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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January 2022

The effectiveness and tolerability of anti‐seizure medication in alcohol withdrawal syndrome: a systematic review, meta‐analysis and GRADE of the evidence

A meta-analysis found no evidence to support use of anti-seizure medications in alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatment.

Link to Abstract

Causal mechanisms proposed for the alcohol harm paradox—a systematic review

Most research into the causes of the Alcohol Harm Paradox focuses on risk behaviours.

Link to Abstract

Reward‐related decision‐making deficits in internet gaming disorder: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Internet gaming disorder appears to be consistently associated with reward-related decision-making deficits.

Link to Abstract

Trajectories of alcohol misuse among the UK Armed Forces over a 12-year period

Among UK military personnel, trajectories of alcohol misuse appeared to be stable between 2004 and 2016.

Link to Abstract

Predictors of early and sustained cessation of heavy drinking over 5 years among adult primary care patients

Being in a vulnerable subgroup and receipt of routine primary care and addiction treatment are associated with cessation of heavy drinking.

Link to Abstract

Overestimation of alcohol consumption norms as a driver of alcohol consumption: a whole-population network study of men across eight villages in rural, southwestern Uganda

Men in Ugandan villages who incorrectly thought most village men drank frequently and heavily were more likely to drink frequently and heavily themselves.

Link to Abstract

Effects of a minimal-guided on-line intervention for alcohol misuse in Estonia: a randomized controlled trial

An RCT found that an online self-help intervention with minimal guidance was effective at reducing problem drinking in Estonia.

Link to Abstract

Alcohol use disorder and non-fatal suicide attempt: findings from a Swedish National Cohort Study

In Sweden, alcohol use disorder appears to be an important predictor of suicide attempt.

Link to Abstract

Safety of ibogaine administration in detoxification of opioid-dependent individuals: a descriptive open-label observational study

Ibogaine treatment of patients with opioid use disorder can induce a clinically relevant but reversible QTc prolongation, bradycardia, and severe ataxia.

Link to Abstract

The association of Medicare Part D prior authorization for buprenorphine–naloxone with adherence to opioid use disorder treatment guidelines in the United States

US patients’ prior authorization for buprenorphine-naloxone does not seem to increase the quality of their treatment for opioid use disorder.

Link to Abstract

Prevalence of co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder and association with overdose: a linked data cohort study among residents of British Columbia, Canada

Among residents of British Columbia, Canada, the rate of drug overdose is elevated in people with a mental illness, higher in people with a substance use disorder, and highest in people with a dual diagnosis.

Link to Abstract

Long-term follow-up assessment of opioid use outcomes among individuals with comorbid mental disorders and opioid use disorder treated with buprenorphine or methadone in a randomized clinical trial

Among adults with comorbid opioid use disorder and mental disorders, buprenorphine-naloxone reduced opioid use more than methadone.

Link to Abstract

Quantification of prenatal marijuana use: evaluation of the correlation between self-report, serum, urine and umbilical cord assays among women delivering at two urban Colorado hospitals

Quantified umbilical cord THC-COOH appears to be strongly correlated with frequency of maternal marijuana use in the last month of pregnancy.

Link to Abstract

Association between punitive policies and neonatal abstinence syndrome among Medicaid-insured infants in complex policy environments

Punitive policies for women with substance use during pregnancy do not reduce rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Link to Abstract

Changes in illicit drug use and markets with the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions: findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System, 2016–20

Following COVID-19-related restrictions in Australia, use of ecstasy/MDMA, related stimulants, and other drugs mostly remained stable or decreased.

Link to Abstract

Changes in dependence, withdrawal, and craving among adult smokers who switch to nicotine salt pod-based e-cigarettes

Smokers who switch to nicotine salt pod-based e-cigarettes appear to maintain nicotine levels and transfer dependence.

Link to Abstract

New means, new measures: assessing prescription drug-seeking indicators over 10 years of the opioid epidemic

In the US, network-based measures appear to have increasing promise for identifying prescription opioid drug seeking behavior.

Link to Abstract

Rising vape pod popularity disrupted declining use of electronic nicotine delivery systems among young adults in Texas, USA from 2014 to 2019

The surging popularity of vape pods in the US may have contributed to increasing ENDS use among young adults from late 2017 to 2019.

Link to Abstract

E-cigarettes versus nicotine replacement treatment as harm reduction interventions for smokers who find quitting difficult: randomized controlled trial

In smokers unable to quit using conventional methods, e-cigarettes appear to be more effective than NRT in smoking reduction and cessation.

Link to Abstract

Association of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment with acute substance misuse outcomes

SSRI treatment appears to be associated with a lower risk of substance misuse compared with the period immediately preceding treatment.

Link to Abstract

A wastewater-based assessment of the impact of a minimum unit price (MUP) on population alcohol consumption in the Northern Territory, Australia

Alcohol consumption decreased substantially in the Northern Territory of Australia immediately after MUP implementation but nearly recovered after 15 months.

Link to Abstract