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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July 2023

Cannabis use in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Lifetime cannabis use prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa appears to be about 12% for adults and just under 8% for adolescents.

Link to Abstract

The efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioral program added to treatment-as-usual for alcohol-dependent patients in primary care: a randomized controlled trial

There may be benefit to adding an internet-based cognitive behavioural program to treatment as usual to reduce alcohol consumption.

Link to Abstract

Within-person associations between psychological and contextual factors and lapse incidence in smokers attempting to quit: A systematic review and meta-analysis of ecological momentary assessment studies

In smokers attempting to stop, environmental and social cues and cravings appear to be key within-person antecedents of smoking lapse incidence.

Link to Abstract

Disparities in the receipt of alcohol brief intervention: The intersectionality of sex, age, and race/ethnicity

US women appear to have lower odds than men of receiving brief intervention for unhealthy alcohol use

Link to Abstract

Peer- and web-based interventions for risky drinking among US National Guard members: Mission Strong randomized controlled trial

A web-based brief intervention for alcohol misuse, with web- or peer-based boosters, reduced binge alcohol use among Army National Guard members.

Link to Abstract

The acute effects of cannabis with and without cannabidiol in adults and adolescents: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover experiment

Adolescent cannabis users are neither more resilient nor more vulnerable than adult users to the acute effects of the drug.

Link to Abstract

Associations of recreational cannabis dispensaries’ availability, storefront signage and health benefit signs with cannabis use: findings from a representative adult sample in California, United States

The availability of recreational cannabis dispensaries within 2 miles of one’s home may be associated with increased cannabis use and reduced risk perceptions among adults in California, USA.

Link to Abstract

Risk of readmission among individuals with cannabis use disorder during a 15-year cohort study: the impact of socio-economic factors and psychiatric comorbidity

In Sweden, the risk of readmission for CUD appears highest among those with low education, psychotic disorders, mood-related disorders, or personality disorders.

Link to Abstract

A gender-based secondary analysis of the ADAPT-2 combination naltrexone and bupropion treatment for methamphetamine use disorder trial

Women with methamphetamine use disorder receiving combined intramuscular naltrexone and oral bupropion treatment achieve greater treatment response than placebo.

Link to Abstract

Repurposing ketamine to treat cocaine use disorder: integration of artificial intelligence-based prediction, expert evaluation, clinical corroboration and mechanism of action analyses

Ketamine appears to be a potential repurposed drug for treatment of cocaine use disorder.

Link to Abstract

How do patients feel during the first 72 h after initiating long-acting injectable buprenorphine? An embodied qualitative analysis

During the 72 hours after initiating long-acting injectable buprenorphine, new patients report experiencing a range of interconnected positive and negative short-term effects.

Link to Abstract

Casino accessibility and suicide: A county-level study of 50 US states, 2000 to 2016

Casino density is positively associated with suicide mortality in the US.

Link to Abstract

Improved health-related quality of life after hepatitis C viraemic clearance among people who inject drugs may not be durable

Successful treatment for hepatitis C infection may not lead to a durable improvement in quality of life among PWID.

Link to Abstract

Understanding perceived addiction to and addictiveness of electronic cigarettes among electronic cigarette users: a cross-sectional analysis of the International Tobacco Control Smoking and Vaping (ITC 4CV) England Survey

Markers of addiction to e-cigarettes appear to correspond with perceived addiction to e-cigarettes.

Link to Abstract

Incremental expenditures attributable to daily dispensation and witnessed ingestion for opioid agonist treatment in British Columbia: 2014–20

Daily witnessed OAT ingestion results in over $30 million in excess expenditures annually in the province of British Columbia, Canada compared with weekly or biweekly schedules.

Link to Abstract

Poisonings from hydrocarbon inhalant misuse in Australia

Although death and cardiac arrest are uncommon among Australians who misuse hydrocarbons for recreational use, they tend to occur in adolescents.

Link to Abstract