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. 


Search key findings View Previous Lists


November 2022

Meta-analysis of associations between empathy and alcohol use and problems in clinical and non-clinical samples

People with alcohol use disorder have lower empathy than healthy controls

Link to Abstract

Non-invasive brain stimulation for smoking cessation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Non-invasive brain stimulation may improve smoking abstinence rates 3 to 6 months after quitting

Link to Abstract

Validating transdermal alcohol biosensors: a meta-analysis of associations between blood/breath-based measures and transdermal alcohol sensor output

Transdermal alcohol sensors perform strongly in assessing BAC under controlled conditions.

Link to Abstract

Behavioral economics indices predict alcohol use and consequences in young men at 4-year follow-up

The alcohol purchase task demand curve measures of alcohol reward value may predict alcohol outcomes in young men 4 years later

Link to Abstract

Association of topiramate prescribed for any indication with reduced alcohol consumption in electronic health record data

Among individuals with no history of AUD, topiramate may be associated with slightly reduced drinking.

Link to Abstract

Alcohol use in the year following approach bias modification during inpatient withdrawal: secondary outcomes from a double-blind, multi-site randomized controlled trial

Approach bias modification training during inpatient withdrawal treatment increases rates of alcohol abstinence for at least 3 months post-discharge

Link to Abstract

Are North Carolina clinicians delivering opioid use disorder treatment to Medicaid beneficiaries?

Most North Carolina clinicians authorised to prescribe buprenorphine have Medicaid patients but only 30 – 52% prescribe medications for OUD to them.

Link to Abstract

Association of opioid use disorder with healthcare utilization and cost in a public health system

Healthcare costs among people with OUD in Israel’s public health system are substantially higher than among controls

Link to Abstract

Trends in hospital presentations following analytically confirmed synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist exposure before and after implementation of the 2016 UK Psychoactive Substances Act

No evidence of trends in synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist exposures before or after the UK Psychoactive Substances Act

Link to Abstract

High rates of resumption of injecting drug use following release from prison among men who injected drugs before imprisonment

It’s common for Australian men who inject drugs before imprisonment to resume injecting after their release

Link to Abstract

Investigating the cost-effectiveness of three cessation interventions on a national scale using the Economics of Smoking in Pregnancy (ESIP) decision analytical model

For pregnant women who smoke, adding an abstinent-contingent financial incentives scheme to the UK NHS appears cost-effective

Link to Abstract

E-cigarette use and conventional cigarette smoking among European students: findings from the 2019 ESPAD survey

E-cigarette use among European adolescents is associated with weaker tobacco control measures

Link to Abstract

Adult smokers’ discussions about vaping with health professionals and subsequent behavior change: a cohort study

In Australia, Canada, England, and the US, health professionals’ discussions with smokers about nicotine vaping products appear to be infrequent.

Link to Abstract

Risk of non-fatal suicide attempt in individuals with substance use disorder: the roles of aggregate genetic liability and environmental exposures in a Swedish population-based cohort

Genetic and socioeconomic factors and childhood environmental experiences increase risk for suicide attempts among people with SUDs

Link to Abstract

Definition matters: assessment of tolerance to the effects of alcohol in a prospective cohort study of emerging adults

Initial drink and percentage change thresholds improve the efficacy of change-based tolerance for disgnosing new onset AUD among young adults.

Link to Abstract

Does recreational cannabis legalization change cannabis use patterns? Evidence from secondary school students in Uruguay

The legalization of recreational cannabis in Uruguay was not associated with overall increases in cannabis use among young people.

Link to Abstract

Predicting severe alcohol use disorders in primary care using number of heavy drinking days

Five or more heavy drinking days in a 3-month period may indicate heightened risk of future severe alcohol use disorder

Link to Abstract

Does acute alcohol consumption increase risk-taking while gambling? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Acute alcohol consumption appears to have no reliable effect on risk-taking while gambling

Link to Abstract