Journal: Race and Social Problems, 2026, doi: 10.1007/s12552-025-09489
Authors: Chloe J. Walker, Chelsea Derlan Williams, Arlenis Santana, Eryn N. DeLaney, Jamie Cage, Jinni Su, Sally I. Kuo, & Danielle M. Dick
Abstract:
Excessive alcohol use is associated with adverse outcomes, underscoring the importance of identifying factors that may reduce alcohol use among diverse emerging adults, including ethnic-racial identity (ERI) and family factors. Limited work has examined factors that moderate the relations between ERI and alcohol use. The current study tested whether family factors (i.e., parent education and family history of alcohol problems) moderated the relations between ERI and alcohol use among 1850 diverse college students, ages 18-22 (M = 18.46, SD = .38). Findings indicated that moderation effects varied by students’ ethnicity/race. At high levels of parent education, greater ERI resolution predicted less alcohol use among Asian individuals, and greater alcohol use among White individuals. Among Multiracial individuals with lower family history of alcohol problems, greater ERI exploration was related to less alcohol use. Findings highlight nuanced ways that ERI, parent education, family history of alcohol problems, and racial differences influence college students’ alcohol use. Results have implications for alcohol prevention and intervention programs by highlighting that both ERI development and family influences should be discussed by therapists, program leaders, and mentors with emerging adults across racial backgrounds.
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.2026.100412
Authors: Lauren M. Berny, Anwesha Guha, & Emily E. Tanner-Smith
Abstract: Although many adolescents and young adults experiment with drugs, a subset may develop a drug use disorder (DUD). Few studies have used machine learning to identify risk and protective factors associated with DUDs, and to the best of our knowledge, none have been conducted with a high-risk youth sample or incorporated explanatory analyses to understand how such factors influence model predictions. We sought to address these gaps by estimating a random forest to identify salient risk and protective factors that differentiate youth with a DUD from their peers who use drugs but do not meet diagnostic criteria for a DUD. We extend traditional supervised learning methods by conducting explanatory model analyses to unpack what the model learned from the data, allowing for better interpretation of how influential factors may affect DUD risk at both the sample and case levels. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from a sample of 600 youth aged 14–24 with past 6-month illicit drug use (59 % male, 58 % Black; 57 % meeting DUD criteria). Global assessments revealed that risk factors aligned with deviance proneness and stress/negative affect were associated with higher likelihoods of a DUD, whereas academic achievement and later drug use initiation were associated with lower likelihoods. Local assessment methods highlighted how these broad predictive patterns can be applied to individual risk and protective factor profiles to inform precision-based preventive strategies. Overall, these analytic approaches and findings may help inform the development of indicated preventive interventions for DUDs in adolescent and young adult populations.
To read the full text of the article, please visit the publisher’s website.
Journal: Drug and Alcohol Review, 2026, doi: 10.1111/dar.70106
Authors: Lauren Winfield-Ward, Elle Wadsworth, Pete Driezen, & David Hammond
Abstract:
Introduction: A growing number of US states have legalised adult ‘recreational’ cannabis. Restrictions on advertising and promotions are a key component of cannabis regulations in legal markets; however, there is little evidence on the impact of restrictions. This study examines differences in cannabis marketing exposure by the strength of marketing restrictions among US states with legal recreational sales.
Methods: Data are from the International Cannabis Policy Study: repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted annually (2018-2023) with 99,132 respondents aged 16-65. The ‘strength’ of marketing restrictions was measured using regulatory documents in 20 states with legal recreational cannabis sales. Adjusted mixed effects logistic regression models were fitted to analyse differences in past-12 month noticing of cannabis marketing by the strength of marketing restrictions overall and within specific marketing channels.
Results: People in states with low and moderate strength marketing restrictions reported similar exposure to cannabis marketing (61.4% and 61.8%, respectively). Compared to those with moderate strength restrictions, people in states with the highest strength restrictions reported the lowest exposure (53.4%: p = 0.037), with no significant differences for states with low strength restrictions (p = 0.067). Comprehensive restrictions on marketing via billboards and posters, and at sports events were associated with reductions in reported exposure to these channels. Cannabis marketing exposure was highest among people below the minimum legal age (16-20 years old; 63.0%: p < 0.001).
Discussion and conclusions: Stronger regulations may reduce exposure to marketing in states with recreational cannabis markets; however, existing regulations appear to be inadequate to prevent advertising and promotions from reaching young people.
To read the full text of the article, please visit the publisher’s website.
Journal: International Journal of Drug Policy, 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo .2026 .105152
Authors: Corey S. Davis, Michael Abrams, Ashleigh Dennis, Amy Judd Lieberman, & Czarina N. Behrends
Abstract:
The United States continues to experience a large amount of drug-related harm, including high rates of both overdose mortality and harms associated with lack of access to new drug use equipment such as syringes and pipes. These harms include the spread of bloodborne disease as well as endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and other skin and soft tissue infections. Laws that prohibit or restrict access to drug use equipment may increase these harms. This manuscript provides a comprehensive legal review of laws that criminalize or otherwise restrict the distribution and possession of equipment for both injecting and inhaling drugs from both syringe services programs and other venues. We also report novel data on the severity of penalties associated with violations of prohibitions on the above activities. We find great heterogeneity in these laws. The free distribution of injection equipment for illicit drug use is permitted in 19 states, and the free distribution of smoking equipment is permitted in 14 states. The possession of injection equipment is permitted in 21 states, and the possession of smoking equipment in 15. Where possession or distribution of drug use equipment is prohibited or restricted, we found large differences in the penalties imposed for violations. There is also wide variation in laws governing the operation of syringe services programs, which are permitted in some form in 40 states but often highly regulated. We suggest that states evaluate and, where indicated, remove legal barriers to these supplies.
To read the full text of the article, please visit the publisher’s website.
Journal: Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2026, doi: 10.1037/ pha0000821
Authors: Jane P. Macky, Kimberly C. Kirby, Ben G. Fitzpatrick, Shelby Goodwin, Mary Milnamow, Jaime Kishpaugh, … Calum J. Handley
Abstract:
Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) for concerned significant others (CSOs) of individuals with substance use problems (IP) is an efficacious in-person intervention warranting broader dissemination. However, previous web-based delivery studies have not achieved the increases in IP treatment entry seen with in-person studies. We developed two online CRAFT programs closely aligned with the in-person CRAFT protocol and pilot tested their efficacy and feasibility. We block randomized 45 CSOs (15/arm) of IPs with opioid use problems to receive 12 weeks of web-based peer support (PEER) or weekly web-based CRAFT modules with videoconference coaching either in groups (CRAFT-G) or individually (CRAFT-I). Though not statistically significant, more CSOs reported new IP treatment entry in CRAFT-G (76.9%; OR = 5.00, 95% CI [0.03, 3.41], p = .056) and CRAFT-I (72.7%, OR = 4.01, 95% CI [−0.23, 3.20], p = .106) compared to PEER (40.0%), and more CRAFT-G participants reported their IP was in medication treatment at 12 weeks compared to PEER (76.9% vs. 40.0%, OR = 5.00, 95% CI [0.19, 0.98], p = .11). CRAFT-G had significantly improved physical health ( p = .025) and mood (p = .015), and both CRAFT-G (p = .018) and CRAFT-I (p = .012) showed increased relationship satisfaction compared to PEER. CSO engagement was similar across conditions. Results must be interpreted cautiously as the study was exploratory and small, and some results were not statistically significant. This pilot study is the first to suggest that online CRAFT programs have the potential to replicate in-person effects, possibly because it did not shorten or significantly alter the in-person protocol when adapting it to a digital format.
To read the full text of the article, please visit the publisher’s website.