Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs
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J Stud Alcohol Drugs · Jan 2019
Do Users of Diverted Medical Cannabis Differ From Other Cannabis Users?
Policy discussions amidst recent changes in the legal status of cannabis for medical purposes have raised concerns regarding the diversion of medical cannabis to nonlicensed users. This study examined factors that predict frequency of use of diverted medical cannabis. ⋯ This study suggests that diversion of medical cannabis exists among cannabis users in Israel and that use of diverted medical cannabis may be associated with adverse effects. Before direct intervention and policy recommendations can be developed, however, more evidence is needed about the extent of and how medical cannabis is diverted to the underground market and the potential detrimental effects of using this type of cannabis.
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J Stud Alcohol Drugs · Nov 2018
Barriers and Facilitators to Implementation of Pharmacotherapy for Opioid Use Disorders in VHA Residential Treatment Programs.
Despite evidence of effectiveness, pharmacotherapy-methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone-is prescribed to less than 35% of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD). Among veterans whose OUD treatment is provided in VHA residential programs, factors influencing pharmacotherapy implementation are unknown. We examined barriers to and facilitators of pharmacotherapy for OUD among patients diagnosed with OUD in VHA residential programs to inform the development of implementation strategies to improve medication receipt. ⋯ Contrary to our hypothesis, barriers to and facilitators of pharmacotherapy for OUD in VHA residential treatment programs were consistent with prior research in outpatient settings. Intensive educational programs, such as academic detailing, and policy changes such as mandating buprenorphine waiver training for VHA providers, may help improve receipt of pharmacotherapy for OUD.
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J Stud Alcohol Drugs · Jul 2018
EditorialCaveat Emptor: Predatory Publishers, Rogue Journals, and the Potential Corruption of Addiction Science.
The name predatory publisher has been applied by academic librarian Jeffrey Beall to describe an open-access, scholarly publishing business model in which publication fees are charged to authors without providing the editorial judgment, peer-review process, and publishing services associated with more established journals. In the addiction field, as many as 20 journal titles now operate according to this model, and most of their editors are either nonexistent or impossible to contact. Although predatory publishing should not be equated with open access, this article argues that predatory publishers are diluting scientific quality in the addiction field by taking advantage of the open-access movement. ⋯ If the addiction field is to be protected from predatory publishers, all sectors need to be involved. Declarations of "buyer beware" and "the emperor has no clothes" are just the first steps in a process of preventing further damage to the integrity of addiction science. As described in this article, concerted action will be required by authors, editors, and professional societies.
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J Stud Alcohol Drugs · May 2018
Age Differences in Daily and Nondaily Cannabis Use in the United States, 2002-2014.
Adult cannabis use has increased in the United States since 2002, particularly after 2007, contrasting with stable/declining trends among youth. We investigated whether specific age groups disproportionately contributed to changes in daily and nondaily cannabis use trends. ⋯ Increases in daily and nondaily cannabis use prevalence after 2007 were specific to adult age groups in the context of increasingly permissive cannabis legislation, attitudes, and lower risk perception. Although any cannabis use may be decreasing among teens, relative odds of more frequent use among users increased in ages 12-64 since 2007. Studies should assess not only any cannabis use, but also frequency of use, to target prevention efforts of adverse effects of cannabis that are especially likely among frequent users.
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J Stud Alcohol Drugs · May 2018
Changes in Marijuana Use Across the 2012 Washington State Recreational Legalization: Is Retrospective Assessment of Use Before Legalization More Accurate?
The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in marijuana use prevalence and user characteristics across the 2012 recreational legalization in Washington State. Differences in change estimates between retrospective and contemporaneous pre-legalization measures are compared and considered in relation to potential social acceptability and illegality effects on reporting. ⋯ A retrospective pre-legalization measure showed only a small increase in marijuana use prevalence in contrast to larger changes found in prospectively assessed use in the NSDUH. Changes in the social acceptability and legal status of marijuana after legalization may have increased reporting of pre-legalization use compared with concurrent assessments.