Using machine learning to predict heavy drinking during outpatient alcohol treatment.

BACKGROUND: Accurate clinical prediction supports the effective treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other psychiatric disorders. Traditional statistical techniques have identified patient characteristics associated with treatment outcomes. However, less work has focused on systematically leveraging these associations to create optimal predictive models. The current study demonstrates how machine learning can be used to predict clinical outcomes in people completing outpatient AUD treatment. METHOD: We used data from the COMBINE multisite clinical trial (n = 1383) to develop and test predictive models. We identified three priority prediction targets, including (1) heavy drinking during the first month of treatment, (2) heavy drinking during the last month of treatment, and (3) heavy drinking between weekly/bi-weekly sessions. Models were generated using the random forest algorithm. We used "leave sites out" partitioning to externally validate the models in trial sites that were not included in the model training. Stratified model development was used to test for sex differences in the relative importance of predictive features. RESULTS: Models predicting heavy alcohol use during the first and last months of treatment showed internal cross-validation area under the curve (AUC) scores ranging from 0.67 to 0.74. AUC was comparable in the external validation using data from held-out sites (AUC range = 0.69 to 0.72). The model predicting between-session heavy drinking showed strong classification accuracy in internal cross-validation (AUC = 0.89) and external test samples (AUC range = 0.80 to 0.87). Stratified analyses showed substantial sex differences in optimal feature sets. CONCLUSION: Machine learning techniques can predict alcohol treatment outcomes using routinely collected clinical data. This technique has the potential to greatly improve clinical prediction accuracy without requiring expensive or invasive assessment methods. More research is needed to understand how best to deploy these models.

Sexual minority disparities in opioid and benzodiazepine misuse among adults with opioid use disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sexual minority individuals demonstrate disparate rates of substance use. Research suggests that bisexual women are vulnerable to substance use disorders when compared to other sexual minority groups. This study explored differences in prevalence of past-year alcohol use disorder (AUD) with and without concurrent past-year opioid and/or benzodiazepine misuse. METHODS: The present study utilized responses from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) public dataset between the years 2015-2019 (N = 16,002) to examine the association between sexual orientation and concurrent misuse of opioids and/or benzodiazepines among individuals with past-year AUD, stratified by sex. RESULTS: Bisexual females demonstrated higher rates of concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine use compared to all other groups. Although there was no association between sexual orientation and concurrent substance use patterns among males, female respondents with past-year AUD endorsing past-year misuse of opioids and benzodiazepines, both alone and in combination, were more likely to be bisexual compared to heterosexual. Lesbians were less likely to endorse concurrent misuse of opioids and benzodiazepines compared to bisexual females. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In a national sample, bisexual females demonstrated higher odds of risky concurrent substance use patterns. Identifying sexual minority individuals who exhibit elevated risk of co-occurring alcohol, opioid, and/or benzodiazepine misuse is an important step to targeted prevention efforts and allocation of resources to combat rising overdose deaths. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: For the first time, this study explored risky concurrent alcohol, opioid, and benzodiazepine misuse patterns among individuals of different sexual orientations.

Sex Differences across Retrospective Transitions in Posttraumatic Stress and Substance Use Disorders.

Objectives: Concurrent substance use disorder (SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occur at high rates and are typically associated with poor treatment outcomes in both sexes. However, women have a propensity to cope with increased negative affect via substance use in comparison to men; thus, it is important to elucidate the sex-specific bidirectional relationships between SUD and PTSD to improve our understanding of concurrent SUD/PTSD in men and women. Methods: Using data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-Wave 3; n = 36,309), the present study evaluated the impact of sex on the relationship between past-year SUDs (new, remitted, ongoing), including alcohol and drug use, and retrospective transitions in new vs. absent and ongoing vs. remitted diagnoses of PTSD. Additionally, the impact of sex was explored in models examining past year PTSD (new, remitted, ongoing) and retrospective transitions in new vs. absent and ongoing vs. remitted diagnosis of SUDs. Diagnostic transitions were based on retrospective reporting. Results: Results indicated that new, remitted, and ongoing SUDs increase the likelihood of new PTSD diagnoses (OR range = 2.53-8.11; p < 0.05). Among individuals with ongoing drug use disorders (DUD), there were greater odds of ongoing PTSD (OR = 2.10, p < 0.01). When examining the relationship reciprocally, new, remitted, and ongoing PTSD increased the likelihood of new SUDs (OR range = 2.50-8.22; p < 0.05), and ongoing PTSD increased the likelihood of ongoing SUD and DUD (OR = 1.40, 1.70, respectively; p < 0.05). Sex-specific analyses revealed that the relationship between PTSD and SUDs varies between sexes, particularly among women. For instance, women with new PTSD had higher odds of SUDs, and women with ongoing PTSD were almost 2.5 times more likely to have an ongoing DUD. Women with a new PTSD diagnosis were more likely to be diagnosed with a new SUD (OR = 3.27) and an ongoing DUD (OR = 3.08). Conclusions: Results indicate a bidirectional relationship between PTSD and SUD that is in many instances larger in women. Thus, illustrating potential sex-specific differences in underlying mechanisms implicated in SUD/PTSD, warranting additional research.

Associations Between Nicotine Metabolite Ratio and Gender With Transitions in Cigarette Smoking Status and E-Cigarette Use: Findings Across Waves 1 and 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.

INTRODUCTION: Nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR), the ratio of trans 3'-hydroxycotinine to cotinine, is a biomarker of nicotine metabolism. Discrepant findings among clinical trials and population-based studies warrant replication on whether higher NMR, or faster nicotine metabolism, is associated with quitting cigarette smoking. Associations of NMR and e-cigarette use are largely unknown, as well as the relationship between NMR and gender on quitting cigarette smoking or e-cigarette use. METHODS: The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study is a nationally representative, longitudinal cohort study assessing tobacco use in the US population. In the current study, the PATH (waves 1 and 2; adult interviews) was used to evaluate longitudinal predictions in relationships among NMR and gender and their association with transitions (quit vs. current stable) in cigarette smoking status and e-cigarette use status across waves 1 and 2 of the PATH study. RESULTS: NMR and gender were not significantly associated with quit behavior for combustible cigarettes. Regarding e-cigarettes, a significant two-way interaction demonstrated that women with higher NMR were less likely to quit e-cigarette use compared to women with lower NMR (odds ratio [OR] = 0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02-0.57; p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Findings identify that women with faster nicotine metabolism were 10 times less likely to quit e-cigarettes compared to women with slower nicotine metabolism across waves 1 and 2 of the PATH study. Results suggest that NMR may be used as a biomarker for transitions in e-cigarette quit behavior for women. IMPLICATIONS: Findings identify that women with faster nicotine metabolism were 10 times less likely to quit e-cigarettes compared to women with slower nicotine metabolism. Results suggest that NMR may be used as a biomarker for transitions in e-cigarette quit behavior for women. Establishing parameters for NMR collection and for the use of NMR as a biomarker for cigarette smoking behavior and e-cigarette use is an important next step, and may have implications for early intervention and treatment for cessation.

Smoking Across the Menopausal Transition in a 10-Year Longitudinal Sample: The Role of Sex Hormones and Depressive Symptoms.

INTRODUCTION: Current cigarette smoking rates among older women remain problematic, especially given that this population experiences increased smoking-related health consequences. Despite these increased health concerns, little research to date has explored smoking patterns across the menopausal transition (pre-, early-peri-, late-peri-, and postmenopausal) or the effect of unique factors such as sex hormones and depression during this transition. METHODS: This study used 10 yearly waves of data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, a longitudinal dataset. Data included 1397 women endorsing ever smoking regularly at baseline. Random-effects logistic regression models were used to examine smoking transitions. RESULTS: Although there were no associations between menopausal transition stage and smoking behavior, increased estradiol was associated with an increased likelihood of quitting regular smoking (eg, transitioning from regular smoking to non-regular or no smoking; odds ratio [OR] = 1.28), whereas increased testosterone was associated with an increased likelihood of relapsing to regular smoking (eg, transitioning from former or nonregular smoking to regular smoking OR = 2.56). Depression was associated with increased likelihood of continued smoking (OR = 0.97) and relapse (OR = 1.03). CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasize the need to develop interventions to target initiated or continued smoking among women across the menopausal transition and specifically highlight the importance of developing treatments that target depressive symptoms in this population. In addition, although singular hormone measures were associated with smoking behavior, there is a need for future study of dynamic changes in hormones, as well as the impact of progesterone on smoking behaviors across the menopausal transition. IMPLICATIONS: To date, no studies have examined smoking behaviors across the menopausal transition. In this study, although menopausal transition status was not significantly related to transitions in smoking behavior, important relationships between sex hormones and depression were observed. Increased estradiol was associated with an increased likelihood of quitting regular smoking, whereas increased testosterone was associated with an increased likelihood of relapsing to regular smoking behavior. Higher depression scores were related to continued smoking and relapse to regular smoking behavior. These results highlight the need to develop interventions to target smoking cessation among women across the menopausal transition.

The Prevalence of Substance Use Disorders among Community-based Adults with Legal Problems in the U.S.

BACKGROUND: Current national prevalence estimates of DSM-5 diagnosed substance use disorders (SUDs) among adults with justice system involvement are lacking. METHODS: This study drew from NESARC-III data (n = 36,309; 2012-2013), a nationally representative U.S. sample, to examine current and lifetime alcohol use disorder (AUD) and drug use disorder (DUD) diagnoses among adults reporting current or prior drug-related, alcohol-related, and general legal problems. RESULTS: Adults reporting current alcohol-related legal problems were 22 times more likely to have a current AUD diagnosis (AOR = 22.0, 95% CI = 12.1; 40.1) and 15 times more likely to have had a lifetime AUD diagnosis (AOR = 15.2, 95% CI = 7.5; 30.9) than adults without alcohol-related legal problems. Adults with lifetime drug-related legal problems were 3-5 times more likely to have a current (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI = 2.1; 3.2) and lifetime (AOR = 5.1, 95% CI = 4.3; 6.1) DUD diagnosis, with stimulant use disorder being the most prevalent (AOR = 5.4, 95% CI = 4.5; 6.5). Adults with general legal problems were around 3 times more likely to have a current AUD (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI = 2.6; 4.0) or DUD (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI = 2.8; 4.4). Women with any type of legal problem were more likely to have SUD diagnoses than men. CONCLUSIONS: SUD diagnoses are prevalent among adults reporting legal problems, particularly those involving alcohol. There is a continued need for community-based addiction prevention and intervention efforts, especially for women with justice system involvement.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Immediate-Release Versus Extended-Release Guanfacine in Adult Daily Smokers.

BACKGROUND: Guanfacine is Food and Drug Administration approved for hypertension and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and has been used off-label for migraine prophylaxis, heroin withdrawal, and more recently smoking cessation. Previous studies have shown positive effects of 3 mg/d of immediate-release (IR) guanfacine on smoking outcomes, but the dose equivalency of the IR and extended-release (ER) formulations is unknown. PROCEDURES: A within-subject design was used to compare the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 3 mg/d of IR, 4 mg/d of ER, and 6 mg/d of ER guanfacine in adult daily smokers (n = 5). Plasma medication levels, vital signs, cigarettes per day, tobacco craving, and adverse events were assessed. Medication was titrated to stable dosing after each laboratory day (3 mg/d IR, then 4 mg/d ER, then 6 mg/d ER). RESULTS: Plasma medication levels did not differ between the 3 mg/d of IR and 4 mg/d of ER doses after 24 hours from last dose and were highest at the 6 mg/d of ER dose (3 mg/d IR: M = 3.40 ng/mL, SE = 0.34 vs 4 mg/d ER: M = 3.46 ng/mL, SE = 0.67 vs 6 mg/d ER: M = 5.92 ng/mL, SE = 1.02). All doses of guanfacine decreased heart rate and blood pressure from baseline. Absolute values of cigarettes per day (6 mg/d ER) and tobacco craving (4 and 6 mg/d ER) were lowest with the ER formulations. Treatment-emergent adverse events were subject rated as minimal to mild, except dry mouth. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated similar pharmacokinetic profiles between 3 mg/d of IR guanfacine and 4 mg/d of ER guanfacine, as hypothesized. All doses of guanfacine were well tolerated.

Intersection of E-Cigarette Use and Gender on Transitions in Cigarette Smoking Status: Findings Across Waves 1 and 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smokers report using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to reduce or quit smoking, but findings are mixed regarding the benefit and risk of e-cigarettes in this population, and effects of gender are unknown. METHODS: The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH; waves 1 and 2; adult interviews) was used to evaluate relationships among wave 1 e-cigarette use (daily, nondaily, never) and gender and their association with transitions (quit vs. current; relapse vs. former) in cigarette smoking status across waves 1 and 2 of the PATH study. RESULTS: Daily e-cigarette users had higher odds of quitting smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12 to 2.18) compared with never e-cigarette users. Conversely, daily and nondaily e-cigarette users were at greater risk of smoking relapse (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.15 to 2.94 and OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 0.99 to 3.46, respectively) compared with never e-cigarette users. Women were less likely to quit smoking compared with men independent of e-cigarette use (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.59 to 0.99). In stratified analyses, daily or nondaily e-cigarette use did not increase the likelihood of quitting or relapse in women. In men, daily and nondaily e-cigarette users were at greater risk of smoking relapse (OR = 2.96, 95% CI = 1.49 to 5.86 and OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 1.29 to 7.17, respectively) compared with men who were never e-cigarette users. CONCLUSIONS: Findings identify e-cigarettes as a potential aid for smoking cessation but also as a potential risk for smoking relapse in men only. Overall, women were less likely to quit smoking, and e-cigarette use did not impact their ability to quit or to stay quit. IMPLICATIONS: Cigarette smokers report using e-cigarettes to reduce or quit smoking, but findings are mixed regarding the benefit and risk of e-cigarettes in this population. Using data from the newly available PATH (waves 1 and 2; adult interviews), our findings identify e-cigarettes as a potential aid for smoking cessation but also identify e-cigarettes as a potential risk for smoking relapse in men only. These findings may have implications for the regulation of e-cigarettes by the Food and Drug Administration and the benefit-cost ratio of e-cigarette use in smokers.

Electronic Cigarette Use and Risk of Harmful Alcohol Consumption in the U.S. Population.

BACKGROUND: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is an increasingly common method of nicotine delivery in the general population. It is well-established that tobacco users are at increased risk to engage in hazardous drinking and meet criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) relative to nonusers. Less is known, however, about the risk of harmful alcohol use among people who use e-cigarettes. The current study reports on the association between e-cigarette and alcohol use in the U.S. population using a nationally representative sample. METHODS: Data from 36,309 adults who participated in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-Wave III were included in the study. The Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule (AUDADIS) measured past-year e-cigarette and alcohol use outcomes. Based on past-year e-cigarette use, respondents were categorized as nonusers, nondaily users, or daily users. Alcohol use outcomes were drinking quantity/frequency, binge drinking frequency, AUD diagnostic status, and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism-defined hazardous drinking status. RESULTS: Controlling for demographic characteristics, daily and nondaily e-cigarette users showed increased risk of harmful alcohol use compared to e-cigarette nonusers, including hazardous drinking (adjusted odds ratios [AORs] = 1.69; 2.48), AUD (AORs = 1.89; 2.44), and binge drinking frequency (AORs = 1.30 to 3.30). Nondaily e-cigarette use was associated with higher levels of risk than was daily use. Secondary analyses examined alcohol use outcomes according to participants' patterns of dual tobacco cigarette/e-cigarette use. These analyses confirmed that e-cigarette use alongside tobacco cigarette use is associated with additive risk of harmful alcohol consumption, particularly among nondaily users. CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette users, particularly those who engage in nondaily and dual use, show elevated rates of harmful alcohol use. Heavy drinking may constitute a source of health risk among e-cigarette users.

Phosphatidylethanol Levels Among Incarcerated Women: The Influence of Pre-incarceration Alcohol Consumption and Length of Abstinence.

BACKGROUND: Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct biomarker for alcohol that is formed shortly after alcohol use and may remain detectable in blood for weeks after alcohol consumption. There is little research on alcohol use factors that influence PEth elimination, especially among women. METHODS: Data were collected from 116 alcohol use-disordered women who were recently incarcerated. We used a 2-part model with logistic and linear components to examine whether alcohol consumption in the 2 weeks prior to incarceration and days since last alcoholic drink (operationalized as abstinence days prior to incarceration + days incarcerated) were associated with PEth detectability (>8 ng/ml) and level (ng/ml) in blood. RESULTS: Participants reported drinking an average of 10 drinks per day in the 2 weeks prior to incarceration. Days since last drink was negatively associated with PEth level (odds ratio [OR] = 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.93; 0.99) and being PEth detectable (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.91; 0.99). Quantity of alcohol consumed prior to jail admission was associated with PEth detection (OR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.03; 1.16), but not PEth level. CONCLUSIONS: Days since last alcoholic drink and drinks per day both influenced PEth detectability, but only days since last drink predicted PEth level among a large sample of women with alcohol use disorder in the criminal justice system.

A preliminary investigation into the effects of doxazosin on cognitive functioning in tobacco-deprived and -satiated smokers.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effects of doxazosin, an α1 antagonist, on cognitive functioning during tobacco withdrawal in smokers. METHODS: Participants (n = 35) were randomly assigned to receive placebo, 4-mg/day, or 8-mg/day doxazosin. They completed a continuous performance task and self-reported their withdrawal symptoms at baseline and twice following a medication titration period: once in a tobacco-deprived state and again in a nondeprived state. Ability to resist smoking was assessed using a laboratory smoking-lapse paradigm. RESULTS: Participants showed poorer cognitive performance on most measures taken from the continuous performance task when tobacco deprived. Eight-mg/day doxazosin improved inhibitory control during the nondeprivation session but did not affect sustained attention or reaction time. Participants receiving doxazosin reported fewer withdrawal symptoms during deprivation than those on placebo. Those showing the greatest improvement of inhibitory control under doxazosin were better able to resist smoking (i.e., latency to smoke) during a smoking lapse task. Self-reported withdrawal symptoms also were negatively associated with time to smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Doxazosin reduced symptoms of tobacco withdrawal according to self-report and cognitive assessment and improved inhibitory control above predrug levels. This research identifies potential mechanisms by which doxazosin might improve smoking outcomes.

The relation of borderline personality disorder to aggression, victimization, and institutional misconduct among prisoners.

OBJECTIVE: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is highly prevalent among incarcerated populations; however, research has yet to examine whether prisoners diagnosed with BPD experience greater interpersonal dysfunction and institutional misconduct while incarcerated. PROCEDURE: This study drew from a sample of 184 male and female prisoners diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a randomized trial of depression treatment. The presence of a BPD diagnosis (n = 69) was analyzed as a predictor of disciplinary incidents/infractions (i.e., fights, arguments with staff, disciplinary infractions, isolation), time spent in isolation, and types of aggression and victimization experiences during incarceration. RESULTS: There was a trend suggesting prisoners with BPD were about twice as likely as those without BPD to report disciplinary incidents/infractions (OR = 1.76 [0.93, 3.32], p = 0.075). Having a BPD diagnosis was unrelated to time in isolation and overall aggression and victimization. However, prisoners with BPD were more likely than those without BPD to perpetrate and be victimized by psychological aggression. Due to high rates of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) in the sample as a whole (72%), additional analyses compared outcomes across prisoners with no BPD or ASPD diagnosis, BPD diagnosis only, ASPD diagnosis only, and comorbid BPD and ASPD. Prisoners with comorbid BPD and ASPD were no more likely than prisoners with ASPD only to report disciplinary incidents/infractions, but were significantly more likely than those with ASPD only to report perpetrating and being victimized by psychological aggression. CONCLUSIONS: Among prisoners with MDD, those with a BPD diagnosis have increased risk of psychological aggression and disciplinary infractions during incarceration.

Changes in Community Integration From Pre- to Post-incarceration: The Influence of Psychological and Criminal Justice Factors.

Research on changes in community integration from pre- to postincarceration has primarily focused on employment and is mixed, showing both deterioration and improvement. Research is needed to examine change in other areas, as well as predictive individual-level factors. We assessed changes in jail inmates' (n = 334) employment, source of income, residential stability, marital status, and volunteerism from pre- to post-incarceration, and analyzed individual-level predictors of change. On average, more inmates improved than deteriorated in community integration, with education and low criminal thinking predicting the greatest improvement. Across multiple areas, inmates' community integration does not appear to deteriorate from pre- to post-incarceration. Apparent improvements may reflect that people become incarcerated during times of crisis, regressing to baseline by 1 year postrelease.

Risk and Protective Factors for Alcohol, Marijuana, and Cocaine Use Among Child Welfare-Involved Youth.

Youth involved in child welfare services (CWS) are at elevated risk for substance use. CWS involvement may provide an opportunity for intervention to prevent subsequent use; however, little is known about mitigating substance use risk in this population. Using data from the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW II), the present study examined individual, psychological, and contextual risk factors (e.g., prior substance use, depression, posttraumatic stress, maltreatment experiences) and protective factors (e.g., caregiver monitoring, peer relationships) following CWS involvement (Wave 1) in relation to alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine use 36 months later (Wave 3). The nationally-representative sample of CWS-involved youth was restricted to individuals who were aged 11 years or older at Wave 1 and had at least a partial interview at Wave 3 (N = 763). Three logistic regression models showed that Wave 1 substance use increased the likelihood of marijuana and cocaine use at Wave 3 [marijuana OR = 1.41 (1.19-1.68); cocaine OR = 1.26 (1.07-1.50)] but not binge alcohol use [OR = 1.44 (0.95-2.19)]. Other risk and protective factors had limited predictive value for Wave 3 substance use. The present findings suggest that initiating substance use prior to or at the time of CWS involvement is a critical risk factor for later substance use. Substance use screening and referral to treatment is imperative for CWS-involved youth.

Borderline personality disorder symptoms and criminal justice system involvement: The roles of emotion-driven difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors and physical Aggression.

OBJECTIVE: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with elevated risk for a variety of risky behaviors, including criminal behaviors. Yet, limited research has examined the relation of BPD to criminal justice (CJ) involvement, or the mechanisms underlying this relation. PROCEDURES: This study examined the role of two mechanisms, emotion-driven difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors and physical aggression, in the relation between BPD symptom severity and CJ involvement among 118 patients in residential substance abuse treatment (76% male; 62% African-American). Participants completed measures of BPD symptom severity, CJ contact, diversity of CJ charges, emotion-driven impulse control difficulties, physical aggression, and covariates (substance use severity and antisocial personality disorder symptoms). RESULTS: BPD symptom severity was associated with CJ contact through emotion-driven difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors, and with diversity of CJ charges through emotion-driven difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors and physical aggression; however, the indirect relations to diversity of CJ charges became non-significant when covariates were included. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the important role of emotion-driven difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors in criminal behaviors among individuals with BPD symptoms, as well as the potential clinical utility of targeting this mechanism to prevent CJ involvement and/or recidivism.

Spherical Soft Contact Lens Designs and Peripheral Defocus in Myopic Eyes.

PURPOSE: Peripheral retinal defocus has been implicated in myopia progression. The effect of commercially available spherical soft contact lenses (SCLs) on peripheral defocus of adult myopic eyes was investigated. METHODS: Twenty-five young adults with spherical equivalent (SE) refractions between -0.50D and -6.00D were enrolled. Cycloplegic autorefraction (right eye) was measured centrally and ±20°, ±30°, and ±40° from the line of sight along the horizontal meridian using an autorefractor. Four commercially available spherical SCLs (Biofinity, Acuvue2, PureVision2, and Air Optix Night & Day Aqua) were evaluated. SE defocus (M) was used to calculate relative peripheral defocus (RPD) while wearing each SCL and relative peripheral refraction of the uncorrected eye. Spherical aberration (SA) changes caused by each SCL were measured along the line of sight by aberrometry. Peripheral defocus was analyzed using repeated-measures analyses of variance (RM-ANOVA). The association between changes in axial SA and the change in peripheral defocus was evaluated using linear mixed models. RESULTS: The mean age (±SD) and central SE refractive error were 24.0 ± 1.3 years and -3.45 ± 1.42D, respectively. PureVision2 did not change RPD (P = .33). Significant myopic shifts on the temporal retina were found with three lenses: Acuvue 2 (-0.29D at 30°; -0.80D at 40°; both P ≤ .01), Biofinity (-1.21 D at 40°; P = .02), and Air Optix Night & Day Aqua (-0.23D at 20°, -0.48D at 30°, and -1.50D at 40°; all P < .004). All SCLs caused a negative change in SA. SCLs inducing less negative (more positive) SA changes were associated with a less hyperopic change in RPD. CONCLUSIONS: Spherical SCL design can influence the peripheral defocus profile experienced by a myopic eye. Several, but not all, SCLs reduced peripheral hyperopia. Differences in how SCL types influence peripheral defocus may have implications for myopia progression.

Changes in Inmates' Substance Use and Dependence From Pre-Incarceration to One Year Post-Release.

PURPOSE: To assess changes in inmates' misuse of substances from pre- to post-incarceration. METHODS: In Study 1, professionals (n = 162) and laypersons (n = 50) predicted how jail inmates' substance misuse would change from pre-incarceration to post-release. In Study 2, a longitudinal study of 305 jail inmates, we examined actual changes in substance use and dependence from pre-incarceration to the first year post-incarceration, as well as whether changes varied as a function of demographic, criminal justice, treatment, and personality factors. RESULTS: Professionals and laypersons predicted little change in substance misuse whereas, in fact, inmates' frequency of substance use and dependence decreased substantially from pre-incarceration to post-release. Sharper decreases were observed for inmates who were female, younger, more educated, serving longer sentences, enrolled in substance abuse treatment, high in shame-proneness, and low in criminogenic thinking. Race, first time incarceration, transfer to other correctional facilities, mandated community supervision (probation), and guilt-proneness did not predict changes in substance use or dependence. CONCLUSIONS: Although substance misuse decreased, this remains a population high in need of substance abuse treatment both upon arrest and at one year post-incarceration; 60% of former inmates met at least one DSM-IV criterion for substance dependence at one year post-release.

Central and peripheral autorefraction repeatability in normal eyes.

PURPOSE: To determine the between-visit repeatability of peripheral autorefraction measurements using the Grand Seiko WAM-5500 in normal eyes. METHODS: Cycloplegic autorefraction of the right eye was measured on 25 myopic young adults using a modified Grand Seiko autorefractor. Measurements were made centrally (along the line of sight) and ±20, ±30, and ±40 degrees from the line of sight in the horizontal meridian at two visits separated by 1 to 15 days. Five autorefraction measurements at each location were converted to vector space and averaged. Relative peripheral refraction (RPR) was calculated as the difference between the peripheral and central spherical equivalent. Between-visit repeatability was evaluated by plotting the difference versus the mean of the measurements at the two visits (bias) and by calculating the 95% limits of agreement (LoA). RESULTS: The mean (±SD) age and spherical-equivalent refractive error centrally (at visit 1) were 24.0 ± 1.3 years and -3.45 ± 1.42 diopters (D), respectively. There was no significant between-visit bias for any refractive component evaluated (M, J0, J45, and RPR) at any location measured (all p > 0.05). The 95% LoA of defocus (M) was ±0.21 D centrally and increased with increasing eccentricity to ±0.73 and ±0.88 D at 40 degrees nasally and temporally on the retina, respectively. The 95% LoA of RPR increased with increasing eccentricity to ±0.67 and ±0.82 D at 40 degrees nasally and temporally on the retina, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In normal eyes, the repeatability of cycloplegic autorefraction was best centrally and decreased as eccentricity increased; however, repeatability in the far periphery was still better than previously reported between-visit repeatability for foveal cycloplegic subjective refraction. With clear knowledge of the repeatability of on- and off-axis cycloplegic autorefraction with the Grand Seiko, peripheral measurements can be properly interpreted in longitudinal studies.

The role of substance use treatment in reducing stigma after release from incarceration: A qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: People with substance use disorders (SUD) who have been involved in the legal system often experience stigma upon reentry into the community after incarceration. Although substance use treatment can sometimes be a source of stigma, it may also reduce stigma by facilitating connections with providers, reducing distress, or helping people feel more integrated in their community. However, research has rarely examined the potential for treatment to reduce stigma. METHODS: This study examined stigma experiences and the degree to which substance use treatment reduced stigma among 24 people with SUDs who were receiving care in an outpatient treatment facility after release from incarceration. Qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed using a content analysis approach. RESULTS: Participants reported negative self-judgements as well as perceiving negative judgments from the community upon reentry. With regard to stigma reduction, themes emerged around substance use treatment repairing strained family relationships and reducing participants' self-stigma. Aspects of treatment that reportedly reduced stigma included the treatment facility having a nonjudgmental atmosphere, patients trusting the staff, and working with peer navigators who had lived experience of SUD and incarceration. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study suggest that substance use treatment has the potential to decrease the negative impacts of stigma upon release from incarceration, which continues to be a major barrier. Though more research on stigma reduction is needed, we suggest some preliminary considerations for treatment programs and providers.

Termination From Substance Use Disorder Treatment in the United States: Residential and Outpatient Settings.

OBJECTIVE: As rates of noncompletion in substance use treatment remain high and consequences of noncompletion can be severe, research regarding individual and environmental factors associated with specific types of discharge is crucial. The current study used data from the Treatment Episodes Dataset-Discharge (TEDS-D) 2015-2017 in the United States to investigate the impact of social determinants of health on discharge from treatment due to termination by the treatment facility in both outpatient/intensive outpatient and residential treatment settings. METHOD: A multinomial logistic regression was conducted examining the likelihood of discharge due to termination compared with discharge because of dropout or incarceration. RESULTS: Results revealed differences in termination based on treatment setting, race, income, criminal justice referral, and mental health diagnoses, among others. Broadly across settings, people of color were significantly more likely to be terminated from treatment than to drop out compared with their White counterparts. Further, with little exception, individuals with less financial security (i.e., those who were unemployed, those with low/no income, those with no insurance) were less likely to drop out and more likely to be discharged due to termination across treatment settings. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study further solidify the need for nuanced examination of the reason individuals do not complete substance use treatment and extend the impact of social determinants of health to involuntary termination from substance use treatment.