AATP Journals

Community characteristics and substance-free activity and service access predict membership in alcohol use disorder risk profiles. Objective: Community characteristics (e.g., alcohol access, poverty) are associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) at the population level, and person-level AUD severity indicators (e.g., drinking practices, problems) predict heterogeneity in individual AUD risk profiles and recovery outcomes. Guided by behavioral economic theory, this study investigated whether residing in relatively enriched communities with substance-free reward sources, greater health/behavioral health care access, lower alcohol access, and less poverty were associated with less risky individual AUD risk profiles. Method: This secondary analysis combined an integrated data set of individual natural recovery attempts with zip code community characteristics obtained from public data sources. Four AUD latent risk profiles, previously derived from individual problem severity indicators that predicted 1-year recovery outcomes, were predicted by zip code-level substance-free reward sources, alcohol access, health/behavioral health care access, and poverty surrounding AUD recovery (N = 528). Results: As hypothesized, multinomial regression analyses indicated that greater community access to substance-free reward sources (educational services, religious organizations, sports/fitness/recreation programs, fresh food) and lower community poverty were associated with lower AUD risk profiles compared with higher AUD risk profiles. This pattern was most pronounced in comparisons between a global lower risk profile and a higher risk profile characterized by high alcohol dependence and alcohol-related psychosocial problems. Alcohol access and health care access did not differentiate profile membership. Conclusions: Results suggest that community characteristics contribute to heterogeneity in individual drinking problem development, and community enrichment may offer a promising approach to AUD prevention and promotion of positive recovery outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
View Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Substance use negatively impacts change in reinforcement during the year following substance use treatment. Objective: Although research supports an association between increased alternative reinforcement and decreased substance use, the impact of substance use on changes in reinforcement during posttreatment recovery remains untested. This study tested the effect of abstinence duration and substance use frequency on the trajectories of four reinforcement mechanisms, behavioral activation, reward probability, reward barriers, and valued living, from pre- to 12-month posttreatment. Method: Adults in intensive outpatient substance use disorder treatment (N = 206) completed self-report measures of the four reinforcement constructs and substance use over six timepoints from pre- to 12-month posttreatment. Latent curve models were used to test the association between reinforcement trajectories and abstinence duration and substance use frequency, respectively. Results: Lower substance use frequency was associated with significantly improved behavioral activation, reward probability, and reward barriers across the posttreatment period (ps < .05). Higher substance use frequency was associated with significantly lower valued living at each timepoint (ps < .05). Longer abstinence duration was significantly associated with higher behavioral activation and valued living, and lower reward barriers at 12-months (ps < .05). Conclusions: Substance-free reinforcement improves during treatment and is negatively impacted by substance use frequency during posttreatment. Abstinence duration is positively associated with substance-free reinforcement at 12-month posttreatment. These findings support the conceptualization of reinforcement as a malleable treatment target that is negatively impacted by substance use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
View Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Descriptive norms for simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use predict simultaneous use patterns assessed via daily surveys. Objective: Simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use is common, but few studies have examined normative perceptions of simultaneous use. This study examined unique associations of baseline descriptive norms for simultaneous use (i.e., perceptions about others’ simultaneous use) with simultaneous use behaviors assessed via daily surveys. Method: Young adults reporting frequent simultaneous use (N = 150) completed baseline measures of descriptive norms for the frequency of simultaneous use and the amounts of cannabis and alcohol consumed during typical simultaneous use occasions. Further, participants completed measures of descriptive norms for the frequency and quantity of cannabis and alcohol use in general (not limited to simultaneous use). Norms were assessed referencing both peer and friend groups. Following this assessment, participants completed 21 daily smartphone surveys assessing cannabis and alcohol use each day. Simultaneous use was operationalized as same-day use of cannabis and alcohol. Results: Multilevel models revealed that, controlling for descriptive norms for cannabis and alcohol use in general, perceiving more frequent simultaneous use among friends (but not peers) was significantly associated with a greater tendency to engage in simultaneous use relative to cannabis-only use across days. Further, perceiving heavier cannabis and alcohol consumption during simultaneous use occasions among friends (but not peers) was significantly associated with greater quantities of cannabis and alcohol consumed, respectively, across simultaneous use days. Conclusions: Descriptive norms for simultaneous use contribute uniquely to simultaneous use behavior, over and above norms for cannabis use and alcohol use in general. Findings may inform norms-based interventions for young adults who engage in simultaneous use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
View Mon, 13 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Positive and negative affect differentially relate to alcohol and cannabis use in LGBTQ+ and cisgender–straight heavy-drinking adults: Results of an ambulatory assessment study. Objective: Previous research has found that momentary positive affect precedes alcohol use, whereas results have been more mixed for negative affect. Method: This study replicates and builds upon this literature by using a heavy drinking sample, half lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer/questioning, and other minoritized sexual and gender identities (LGBTQ+) individuals. Results: This study found that positive affect was related to subsequent alcohol use, but the relation was weaker for LGBTQ+ individuals compared to cisgender–straight individuals. Negative affect was negatively related to alcohol use in the overall sample, but LGBTQ+ individuals reported drinking more drinks following increased negative affect, and this effect was not significant for cisgender–straight individuals. Finally, positive affect was related to subsequent cannabis use, and negative affect was negatively related to cannabis use, which did not differ based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Conclusions: Future research should explore the impact of minority stress on the association between affect and drinking behaviors to understand the differential role of affect on LGBTQ+ individual’s substance use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
View Mon, 13 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Early-day psychosocial predictors of later-day simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use among college-attending young adults. Objective: Simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis is prevalent among young adults and associated with heightened risk for harms. Individuals who engage in simultaneous use report a variety of types of use occasions and risk factors driving use occasions are unique and dynamic in nature. Intervention content may thus need to adapt to address differences across occasions. As a first step toward developing momentary interventions, it is critical to identify whether and when psychosocial factors are associated with simultaneous use. The present study aimed to identify the most critical morning and afternoon risk factors for later-day simultaneous use. Method: Participants were 119 young adult college students (63% female; 73% non-Hispanic/Latinx White) who reported weekly simultaneous use at baseline. Participants completed an online baseline survey and an ecological momentary assessment protocol (eight prompts/day) across four consecutive weekends. Results: Multilevel models revealed that morning willingness to engage in simultaneous use and social motives were associated with higher odds of later-day simultaneous use. Afternoon willingness and cross-fading motives were significantly associated with higher odds of later-day use. Morning and afternoon conformity motives were associated with lower odds of use. Conclusions: Early-day willingness to use, morning social motives, and afternoon cross-fading motives were the most salient predictors of later-day simultaneous use and may serve as viable tailoring variables to incorporate in momentary interventions. As simultaneous use episodes commonly start after 9 p.m., there is a large time window in between early-day predictors and use behavior during which timely intervention content could be delivered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
View Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Daily alcohol and cannabis use among sexual minoritized and heterosexual women. Objective: Couse of alcohol and cannabis is associated with negative mental health and social-behavioral problems, but daily mood or affect-related predictors of such use are not well understood. Sexual minoritized women (SMW) report significant substance use disparities related to sexual minority stress, yet little is known about daily associations between substance use (alcohol or cannabis used independently or concurrently) and affect or how those associations may be moderated by sexual identity. We examined whether daily positive or negative affect was associated with use of alcohol only, cannabis only, or concurrent (i.e., same-day) use and whether those associations varied by sexual identity (SMW vs. heterosexual; bisexual vs. lesbian or heterosexual). Method: Women (N = 246; 18–35 years; 88 lesbian, 84 bisexual, 74 heterosexual) completed once-daily surveys for consecutive 12 weeks. Results: Mixed-effects multinomial logistic regression analyses found that alcohol only and concurrent use were more likely on days when women reported greater positive affect, and this association was stronger for heterosexual than SMW. Women who reported higher mean negative affect were more likely to report cannabis use (but not alcohol or concurrent use) on a given day. SMW were more likely than heterosexual women to report alcohol only and concurrent use days, with bisexual women more likely than heterosexual women to report concurrent use days. Conclusions: Additional research is needed to understand intervening mechanisms in relationships between affect and substance use at the daily level among SMW. Results are needed to inform intervention efforts to reduce substance use in this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
View Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Prenatal substance use and mental health comorbidities predict continued use. Objective: Prenatal substance use is common and can affect maternal and infant health. In addition, prenatal substance use is associated with mental health comorbidities (depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder). Unremitting prenatal substance use disorders and mental health comorbidities are associated with poor health outcomes for mothers and exposed infants. The purpose of this study was to examine how any substance use, type of substance use (polysubstance use vs. single substance use), and combinations of mental health comorbidities predict continued use during pregnancy (i.e., use in the 30 days prior to delivery). Method: Health records of patients enrolled in a comprehensive prenatal program for women with substance use disorders were retrospectively analyzed (N = 281). Urine drug screen records were used to determine substance use, and diagnostic codes were used to identify mental health comorbidities. Results: Thirty-seven percent of the sample (n = 105/281) tested positive for substances at admission and 42% (n = 119/281) demonstrated continued use. 30% of the sample (n = 85/281) had depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder, 27% (n = 76/281) had two of the three mental health comorbidities, 26% (n = 73/281) had one of the three comorbidities, and 17% (n = 47/281) did not have a mental health comorbidity. Any substance use at admission or having all three mental health conditions were associated with continued use. Conclusions: Substance use at admission and number of mental health conditions were independent predictors of continued use, although substance use was the stronger predictor. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
View Thu, 18 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Difficulties with emotion regulation amplify perimenstrual emotional distress and cigarette craving. Objective: The female menstrual cycle and associated fluctuations in ovarian hormones are an important biological context that likely influences emotion-focused smoking. The present study evaluated the role of emotion regulation difficulties on daily emotional distress and cigarette craving in the context of the perimenstrum (i.e., days before and during menses). Method: Naturalistic daily data were collected from non-treatment-seeking naturally cycling females (N = 50, M_age = 32.3, SD = 5.3) who reported daily cigarette smoking. Ecological momentary assessment of anxiety, mood, and cigarette craving was collected while also tracking the menstrual cycle. Days were coded as either occurring during perimenstrum (i.e., 7 days prior to and first 3 days during menses) or reference (i.e., all other days). Trait difficulties with emotion regulation were assessed at baseline. Results: Multilevel models indicated a significant effect of emotion regulation difficulties on daily emotional distress (i.e., anxiety, negative mood), specifically on perimenstrual days. A second set of multilevel models was conducted to model the influence of daily emotional distress on cigarette craving specifically during perimenstrual days. Significantly higher daily craving was reported on perimenstrum days characterized by higher negative mood relative to lower negative mood, but this effect was only statistically significant in the context of greater emotion regulation difficulties. Discussion: The menstrual cycle, its associated ovarian hormone fluctuations, as well as individual differences in the response to emotion should be considered as important female-specific determinants of emotion-focused smoking. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
View Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT