Daily and Momentary Associations Between Gender Minority Stress and Resilience With Alcohol Outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Minority stressors have been linked with alcohol use among transgender and gender diverse (TGD); however, no ecological momentary assessment studies have examined daily links between minority stress and alcohol use specifically among TGD. This study examined gender minority stressors and resilience as predictors of same-day or momentary alcohol-related outcomes. Feasibility and acceptability of procedures were evaluated. METHODS: Twenty-five TGD adults (mean age = 32.60, SD = 10.82; 88% White) were recruited Canada-wide and participated remotely. They completed 21 days of ecological momentary assessment with daily morning and random surveys (assessing alcohol outcomes, risk processes, gender minority stressors, resilience), and an exit interview eliciting feedback. RESULTS: Gender minority stress had significant and positive within-person relationships with same-day alcohol use (incidence risk ratio (IRR) = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.02, 1.23]), alcohol-related harms (IRR = 1.14, 95% CI [1.02, 1.28]), and coping motives (IRR = 1.06, 95% CI [1.03, 1.08]), as well as momentary (past 30-min) alcohol craving (IRR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.18, 1.47]), coping motives (IRR = 1.35, 95% CI [1.21, 1.51]), and negative affect (IRR = 1.28, 95% CI [1.20, 1.36]). Gender minority stress indirectly predicted same-day drinking via coping motives (ab = 0.04, 95% CI [0.02, 0.08]). Resilience was positively associated with same-day alcohol use (IRR = 1.25, 95% CI [1.03, 1.51]) but not harms. CONCLUSIONS: TGD adults may use alcohol to cope with gender minority stress, which can increase the risk for alcohol-related harms. Interventions are needed to eliminate gender minority stressors and support adaptive coping strategies.

Many transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults experience discrimination and victimization related to their minoritized gender, referred to as minority stress. Minority stress may put TGD adults at risk of drinking more alcohol and experiencing related harms in order to cope. To examine this possibility, we recruited 25 TGD adults and asked them to complete surveys multiple times per day (i.e., once daily in the morning, and two additional surveys at random times) on their personal cell phones. Using multilevel models, we examined the relations between experiencing minority stressors as well as resilience factors on alcohol-related outcomes. In doing so, we identified that gender minority stress was related to increased alcohol use, alcohol-related harms, negative mood, and drinking to cope motives. Furthermore, it appeared that the increased alcohol use following minority stress could be partly explained by desiring to drink to cope. Resilience did not protect TGD adults from increased alcohol use or harms, and in some cases was related to increased alcohol use. The results support that TGD adults may use alcohol to cope with gender minority stress, which can increase the risk for alcohol-related harms. Interventions are needed to eliminate gender minority stressors and support healthier coping strategies.

Effects of Nicotine Content and Preferred Flavor on Subjective Responses to E-cigarettes: A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Laboratory Study.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that e-liquid flavor and nicotine concentration are important factors in the initiation and maintenance of e-cigarette use (vaping). Flavors may increase the initiation and maintenance of vaping, and nicotine content is a factor in e-cigarette dependence and the efficacy of e-cigarettes for cigarette smoking cessation. Few human laboratory studies have assessed the joint and interactive effects of flavor and nicotine on subjective responses to e-cigarettes. METHODS: Regular e-cigarette users (N = 89) completed a multi-session study involving a paced vaping procedure with e-liquid cartridges containing their preferred flavor (berry, menthol, or tobacco) or no flavor, with or without nicotine (18 mg). Subjective effects of vaping (satisfaction, reward, aversion, airway sensations, and craving relief) were assessed. RESULTS: Nicotine significantly increased psychological reward and craving relief, whereas flavor significantly increased vaping satisfaction and taste. Nicotine dependence severity moderated the effect of nicotine on reward, such that those with the greatest dependence severity reported the greatest reward. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support differential and noninteractive effects of e-liquid nicotine content and flavor on reinforcing effects of e-cigarettes. IMPLICATIONS: E-liquid flavor and nicotine content have independent, non-interactive effects on subjective responses to vaping under controlled laboratory conditions. Among regular e-cigarette users, vaping a preferred flavor increased taste and satisfaction, but did not interact with nicotine to alter reward or craving. Further research on the ways in which these subjective effects may motivate vaping behavior among different populations of e-cigarette users would be useful to inform regulatory policy of ENDS products.

Perceptions, Experiences, and Patterns of Cannabis Use in Individuals with Mood and Anxiety Disorders in the Context of Cannabis Legalization and Medical Cannabis Program in Canada - A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Perceptions of cannabis as a potential medical treatment for mood and anxiety disorders have been increasing in the context of legalizations, availability, and medical cannabis programs, though current evidence predominately indicates risks and negative effects of cannabis use (CU) on mental health outcomes. This study aims to understand motivations, perceptions, effects, and patterns of CU in individuals with mood and anxiety disorders. METHODS: Thirty-six adult patients diagnosed with mood or anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder who were currently using cannabis completed an in-depth qualitative interview on individual motivations, perceptions, experiences, effects, and patterns of their CU. The thematic analysis focused on phases of CU and sources of cannabis products and information. RESULTS: Reported motivations for initiation of CU included curiosity, peer pressure, and dissatisfaction with conventional treatments. Factors such as psychotropic effects and coping with mental health symptoms and insomnia contributed to the continuation of CU. More negative effects, including cognitive dysfunction, worsening of mood, and anxiety symptoms, were acknowledged with ongoing CU. Concerning findings included common initiation of CU before age 18, combined medical and recreational CU, rare consultation of medical professionals on CU, and potential effects and harms. DISCUSSION: Findings indicate individual complexity of motivations, perceptions, and patterns of CU in the study population. The reported potential beneficial effects of specific cannabis products should be further investigated. Findings emphasize patient-provider dialogue on both CU and conventional treatments. Information from this study can contribute to and inform the development of education, prevention, and intervention strategies.

Disentangling Medicinal and Recreational cannabis Use Among People Living with HIV: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study.

This study examined the feasibility of using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to disentangle medicinal cannabis use (MCU) from recreational cannabis use (RCU) among people living HIV (PLWH). Over a 14-day period, PLWH (N = 29) who engaged in both MCU and RCU completed a smartphone-based survey before and after every cannabis use event assessing general motivation for cannabis use (MCU-only, RCU-only, or mixed MCU/RCU), cannabis use behavior, and several antecedents and outcomes of cannabis use. A total of 739 pre-cannabis surveys were completed; 590 (80%) of the prompted post-cannabis surveys were completed. Motives for cannabis use were reported as MCU-only on 24%, RCU-only on 30%, and mixed MCU/RCU on 46% of pre-cannabis surveys. Mixed effects models examined within-person differences across MCU-only, RCU-only, and mixed MCU/RCU events. Results showed that relative to RCU-only events, MCU-only events were more likely to involve symptom management and drug substitution motives, physical and sleep-related symptoms, solitary cannabis use, and use of cannabis oils and sprays; MCU-only events were less likely to involve relaxation, happiness, and wellness motives, cannabis flower use, and positive cannabis consequences. Differences between mixed MCU/RCU and RCU-only events were similar, except that mixed MCU/RCU events were additionally associated with stress reduction motives and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Findings support the feasibility of partially disentangling MCU and RCU behavior among PLWH who engage in concurrent MCU and RCU. This study highlights the need for more EMA studies isolating MCU from RCU to inform ongoing changes to cannabis policies.

Knowledge of Cannabinoid Content Among People Living with HIV Who Use Cannabis: a Daily Diary Study.

BACKGROUND: Many people living with HIV (PLWH) use cannabis for medicinal reasons. Patients' knowledge of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) concentrations of the cannabis products they use may be important in helping patients achieve symptom relief while guarding against potential risks of cannabis use. However, no studies have examined cannabinoid concentration knowledge among PLWH. METHOD: PLWH (N = 29; 76% men, mean age 47 years) reporting cannabis use for both medicinal and nonmedicinal reasons completed daily surveys over 14 days assessing cannabis products used, knowledge of cannabinoid concentrations of cannabis products used, cannabis use motives (medicinal, nonmedicinal, both), and positive and negative cannabis-related consequences. Across the 361 cannabis use days captured on the daily surveys, at least some knowledge of cannabinoid concentrations was reported on an average of 43.1% (for THC) and 26.6% (for CBD) of the days. RESULTS: Generalized linear mixed models revealed that participants were more likely to report knowing THC and CBD concentrations on days when they used non-flower forms of cannabis relative to days when they used cannabis flower only. Participants who used cannabis for medicinal reasons on a greater proportion of days had greater knowledge of cannabinoid concentration overall across days. Further, greater overall knowledge of cannabinoid concentrations was associated with fewer reported negative cannabis-related consequences. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that among PLWH, knowledge of cannabinoid concentrations may be higher when using non-flower cannabis products and among those reporting primarily medicinal cannabis use. Moreover, knowledge of cannabinoid concentration may protect against negative cannabis-related consequences in this population.

Effects of varenicline and bupropion on laboratory smoking outcomes: Meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled human laboratory studies.

Human laboratory studies are widely used to evaluate behavioural mechanisms of pharmacotherapy effects. Results from human laboratory studies examining smoking cessation pharmacotherapies have not been examined in aggregate. The current meta-analysis aimed to synthesize data from randomized, placebo-controlled human laboratory studies on the effects of non-nicotine pharmacotherapies on outcomes relevant for smoking cessation. Literature searches identified 15 human laboratory studies of varenicline (n = 697) and 9 studies of bupropion (n = 313) with sufficient data for inclusion. Studies involved acute or subacute pharmacotherapy treatment with administration durations ranging from a single dose to 8 weeks. Primary outcomes examined were craving, withdrawal and behavioural indices of smoking. Varenicline significantly reduced craving (Hedge's g = -0.36[-0.54,-0.17], p < 0.001), withdrawal (g = -0.25[-0.41,-0.09], p = 0.003) and behavioural indices of smoking (g = -0.36[-0.63,-0.08], p = 0.01) relative to placebo. In contrast, results were inconclusive regarding bupropion's effects on craving (g = -0.13[-0.32,0.05], p = 0.15), withdrawal (g = -0.15[-0.44,0.14], p = 0.31) and behavioural indices of smoking (g = -0.05[-0.35,0.24], p = 0.73) relative to placebo. Findings provide meta-analytic support that short-term varenicline treatment decreases craving, withdrawal symptoms and smoking behaviour under controlled laboratory conditions. However, findings also suggest the ability of human laboratory paradigms to detect pharmacotherapy effects may differ by treatment type. Pharmacotherapy discovery and evaluation efforts utilizing human laboratory methods should aim to align study designs and laboratory procedures with presumed therapeutic mechanisms when possible.

Association of the Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase C385A Polymorphism With Alcohol Use Severity and Coping Motives in Heavy-Drinking Youth.

BACKGROUND: Reduced function of fatty acid amide hydrolase, the catabolic enzyme for the endocannabinoid anandamide, can be inherited through a functional genetic polymorphism (FAAH rs324420, C385A, P129T). The minor (A) allele has been associated with reduced FAAH enzyme activity and increased risk for substance use disorders in adults. Whether this inherited difference in endocannabinoid metabolism relates to alcohol use disorder etiology and patterns of alcohol use in youth is unknown. METHODS: To examine this question, heavy-drinking youth (n = 302; mean age = 19.74 ± 1.18) were genotyped for FAAH C385A. All subjects completed a comprehensive interview assessing alcohol use patterns including the Timeline Follow-back Method, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and Drinking Motives Questionnaire. Analyses of Covariance (ANCOVAs) were conducted to assess differences in drinking patterns and drinking motives between genotype groups, and mediation analyses investigated whether drinking motives accounted for indirect associations of genotype with alcohol use severity. RESULTS: Youth with the FAAH minor allele (AC or AA genotype) reported significantly more drinking days (p = 0.045), significantly more frequent heavy episodic drinking (p = 0.003), and significantly higher alcohol-related problems and consumption patterns (AUDIT score p = 0.045, AUDIT-C score p = 0.02). Mediation analyses showed that the association of FAAH C385A with drinking outcomes was mediated by coping motives. CONCLUSIONS: These findings extend previous studies by suggesting that reduced endocannabinoid metabolism may be related to heavier use of alcohol in youth, prior to the onset of chronic drinking problems. Furthermore, differences in negative reinforcement-related drinking could account in part for this association.

Acute effects of a very low nicotine content cigarette on laboratory smoking lapse: Impacts of nicotine metabolism and nicotine dependence.

Reducing cigarette nicotine content to nonaddictive levels facilitates smoking cessation; however, very low nicotine content cigarettes (VLNCs) may not be equally effective across heterogeneous smokers. We evaluated the impact of acute VLNC smoking versus control (sham puffs) on craving, withdrawal and smoking lapse behaviour and whether genetically influenced differences in nicotine metabolism and individual differences in nicotine dependence moderate observed effects. Thirty-three overnight-abstinent smokers (15 slow vs. 17 normal nicotine metabolizers; 17 low vs. 16 high nicotine dependence) smoked a 0.05-mg nicotine VLNC during one session and took sham VLNC puffs during another session, in a counterbalanced order. Craving and withdrawal were assessed before and after smoking and sham puffing. Next, participants completed the McKee Smoking Lapse Task, which measures ability to resist smoking and quantity of ad libitum smoking. VLNC (vs. sham) reduced craving and withdrawal, increased ability to resist smoking and reduced ad libitum smoking. VLNC-induced reduction in craving for positive reinforcement was greater in slow (vs. normal) metabolizers. Nicotine metabolism did not moderate any other VLNC responses. High-dependence (vs. low-dependence) participants engaged in greater ad lib smoking across VLNC and sham conditions. Nicotine dependence did not moderate VLNC responses. VLNC reduced craving, withdrawal and smoking lapse behaviour. Individual differences in nicotine metabolism and dependence had a minimal impact on VLNC responses; however, VLNCs were less effective at reducing craving for positive reinforcement among normal (vs. slow) metabolizers. These findings suggest that desirable VLNC effects may extend across heterogeneous groups of smokers.

Drinking to Cope During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of External and Internal Factors in Coping Motive Pathways to Alcohol Use, Solitary Drinking, and Alcohol Problems.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in massive disruptions to society, to the economy, and to daily life. Some people may turn to alcohol to cope with stress during the pandemic, which may put them at risk for heavy drinking and alcohol-related harms. Research is needed to identify factors that are relevant for coping-motivated drinking during these extraordinary circumstances to inform interventions. This study provides an empirical examination of coping motive pathways to alcohol problems during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Participants (N = 320; 54.7% male; mean age of 32 years) were Canadian adult drinkers who completed an online survey assessing work- and home-related factors, psychological factors, and alcohol-related outcomes over the past 30 days, covering a time period beginning within 1 month of the initiation of the COVID-19 emergency response. RESULTS: The results of a theory-informed path model showed that having at least 1 child under the age of 18, greater depression, and lower social connectedness each predicted unique variance in past 30-day coping motives, which in turn predicted increased past 30-day alcohol use (controlling for pre-COVID-19 alcohol use reported retrospectively). Income loss was associated with increased alcohol use, and living alone was associated with increased solitary drinking (controlling for pre-COVID-19 levels), but these associations were not mediated by coping motives. Increased alcohol use, increased solitary drinking, and greater coping motives for drinking were all independently associated with past 30-day alcohol problems, and indirect paths to alcohol problems from having children at home, depression, social connectedness, income loss, and living alone were all supported. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide insight into coping-motivated drinking early in the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the need for longitudinal research to establish longer term outcomes of drinking to cope during the pandemic.

OPRM1 Moderates Daily Associations of Naltrexone Adherence With Alcohol Consumption: Preliminary Evidence From a Mobile Health Trial.

BACKGROUND: Initial evidence that OPRM1 genotype moderates the clinical response to naltrexone has not been replicated in prospective clinical trials. However, the use of traditional statistical analyses and clinical endpoints might limit sensitivity for studying pharmacogenetic associations, whereas the use of intensive daily assessments and person-centered analytic methods might increase sensitivity. This study leveraged person-centered analyses and daily measures of alcohol use, craving, and medication adherence to investigate OPRM1 as a moderator of changes in clinical outcomes during naltrexone treatment. METHODS: Treatment-seeking participants with alcohol use disorder (n = 58; Mage  = 38 years; 71% male) provided daily cell phone reports of craving and consumption while taking naltrexone as part of a mobile health trial. Daily medication adherence was measured remotely using electronic pill cap recordings. Multilevel modeling and multilevel structural equation modeling analyses evaluated the hypotheses that OPRM1 genotype would moderate prospective reductions in daily alcohol use and craving, and would also moderate within-person associations of daily adherence with same-day craving and consumption. RESULTS: OPRM1 genotype moderated the association of daily adherence with reduced same-day consumption (p = 0.007) and craving (p = 0.06), with these associations being stronger for participants with the 118G variant. OPRM1 genotype did not moderate changes in craving and consumption over time. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that high-density assessments and person-centered analytic approaches, including modeling within-person variation in medication adherence, could be advantageous for pharmacogenetic studies.

Changes in Nicotine Metabolite Ratio Among Daily Smokers Receiving Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol may influence the nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR), an index of the rate of nicotine metabolism that is associated smoking level and lapses. We examined if NMR changes during alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment and how changes in NMR relate to reductions in drinking. METHODS: Using an observational design, 22 daily smokers [63.64% male, Mage = 46.77 (11.37)] receiving AUD treatment completed baseline and follow-up appointments 3 weeks apart. At each appointment, daily alcohol and cigarette use, salivary and urinary NMR, nicotine exposure via urinary total nicotine equivalents, and carbon monoxide were assessed. Multilevel models examined the change over time in NMR and its within-person relations with changes in drinks per week. Sex differences were evaluated. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in both salivary and urinary NMR over time for men (p = .02; p = .01, respectively) but not for women (p = .54; p = .90, respectively). There were no changes over time in total nicotine equivalents (p = .09), carbon monoxide (p = .44), or cigarette use (p = .44) in either sex. Drinks per week were significantly reduced for men (29.12 drink reduction, p < .001) but not for women (2.28 drink reduction, p = .80); however, within-person changes in drinking were not associated with changes in salivary or urinary NMR (p = .99; p = .19). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in alcohol use and NMR in men provides indirect support for alcohol increasing NMR. In contrast, the low baseline drinking and lack of alcohol reduction likely underlie the lack of change in NMR in females. Reasons for NMR reductions during AUD treatment and its effects on smoking require further study. IMPLICATIONS: Three weeks of alcohol use disorder treatment among daily smokers coincided with a significant reduction in both alcohol use and NMR for men; however, neither drinking level nor NMR changed for women. The findings indirectly support that heavy drinking increases NMR, which is reversed with reduced drinking. Additional research is needed to establish if these changes in NMR correlate with smoking and cessation outcomes.

Correction to: Self-Directed Gambling Changes: Trajectory of Problem Gambling Severity in Absence of Treatment.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained errors in the Methods section. The citations blinded during the review process were inadvertently omitted during the production process and subsequent stages.

An Evaluation of Alcohol Sensitivity in the Context of the Acquired Preparedness Model.

BACKGROUND: The acquired preparedness model (APM) posits that relationships between impulsivity-related traits and alcohol use are partly mediated by the biased acquisition of positive alcohol expectancies. Additionally, alcohol administration studies implicate associations between impulsivity-related traits and sensitivity to acute alcohol effects, suggesting that impulsivity-expectancy associations could be partly explained by individual differences in alcohol response. The present study assessed a theoretical extension of the APM by testing the prediction that self-reported sensitivity to alcohol would partly mediate impulsivity-expectancy relationships, and that the addition of alcohol sensitivity variables would account for increased variance in drinking quantity and problems relative to the traditional APM. METHOD: Young adult heavy drinkers (N = 300, 53% women) completed the Alcohol Sensitivity Questionnaire, the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, and measures of alcohol expectancies (Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol Questionnaire) and drinking quantity and related problems. Hypotheses were examined using path analysis. RESULTS: Results supported significant indirect effects of sensation seeking on drinking quantity and problems via higher positive expectancies. Results also supported a significant indirect effect of negative urgency on drinking problems via negative expectancies. Although alcohol sensitivity variables showed unique associations with drinking outcomes, the addition of these variables did not improve model fit and hypothesized indirect paths involving impulsivity-related traits, alcohol sensitivity, and expectancies were not supported. CONCLUSIONS: Future research is necessary to reconcile these results with laboratory findings suggesting that impulsive traits are frequently associated with sensitivity to alcohol's acute effects.

A review of behavioral alcohol interventions for transplant candidates and recipients with alcohol-related liver disease.

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is a common indication for liver transplantation. Reflecting growing consensus that early transplant (ie, prior to sustained abstinence) can be a viable option for acute alcoholic hepatitis, access to liver transplantation for ALD patients has increased. Prevention of alcohol relapse is critical to pretransplant stabilization and posttransplant survival. Behavioral interventions are a fundamental component of alcohol use disorder treatment, but have rarely been studied in the transplant context. This scoping review summarizes published reports of behavioral and psychosocial alcohol interventions conducted with ALD patients who were liver transplant candidates and/or recipients. A structured review identified 11 eligible reports (3 original research studies, 8 descriptive papers). Intervention characteristics and clinical outcomes were summarized. Interventions varied significantly in orientation, content, delivery format, and timing/duration. Observational findings illustrate the importance of situating alcohol interventions within a multidisciplinary treatment context, and suggest the potential efficacy of cognitive-behavioral and motivational enhancement interventions. However, given extremely limited research evaluating behavioral alcohol interventions among ALD patients, the efficacy of behavioral interventions for pre- and posttransplant alcohol relapse remains to be established.

Influence of Nicotine Metabolism Ratio on [11C]-(+)-PHNO PET Binding in Tobacco Smokers.

Background: Identifying the biological basis of smoking cessation success is of growing interest. The rate of nicotine metabolism, measured by the nicotine metabolite ratio, affects multiple aspects of nicotine dependence. Fast nicotine metabolizers tend to smoke more, experience more withdrawal and craving, and have lower cessation rates compared with slow metabolizers. The nicotine metabolite ratio predicts treatment response, and differences in brain activation between fast metabolizers and slow metabolizers have been reported in fMRI studies. As reinforcing/rewarding effects of tobacco are associated with dopamine transmission, the purpose of the present study was to study the dopaminergic system in human smokers based on their nicotine metabolite ratio. Methods: The first aim of the study was to explore if there were differences in D2 and D3 receptor binding between fast metabolizers and slow metabolizers during abstinence. The second aim was to explore smoking-induced dopamine release in both groups. Participants underwent 2 [11C]-(+)-PHNO PET scans: one scan during abstinence and the other after smoking a tobacco cigarette. Subjective measures were recorded and blood was drawn for measurement of nicotine and cotinine levels. Results: During abstinence, slow metabolizers (n = 13) had lower [11C]-(+)-PHNO binding potential than fast metabolizers (n = 15) restricted to the D2 regions of the associative striatum and sensorimotor striatum. After smoking a cigarette, [11C]-(+)-PHNO binding potential was decreased in the limbic striatum and ventral pallidum, suggestive of increases in dopamine, but there were no nicotine metabolite ratio differences. Conclusions: Further studies are required to delineate if differences in [11C]-(+)-PHNO binding between slow metabolizers and fast metabolizers at abstinence baseline are preexisting traits or induced by prolonged tobacco use.

Does Family History of Alcohol Use Disorder Relate to Differences in Regional Brain Volumes? A Descriptive Review with New Data.

BACKGROUND: Differences in regional brain volumes as a function of family history (FH) of alcohol use disorder (AUD) have been reported, and it has been suggested that these differences might index genetic risk for AUD. However, results have been inconsistent. The aims of the current study were (i) to provide an updated descriptive review of the existing literature and (ii) to examine the association of FH with indices of subcortical volumes and cortical thickness in a sample of youth recruited based on FH status. METHODS: To address aim 1, a literature search located 15 published studies comprising 1,735 participants. Studies were characterized according to population, analytic methods, regions of interest, and primary findings. To address the second aim, we examined volumetric and cortical thickness in a sample of 69 youth (mean age = 19.71 years, SD = 0.79) recruited based on FH status and matched on drinking variables. Associations of sex and alcohol use with volumetric outcomes were also examined. RESULTS: Our descriptive review revealed an inconsistent pattern of results with respect to the presence, direction, and regional specificity of volumetric differences across FH groups. The most consistent finding, significantly smaller amygdala volumes in FH+ participants, was not replicated in all studies. In the current sample of youth, measures of subcortical volumes and cortical thickness did not significantly differ as a function of FH, sex, or their interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for FH group differences in regional brain volumes is inconsistent, and the current study failed to detect any group differences. Further research is needed to confirm the reproducibility of FH group differences and implications for AUD risk.

Stigma, Coping, and Alcohol Use Severity Among People Living With HIV: A Prospective Analysis of Bidirectional and Mediated Associations.

Background: HIV-related stigma is associated with health consequences among people living with HIV, including increased risk for alcohol problems. Theory suggests that maladaptive coping may mediate the relationship between HIV-related stigma and alcohol outcomes, and these variables may be bidirectionally associated over time. However, no studies have examined the temporal relationships among these variables in people living with HIV. Purpose: This study examined prospective bidirectional and mediated associations among HIV-related stigma, maladaptive coping, and alcohol use severity in patients enrolled in the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort study. Method: Patients receiving care for HIV (N = 1,520) at one of several clinics completed self-report measures annually. Data were analyzed in a four-wave, cross-lagged panel model. Results: Greater HIV-related stigma at each wave consistently predicted increased maladaptive coping 1 year later. Similarly, maladaptive coping consistently predicted greater subsequent HIV-related stigma. Further, we observed some evidence that maladaptive coping mediated the prospective associations between HIV-related stigma and alcohol use severity in both directions (i.e., stigma to subsequent alcohol use severity and vice versa) although these associations were not observed across all waves. Conclusion: Results suggest that HIV-related stigma and maladaptive coping are bidirectionally associated with one another over time. This study also provides some evidence that coping may be a relevant mediator of these associations, although findings were less consistent for mediated pathways. Future research should examine whether interventions addressing stigma and coping among people living with HIV may help to minimize health risks such as hazardous drinking.

Predictors of Daily Adherence to Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment During a Mobile Health Intervention.

Background: Adherence to medications for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) is poor. To identify predictors of daily naltrexone adherence over time, a secondary data analysis was conducted of a trial evaluating a mobile health intervention to improve adherence. Methods: Participants seeking treatment for AUD (n = 58; Mage = 38 years; 71% male) were prescribed naltrexone for 8 weeks. Adherence was tracked using the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). In response to daily text messages, participants reported the previous day's alcohol use, craving, and naltrexone side effects. Using multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM), we examined baseline dispositional factors and within-person, time-varying factors as predictors of daily adherence. Results: Naltrexone adherence decreased over time. Adherence was higher on days when individuals completed daily mobile assessments relative to days when they did not (odds ratio [OR] = 2.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61 to 3.98), irrespective of intervention condition. Days when individuals drank more than their typical amount were related to lower next-day adherence (OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99). A similar pattern was supported for craving (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.98). Weekend days were associated with lower adherence than weekdays (OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.86); this effect was partly mediated by heavier daily drinking (indirect effect = -0.02, 95% CI -0.04 to -0.003) and stronger-than-usual craving (indirect effect = -0.01, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.00) on weekend days. Conclusions: The results further demonstrate the need to improve adherence to AUD pharmacotherapy. The present findings also support developing interventions that target daily-level risk factors for nonadherence. Mobile health interventions may be one means of developing tailored and adaptive adherence interventions.

Betting on Life: Associations Between Significant Life Events and Gambling Trajectories Among Gamblers with the Intent to Quit.

Considerable evidence has suggested that problem gambling may be transitory and episodic, with gamblers routinely moving in and out of clinical thresholds. Findings in qualitative and quantitative studies have converged on identifying preliminary evidence for the role of life events as motivators and contributing factors for gambling changes over time. The aim of this study was to conduct an exploratory analysis of the relationship between life events, their respective experience as positive or negative, and gambling trajectories among problem gamblers intending to quit. Life event occurrence and ratings as positive or negative, and changes in gambling severity were analyzed over a 12-month period for 204 adult problem gamblers intending to reduce or quit their gambling. Overall, mixed effects models revealed several relationships between life events and both the magnitude and direction of gambling change over time. In particular, gamblers who experienced a greater number of positive events or specific events such as legal events, the adoption/loss of a child, or negative changes to their social relationships, finances, work environments or social/health activities were more likely to exhibit greater gambling reductions over time. Conversely, gamblers who experienced a greater number of negative events, such as family bereavement, the dissolution of a marriage, or negative changes to their residence exhibited smaller gambling reductions or increases in gambling severity. Possible mechanisms which may explain the findings and the importance of examining the subjective experience of life events are discussed. Recommendations for future studies examining associations between life events and gambling trajectories are provided.

Self-Directed Gambling Changes: Trajectory of Problem Gambling Severity in Absence of Treatment.

Most problem gamblers do not seek formal treatment, recovering on their own through cognitive re-appraisal or self-help strategies. Although barriers to treatment have been extensively studied, there is a paucity of research on self-directed changes in problem gambling and very few studies have examined these changes prospectively. The aim of this study was to examine the trajectory of gambling severity and behavior change over an 18-month period, among a sample of non-treatment seeking/attending problem gamblers recruited from the community (N = 204) interested in quitting or reducing gambling. Separate mixed effects models revealed that in absence of formal treatment, significant reductions in gambling severity, frequency, and amount gambled could be observed over the course of a 6 to 9-month period and that changes experienced within the first 12 months were maintained for an extended 6 months. Problem gambling severity at baseline was significantly associated with changes in severity over time, such that participants with more severe gambling problems demonstrated greater reductions in their gambling severity over time. A total of 11.1% of participants gambled within a low-risk threshold at 18 months, although 28.7% of the sample reported consecutive gambling severity scores below problem levels for the duration of 1 year or longer. The findings suggest that among problem gamblers motivated to quit or reduce their gambling, significant self-directed changes in gambling severity can occur over a relatively short time. Additional prospective studies are needed to document the role of specific self-help tools or thought processes in exacting gambling changes.