What Did You Expect? Substance Use Expectancies Mediate the Relationships Between Dark Triad Traits, Substance Use, and Substance Preference

This study explores the role of substance use expectancies as mediators between the Dark Triad of personality, substance use, and substance use preferences. A sample of college students ( M = 19.38, SD = 2.63, N = 207) completed an online questionnaire that assessed the Dark Triad traits, substance use history, substance preferences, and substance use expectancies. Three specific substance use expectancies—increased confidence, tension reduction, and cognitive enhancement—were shown to either partially or fully mediate the relationships between the Dark Triad and substance use behaviors and preference for certain substances of abuse. These findings may hold clinical implications for the treatment of substance use disorders and further the understanding of factors contributing to the etiology and progression of substance abuse and substance use disorders.

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Neuroimmune Mechanisms as Novel Treatment Targets for Substance Use Disorders and Associated Comorbidities

Frontiers in Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnins.2021.650785 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Mark D. Namba ◽

Jonna M. Leyrer-Jackson ◽

Erin K. Nagy ◽

M. Foster Olive ◽

Janet L. Neisewander

Keyword(s):

Substance Abuse ◽

Substance Use ◽

Nervous System ◽

Synaptic Plasticity ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Immune Signaling ◽

Treatment Targets ◽

Novel Treatment ◽

The Brain

Recent studies examining the neurobiology of substance abuse have revealed a significant role of neuroimmune signaling as a mechanism through which drugs of abuse induce aberrant changes in synaptic plasticity and contribute to substance abuse-related behaviors. Immune signaling within the brain and the periphery critically regulates homeostasis of the nervous system. Perturbations in immune signaling can induce neuroinflammation or immunosuppression, which dysregulate nervous system function including neural processes associated with substance use disorders (SUDs). In this review, we discuss the literature that demonstrates a role of neuroimmune signaling in regulating learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity, emphasizing specific cytokine signaling within the central nervous system. We then highlight recent preclinical studies, within the last 5 years when possible, that have identified immune mechanisms within the brain and the periphery associated with addiction-related behaviors. Findings thus far underscore the need for future investigations into the clinical potential of immunopharmacology as a novel approach toward treating SUDs. Considering the high prevalence rate of comorbidities among those with SUDs, we also discuss neuroimmune mechanisms of common comorbidities associated with SUDs and highlight potentially novel treatment targets for these comorbid conditions. We argue that immunopharmacology represents a novel frontier in the development of new pharmacotherapies that promote long-term abstinence from drug use and minimize the detrimental impact of SUD comorbidities on patient health and treatment outcomes.

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Genetics of substance use disorders

New Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry ◽

10.1093/med/9780198713005.003.0049 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 492-497

Author(s):

Yann Le Strat ◽

Nicolas Ramoz ◽

Philip Gorwood

Keyword(s):

Substance Abuse ◽

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Historical Perspective ◽

Substance Dependence ◽

Genetic Factors ◽

Genetic Component

The literature on the existing evidence for a genetic component is reviewed for substance use disorders (SUD), formerly known as substance abuse and substance dependence. The chapter provides a historical perspective of the evolution of genetic understanding in the field. It also discusses the most recent methods of studying genetic factors in SUD, as well as the related discoveries of genes involved in SUD. It concludes on the possible role of genetics in the evolution of the concept and the mechanisms of SUD.

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The Role of Different Aspects of Impulsivity as Independent Risk Factors for Substance Use Disorders in Patients with ADHD: A Review

Current Drug Abuse Reviews ◽

10.2174/1874473708666150916112913 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 119-133 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Slobodin Ortal ◽

van de Glind Geurt ◽

Franck Johan ◽

Berger Itai ◽

Yachin Nir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Independent Risk Factors

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Quality of life and its related factors in women with substance use disorders referring to substance abuse treatment centers

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-020-01155-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Majid Barati ◽

Khadijeh Bandehelahi ◽

Tahereh Nopasandasil ◽

Hanieh Jormand ◽

Amir Keshavarzi

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Substance Abuse ◽

Substance Use ◽

Substance Abuse Treatment ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Related Factors ◽

Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ◽

The Mean ◽

Abuse Treatment

Abstract Background Substance-Related Disorders are among the most common social problems caused by using legal and illegal substances. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the quality of life (QoL) and its related factors among women with substance use disorders referring to substance abuse treatment centers in Hamadan, west of Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 Iranian female substance users recruited through the census sampling method in 2018. Data collection tools consisted of demographic characteristics and QoL assessment (SF-36). Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests. Results The mean age of the participants was 33.2 ± 12.1 years and the mean score of their total QoL was 35.35 ± 13.5. The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that using methamphetamine (β = − 6.62) was the predictor of QoL in women. Moreover, there was a significant association between QoL and age (p < 0.001), educational level (p = 0.011), and age at first use (p < 0.001). Conclusion According to the results, the participants’ QoL was found to be at an unsatisfactory level. So, it is essential to implement educational help-seeking behavior for treatment and effectiveness educational, as well as holding mental health intervention, school-based substance abuse prevention, and harm reduction programs of substance use. This is especially important in adolescents, young, low-educated, early drug use, and methamphetamine user women, as it may increase the QoL

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The Role of Suffering in Relation to Suicide in Persons Experiencing Co-occurring Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Conditions: A Brief Perspective

Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly ◽

10.1080/07347324.2021.1891846 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Nicole D. Hune ◽

Thomas G. Kimball

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Mental Health Conditions

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Clinical trials and American Indians/Alaska Natives with substance use disorders: identifying potential strategies for a new cultural-based intervention

Journal of Public Mental Health ◽

10.1108/jpmh-01-2014-0003 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 175-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel L. Dickerson ◽

Kamilla L. Venner ◽

Bonnie Duran

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Substance Abuse ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Substance Use ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

American Indians ◽

Alaska Natives ◽

Treatment Setting ◽

Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address a significant public mental health disparity affecting American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs): the shortage of clinical trials research analyzing the benefits of AI/AN traditional-based treatments, e.g. drumming. Design/methodology/approach – A total of four focus groups were conducted among outpatient and inpatient AI/AN substance abuse patients and providers serving AI/ANs. The purpose of these focus groups was to obtain insights relating to the recent challenges of conducting a clinical trial within the outpatient treatment setting seeking to analyze the benefits of a new substance abuse treatment intervention utilizing drumming for AI/ANs [Drum-assisted Recovery Therapy for Native Americans (DARTNA)] and to obtain recommendations to successfully conduct a similar study within an inpatient treatment setting. Findings – The most prevalent barriers to conducting a clinical trial within an outpatient setting were transportation and child care issues. Recommendations were obtained with regard to optimizing recruitment and retention for a future study within an inpatient setting. Originality/value – This research offers the field rare information that helps toward identifying strategies to successfully conduct clinical trials investigating the benefits of culturally-appropriate treatments for AI/ANs with substance use disorders.

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