Journal of substance use and addiction treatment
August 1, 2025
Reinhard Janssen-Aguilar, Shakila Meshkat, Ilya Demchenko et al.
12 citations
Ketamine may offer short-term benefits for treating substance use disorders, including alcohol, cocaine, opioid, and cannabis use disorders. In alcohol use disorder, it reduced withdrawal symptoms and the need for benzodiazepines. For cocaine use disorder, it decreased craving and increased abstinence rates. In opioid use disorder, high-dose ketamine combined with psychotherapy improved abstinence and reduced craving. For cannabis use disorder, it reduced weekly use and increased confidence in abstinence. However, the evidence is limited by small sample sizes and a lack of randomized trials. Larger, well-controlled studies are needed to determine optimal dosing, mechanisms, long-term efficacy, and risks before broader clinical use can be recommended.
Journal of substance use and addiction treatment
June 1, 2023
Angela M Haeny, Joel A Lopez, Pamela A Colón Grigas et al.
10 citations
Among 211 racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) adults in the US and Canada, retrospective reports indicated that after their most memorable psychedelic experience, alcohol use and drug use were perceived to have decreased. The reduction in alcohol use was greater for Indigenous participants, those who took a high dose, those with a stronger ethnic identity, and those who reported fewer depressive symptoms. Perceived increases in psychological flexibility and reductions in racial trauma symptoms appeared to mediate the link between acute psychedelic effects and reduced substance use. The authors suggest psychedelic experiences may help REM people reduce alcohol and drug use by increasing psychological flexibility and easing racial trauma, but call for longitudinal replication.
Journal of substance use and addiction treatment
June 1, 2024
Karl C Alcover, Abram J Lyons, Solmaz Amiri
7 citations
Mean age of drug initiation among U.S. adolescents aged 12–21 increased from 2004 to 2019 for most drugs and most racial/ethnic groups, including alcohol, tobacco cigarettes, cigars, marijuana, and cocaine, though exceptions occurred. For non-Hispanic White adolescents, alcohol initiation age decreased from 2013 to 2019. Mean initiation age also decreased for smokeless tobacco among Hispanic/Latinx and American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents, and for inhalants among multiracial adolescents. Age of initiation varied widely by race/ethnicity, suggesting that prevention strategies may need to be tailored to specific groups.
Journal of substance use and addiction treatment
September 1, 2023
Therese K Killeen, Nathaniel L Baker, Lori L Davis et al.
3 citations
A randomized controlled trial compared mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) to 12-step facilitation (TSF) as aftercare for veterans who completed intensive substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Both groups maintained reductions in alcohol and illicit substance use during aftercare. Nineteen participants (11%) reported returning to alcohol use during treatment, with no difference between MBRP (9%) and TSF (13%). Thirteen participants (7.5%) reported illicit substance use, again similar between groups (MBRP 5.4% vs. TSF 10.3%). Days of drinking and illicit substance use also did not differ. Although low treatment retention limits interpretation, both approaches helped sustain treatment gains.
Journal of substance use and addiction treatment
August 1, 2023
Sara Kreim, Kirsten Marchand, Emilie Mallia et al.
2 citations
Among 5,620 young people aged 12–24 accessing integrated youth services in British Columbia, 2.9% reported using cocaine or amphetamine in the past 30 days. Older age and identifying as a man (vs. woman) were linked to higher odds of use. Witnessing or experiencing violence and higher involvement in crime or violence also increased risk. Regular alcohol use, regular or social tobacco use, and lifetime use of hallucinogens or ecstasy/MDMA were additional risk factors. These findings can help identify young people who may need further screening and early intervention for stimulant use.
Journal of substance use and addiction treatment
May 1, 2025
Yula Milshteyn, Moshe Bensimon
1 citation
Rave music parties can lead to long-term positive changes for attendees who use psychedelic drugs, but little is known about how people prepare for these events or what happens afterward. Interviews with 27 Israeli rave attendees revealed five types of preparation: physical, anticipation and body sensations, cognitive, social, and logistic. After the party, four types of consequences emerged: physical, emotional, cognitive, and positive social changes. These findings align with theories of liminality and rites of passage, where the preparation phase corresponds to separation from normal life, and the aftermath involves returning to everyday life with lasting changes. The authors suggest Israeli policymakers adopt European drug-checking policies to reduce harm.