How are pro- and anti-cannabis messaging exposures related to US young adult cannabis use-related factors?

Given the diverse sources of cannabis messaging and potential differential effects, this study examined pro- and anti-cannabis messaging exposure overall and via specific channels in relation to cannabis-related perceptions (social acceptability and harm) and behaviors (use status, intentions and frequency; past-year quit attempts). Multivariable regression analyses of 2023 survey data from 4031 US young adults (Mage = 26.29, 59.

Minority stress mediates associations of sexual minority state policies and tobacco use among US sexual minority young adults.

Introduction: State policies surrounding sexual minority (SM) rights are associated with tobacco use among SM individuals. Research is scant regarding the role of distinct SM policy categories on SM young adults' (SMYAs) tobacco use and mechanisms explaining these associations.

Methods: We analyzed 2023 survey data from 1100 SMYAs (ages 18-34; 14.

Neighborhood demographics in relation to marketing and regulation-related factors among cannabis retailers in 5 US cities.

Objectives: This study assessed differences in cannabis retailer practices by neighborhood sociodemographics, which can inform disparity-relevant interventions.

Methods: Multilevel multivariable logistic regressions examined retailers' census tract demographics (percent <21 years-old; non-Hispanic White, Black, or other race, Hispanic; median household income [MHHI]) in relation to 2022 audit data regarding marketing (youth-oriented signs, health-claims, exterior ads, price specials, membership programs, delivery/pick-up) and regulatory compliance (pregnancy and health-risk warning signage, exterior minimum-age signage) among 150 randomly-selected retailers in 5 US cities/states (Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles, California).

Results: 20.

Naloxone Stigma Among People Who Use Drugs: Characteristics and Associations With Stigma Toward Medication for Opioid Use Disorder.

Objectives: Widespread naloxone distribution is key to mitigating opioid-related morbidity, but stigma remains a barrier. Naloxone stigma among providers, emergency responders, and the public is well-documented and associated with treatment and policy preferences, but little is known about naloxone stigma among people who use drugs (PWUD), who may be overdose first responders. This study examines naloxone stigma, its correlates, and its association with stigma toward medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) among PWUD.

Young Adults' Experiences with Cannabis Retailer Marketing and Related Practices: Differences Among Sociodemographic Groups and Associations with Cannabis Use-related Outcomes.

Objectives: Limited cannabis retail surveillance has been conducted, particularly assessing retailer practices in relation to consumer sociodemographic factors or use-related outcomes. This study examined young adults': exposure to promotions, health claims, warnings, and age restrictions at cannabis retailers; demographic correlates of retail exposures; and retail exposures in relation to use-related outcomes.

Study Design: This study used the cross-sectional quantitative analysis.

Afrocentric Norms and Substance Use Behaviors Among Black Young Adults.

Despite not displaying higher overall rates of substance use compared to White Americans, the social consequences of substance use disorders for Black Americans, particularly among Black American men, are more damaging. Furthermore, recent data suggest an uptick in substance use-related deaths among Black Americans, raising serious concerns about a growing health disparity that warrants the need for studies to identify factors associated with prevention. For decades, Black cultural theorists have argued that Afrocentric norms are important buffers against maladaptive behaviors in Black Americans, but the association in the context of substance use is still an emerging area.

Changes in online marketing and sales practices among non-medical cannabis retailers in 5 US cities, 2022 to 2023.

Objectives: Given the evolving cannabis marketplace (e.g., products, marketing strategies), this study examined online cannabis marketing practices over time.

Examining the Gateway Hypothesis and Mapping Substance Use Pathways on Social Media: Machine Learning Approach.

Background: Substance misuse presents significant global public health challenges. Understanding transitions between substance types and the timing of shifts to polysubstance use is vital to developing effective prevention and recovery strategies. The gateway hypothesis suggests that high-risk substance use is preceded by lower-risk substance use.

Evaluating preferences for medication formulation and treatment model among people who use opioids non-medically: A web-based cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Over the past decade, treatment for opioid use disorder has expanded to include long-acting injectable and implantable formulations of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and integrated treatment models systematically addressing both behavioral and physical health. Patient preference for these treatment options has been underexplored. Gathering data on OUD treatment preferences is critical to guide the development of patient-centered treatment for OUD.

An mHealth Intervention to Address Depression and Improve Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Youths Living With HIV in Uganda: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: People living with HIV often struggle with mental health comorbidities that lower their antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. There is growing evidence that depression treatment may improve ART adherence and result in improved HIV outcomes. Given that mental health services are severely underequipped in low-resource settings, including in Uganda, new solutions to increase access to mental health care and close the treatment gap are urgently needed.

Eating disorder symptoms and comorbid mental health risk among teens recruited to a digital intervention research study via two online approaches.

Introduction: It is crucial to identify and evaluate feasible, proactive ways to reach teens with eating disorders (EDs) who may not otherwise have access to screening or treatment. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of recruiting teens with EDs to a digital intervention study via social media and a publicly available online ED screen, and to compare the characteristics of teens recruited by each approach in an exploratory fashion.

Method: Teens aged 14-17 years old who screened positive for a clinical/subclinical ED or at risk for an ED and who were not currently in ED treatment completed a baseline survey to assess current ED symptoms, mental health comorbidities, and barriers to treatment.

Sexual Health Behaviors and Knowledge Among Ugandan Adolescent Girls: Implications for Advancing Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Technology.

Background: Adolescent girls in Uganda have four-fold HIV infections than adolescent boys. Several barriers to accessing comprehensive sexual health education exist for adolescent girls in Uganda, including unequal, social, and economic statuses, limited access to education and health care services, discrimination, and violence.

Objective: This study qualitatively examines sexual health behaviors and literacy among Ugandan adolescent girls and explores how technology may be leveraged to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes in this population.

Cannabis Retailer Communication About Cannabis Products, Health Benefits, and Risks: A Mystery Shopper Study of Licensed Retailers in Five U.S. Cities.

Objective: As the U.S. cannabis market expands, surveillance of retailer practices, especially product health claims and risks, is crucial to protect consumers.

Assessment of Online Marketing and Sales Practices Among Recreational Cannabis Retailers in Five U.S. Cities.

With more states legalizing recreational cannabis, examining cannabis retail and marketing is crucial, as it may influence consumers' perceptions and behaviors. Particularly understudied is online cannabis retail. In Spring 2022, coders collected and analyzed data regarding retailer characteristics, age verification, and marketing strategies (e.

Self-Identified Stage in Recovery and Substance-Use Behaviors among Pregnant and Postpartum Women and People with Opioid Use Disorder.

Opioid use among pregnant and postpartum women and people (PPWP) has significant health repercussions. This study explores how substance-use behaviors may vary by stage in recovery among PPWP with opioid use disorder (OUD). We recruited 29 PPWP with OUD.

Leveraging Implementation Science in the Treatment of Tobacco Use Disorder.

The tobacco use disorder field has an armamentarium of approaches to help people quit smoking: medication-based treatment for tobacco use, digital therapeutics for just-intime behavioral interventions, genetic and metabolic biomarkers to guide tobacco treatment, to name a few. Whether the treatment approach is old or new, an underlying truth remains: the benefit is only as great as the extent to which these treatment approaches reach individuals who need them most and prove effective and feasible to implement in real-world settings. Further, certain treatments tend to be used more robustly in practice, namely, those that address a great need yet are low in cost, burden, and risk of clinical harms.

Factors associated with not ready to stop using substances among adults with an unmet treatment need: findings from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health 2015-2019.

A better understanding of factors associated with not ready to stop using substances may inform provider engagement with clients who have an unmet treatment need. This study explores how treatment barriers, the number of SUD symptoms, and types of substances used are associated with not ready to stop using substances among adults with an unmet treatment need. The data came from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Examining Symptoms of Stimulant Misuse and Community Support Among Members of a Recovery-Oriented Online Community.

Misuse of prescription and non-prescription stimulants and related overdose deaths represent a growing public health crisis that warrants immediate intervention. We examined 100 posts and their respective comments from a public, recovery-oriented Reddit community in January 2021 to explore content related to DSM-V stimulant use disorder symptoms, access and barriers to recovery, and peer support. Using inductive and deductive methods, a codebook was developed with the following primary themes: 1) DSM-V Symptoms and Risk Factors, 2) Stigma/Shame, 3) Seeking Advice or Information, 4) Supportive or Unsupportive Comments.

A review of social media platform policies that address cannabis promotion, marketing and sales.

Background: Cannabis marketing exposure via social media may impact use in youth and young adults. Most states with recreational cannabis lack policies regarding social media-based marketing. Thus, we examined such policies among prominent platforms, particularly those popular among youth and young adults.

Attitudes Toward Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women and People Seeking Treatment.

Objectives: Pregnant and postpartum women and people (PPWP) who use opioids experience higher rates of morbidity, preterm labor, and stillbirth than those who do not. Although medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is the standard of treatment, utilization among PPWP has remained low because of MOUD stigma and misconceptions. The current report examined general and pregnancy-related MOUD attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy among PPWP seeking treatment.

Perceived racial discrimination and polysubstance use among racial/ethnic minority adolescents in the United States.

Objective: Polysubstance use among adolescents is a significant public health concern, yet most studies on adolescent substance use focus on a singular substance. This study is one of the first to investigate the association between perceived racial discrimination (PRD) in school and polysubstance use among racial/ethnic minority adolescents using a nationally representative sample.

Methods: Data was from the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey.

Effects of a Combination Economic Empowerment and Family Strengthening Intervention on Psychosocial Well-being Among Ugandan Adolescent Girls and Young Women: Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (Suubi4Her).

Purpose: Economic empowerment and family strengthening interventions have shown promise for improving psychosocial well-being in a range of populations. This study investigates the effect of a combination economic and family strengthening intervention on psychosocial well-being among Ugandan adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).

Methods: We harnessed data from a three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial among AGYW aged 14-17 years in 47 Ugandan secondary schools.

Using Social Media to Examine Themes Surrounding Fentanyl Misuse and Risk Indicators.

Opioid misuse is a crisis in the United States, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl pose risks for overdose and mortality. Individuals who misuse substances commonly seek information and support online due to stigma and legal concerns, and this online networking may provide insight for substance misuse prevention and treatment. We aimed to characterize topics in substance-misuse related discourse among members of an online fentanyl community.