Research News Roundup: August 27, 2026

Journal: Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2026, doi: 10.1037/ adb0001180

Authors: Bridgid M. Conn, Alisha Osornio, Kaia Sheean, Maddy Finkelstein, Janna Ataiants, Ekaterina V. Fedorova, … Carolyn F. Wong

Abstract:

Objective: Despite increased naturalistic psychedelic use in the United States, limited studies explore factors currently contributing to use among ethnically and racially diverse psychedelic and cannabis-using adults. This study employs thematic analysis using qualitative data to explore the factors contributing to contemporary psychedelic use.

Method: Qualitative interviews (conducted in 2022-2023) from a subsample of cannabis-using emerging adults who endorsed psychedelic use (N = 33) within a longitudinal mixed methods study were analyzed. Descriptive data were also collected via survey. Transcripts were analyzed, and thematic analysis was implemented using a multiphase coding process until consensus was reached to explore the myriad factors influencing psychedelic use among people who use cannabis within previous motivational models of substance use.

Results: Four domains that dynamically influence psychedelic practices were identified: (a) context, such as norms, attitudes, and stigma; (b) expectancies, including perceived benefits and risks; (c) motives for use, including self and/or spiritual exploration, social connection, and self-treatment; and (d) practices, including microdosing, goal setting/intentional use, and experimentation.

Conclusions: The current analysis identified factors influencing psychedelic use among U.S. adults who use cannabis in our current society and considered these findings within the context of historical models of substance use, including psychedelic use and motivational models. This study reflects a crucial step in furthering our knowledge around the growing zeitgeist of psychedelic use, including the role of motives, expectancies, and context.

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Journal: Alcohol, Clinical & Experimental Research, 2026, doi: 10.1111/acer.70350

Authors: Kyler S. Knapp, Braden K. Linn, Junru Zhao, Gregory E. Wilding, Scott F. Coffey, Suzy B. Gulliver, Clara M. Bradizza, & Paul R. Stasiewicz

Abstract:

Background: Despite strong links between emotion regulation (ER) difficulties and problem drinking, few studies have directly addressed whether interventions that target ER positively impact drinking outcomes. In a prior Stage 1a/1b behavioral therapies development study, we developed an Emotion Regulation Treatment (ERT) for alcohol use disorder (AUD) that included strategies addressing prolonged direct experiencing of emotion, mindfulness, and coping and distress tolerance. Results demonstrated the feasibility and initial efficacy of ERT as a supplement to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for AUD. Based on this initial success, the current study reports on a fully powered stage II randomized clinical efficacy trial to compare CBT plus ERT (CBT + ERT) to CBT plus an active health and lifestyles (HLS) control (CBT + HLS) and explore potential mechanisms of action.

Methods: Adults (n = 194) with moderate-to-severe AUD were enrolled in 12 week outpatient treatment and randomized to either the CBT + ERT or CBT + HLS treatment condition. Analyses evaluated (1) the impact of treatment condition on percent days abstinent (PDA) and percent heavy drinking days (PHDD) at end of treatment (EOT) and 3, 6, and 12 months posttreatment, and (2) whether change trajectories of negative affect, craving, mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, or adaptive alcohol coping, assessed daily or weekly during treatment, partially accounted for associations between treatment condition and EOT alcohol outcomes.

Results: The CBT + ERT group had greater PDA at all posttreatment follow-ups relative to the CBT + HLS group. There were no group differences in PHDD. Levels of PDA and PHDD did not change across posttreatment follow-ups for either group. The CBT + ERT group exhibited greater adaptive alcohol coping across the first week of treatment, which in turn was associated with higher PDA and lower PHDD at EOT. No other mediation effects were detected.

Conclusions: CBT + ERT was associated with greater PDA at EOT relative to CBT + HLS, an association that was partially explained by greater adaptive coping early in treatment.

To read the full text, please visit PubMed Central.

Journal: MMWR Morbidity Mortality Weekly Reports, 2026, doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7530a2

Author: Alana M. Vivolo-Kantor, Stephen Liu, Lauren J. Tanz, Christine L. Mattson, & Josh Schier

Abstract:

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a condition characterized by cyclical nausea and vomiting and is associated with frequent cannabis use. Data from CDC’s National Syndromic Surveillance Program were analyzed to examine trends in CHS-involved emergency department (ED) visits before and after implementation of a new, CHS-specific International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code on October 1, 2025. Monthly CHS-involved ED visits per 10,000 all-cause visits were assessed overall and by demographic characteristics. During January 2023-May 2026, a total of 199,565 ED visits involved CHS. During January 2023-September 2025, the proportion of ED visits that involved CHS remained mostly steady. In the first month after implementation of the new diagnostic code, the proportion of CHS-involved ED visits increased from 3.35 per 10,000 ED visits in September 2025 (preimplementation) to 11.26 per 10,000 ED visits in October 2025 (postimplementation). During the first 8 months after implementation of the new code (October 2025-May 2026), average monthly proportions of CHS-involved ED visits were 3.7 times as high as the monthly average during January 2023-September 2025. Higher proportions of CHS-involved ED visits were observed among persons aged 15-24 years and females, with more pronounced impacts among some demographic groups after code implementation. The abrupt, sustained increase might partly reflect improved recognition and coding of CHS rather than a true rise in incidence. These findings highlight a likely underestimated impact of CHS, suggesting the need to strengthen education about the risks associated with frequent cannabis use, expand ongoing surveillance efforts, and improve clinical recognition of CHS through continuing medical education and implementation of routine cannabis use assessment in ED settings.

To read the full text, please visit the publisher’s website.

Journal: Health Affairs Scholar, 2026, doi: 10.1093/haschl /qxag175

Authors: Stephan R. Lindner, Brynna Manibusan, Kyle Hart, Dennis McCarty, Daniel Hartung, & K. John McConnell

Abstract:

Introduction: Residential treatment is part of the care continuum for opioid use disorder (OUD). However, use of OUD medications (MOUD) has been historically low in this setting. The goal of this study was to assess changes in MOUD during residential treatment stays and the 12-month period surrounding them.

Methods: We used national Medicaid claims data for the year 2017-2021 and descriptive as well as regression analyses.

Results: Between 2017 and 2021, the rate of MOUD treatment in residential settings increased from 30.4 to 58.5 percentage points. By contrast, the rate of MOUD treatment 6 months before residential treatment stays and 5 months following residential treatment stays was low in 2017 and increased only slightly. Changes were similar in states that implemented a substance use disorder waiver compared to non-waiver states. Most states exhibited similar changes. New York was the only state where MOUD rates before and after residential treatment stays increased markedly.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that use of MOUD during residential treatment stays increased substantially 2017-2021, but that this increase was not sustained during the months following stays. Improving retention in MOUD treatment following residential treatment stays could be an important future policy goal.

To read the full text, please visit the publisher’s website.