Drug and alcohol dependence reports最新文献

{"title":"The impact of physical activity on substance use experimentation and initiation among adolescents: Results from the ABCD Study® cohort","authors":"Christine M. Kaiver ,&nbsp;Erin L. Thompson ,&nbsp;Samuel W. Hawes ,&nbsp;Sarah M. Lehman ,&nbsp;Ashley R. Adams ,&nbsp;David Wing ,&nbsp;Angela R. Laird ,&nbsp;Raul Gonzalez","doi":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100373","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100373","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Physical Activity (PA) is important for mental, physical, and brain health. Adolescence is marked by increased engagement in risky substance use (SU) behaviors, which can negatively affect brain development. This study aims to determine if PA influences SU experimentation and initiation among adolescents. We predicted higher levels of PA would be associated with less SU, with a larger effect in more vigorous compared to light PA. A sample of 2541 participants from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study provided three weeks of Fitbit-measured PA data at the 2-year follow-up, and SU outcomes at the 3- and 4-year follow-up. SU outcomes of experimentation (i.e., sip/puff/try of alcohol, nicotine, or cannabis) and initiation (i.e., full drink of alcohol, more than a puff/try of nicotine or cannabis, or anything else) were examined dichotomously (i.e., yes/no). Logistic regression analyses were conducted, controlling for demographics, externalizing, and depressive symptoms endorsed on Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Total PA was associated with 24 % decreased odds in SU initiation (OR 0.82, 95 % CI 0.69–0.99, <em>p</em> &lt; .05). After examining PA intensities more closely, light PA predicted 26 % decreased odds of SU initiation (OR 0.73, 95 % CI 0.61–0.88, p = .001). No significant associations emerged between PA and experimentation, or moderate and vigorous PA and initiation. More engagement in total and light PA reduced the odds of SU initiation, suggesting that low-intensity activity, not moderate or vigorous PA, may provide protection against adolescent SU. Future research should examine underlying mechanisms and contextual factors that account for these results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72841,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence reports","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100373"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144904136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beliefs and perceived benefits and harms of perinatal cannabis use among pre- and post-pregnancy women","authors":"Rebecca K. Denson ,&nbsp;Mayra Guerrero ,&nbsp;William Bond ,&nbsp;Anna Patterson ,&nbsp;Gina May ,&nbsp;Tamar Polatsek ,&nbsp;Robin J. Mermelstein","doi":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100371","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100371","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Cannabis use in pregnancy is increasing, despite evidence linking perinatal cannabis use (PCU) to maternal and infant health risks. To investigate factors contributing to increasing PCU, this study used qualitative interviews to examine beliefs and perceptions of PCU.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured qualitative interviews with pre- and post-pregnancy women examined beliefs and perceived benefits and harms of PCU. Interviews were transcribed and coded using a combined inductive/deductive approach. Thematic analysis identified themes related to beliefs, benefits, and harms associated with PCU.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty participants (50 % Black/African-American, 50 % White, 10 % Hispanic/Latina, mean age = 29.8 years) completed the study. Participants held contradictory beliefs about the safety of PCU, expressing ideas about both safety and potential harms. Perceived harms included themes of harm to infant/fetus, harm to pregnant women, and route of administration. Although most (75 %) participants had heard of potential PCU-related harms, participants were unsure about the accuracy of this information. Only one participant experienced PCU-related harm during pregnancy. Almost all (90 %) participants perceived benefits of PCU; these centered on coping with mental health symptoms, alleviation of pregnancy-related symptoms, and improved parenting experiences. Participants felt cannabis was effective in relieving perinatal symptoms of anxiety, depression, nausea, and vomiting.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Perceived benefits and perceptions that PCU is safe may underlie increasing prevalence. However, these beliefs and perceptions are nuanced, and may be influenced more by personal experience than information received about PCU risks. Education addressing pregnant women’s desire for credible, evidence-based information on PCU is crucial to inform decision-making and mitigate potential risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72841,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence reports","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100371"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144913239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neurodevelopmental effects of perinatal exposure to cannabis on progeny: A narrative review","authors":"Chidimma Doris Azubuike ,&nbsp;Oliver Grundmann ,&nbsp;Amie J. Goodin","doi":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100372","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100372","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The certainty of effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes resulting from perinatal cannabis exposure is yet to be established. This review synthesizes current clinical and preclinical evidence on neurodevelopment and related functional outcomes in offspring exposed to cannabis during pregnancy or early childhood. Additionally, gaps in the literature and suggestions to bridge these gaps are provided.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A PubMed database search identified highest level of evidence studies focusing on <em>in utero</em> and early childhood cannabis exposure using keywords broadly describing outcomes alongside informal, spontaneous, and reference searches to supplement search hits. Priority was given to recent clinical studies. Findings were categorized into cognitive measures (memory, attention, and executive functioning), and diagnosis of mental health disorders (including: autism spectrum disorder [ASD], Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], depression, anxiety, learning delays, and school-related performance). `</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Findings on effects on cognition, autism, and learning are not consistent; however, compared to children who were unexposed, prenatally exposed children consistently have higher ADHD risk, and no significant association with anxiety and depression. Exposure to higher concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol was found to be associated with more aggressive behavior in males compared to females.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Most findings on perinatal cannabis exposure remain inconclusive. To enhance our understanding of associated neurodevelopmental effects, future research should reassess exposure over time, employ standardized cognitive measures, use reliable exposure assessments, and methods that consider cannabis concentration and composition across generations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72841,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence reports","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100372"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144880318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chemsex and sexual risk behavior among MSM on PrEP in Stockholm, Sweden","authors":"Rost Elin ,&nbsp;Westergren Victor ,&nbsp;Luksha Yauheni ,&nbsp;Anna Mia Ekström ,&nbsp;Lindberg Daniel","doi":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100367","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100367","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Chemsex, typically defined as the use of specific psychoactive substances to enhance sexual experiences, has been linked to increased sexual health risks among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study examines frequency of chemsex use and associations between chemsex, risk-taking, and sexual practices among MSM on pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV (PrEP) attending Sweden’s largest sexual health clinic.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A survey among MSM on PrEP (n = 290) mapped demographics, sexualized drug use, sexual practices, and alcohol use at Venhälsan, (South General Hospital), Stockholm, Sweden.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>18 % engaged in chemsex at least once in the past year and 49 % of respondents using chemsex reported high-risk alcohol use or alcohol dependence and 13 % classified as dependent. Most individuals on PrEP practiced unprotected sex, 42 % used condoms as passive/bottom, only 31 % as active/top. Chemsex tripled the odds of not using a condom at least 50 % of the time: adjusted for age, education, AUDIT, and being born in Sweden. Participants using chemsex were 3 times more likely, to have more than 14 temporary partners (past year) and were twice as likely to engage in group sex (82 %) compared to those not using chemsex (40 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Chemsex was associated with a threefold increased risk of condomless sex and showed a significant link to alcohol dependency. While PrEP offers effective protection against HIV infection, it does not prevent sexually transmitted infections. Health professionals and social workers should identify MSM who engage in chemsex and tailor interventions to address their specific needs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72841,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence reports","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100367"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144852735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors associated with cannabis use disorder among Australians using prescribed and illicitly-sourced medical cannabis","authors":"Llewellyn Mills ,&nbsp;Jonathon C. Arnold ,&nbsp;Iain S. Mcgregor ,&nbsp;Nicholas Lintzeris","doi":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100362","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100362","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>People who use cannabis medically do so more frequently than those who use nonmedically, potentially placing them at higher risk of cannabis use disorder (CUD). Prescription involves receiving guidance from doctors how best to administer medication; however, it remains unknown whether prescribed medical cannabis is associated with reduced incidence of CUD compared to illicit.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data came from a 2022–23 online anonymous cross-sectional survey of Australians who had used medical cannabis. We examined differences between respondents who use Prescribed medical cannabis and respondents who use Illicit medical cannabis in demographic characteristics, patterns of use, and odds of meeting DSM-5 criteria for Any-CUD (≥2/11 criteria) and Moderate-Severe-CUD (≥4/11). Bayesian penalised regression models were used to identify the most important factors associated with CUD.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 1796 respondents, 43 % met Any- and 17 % Moderate-Severe CUD criteria. In bivariate analyses, respondents who sourced illicit medical cannabis were more likely to meet criteria for Any CUD (53 % vs 41 %, OR=1.6 [CI: 1.3, 2.0]) and Moderate-Severe CUD (25 % vs 15 %, OR=2.0 [CI: 1.5, 2.6]) than those who were prescribed; however, with other factors controlled for, age, frequency-of-use, mental health, THC content, route of administration, and proportion of medical vs nonmedical cannabis use were more important correlates than whether medical cannabis was prescribed or illicitly sourced.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>CUD is common amongst people who use medical cannabis. While CUD was less prevalent among people who obtained it on prescription than those who obtained it illicitly, other factors such as the concomitant use of cannabis for nonmedical reasons were a more important correlate with CUD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72841,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence reports","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100362"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144922364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fortifying alcoholic beverages with thiamine: Lessons from history and future opportunities","authors":"Thomas Jedamzik,&nbsp;Georg Juckel","doi":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100358","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100358","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thiamine deficiency remains a significant risk for individuals with chronic alcohol use and is a major contributing factor in the development of Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome. While clinical guidelines recommend targeted thiamine supplementation in at-risk patients, strategies for prevention at the population level remain limited and underutilized. Among the more unconventional proposals discussed in past decades was the fortification of alcoholic beverages with thiamine. This idea received particular attention in Australia in the 1980s, where high prevalence rates of Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome led to a broader public health debate. Although fortification was ultimately limited to flour and cereals, the discussion raised important questions about feasibility, effectiveness, and ethical considerations, many of which remain unresolved. This commentary revisits the history of this debate, drawing on empirical studies, review articles, and opinion-based contributions published in scientific journals from the 1940s to the present. Particular attention is given to the counterarguments raised against beverage fortification, including concerns about thiamine absorption, the potential behavioral implications of such a measure, and doubts about its political and regulatory feasibility. These arguments are examined in their historical context, including how they evolved over time, what types of evidence they were based on, and how they were discussed across clinical disciplines and scientific forums. By tracing the development of this largely overlooked policy proposal, this article aims to clarify the central points of contention and encourage a more nuanced understanding of the rationale, limitations, and potential of thiamine fortification in the context of alcohol-related health risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72841,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence reports","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100358"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144580828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors associated with emergency room visits among patients with opioid use disorder: A study of buprenorphine-treated and untreated patients","authors":"Sabrina Gaiazov ,&nbsp;William Mullen ,&nbsp;Ann Wheeler ,&nbsp;Swapna Munnangi ,&nbsp;Yifan Gu ,&nbsp;Mitch DeKoven ,&nbsp;Robert Dunne","doi":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100349","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100349","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Identify factors associated with 6-month emergency room (ER) outcomes in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) and/or treated with buprenorphine (extended-release [BUP-XR] or transmucosal [BUP-TM]). Compare baseline characteristics and 6-month ER visits and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) across treatment groups.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Patient claims data from September 2017– March 2022 were analyzed for patients diagnosed with OUD and/or treated with buprenorphine. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with ER visits 6-months post-index.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>543 patients initiating BUP-XR, 52,569 BUP-TM and 57,125 patients with OUD diagnosis but no-medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) were identified.</div><div>Patients who received BUP-XR (OR: 0.43, 95 % CI: 0.36–0.53) or BUP-TM (OR: 0.78; CI: 0.76–0.81) had lower odds for an all-cause post-index ER visit compared to those with no MOUD treatment.</div><div>Patients with later index years or those who had an opioid overdose ER visit in the baseline period had higher odds of post-index all-cause and opioid overdose ER visits.</div><div>1.2 % in BUP-TM cohort and 1 % in the no MOUD cohort had an opioid overdose ER visit, compared to 0 % in the BUP-XR cohort. The BUP-XR cohort had lower rates of inpatient stays, ER visits, and outpatient physician office visits compared to the BUP-TM and no MOUD cohorts but incurred higher pharmacy costs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study found that any buprenorphine treatment, particularly BUP-XR, was associated with lower odds of all-cause ER visits compared to patients with no MOUD, and highlighted potential risk factors that could help reduce the demand on ER services.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72841,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence reports","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100349"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144291117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cigarette smoke-free home adoption attempts among formerly homeless adults living in permanent supportive housing","authors":"Mark Hawes ,&nbsp;Jessica Alway ,&nbsp;Deepalika Chakravarty ,&nbsp;Margot Kushel ,&nbsp;Wendy Max ,&nbsp;Fan Xia ,&nbsp;Narges Neyazi ,&nbsp;Maya Vijayaraghavan","doi":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100363","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100363","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Globally, tobacco use causes 8.7 million deaths annually. Approximately 50 % of formerly homeless adults in permanent supportive housing (PSH) in the United States smoke cigarettes. Secondhand smoke exposure is high in the absence of smoke-free policies. There is a need to understand attitudes toward smoke-free policies and factors associated with smoke-free home adoption attempts among PSH residents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Between 2022 and 2024, we recruited 400 PSH residents who smoked into a smoke-free home intervention trial in 40 multi-unit PSH sites. Using baseline data, we applied generalized linear mixed models to examine factors associated with past 3-month smoke-free home adoption attempts, adjusting for age, gender, and race-ethnicity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Median age was 56 years (IQR 46, 62), and 41.8 % were Black/African American. Of the sample, 34.8 % previously attempted to adopt a smoke-free home, daily cigarette consumption averaged 11.1 (SD 7.5), and 19.3 % used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. E-cigarette use (AOR 2.92, 95 % CI 1.48, 5.77) and positive attitudes toward smoke-free policies (AOR 2.13, 95 % CI 1.43, 3.18) were associated with increased odds of smoke-free home adoption attempts. Longer tenure at current residence (AOR 0.94, 95 % CI 0.89, 0.99), smoking within 5<!--> <!-->min of waking (AOR 0.55, 95 % CI 0.31, 0.97), and having a serious mental illness (AOR 0.51, 95 % CI 0.30, 0.88) were associated with lower odds.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Support for smoke-free policies among PSH residents can be strengthened by promoting access to tobacco treatment, addressing the role of e-cigarette use, and providing tailored support for residents with serious mental illness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72841,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence reports","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100363"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144714281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationship between Medicaid coverage design and receipt of medication for alcohol use disorder (MAUD): Probability of receipt increases based on comprehensiveness of plan","authors":"Miguel Antonio Garcia Estrada ,&nbsp;Shelby R. Steuart ,&nbsp;Christina M. Andrews ,&nbsp;Colleen M. Grogan ,&nbsp;Olivia M. Hinds ,&nbsp;Emily C. Lawler ,&nbsp;Felipe Lozano-Rojas ,&nbsp;Melissa A. Westlake ,&nbsp;Lauren Peterson ,&nbsp;Coady Wing ,&nbsp;Amanda J. Abraham","doi":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100374","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100374","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects one in ten Americans. As one of the largest payers of AUD treatment in the United States, Medicaid managed care plays a key role in facilitating access to AUD treatment services and medications. However, little is known about how AUD coverage in Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) affects treatment receipt. We examined the relationship between the comprehensiveness of Medicaid MCO plan coverage of AUD treatment and receipt of medications for AUD (MAUD). We used Medicaid claims data from Kentucky (2016–2019); our final analytic sample consisted of 202,230 newly enrolled Medicaid beneficiaries. Kentucky quasi-randomly assigns Medicaid beneficiaries to one of five MCO plans with different AUD treatment coverage. We leveraged the random assignment to MCO plans using a Two-Stage Least Squares/Instrumental Variable (TSLS/IV) approach to estimate the effects of MCO plan comprehensiveness on receipt of MAUD. Diagnosis with AUD and receipt of MAUD was relatively uncommon— only 0.5 % of Medicaid beneficiaries were diagnosed with AUD and received MAUD across all plans. Results showed that for each additional AUD treatment modality covered, the probability of receiving MAUD increased by 6.7 % relative to the mean [mean: 0.5 %; difference per additional service/MAUD (in percentage points): 0.033; p &lt; 0.05]. Expanding coverage in the least comprehensive MCO plan to match the most comprehensive plan would increase the probability of receiving MAUD by 47 %. Overall, study findings indicate that when insurance plans cover a broader array of AUD treatment services and medications, patients are more likely to receive MAUD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72841,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence reports","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100374"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144904052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Psychosocial consequences of xylazine and implications for harm reduction services","authors":"Marina Plesons ,&nbsp;William H. Eger ,&nbsp;Erika L. Crable ,&nbsp;Maia H. Hauschild ,&nbsp;Corbin C. McElrath ,&nbsp;Cyrus Owens ,&nbsp;David W. Forrest ,&nbsp;Angela R. Bazzi ,&nbsp;Naida De Los Santos ,&nbsp;Hansel E. Tookes ,&nbsp;Tyler S. Bartholomew","doi":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100357","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dadr.2025.100357","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, has increasingly contaminated the unregulated drug supply in the United States and is a key driver of an increasingly synthetic, polysubstance overdose crisis. While research has focused on xylazine’s toxicologic and physiologic effects, less is known about its psychosocial consequences for people who use drugs (PWUD) and their implications for harm reduction services.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 17 PWUD and 8 staff at a syringe services program in Miami, FL from June–July 2023. Emergent codes in the transcripts were identified using inductive memos. Final themes were established through team-based thematic analysis and validated through member-checking.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants reported that xylazine intensified five key psychosocial harms that exacerbated existing challenges for PWUD, including 1) keeping oneself and others alive; 2) protecting oneself and one’s possessions; (3) curbing withdrawal; (4) entering and remaining in addiction recovery; and (5) fitting into society.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Xylazine’s emergence has compounded existing harms for PWUD and introduced new challenges for harm reduction services. This study underscores the need for novel and expanded harm reduction services that go beyond traditional opioid-focused approaches to encompass the complexity of polysubstance use and the unique features of xylazine dependence. This includes additional drug-checking services for xylazine detection, updated clinical protocols for xylazine-related wound care and substance use disorder treatment complicated by xylazine dependence and polysubstance use, and expanded social and psychological support—for PWUD and the frontline harm reduction staff who care for them.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72841,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol dependence reports","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100357"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144595512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}