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 […]
Are collegiate recovery programs worth the investment?
The first collegiate recovery program was founded at Brown University in 1977. Since then, these programs have seen explosive growth, with 136 currently in operation. Universities are often tasked with determining whether programs are worth their cost. This study investigated the cost-effectiveness of collegiate recovery programs. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? College recovery programs […]
Young people and some racial groups may be less likely to engage with AA
Due to its widespread and free availability and research supporting its cost-effectiveness, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been described as the closest thing public health has to a “free lunch”. Yet, not everyone may want a seat at the lunch table or want what’s on AA’s menu. This nationally representative study examined who is more or […]
Re-wiring young minds online: Can web-based cognitive bias modification reduce social anxiety and alcohol use among young adults?
Social anxiety and alcohol use disorder are two pressing public health concerns for young adults. For some, these conditions are both present and exacerbate one another, driven by underlying cognitive biases. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of cognitive bias modification to address co-occurring social anxiety and hazardous alcohol use in young […]
Cannabis use disorder linked with suicidal behaviors in youth
Cannabis use during adolescence is linked to a range of mental and physical health consequences. This study investigated if cannabis use disorder was associated with suicide and self-harm behaviors in adolescents. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? Adolescence is a unique developmental stage that can be complicated and disrupted by alcohol and other drug use […]