Substance use & misuse
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This study sought to assess patterns of flavored tobacco product (FTP) use and their associations with (1) susceptibility to smoke cigarettes among young adults aged 18-29 who have never smoked; (2) quit attempts in the past 12 months among current cigarette users by age group (18-29, 30-49, and 50+). ⋯ This study shows the heterogeneity of FTP use among adults by age group and demonstrates its associations with susceptibility to cigarette smoking among young adult never smokers.
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Substance use & misuse · Jan 2019
Intention to Try Tobacco Among Middle School Students in a Predominantly Rural Environment of Central Appalachia.
Disparities in tobacco use exist across regions in the United States. The Central Appalachian region carries some of the very high rates of tobacco use prevalence but research on tobacco use initiation is sparse. ⋯ This study suggests that individual, interpersonal, and community level factors influence intention to try tobacco in this environment where tobacco pre-emption laws impede development of local tobacco control policies and regulations. Thus, efforts should focus on tobacco use initiation preventive programs, including school-based tobacco control programs.
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Substance use & misuse · Jan 2019
Loneliness and Illicit Opioid Use Among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients.
Background: Loneliness has been linked to greater substance use, especially among women. Yet little is known about how loneliness is associated with treatment outcomes for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Objectives: We evaluated how patient reports of using illicit opioids (i.e. heroin or non-prescription pain medications) are linked to perceptions of loneliness in a sample of adults receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), and whether this link varies by gender. ⋯ Results: Patient gender moderated the association between illicit opioid use and loneliness such that severe loneliness was associated with higher odds of using illicit opioids among women (OR = 3.00, 95% CI [1.19, 7.57], p=.020) but lower odds of using illicit opioids among men (OR = 0.35, 95% CI [0.14, 0.87], p=.024), accounting for age, marital status, work status, depressive symptoms, and MMT characteristics (treatment episode, treatment duration, and methadone dose). Conclusions/importance: This study underscores the importance of considering loneliness in the management of OUD. Routine clinical care and treatment may benefit from strategies to build and sustain social connections that support long-term recovery among MMT patients.
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Substance use & misuse · Jan 2019
Understanding Public Attitudes Toward Cannabis Legalization: Qualitative Findings From a Statewide Survey.
Cannabis policy is rapidly evolving in the United States as more states legalize medical and non-medical marijuana. Public opinion has shifted dramatically in favor of marijuana legalization. ⋯ 48.1% of the sample supported cannabis legalization, 41.9% were opposed to legalization, and 10% were unsure. Harms associated with marijuana use were the most commonly given reasons for opposing legalization. Those who supported legalization were most likely to state that marijuana is less dangerous than other substances and has medical benefits. They also cited criminal justice reform and the potential for tax revenue as potential benefits of legalization. Reasons for supporting and opposing legalization differed based on gender, age, and recent marijuana use. Conclusions/Importance: Findings highlight nuances in public attitudes toward cannabis legalization. Many who support cannabis legalization recognize some potential negative consequences of these policy changes. Understanding views of cannabis is important as policies for marijuana use and sales become less restrictive.
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Substance use & misuse · Jan 2019
Overdose Risk and Client Characteristics Associated With the Injection of Buprenorphine at a Medically Supervised Injecting Center in Sydney, Australia.
Background: Buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone (BNX) were developed to improve the safety profile of opioid substitution treatment (OST) and reduce diversion and injection, yet continue to be injected, despite the risk of harm. Previous studies examining injection of these substances have relied on self-reported injection and overdose. Using data from the Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Center (MSIC) in Sydney, this study aimed to assess the overdose risk associated with the use of buprenorphine and BNX and identify factors associated with injecting. ⋯ Conclusions: Buprenorphine and BNX continue to be injected, albeit in small numbers. This is the first study to report on injection and overdose risk using direct observation, and has confirmed the lower overdose risk. MSIC clients who inject buprenorphine and BNX tend to be marginalized and may benefit from targeted harm reduction measures.