Emerging adulthood is a transformative phase characterized by identity exploration, risk-taking, and evolving social roles. Among LGBTQ+ university students, the convergence of sexual identity development and cannabis use can intensify vulnerability to depression, anxiety, and maladaptive coping, as explained by minority stress and self-medication theories. This commentary explores the multifaceted links between stigma, substance use, and campus mental health, highlighting systemic gaps in culturally competent care. It calls for trauma-informed, inclusive, and harm-reduction approaches within higher education, supported by faculty sensitization, peer networks, and targeted interventions. Institutional commitment to equity-focused policies is essential to enhance resilience, belonging, and psychological well-being in diverse student populations.

Cannabis and tobacco co-use is a public health concern among men who have sex with men (MSM), including Black MSM. Because many Black men initiate tobacco use with cannabis, identifying predictors of cannabis use is important. This study hypothesized that Black MSM would report more cannabis and tobacco use and lower cannabis refusal self-efficacy than Black non-MSM due to stress from their multiple minority status. The study compared Black MSM and non-MSM on substance use behaviors and perceptions. Guided by minority stress theory, path analysis tested whether indirect effects of MSM status on tobacco use operated through cannabis refusal self-efficacy and cannabis use. Participants were 202 Black men ages 18-34 (108 non-MSM; 94 MSM). In the past 30 days, 68 reported tobacco use, 121 reported cannabis use, and 62 reported co-use. MSM reported more tobacco and cannabis use and lower cannabis refusal self-efficacy than non-MSM. Several indirect effects were identified, including pathways between MSM status and cannabis use through cannabis refusal self-efficacy, between cannabis refusal self-efficacy and tobacco use through cannabis use, and sequential indirect effects between MSM status and tobacco use through both mechanisms. The results suggest harm reduction strategies for Black MSM should address co-use patterns and strengthen cannabis refusal self-efficacy.

Despite the growing relevance of rural areas in the overdose crisis, research on rural people who inject drugs and their experiences with law enforcement remains limited. This research examines how rural policing and stigma uniquely shape the lives of people who inject drugs.

Due to the stigma of substance use, individuals often turn to online forums like Reddit for informational and other types of support. While information is a primary unmet need for people who use substances, little research has examined the nature of these needs. This study aimed to identify and characterize the informational and other support needs expressed in Reddit posts related to substance use.

Peer mentoring in substance use settings is increasingly recognized in the extant literature as a viable and effective approach to support those with substance use issues. However, there is little literature on the role of the peer in educational and physical exercise rehabilitation programs. The purpose of this study is to explore peer mentoring on an integrated substance use educational and fitness program called Boxing Clever.

This study investigates the net effects of positive changes in alcohol consumption-specifically, transitions from high-risk to moderate drinking-on mental health among Korean adults.

Adolescence is a crucial stage for substance abuse prevention. However, evaluations of adolescent substance abuse prevention programs often lacked a comprehensive perspective, failing to consider multiple program characteristics.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder that often persists into adulthood and is associated with an elevated risk of substance use disorders. Benzodiazepines (BDZs), frequently prescribed for anxiety and sleep-related symptoms, carry a high potential for misuse and dependence. Preliminary evidence suggests that individuals with ADHD may be particularly vulnerable to problematic BDZ use, yet this association has not been systematically reviewed or quantitatively assessed.

Substance use-including the use and co-use of alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit drugs-often emerges in adolescence. However, the longitudinal structure of polysubstance use and its social-ecological predictors are less understood. We examined (a) higher-order trajectories of polysubstance use (encompassing alcohol, cigarette, and illicit drug use) and (b) their associations with individual- and family-level factors.

Adolescent substance use remains a public health concern, particularly among youth exposed to interpersonal victimization. The COVID-19 pandemic has further disrupted social contexts, potentially intensifying disparities in substance use.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schooling for many during the middle-to-high school transition, a critical period for initiation of substance use. This study examines how reduced in-school peer exposure was associated with substance use patterns among ninth and tenth graders before and after the pandemic.

Research has established that increasing policy support among adults can encourage behavior change; however, policy support, particularly regarding Tobacco 21 (T21), remains understudied among youth. This study examines whether exposure to T21 policy messages can increase support for the policy and reduce intentions to use tobacco among youth.

Stigma is a barrier to help-seeking in rural-dwelling people who use drugs. However, little is known about whether stigma is experienced in patterned ways, and what characteristics are associated with these patterns.

This manuscript explores the relationship between methamphetamine as the primary drug of choice, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and adverse consequences of alcohol/drug use in a sample of American Indian (AI) people who self-identified as having a current substance use problem.

Gamma-Hydroxybutyric (GHB) acid is a highly addictive recreational drug. People who develop GHB use disorder (GUD) show poor treatment outcomes with relapse rates of over 50% within three months after detoxification. Craving is an important predictor of relapse but has received limited attention in patients with GUD. This study aimed to (1) describe craving levels before and after detoxification and (2) assess the predictive value of craving for relapse in patients with GUD.

Chemsex addiction is a public health issue, with increasing prevalence worldwide in recent years. The comorbidities and complications associated with this behavior are numerous.

Since the 2018 Farm Bill, many new types of intoxicating cannabis products (ICPs) are widely sold throughout the United States. However, there is little information on popular brands, which is essential for understanding associated risks, marketing strategies, and major industry players who may oppose effective public health legislation. The current study identified popular ICP brands in vape shops across the U.S.

Negative consequences of alcohol use are a significant concern among the college population. Previous research has highlighted the importance of emotional processes linked to alcohol-related issues. This study investigated the role of effortful emotional control, poor emotional (i.e., sadness and anger) regulation, and affect lability on alcohol use and related problems using a sample of college students.

Problematic prescription drug use (PPDU) is a public health concern that can cause degradation of wellbeing. Examination of prevalence and correlates of PPDU in Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans is essential to understand its impact and to identify those at risk. This study aimed to assess correlates of PPDU among CAF Veterans, including sociodemographic characteristics and physical and mental disorders.

Cannabis is being increasingly used to treat chronic pain, with studies suggesting that concurrent use with opioids may reduce the need for opioid medications. However, specific to opioid-naïve patients, the effects of cannabis exposure on opioid initiation are not well known.

: Cannabis use and depression among emerging adult college students are major public health concerns. : Given the high rates of frequent cannabis use and low rates of mental health services utilization found among emerging adult Black/African Americans, this cross-sectional study examined the relationship between symptoms of depression and frequent cannabis use in a sample of 221 African American students attending an HBCU. : After providing informed consent, participants completed a self-administered survey. The sample was 70% female ( = 20.3 years; SD = 1.97). Thirty percent of participants reported frequent cannabis use and their depressive symptomology scores ranged from 0 to 6 ( = 1.3,  = 1.48). Sex did not moderate the cannabis use-depression association. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between depression and frequent cannabis use (AOR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.02-1.58). Compared to participants whose mothers did not earn a college degree, those whose mothers earned a graduate degree were more likely to report frequent cannabis use (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.06-5.39;  ≤ 0.05). Black/African American emerging adult students experiencing low levels of depression may be at increased risk for frequent cannabis use. Better understanding the cannabis use and depression relationship in Black/African American emerging adults has implications for designing tailored cannabis use prevention and treatment interventions for a group that is disproportionately affected by cannabis use disorder. Also, findings suggest the potential need for HBCUs to invest in cannabis use prevention campaigns and bolster mental health services.

Parental alcohol use has been associated with the development of antisocial behavior in children and adolescents. However, little is known about the mechanisms through which parental alcohol use may impact antisocial behavior development. In this study, we explored mechanisms through which parent alcohol use during adolescence may impact the development of antisocial behavior from adolescence into adulthood. We investigated whether parental monitoring during adolescence (ages 16-17), observed family conflict during adolescence, or young adult alcohol use (ages 21-22), mediated the relationship between parent alcohol during adolescence and antisocial behavior in adulthood (ages 26-30). We completed a secondary data analysis using a longitudinal, community-based sample of families in the Northwestern United States (n = 998; target children were 42% White, 29% Black, 2% Native American, 7% Hispanic or Latinx, 5% Asian American, 1% Pacific Islander, and 53% male; data collection was conducted from 1996 to 2017). Using observational and survey data, we ran a series of mediation models to examine three hypothesized mechanisms. Our findings supported a relationship between parental alcohol use during adolescence and adult antisocial behavior ten years later. Parental monitoring and family conflict during adolescence did not serve as mediators. Young adult alcohol use significantly mediated the relationship between parent alcohol use during adolescence and adult antisocial behavior. Our findings support young adult alcohol use as a mechanism through which parent alcohol use during adolescence is associated with adult antisocial behavior. These results highlight the potential impact of parent alcohol use well into adulthood and offer implications for targeted preventive interventions.

Substance use problems (SUP) extend beyond individuals, significantly impacting families, particularly women, who often assume caregiving roles. Research indicates that women with partners experiencing SUP face an elevated risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). This study examined the profile of female partners of men who sought support in a family programme for SUP in Brazil, focusing on the prevalence and characteristics of those who had experienced physical IPV from their current partner.

Stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) contribute to suboptimal care. The simulation set was developed to reduce stigma toward individuals with OUD and promote positive and effective care.

This study aims to investigate the differences between specific attachment patterns regarding the tendency to use certain substances in a large general population sample. A total sample of 616 German-speaking participants (61.9% female; Mean age = 30 years, SD = 9.53) was investigated with the Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) and the WHO Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (WHO-ASSIST). Based on an initial cluster analysis of the AAS results, four attachment clusters were identified (secure, avoidant, anxious and disorganized). These groups were then compared in terms of their drug of choice. Findings indicated several significant differences between attachment clusters. Specifically, disorganized attachment patterns showed increased tendencies regarding tranquilizers and opioid abuse compared to avoidant, anxious and secure attachment patterns. Results underscore previous observations regarding the increased vulnerability of disorganized attached individuals in terms of problematic substance use and highlight its specific connection to sedative substances. Theoretical and clinical implications of this finding are discussed.

The opioid crisis has continued in the USA, resulting in a healthcare crisis. Medical marijuana (MM) offers an alternative to those with addictions or in search of pain and inflammation management without the negative aspects of opioids.

To estimate the prevalence and identify factors associated with polystimulant use (2 or more stimulants during the past 30 d), a specific case of polysubstance use, among patients seeking treatment for stimulant use disorder (StUD).

In the past five years, the market for pre-made kratom, or , drinks has expanded rapidly. They are now sold in retail stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, specialty tobacco shops, and online. Despite their rapid market expansion, significant gaps remain in our understanding of their online marketing strategies, reported kratom content, dosing information, and serving sizes.

Nearly two thirds of adults who have experienced a substance use disorder (SUD) are in recovery. Differences in recovery from SUD remain understudied. We examined demographic characteristics related to SUD and recovery in a nationally representative sample.

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is among the best strategies for reducing harms associated with illegal opioid use, yet it is hindered by low rates of treatment initiation and retention that limit its impact. There has been a lack of studies that describe how people who use illegal opioids use methadone-both from opioid treatment programs, and bought illegally-over time, or what factors correlate with long-term participation in MMT.