Journal of addiction medicine
Audio Summaries

An Institutional Provider Survey Evaluating Access and Implementation of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in the Intensive Care Unit

Jul 16, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the knowledge and practices of healthcare providers regarding the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) in intensive care units (ICUs), particularly comparing rural and urban hospitals. Their survey revealed significant gaps in provider support, medication utilization, and knowledge about prescribing buprenorphine, highlighting the need for improved access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and enhanced education for providers in critical care settings.

Patient Access to Buprenorphine at Community Pharmacies: A Scoping Review of Audit Studies

Jul 14, 2026

This scoping review aims to synthesize audit studies assessing the availability of buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone in US community pharmacies and to identify barriers patients face in accessing this treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. The findings reveal that buprenorphine availability ranges from 31% to 70%, with lower access in nonmetropolitan and independent pharmacies, highlighting the need for strategies to enhance pharmacy-based access to this critical medication. The authors also call for standardized audit methodologies to improve the comparability of future research.

Community Pharmacist Perspectives on Observing and Dispensing Methadone for Opioid Use Disorder: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Jul 13, 2026

The authors aimed to explore community pharmacists' perceptions regarding the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of dispensing and observing methadone doses for opioid use disorder. The study found that while pharmacists generally held slightly negative to neutral views on these aspects, a significant number expressed willingness to dispense take-home doses, though logistical barriers and negative attitudes toward patients were noted. The findings suggest a need for tools and training to facilitate the integration of methadone services in community pharmacies.

Innovations for Substance Use Disorders (I4SUD): Entrepreneurship Education to Help Substance Use Disorder Scientists Translate Ideas Into Effective Solutions

Jul 13, 2026

The authors aimed to address the challenge of translating scientific innovations into effective solutions for substance use disorders (SUDs) by developing an entrepreneurship education program called Innovations for SUD (I4SUD). Through a structured 7-week curriculum, they evaluated the program's impact on enhancing the commercialization skills of SUD researchers, finding significant improvements in their understanding of technology commercialization and increased motivation to pursue funding for their innovations. The results suggest that I4SUD is an effective model that could be adapted for similar educational initiatives in other fields.

Multiple Substance Use Disorders From Adolescence to Midlife

Jul 11, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the relationship between symptomatic polysubstance use during adolescence and the prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms in midlife. Their findings indicate that a significant proportion of adolescents with moderate-to-severe SUD symptoms involving multiple substances continued to experience multiple SUD symptoms into midlife, suggesting that early intervention and comprehensive screening strategies are crucial for those at risk.

Substance-specific Mortality Risk Stratification Among Adults With Substance Use Disorders During Acute Respiratory Infection: A 3.4-Million-patient N3C Cohort Study

Jul 3, 2026

The authors aimed to quantify the 30-day all-cause mortality risk associated with pre-existing substance use disorders (SUDs) during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and to compare this risk across various SUD subtypes. Their findings revealed that individuals with SUDs, particularly alcohol and opioid use disorders, faced significantly higher mortality rates compared to those without SUDs, highlighting the need for incorporating SUD status into risk stratification for respiratory infections in clinical settings. The study suggests that while comorbidity burden influences mortality risk, SUDs serve as important markers of heightened vulnerability.

Exploring Diversion Concerns as a Modifiable Buprenorphine-prescribing Barrier Among Primary Care Professionals

Jul 1, 2026

The authors investigate the concerns of primary care professionals (PCPs) regarding the diversion of buprenorphine prescriptions as a barrier to prescribing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Through interviews with Ohio PCPs, they identify that these diversion concerns significantly influence prescribing behaviors and highlight the need for targeted information to alleviate these fears and promote buprenorphine adoption. The study suggests that addressing these concerns is crucial for expanding access to effective treatments in primary care settings.

When "Kava" Isn't Kava: Opioid-like Withdrawal Responsive to Buprenorphine: A Case Study

Jun 29, 2026

The authors investigate a case of severe opioid-like withdrawal symptoms in a patient after using a commercially available beverage labeled as "kava," which was found to contain opioid-active substances. They aim to highlight the risks associated with mislabeled or adulterated herbal products and emphasize the necessity for clinicians to recognize potential opioid-mediated withdrawal symptoms when evaluating patients using such supplements. This case underscores the importance of accurate product labeling and the implications for treatment strategies in cases of suspected withdrawal.

Substance Use Among US Adults at Midlife: Risk Factors and Protective Factors Among National and Milwaukee Black American Samples

Jun 29, 2026

This study investigates how protective factors such as religious service attendance, spirituality, and social connectedness moderate the relationship between risk factors (pain interference and financial insecurity) and substance use among midlife adults in national and Milwaukee Black American samples. The findings indicate that while pain interference and financial insecurity are linked to substance use, religious service attendance and spirituality specifically moderate the impact of pain interference on substance use. The authors suggest that faith-based interventions may be beneficial for individuals experiencing pain interference or substance use issues.

Changes in Exposures of US Children Ages 12 and Under to Cannabis from 2000 to 2024

Jun 26, 2026

This study investigates the trends in reported cannabis exposures among US children aged 12 and under from 2000 to 2024, particularly in relation to significant federal cannabis policy changes. The authors found a dramatic increase in pediatric cannabis exposures, with a 6386% rise in the under-6 age group and a 13,781% increase in the 6-12 age group since 2009. The findings suggest a strong correlation between these increases and the timing of federal policy changes, indicating a need for public health policy adjustments to protect children's health.