scholarly journals Harmful smartphone applications promoting alcohol and illicit substance use: a review and content analysis in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1233-1242
Author(s):  
Shouron Ghassemlou ◽  
Christina Marini ◽  
Chemi Chemi ◽  
Yerina S Ranjit ◽  
Babak Tofighi
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Home Delivery ◽  
Smartphone Applications ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Delivery Services ◽  
Social Media Platforms

Abstract Few studies have conducted analysis of commercially available smartphone applications designed to promote alcohol and illicit substance use. The aim of this review is to determine harmful themes of content in applications promoting alcohol and illicit substance use found using recovery app search terms. A systematic search, via Apple iTunes and Google Play stores, was conducted of applications targeting abstinence or reduced substance use in online app stores (n = 1,074 apps) in March 2018. We conducted a secondary analysis of apps encouraging alcohol and illicit substance use in July 2018. Our initial search yielded 904 apps pertaining to alcohol and illicit substance use. Four reviewers conducted a content analysis of 102 apps meeting inclusion criteria and assessed app design, delivery features, text, and multimedia content pertaining to substance use. The initial coding scheme was refined using a data-driven, iterative method grouping in thematic categories. The number of apps coded to a specific substance include: alcohol (n = 74), methamphetamine (n =13), cocaine (n = 15), heroin (n = 12), and marijuana (n = 15), with nine apps overlapping more than one substance. Key themes identified among apps included: (i) tangibility (alcohol home delivery services); (ii) social networks (builtin social media platforms promoting substance use); (iii) software design (gamification or simulation of substance use); and (iv) aesthetics (sexual or violent imagery). Despite claims of restricting apps promoting substance use, further efforts are needed by online app stores to reduce the availability of harmful content.

Prevalence and Correlates to Lifetime Illicit Substance Use Among a National Sample of Hispanic Transgender Individuals

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-162
Author(s):  
R. Andrew Yockey ◽  
Rebecca A. Vidourek ◽  
Keith A. King
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Hispanic Population ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Policy Analysts

The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority population in the United States. A growing body of literature suggests Hispanic individuals are at increased risk for substance use disorders. While much of the literature has focused on Hispanic heterosexual individuals, a paucity of literature has focused on Hispanic transgender individuals. More research is warranted on the prevalence and correlates to substance use among Hispanic sexual minorities, in particular Hispanic transgender individuals. The present study sought to examine correlates to lifetime illicit substance use among a national sample of transgender individuals. A secondary analysis of the 2015 Transgender Survey was conducted among 1,473 Hispanic transgender individuals. Weighted analyses reveal that 29% of Hispanic transgender individuals reported lifetime illicit substance use. Significant predictors included age and prior lifetime substance use. Recommendations for health professionals and policy analysts are included.

scholarly journals Cigarette use is increasing among people with illicit substance use disorders in the United States, 2002-14: emerging disparities in vulnerable populations

Addiction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea H. Weinberger ◽  
Misato Gbedemah ◽  
Melanie M. Wall ◽  
Deborah S. Hasin ◽  
Michael J. Zvolensky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use

The Prevalence of Illicit Substance Use Among Students of Medical Sciences in Tehran: Results from Four Repeated Surveys from 2006 to 2009

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoumeh Amin-Esmaeili ◽  
Masud Yunesian ◽  
Elaheh Sahimi-Izadian ◽  
Mahdieh Moinolghorabaei ◽  
Afarin Rahimi-Movaghar
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use

scholarly journals Residency Setting Association With Resident Substance Use Disorder Training: A CERA Secondary Data Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-201
Author(s):  
Joshua St. Louis ◽  
Emma Worringer ◽  
Wendy B. Barr
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Residency Program ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Resident Training ◽  
Addiction Medicine ◽  
Residency Programs ◽  
Family Medicine Residency

Background and Objectives: As the opioid crisis worsens across the United States, the factors that impact physician training in management of substance use disorders become more relevant. A thorough understanding of these factors is necessary for family medicine residency programs to inform their own residency curricula. The objective of our study was to identify factors that correlate with increased residency training in addiction medicine across a broad sample of family medicine residencies. Methods: We performed secondary analysis of a national family medicine residency program director survey conducted in 2015-2016 (CERA Survey PD-8). We obtained data from the Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) Data Clearinghouse. We analyzed residency clinic site designation as a patient-centered medical home (PCMH), federally-qualified health center (FQHC), or both, for their correlation with faculty member possession of DEA-X buprenorphine waiver license, as well as required residency curriculum in addiction medicine. Results: Residency programs situated in an FQHC were more likely to have faculty members who possessed DEA-X buprenorphine waiver licenses (P=.025). Residency clinics that were both a PCMH as well as an FQHC also correlated strongly (P=.001). Furthermore, residencies with faculty who possessed a DEA-X license were significantly more likely to have a required curriculum in addiction medicine (P=.002). Conclusions: Our quantitative secondary analysis of CERA survey data of family medicine residency program directors revealed that resident training in addiction medicine is strongly correlated with both residency clinic setting (FQHC or FQHC/PCMH) as well as residency faculty possession of DEA-X licenses.

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