Free-viewing multi-stimulus eye tracking task to index attention bias for alcohol versus soda cues: Satisfactory reliability and criterion validity Publication date: January 2020 Source: Addictive Behaviors, Volume 100 Author(s): Ali Soleymani, Yavor Ivanov, Sebastiaan Mathot, Peter J. de Jong Abstract Cognitive -motivational models point to attention bias (AB) as an important factor in the persistence of problematic drinking behavior. Unfortunately, the measures that have been used to examine AB in addiction typically showed poor psychometric properties. To bring research on AB a critical step further it would be crucial to develop tasks with acceptable reliability and construct validity. Recently, Lazarov and colleagues (2016) developed a multi-stimulus free-viewing task (participants were free to look at any part of the screen and there was no secondary task involved) that showed excellent psychometric properties in the context of social anxiety as well as depression. We, therefore, adapted this task and examined its psychometric quality within the context of alcohol use. Participants with varying levels of alcohol use (N = 100) were presented with 54 matrices each containing 8 alcoholic and 8 non-alcoholic drinks. Each matrix was presented for 6 s. First fixation (100 ms) location and latency and total dwell time were assessed for alcohol and soda pictures. Assessment of AB, craving, and alcohol use (problems) was repeated after 3–8 days. Specifically, the dwell-time based AB-measure showed excellent internal reliability and considerable stability. Supporting the validity of the current AB-measures, it was found that participants with higher scores on craving and alcohol problems (i) dwelt longer on alcohol stimuli, and (ii) more often showed a first fixation on alcohol, whereas (iii) stronger craving was associated with shorter latency of first alcohol fixations. The AB-measure showed promising psychometric properties. Thus, this free-viewing eye-tracking task seems a welcome new tool for being used in future research on AB in addiction.

Routes of cannabis administration among females in the year before and during pregnancy: Results from a pilot project Publication date: January 2020 Source: Addictive Behaviors, Volume 100 Author(s): Kelly C. Young-Wolff, Sara R. Adams, Sharon Wi, Constance Weisner, Amy Conway Abstract Use of cannabis during pregnancy is on the rise, yet little is known about how women administer cannabis during the perinatal period. This study examined self-reported modes of cannabis administration among women in the year before and during pregnancy, and their association with self-reported cannabis use frequency using data from 585 women screened in 2018–2019 for cannabis use during standard prenatal care in two medical centers in Northern California. The prevalence of cannabis use was 12% before pregnancy and 3% during pregnancy. Among the 71 women who reported cannabis use before pregnancy and the 19 women who reported cannabis use during pregnancy, smoking was the most common mode of administration (58% and 42%), followed by edibles (27% and 16%), vaping (23% and 16%), lotions (11% and 5%), and other (10% and 0%). In the year before pregnancy and during pregnancy, monthly or less use was most common (56% and 58%), followed by weekly use (24% and 26%) and daily use (20% and 16%). Among cannabis users, 43% used more than one mode before pregnancy compared to 15% during pregnancy. Daily cannabis use was most common among women who reported smoking only or smoking in combination with other modes. These novel results indicate that while smoking is the most common mode of cannabis administration during the perinatal period, there is variation in use and co-use of alternative modes. Future studies are needed to understand the relative health effects associated with individual and combined modes of cannabis administration during pregnancy.

Characteristics of us adults attempting tobacco use cessation using e-cigarettes Publication date: January 2020 Source: Addictive Behaviors, Volume 100 Author(s): Onyema Greg Chido-Amajuoyi, Dale Mantey, Sonia Cunningham, Robert Yu, Steven Kelder, Ernest Hawk, Paul Cinciripini, Sanjay Shete Abstract Background Use of e-cigarettes for tobacco cessation efforts is a growing trend in the United States. However, little is known about the factors that determine the use of e-cigarettes for this specific purpose. Methods This study examined current and former cigarette smokers that reported ever using e-cigarettes. Data were obtained from a 2018 Texas population health assessment survey (n = 569) and weighted to be representative to Texas. A multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the socio-demographic and behavioral correlates of using e-cigarettes for tobacco cessation. Results Overall, 41.3% of e-cigarette users reported using them for tobacco cessation. Among ever e-cigarette users, Non-Hispanic blacks (aOR: 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07–0.64), males (aOR: 0.40; 95% CI, 0.20–0.80), and individuals not confident in obtaining health information (aOR: 0.38; 95% CI, 0.15–0.96) were less likely to use e-cigarettes for tobacco use cessation. Conversely, among ever e-cigarette users, odds of using e-cigarettes for tobacco cessation were higher among those who were 35–44 years old (aOR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.26–10.71), those who received advice to quit smoking from a healthcare professional (aOR: 2.77, 95% CI, 1.36–5.64), and those with more than 5 years since their last routine checkup (aOR: 3.91; 95% CI, 1.23–12.45). Conclusion Findings from this study suggest that both health behaviors and sociodemographic factors predict use of e-cigarettes for the purpose of tobacco cessation. Furthermore, the relationship between use of e-cigarettes as a cessation device and being advised to quit tobacco use by a healthcare professional calls for additional investigation.

Distress tolerance in relation to cessation history and smoking characteristics among adult daily smokers Publication date: January 2020 Source: Addictive Behaviors, Volume 100 Author(s): Amanda R. Mathew, Meredith Zhou Abstract Introduction Distress tolerance (DT) is linked to smoking initiation, maintenance, and difficulty quitting. However, there is a lack of consistency in prior findings on DT's relations with conceptually linked smoking variables, and few studies have examined differences across DT domains. We examined interrelations between cessation history, smoking characteristics, and a full battery of multimethod DT measures. Methods We conducted a two-session laboratory assessment with 106 adult, daily smokers with moderate or lower smoking-specific DT, assessed by the Intolerance for Smoking Abstinence Discomfort Questionnaire. Additional DT indices included the Distress Tolerance Scale and four validated behavioral measures (mirror-tracing, serial addition, cold pressor, and breath-holding tasks). Participants reported on cessation history (length and number of prior quit attempts, withdrawal severity at previous attempt) as well as years smoking, cigarettes per day, and nicotine dependence. Results Withdrawal severity and nicotine dependence were consistently associated with lower self-reported DT, and associations were strongest with perceived tolerance of smoking-specific versus general distress. Length and number of prior quit attempts, years smoking, and cigarettes per day demonstrated a lack of robust associations with behavioral DT measures. Conclusions Findings suggest that perceived tolerance of smoking-specific distress may be the most robust indicator of cessation history and smoking characteristics.

Brief handgrip and isometric exercise intervention for smoking cessation: A pilot randomized trial Publication date: January 2020 Source: Addictive Behaviors, Volume 100 Author(s): Yee TakDerek Cheung, Tai Hing Lam, Ching Han Helen Chan, Kin Sang Ho, Wai Yin Patrick Fok, Man Ping Wang, William Ho Cheung Li Abstract Introduction Isometric exercises reduce craving, negative affect, and withdrawal symptoms during smoking cessation. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) was the first to test if a brief intervention using a handgrip and isometric exercises including hand pushing/pulling was feasible and efficacious to increase tobacco abstinence at 6-month. Methods This was a single-blinded, 2-arm pilot RCT in 6 community-based smoking cessation clinics in Hong Kong. Smokers who consumed 10 or more cigarettes a day and were receiving cessation services were randomized to the exercise group (n = 108) who received a free handgrip and a leaflet about handgrip exercise, and watched a 5-minute video, or to the healthy-diet group (n = 100) who receive a similar dosage of intervention on healthy diet. The primary outcome was self-reported abstinence in the previous 4 weeks at 6-month follow-up. Results In the exercise group, about 36% reported doing the exercises when craving at 2-month follow-up. No significant difference in quit rate was found between groups (34% vs. 39%, OR = 0.80, P = .40). A posteriori analysis on the exercise group showed that self-reported exercises when craving (49% vs. 26%, OR = 2.69, 1.18–6.15, P = .02) and total adherence (including doing the exercises when craving, once a day, and/or for 2 weeks) (53% vs. 23%, OR = 3.70, 1.15–11.92, P = .03) were significantly associated with self-reported abstinence. Conclusions The brief handgrip/isometric exercise intervention was feasible and achieved modest adherence without offering incentives or mandatory reminders. Preliminary evidence of benefits was observed in the intervention group if the exercises were done when craving. Implications Our study indicates that a brief exercise intervention, including a free handgrip and educational video, was feasible for smokers receiving smoking cessation treatment. It was particularly efficacious in increasing tobacco abstinence when exercise adherence was high. Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT02844296).

Attentional bias, craving and cannabis use in an inpatient sample of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cannabis use disorder: The moderating role of cognitive control Publication date: January 2020 Source: Addictive Behaviors, Volume 100 Author(s): A. Dunkerbeck Van Kampen, J. Cousijn, C. Engel, M. Rinck, B.A.G. Dijkstra Abstract Motivational processes like attentional bias and craving have been related to substance use. However, results are inconclusive. The present cross-sectional study was designed to replicate and extend previous research by investigating the relationships between attentional bias, craving, cognitive control and (severity of) cannabis use in a sample of inpatient adolescents and young adults (aged 18–30) diagnosed with CUD according to DSM-5. Contrary to expectations, our sample did not show attentional bias for cannabis words, neither did attentional bias correlate with craving, cognitive control or (severity of) cannabis use. In line with our hypotheses, however, increased session-induced craving was correlated to more daily cannabis use and reduced cognitive control. Furthermore, participants who displayed reduced cognitive control used more cannabis per day. A bootstrapped hierarchical regression model showed that, contrary to expectations, cognitive control did not modulate the relationships between attentional bias, craving and cannabis use. This study highlights the unique role of craving in relation to cannabis use and extends previous findings that cognitive control appears to have no moderating role regarding cannabis use disorder. Based on our results, it might well be that the underlying mechanisms of cannabis use disorder differ from those in other substance use disorders.

Patterns of cigarette, e-cigarette, and cannabis use among adult smokers in primary care 2014–2015 Publication date: January 2020 Source: Addictive Behaviors, Volume 100 Author(s): Johannes Thrul, Maya Vijayaraghavan, Sara Kalkhoran, Jason M. Satterfield Abstract Background Poly-use of tobacco, cannabis, and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is an emerging problem in the general population. The current study investigated poly-use of these products and receipt of smoking cessation counseling in a primary care setting. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional secondary data analysis from a trial of a tablet intervention to increase provider delivery of the 5As (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange follow-up), a brief counseling intervention for smoking cessation, in 3 diverse primary care clinics in San Francisco, CA from 2014 to 2015. Participants were currently smoking cigarettes (N = 601; mean age = 50.8; 38.1% female) and reported information on past 30-day cigarette and e-cigarette use and past 3-month cannabis use. We classified participants into 4 groups: (1) cigarette-only, (2) dual-use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, (3) dual-use of cigarettes and cannabis, (4) poly-use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cannabis, and examined correlates of use. Results Only cigarette smoking was reported by 48.6% of participants, 30.4% reported use of cigarettes and cannabis, 10.5% reported use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, and 10.5% reported use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cannabis. Cigarette-only smokers did not differ from other groups by cigarette smoking behavior and motivation to quit. Patients reporting dual-use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes had a higher likelihood of receiving the Arrange step and all 5As compared to cigarette-only smokers. Conclusions Providers should screen for co-use of cigarettes and other nicotine/cannabis products and consider co-use when delivering smoking cessation treatment and evaluating treatment outcomes. Development of guidelines to help facilitate provider training is needed.

Does it work and does it last? Effects of social and drinking behavior on same- and next-day mood Publication date: January 2020 Source: Addictive Behaviors, Volume 100 Author(s): Jessica M. Cronce, Lindsey Zimmerman, Isaac C. Rhew, Jennifer M. Cadigan, David C. Atkins, Christine M. Lee Abstract Both social and drinking behavior have the potential to modify mood. However, if social drinking enhances positive mood and reduces negative mood, as compared to non-drinking social behavior, then interventions to reinforce non-drinking via sober social activity are undermined. Using multilevel modeling analyses, we compared end-of-day mood on drinking days versus non-drinking days, and on days spent with other people as compared to days spent primarily alone. We evaluated the interaction between drinking/non-drinking and social/solitary behavior and assessed whether the effects of social and drinking behavior extended to mood the next day. Participants were 352 college students (53% female; 55% fraternity/sorority membership; mean age 19.7 years) who completed three automated telephone surveys each day during four 14-day intervals over 1 year. Drinking and being social were associated with higher end-of-day positive mood and significantly lower end-of-day negative mood. However, no positive enhancement or negative attenuation effects of alcohol were observed in interaction analyses. Alcohol provided no improvement in mood over-and-above being social at the end of the day or on the following day. However, drinking the previous day significantly reduced next-day positive mood, whereas being social significantly reduced next-day negative mood. These findings provide support for the reinforcing potential of interventions that increase rewarding social activity in the place of alcohol use.

Commentary on Campbell and Strickland (2019): Caution is needed when using self-reported alcohol use disorder screening tools Publication date: January 2020 Source: Addictive Behaviors, Volume 100 Author(s): Stéphanie Baggio, Katia Iglesias

Prevalence of binge drinking and its association with mental health conditions and quality of life in Singapore Publication date: January 2020 Source: Addictive Behaviors, Volume 100 Author(s): Ying Ying Lee, Peizhi Wang, Edimansyah Abdin, Sherilyn Chang, Saleha Shafie, Rajeswari Sambasivam, Kelvin Bryan Tan, Cheryl Tan, Derrick Heng, Janhavi Vaingankar, Siow Ann Chong, Mythily Subramaniam Abstract Aims Although heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to a myriad of adverse health problems, there is a paucity of population-based studies in Asian countries. The aims of this study were to determine the past-year prevalence of binge drinking in Singapore and its associations with socio-demographic factors, mental health conditions and quality of life. Methods Data from the Singapore Mental Health Study 2016 (N = 6126) on binge drinking were included in the analysis. Multiple logistic regressions were used to assess the adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) between binge drinking and relevant socio-demographic variables, and mental health conditions. Results In the sample, 13.7% of respondents reported past-year binge drinking, 17.6% of males and 9.8% of females were binge drinkers. Most of them were infrequent binge drinkers (7.3% binge drink less than monthly). Moderate associations between binge drinking and mood and anxiety disorders (ORadj = 1.8–4.4), were noted, while associations with alcohol use disorders were much stronger (ORadj = 5.3–9.7). Associations between binge drinking and anxiety disorders were observed exclusively in females (ORadj = 2.3–3.3). Binge drinkers reported a lower quality of life compared to their non-binging counterparts; binge-drinking males seemed to be more affected. Conclusions The prevalence of binge drinking is low in Singapore compared to global estimates; most binge drinkers in Singapore were infrequent binge drinkers. However, binge drinking was found to be associated with a myriad of mental health conditions, and a decline in quality of life was noted among binge drinkers.