 %) (<em>P</em>s < .05). In our final multivariable model, those with less than a high school diploma (aOR=2.20, 95 % CI: 1.12–4.32) and those with past-year cannabis use (aOR=13.55, 95 % CI: 8.36–21.95) and use disorder (aOR=26.03, 95 % CI: 17.70–38.29) were at higher odds for synthetic cannabinoid use, as were people with methamphetamine use (aOR=3.08, 95 % CI: 1.18–8.01) and use disorder (aOR=4.74, 95 % CI: 2.17–10.37), and prescription opioid misuse (aOR=1.75, 95 % CI: 1.05–2.93) and use disorder (aOR=3.22, 95 % CI: 1.78–5.82).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Survey data suggest that synthetic cannabinoid use is rare but increasing, particularly among people of lower socioeconomic status and people who use other drugs. Cannabis use disorder in particular is associated with higher odds for use. Research is needed to determine if overreporting is occurring due to confusion with emerging cannabis products.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11322,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 112603"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143512643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A randomized controlled trial of effectiveness of brief structured family intervention for patients with opioid dependence and their family members","authors":"Yesh Chandra Singh , Siddharth Sarkar, Gauri Shanker Kaloiya, Anju Dhawan","doi":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112602","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112602","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>A family intervention program for opioid dependent patients with a few sessions can be highly beneficial in resource limited settings. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a three-session family intervention program in enhancing family functioning and reducing opioid use.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study design was an open, parallel, randomized controlled trial, which included 100 males, who were randomized to receive a three session intervention based on psychoeducation, supervision, relapse prevention, communication and coping; and a control group (treatment as usual) in a 1:1 ratio. The participants and their families were assessed through a semi-structured pro forma, McMaster’s Family Assessment Device at baseline and 12 weeks, and substance use section of Maudsley Addiction Profile at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The two groups were mostly comparable in socio-demographics and substance use pattern. The intervention group had a higher retention than the control group (64 % versus 42 %). There was improvement in overall family functioning of the patients, the time effect was significant (F = 41.203, p < 0.001), but not the time x group effect (F = 2.925, p = 0.090). Similarly, for the family group, the time effect was significant (F = 45.629, p < 0.001), but not the time x group effect (F = 0.680, p = 0.412). No significant group differences in opioid use were observed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The family intervention program was associated with a higher retention, but was not significantly associated with a greater improvement in overall family functioning and reduction of opioid use days. The study highlights the potential of systematic, time-limited family interventions to enhance patient retention in treatment programs for opioid use disorders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11322,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence","volume":"269 ","pages":"Article 112602"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143429174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}