Risk For Substance Use Disorders Research Articles

Substance use disorder and suicide-related behaviour around dates of parental death and its anniversaries: a register-based cohort study

Parental death and its anniversaries, including anticipation of these dates, might cause distress and increase the risk of substance use disorder and suicide-related behaviour in bereaved adolescents and young adults. We examined whether the risk of substance use disorder and suicide-related behaviour increases around the date of parental death and subsequent anniversaries. Using Swedish national registers, we conducted a cohort study of individuals aged 12-24 years. We included individuals aged 12-24 years between Jan 1, 2001, and Dec 31, 2014, whose parents were alive at entry (n=1 858 327) and followed up with them until the end of age 24 years. We excluded individuals with a half-sibling, a history of emigration, a previous record of the outcome events, a parental death before study entry, two parental deaths on the same day during the follow-up, or missing data for relevant variables. Follow-up ended on the day of an outcome event or on Dec 31, 2014; at age 25 years, emigration, or death; or a year before the second parental death. We studied substance use disorder and suicide-related behaviour outcomes separately and included non-fatal and fatal events in both outcomes. We used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs), controlling for baseline psychiatric, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics. Parental death was modelled as a time-varying exposure over 72 monthly periods, starting from 1 year before the parental death to the fifth year and later after the death. Unmeasured confounding was also addressed in within-individual comparisons using a case-crossover design. During follow-up (median 7·5 [IQR 4·3-10·6] years), there were 42 854 substance use disorder events, with a crude rate of 3·1 per 1000 person-years. For suicide-related behaviour, there were 19 827 events, with a crude rate of 1·4 per 1000 person-years. Most of the events studied were non-fatal. In the month of parental death, the HR for substance use disorder risk was 1·89 (95% CI 1·07-3·33) among male participants, and, for suicide-related behaviour, was 3·76 (1·79-7·89) among male participants and 2·90 (1·61-5·24) among female participants. In male participants, there was an increased risk around the first anniversary (substance use disorder: HR 2·64 [95% CI 1·56-4·46] during the anniversary month; 2·21 [1·25-3·89] for the subsequent month; and for suicide-related behaviour: 3·18 [1·32-7·66] for the subsequent month). Among female participants, an increased risk of substance use disorder recurred around every year consistently in the month before the anniversary of the death and there was an increased risk for suicide-related behaviour in the months of the first and second anniversaries. Although effect sizes were large in this cohort study, the number of individuals who had the outcomes was small. Nevertheless, adolescents and young adults, especially women and girls, who had the death of a parent showed increased risk of substance use disorder and suicide-related behaviour around the first few death anniversaries. Adolescents and young adults, especially women and girls, who had the death of a parent could benefit from preventive measures to reduce distress around the first few years of death anniversaries. Swedish Research Council.

Familial associations in adolescent substance use disorder: a population-based cohort study.

Family history of substance use disorder (SUD) affects a child's risk of the disorder through both genetic and shared environmental factors. We aimed to estimate the association between parental or older sibling SUD history with the risk of adolescent SUD diagnosis. We conducted a population-based cohort study using administrative health-care databases in the Province of Manitoba, Canada, which has a universal and publicly funded health-care system. We included all children born from 1984 to 2000 who have linkages to both parents and were followed until age 18 years. We used generalized estimating equation models to produce unadjusted and adjusted relative risk (RR) estimates of adolescent SUD risk. The study cohort included 134 389 children and 31 307 full sibling pairs; 51.3% were male and 35.4% first-born. The exposure was SUD diagnosis in a mother or father in either hospitalization or outpatient physician visit records before the children's age of 13 years. The secondary exposure was an adolescent SUD diagnosis in an older full sibling. The outcome was SUD diagnosis during adolescence (13 and 18 years of age) identified in either hospitalization or physician visit records. Children demographics and characteristics associated with SUD diagnosis were included in the models. Of the 134 389 children, 9.5% had a mother with a history of SUD, 11.3% had a father and 1.3% had an older sibling with a history of SUD diagnosis; 2566 (1.9%) had an adolescent SUD diagnosis. An increased risk of adolescent SUD was observed with SUD history in mothers [adjusted RR (aRR) = 2.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.26, 2.79], fathers (aRR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.95, 2.37), both parents (aRR = 3.74; 95% CI = 3.24, 4.31) and older sibling (aRR = 3.85; 95% CI = 2.53, 5.87). A family history of substance use disorder in parents or older siblings appears to be associated with increased SUD risk in adolescents.

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.

Association between opioid therapy trajectories and potential opioid-related adverse health events.

We identified associations between membership in seven group-based trajectories based on supply of filled opioid prescriptions and potential opioid-related adverse health events over a 720-day window. We identified two veteran cohorts with chronic non-cancer pain who initiated treatment with long-term opioid therapy between 2008 and 2015, excluding those with prior substance use disorder (n=373 941) or non-SUD, opioid-related adverse outcome (n=405 631) diagnoses. Outcomes of interest included opioid use disorder, non-opioid drug use disorder, and alcohol use disorder for the first cohort; or accidents resulting in wounds or injuries, self-inflicted injuries, opioid-related accidents and overdoses, alcohol and non-opioid drug-related accidents and overdoses, and violence-related injuries for the second cohort. Using a cross-sectional design, Veterans were followed until the specific outcome of interest was diagnosed, they died, the study ended, or they were lost to follow up. Accelerated failure time models were estimated for each outcome. Membership in persistent moderate days covered and persistent modest days covered trajectories was associated with decreased risk of opioid use disorder (Moderate: θ=0.59, 95%CI:0.54, 0.64; Modest: θ=0.54, 95%CI:0.50, 0.59) and opioid overdose (Moderate: θ=0.67,95%CI: 0.57, 0.79; Modest: θ=0.72, 95%CI:0.61, 0.85) versus higher-utilizing persistent users. Rapid discontinuation was associated with decreased risk of opioid use disorder (θ=0.86, 95% CI:0.77, 0.95) and opioid overdose (θ=0.54, 95%CI:0.41, 0.71), but increased risk of alcohol use disorder (θ=1.07, 95%CI:1.00, 1.15) and other substance use disorders. Delayed discontinuation or delayed reduction was associated with increased risk for most opioid related adverse health events. Persistent use trajectories with low levels of opioid utilization were associated with lower risks of potential opioid-related adverse health events.

Employment, coronavirus victimization distress, and substance use disorders among black and non-Hispanic White young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Substance abuse among young adults increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although pre-pandemic data indicate non-Hispanic White adults had higher levels of substance use disorder (SUD), Black adults suffered more serious consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new stressors that may contribute to SUD, especially among Black young adults, including employment as essential workers, which may be related to victimization distress associated with the coronavirus (i.e., coronavirus victimization distress). The current study administered an anonymous, cross-sectional, online survey to a national sample of 132 Black and 141 non-Hispanic White adults 18 − 25 years to assess the relationship between health, economic disparities, employment, coronavirus victimization distress, and substance use during the first wave of the pandemic. Controlling for COVID-19 health risks and income, structural equation models indicated that coronavirus victimization distress fully accounted for the positive association between employment and SUD risk, and this association was more pronounced among Black young adults. Findings underscore the urgency of considering disease-related victimization in SUD interventions involving employed young adults during infectious disease pandemics.

Growing use of valproic acid in substance use disorders

IntroductionValproic acid is an antiepileptic drug used in different fields of Psychiatry. It is known mostly for its use in managing patients with bipolar affective disorder. In psychiatry of addiction, there is still no approved indications for its usage, but it is widely prescribed in treating alcohol and cocaine abuse, due to the existence of studies in these addictions.ObjectivesThis review aims to clarify the relation between valproic acid and dependences, particularly cocaine.MethodsNon-systematic literature review using a PubMed search, using the following key words: “valproate”; “cocaine use”.ResultsCocaine dependence can decrease GABA levels in humans. Valproic acid has multiple mechanisms that favour the synthesis of GABA, potentiating its release and postsynaptic GABAergic response. Because of this, valproic acid was found effective in promoting abstinence and in reducing the use of cocaine. There are studies that support the valproic acid’s use in alcohol and cocaine dependences. Valproic acid has been shown to be promising in relapse prevention. It has also showed efficacy in the management of impulsivity and irritability, what makes it useful in managing patients with borderline personality disorder – patients at higher risk for alcohol or substance use disorders.ConclusionsCocaine addiction involves different phenomena and may respond to distinct pharmacologic approaches. Although some studies need to be confirmed by larger clinical trials, valproic acid seems a promising agent as one of some potential treatments for cocaine dependence. Further studies are required in this field to come to more reliable conclusions.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Increased Risk for Substance Use-Related Problems in Mild Intellectual Disability: A Population-Based Cohort Study

IntroductionIntellectual disability (ID) has been linked to substance use-related problems (SUP). However, previous research is limited by the small sample sizes, lack of general population comparison and have not accounted for familial confoundings. The role of other psychiatric comorbidities also remains unknown.ObjectivesTo examine the risk of SUP in individuals with mild-ID and assess whether the associations depend on other psychiatric comorbidities, controlling for potential familial confounding.MethodsPopulation-based cohort study of individuals born in Sweden 1973-2003. We identified 19,078 individuals with mild-ID, 953,900 reference individuals from the general population, and 20,722 full-siblings of individuals with mild-ID. Conditional logistic regression models were used to compare individuals with mild-ID to the general population and their full-siblings regarding the risk of SUP, including alcohol and substance use disorders, alcohol and substance-related somatic diseases, substance-related crime, and substance-related death. Analyses were repeated stratified by the presence of psychiatric comorbidities.ResultsIndividuals with mild-ID had increased risks of any SUP (adjusted OR [95%CI]: 1.41 [1.35, 1.47]), compared to the general population, including alcohol-related somatic diseases (3.27 [1.92, 5.59]), alcohol (2.05 [1.91, 2.22]) and drug-use disorder (1.79 [1.69, 1.91]), and alcohol (1.36 [1.19, 1.49]) and drug-related crime (1.27 [1.19, 1.36]). The risk of SUP for individuals with mild ID was particularly elevated with comorbid mood (3.74 [3.47, 4.04]), anxiety (3.30 [3.09, 3.53]) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (2.61 [2.44, 2.80]). Increased risk of SUP remained significant when controlling for familial confounding.ConclusionsIndividuals with mild-ID, especially those with other psychiatric comorbidities, are at increased risks of SUP.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Investments in Adverse Childhood Experience Prevention Efforts

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Investments in Adverse Childhood Experience Prevention Efforts

Managing Opioids in Cancer Patients at High Risk for Substance Use Disorders: Experience from an Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic (RP311)

Managing Opioids in Cancer Patients at High Risk for Substance Use Disorders: Experience from an Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic (RP311)

The Impact of Parental Opioid Use Disorder on Children in Rural Texas

Introduction: The impact of opioid use disorder (OUD) on children is of increasing concern to providers and communities and is yet to be fully understood. Children and families in rural areas are particularly vulnerable due to decreased access to care, lower socioeconomic status, and lower rates of health insurance coverage. This qualitative secondary data analysis of transcripts from interviews with community stakeholders specifically examined responses when asked how parental OUD impacted children in their rural communities. Methods and Materials: As part of a larger community assessment, 11 focus group and three individual interviews with a variety of stakeholders most likely to encounter those with or at risk for substance use disorder from a predominately rural region of Texas were held in October of 2019. During one-hour sessions a scripted interview guide was used to ask open-ended questions to identify the prevalence and impact of OUD within the community. Transcripts of recorded interviews were coded by three researchers using conventional content analysis focusing on discussion of how parental OUD impacted children in their rural communities. Codes were classified into themes based on consensus. Results: Identified themes were (1) Community Concern for Families; (2) Impaired Parents, Neglected Children, and (3) Intergenerational Normalization of Substance Misuse. Conclusions: The impact of parental OUD and SUD was a concern for participants. Findings have implications for strategies to prevent and mitigate adverse outcomes for children and families in rural areas.

Suicide Attempt and Risk of Substance Use Disorders Among Female Youths

Suicide attempts are prevalent among female youths, yet little is known about the subsequent development of substance use disorders. To assess the association between suicide attempts among females before 20 years of age and future risk of substance use disorders. In this longitudinal cohort study, females aged 8 to 19 years (hereafter referred to as youths) who attempted suicide were matched with female youths with no attempt between April 1, 1989, and March 31, 2019, in Quebec, Canada. The cohort was followed up for 31 years, for a total of 2 409 396 person-years, to identify subsequent substance use disorders. Confirmed suicide attempts among females 8 to 19 years of age. The main outcome measure was hospitalization for a substance use disorder later in life. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for the association of suicide attempt with substance use disorders were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for baseline age, mental illness, resource-limited socioeconomic status, and year at start of follow-up. Among 122 234 female youths (mean [SD] age, 15.6 [1.9] years), 5840 (4.8%) attempted suicide and 4341 (3.6%) developed a substance use disorder. Compared with the 116 394 matched female youths who did not attempt suicide (95.2%), those who attempted suicide had a greater risk of hospitalization for any substance use disorder during the follow-up period (HR, 6.03; 95% CI, 5.39-6.77), especially sedative or hypnotic use disorders (HR, 32.24; 95% CI, 23.29-44.64). Suicide attempt was associated with the development of sedative or hypnotic use disorders up to 5 years (HR, 66.69; 95% CI, 34.72-128.09), although risks remained elevated up to 3 decades later for all substances. Compared with those without suicide attempt, female youths with 3 or more suicide attempts had 21.20 (95% CI, 13.53-32.90) times the risk of substance use disorders, whereas female youths with 1 attempt had 5.70 (95% CI, 5.08-6.41) times the risk of these disorders. In this cohort study, female youths who attempted suicide had increased risk of subsequent substance use disorders compared with female youths who did not attempt suicide. These findings suggest that closer management and prevention of substance use among female youths who attempt suicide may be beneficial.

Nurses' substance use disorder in disciplinary procedures: A retrospective document analysis.

To describe nurses with substance use disorder (SUD) in authority disciplinary actions. Nurses with SUD risk patient safety. Research evidence on the identification of nurses' SUD and related management procedures is currently sparse. Retrospective document analysis of decisions related to SUD in nurses' disciplinary actions. Decisions on nurses (N=171) made by the Finnish National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health in Finland during 2007-2016 were used as data. An electronic extraction sheet was developed for data collection including variables (N=34), of which 18 were analysed in this study with descriptive statistical methods and chi-squared statistics. The study reported in accordance with the STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies. The mean age of the nurses was 43years (SD 8.7). The most mentioned reasons for notifications leading to disciplinary actions were substance abuse with working while intoxicated and drug theft. The most mentioned intoxicants used were medicines and alcohol. On average, the first disciplinary decision was given at 6.4months (SD 3.9) and the final decision was given at 17.9months (SD 13.1). The most common decision was restriction of the right to practice. The results supported findings from previous decades and different continents, showing similar trends are prevalent globally and continue today. In future studies, countries' registers of nurses with SUD could be used to clarify the profile of nurses and develop appropriate procedures. Qualitative studies could be conducted to investigate to shed light on concealment of the phenomenon. There is a need for early identification, intervention and referral to treatment as well as effective protocols for reducing nurses' risks of disciplinary actions related to SUD. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of SUD and training for this is needed.

The role of PTSD symptom clusters and criterion in predicting future high-risk drug and alcohol use among returning veteran men and women.

The prevalence of co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) remains exceptionally high among returning veterans, with numerous studies linking PTSD, but not specific PTSD symptoms, to future SUD risk. Further explication of PTSD symptom effects on future SUD risk will likely promote intervention development and refinement while offsetting SUD risk. Accordingly, In this study we explored the prospective associations between PTSD symptom clusters, symptoms, and future SUD risk and use of specific drug classes. Returning veterans (N = 1,295; Mage = 42.3, SD = 9.89; 51% female; 66.8% White) completed structured diagnostic interviews to assess PTSD symptoms and self-report measures of substance use 14-36 months later (M = 24.59, SD = 2.97). Hyperarousal and reckless/self-destructive symptoms specifically predicted future high-risk drug use and binge drinking behavior, and avoidance of internal stimuli (i.e., of trauma memories, thoughts, and feelings) differentiated individuals classified as high-risk for alcohol use based on their AUDIT total score. Further, negative alterations in cognition and mood predicted future opioid (i.e., nightmares) and stimulant use (i.e., flashbacks), whereas concentration difficulties were inversely associated with future binge drinking. This longitudinal study identified prospective and enduring associations between specific PTSD symptom clusters, symptoms, and future high-risk substance use patterns among returning veterans. Accordingly, careful assessment of specific PTSD criteria and differential motivations for substance use is warranted, along with tailored interventions to offset risk for opioid, stimulant, and alcohol use among returning veterans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

P41. Family History of Substance Use Disorder and Parental Impulsivity Are Differentially Associated With Neural Responses During Risky Decision-Making

Risky decision-making is associated with the development of substance use behaviors during adolescence. Although previous work has investigated risky decision-making in adolescents at familial high risk for developing substance use disorders (SUDs), little work has controlled for the presence of other SUD risk factors, such as co-morbid externalizing disorders (EDs). Moreover, although there has been considerable work investigating parental SUDs and offspring risky decision-making, little work has investigated the role of parental impulsivity in offspring neurobiology associated with risky decision-making.

Risk of pain disorders in offspring of parents with substance use disorders.

Individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) have higher risk of developing pain disorders. This study aimed to investigate the risk of major psychiatric disorders (MPD), SUD, and pain disorders among their offspring. This study used data from the Taiwan National Health Research Database. The case cohort included participants who had a parent diagnosed with SUD. The matched control cohort was offspring of parents without any SUD or major psychiatric disorder (MPD). Poisson regression was applied to estimate the risk of MPD, SUD, and pain disorder between case and control cohorts. We recruited 13,840 cases and 138,400 matched controls. After adjusting for demographic characteristics and family history of psychiatric disorder, the offspring of parents with SUD had higher risk for bipolar disorder (reported as risk ratio with 95% confidence interval: 2.48, 1.79-3.43), depressive disorder (2.22, 1.94-2.52), SUD (2.53, 2.18-2.92), and alcohol use disorder (1.43, 1.16-1.76) than controls. With adjustments of demographic characteristics, individual MPD, and family history of psychiatric disorder, they also presented higher risk than controls for several pain disorders, including migraine (1.43, 1.15-1.78), fibromyalgia (1.21, 1.03-1.42), dorsopathies (1.20, 1.06-1.37), dysmenorrhea (1.16, 1.04-1.29), irritable bowel syndrome (1.26, 1.11-1.43), and dyspepsia (1.14, 1.02-1.27). Clinicians should be aware of the influence of parental SUD on the elevated risk for MPD, SUD, and pain disorders in their offspring.

Shapes of subcortical structures in adolescents with and without familial history of substance use disorder.

It has been suggested that intergenerational transmission of risk for substance use disorder (SUD) manifests in the brain anatomy of substance naïve adolescents. While volume and shapes of subcortical structures (SSS) have been shown to be heritable, these structures, especially the pallidum, putamen, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus, have also been associated with substance use disorders. However, it is not clear if those anatomical differences precede substance use or are the result of that use. Therefore, we examined if volume and SSS of adolescents with a family history (FH+) of SUD differed from adolescents without such a history (FH−). Because risk for SUD is associated with anxiety and impulsivity, we also examined correlations between these psychological characteristics and volume/SSS. Using structural MRI and FSL software, we segmented subcortical structures and obtained indices of SSS and volumes of 64 FH+ and 58 FH− adolescents. We examined group differences in volume and SSS, and the correlations between volume/SSS and trait anxiety and impulsivity. FH+ adolescents had a significant inward deformation in the shape of the right anterior hippocampus compared to FH− adolescents, while the volume of this structure did not differ between groups. Neither shape nor volume of the other subcortical structures differed between groups. In the FH+ adolescents, the left hippocampus shape was positively correlated with both trait anxiety and impulsivity, while in FH− adolescents a negative correlation pattern of SSS was seen in the hippocampus. SSS appears to capture local anatomical features that traditional volumetric analysis does not. The inward shape deformation in the right anterior hippocampus in FH+ adolescents may be related to the known increased risk for behavioral dysregulation leading to SUD in FH+ offspring. Hippocampus shape also exhibits opposite patterns of correlation with anxiety and impulsivity scores across the FH+ and FH− adolescents. These novel findings may reveal neural correlates, not captured by traditional volumetric analysis, of familial transmission of increased vulnerability to SUD.

Intellectual/developmental disabilities among people incarcerated in federal correctional facilities in Ontario, Canada: Examining prevalence, health and correctional characteristics.

There is little research with people who experience intellectual/developmental disabilities and imprisonment. The study linked health and correctional data to examine prevalence of intellectual/developmental disabilities and health and correctional characteristics among adults experiencing their first federal incarceration between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2011 (n= 9278) and two non-incarcerated groups (n= 10,086,802). The prevalence of intellectual/developmental disabilities was 2.1% in the incarcerated group and 0.9% in the non-incarcerated group. Before incarceration, those with, versus without, intellectual/developmental disabilities were at greater risk of traumatic brain injury, mental illness, and substance use disorders. While incarcerated, those with intellectual/developmental disabilities were more likely to incur serious institutional disciplinary charges. Post-incarceration, persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities were at greater risk of emergency department visits, and psychiatric and acute hospitalizations, than the non-incarcerated groups. People with intellectual/developmental disabilities are overrepresented in Canadian federal correctional institutions. The authors offer strategies to support people prior to, during, and post-incarceration.

Interest in receiving psychedelic-assisted therapy among marginalized women: Implications and findings from a community-based study in Canada

BackgroundPsychedelic-assisted therapies are receiving mounting attention for their therapeutic potential. However, little is known about interest among women who experience elevated risk of mental health and substance use disorders. This study examined interest in receiving psychedelic-assisted therapy and socio-structural factors associated with interest among marginalized women. MethodsData (2016–2017) were drawn from two community-based, prospective open cohorts of >1000 marginalized women in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression examined associations with interest in receiving psychedelic-assisted therapy. Among women who used psychedelics, additional data were collected to describe ratings of personal meaningfulness, sense of wellbeing, and spiritual significance. ResultsOf 486 eligible participants (aged 20–67 years), 43% (n = 211) were interested in receiving psychedelic-assisted therapy. Over half identified as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit). Factors independently associated with interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy in multivariable analysis included: daily crystal methamphetamine use in the last six months (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 3.02; 95%Confidence Interval (CI) 1.37–6.65), lifetime mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder) (AOR 2.13; 95%CI 1.27–3.59), childhood abuse (AOR 1.99; 95%CI 1.02–3.88), lifetime psychedelic use (AOR 1.97; 95%CI 1.14–3.38), and younger age (AOR 0.97 per year older; 95%CI 0.95–0.99). ConclusionsSeveral mental health and substance use-related variables that have been demonstrated to be amenable to psychedelic-assisted therapy were associated with interest in receiving psychedelic-assisted therapy among women in this setting. As access to psychedelic-assisted therapies continues to expand, any future approaches to extend psychedelic medicine to marginalized women should integrate trauma-informed care and broader socio-structural supports.

Developing a Smartphone-Based Adjunct Intervention to Reduce Cannabis Use Among Juvenile Justice-Involved Adolescents: Protocol for a Multiphase Study.

BackgroundAdolescents involved in the juvenile justice system who use cannabis are at an increased risk of future substance use disorders and rearrest. Many court-involved, nonincarcerated (CINI) youth are referred for services in the community and often encounter multiple barriers to care, highlighting the need for minimally burdensome services that can be delivered in justice settings. Digital health interventions are accessible, easy to implement, and can provide ongoing support but have not been developed to address the unique needs of CINI youth who use cannabis.ObjectiveThis multiphase study will aim to develop, implement, and pilot test a novel smartphone app, Teen Empowerment through Computerized Health (TECH), to reduce cannabis and other substance use among CINI youth. TECH is conceptualized as a digital adjunct to a brief computerized intervention delivered by our family court partner.MethodsFollowing the principles of user-centered design, phase I interviews with CINI youth aged 14-18 years (n=14-18), their caregivers (n=6-8), and behavioral health app developers (n=6-8) will guide the TECH design decisions. Next, in phase II, CINI youth (n=10) will beta test the TECH app prototype for 1 month; their feedback regarding feasibility and acceptability will directly inform the app refinement process. Finally, in phase III, CINI youth (n=60) will participate in a pilot randomized controlled trial for 6 months, comparing the preliminary effectiveness of the adjunctive TECH app on cannabis use outcomes.ResultsPhase I data collection began in September 2020 and was completed in December 2021; 14 CINI youth, 8 caregivers, and 11 behavioral health app developers participated in the study. Phases II and III will occur in 2022 and 2023 and 2023 and 2025, respectively.ConclusionsThis body of work will provide insight into the feasibility and acceptability of a smartphone-based adjunctive intervention designed for CINI youth. Phase III results will offer a preliminary indication of the effectiveness of the TECH app in reducing cannabis use among CINI youth.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/35402

A national profile of substance use disorder among Medicaid enrollees on the autism spectrum or with intellectual disability

BackgroundRecent research has questioned the assumption that people with intellectual disability (ID) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are less at risk of substance use disorders (SUDs). Overall, little is known about SUDs among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (/IDDs). ObjectiveThis study aimed to estimate prevalence of SUD among Medicaid enrollees with ASD, ID, or ASD + ID; characterize these groups and types of SUDs; and identify risk of SUD by demographic and clinical characteristics within groups. MethodsWe used 2008–2012 national Medicaid data to identify enrollees with ASD, ID, ASD + ID and a sample without ASD/ID and identified SUDs within these individuals. We used descriptive statistics to characterize enrollee groups and types of SUDs, calculated SUD prevalence, and used modified Poisson regression to examine adjusted relative risk of SUD within disability groups. ResultsSUD prevalence increased yearly across disability groups to 1–2.2%, increasing most quickly among those with ASD. Alcohol abuse was the most common SUD among those with ID-only (57%) versus cannabis abuse among the ASD-only group (41%). Risk of SUD was higher among those with co-occurring psychiatric disorders – notably, depression. ConclusionsResults highlight increasing prevalence of SUD among Medicaid enrollees with ASD-only and ASD + ID and higher risk of SUD among those with depression and other psychiatric disorders. Understanding access to screening, diagnosis and treatment of SUD among people with I/DDs is a highly important question for future research.