Cannabis Legalization and the Decline of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) Treatment Utilization in the US
AbstractPurposeof ReviewCannabis legalization and greater social acceptance of cannabis, as well as increasing adult cannabis use, put growing numbers of people at risk for cannabis use disorder (CUD). This paper reviews recent evidence on trends in CUD prevalence and treatment utilization in the US in the context of recent changes in cannabis legalization and attitudes towards cannabis.Recent FindingsEvidence from national survey and administrative data indicate that CUD treatment utilization among the general population has declined markedly across all age groups since the middle 2000s. Expanding cannabis legalization an...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - January 10, 2023 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Pharmacological Treatments for Compulsive Sexual Behaviors Among Offending Individuals
AbstractPurpose of ReviewEven if the prevalence of hypersexuality in paraphiliacs or paraphilic disorders is close to the prevalence reported in the general population, it remains a risk factor for sexual offense for many authors. We will review common risk factors between hypersexuality and paraphilic disorders as well as the comorbidity between both disorders, especially in sexual offenders. Then, we will report pharmacological treatment studies conducted in paraphilic disorders with hypersexuality and make some treatment recommendations.Recent FindingsAlthough the neurobiology and neuropharmacology of sexual behavior re...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - December 29, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Public Health Approach to Problems Related to Excessive and Addictive Use of the Internet and Digital Media
This article reviews the public health approach to problems related to excessive and addictive use of the Internet and digital media.Recent FindingsThe public health model views addiction as the result of interactions among individuals, digital media, and the environment; therefore, interventions should aim to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors in these three areas. This includes developing and providing evidence-based services according to each individual ’s problem type and severity. Regarding interventions for digital media and the environment, restricting accessibility and regulating content may be n...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - December 28, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Comparing the Approaches and Validity of ICD-11 Criteria for Gaming Disorder and DSM-5 Criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review explores the differences in approach and diagnostic validity between theInternational Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision criteria for gaming disorder (ICD-11-GD), and theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition criteria for internet gaming disorder (DSM-5-IGD).Recent FindingsA few studies have demonstrated diagnostic validity and consistency between theDSM-5-IGD andICD-11-GD criteria. TheICD-11-GD involves a higher threshold for GD diagnosis than theDSM-5-IGD. On the other hand, future studies should evaluate whether theICD-11-GD criteria could differen...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - November 29, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Treatment of Alcohol Use Problems Among Rural Populations: a Review of Barriers and Considerations for Increasing Access to Quality Care
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIndividuals living in rural areas face unique challenges when accessing services for alcohol-related problems and are at increased risk of experiencing alcohol-related harms. We outline research on rural-urban treatment gaps in alcohol use treatment, identify common barriers to treatment, and provide recommendations for how to address the difficulties faced by this population.Recent FindingsGlobally, individuals living in rural and remote areas are less likely to receive care for alcohol-related concerns compared to those residing in urban areas. Rural areas suffer from insufficient access to speci...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - November 22, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
New Developments in Gambling Marketing: the Rise of Social Media Ads and Its Effect on Youth
This article aims to provide some direction to policymakers and the scientific community, by reviewing what literature there is on social media gambling marketing and its effects on children.Recent FindingsResearch suggests that exposure to social media gambling advertising is high in volume and reach; that gambling ads are more appealing to young people than to adults; and that advertising portrays gambling as a harmless and fun activity with few warnings of potential health dangers. Most gambling brands ’ followers on social media are under 25 years old and current regulations are not entirely fit for purpose.SummaryS...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - November 21, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
The Rise and Risk of Delta-8 THC (Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol)
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to differentiate delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9) as they relate to human health and disease.Recent FindingsDelta-8 is a novel cannabinoid becoming increasingly used following the passage of the US Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 and the deregulation of hemp.Cannabis spp. naturally produces little delta-8. Retail delta-8 products consist of synthetic delta-8 chemically converted from cannabidiol (CBD). Delta-8 marketing claims a “softer, gentler high” compared to delta-9, but limited data exist to support this c...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - November 21, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Barriers to Addressing Alcohol Use in College Sexual Assault Prevention: Where We Stand and Future Steps
AbstractPurposeof ReviewThe aims of this paper are twofold. First, we review the current evidence on sexual assault prevention programming that also targets alcohol. Second, we identify barriers to including alcohol use in sexual assault programs and provide recommendations to overcome these barriers.Recent FindingsWe identified six sexual assault programs that also include alcohol use content, four of which have yet to be rigorously evaluated. To further refine sexual assault prevention efforts, we identified four barriers that need to be overcome including (1) alcohol and sexual assault prevention efforts which are curre...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - November 9, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
E-cigarette Use and Regulation in South Africa: a Synthesis of Evidence in Response to Industry Efforts to Undermine Product Regulation
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis narrative review of the published scientific literature on e-cigarettes in South Africa examines and responds to reports commissioned by the e-cigarette industry about proposed regulations in South Africa.Recent FindingsThe results of a nationally representative study suggest that the number of e-cigarette users is much larger than the number provided by the industry-commissioned reports. Contrary to industry claims, e-cigarettes are more expensive than regular cigarettes and the proposed regulation, theControl of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, which aims to regulate e-...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - November 9, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
A Review of Disparities in Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorder Affecting Sexual and Gender Minority Populations and Evidence for Contributing Factors
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSexual and gender minorities (SGM) appear to be at elevated risk for cannabis use (CU) and cannabis use disorder (CUD) compared to cisgender heterosexuals. However, risk factors remain understudied among SGM. This review aims to summarize evidence for disparities in CU and CUD affecting SGM and factors contributing to these disparities.Recent FindingsThere is strong evidence that sexual minorities are at elevated risk for CU and CUD is elevated for sexual minority women. Evidence supports a concurrent association between minority stress and CUD symptoms. There is robust support for coping motives a...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - November 5, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Cannabis and Intentional Self-injury: a Narrative Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewObservational studies assessing the association of cannabis use with subsequent intentional self-injury have reported mixed findings. Longitudinal studies examining the association of cannabis use with subsequent suicide death are notably rare. Our objective was to review longitudinal studies examining cannabis use and subsequent self-harm, suicide attempt, or suicide death.Recent FindingsFew population-based studies have focused on self-harm with considerable variability across studies in how this outcome has been operationalized. Studies assessing the association between cannabis use and suicide ...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - November 4, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Gambling in Sub-Saharan Africa: Traditional Forms and Emerging Technologies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe gambling industry in Africa has seen substantial growth and evolution over recent years with a growing body of literature describing these shifts. Here, we provide a narrative synthesis of the extant literature on the origins, trends and consequences of the expansion and intensification of the commercial gambling industry in sub-Saharan Africa with a reference for future research on gambling as a growing public health concern.Recent FindingsThe historical shift and permeation of gambling in sub-Saharan Africa is diverse with evidence of certain countries following a neo-colonial logic. Advances...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - October 25, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
THC, CBD, and Anxiety: a Review of Recent Findings on the Anxiolytic and Anxiogenic Effects of Cannabis ’ Primary Cannabinoids
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn the context of ongoing decriminalization and legalization of cannabis, a better understanding of how THC and CBD impact anxiety is critical to elucidate the risks of recreational cannabis use as well as to establish the therapeutic potential of cannabis products for anxiety-related applications.Recent FindingsRecent literature supports anxiogenic effects of THC administration, which may be attenuated among regular cannabis users. Data regarding anxiolytic effects of CBD administration are mixed. Most newer studies contradict earlier findings in reporting no effects of CBD on anxiety in healthy p...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - October 24, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Self-regulatory Processes in Problematic Pornography Use
AbstractPurpose of ReviewA core symptom of problematic pornography use (PPU) is the repeated failure to control sexual impulses resulting in pornography use; however, the field of self-regulation research has rarely been applied to PPU.Recent FindingsVarious goals can underly the use of online pornography. These goals can conflict with other self-regulatory goals a person holds, which leads to moments of self-control. The outcome of such self-control moments depends on multiple internal factors, including the strength of the desire to use pornography, whether a person perceives a conflict with their behaviour, and the moti...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - October 20, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Associations Between Food Addiction and Substance-Use Disorders: A Critical Overview of their Overlapping Patterns of Consumption
AbstractPurpose of ReviewResearch on patterns of overconsumption in individuals with food addiction (FA) has focused largely on binge eating. However, compulsive overeating can be varied and dimensional. This review focuses on the similarities between the patterns of consumption in FA and in other clinically established substance-use disorders, such as alcohol and nicotine dependence. It also highlights features that make FA unique to other addiction disorders.Recent FindingsOverall, there is substantial evidence that binge-like overconsumption is a characteristic of various substance-use and eating disorders. Likewise, it...
Source: Current Addiction Reports - October 18, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
