Research News Roundup: January 8, 2026

Journal: Preventive Medicine Reports, 2025, doi 10.1016/j.pmedr .2025.103361

Authors: Shaoying Ma, Zefeng Qiu, Gloria Hernandez, Shiqi Zhang, Veronica Thai, Eden Chaudhry, Shuning Jiang, & Ce Shang

Abstract:

Objective: Flavor is a key driver of e-cigarette appeal, particularly among youth. This study examines concept flavors in U.S. online e-cigarette marketing, which are ambiguous descriptors used by the industry to evoke sensory experiences while circumventing flavor restrictions.

Methods: We scraped product-level data of e-liquids and disposables in 2021 and 2024, respectively, from six popular online retailers. Flavor information was extracted from source code, product descriptions, and images. Using an expanded e-cigarette flavor wheel, we linked concept descriptors on packages to 12 explicit flavor categories. We also identified concept flavors suggesting cooling agents (e.g., “ice”).

Results: Among 5369 e-liquid images from 2021, 1102 (21 %) featured concept flavors; among 3917 disposable images from 2024, 1256 (32 %) featured concept flavors. Across both years, we identified 760 unique concept flavor terms without ice mentions and 137 with ice mentions. Fruity and sweet flavors had the highest number of concept descriptors without ice mentions, whereas fruity, sweet, and menthol flavors had the highest numbers of concept descriptors with ice mentions.

Conclusions: Concept flavor labeling is common in U.S. e-cigarette products. Our database facilitates rapid surveillance of e-cigarette products by the Food and Drug Administration and enables timely policy actions to regulate non-characterizing flavor labeling.

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Journal: Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.josat .2025.209863

Authors: Meghan M. O’Neil, Jenna Pryor, Rebecca A. Johnson, MinAh Kim, Charlene Nguyen, & Debra Pinals

Abstract:

Introduction: We explored the relationship between system experiences and health risks using a sample of Medicaid and uninsured patients in addiction treatment, focusing on four health behaviors correlated with premature mortality: (1) opioid misuse, (2) overdose, (3) multi-substance use, (4) recurrent treatment admissions.

Methods: From 2021 to 2023, in-depth life-course history surveys were administered in-person with adult patients selected from a community-based public health case management system while undergoing addiction treatment in Michigan, USA. This study utilized a series of logistic regression models to examine the impact of civil and criminal justice predictors on risk for each of the four outcomes of interest.

Results: Participants were highly vulnerable: 70 % of participants reported prior homelessness, modal income was $10,000 or less, and nine out of ten reported histories of having been arrested. Participants were more likely to identify as Black or American Indian Alaskan Native relative to the broader community, in line with the disproportionate justice system involvement among these communities in Michigan. In logistic regressions, opioid use was 15 % higher, overdose was 19 % more likely and multi-substance use was 13.5 % higher among those reporting homelessness (p < 0.01), opioid use was 11 % higher among those with child support obligations (p < 0.05), overdose was 12 % more likely and multi-substance use was 10 % more likely among those reporting eviction history (p < 0.05), multi-substance use was 9 % more likely for those reporting legal financial obligations (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Absent intervention, these risk factors present barriers to successful recovery and reentry, with ramifications for public health and community-based crime prevention as well as potential to contribute to growing premature mortality among Black and American Indian Alaskan Native persons and broader racial health disparities.

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

Journal: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 2025, doi: 10.1186/s13722-025-00632-4

Authors: Elisabeth Okrant, Sharon Reif, Genie L. Bailey, Constance M. Horgan, Margaret T. Lee, Madeline A. Brown, … & Grant A. Ritter

Abstract:

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) offer a way to track patient recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and make clinical decisions more effective and efficient. PROM implementation in the context of the SUD population is not yet well understood, but recovery is the type of outcome that requires self-report. While studies have found PROM implementation feasible, an abundance of literature conveys the complexities of implementing PROMs in routine clinical care. We report here on the feasibility of incorporating a PROM for SUD recovery within a buprenorphine program for people with opioid use disorders at a federally qualified health center.

Methods: We describe the challenges and distill learnings gained from the feasibility study of the Response to Addiction Recovery (R2AR) PROM instrument that was tested for validity and feasibility with staff (nurse care managers; NCMs) and clients of an office-based addiction treatment program. We assessed the R2AR in terms of clinical workflow and value to clients and clinicians within a fully remote research study which influenced the findings regarding workflow and value. We used the IHI root cause analysis framework to organize results, capturing learning relating to culture, systems, process, people, and environment.

Results: The three most significant barriers to implementing R2AR included the need to identify a champion and change agent, educate clients and providers to disrupt cultural norms, and use the right care team member to implement the intervention. These barriers were amplified by the limited time that NCMs had available to engage with clients and the fact that R2AR’s psychosocial perspective was outside of their medication management emphasis.

Conclusions: Implementing a clinically-based PROM requires clients and providers to alter the way in which they currently behave. A new tool alone cannot change the culture that ascribes provider and client roles within healthcare. The culture of patient-centered care must precede PROM adoption for effective changes to occur. Systems, such as the EHR, must mandate PROM administration to allow workflows to adjust to new processes, and to convey its import as part of clinical care. Until systems are updated, and large-scale PROM adoption becomes ubiquitous, PROMs can also play an important role in supporting self-management and shared decision making.

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

Journal: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction,2025, doi: 10.1007/ s11469-025-01616-w

Authors: Huyen Pham, Chunqing Lin, Diep Bich Nguyen, Larissa J. Mooney, Giang Minh Le, Steven J. Shoptaw, Hai Van Truong, & Yih-Ing Hser

Abstract:

Untreated co-occurring mental health disorders (MHD) and substance use disorders (SUD) are associated with negative treatment outcomes. This study explored the experiences and perspectives of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) who were using methamphetamine while undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) regarding barriers and facilitators to accessing MHD services. We conducted 30 in-depth interviews with MMT participants with varying levels of MHD severity, assessed using the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21). Barriers to seeking MHD services included lack of awareness, fear of additional stigma and extra burden to families, unaddressed poly-substance use, and lack of specialized professionals. Benefits of integrating MHD services into MMT clinics included improved diagnosis, streamlined referrals, and reduced logistical challenges. Key facilitators identified included supportive family members, healthcare professionals, and digital platforms. Integrating MHD care into MMT, emphasizing family involvement, staff training, and digital platforms, holds promise to improve MHD diagnosis, referral, and treatment.

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