Conducted annually, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides nationally representative data on the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs; substance use disorders; mental health issues; and receipt of substance use and mental health treatment among the civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 or older in the United States. NSDUH estimates allow researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and the general public to better understand and improve the nation’s behavioral health. These reports and detailed tables present national estimates from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use...

Over the last 3 decades, there have been several fluctuations in opioid use patterns and prevalence estimates in the United States. The predominant opioid involved in overdose deaths shifted from prescription opioids in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, to heroin in 2010, and to synthetic opioids like fentanyl in 2013. Recent estimates suggest that about 70% of drug overdose deaths involve synthetic opioids other than methadone, with fentanyl accounting for the majority of these deaths. Since 2015, there has also been a steady increase in deaths involving both fentanyl and stimulants.

This...

Background

Since 1996, an urban community-based organisation whose primary mission is to serve diverse94 and emerging community health needs has provided screening, testing, overdose prevention and training, referrals, and access to treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) and communicable diseases such as HIV through its Life Points harm reduction program.

Methods

As a partner in a State survey in 2021, the community organisation recruited a convenience sample of people who use drugs to participate in a survey focused on their substance use, healthcare, and barriers to SUD services...

Specific patterns of substance use have been found to correlate with an elevated risk of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and mortality by suicide. However, this relationship is multifaceted and influenced by various intersecting factors, including the type and quantity of substances consumed, as well as biological and social determinants. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, in collaboration with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, presents a comprehensive examination of these factors in their latest report titled "Intersections of Substance Use and Suicide: Evidence and Key...

Background

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other LGBTQ populations (LGBTQ+; e.g., asexual individuals) have higher rates of substance use (SU) and disorders (SUD) compared to heterosexual and cisgender populations. Such disparities can be attributed to minority stress, including stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings. LGBTQ+-affirming SU treatment and related services remain limited. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative descriptive study was to characterise LGBTQ+ people’s experiences in SU services and recommendations for LGBTQ+- affirming care.

Methods

We...

Background
Data concerning driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA) are frequently characterised by their lack of availability, accuracy, or reliability. This inherent limitation poses challenges in the examination of the influence of alcohol policies on road traffic outcomes. The study pursued a dual objective:

1) delineating the methodologies employed in evaluating road traffic outcomes attributable to alcohol policies in instances where DUIA data are absent, and

2) scrutinising the impact of alcohol policies under conditions of missing DUIA data.

Methods
A scoping review was...

BACKGROUND: The implementation of quality standards in the treatment of substance use disorders in Lithuania is not well documented in the literature. AIMS: To describe the process of the development of quality standards from grassroots initiatives to their integration into mainstream healthcare under the leadership of the Ministry of Health.

METHODS: Narrative review of retrieved documents, including related legal acts, followed by a subsequent content analysis.

RESULTS: The implementation was divided into three stages characterised by specific activities, leading stakeholders, and the...