A Pilot Study of Twice-Weekly Group-Based Written Exposure Therapy for Veterans in Residential Substance Use Treatment: Effects on PTSD and Depressive Symptoms.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly comorbid with substance use disorders (SUDs), resulting in high prevalence of PTSD among individuals in residential SUD care. However, there is limited research on integrating trauma treatment into residential SUD care settings. The aim of the present project was to conduct an initial evaluation of the effects of group-based Written Exposure Therapy (WET) on PTSD and depressive symptoms that was integrated into programming for individuals in residential SUD treatment.

Virtual reality mindfulness training for veterans in residential substance use treatment: Pilot study of feasibility and acceptability.

Background: Mindfulness training is effective in recovery from substance use disorders; however, adoption can be difficult due to environmental and personal distractions. Virtual reality (VR) may help overcome these challenges by providing an immersive environment for practicing mindfulness, but there is currently limited knowledge regarding patient and provider perceptions of VR-based tools.

Objective: The present study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of VR mindfulness training for veterans in residential substance use treatment as well as potential benefits of VR mindfulness interventions in this population.

Users of cannabis-only are less likely to accept brief interventions than other substance use profiles in a sample of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Background And Objectives: Research has shown that people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) engage in increased rates of substance use, which has a number of potential negative health outcomes. Increased legalization of cannabis is likely to further increase the availability and use of cannabis in this population. Efforts have been made to integrate screening and intervention resources as part of an individual's routine healthcare visits.

Racial and demographic disparities in emergency department utilization for mental health concerns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study investigated whether emergency department (ED) visits for mental health concerns increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking a health disparities lens. ED encounters from the only academic medical center in Mississippi were extracted from March-December 2019 and 2020, totaling 2,842 pediatric (ages 4-17) and 17,887 adult (ages 18-89) patients. Visits were coded based on primary ED diagnosis.