What is driving the “russ” bus? Individual, school, and neighborhood-level factors of adolescent cocaine use
School party culture, especially around high school graduation, may be uniquely connected to adolescent cocaine use. There are many contributing factors at individual, school, and neighborhood levels. This study explored whether and how school party culture, neighborhood factors, and individual characteristics were connected to use among high school students. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? […]
“Ripple effects”? State cannabis legalization and overdose deaths among adolescents
Overdose deaths among teens has more than doubled since 2019. There are many contributing factors at individual, state, and national levels. This study investigated whether cannabis policies may partially explain the increase. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? In 2024, rates of non use of alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine (including vaping and cigarettes) among adolescents […]
Seeking help, finding risk: Substance use is common among youth in mental health care
Substance use is common among individuals suffering from mental health conditions during adolescence and emerging adulthood, making mental health treatment a natural opportunity to address substance use too. This study identified patterns of substance use among youth accessing mental health services, offering insights to guide future integrated care approaches. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? […]
Prompting change: The promise of an AI chatbot for alcohol counseling in young adults
Young adults drink more heavily than any other age group but are the least likely to seek treatment. Large language model (LLM) chatbots, such as ChatGPT, may make knowledge and support more accessible. This study pilot tested an LLM-based chatbot trained to deliver motivational interviewing for alcohol-related behavior change among young adults, evaluating its safety, […]
First use, lasting impact: What predicts cocaine initiation among youth
Cocaine use among young people in Ireland is rising faster than anywhere else in Europe. As the drug becomes more accessible and its harms more visible, understanding who is most at risk is of particular importance. In this study, researchers followed thousands of Irish teens over time to help answer this question. WHAT PROBLEM DOES […]
Up in smoke: Can varenicline help youth quit nicotine vaping?
Rates of youth nicotine vaping have rapidly increased as combustible cigarette smoking decreases. Approaches to reduce vaping are urgently needed. This randomized controlled trial tested whether the medication varenicline, in combination with brief remotely delivered support, was helpful in reducing vaping among youth ages 16 to 25. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? Youth vaping […]
How does a smartphone app help college students drink less?
There are many reasons why young adults have the heaviest and most hazardous alcohol use. In part, it’s because they overestimate how much their peers drink. This study analyzed data from a trial of a smartphone app to see if it worked by correcting such misperceptions about peer drinking and increasing awareness of health risks. […]
Less is more? Additions to a brief intervention for youth alcohol use and aggression
Alcohol use and aggression in young people can lead to severe consequences, including emergency room visits. This study recruited young people presenting in emergency departments and tested whether additional treatments can improve on an established brief intervention for alcohol use and aggression. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? Underage alcohol use is linked to disruptions in […]
Can a text-messaging intervention help young adults reduce cannabis use?
Young adults have the highest rates of cannabis use disorder but are the least likely to receive treatment. At the same time, their smartphone use is nearly universal. This study exploited this common use among young adults to test a text message-delivered intervention to reduce their cannabis use. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? Cannabis […]
Teen use of alcohol and cannabis for sleep: Helpful or harmful?
When used as sleep aids, alcohol and cannabis use are associated with a range of health risks. For teens, however, the risks may be especially high. This study examined how commonly teens “self medicated” sleep difficulties with alcohol and cannabis, and how this related to later sleep difficulties and substance use problems. WHAT PROBLEM DOES […]