Shared Medical Appointment: A Novel Model for Incorporating Group Visits Into Residency Training for Substance Use Disorders.

Background: Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are a novel modality for treating patients with similar conditions, together, by a team of interdisciplinary providers. SMAs benefit patients with substance use disorder (SUD), but no research has focused on the feasibility of implementation of SMAs in a teaching clinic.

Methods: Primary care residents rotated in a half-day ambulatory addiction clinic for 4 weeks where a third-year resident co-facilitated 4 SMAs.

Cannabis use among youth who vape nicotine E-cigarettes: A qualitative analysis.

Background: Nicotine vaping and cannabis use are common among youth. Among youth who use e-cigarettes, little is known about how and why they use cannabis and patterns of cannabis and nicotine co-use. Given the popularity of both products among youth, the study aim is to utilize qualitative data to better understand cannabis use among youth who use e-cigarettes.

Saracatinib Fails to Reduce Alcohol-Seeking and Consumption in Mice and Human Participants.

More effective treatments to reduce pathological alcohol drinking are needed. The glutamatergic system and the NMDA receptor (NMDAR), in particular, are implicated in behavioral and molecular consequences of chronic alcohol use, making the NMDAR a promising target for novel pharmacotherapeutics. Ethanol exposure upregulates Fyn, a protein tyrosine kinase that indirectly modulates NMDAR signaling by phosphorylating the NR2B subunit.

Informing the development of adolescent e-cigarette cessation interventions: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Adolescents are using e-cigarettes at high rates and there is limited information on how to help them quit. We aimed to inform e-cigarette cessation interventions by understanding why adolescents use and dislike e-cigarettes and their quit experiences.

Methods: Six focus groups with current users (i.

E-cigarette devices used on school grounds.

Introduction: Preliminary evidence suggests adolescents use e-cigarettes in school. However, little is known about the types of devices that are used in schools, where they are used, and who uses them. Knowledge about these issues is critical to inform school regulations.

Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders in a Specialized Primary Care Practice: A Randomized Feasibility Trial to Address the RT Component of SBIRT.

Objectives: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) has demonstrated efficacy for addressing unhealthy alcohol use in primary care, yet recent research indicates weaker efficacy for drug use as well as very limited success in referral to specialty care for patients with substance use disorder (SUD). Technology-based interventions for SUD delivered in primary care settings are a potential strategy of efficiently delivering treatment to those who need it.

Methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial evaluating feasibility, satisfaction, and substance use outcomes for 58 individuals with SUD.

Influence of menthol and green apple e-liquids containing different nicotine concentrations among youth e-cigarette users.

E-cigarettes are popular among adolescents. Given that flavors enhance e-cigarette appeal, this study examined the influence of flavors on nicotine in e-cigarettes. Youth e-cigarette users (average 26.

High school students' use of flavored e-cigarette e-liquids for appetite control and weight loss.

Background: Although weight-related reasons for smoking and vaping have been examined in adults, research in adolescents is lacking. Thus, we examined the prevalence and correlates of using flavored e-liquids for appetite control or weight loss in high school adolescents.

Methods: The analytic sample included 529 students who completed a school-based survey in Connecticut in Spring 2017 (50.

Nicotine Use Disorders in Adolescents.

Rates of certain tobacco products have decreased over the past decade, but nicotine use disorder is still prevalent among adolescents. New trends in tobacco use, such as in the use of electronic cigarettes, are creating alarm. This article reviews nicotine addiction and measurement in adolescents, along with potential health risks and comorbidities.

Influence of combined treatment with naltrexone and memantine on alcohol drinking behaviors: a phase II randomized crossover trial.

Glutamate and opioid systems play important roles in alcohol drinking behaviors. We examined if combined treatment with the NMDA antagonist memantine and the opioid antagonist naltrexone, when compared with naltrexone alone, would have a greater influence on alcohol drinking behaviors. Fifty-six, non-treatment-seeking heavy drinkers, with alcohol dependence and a positive family history (FHP) of alcoholism, participated in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial, including two 6-8 days treatment periods, separated by a 6-day washout, and 3 alcohol drinking paradigm (ADP) sessions.

Adolescents' awareness of the nicotine strength and e-cigarette status of JUUL e-cigarettes.

Background: JUUL e-cigarettes are popular among youth. However, it is unknown whether adolescents understand that 5% JUUL pods contain a high nicotine concentration or consider JUULs to be e-cigarettes.

Method: 3170 students from 4 Connecticut high schools completed a school-based survey (May-October 2018).

Systematic review of cigars, cigarillos, and little cigars among adolescents: Setting research agenda to inform tobacco control policy.

Introduction: We conducted a systematic review of the literature on cigar research on youth to identify potential future research agenda to generate evidence to inform cigar regulations to prevent cigar use among youth.

Methods: We searched articles on Medline, EMBASE, and PsycINFO in April 2017 to identify articles relevant to cigars and adolescents. Two independent coders examined 48 articles to determine eligibility: (1) published between 2000-April 2017; (2) published in English; (3) conducted in the United States; (4) published in a peer-review journal; (5) examined cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars; (6) included youth (12-18 years old); and (7) included empirical data.

Youth generated prevention messages about electronic cigarettes.

Rates of e-cigarette use are high among youth, and there is little known about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes. Since peer influence is a powerful determinant of tobacco use, we aimed to identify message themes about e-cigarettes that youth would use to encourage or discourage peers from using e-cigarettes. We conducted 10 focus groups (N = 69) with non-smokers and smokers from one middle school, high school and college in Connecticut.

E-cigarette devices used by high-school youth.

Background E-cigarette use rates are high among youth, but there is limited information on the types of e-cigarette devices that are used by youth. Methods During Spring 2017, students from 4 high schools completed surveys on use of e-cigarette devices (cig-a-like, vape/hookah pen, modified devices or mods, and JUUL). Among youth who endorsed ever (lifetime) use of an e-cigarette and of at least one device (n = 875), we assessed 1) prevalence rates of ever and current (past-month) use of each device, 2) use of nicotine in each device, and 3) predictors [age, sex, race, socioeconomic status (SES), other tobacco use] of ever use of each device and of use of single versus multiple devices.

Querying About the Use of Specific E-Cigarette Devices May Enhance Accurate Measurement of E-Cigarette Prevalence Rates Among High School Students.

Introduction: Prevalence estimates of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use may underestimate actual use in youth. Confusion resulting from the fact that a multitude of devices (eg, vape pens, JUULs) fall under the umbrella term "e-cigarettes," the use of different names to refer to e-cigarettes (eg, vapes, electronic vaping devices), and the use of different terminology to refer to e-cigarette use (eg, "vaping," "JUULing"), may lead some young e-cigarette users to incorrectly indicate nonuse. Therefore, we compared rates of endorsing lifetime e-cigarette use when adolescents were asked about lifetime e-cigarette use in two different ways.

Correction: Preferring more e-cigarette flavors is associated with e-cigarette use frequency among adolescents but not adults.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Blunt Use among Adolescents and Young Adults: Informing Cigar Regulations.

Objectives: We used focus groups to understand cigar product features that increase the appeal of blunts (hollowed out cigars filled with marijuana) among adolescents and young adults.

Methods: With a standardized focus group guide, we assessed cigar use behaviors and perceptions among lifetime cigar users (N = 47; 8 focus groups separated by sex and age group [adolescents, young adults]) in 2016. We analyzed data related to blunts.

Socioeconomic status and adolescent e-cigarette use: The mediating role of e-cigarette advertisement exposure.

Among adolescents, low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with greater exposure to tobacco cigarette advertising and cigarette use. However, associations among SES, e-cigarette advertising and e-cigarette use are not well understood. This study examined exposure to e-cigarette advertisements as a mediator of the relationship between SES and adolescent e-cigarette use.

Addressing discordant quantitative urine buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine levels: Case examples in opioid use disorder.

Introduction: Urine adulteration is a concern among patients treated for opioid use disorder. Quantitative urine testing for buprenorphine (B) and norbuprenorphine (NB), and the appropriate interpretation of B and NB levels, can facilitate constructive conversations with patients that may lead to modifications in the treatment plan, and strengthening of the patient-provider relationship.

Case Summary: Three cases are presented in which discordant urine B and NB levels were recognized.

Preferring more e-cigarette flavors is associated with e-cigarette use frequency among adolescents but not adults.

Introduction: Many e-cigarette users find the variety of e-cigarette flavors appealing. We examined whether preferences for e-liquid flavors and the total number of flavors preferred differed between samples of adolescent and adult e-cigarette users. We also examined whether these preferences were associated with e-cigarette use frequency for adolescents or adults, respectively.

Trajectories of E-Cigarette and Conventional Cigarette Use Among Youth.

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is common among youth, and there are concerns that e-cigarette use leads to future conventional cigarette use. We examined longitudinal associations between past-month cigarette and e-cigarette use to characterize the stability and directionality of these tobacco use trajectories over time.

Methods: High school students ( = 808, 53% female) completed surveys across 3 waves (2013, 2014, and 2015) in 3 public schools in Connecticut.

Reasons for Cigarillo Initiation and Cigarillo Manipulation Methods among Adolescents.

Objective: To understand reasons for cigarillo initiation and cigarillo manipulation methods among adolescents.

Methods: We conducted surveys in 8 Connecticut high schools to assess reasons for trying a cigarillo and cigarillo manipulation methods. We used multivariable logistic regressions to assess associations with demographics and tobacco use status.

Adolescent and Young Adult Perceptions on Cigar Packaging: A Qualitative Study.

Objective: To identify the appealing components of cigar packaging among youth.

Methods: We conducted 8 focus groups among cigar users, separated by sex and age group (ie, adolescents, young adults) in Connecticut between February and July, 2016. Participants were shown cigar packages and instructed to circle aspects of the images on the packages that appealed to them independently and a group discussion followed.