Journal: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2026, doi: 10.1016/ j.amepre.2025.108248
Authors: Jason M. Nagata, Joan E. Shim, Priyadharshini Balasubramanian, Chloe M. Cheng, O Abubakr A. A. Al-Shoaibi, Iris Y. Shao, … Fiona C. Baker
Abstract:
Introduction: There are limited large-scale, prospective analyses examining problematic (addiction-like) screen use and mental and behavioral health outcomes in early adolescents. This study aimed to determine the associations between problematic screen use and mental and behavioral health outcomes—such as depressive symptoms, suicidal behaviors, sleep disturbance, and substance use initiation—1 year later in a national cohort of children aged 11–12 years in the U.S.
Methods: Prospective cohort data from Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study participants who reported their screen use at ages 11–12 (Year 2, 2018–2020; N=8,119; 47.5% female; 43.8% racial/ethnic minority) were analyzed in 2025. Associations between problematic screen use (Social Media Addiction Questionnaire, Video Game Addiction Questionnaire, Mobile Phone Involvement Questionnaire, Year 2) and mental and behavioral health outcomes (Year 3) were determined using either linear or logistic regression analyses on the basis of the outcome, adjusting for potential confounders (Year 2).
Results: Problematic mobile phone use and social media use were prospectively associated with higher depressive, somatic, attention/deficit, oppositional defiant, and conduct problems scores; suicidal behaviors; sleep disturbance; and substance initiation. Problematic video game use was associated with higher depressive, attention/deficit, and oppositional defiant scores; suicidal behaviors; and sleep disturbance.
Conclusions: Early adolescent problematic screen use is prospectively associated with poor mental and behavioral health outcomes 1 year later, extending prior cross-sectional findings. Clinicians can assess not only screen time but also problematic screen use and provide guidance to adolescents and parents, including the development of a family media plan.
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Journal: PLoS One, 2026, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0341739
Authors: Ryan M. Andrews, Vishwali Mhasawade, Selena Maity, Anton Hung, Richard Liu, Rachael K. Ross, Hillary Samples, & Kara E. Rudolph
Abstract:
Background: This study aimed to describe state- and urbanicity-stratified differences in three opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment metrics among Medicaid beneficiaries in 25 states that implemented Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act by the end of 2014.
Methods: Using data from 2019, we identified Medicaid beneficiaries with OUD based on ICD-10 diagnosis codes. We then calculated the percentage of beneficiaries who met criteria for three metrics measuring OUD treatment quality, both overall and stratified by state and urbanicity type. The OUD treatment quality metrics considered were: (1) initiation of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment, (2) engagement with OUD services, and (3) retention on MOUD treatment.
Results: Across states, we found that a median of 26.2% of beneficiaries initiated MOUD within 14 days of their OUD diagnosis date in the claims data. A median of 15.8% of beneficiaries engaged with OUD treatment services by initiating MOUD treatment within 14 days of their OUD diagnosis and receiving at least 2 distinct OUD-related services within 30 days of their MOUD initiation date. Among initiators, a median of 30.8% were retained on MOUD treatment for a minimum of 180 days. However, there was considerable heterogeneity in these three metrics across states; New Hampshire and West Virginia were found to have the highest overall performance out of the states considered. With respect to urbanicity, we found that rural and suburban areas had higher percentages of beneficiaries who met our three treatment quality metrics compared to urban areas.
Conclusions: We found notable geographic differences in opioid use disorder treatment quality in the U.S. Medicaid population.
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Journal: Drug and Alcohol Review, 2026, doi: 10.1111/dar.70133
Authors: Katherine M. Keyes, Yvonne Terry‐McElrath, & Megan E. Patrick
Abstract:
Introduction: This paper aimed to determine the prevalence, demographic correlates and co-occurring substance use patterns of hallucinogen microdosing among young adults in the United States.
Methods: Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data from a nationally representative cohort study collected in 2022-2023.
Setting: United States.
Participants: Sample of 3094 young adults aged 19-30 years in the Monitoring the Future panel study.
Measurements: Self-reported past-year hallucinogen use and at least one past-year incident of microdosing, demographic characteristics (age, sex, race/ethnicity, college attendance, parental education) and other substance use (alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, other drugs).
Results: Past-year hallucinogen use was reported by 9.5% (SE = 0.68) of young adults, with microdosing reported by 6.8% (SE = 0.61). Among those who used hallucinogens, 73.1% (SE = 3.6) engaged in microdosing. Individuals who reported microdosing demonstrated substantially higher rates of other substance use, with odds ratios ranging from 2.53 (95% CI 1.43-4.47) for past-month cigarette use to 37.73 (95% CI 19.72-72.21) for 3+ occasions of past-year cannabis use. Among those who microdosed, 72.4% reported 10+ occasions of past-year alcohol use and 85.8% reported 3+ occasions of past-year cannabis use. There were few significant demographic differences in microdosing, though Black respondents were less likely (OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.21-0.90) to microdose compared with White respondents.
Discussion and Conclusions: Approximately 1 in 15 US young adults reported microdosing hallucinogens, with strong associations between microdosing and other substance use. Despite growing interest in potential therapeutic applications of microdosing, the context in which microdosing typically occurs, including patterns of other drug and alcohol use, raises concerns and warrants focused prevention efforts.
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Journal: Journal of Adolescent Health, 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth. 2026.01.015
Authors: Jasmine Sindelar, Trinity Amalraj, Sophia Davis, Alexandra Soos, Christopher J. Frank, & Tammy Chang
Abstract:
Purpose: Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths in youth, but little is known about current youth knowledge and perspectives regarding fentanyl.
Methods: Youth across the United States aged 14-24 years were surveyed about their knowledge of and access to fentanyl, as well as their recommendations for decreasing the risks of fentanyl.
Results: Among 560 respondents (response rate = 75%), the average age was 20.3 years (standard deviation [SD] = 2.6), 51.6% self-identified as female, 58.6% White, 32.4% were in high school or a graduate, and 24.4% used Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Most had knowledge of fentanyl (89.6%), with exposure believed to be through illicit means, medical care, or accidental exposure. Youth reported that improved education (51.9%), greater availability of harm reduction resources (31.6%), and open conversations would better protect youth from fentanyl.
Discussion: Most youth recognize the dangers of fentanyl and expressed a desire for better education, greater access to harm reduction resources, and open discussions about fentanyl.
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Journal: Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 2026, doi: 10.1037/adb0001121
Authors: Holly K. Boyle, Gabriela López, Kate B. Carey, Kristina M. Jackson, Robert Miranda, & Jennifer E. Merrill
Abstract:
Objective: Drinking motives are proximal predictors of alcohol use and often conceptualized as trait like constructs. However, research shows motives are dynamic, varying day-to-day. We compared associations between event-specific motives reported at first drink versus retrospectively the next morning and alcohol consumption and consequences.
Method: Heavy-drinking college students (N = 95) completed 28 days of ecological momentary assessments. At first drink of the day, participants reported whether they were drinking to reduce depression, reduce anxiety, have fun, get high/buzzed/drunk (high), and/or not be left out (conformity). These motives, total drinks consumed, and consequences were retrospectively reported the next morning.
Results: Students were more likely to report “fun” and “high” motives retrospectively than at first drink. When assessed retrospectively, fun and high motives were associated with more drinks and “conformity” motives with fewer drinks. When reported at first drink, only the high motive was associated with consumption. Retrospective reports of fun, high, and conformity motives were associated with more positive consequences. When assessed at first drink, only fun and high motives were significant. Only high motives, reported at first drink, significantly increased likelihood of a negative consequence.
Conclusions: Findings suggest event-level effects of motives on drinking outcomes depend on when motives are assessed. More associations between retrospective motives and outcomes suggest that drinking motives may change within an event and/or young adults reconstruct their drinking motives based on their experience. Findings have event-level assessment design implications and provide evidence that antecedent “high” motives present the greatest event-level risk for heavy drinking and negative outcomes.
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