Key Findings

This is a quick summary of the main discovery for each research paper we have published, organized issue by issue. Each key finding is below the article title, with a link to the abstract. 


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March 2020

Utilizing the commodity purchase task to evaluate behavioral economic demand for illicit substances: a review and meta‐analysis

Behavioral economic demand as measured by the commodity purchase task (a simulated demand procedure) provides a construct valid measure of drug valuation across a variety of substances.

Link to Abstract

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a systematic review of the cost of and savings from prevention in the United States and Canada

It would appear to be economically efficient to expand risk‐based prevention strategies for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the US and Canada.

Link to Abstract

Identifying an accurate self‐reported screening tool for alcohol use disorder: evidence from a Swiss, male population‐based assessment

The best screen for alcohol use disorder among young Swiss men appears to be a combination of eight symptoms of alcohol use disorder and four alcohol‐related consequences.

Link to Abstract

Long‐term effects of youth unemployment on alcohol‐related morbidity

In Sweden, a nation‐wide register‐based study with a 22‐year follow‐up suggests that unemployment young adulthood is associated with an increased risk of alcohol‐related morbidity later in life.

Link to Abstract

Codeine use and harms in Australia: evaluating the effects of re‐scheduling

Codeine re‐scheduling in Australia appears to have reduced codeine misuse and sales.

Link to Abstract

Cost‐effectiveness of expanding the capacity of opioid agonist treatment in Ukraine: dynamic modeling analysis

A substantial increase in opioid agonist treatment capacity in three Ukrainian cities would likely be cost‐effective for a wide range of willingness‐to‐pay thresholds but is unlikely to reach internationally recommended coverage levels.

Link to Abstract

A comparison of trends in wastewater‐based data and traditional epidemiological indicators of stimulant consumption in three locations

Long‐term trends in loads of stimulants in wastewater appear to be broadly consistent with trends in other indicators of stimulant use in Oslo, South‐East Queensland and Eindhoven.

Link to Abstract

Cannabis use, depression and self‐harm: phenotypic and genetic relationships

Cannabis use appears to be both phenotypically and genetically associated with depression and self‐harm.

Link to Abstract

Trends in gamma‐hydroxybutyrate‐related harms based on ambulance attendances from 2012 to 2018 in Victoria, Australia

There has been a 147% increase in the prevalence of gamma‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB)‐related ambulance attendances in Victoria, Australia between 2012 and 2019.

Link to Abstract

Trends in opioid use disorder and overdose among opioid‐naive individuals receiving an opioid prescription in Massachusetts from 2011 to 2014

Among opioid‐naive individuals in Massachusetts, USA receiving an initial opioid prescription, the risk of incident opioid use disorder appears to have declined between 2011 and 2014, while rates of overdose were largely unchanged.

Link to Abstract

Understanding decisions to use e‐cigarettes or behavioural support to quit tobacco: a qualitative study of current and ex‐smokers and stop smoking service staff

In England, smokers’ decisions to use e‐cigarettes and local stop smoking services appear to be determined by varied influences across the COM-B (‘capability’, ‘opportunity’, ‘motivation’ and ‘behaviour’) model of behaviour change.

Link to Abstract

Cost‐effectiveness of e‐cigarettes compared with nicotine replacement therapy in stop smoking services in England (TEC study): a randomized controlled trial

Using e‐cigarettes with standard behavioural support in stop‐smoking services in England is likely to be more cost‐effective than using nicotine replacement therapy.

Link to Abstract

Challenges to implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control guidelines on tobacco cessation treatment: a qualitative analysis

Important barriers to implementing the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 14 guidelines include lack of health‐care system infrastructure, low political priority and lack of funding.

Link to Abstract

Cost‐effectiveness and cost–utility analysis of a work‐place smoking cessation intervention with and without financial incentives

Financial incentives may be cost‐effective in increasing quitting smoking, particularly from a life‐time perspective.

Link to Abstract

Functional and structural social support, substance use and sexual orientation from a nationally representative sample of US adults

In the US there are significant associations between social support (functional and structural) and substance use disorder, which differ by sex and sexual identity status.

Link to Abstract

Heavy cannabis use, dependence and the brain: a clinical perspective

Current evidence of long‐term effects of daily cannabis use and cannabis use disorder on brain‐related outcomes is inconclusive, but use is associated with psychiatric morbidity and with cognitive impairments that improve after a period of abstinence.

Link to Abstract

Untreated alcohol use disorder in people who inject drugs (PWID) in France: a major barrier to HCV treatment uptake (the ANRS‐FANTASIO study)

In France, untreated alcohol use disorder appears to be a major barrier to HCV treatment access for people who inject drugs.

Link to Abstract