Youth cannabis use peaked in 1999, but has declined since
Legalization of cannabis and sales of highly potent THC products have been expanding in recent years, potentially leading to decreases in perceived harms and resulting adverse consequences among youth. This highlights the need to monitor rates of use among adolescents. This study examined trends in adolescent cannabis use between 1991 and 2023 by sex and […]
How is vaping different cannabis compounds associated with depression and anxiety among adolescents?
Cannabis vaping has become increasingly common among adolescents and is linked to poorer mental health outcomes. This study examined the associations between different patterns of cannabis vaping – involving THC, CBD, or both – and symptoms of depression and anxiety among US adolescents. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? Cannabis use has been linked to […]
Short intervention, long impact? Outcomes of a brief alcohol intervention with university students
Heavy drinking is often seen as a common part of university life, but it can lead to serious health and psychosocial consequences. Although some brief alcohol interventions have demonstrated short-term reductions in drinking among university students, additional evidence of long-term benefits is needed. This study evaluated whether a single-session, peer-led intervention reduced long-term alcohol use […]
Not all young adults “mature out” of risky drinking and even less so in recent years
Heavy drinking during young adulthood can increase risk for alcohol use disorder. While many young adults, on average, “mature out” of risky patterns of alcohol use, there may be more nuance to drinking patterns. This study examining drinking trajectories among young adults identified 8 classes of alcohol use trajectories across young adulthood that were broadly […]
Adolescents presenting to psychiatric emergency departments more likely to test positive for cannabis after legalization of recreational cannabis
Expansion of legal recreational sales of cannabis has resulted in increased access, yet the effects on rates of cannabis use and cannabis-related disorders are unclear and may have a stronger impact on people with psychiatric conditions. This study examined the effects of legalizing recreational cannabis sales and its association with youth cannabis use in a […]
Breaking bread, building communication: An adolescent substance use prevention strategy focused around family meals
Substance use during adolescence can lead to long-term risk taking and increased likelihood of developing a substance use disorder in adulthood. Caregiver-initiated communication may help shift youth norms and attitudes about substance use. This study investigated an intervention centering family meals as a vehicle to improve conversations about youth substance use. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS […]
Can an over-the-counter supplement reduce alcohol use in youth?
Medications for alcohol use disorder are understudied in adolescents and young adults. To address this gap, this study tested whether a safe and affordable over-the-counter supplement that could serve as a “medication” actually reduces drinking in youth with alcohol use disorder. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? Despite the prevalence of alcohol use disorder during […]
Not just whether, but how often and when, adolescents misuse prescription stimulants predicts later cocaine use
Existing evidence finds that nonmedical prescription stimulant use (e.g., Adderall) during adolescence is linked to later cocaine use. However, previous studies only consider whether or not nonmedical prescription stimulant use occurred, not how much and how recent the use was. This study expands on current “yes/no” consideration of nonmedical prescription stimulant use examining how often […]
Can business skills provide an appealing context for adolescent treatment?
High relapse rates among treated adolescents underscore the need for youth-focused substance use treatments that are both engaging and effective. This pilot study tested a novel intervention designed to enhance therapeutic skills within an entrepreneurial framework in adolescent boys attending residential treatment. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? Adolescents with a substance use disorder are […]
Does brain structure predict early substance use initiation?
Adolescence marks a critical window in brain development when neural systems governing reward and self-control are rapidly maturing. Understanding why some youth initiate substance use while others don’t has long been a focus in developmental neuroscience. In this study, researchers explored how subtle variations in brain structure may precede and predict early substance use initiation. […]