Active strategies to enhance young adults’ medication adherence also reduce opioid use
The opioid use disorder medication, extended-release naltrexone, protects against a return to opioid use. Yet, it is often difficult to initiate and sustain use of medication, especially for youth and young adults. This randomized controlled trial examined whether an intervention consisting of multiple strategies to enhance medication adherence increased receipt of medication and improved opioid use outcomes among young adults after residential treatment. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? […]
Leveraging opportunities to address early substance use for youth in primary care settings
During adolescence, youth often begin to experiment with alcohol or other drugs. Early intervention is key to preventing substance use consequences. Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is the recommended evidence-based approach to providing early intervention with youth seen in primary care, but this seldom occurs. This study examined youth substance use reported […]
Treatment plus…? What additional components sustain treatment effects among youth?
Adolescents and emerging adults have worse outcomes including higher substance use and treatment drop-out compared to older adults. Strategies sensitive to their developmental realities that are helpful in reducing substance use and the need for additional treatment can help but, little is known about what to add. This study examined whether different components added to […]
“Being present for your life again”: Young adults’ views of recovery
In the United States, there is a large gap between the number of young adults with substance use disorder and the number who engage with specialty addiction treatment. Reasons accounting for the difficulty of engaging this population include both individual barriers (e.g., motivation) and external barriers (e.g., lack of treatment affordability or access). In this […]
IDENTIFYING HELPFUL TEXT MESSAGE STRATEGIES TO REDUCE ALCOHOL USE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS
Alcohol use often increases through young adulthood, which for some can have immediate and long-term consequences. Young adults, however, are harder to engage in treatment than their older counterparts. Innovative, “low-touch” strategies like texting may help reach more young adults that might not otherwise seek treatment. This randomized controlled trial examined several text message interventions […]
LARGE YOUTH STUDY REINFORCES IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE USE IN MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT
Mental health concerns and substance use often co-occur, particularly among adolescents and young adults. This study identified common patterns of their co-occurrence for adolescents receiving mental health treatment to inform best practices for this age group. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? Individuals’ first experiences with substance use often occur during adolescence. Among adolescents […]
MORE PRESCRIBED ADHD STIMULANT MEDICATIONS IN SCHOOLS ASSOCIATED WITH RISK FOR BROADER STIMULANT USE AMONG OTHER STUDENTS
Youth who use prescription medications recreationally may access them through peers at school who obtain them through legal prescriptions for legitimate reasons including the treatment of ADHD. This study examined risk factors for the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants in high school students. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? Schools are common points […]
THE “SWEET SPOT”? FOR ADOLESCENTS THAT ATTEND RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, 60 TO 90 DAYS MAY BE IDEAL
Financial constraints and high demand for limited treatment space require programs to strike a balance between the most effective treatment that can be delivered over the shortest period of time. This study linked long-term data from a treatment program, the justice department, and hospitals to explore what length of stay is associated with reduced risk […]