Utilization of biomarkers for alcohol use in candidates for liver transplantation with alcohol-associated liver disease.

Although a set period of abstinence is no longer a requirement for transplant consideration in many liver transplantation programs, it is imperative to use valid monitoring tools to detect ongoing alcohol use in candidates for transplant. Urinary ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is an objective measure of alcohol use. This single-center retrospective study aims to describe the psychosocial characteristics of patients with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) who provided positive EtG tests in the pretransplant phase.

The trajectory of substance use disorder among people formerly in foster care: A survival analysis.

Background: Substance use disorder (SUD) represents a significant public health challenge, especially among individuals who have faced early life adversities. Foster care aims to provide a supportive environment for children; however, the relationship between a history of foster care and SUD development remains unclear.

Aims: This study aims to examine the likelihood of developing SUD among individuals with a history of foster care, who have used substances during their lifetime, compared to those raised by biological parents.

Cannabis use disorder: from neurobiology to treatment.

Cannabis has been legalized for medical and recreational purposes in multiple countries. A large number of people are using cannabis and some will develop cannabis use disorder (CUD). There is a growing recognition that CUD requires specific interventions.

"Like the Wild West": Health care provider perspectives on impacts of recreational cannabis legalization on patients and providers at a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Ontario, Canada.

Introduction: Legalization has increased cannabis availability in Canada. Research shows complex relationships between cannabis use and mental health, and a need for health care providers to engage with patients about cannabis use. Providers have noted gaps in knowledge and research on the medical effects of cannabis as barriers to service delivery.

Opioid agonist treatment outcomes among individuals with a history of nonfatal overdose: Findings from a pragmatic, pan-Canadian, randomized control trial.

Background And Objectives: History of nonfatal overdose (NFO) is common among people who use opioids, but little is known about opioid agonist treatment (OAT) outcomes for this high-risk subpopulation. The objective of this study was to investigate the relative effectiveness of buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone on retention and suppression of opioid use among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and history of NFO.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a pan-Canadian pragmatic trial comparing flexible take-home buprenorphine/naloxone and supervised methadone for people with OUD and history of NFO.

Feasibility and effectiveness of extended-release buprenorphine (XR-BUP) among correctional populations: a systematic review.

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) reduce risks for overdose among correctional populations. Among other barriers, daily dosing requirements hinder treatment continuity post-release. Extended-release buprenorphine (XR-BUP) may therefore be beneficial.

Acute Cannabis Administration Transiently Reduces Mitochondrial DNA in Young Adults: Findings from a Secondary Analysis of a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Cannabis is one of the world's most commonly used substances; however, many questions remain unanswered as to how cannabis impacts the body. Recently, there has been a resurgence of research into the effects of plant-derived cannabinoids on mitochondrial health. In particular, a number of studies implicate mitochondrial-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) interactions with altered memory, metabolism, and catalepsy in mice.

Impact of baseline methamphetamine/amphetamine use on discontinuation of methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone among people with prescription-type opioid use disorder in Canada.

Background And Objectives: Although concurrent stimulant use is common among people with opioid use disorder (OUD), there is little evidence on its impacts on opioid agonist therapy (OAT) outcomes. This study sought to determine the impact of baseline methamphetamine/amphetamine use on discontinuation of OAT among individuals with prescription-type OUD (POUD) initiating methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone as part of a pragmatic randomized trial in Canada.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a pan-Canadian pragmatic trial conducted between 2017 and 2020 comparing supervised methadone versus flexible take-home dosing buprenorphine/naloxone models of care.

Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Substance Use Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial Including Quantitative and Qualitative Health and Economic Outcomes: Formation informatisée pour la thérapie cognitivo-comportementale pour les troubles liés à l'usage de substances : un essai randomisé contrôlé y compris les résultats quantitatifs et qualitatifs en matière de santé et d'économie.

Objectives: Heavy alcohol and drug use is reported by a substantial number of Canadians; yet, only a minority of those experiencing substance use difficulties access specialized services. Computer-Based Training for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT4CBT) offers a low-cost method to deliver accessible and high-quality CBT for substance use difficulties. To date, CBT4CBT has primarily been evaluated in terms of quantitative outcomes within substance use disorder (SUD) samples in the United States.

Neuromodulation for Cannabis Use: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review explores the use of neuromodulation techniques in individuals with cannabis use. Our goal was to determine whether cannabis use alters cortical excitation and inhibition in the context of neuromodulation and to determine whether neuromodulation affects craving and cannabis use patterns. A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, OVID Medline, and PsycINFO from inception to 20 December 2022.

Cannabis Use Characteristics Associated with Self-Reported Cognitive Function in a Nationally Representative U.S. sample.

Background: With increases in cannabis use and potency, there is a need to improve our understanding of the impact of use on cognitive function. Previous research indicates long-term cannabis use may have a negative effect on executive function. Few studies have examined persistence of it in protracted abstinence, and there is limited evidence of predictors of worse cognitive function in current and former users.

Impact of Depressive Symptom Severity on Buprenorphine/Naloxone and Methadone Outcomes in People With Prescription-Type Opioid Use Disorder: Results From a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of depressive symptom severity on opioid use and treatment retention in individuals with prescription-type opioid use disorder (POUD).

Method: We analyzed data from a multi-centric, pragmatic, open-label, randomized controlled trial comparing buprenorphine/naloxone to methadone models of care in 272 individuals with POUD. Opioid use was self-reported every two weeks for 24 weeks using the Timeline Followback.

Mediating effect of craving on the impact of buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone treatment on opioid use: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The relationship between opioid craving and opioid use is unclear. We sought to determine to what extent craving mediated the relationship between opioid agonist therapy and changes in opioid use.

Methods: Data came from a pragmatic, 24-week, pan-Canadian, multi-centric, open-label, randomized controlled trial comparing flexible buprenorphine/naloxone take-home doses to standard supervised methadone models of care for the treatment of prescription-type opioid use disorder.

Expectancies of the Effects of Cannabis Use in Individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).

Previous research has indicated that anticipating positive effects from cannabis use may be linked with increased frequency of cannabis consumption, yet these expectancies remain poorly understood in adults with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Thus, our study aimed to investigate the expectancies of the effects of cannabis use in 26 frequently using adults with SAD (age: 27.9 ± 7.

Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection risk reduction with methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone among people with prescription-type opioid use disorder: Findings from a Canadian pragmatic randomized trial.

Introduction: People who use drugs are disproportionally affected by sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs). While the benefits of methadone in reducing injecting-risk behaviours are well documented, less is known on its impacts on sexual-related risks, as well as its comparative effectiveness to buprenorphine/naloxone, particularly in the context of highly potent opioids. The aim of this study was to estimate the relative effects of buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone on injecting and STBBI risks among people with prescription-type opioid use disorder (POUD).

Participant Fraud in Virtual Qualitative Substance Use Research: Recommendations and Considerations for Detection and Prevention Based on a Case Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated and amplified the use of virtual research methods. While online research has several advantages, it also provides greater opportunity for individuals to misrepresent their identities to fraudulently participate in research for financial gain. Participant deception and fraud have become a growing concern for virtual research.

Perceptions, Experiences, and Patterns of Cannabis Use in Individuals with Mood and Anxiety Disorders in the Context of Cannabis Legalization and Medical Cannabis Program in Canada - A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: Perceptions of cannabis as a potential medical treatment for mood and anxiety disorders have been increasing in the context of legalizations, availability, and medical cannabis programs, though current evidence predominately indicates risks and negative effects of cannabis use (CU) on mental health outcomes. This study aims to understand motivations, perceptions, effects, and patterns of CU in individuals with mood and anxiety disorders.

Methods: Thirty-six adult patients diagnosed with mood or anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder who were currently using cannabis completed an in-depth qualitative interview on individual motivations, perceptions, experiences, effects, and patterns of their CU.