Key Findings

This is a quick summary of the main discovery for each research paper we have published, organized issue by issue. Each key finding is below the article title, with a link to the abstract. 


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February 2022

Effect of extended-release naltrexone on alcohol consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Extended-release naltrexone reduces drinking days and heavy drinking days per month compared with placebo.

Link to Abstract

Predictors of recruitment and retention in randomized controlled trials of behavioural smoking cessation interventions: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis

Recruitment/retention rates for behavioural stop-smoking interventions appear to be higher for person-to-person rather than at-a-distance interventions.

Link to Abstract

Weeding out the truth: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the transition from cannabis use to opioid use and opioid use disorders, abuse or dependence

There is low-quality evidence that people who use cannabis are more likely to initiate opioid use and engage in problematic patterns of use.

Link to Abstract

Alcohol intake and total mortality in 142 960 individuals from the MORGAM Project: a population-based study

Compared with lifetime abstainers, drinking <1 drink per day is associated with reduced risk of mortality except cancer; drinking >2 drinks per day is associated with increased risk of mortality.

Link to Abstract

Longitudinal prediction of periconception alcohol use: a 20-year prospective cohort study across adolescence, young adulthood and pregnancy

Women who engage in risky drinking as adolescents and young adults are more likely to report risky drinking in early pregnancy, prior to pregnancy recognition.

Link to Abstract

Changes in drinking days among United States adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Between March and mid-July 2020, adults in the US reported increases in the number of drinking days.

Link to Abstract

Association of alcohol use disorder on alcohol-related cancers, diabetes, ischemic heart disease and death: a population-based, matched cohort study

People with AUD have higher rates of adverse health outcomes in the year before AUD recognition, and death at the time of AUD recognition, than matched controls.

Link to Abstract

Does receiving an eating disorder diagnosis increase the risk of a subsequent alcohol use disorder? A Danish nationwide register-based cohort study

People with eating disorders appear to have an increased risk of alcohol use disorder diagnosis.

Link to Abstract

Treatment of opioid dependence with depot buprenorphine (CAM2038) in custodial settings

Depot buprenorphine in custodial settings showed retention and outcomes comparable to community settings.

Link to Abstract

An intensive model of care for hepatitis C virus screening and treatment with direct-acting antivirals in people who inject drugs in Nairobi, Kenya: a model-based cost-effectiveness analysis

Current screening and treatment for HCV among PWID in Nairobi is likely to be highly cost-effective with currently available cheaper drug prices

Link to Abstract

Risky decision-making as an antecedent or consequence of adolescent cannabis use: findings from a 2-year longitudinal study

Poor decision-making seems to be neither a consequence of nor a risk factor for escalating cannabis use or onset of CUD among adolescents.

Link to Abstract

Prenatal cannabis use disorders and offspring primary and secondary educational outcomes

Socioeconomic status appears to confound the association between prenatal cannabis use disorder and poor educational performance in offspring.

Link to Abstract

Opioid treatment program and community pharmacy collaboration for methadone maintenance treatment: results from a feasibility clinical trial

A feasibility trial found pharmacy administration and dispensing of physician-prescribed methadone to be feasible and acceptable.

Link to Abstract

Jail and overdose: assessing the community impact of incarceration on overdose

There appears to be an association between increased risk of fatal overdose and both syringe-related arrests and repeat jail bookings.

Link to Abstract

Associations between naloxone prescribing and opioid overdose among patients with acute and chronic pain conditions

Receipt of naloxone prescription may be associated with increased risk of subsequent opioid overdose among patients with acute and chronic pain.

Link to Abstract

Addicted to smoking or addicted to nicotine? A focus group study on perceptions of nicotine and addiction among US adult current smokers, former smokers, non-smokers and dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes

Perceptions of nicotine and addiction among nonsmokers, former smokers, exclusive smokers and dual cigarettes/e-cigarettes users vary based on smoking status.

Link to Abstract

Adolescent electronic cigarette use and tobacco smoking in the Millennium Cohort Study

E-cigarette use by age 14 is associated with increased odds of smoking initiation and frequent smoking at age 17.

Link to Abstract