Understanding health literacy and perceptions of substance use disorder among racial and ethnic minority communities: Insights from the health belief model.

Development and psychometric evaluation of two substance use disorder knowledge scales.

Improving social cognition in individuals with substance use disorders through the E-motional training program: A pilot study.

The stigma attached to substance use disorder (SUD) can prevent entry into, and engagement with, treatment services. This paper provides an initial exploration into what could be an emerging trend using a case study approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women who have used, or were currently using, residential or community-based addiction services in Cork (Ireland). Some participants reported the well documented stigma attached to SUD as a barrier for entry into, and engaging with, the recovery process. Two participants reported feeling ashamed of being unable to identify specific traumas that could account for their substance use. They felt the stereotype of 'the addict' having had a traumatic life did not map onto their experiences, and felt stigmatised by others within recovery for this. Consequently, they questioned whether they had a SUD and should access treatment, and this initially prevented them from engaging in therapy. This paper does not refute the association between trauma and SUD. Rather it argues that common misunderstandings of trauma and substance use, and increased use of trauma talk, may have contributed to a new form of stereotype that some with SUDs must navigate.

Comorbid attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with poor treatment outcomes. This international multi-center observational prospective cohort study aimed to gain knowledge about predictors of treatment outcomes in adult SUD+ADHD patients. Data was collected from June 2017 to May 2021 at baseline, four weeks, three months, and nine months at twelve treatment services in nine countries. Main outcomes were: Treatment retention, ≥30% reduction from baseline to follow-up according to the adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS-18), and self-reported substance use at three-month follow-up. A total of 137 adult females (24 %) and 441 adult males (76 %) were enrolled. Receiving stimulant treatment for ADHD was significantly associated with better treatment retention (OR: 2·4, 95% CI: 1·4-4·2), ≥30% reduction in ASRS total score (OR: 2·6, 95% CI: 1·2-6·1), and fewer heavy drinking days (IRR: 0·24, 95% CI: 0·13-0·42) at three months. Psychosocial treatment for ADHD was independently and significantly associated with fewer heavy drinking days at three months (IRR: 0·27, 95% CI: 0·14-0·51). In summary, treatment of ADHD in SUD+ADHD patients was related to improvements in ADHD-symptoms, treatment retention and fewer heavy drinking days at follow-up. These findings highlight the importance of ADHD treatment provision in this population. Future RCTs are warranted to confirm these results and should assess combinations of ADHD treatments and SUD treatments using different doses of stimulants. Trial Registration: ISRCTN (https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15998989).

Hope, resilience, and ambiguous loss among affected family members of individuals with substance use disorders.

Family members' perspectives of laws, policies and practices in substance use disorder treatment: Systemic alienation of the family in Canada.

Revealing patterns of indigenous neglect in co-occurring posttraumatic stress and substance use disorder research: A systematic review.

A multicenter study to validate the Brief Cognitive Status Examination as a screening tool for the detection of cognitive impairment in a substance use disorder population over 45 years of age in a Spanish population.

Ketamine-induced changes in accumbal glutamate and their association with altered states of consciousness.

Potentially traumatic events and substance use do not predict changes in resting state functional connectivity in early adolescence.

Mental and nervous system disorders often co-occur with cardiovascular diseases in aging populations, yet the biological relationships underlying these associations remain incompletely understood. Using heart and brain imaging data from 33,573 UK Biobank (UKB) participants, we developed a brain age prediction model to estimate the brain age gap (BAG), an imaging-based marker of brain aging. We then examined BAG as a mediator between 82 cardiac imaging-derived phenotypes (IDPs) and 11 disorders. Sixty-one cardiac IDPs, particularly those related to the atria and left ventricle, were significantly associated with BAG, with several also related to mental and nervous system disorders. Mediation analyses revealed that BAG significantly mediated 18 associations between heart and substance abuse, mood, and neurotic disorders. Furthermore, we observed a total of 49 significant associations, where lifestyle factors, including smoking and physical activity, were related to heart-brain aging-disorder relationships. These findings highlight brain aging as a potential pathway linking cardiovascular health to diverse brain disorders in aging populations.

Planning and problem solving across multiple psychiatric disorders in young adults.

The incidence and associated factors of pulmonary embolism after cardiac surgery: A retrospective nationwide inpatient sample database study

To compare relational authenticity and empathy among rural and urban psychiatric-mental health nurses and examine their correlation with recovery capital in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) using Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations as a conceptual framework. Using a descriptive comparative study design, 278 participants were recruited from rural and urban psychiatric settings. Nurses (n = 152) completed the Kernis-Goldman Authenticity Inventory, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and Working Alliance Inventory-Short Version. Patients (n = 126) with SUD were evaluated using the Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital. A statistically significant difference was observed in responses regarding the relational orientation domain of authenticity, as well as the fantasy and empathic concern dimensions of empathy (p = .013, p = .042, and p = .022, respectively). Empathy and therapeutic alliance were identified as significant independent predictors of authenticity among nurses. Higher levels of empathy and authentic engagement were positively associated with increased recovery capital in patients with SUD. Empathetic and authentic nurse-patient relationships, as framed by Peplau's theory, are critical to supporting recovery in individuals with SUD. Enhancing these relational competencies, especially in under-resourced rural settings, may improve mental health outcomes and reduce disparities in recovery support.

Comorbidities of substance use: Opportunities realized and future needs.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a pervasive public health problem facing families in the United States. Although families are frequently urged to support loved ones who have SUDs and cautioned against enabling them, there is a dearth of literature that distinguishes between supporting and enabling. This phenomenological study examined the experiences of parents (n = 8) with adult children with SUD who were currently in recovery. The primary research question in this study centers on how parents navigate their loved one's SUD, attempting to support recovery without enabling addiction. Three themes emerged from the data, including (a) addiction and recovery knowledge, (b) support group philosophy, and (c) differentiation. The results of this study add to the literature by demonstrating the importance of respective family support group affiliation on family's perception of enabling versus supporting. More research is needed to compare and contrast family support groups and their respective philosophies.

ABSTRACT Background: East and Southeast Asia face a severe drug epidemic. A detailed analysis of specific drug use disorders (DUDs) is urgently needed to inform targeted interventions. Objective: To quantify trends in the burden of four DUDs in East and Southeast Asia from 1990 to 2021. Methods: Using Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 data, we analyzed trends (1990–2021) in incidence, prevalence, and DALYs for four DUDs across 20 countries/territories. Estimated annual percentage changes and age-period-cohort models assessed trends and independent effects. Results: Significant disparities were observed. Amphetamine DALYs were higher in East Asia (41–79 per 100,000), while cocaine DALYs peaked in high-income Asia-Pacific (15–16 per 100,000). Amphetamine-related DALYs declined sharply in East Asia (net drift: −3.08%; 95% CI: −3.20 to −2.95, p < .001) but increased in Southeast Asia (0.16%; 0.11 to 0.22, p < .001). Cannabis-related DALYs rose in East Asia (0.27%; 0.2 to 0.35, p < .001). Cocaine-related DALYs fell markedly (−3.81%; −3.95 to −3.68, p < .001). Age effects peaked at 15–34 years. Conclusions: The patterns of drug prevalence and their changing trends in East Asia and Southeast Asia show regional characteristics. The proliferation of amphetamines is becoming increasingly severe in Southeast Asia, while in East Asia, although some success has been achieved in controlling other drugs, risks related to cannabis are continuously rising. Public health strategies must focus on subregional interventions, prioritizing the growing problem of amphetamines in Southeast Asia and the emerging trend of cannabis use among young people.

This prospective multicenter cohort study examined changes in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) among 161 men and women entering residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in Belgium and explored how treatment setting and sociodemographic factors influence outcomes. PROMs were assessed at baseline and after 45, 90, and 180 days using the PROMIS-GH (general health), WHOQoL-BREF (quality of life), and SURE-NL (recovery). Linear mixed models showed significant improvements in mental and physical health, and in all quality of life (QoL) domains except for social relationships. Psychological and physical health improvements plateaued, while perceived QoL and environmental domains improved linearly. Males scored higher in psychological health whereas treatment modalities differed in psychological health and social relationships. Recovery scores remained consistently high, possibly due to ceiling effects, underscoring the importance of the timing and context of PROM assessment. Integrating PROMs into routine care has the potential to support patient-centered practices and enhance treatment outcomes in SUD services.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional substance use disorder (SUD) treatment modalities, prompting innovative telemedicine solutions. To evaluate the association between state-level telemedicine policies and SUD treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. An augmented synthetic control analysis comparing changes in SUD treatment before and after the implementation of telemedicine policies in states that adopted these policies to changes in SUD treatment in comparison states without these policies from 2018 to 2022. This study utilized a comprehensive policy database merged with de-identified patient claims data from the OptumLabs® Data Warehouse. Individuals aged 18 in only fully insured commercial, private plans subject to state insurance policies between January 2018 and December 2022. Combined implementation of three state telemedicine policies during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic (March-July 2020), including telemedicine coverage parity, telemedicine payment parity, and in-person relationship waivers. SUD treatment initiation and continuation, measured at the patient-month level and aggregated to the state-month level for analyses, with subgroup analyses for opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment. Implementation of the three policies was associated with average effects of less than 0.006 percentage points in the proportion of adults initiating SUD, AUD, or OUD treatment between March/April 2020 and December 2022, with confidence intervals not exceeding a 0.02 percentage point increase or decrease (p > 0.05). Among adults receiving treatment prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, these policies were associated with an estimated average change of less than 1.5 percentage points in the proportion of adults receiving SUD, AUD, or OUD treatment, with confidence intervals not exceeding a 4.5 percentage point increase or decrease (p > 0.05). Our study did not identify impacts of state telemedicine coverage parity, payment parity, and in-person relationship waiver policies on SUD treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.