Journal of addictive diseases
Audio Summaries

Challenges of AI-generated stigmatizing language regarding substance use disorders

May 6, 2026

The authors investigate the challenges posed by AI-generated stigmatizing language related to substance use disorders, particularly in clinical documentation and patient education. They highlight the risk that large language models (LLMs) may perpetuate this stigmatizing language due to their reliance on existing texts, including electronic health records. The paper calls for the involvement of clinicians in refining LLM outputs to mitigate the transfer of stigmatizing language into medical records.

Underutilization of PETH testing among patients with MASLD - retrospective, single-center evaluation of the frequency and results of phosphatidylethanol testing among patients diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease

May 1, 2026

This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and results of phosphatidylethanol (PETH) testing among patients diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The authors found that PETH testing was underutilized, conducted in only 6.9% of patients, yet nearly 40% of those tested had positive results, suggesting that PETH testing could play a crucial role in managing MASLD by identifying potentially harmful alcohol use. However, the study also indicated that existing patient and laboratory characteristics were inadequate for predicting positive PETH results.

Outpatient buprenorphine micro-induction for an older adult with chronic pain and opioid use disorder: a case report

Apr 28, 2026

This case report explores the feasibility and effectiveness of outpatient buprenorphine micro-induction for an older adult with chronic pain and severe opioid use disorder. The authors demonstrate that this approach allows for a safe transition from full opioid agonists to buprenorphine without requiring abstinence, resulting in improved pain management and overall functioning for the patient. The findings highlight the potential benefits of micro-induction in older adults with complex medical histories and ongoing opioid therapy.

Cytotoxic lesion of the corpus callosum after gamma hydroxybutyrate withdrawal: a case report

Apr 22, 2026

This case report investigates the neuroimaging correlates of neurotoxicity associated with withdrawal from gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), particularly focusing on the occurrence of cytotoxic lesions in the corpus callosum. The authors present a case of a 33-year-old male who experienced severe withdrawal symptoms and a focal splenial lesion, suggesting that such lesions may serve as significant indicators of GHB withdrawal-related neurotoxicity. The findings highlight the need for further research into the neurological effects of GHB withdrawal.

Efficacy of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation on craving in substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Apr 18, 2026

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) in reducing cravings associated with substance use disorders. The analysis of three randomized controlled trials indicated a moderate and statistically significant reduction in craving compared to sham stimulation, although the authors noted that the limited number of studies and small sample sizes hinder the generalizability of the findings. They recommend further research with larger, substance-specific trials to better confirm HD-tDCS's efficacy and optimize its application.

Harm reduction vending machines in the digital sphere: Social media discourse, misinformation, and health promotion implications

Apr 17, 2026

This commentary by Aysha Jawed explores how social media discourse shapes public perceptions of harm reduction vending machines (HRVMs) in the U.S. and Canada, particularly regarding their role in overdose prevention and accessibility. The author examines the dual nature of social media as a platform for both misinformation and evidence-based health promotion, highlighting the implications for public health policy and practice. Ultimately, the paper emphasizes the need for clinicians and public health practitioners to engage with these digital narratives to enhance community understanding and support for HRVMs.

Teaching the next generation of physicians: Evaluating addiction medicine curriculum interventions across two U.S. Medical schools

Apr 11, 2026

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an addiction medicine curriculum intervention at two U.S. medical schools, Michigan State University and the Keck School of Medicine at USC. The authors found significant improvements in students' attitudes toward addiction and its treatment after completing the curriculum, with notable differences in responses between the two institutions. These results indicate that the curriculum positively impacted students' perceptions, warranting further investigation into the observed differences.

Adherence to the 5A and 5R smoking cessation counselling models among Turkish family physicians: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Apr 3, 2026

This study aimed to assess the adherence of Turkish family physicians to the 5A and 5R smoking cessation counselling models and identify factors influencing their counselling practices. The findings revealed that while some steps of the models were implemented more frequently, overall adherence was low, with only a small percentage of physicians applying the full frameworks. The results highlight significant gaps between recommended guidelines and actual practice, suggesting the need for targeted interventions and training programs.

Quality of life in people who inject drugs correlate with discharge outcomes and medication therapy initiation

Mar 23, 2026

This study investigates the relationship between quality of life (QoL), discharge outcomes, and medication therapy initiation among people who inject drugs (PWID) in an inpatient setting. The authors found that higher QoL scores correlated with better clinical outcomes and a greater likelihood of accepting medication for opioid use disorder, suggesting that QoL assessments could be valuable in predicting outcomes and informing treatment decisions for this population.

Assessing the clinical competence of large language models for tobacco use disorder: A multi-domain expert evaluation

Mar 6, 2026

The authors aimed to systematically evaluate the clinical competence of five large language models (LLMs) in providing tobacco cessation support, focusing on their accuracy, safety, guideline adherence, and communication quality. Their findings indicated that while all LLMs showed some competence, GPT-4.5 and Claude 3.5 Sonnet performed best, achieving scores suitable for supervised clinical use, whereas open-weight models required further validation before clinical implementation. The study underscores the importance of clinician oversight in medication-based interventions for tobacco use disorder.