The Role of Shame in the Relationship between Alcohol Use Severity and Relational Intimacy among Sexual Minority Women.

: Sexual Minority Women (SMW) are disproportionately likely to struggle with substance use and shame, two factors that are associated with poorer relationship quality and decreased relational intimacy (Doyle & Molix, 2015). However, there is a dearth of research examining shame and substance use concurrently among SMW. The current study elucidated the role of shame-based cognitions (SBCs) and shame-based behaviors (SBBs) in explaining the relationship between alcohol use severity and relational intimacy.

Substance Use Disorders in Women.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is among the leading causes of premature morbidity and mortality and imposes significant health, economic, and social burdens. Gender differences have been found in the development, course, and treatment of SUD, with women at increased risk for physiologic and psychosocial consequences compared with men. Reasons for these differences are multifold and include biological, genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors.

Psychologists' and psychotherapists' knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices regarding the therapeutic use of psychedelics.

Introduction: This study explored the current knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices regarding psychedelics among mental health professionals in California, where state legislation to decriminalize psychedelics has been proposed.

Method: Two hundred thirty-seven mental health providers (74% female; mean age 54; 83% White; 46% psychologists) completed a 37-item online survey between November 2021 and February 2022, disseminated through local and state-wide professional organizations in California.

Results: Providers endorsed limited knowledge about the risks and benefits of psychedelic use (M = 4.

Risk for Ecstasy Use Disorder and Other Substance Use Among International Users of Recreational Ecstasy/Molly/MDMA.

Ecstasy/Molly/MDMA is a widely used substance often taken in combination with other drugs in different contexts. The current study assessed ecstasy use patterns, concurrent substance use and the context of ecstasy use among an international sample of adults ( = 1,732). Participants were 87% white, 81% male, 42% college educated, 72% employed, with a mean age of 25.

Qualitative exploration of the psychological dimensions of telehealth shared medical appointments (SMAs) for buprenorphine prescribing.

Shared medical appointments (SMAs) for buprenorphine prescribing are clinical encounters in which multiple patients with opioid problems receive treatment from providers in a group setting. Telehealth, the provision of clinical services remotely using telecommunications technology, is an essential modality for improving access to healthcare when combined with SMAs, especially since the COVID pandemic. The current study specifically examined psychological components of telehealth SMAs for buprenorphine prescribing to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of this treatment model.

Development and initial validation of an MDMA/Ecstasy motives assessment.

Objective: MDMA/Ecstasy motives differ from those of other substances such as alcohol, cannabis, and methamphetamine. Previous literature on alcohol and cannabis use identified social, expansion, enhancement, coping, and conformism as primary motives for use. MDMA/Ecstasy users also report using the drug for increases in self-awareness and energy.

A systematic review of stigma interventions for providers who treat patients with substance use disorders.

Background: Stigma surrounding substance use disorders (SUDs) is a frequently cited barrier to treatment engagement. Research consistently demonstrates that healthcare professionals' attitudes towards patients with addiction problems are often negative and may adversely impact service delivery. The current study presents a systematic review of stigma interventions for providers who treat patients with SUDs, in order to evaluate the quality of existing studies and potential for implementation in clinical settings.

Mystical-type experiences occasioned by ketamine mediate its impact on at-risk drinking: Results from a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Sub-anesthetic ketamine administration may be helpful for substance use disorders. Converging evidence suggests that the efficacy of ketamine for certain conditions may implicate a subset of its psychoactive effects.

Aims: The aim of this analysis is to evaluate whether the mystical-type effects of ketamine are critical for clinical efficacy in alcohol-dependent individuals.

Online mutual-help intervention for reducing heavy alcohol use.

Online interventions have potential to reach a wide range of people, including heavy drinkers unable or unwilling to seek formal treatment or support groups. This study examined a self-guided alcohol Internet intervention that provides access to several different online social networks and is based on principles of harm reduction, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and relapse prevention. Active participants in the online program ( = 57) completed a survey that retrospectively assessed prior alcohol use, current alcohol use patterns, drinking goals, involvement in online activities, and use of CBT self-help tools.

Factors associated with treatment retention in pregnant women with opioid use disorders prescribed methadone or electing non-pharmacological treatment.

Opioid use during pregnancy is rising, with an estimated 14-22% of women obtaining an opioid prescription during pregnancy. Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) has been the gold standard for treatment of opioid use disorders during pregnancy; however, its use is limited in clinical practice due to availability, stigma, and reluctance on the part of clinicians. The present study compared against medical advice (AMA) treatment dropout from seven days of residential care between pregnant women diagnosed with opioid dependence who elected either MMT (n = 119) or non-pharmacological treatment (NPT) (n = 91) within the same treatment program in Baltimore, Maryland from 1996 to 1998.

Training and Practices of Cannabis Dispensary Staff.

The proliferation of cannabis dispensaries within the United States has emerged from patient demand for the legalization of cannabis as an alternative treatment for a number of conditions and symptoms. Unfortunately, nothing is known about the practices of dispensary staff with respect to recommendation of cannabis strains/concentrations for specific patient ailments. To address this limitation, the present study assessed the training and practices of cannabis dispensary staff.

Utilizing a transdiagnostic neuroscience-informed approach to differentiate the components of a complex clinical presentation: A case report.

Background: Recent research recognizes considerable overlap in the clinical presentation of psychiatric disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder. The diagnostic approach collects symptoms to reflect a single underlying psychopathological process. The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) emphasizes psychopathology as arising from combinations of abnormalities in core underlying constructs that can be measured at many levels of analysis, from biological to behavioral.

Gender confirming medical interventions and eating disorder symptoms among transgender individuals.

Objective: Studies indicate that transgender individuals may be at risk of developing eating disorder symptoms (EDS). Elevated risk may be attributed to body dissatisfaction and/or societal reactions to nonconforming gender expression, such as nonaffirmation of a person's gender identity (e.g.

Cannabis use patterns and motives: A comparison of younger, middle-aged, and older medical cannabis dispensary patients.

Introduction: Medical cannabis is increasingly being used for a variety of health conditions as more states implement legislation permitting medical use of cannabis. Little is known about medical cannabis use patterns and motives among adults across the lifespan.

Methods: The present study examined data collected at a medical cannabis dispensary in San Francisco, California.

Developing a clinical translational neuroscience taxonomy for anxiety and mood disorder: protocol for the baseline-follow up Research domain criteria Anxiety and Depression ("RAD") project.

Background: Understanding how brain circuit dysfunctions relate to specific symptoms offers promise for developing a brain-based taxonomy for classifying psychopathology, identifying targets for mechanistic studies and ultimately for guiding treatment choice. The goal of the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative of the National Institute of Mental Health is to accelerate the development of such neurobiological models of mental disorder independent of traditional diagnostic criteria. In our RDoC Anxiety and Depression ("RAD") project we focus trans-diagnostically on the spectrum of depression and anxiety psychopathology.

Assessment of provider attitudes toward #naloxone on Twitter.

Background: As opioid overdose rates continue to pose a major public health crisis, the need for naloxone treatment by emergency first responders is critical. Little is known about the views of those who administer naloxone. The current study examines attitudes of health professionals on the social media platform Twitter to better understand their perceptions of opioid users, the role of naloxone, and potential training needs.

Evidence-based supervision: Tracking outcome and teaching principles of change in clinical supervision to bring science to integrative practice.

Supervision is the primary way in which psychotherapy trainees develop the skills of applying interventions, conceptualizing cases, and practicing self-reflection. Although critical to professional development, the nature and objectives of supervision can vary widely among supervisors, depending on idiosyncratic differences and the orientation used. As clinical psychology moves toward integrating science and practice, the need to teach students evidence-based principles of therapeutic change and how to use outcome measures to enhance progress is paramount.

Substance abuse treatment services for pregnant women: psychosocial and behavioral approaches.

Women who use tobacco, alcohol and drugs during pregnancy are at increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity. Universal screening using empirically validated approaches can improve identification of substance-using pregnant women and facilitate comprehensive assessment of treatment needs. There is strong evidence for effectiveness of psychosocial and behavioral substance abuse treatments across a range of intensities and levels of care.

Directly administered antiretroviral therapy: pilot study of a structural intervention in methadone maintenance.

Devising interventions to provide integrated treatment for addiction and medical problems is an urgent issue. This study piloted a structural intervention, Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy (DAART), to assist methadone-maintenance patients in HIV medication adherence. Twenty-four participants received: (1) antiretroviral medications at the methadone clinic daily before receiving their methadone; (2) take-home antiretroviral medication for days they were not scheduled to attend the methadone clinic, and (3) brief adherence counseling to address adherence barriers.

Cigarette smoking among opioid-dependent clients in a therapeutic community.

This study examines smoking behavior in a sample of 231 opioid-dependent clients entering therapeutic community treatment, and investigates the relationship between smoking behavior and drug treatment outcomes. We applied regression analyses for selected Addiction Severity Index composites (alcohol, drug, medical, psychiatric), including factors for smoking (number of cigarettes per day, expired-air carbon monoxide level, nicotine dependence), time (baseline, 6 and 12-month), and smoking-by-time interaction. This study confirmed a high smoking prevalence (95%) among opioid users.

Effect of incentives for medication adherence on health care use and costs in methadone patients with HIV.

Background: The potential benefits of anti-retroviral therapy for HIV is not fully realized because of difficulties in adherence with demanding treatment regimens, especially among injection drug users.

Methods: HIV-positive methadone patients who were less than 80% adherent with their primary anti-retroviral therapy were randomized to a trial of incentives for on-time adherence. Adherence was rewarded with an escalating scale of vouchers redeemable for goods.

Adoption of evidence-based practices among substance abuse treatment providers.

This research was conducted at a Substance Abuse Forum designed to address local community needs by focusing on Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) in addiction treatment. The purpose of the study was to assess substance abuse treatment professionals' readiness to adopt EBPs, experience with EBPs, and attitudes toward EBPs, as well as agency support for EBPs. A total of 119 addiction treatment providers completed pre-test measures, and 82% completed a post-test.

Behavioral strategies to improve treatment participation and retention by pregnant drug-dependent women.

The present study examined the utility of behavioral incentives for improving early treatment participation and retention in a sample of 91 pregnant opiate and/or cocaine dependent women enrolled in an urban, university-based drug user treatment program between 1996 and 1997. An escalating voucher incentive system was compared to standard care. The relationship between treatment participation and retention and maternal and infant outcomes were examined using logistic regression, chi-square analyses, and t-tests.

Outcomes in a Sample of Opiod-Dependent Clients Treated Under California's Proposition 36.

This study evaluated treatment outcomes for the reduction of criminal justice involvement and substance use among opioid dependent clients in a therapeutic community setting under California's Proposition 36. We compared treatment outcomes between those mandated to treatment under Proposition 36 (n = 24) and those on probation but not involved in Proposition 36 (n = 61) over 12 months. Over time, both groups showed significant improvement on drug use and employment measures, were more likely to be involved in job training and less likely to be engaged in work activity, and had similar retention in treatment.