Journal of addictive diseases
Audio Summaries

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.

Network meta-analysis of non-pharmacological interventions for psychiatric symptoms among individuals with substance use disorders

Mar 4, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) for reducing depression, anxiety, and substance craving in individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). Their network meta-analysis of 24 randomized controlled trials found that exercise therapy was the most effective for alleviating depression, while cognitive-behavioral therapy showed particular effectiveness for anxiety related to opioid use disorder. The study suggests integrating various NPIs into addiction treatment to improve patient outcomes.

Why brief interventions fail in substance use-and how to fix them

Mar 3, 2026

The authors investigate why brief interventions for substance use often fail to produce consistent and lasting results in real-world settings, despite their proven effectiveness in controlled trials. They identify contextual and implementation shortcomings, such as inadequate assessment of readiness to change and neglect of craving-related processes, and propose practical strategies to enhance their effectiveness, including personalized approaches and follow-up support.

Balancing transition and readmission: a comparative study of low-dose vs standard buprenorphine initiation for medically managed opioid withdrawal

Mar 3, 2026

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of low-dose initiation (LDI) versus standard-dose initiation (SDI) of buprenorphine in patients with opioid use disorder undergoing medically managed withdrawal. The findings indicated that while both approaches yielded similar inpatient outcomes, LDI was associated with significantly lower odds of readmission within one year, suggesting it may be a viable alternative in the context of increased risks associated with fentanyl.

A random forest analysis identifying important predictors and risk factors among those who reported use of methamphetamine during their last alcohol use: a national analysis between 2021-2023

Feb 26, 2026

The authors aimed to identify risk factors for concurrent use of methamphetamine and alcohol using data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health between 2021 and 2023. They found that significant predictors included income, driving under the influence of any drug, and perceived health status, highlighting the need for further investigation into these risk factors and the development of targeted interventions to reduce risky behaviors.

Tailored psychotherapy and AI-enhanced contingency management for co-occurring disorders in cannabis use disorder: a systematic review

Feb 5, 2026

This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of tailored interventions for cannabis use disorder (CUD) in individuals with co-occurring disorders such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and ADHD, while also exploring the potential of AI-enhanced contingency management (CM) to improve treatment outcomes. The findings indicate that integrated cognitive-behavioral therapies and AI applications can significantly reduce cannabis use and improve psychiatric symptoms, suggesting that combining personalized psychotherapy with technology-assisted reinforcement may enhance treatment efficacy for this population.

Clinical and inflammatory profiles in substance use disorder: gender, substance type, and comorbidity in a single-center cross-sectional study in Turkey

Jan 24, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the clinical and inflammatory profiles associated with substance use disorder (SUD) in a Turkish inpatient population, focusing on how these profiles vary by substance type, gender, and comorbidity. Their findings indicate that inflammatory biomarkers, particularly the Inflammatory Burden Index (IBI) and C-reactive protein (CRP), are significantly elevated in users of methamphetamine, alcohol, and MDMA, with gender differences reflecting broader international trends. The study underscores the biological heterogeneity in SUD and suggests the need for further research to explore the relationship between inflammation and cognitive vulnerability.

Predictive value of the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-Ar) score on admission for alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD) in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD): A prospective observational study

Jan 24, 2026

The authors aimed to determine the predictive value of the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA-Ar) score at admission for the onset of alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD) in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Their findings indicate that the CIWA-Ar score is a significant predictor of AWD, with a cutoff score of 4 demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity, suggesting that even mild withdrawal symptoms warrant close monitoring to prevent complications.

The perils of marijuana use in adolescents

Jan 19, 2026

This study investigates the prevalence and consequences of marijuana use among adolescents aged 12-17, particularly in light of increasing THC levels and legalization. The authors found that approximately 11.4% of adolescents use cannabis, with higher usage linked to increased school absenteeism and poorer academic performance. The findings underscore the urgent need for education on the risks associated with marijuana use in this age group, as the likelihood of developing a use disorder is notably higher among adolescents.