Journal: Journal of Addiction Medicine, 2026, doi: 10.1097/ADM.00000000 00001673
Authors: James R. Langabeer, Andrea J. Yatsco, Cohen A. Sarah, Shabana Walia, & Tiffany Champagne-Langabeer
Abstract:
Objectives: Treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is constrained by financial and geographic barriers. Community-based approaches may help address these challenges, yet evidence regarding their sustained impact on treatment retention and quality of life (QOL) remains limited. This study evaluated treatment retention and QOL outcomes in a community-based care coordination program for OUD.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of participants enrolled in the Houston Emergency Opioid Engagement System (HEROES), a community-based treatment program in the Texas Medical Center. From January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2024, 1124 participants received individualized treatment plans, including medical visits, counseling, peer support, and group services. The primary outcome was treatment retention at 90 days. As a secondary descriptive measure, mean days retained within a 180-day observation window were compared across service utilization categories using analysis of variance. Additional secondary outcomes included substance use reoccurrence, overdose, and mortality.
Results: Participants were 57.7% male with a mean age of 34.9 years (SD, 9.76); 62.8% were uninsured, and 63.6% had a prior overdose. At 90 days, 74.1% of participants remained in treatment. Mean days retained differed significantly across service utilization categories, with greater engagement associated with longer retention. Nearly 71% of participants reported improvements in QOL, with a mean increase of 13.2 points.
Conclusions: In this 5-year retrospective cohort study, greater participation in a community-based care coordination program for OUD was associated with improved treatment retention and quality of life. Strategies that increase patient engagement through counseling and peer support may improve outcomes.
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Journal: Psychology of Addictive Behavior, 2026, doi: 10.1037/adb0001129
Authors: Denise D. Tran, Clara Mintzer, Keegan D. Buch, Jordan P. Davis, & Eric R. Pedersen
Abstract:
Objective: E-cigarette use (i.e. vaping) among young adults increases risk for significant health consequences and combustible cigarette uptake. Although there are a growing number of vaping cessation interventions for young adults, there are no known evidence-based e-cigarette use treatments that include smoking uptake prevention. The Live Free From E-Cigarettes (LIFFE) digital program was developed to help young adults stop or reduce their use of e-cigarettes and reduce their cigarette smoking susceptibility.
Method: Twenty young adults (ages 18–24) who vape, but do not smoke combustible cigarettes, were recruited via social media. They completed an initial survey and the single session, 30-minute intervention on their mobile devices, followed by quantitative measures of intervention feasibility and acceptability. One week later, participants completed an interview to provide feedback about the program and a follow-up survey.
Results: All participants completed all seven intervention modules. Participants rated LIFFE as feasible in terms of delivery, usability, and logistics. Participants were satisfied with the content, design, and potential to help them and other young adults who vape to stop or reduce use. Some participants reported reductions in their susceptibility to smoke and vaping behaviors, including via quitting, one week after the intervention.
Conclusions: Quantitative and qualitative results indicate that LIFFE is a feasible and acceptable program for engaging young adults in cessation efforts. Participants also included suggestions for potential changes to enhance the LIFFE program. Next steps will include building upon these suggestions for intervention refinement and testing the refined version in a randomized controlled trial.
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Journal: Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 2026, doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2026.100227
Authors: Aminul I. Apu, Raihana Akter Nira, Annina Liebner, Rowen Silva, Amber Amis, Elise Devier, Rachel Hoopsick, & R. Andrew Yockey
Abstract: Adolescent substance use poses significant physical, mental, and social health risks, with disparities evident across different demographic groups. Using pooled data from the 2021–2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we analyzed past-year use of alcohol, cannabis, opioids, tobacco, and inhalants among 32,911 U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 and examined associations with major depressive episodes (MDE) and demographics. Weighted logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted relationships. Overall, 17.4% reported alcohol use, 11.0% marijuana use, 5.1% tobacco use, 2.0% opioid misuse, 2.3% inhalant use, and 19.2% reported MDE. Females had higher odds of alcohol (AOR=1.44, 95% CI 1.30–1.58), marijuana (AOR=1.30, 95% CI 1.15–1.46), opioid (AOR=1.76, 95% CI 1.33–2.32), and inhalant use, as well as significantly higher odds of MDE (AOR=3.42, 95% CI 3.09–3.78). Non-Hispanic White adolescents showed the highest prevalence of marijuana, tobacco, and inhalant use, while Asian adolescents reported the lowest prevalence of marijuana and tobacco use, along with lower rates of MDE. Rural adolescents had increased odds of tobacco (AOR=1.32, 95% CI 1.04–1.67) and opioid use, whereas nonmetropolitan residence was linked to slightly lower odds of marijuana use (AOR=0.83, 95% CI 0.70–0.98). MDE was strongly associated with alcohol, cannabis, and opioid use. These findings highlight notable demographic and geographic disparities in adolescent substance use and depression, underscoring the need for targeted, integrated prevention and early intervention strategies tailored to high-risk groups.
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Journal: Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 2026, doi: 10.1097/JAC.0000000 000000553
Authors: Kelly M. Schuering, Daniel P. Martin, Deborah Goldfarb, Erin Nahrgang, Alison A. Galbraith, & Christine A. Pace
Abstract:
Background: Individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) have high rates of medical and mental health comorbidities, health care utilization, and costs. Improving the capacity of care management programs to meet the needs of those with SUDs could benefit Medicaid accountable care organizations, but there are few reports of strategies to do so.
Program Approach: The Boston Medical Center Health System Complex Care Management (CCM) program aims to build trusting relationships with the highest-risk patients across five Massachusetts Medicaid accountable care organizations and work with those individuals to achieve their health-related goals. Given that more than half of CCM-enrolled patients have been diagnosed with a SUD, CCM has adjusted its staffing models, workforce recruitment and development, patient identification and engagement, approach to health-related social needs, and community partnerships to better meet the needs of patients with an SUD. We have developed strategies to recruit diverse staff; train them on SUDs, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care; embed staff members in inpatient and community settings; and ensure teams have access to behavioral health staff for additional support as needed. We have also built partnerships with community, governmental, and health care organizations to ensure patients receive appropriately comprehensive care despite complex social, medical, and behavioral health needs.
Outcomes: Although most patients with a SUD agree to enroll in CCM when outreached, our data indicate room to improve the rates at which we reach these individuals and sustain engagement. Preliminary pre–post data showed that CCM-enrolled patients had lower rates of overdose and higher rates of engagement with outpatient care for SUDs, mental health, and medications for opioid use disorder.
Conclusion: Our experience demonstrates that with appropriate training and tools, care management staff perform vital work to improve outcomes for individuals with SUDs, although more detailed research is needed to assess the effectiveness of specific intervention components.
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Journal: Alcohol and Alcoholism, 2026, doi.org/10.1093/alcalc/agag006
Authors: Malia A. Belnap, Kaitlin R. McManus, Dylan E. Kirsch, Erica N. Grodin, & Lara A. Ray
Abstract:
Objectives: Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis are the most frequently used psychoactive substances in the United States and are commonly used concurrently. This study analyzed patterns of cigarette and cannabis use during a randomized controlled trial (RCT) for alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Methods: This secondary analysis of a 12-week RCT of ibudilast for AUD (N = 102; 61 M/41F) examined whether cigarette and cannabis use changed over the trial and whether changes in their use were associated with the observed reductions in alcohol consumption.
Results: Individuals significantly reduced their cigarette use over the trial (P = .002). Cannabis use significantly decreased during the early phase of the trial (P = .006) and subsequently increased during the remainder of the trial (P = .03). Changes in cigarette use and cannabis use were not significantly associated with changes in the primary drinking outcome, percent heavy drinking day (Ps ≥ .22). However, changes in the secondary drinking outcome, drinks per drinking day (DPDD), were positively associated with changes in cigarette use across the trial and negatively associated with changes in cannabis use during the early phase of the trial (Ps < .05).
Conclusion: Individuals enrolled in an RCT for AUD were able to reduce their cigarette and cannabis use without being prompted to, and these changes were significantly associated with changes in DPDD. These findings emphasize the importance of evaluating co-occurring substance use in AUD clinical trials, given that significant changes in cigarette and cannabis use behaviors may occur even when not directly targeted.
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