Lifetime Substance Use Disorders Research Articles

Pathways between childhood mistreatment/victimization, posttraumatic stress, and lifetime substance use disorders among Latinx nationwide.

Childhood mistreatment (CM)/victimization, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and lifetime substance-use disorders (LT-SUD) are major behavioral health concerns. Their associations were established in mainstream populations but remain under-investigated in Latinx Americans. This study aimed to model the mediating effect of PTSD in the link between CM and LT-SUD among Latinx Americans. Using a nationally representative sample (N = 2,554) from the National Latinx and Asian American Study, three path models were performed for the whole-group, U.S.-born, and foreign-born Latinx (aged 18 or over), controlling for known predictors for Latinx' mental health. Latinx reported high rates of childhood physical (32%) and sexual (11.8%) abuse. Latinx subgroups significantly varied in educational attainment, LT-SUD, income, English proficiency, and self-reported discrimination. A fully constrained multiple group path analysis demonstrated direct effects of childhood physical mistreatment (CPM) and childhood sexual mistreatment to lifetime PTSD; PTSD significantly mediated the relationship between CPM with LT-SUD. No significant differences in path coefficients were observed among the Mexican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican subgroups. Findings suggest that CPM may contribute to using substance to avoid physical and emotional pain, which lends support for the self-medication hypothesis. Latinx who were traumatized by both physical and sexual abuse are more likely to use substances as a negative coping strategy. The study underscores the need for assessing the role of substance use as a coping mechanism for Latinx individuals who have experienced childhood traumatic victimization. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Resilience to substance use disorder following childhood maltreatment: association with peripheral biomarkers of endocannabinoid function and neural indices of emotion regulation

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a risk factor for substance use disorders (SUD) in adulthood. Understanding the mechanisms by which people are susceptible or resilient to developing SUD after exposure to CM is important for improving intervention. This case-control study investigated the impact of prospectively assessed CM on biomarkers of endocannabinoid function and emotion regulation in relation to the susceptibility or resilience to developing SUD. Four groups were defined across the dimensions of CM and lifetime SUD (N = 101 in total). After screening, participants completed two experimental sessions on separate days, aimed at assessing the behavioral, physiological, and neural mechanisms involved in emotion regulation. In the first session, participants engaged in tasks assessing biochemical (i.e., cortisol, endocannabinoids), behavioral, and psychophysiological indices of stress and affective reactivity. During the second session, the behavioral and brain mechanisms associated with emotion regulation and negative affect were investigated using magnetic resonance imaging. CM-exposed adults who did not develop SUD, operationally defined as resilient to developing SUD, had higher peripheral levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide at baseline and during stress exposure, compared to controls. Similarly, this group had increased activity in salience and emotion regulation regions in task-based measures of emotion regulation compared to controls, and CM-exposed adults with lifetime SUD. At rest, the resilient group also showed significantly greater negative connectivity between ventromedial prefrontal cortex and anterior insula compared to controls and CM-exposed adults with lifetime SUD. Collectively, these peripheral and central findings point to mechanisms of potential resilience to developing SUD after documented CM exposure.

Assessing Childhood Maltreatment Exposure in Patients Without and With a Diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder.

Childhood maltreatment (CM), widely held as a risk factor for substance use disorders (SUDs), is commonly assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Retrospective self-reports are, however, potentially subject to bias. We used a unique patient sample with prospectively documented CM to examine the performance of the CTQ and how this is affected by the presence of SUD. Analysis was based on a total of 104 individuals. Subjects with prospectively recorded CM were identified from a specialized childhood trauma unit in Linköping, Sweden (n = 55; 31 with SUD, 61% females; 24 without SUD, 71% females). Clinical controls had SUD but no CM (n = 25, 48% females). Healthy controls had neither SUD nor CM (n = 24, 54% females). We analyzed the agreement between retrospective CTQ scores and prospectively documented CM by κ analysis and assessed the performance of the CTQ to identify CM exposure using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Agreement between prospectively and retrospectively recorded CM exposure was poor for sexual abuse (36.6%, Cohen κ = 0.32, P = 0.008) and physical abuse (67.3%, κ = 0.35, P = 0.007). Overall CTQ performance was fair (ROC: area under the ROC curve = 0.78, optimal cutoff = 36.5, sensitivity = 0.65, specificity = 0.75). However, performance was excellent in the absence of SUD (area under the ROC curve = 0.93, cutoff = 32.0, sensitivity = 0.88, specificity = 0.88), but poor in participants with lifetime SUD (area under the ROC curve = 0.62, cutoff = 42.0, sensitivity = 0.60, specificity = 0.36). These data support the CTQ as a tool to assess CM exposure but suggest that it may be less useful in patients with SUD.

The associations between traumatic experiences and subsequent onset of a substance use disorder: Findings from the World Health Organization World Mental Health surveys

AimExposure to traumatic events (TEs) is associated with substance use disorders (SUDs). However, most studies focus on a single TE, and are limited to single countries, rather than across countries with variation in economic, social and cultural characteristics. We used cross-national data to examine associations of diverse TEs with SUD onset, and variation in associations over time. MethodsData come from World Mental Health surveys across 22 countries. Adults (n = 65,165) retrospectively reported exposure to 29 TEs in six categories: “exposure to organised violence”; “participation in organised violence”; “interpersonal violence”; “sexual-relationship violence”; “other life-threatening events”; and those involving loved ones (“network traumas”). Discrete-time survival analyses were used to examine associations with subsequent first SUD onset. ResultsMost (71.0%) reported experiencing at least one TE, with network traumas (38.8%) most common and exposure to organised violence (9.5%) least. One in five (20.3%) had been exposed to sexual-relationship violence and 26.6% to interpersonal violence. Among the TE exposed, lifetime SUD prevalence was 14.5% compared to 5.1% with no trauma exposure. Most TE categories (except organised violence) were associated with increased odds of SUD. Increased odds of SUD were also found following interpersonal violence exposure across all age ranges (ORs from 1.56 to 1.78), and sexual-relationship violence exposure during adulthood (ORs from 1.33 to 1.44), with associations persisting even after >11 years. ConclusionSexual and interpersonal violence have the most consistent associations with progression to SUD; increased risk remains for many years post-exposure. These need to be considered when working with people exposed to such traumas.

Machine Learning Prediction of Comorbid Substance Use Disorders among People with Bipolar Disorder.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a common comorbidity in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD), and it is associated with a severe course of illness, making early identification of the risk factors for SUD in BD warranted. We aimed to identify, through machine-learning models, the factors associated with different types of SUD in BD. We recruited 508 individuals with BD from a specialized unit. Lifetime SUDs were defined according to the DSM criteria. Random forest (RF) models were trained to identify the presence of (i) any (SUD) in the total sample, (ii) alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the total sample, (iii) AUD co-occurrence with at least another SUD in the total sample (AUD+SUD), and (iv) any other SUD among BD patients with AUD. Relevant variables selected by the RFs were considered as independent variables in multiple logistic regressions to predict SUDs, adjusting for relevant covariates. AUD+SUD could be predicted in BD at an individual level with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 75%. The presence of AUD+SUD was positively associated with having hypomania as the first affective episode (OR = 4.34 95% CI = 1.42–13.31), and the presence of hetero-aggressive behavior (OR = 3.15 95% CI = 1.48–6.74). Machine-learning models might be useful instruments to predict the risk of SUD in BD, but their efficacy is limited when considering socio-demographic or clinical factors alone.

Drug use talk in adolescent friendship interactions: Long-term effects of social learning on lifetime diagnosed substance use disorders.

Adolescence is a critical period of substance use and substance use disorders (SUD). Social exchanges within the context of adolescent friendships are key to understanding peer influences on the development of SUD. In this study we tested whether dyadic conversations between friends at age 17 are predictive of lifetime SUD diagnosis assessed at age 27. In controlled lab sessions, we observed conversations of 497 17-year-old adolescents and a friend. We coded the general way adolescents talk about deviant actions (i.e., deviancy training), but also specific positive talk about drugs (i.e., drug use talk). At age 27, a diagnostic interview was completed to assess lifetime SUD. Independent sample t-tests (in a selection of substance naïve participants to rule out that potential links would be driven by previous substance use) and structural equation modeling (integrated models, controlling for relevant covariates) were used to test whether deviancy training and/or drug use talk were predictive of lifetime SUD-diagnosis 10 years later. No significant links were found between deviancy training and SUD. Independent sample t-tests and integrated models showed significant associations between drug use talk about alcohol and alcohol use disorder and between drug use talk about cannabis use and cannabis use disorder. The link between talking about hard drugs and hard drug use disorder was marginally significant. Findings illustrate the risk of adolescent social learning in drug use talk with friends based on only 10 minutes of interaction, on the prediction of lifetime SUD assessed 10 years later and informs early interventions to curtail development of SUD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Self-reported challenges obtaining ongoing prescription opioids among Australians with chronic non-cancer pain.

Policies to address opioid-related harms include strategies to reduce opioid prescribing for new and ongoing pain management. Concerns have been raised that people with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) may be adversely affected by prescribing restrictions, and by involuntary tapering and cessation of opioids. We describe self-reported challenges obtaining prescription opioids among people prescribed opioids long-term for CNCP and explore associations with participant and treatment characteristics. This cross-sectional study analysed data from a longitudinal cohort study of Australians prescribed restricted opioids for CNCP. In 2018, 861 participants who took part in Year 5 follow-up and who also reported past 12-month opioid use were asked about challenges obtaining opioid prescriptions, including prescriber access-related difficulties obtaining prescriptions or having opioids tapered or ceased involuntarily. Associations between challenges and demographics, treatment characteristics including daily opioid dose as oral morphine equivalent milligrams (OME mg/day), substance use disorder (SUD), and opioid dependence were assessed. Overall, 285 (31%) participants reported at least one challenge, predominantly prescriber access-related difficulties (n=177/285; 62%). Prescriber access-related difficulties were associated with younger age (adjustedOR 0.94 per year increase, 95%CI 0.93-0.96), and past 12-month pharmaceutical opioid dependence (adjustedOR 2.25, 95%CI 1.33-3.80). Involuntary opioid tapering or cessation was reported by 73 participants (26% of those reporting challenges) and was associated with lifetime SUD diagnosis (adjustedOR 2.15, 95%CI 1.15-3.90), and opioid doses of ≥200 OME mg/day (adjustedOR 2.41, 95%CI 1.18-4.88). One-third of participants with CNCP reported experiencing challenges obtaining prescriptions for opioids or having their opioid medicines involuntarily reduced. Given increasing restrictions to opioid access, it is important that strategies to reduce opioid-related harms are balanced against the current treatment needs of people prescribed opioids long-term for CNCP.

Sex Differences in Plasma Lysophosphatidic Acid Species in Patients with Alcohol and Cocaine Use Disorders.

Preclinical evidence suggests a main role of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling in drug addiction. Recently, we reported alterations in the plasma concentrations of LPA species in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). As there are sex differences in drug addiction, the main aim of the present study was to investigate whether relevant LPA species (16:0-LPA, 18:0-LPA, 18:1-LPA, 18:2-LPA and 20:4-LPA) were associated with sex and/or substance use disorder (SUD). This exploratory study was conducted in 214 abstinent patients with lifetime SUD, and 91 healthy control subjects. The SUD group was divided according to the diagnosis of AUD and/or cocaine use disorder (CUD). Participants were clinically assessed, and plasma samples were collected to determine LPA species and total LPA. We found that LPA concentrations were significantly affected by sex, and women showed higher concentrations than men. In addition, there were significantly lower 16:0-LPA, 18:2-LPA and total LPA concentrations in patients with SUD than in controls. Namely, patients with CUD and AUD + CUD showed lower LPA concentrations than controls or patients with AUD. In conclusion, our data suggest that LPA species could be potential biomarkers for SUD in women and men, which could contribute to a better stratification of these patients in treatment programs.

Family-Based Predictors of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Recurrence and New Non-Alcohol Substance Use Disorder Onset Following Initial AUD Recovery

Knowledge of factors that predict alcohol use disorder (AUD) recurrence or the subsequent switching to a different substance use disorder (SUD) after initial AUD recovery is especially crucial for preventive efforts that seek to alter life courses dominated by problematic substance use. This study evaluated whether the proportions (or densities) of first-degree relatives with AUD and non-alcohol substance use disorder (NASUD) histories predicted AUD recurrence or a new NASUD onset in a family member (i.e., proband) following initial AUD episode recovery. This research is based on a prospective and multigenerational data set collected as part of the Oregon Adolescent Depression Project (OADP). The initial proband cohort was selected randomly from nine high schools in western Oregon. The sample for this research consisted of OADP probands with histories of AUD who recovered from their first AUD episode by age 30 (n = 244). Lifetime SUD histories were also assessed for first-degree adult relatives of probands (n = 790). In unadjusted and partially adjusted analyses, family densities of AUD predicted AUD recurrence among probands, and family densities of NASUDs predicted the onset of a new NASUD following first-episode AUD recovery. In fully adjusted analyses, the effect for AUD family histories on proband AUD recurrence remained, whereas the effect for family NASUD histories on new NASUD emergence was not maintained. Family SUD histories have predictive relevance for the course of AUD following initial recovery as well as some specificity for the type of SUD recurrence subsequently experienced.

"Lives of despair" at risk for "deaths of despair": tracking an under-recognized, vulnerable population.

PurposeThe substantial and unexpected increase in “deaths of despair” in the US (e.g., deaths from drug overdose, suicide, and alcohol-related liver diseases) reported by economists Case and Deaton in 2015 raises questions about the number and characteristics of US adults potentially living “lives of despair” with these problems.MethodsWe used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave III (NESARC-III) to examine population estimates and characteristics of adults with lifetime history of substance use disorder (SUD) and suicide attempt, or either condition alone, as compared to those with neither.ResultsAn estimated 7.2 million adults had both lifetime SUD and suicide attempt and 78.8 million had either. Those with both faced far more psychosocial adversities, familial adverse experiences and psychiatric disorders compared to those with the other two groups, and reported greater mental health service utilization. Multivariable analysis showed that psychiatric multimorbidity and violence were the strongest correlates of having both conditions as compared to neither while those with either condition fell in between.ConclusionA substantial number of US adults live with a lifetime SUD and suicide attempt with a multiplicity of additional socioeconomic, psychiatric and familial problems. While their utilization of mental health care service exceeds those with either or neither conditions, quality of life remained much poorer, suggesting that mental health treatment alone may not be enough to mitigate their sufferings, and a combination of both social policy support and quality mental health care may be needed.

The Impact of Alcohol and Other Substance Use Disorders on Mortality in Patients With Eating Disorders: A Nationwide Register-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

Research is lacking on the contribution of different types of substance use disorders (SUDs) to excess mortality across the full spectrum of eating disorders. The authors assessed the association of alcohol use disorders and other SUDs with mortality in anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and unspecified eating disorder compared with matched control subjects. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using Danish nationwide registers. The study included 20,759 patients with eating disorders and 83,036 matched control subjects. Hazard ratios were calculated to compare all-cause mortality risk between eating disorder patients and control subjects both with and without a lifetime SUD diagnosis (abuse or dependence of alcohol, cannabis, or hard drugs). For patients with each type of eating disorder, a higher risk of all-cause mortality was observed relative to control subjects without SUDs among those who abused alcohol and/or cannabis (adjusted hazard ratios for the anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and unspecified eating disorder patients, respectively, were 11.28 [95% CI=7.01, 18.16], 5.86 [95% CI=3.37, 10.1], and 10.86 [95% CI=6.74, 17.50]), or hard drugs alone or in combination with alcohol and/or cannabis (adjusted hazard ratios, respectively, were 22.34 [95% CI=15.13, 33.00], 11.43 [95% CI=7.14, 18.28], and 15.53 [95% CI=10.15, 23.78]), than in those without SUDs (adjusted hazard ratios, respectively, were 3.21 [95% CI=2.43, 4.23], 1.24 [95% CI=0.88, 1.77], and 4.75 [95% CI=3.57, 6.31]). Control subjects with SUDs also exhibited an elevated risk of all-cause mortality relative to control subjects without SUDs, although to a much lesser extent than eating disorder patients with SUDs. SUDs have an additive effect on excess mortality in patients with eating disorders. The prevention and treatment of SUDs in this patient group is thus imperative to reduce mortality.

Kratom Use in the US: Both a Regional Phenomenon and a White Middle-Class Phenomenon? Evidence From NSDUH 2019 and an Online Convenience Sample.

Kratom products available in the United States are becoming increasingly diverse both in terms of content and in terms of how they are marketed. Prior survey research indicates that kratom has been primarily used in the US to self-treat anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue, and substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms. Kratom is also well-known for its use as a short- or long-term full opioid agonist substitute. Therefore, use may be greater in regions particularly impacted by addiction to prescription opioids. Use may also be greater in demographic groups targeted by media outlets (such as specific podcasts) in which kratom is touted. Here, we aimed to determine whether lifetime and past-year kratom use were associated with region of residence and with being young, White, post-secondary educated, and employed. To strengthen confidence in our findings, we analyzed data from two sources: our own crowdsourced online convenience sample and the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). In our sample (N = 2,615), 11.1% reported lifetime and 6.7% reported past-year kratom use, and the odds of kratom use were higher among people who were White, younger, at least high school educated, employed, and above the poverty line, as well as those reporting nonmedical opioid use, past-year SUD, or lifetime SUD treatment; residence was not a significant predictor. In NSDUH data, suburban residence and other demographic factors, concordant with those from the crowdsourced sample, were associated with kratom use. Taken together, the findings support a general “White middle-class suburban” profile of the modal kratom user, but more research is needed to understand it. In the interim, focus should be on our finding that lifetime nonmedical opioid use was associated with an up to five times greater likelihood of past-year kratom use, suggesting that drug-use history may presently be the strongest predictor of kratom use.

A population-wide perspective on the reach of substance use disorders: Parental exposure, diagnostic remission, and current disorders.

Parental substance use disorder (SUD) increases the risk for childhood adversities. Lifetime and current SUDs are associated with functional impairment and psychiatric comorbidity. Research shows that these abate with diagnostic remission. However, a hierarchically ordered heuristic profile of adult subpopulations affected by SUDs has not been explored. We used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave III (NESARC-III; N = 36,309) to compare four subpopulations defined by the following hierarchy: (1) neither parental nor lifetime SUD (un-affected group); (2) parental SUD but no personal SUD; (3) past but not current SUD (diagnostic remission); and (4) current SUD. We conducted bivariate comparisons and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression to identify characteristics independently differentiating each group. Almost half of the US adult population (108.9 million) were at risk from SUDs. Relative to the unaffected group (56.1%), the parental-exposure-only group (13.9%) experienced diverse parental and childhood adversities and increased risk for psychiatric disorders. Compared to the parental-exposure-only group those in the remitted group (14.1%) were more likely to report behavioral problems and lifetime psychiatric multimorbidities. Those with current SUD (15.9%) had a poorer mental health-related quality of life. This heuristic SUD hierarchy is associated with increasing adversities affecting almost half the US population, although only 15.9% meet the criteria for a current disorder. Our findings provide a rigorous population-based estimate of the staggering public health impact of SUDs in the United States and suggest that almost half of the US population is either directly or indirectly affected by SUDs.

Diagnostic remission of substance use disorders: Racial differences and correlates of remission in a nationally representative sample

IntroductionResearch has shown racial/ethnic minorities to have similar risk of developing substance use disorders (SUDs) as Whites. However, few studies have compared the likelihood of diagnostic remission (i.e., no longer meeting criteria for current SUDs). MethodsUsing nationally representative survey data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III), we examined all adults with lifetime SUDs; compared the proportions experiencing diagnostic remission; and used logistic regression analyses to compare Black, Hispanic, and other racial/ethnic minorities to Whites. The research team initially used bivariate comparisons to identify potentially confounding factors also associated with remission. The study used multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses to adjust for these potentially confounding covariates. The team conducted separate analyses for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and drug use disorders (DUDs). ResultsOf 10,916 individuals with lifetime SUDs, 5120 no longer met criteria for an SUD in the past year (55.2% of White, 34.0% of Black, 38.5% Hispanic, and 40.1% of other individuals). In unadjusted analyses, Black, Hispanic, and others were significantly and about half as likely as Whites to have remitted with odds ratios (ORs) of 0.42 (95% CI 0.36–0.48), 0.51 (0.45–0.58), and 0.55 (0.45–0.65), respectively. The study found similar results for both AUD and DUDs. Adjusting for potentially confounding factors only modestly improved the likelihood of remission among racial/ethnic minorities compared to White individuals. ConclusionMinority race/ethnicity is robustly associated with reduced likelihood of diagnostic remission from SUDs even after adjusting for other factors. This study could identify only partial moderators of these disparities; these moderators deserve further study.

Mono- and poly-therapy with benzodiazepines or Z-drugs: Results from a tertiary-care Addiction Unit study.

Using benzodiazepines (BZDs) or Z-drugs in poly-therapy is a critical issue. Identifying factors influencing the use of BZDs/Z-drugs in poly- vs mono-therapy in patients with or without substance use disorders (SUDs). 986 inpatients were analysed. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were collected. BZD/Z-drug doses were compared via the Defined Daily Dose (DDD) and standardized as diazepam dose equivalents. Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, Fisher test, hierarchical multivariate regression analyses were run referring to the whole sample and to subjects with current SUDs, lifetime SUDs, current and lifetime SUDs, non-SUDs. In the whole sample the variance of being mono- vs poly-therapy users was explained by BZD/Z-drug formulation, DDD, duration of treatment, age of first BZDs/Z-drugs use (ΔR2 =0.141, p <0.001). Among those with current SUDs (ΔR2 =0.278, p =0.332) or current and lifetime SUDs (ΔR2 =0.154, p =0.419), no variables explained the variance of being mono-vs poly-therapy users. Among lifetime SUDs subjects, the variance of being mono- vs poly-therapy users was explained by BZD/Z-drug formulation and age of first BZD/Z-drug use (ΔR2 =0.275, p <0.001). Among non-SUDs subjects, the variance of being mono- vs poly-therapy users was explained by DDD and duration of treatment (ΔR2 =0.162, p =0.001). Tablets, high drug doses, long duration of treatment, and early age of first use were more likely associated to poly- than mono-therapy. This suggests that patients have different clinical features and a pharmacological prescription should be tailored to them also based on the variables here analysed.

The Impact of Alcohol and Other Substance Use Disorders on Mortality in Patients With Eating Disorders: A Nationwide Register-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

Research is lacking on the contribution of different types of substance use disorders (SUDs) to excess mortality across the full spectrum of eating disorders. The authors assessed the association of alcohol use disorders and other SUDs with mortality in anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and unspecified eating disorder compared with matched control subjects. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using Danish nationwide registers. The study included 20,759 patients with eating disorders and 83,036 matched control subjects. Hazard ratios were calculated to compare all-cause mortality risk between eating disorder patients and control subjects both with and without a lifetime SUD diagnosis (abuse or dependence of alcohol, cannabis, or hard drugs). For patients with each type of eating disorder, a higher risk of all-cause mortality was observed relative to control subjects without SUDs among those who abused alcohol and/or cannabis (adjusted hazard ratios for the anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and unspecified eating disorder patients, respectively, were 11.28 [95% CI=7.01, 18.16], 5.86 [95% CI=3.37, 10.1], and 10.86 [95% CI=6.74, 17.50]), or hard drugs alone or in combination with alcohol and/or cannabis (adjusted hazard ratios, respectively, were 22.34 [95% CI=15.13, 33.00], 11.43 [95% CI=7.14, 18.28], and 15.53 [95% CI=10.15, 23.78]), than in those without SUDs (adjusted hazard ratios, respectively, were 3.21 [95% CI=2.43, 4.23], 1.24 [95% CI=0.88, 1.77], and 4.75 [95% CI=3.57, 6.31]). Control subjects with SUDs also exhibited an elevated risk of all-cause mortality relative to control subjects without SUDs, although to a much lesser extent than eating disorder patients with SUDs. SUDs have an additive effect on excess mortality in patients with eating disorders. The prevention and treatment of SUDs in this patient group is thus imperative to reduce mortality.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Substance Use Disorder in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to determine the lifetime prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) in a Canadian rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort and factors associated with SUD in RA.MethodsParticipants with RA (N = 154) were recruited via rheumatology clinics as part of a larger cohort study of psychiatric comorbidity in immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases. SUD is defined as the uncontrolled use of a substance despite the harmful consequences of its use. To identify lifetime SUD, the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition was administered to participants. Participants’ sociodemographic and RA clinical characteristics were also assessed. We examined factors associated with lifetime SUD using unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression modeling.ResultsTwenty‐three (14.9%) of 154 participants with RA met the criteria for a lifetime diagnosis of SUD. The majority of the participants were women, were White, had postsecondary education, and were on a disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug. Factors associated with increased odds of SUD were male sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03‐12.73), younger age (aOR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90‐0.98), and ever smoking (aOR: 6.44, 95% CI: 1.53‐27.07).ConclusionWe found that approximately 1 in 7 individuals with RA had a lifetime diagnosis of SUD, highlighting the importance of identifying and treating SUD in those with RA. In particular, the following factors were associated with higher odds of SUD: male sex, younger age, and smoking behaviors.

Functional and Mood Outcomes in Bipolar Disorder Patients With and Without Substance Use Disorders Undergoing Psychotherapy.

Objectives: Research suggests that patients with co-morbid bipolar disorder (BD) and substance use disorder (SUD) have a poorer illness course and clinical outcome. The evidence is limited as SUD patients are often excluded from BD studies. In particular, evidence regarding long term outcomes from studies using psychotherapies as an adjunctive treatment is limited. We therefore examined data from two studies of Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) for BD to determine whether lifetime or current SUD affected outcomes.Methods: Data were analyzed from two previous clinical trials of IPSRT for BD patients. Change in scores on the Social Adjustment Scale (SAS) from 0 to 78 weeks and cumulative mood scores from 0 to 78 weeks, measured using the Life Interval Follow-Up Evaluation (LIFE), were analyzed.Results: Of 122 patients (non-SUD n = 67, lifetime SUD but no current n = 43, current SUD n = 12), 79 received IPSRT and 43 received a comparison therapy—specialist supportive care—over 18 months. Lifetime SUD had a significant negative effect on change in SAS score but not LIFE score. There was no effect of current SUD on either change in score. Secondary analysis showed no correlation between symptom count and change in SAS total score or LIFE score.Conclusion: Current SUD has no impact on mood or functional outcomes, however, current SUD numbers were small, limiting conclusions. Lifetime SUD appears to be associated with impaired functional outcomes from psychotherapy. There is limited research on co-morbid BD and SUD patients undergoing psychotherapy.

Moral injury and substance use disorders among US combat veterans: results from the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study.

Exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) is associated with increased risk for substance use disorders (SUDs), although population-based studies remain limited. The goal of this study was to better understand the relationships between PMIE exposure and lifetime and past-year alcohol use disorder (AUD), drug use disorder (DUD), and SUD. Data were analyzed from the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1321 combat veterans. Multivariable analyses examined associations between three types of PMIE exposure (perpetration, witnessing, and betrayal), and lifetime and past-year AUD, DUD, and SUD, adjusting for sociodemographic variables, combat exposure severity, prior trauma, and lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder. Perpetration was associated with increased odds of lifetime AUD (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.01-1.31) and lifetime SUD (OR 1.18; 95% CI 1.03-1.35). Witnessing was associated with greater odds of past-year DUD (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.04-1.38) and past-year SUD (OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.02-1.28). Betrayal was associated with past-year AUD (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.03-1.39). A large proportion of the variance in past-year AUD was accounted for by betrayal (38.7%), while witnessing accounted for 25.8% of the variance in past-year DUD. Exposure to PMIEs may be a stronger contributor to SUDs among veterans than previously known. These findings highlight the importance of targeted assessment and treatment of moral injury among veterans with SUDs, as well as attending to specific types of morally injurious experiences when conceptualizing and planning care.

Influence of Substance Use Disorder on Treatment Retention of Adult-Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder Patients. A 5-Year Follow-Up Study.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most widespread neurodevelopmental disorder, and it still persists into adulthood in 2–6% of the population. Psychiatric comorbidities are very common in adult ADHD (A-ADHD) patients; in particular, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is found in 40% of these patients. Co-occurrence of ADHD and SUD is described as detrimental to clinical outcome by many authors, while only a few studies describe good clinical results in A-ADHD-SUD patients when they were treated for ADHD, both for the efficacy and the compliance of patients. In this study we tested to determine whether SUD can influence the treatment outcome of A-ADHD patients by correlating lifetime, past and current substance use in A-ADHD patients with their outcome (retention rate) during a 5-year follow-up of patients treated with stimulant and non-stimulant medications, using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis with overall and pairwise comparison. The association between demographic, symptomatological and clinical aspects with retention in treatment, adjusting for potential confounding factors, was summarized using Cox regression. After 5 years of observation, the cumulative treatment retention was 49.0%, 64.3% and 41.8% for A-ADHD patients without lifetime SUD (NSUD/A-ADHD), A-ADHD with past SUD (PSUD/A-ADHD) and A-ADHD with current SUD (CSUD/A-ADHD), respectively. Overall comparisons were not significant (Wilcoxon Rank-Sum (statistical) Test = 1.48; df = 2; p = 0.477). The lack of differences was confirmed by a Cox regression demonstrating that the ADHD diagnosis according to DIVA, gender, education, civil status, presence of psychiatric comorbidity, and psychiatric and ADHD familiarity; severity of symptomatological scales as evaluated by WHODAS, BPRS, BARRAT, DERS, HSRS, and ASRS did not influence treatment drop-out (χ2 22.30; df = 20 p = 0.324). Our A-ADHD-SUD patients have the same treatment retention rate as A-ADHD patients without SUD, so it seems that substance use comorbidity does not influence this clinical parameter.