Research News Roundup: March 19, 2026

Journal: Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 2026, doi.org/10.1016/ j.josat.2026.209924

Authors: Julie Donohue, Bill Wang, Lu Tang, Joo Yeon Kim, Stefanie Junker, Evan Cole, … Susan Kennedy

Abstract:

Introduction: Access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) varies across racial and ethnic groups. As the largest payer for MOUD, Medicaid has potential to ensure access for all enrollees. We aimed to quantify recent trends and state variation in MOUD use by race and ethnicity in Medicaid.

Methods: Using a distributed research network, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 11 states’ Medicaid data from 2016 to 2020. Among enrollees diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD), we measured the percent receiving MOUD (overall; and methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, separately), continuity of MOUD for ≥180 days, and claims-based overdose event rates. We estimated logistic regression models in each state with fixed effects for year, race/ethnicity, and year and race/ethnicity interaction terms to examine changes in demographic differences in outcomes over time, adjusting for patient characteristics. We pooled estimates using random effects meta-analyses.

Results: Of the 542,414 enrollees with OUD in 2020, 430,891 (79.4%) were non-Hispanic white, 77,952 (14.4%) were non-Hispanic Black, 17,094 (3.2%) were Hispanic, and 16,477 (3.0%) had other race or ethnicity. MOUD use increased among enrollees in all racial and ethnic groups over time. The share of non-Hispanic white enrollees diagnosed with OUD receiving MOUD increased from 52.3% to 68.8% from 2016 to 2020 while the percent of non-Hispanic Black enrollees receiving MOUD from 37.2% to 49.7% during that period. Differences were widest for buprenorphine versus methadone or naltrexone. In adjusted analyses, Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Black enrollees were less likely to receive MOUD (adjusted odds ratios (AOR) = 0.67 [95 CI 0.49–0.91] and AOR = 0.41 [95 CI 0.33–0.52], respectively) compared to non-Hispanic white enrollees in 2016. Differences in receipt of MOUD did not change from 2016 to 2020. Non-Hispanic Black enrollees were less likely to have continuous MOUD relative to non-Hispanic white enrollees (AOR = 0.68 [95 CI 0.61–0.77)]. Overdose events peaked in 2017 for all racial and ethnic groups and were highest for Hispanic enrollees in 2020.

Conclusion: MOUD increased among all racial and ethnic groups in 11 state Medicaid programs from 2016 to 2020. Yet, racial and ethnic differences in MOUD persisted, especially for buprenorphine. Our findings can inform Medicaid efforts to improve access to MOUD for all enrollees affected by OUD.

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

Journal: Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.dadr.2026.100429

Authors: Alejandra Fernandez, Deanna M. Barch, Micah E. Johnson, Hugh Garavan, Alexandra S. Potter, Sarajane L. Dube, … Sandra Estrada Gonzalez,

Abstract:

Objective: The current study aims to determine heterogenous latent profiles of substance use perceived harm and examine the concurrent associations between profiles and substance use experimentation.

Methods: We used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study (5.1 data release) 1-year follow up. Participants (N = 11184) were 52.2% male between the ages of 9 and 14 (Mage = 10.48, SD = 0.65). Latent profile analysis was used with 11 perceived harm indicators. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the association between profile membership and substance use experimentation (i.e., alcohol sipping, tobacco puffing, and cannabis puffing).

Results: A four-profile solution fit the data best. The four profiles included participants in 1) high harm perceptions across all substances, 2) low harm perceptions across all substances, 3) moderate harm perceptions across all substances, and 4) selective high-harm perceptions for some substances. Those in the low harm profile (AOR = 4.99, p <.01) and selective high-harm profile (AOR = 3.04, p <.05) were more likely to report puffing tobacco compared to the high harm profile. Also, those in the moderate harm profile (AOR = 1.36, p <.05) and those in the selective high-harm profile (AOR = 1.56, p <.001) were more likely to report sipping alcohol compared to the high harm group.

Conclusion: The four-profile solution illustrates meaningful heterogeneity in how youth perceive substance-related harm, suggesting the need for more tailored prevention approaches rather than one-size-fits-all messaging considering that even partial recognition of risk may not fully protect against experimenting with substances.

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

Journal: Addictive Behaviors Reports, 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.abrep. 2026.100681

Authors: Matthew K. Meisel, Alexander W. Sokolovsky, Kristina M. Jackson, Shannon R. Forkus, & Nancy P. Barnett

Abstract:

Objective: Research on young adult alcohol use often overlooks the influence of specific social network members on daily alcohol use. This pilot study combined egocentric social network methods with a daily diary design to examine how network members influence drinking at the day level.

Methods: Participants (N = 21) identified six social network members they frequently drank with and saw in person and then reported on these individuals in a 21-day study. Daily reports captured self-reported alcohol use and social network members presence and alcohol use from the previous day.

Results: Across 417 morning reports, participants drank on 77 days (18.5%), consuming an average of 2.36 drinks (SD = 1.70) on those days. Linear mixed-effects models showed that being with a given network member who was drinking was associated with consuming 1.75 more drinks than the participant’s average. Network members who contributed to higher alcohol use were more likely to be people the participant intended to drink with in the future and who had frequently consumed alcohol in the past month, regardless of whether it was with the participant.

Conclusions: The findings from this pilot study provide preliminary evidence that the drinking of and anticipating future drinking with certain network members contributes to greater alcohol use and suggests that interventions could use personalized feedback to help individuals recognize the network members who facilitate heavier drinking.

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

Journal: AIDS and Behavior, 2026, doi: 10.1007/s10461-026-05071-z

Authors: Roman Ivasiy, Valerie A. Earnshaw, Jimi Huh, Charles M. Cleland, Samuel R. Friedman, John A. Schneider, … Suzan M. Walters

Abstract:

Stigma in healthcare settings is a critical barrier to HIV prevention and treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID). While previous tools have measured anticipated stigma, few account for the intersectional and provider-specific experiences of PWID—particularly from syringe service programs (SSPs). We developed and validated the Substance Use Anticipated Provider Stigma Scale (SU-APSS), a multidimensional instrument assessing anticipated stigma from four provider types: healthcare workers, substance use treatment staff, pharmacists, and SSP personnel. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of 264 PWID who were 18 or older, HIV-negative, had injected drugs and used opioids within the past 30 days, and showed visible signs of recent injection. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on responses from 218 participants to evaluate structural validity and used Cronbach’s alpha to assess internal consistency. The CFA supported a four-factor structure with strong model fit indices (CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.09 [0.07, 0.11], SRMR = 0.04). All items significantly loaded onto their respective factors (loadings: 0.62–1.06). Internal consistency was high across all subscales (α = 0.85–0.96) and for the overall scale (α = 0.87). Attribution analysis revealed drug use, physical appearance, and income level as the most common perceived reasons for anticipated stigma. The SU-APSS offers a practical tool for identifying provider-specific stigma, informing stigma-reduction interventions, and evaluating implementation strategies to improve HIV prevention and care engagement among PWID.

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