Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs
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J Stud Alcohol Drugs · Jul 2020
Opioid Misuse and the Availability of Medical Marijuana Through Dispensaries.
In this study we assess whether changes in ZIP code-level density of medical marijuana facilities are related to changes in rates of opioid poisonings and opioid use disorder hospitalizations in California. ⋯ Although state-level studies suggest that more liberal marijuana policies may result in fewer opioid overdose deaths, our results within one state suggest that local availability of medical marijuana may not reduce those deaths. The relationship appears to be more complex, possibly based on socioeconomic conditions within and adjacent to areas with higher densities of medical marijuana dispensaries.
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J Stud Alcohol Drugs · Jul 2020
Searching for Personalized Medicine for Binge Drinking Smokers: Smoking Cessation Using Varenicline, Nicotine Patch, or Combination Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
Heavy drinking is common among smokers and is associated with especially poor health outcomes. Varenicline may affect mechanisms and clinical outcomes that are relevant for both smoking cessation and alcohol use. The current study examines whether varenicline, relative to nicotine replacement therapy, yields better smoking cessation outcomes among binge drinking smokers. ⋯ Varenicline did not yield higher smoking abstinence rates or reduce alcohol use among binge drinkers. Varenicline did reduce alcohol-related cigarette craving but this did not translate to meaningful differences in smoking abstinence. Varenicline's effects on smoking abstinence do not appear to vary significantly as a function of drinking status.