Research News Roundup: November 12, 2026

Journal: Pediatrics, 2026, doi: 10.1542/peds.2026-076821

Authors: Yi-Chun Chang, Junhan Cho, Dayoung Bae, Alyssa F. Harlow, Louisiana M. Sanchez, Dae-Hee Han, … Adam M. Leventhal

Abstract:

Objective: To document prevalence of reasons for nicotine pouch (NP) use and associations with use patterns among US youth.

Methods: Data were from US youth reporting ever NP use in the nationally representative 2025 Monitoring the Future survey. We estimated (1) prevalence of 10 reasons for NP use (yes/no) and (2) association of each reason with past 30-day NP use (yes/no) and frequency (1-30 days). For comparison, we contrasted reasons for NP and e-cigarette use among youth reporting NP use (n = 57) or e-cigarette use (n = 397) on at least 10 of the past 30 days.

Results: Among 484 respondents reporting ever NP use (6.1% of youth surveyed on NP use and reasons), the most common reasons were experimentation (32.3%), nicotine buzz (30.5%), relaxation (22.7%), appealing flavors (17.4%), convenience (16.5%), socializing (16.0%), boredom (11.7%), and ability to conceal use (11.0%). To quit smoking (6.2%) and feeling addicted (2.1%) were less common. Flavors, convenience, and feeling addicted were positively associated with both past 30-day NP use (prevalence ratios [PRs] range = 1.50-2.35) and frequency (incidence rate ratios [IRRs] range = 1.60-2.55). Nicotine buzz, relaxation, socializing, concealment, and to quit smoking were only associated with past 30-day use (PRs range = 1.57-1.85). Experimentation was inversely associated with frequency (IRR = 0.42). The prevalence of reasons overlapped between NPs and e-cigarettes, with relaxation, convenience, nicotine buzz, and flavors most prevalent among youth regularly using each product.

Conclusions: Prevention and regulatory strategies addressing NP use reasons, particularly flavors and convenience, are warranted. Existing effective strategies targeting youth nicotine vaping may be applicable to NP use.

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Journal: Birth, 2026, doi: 10.1111/birt.70146

Authors: Margaret J. Sherin, India R. Burdon Dasbach, Cheri L. Bryer, Katherine Olivia P. Stokes, & Daisy J. Goodman

Abstract:

Introduction: Despite evidence supporting comprehensive treatment for perinatal substance use disorder (SUD), access and engagement in these programs remain limited due to structural barriers, stigma, and bias. Pregnant people with SUD thus often enter birth hospitalization after negative-or absent-healthcare experiences. Although prior research has described patients’ perspectives on interactions with healthcare clinicians during hospitalization and clinicians’ perspectives on SUD treatment barriers, less is known about clinicians’ experiences caring for this population during labor and birth in the inpatient setting.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with healthcare clinicians caring for pregnant patients with SUD during labor and delivery at a tertiary care center in New England. Interviews were transcribed, de-identified, coded using ATLAS.ti, and analyzed thematically.

Results: Thirteen clinicians participated. Four themes emerged: caring for pregnant patients with SUD was perceived as uniquely challenging because of increased resource needs and behavioral concerns; clinicians expressed concern about patients’ ability to parent safely; clinicians described apprehension and wariness around the emotional experience of providing care; and conversely, some found caring for this population uniquely rewarding and inspiring.

Conclusions: Caring for pregnant people with SUD is an emotionally charged experience that may trigger clinician bias. By viewing these patients as fundamentally different from others, clinicians contribute to the experience of stigma, mistrust of healthcare systems, and avoidance of care among patients. Efforts to reduce clinician bias and promote respectful, equitable maternity care are critical to improving patient experiences and outcomes.

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Journal: American Journal of Psychiatry, 2026, doi: 10.1176/appi .ajp.20260023

Authors: Jacob T. Steinle, Richard A. Grucza, Joanna L. Buss, Suraj Shankar, Arpana Agrawal, Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, Jacob T. Borodovsky, Amy M. Yule, & Kevin Y. Xu

Abstract:

Objective: Age-related differences in alcohol and cannabis use are well established, yet age-specific trends in substance-related acute morbidity remain incompletely understood. The authors examined age-specific trends in alcohol- and cannabis-related emergency department and inpatient admissions from 2016 to 2023.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using Merative MarketScan Commercial and Multi-State Medicaid databases (January 2016-December 2023). The cohort included 1,355,161 individuals 16-64 years of age with at least one substance-related acute care encounter (ICD-10-CM codes F10-F19, excluding nicotine). Outcomes included the proportion of substance-related encounters involving alcohol or cannabis, stratified by six age groups (16-18, 19-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, and 55-64 years). Secondary analyses examined primary substance diagnoses, severe alcohol-related morbidity, and cannabis-related encounters involving psychosis or vomiting (hyperemesis). Weighted linear regression estimated age-specific annual changes in encounter proportions, and Poisson models assessed trends in total encounter volume and substance involvement per encounter.

Results: Among 5,190,680 substance-related encounters, alcohol and cannabis exhibited divergent age patterns. Alcohol accounted for 19%-26% of adolescent admissions, increasing to 73%-76% among adults ages 55-64 years, whereas cannabis involvement was highest among adolescents (70%-78%) and lowest among older adults (10%-11%). Alcohol-related admissions increased significantly among adults ages 25-34 years (1.80 percentage points annually, 95% CI=1.59, 2.00) and 35-44 years (1.19 points, 95% CI=0.99, 1.38). Cannabis-related admissions increased most rapidly among individuals ages 19-24 years (1.81 points annually, 95% CI=1.57, 2.04) and 16-18 years (0.83 points, 95% CI=0.61, 1.06), with notable increases in presentations involving psychosis and vomiting. When restricted to primary diagnoses, cannabis-related trends were attenuated, with adolescents showing annual declines (-1.46 points, 95% CI=-1.98, -0.94).

Conclusions: Alcohol- and cannabis-related acute care presentations follow divergent age-specific trajectories, with cannabis increasingly predominant among adolescents and young adults and alcohol predominant among older adults.

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Journal: Substance Use and Misuse, 2026, doi: 10.1080/10826084 .2026.2747708

Authors: Kristin E. Schneider, Colette A. Youstra, Danielle Friedman Nestadt, Emily M. Martin, Saba Rouhani, A.T. St John, Brian W. Weir, & Susan G. Sherman

Abstract:

Background: Solitary drug use increases risk for fatal overdoses by precluding bystander assistance. We must understand who uses drugs alone to tailor interventions.

Methods: We used data from 493 HIV-negative people who use drugs. Participants reported how often they used drugs alone (never, ≤half the time, >half the time) and associated motivations. We used multinomial logistic regression to identify correlates of using alone.

Results: 81% recently used drugs alone. High school/equivalent education (vs. <high school; relative risk ratio[RRR] = 2.90, 95% Confidence Interval[CI]:1.65-5.09), some college education or more (vs. <high school; RRR = 1.94, 95%CI:1.16-3.23), homelessness (vs. housed; RRR = 1.42, 95%CI:1.0-1.92), cocaine use (vs. no cocaine use; RRR = 3.51, 95%CI:1.13-10.86), and experiencing physical violence (vs. no violence; RRR = 2.19, 95%CI:1.02-4.71) were associated with using alone ≤ half the time versus never. Hispanic/multiracial/another racial identity (vs. Black; RRR = 2.45, 95%CI:1.34-4.50), high school/equivalent education (vs. <high school; RRR = 2.35, 95%CI:1.20-4.60), cocaine use (vs. no cocaine use; RRR = 3.51, 95%CI:1.13-10.86), and experiencing physical violence (vs. no violence; RRR = 1.79, 95%CI:1.22-2.62) were associated with using alone > half the time versus never. Common motivations were comfort, safety, and not having to share drugs.

Conclusions: Interventions that promote comfort and safety for people who use drugs may increase willingness to engage in harm reduction strategies while using alone.

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