Psychiatric News (7/31) reports, “Nearly a quarter of drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 years who have used cannabis in the past year have driven under the influence of the drug,” investigators concluded after examining “data from 12,863 drivers aged 16 to 20 years who participated in the 2020 and 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” The study revealed that “overall, more people in this age group reported driving under the influence of cannabis than under the influence of alcohol.” The findings were published online July 28 in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

Related Links:

— “More Youth Drive Under the Influence of Cannabis Than Alcohol, Psychiatric News, July 31, 2023

According to the Washington Post (7/31, Ovalle, Nirappil), with the widespread legalization of marijuana, “many experts believe that most people can use it without significant negative consequences, not unlike enjoying occasional alcoholic drinks.” Yet, for some people, “the struggles to quit are real and complicated by the powerful cultural perception that marijuana is natural and therapeutic, not a substance that can be addicting.” Now, however, “medical experts and even many proponents of legalized marijuana acknowledge it can be addictive.” In fact, research published eight years ago in JAMA Psychiatry “found that nearly three in 10 users in 2012-2013 experienced cannabis use disorder.”

Related Links:

— “The Washington Post (requires login and subscription)

NBC News (7/28, Carroll) reported, “Deaths related to excessive alcohol consumption are rapidly rising in the United States, especially among women, a…study finds.” Although “drinking is still killing more men than women, the rate of alcohol-related deaths is rising faster among women, according to the report published…in JAMA Network Open.”

Related Links:

— “More women in the U.S. are drinking themselves to death, research finds,”Linda Carroll, NBC News, July 28, 2023

According to ABC News (7/30, Oje), physicians “are increasingly discouraging people from using e-cigarettes given the mounting evidence about the significant negative health impact of vaping – even as a smoking cessation tool.” For example, “for current smokers, ‘there are other very powerful, safe and FDA approved interventions,’” said Petros Levounis, MD, MA, President of the American Psychiatric Association.

Related Links:

— “Doctors increasingly discourage vaping amid mounting health concerns,”Dr. Adesola Oje, ABC News, July 30, 2023

MedPage Today (7/28, DePeau-Wilson) reported, “Remotely administered urine drug screening was found to be feasible in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) who were receiving buprenorphine in remote care settings,” investigators concluded.

Psychiatric News (7/28) reported, “Urine drug screening of people in treatment for” OUD “is feasible and reliable via telehealth,” investigators concluded in the findings of a 3,395-adult study published online July 28 in JAMA Health Forum.

Related Links:

— MedPage Today (requires login and subscription)