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Rozema L, Hoyt JE, Watts BV, Shiner B. Mining clinical data for novel medications to treat alcohol use disorder. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 163:209381. [PMID: 38677596 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent and often debilitating condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Current AUD medications have limited efficacy and uptake. Alternative pharmacological options are needed. METHODS We constructed a mechanistic tree of all US Food and Drug Administration approved medications and used a tree-based scan statistic, TreeScan, to identify medications associated with greater than expected improvements in alcohol consumption. Our cohort included all United States (US) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients with a diagnosis of AUD between 10/1/1999 and 9/30/2019 with multiple Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption Module scores within the VA electronic health record data. RESULTS Medications statistically associated with decreased alcohol consumption had, at large, minor effect sizes. Medications used in the treatment of chronic or life-threatening conditions like diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hepatitis C virus, or cancer produced larger effect sizes. Asenapine, an atypical antipsychotic, had a large effect with an observed to expected ratio of 1.78 (p = 0.003). Our findings were replicated in a propensity score matched population. CONCLUSION Most medications significantly associated with decreased alcohol consumption in our analysis were either contraindicated with alcohol or likely attributable to patients abstaining from alcohol due to severe illness. However, the large effect of asenapine is notable, and a worthwhile candidate for more careful analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Rozema
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, United States.
| | - Jessica E Hoyt
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, United States
| | - Bradley V Watts
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, United States; Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Brian Shiner
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, VT, United States; Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH, United States; National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, White River Junction, VT, United States
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Stefanovics EA, Grilo CM, Potenza MN, Pietrzak RH. Obesity in Latinx and White U.S. military veterans: Mental health, psychosocial burden, non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal behavior. Psychiatry Res 2024; 335:115844. [PMID: 38484606 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Obesity disproportionately affects Latinx communities and is linked to an increased risk of mental health problems. Military veterans are more likely to develop mental health problems, but the role of Latinx ethnicity in moderating the association between obesity and these problems is unclear. To address this gap, this study examined psychiatric and psychosocial correlates of obesity in a nationally representative sample of Latinx and White U.S. military veterans. Data were analyzed from the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, which surveyed 3524 Latinx and White veterans. Analyses revealed that Latinx ethnicity moderated associations between obesity and several measures. Specifically, among veterans with obesity, Latinx veterans had higher rates of major depression, generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorders, drug use disorders, non-suicidal self-injury, and higher levels of childhood trauma, loneliness, and hostility relative to White veterans. These findings underscore the importance of culturally sensitive prevention and treatment efforts to help mitigate symptoms of internalizing disorders, drug use disorder, loneliness, and hostility, and to cultivate psychosocial resources such as resilience and coping self-efficacy among Latinx veterans with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina A Stefanovics
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs New England Mental Illness Research and Education Clinical Center (MIRECC), West Haven, CT, USA; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Carlos M Grilo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA; Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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Aurora P, Paquette CE, Beckham JC, Pugh MJ, Kimbrel NA, Calhoun PS. Mental health treatment utilization among Gulf War era veterans with probable alcohol use disorder. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 160:209295. [PMID: 38272121 PMCID: PMC11060892 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is prevalent among veterans, and excessive alcohol use is associated with significant mental and physical health consequences. Currently, the largest cohort of veterans seeking services at the VA are those from the 1990s Gulf War Era. This cohort of veterans is unique due to the nature of their deployment resulting in a myriad of unexplained symptoms collectively known as "Gulf War Illness" and higher rates of mental health problems. The present study sought to examine the association between probable AUD and mental health treatment utilization in a sample of 1126 (882 male) Gulf War-era veterans. METHODS Veterans completed a self-report survey including the AUDIT-C, questions about mental health treatment engagement, and demographic questions. RESULTS Results demonstrated that approximately 20 % of the sample screened positive for probable AUD, determined by standard AUDIT-C cutoff scores. Among those screening positive for AUD, 25 % reported engaging in mental health treatment in the past year. Veterans with probable AUD who use VA care had 3.8 times the odds of receiving mental health services than veterans not using VA care. Use of mental health services was associated with mental health comorbidity and identifying as Black/African American. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study highlight a significant unmet need for mental health treatment among Gulf War-era veterans with AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Aurora
- Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA; VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Catherine E Paquette
- Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jean C Beckham
- Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA; VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mary Jo Pugh
- School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Nathan A Kimbrel
- Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA; VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; VA Health Services Research and Development Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Patrick S Calhoun
- Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA; VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; VA Health Services Research and Development Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham, NC, USA
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Li J, Jin Y, Xu S, Yu Y, Wilson A, Chen C, Wang Y. Hazardous drinking in young adults with co-occurring PTSD and psychosis symptoms: A network analysis. J Affect Disord 2024; 351:588-597. [PMID: 38307134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing literature suggests the co-occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis among young adults is related to hazardous drinking. However, the influencing mechanisms among these co-occurrences are inconclusive. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the symptomatic associations between PTSD, psychosis, and hazardous drinking. METHODS This study included 96,218 young Chinese adults, divided into three groups (PTSD, Psychosis, and co-occurring PTSD-Psychosis). PTSD, psychosis, and hazardous drinking were measured by the ten-item Trauma Screening Questionnaire, the seven-item Psychosis Screener Scale, and the four-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, respectively. Network analysis was utilized to explore and compare the symptomatic correlation between PTSD, psychosis, and hazardous drinking. RESULTS In this study, the most crucial symptom (both central and bridge) was "delusion of control" among the three networks. Hazardous drinking was another main bridge symptom. Compared to the Psychosis group and the co-occurring PTSD-Psychosis group, "Delusion of reference or persecution" to "Grandiose delusion" was the strongest edge in "the network structure of the PTSD group". LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional study cannot determine the causal relationship. Applying self-reporting questionnaires may cause inherent bias. Young adult participants limited the generalization of the results to other groups. CONCLUSIONS Among the three network structures, delusion of control was the most crucial symptom, and hazardous drinking was another bridge symptom; the edge of delusion of reference or persecution and grandiose delusion was strongest in the PTSD group's network. Efforts should be taken to develop diverse targeted interventions for these core symptoms to relieve PTSD, psychosis, and hazardous drinking in young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Jin
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Shicun Xu
- Northeast Asian Research Center, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Amanda Wilson
- Division of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Chang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
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Fitzke RE, Bouskill KE, Sedano A, Tran DD, Saba SK, Buch K, Hummer JF, Davis JP, Pedersen ER. Barriers and Facilitators to Behavioral Healthcare for Women Veterans: a Mixed-Methods Analysis of the Current Landscape. J Behav Health Serv Res 2024; 51:164-184. [PMID: 37798569 PMCID: PMC10940443 DOI: 10.1007/s11414-023-09862-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Women veterans have historically faced barriers to behavioral health treatment, particularly through the VA. In conjunction, there have been changes in behavioral healthcare delivery resulting from efforts to improve care for women veterans and the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., widespread telehealth implementation). The current study draws on a quantitative and qualitative study centering current perspectives of women veterans in their choices to seek or not seek behavioral healthcare in VA and non-VA settings through interviewing 18 women recruited from a larger survey study on veteran behavioral health (n = 83 women, n = 882 men) on their experiences with behavioral health care access and satisfaction, including barriers and facilitators to seeking care. Quantitative findings are descriptively reported from the larger study, which outlined screening for behavioral health problems, behavioral health utilization, treatment modality preferences, and barriers/facilitators to care. While women in the survey sample screened for various behavioral health disorders, rates of treatment seeking remained relatively low. Women reported positive and negative experiences with telehealth and endorsed many barriers to treatment seeking in interviews not captured by survey findings, including lack of women-specific care (e.g., care for military sexual trauma, women-only groups), reports of stranger harassment at the VA, and lack of female providers. Women veterans continue to face barriers to behavioral healthcare; however, ongoing efforts to improve care access and quality, including the implementation of telehealth, show promise in reducing these obstacles. Continued efforts are needed to ensure diverse treatment modalities continue to reach women veterans as this population grows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reagan E Fitzke
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2250 Alcazar St., Suite 2200, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
| | | | - Angeles Sedano
- University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, 669 W. 34th St, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Denise D Tran
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2250 Alcazar St., Suite 2200, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Shaddy K Saba
- University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, 669 W. 34th St, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Keegan Buch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2250 Alcazar St., Suite 2200, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Justin F Hummer
- RAND Corporation, 1776 Main St, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, USA
| | - Jordan P Davis
- University of Southern California, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, 669 W. 34th St, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Eric R Pedersen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 2250 Alcazar St., Suite 2200, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
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Sistad RE, Kimerling R, Schnurr PP, Bovin MJ. The impact of screening positive for hazardous alcohol use on the diagnostic accuracy of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 among veterans. J Trauma Stress 2024; 37:328-336. [PMID: 38085555 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a widely used self-report measure of PTSD symptoms that has demonstrated strong psychometric properties across settings and samples. Co-occurring hazardous alcohol use and PTSD are prevalent among veterans, and the effects of alcohol use may impact the performance of the PCL-5. However, this possibility is untested. In this study, we evaluated the PCL-5 diagnostic accuracy for veterans who did and did not screen positive for hazardous alcohol use according to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C). Participants were 385 veterans recruited from Veterans Affairs primary care clinics. Results indicated that PCL-5 performance, AUC = .904, 95% CI [.870, .937], did not differ as a product of hazardous alcohol use. PCL-5 diagnostic utility was comparably high for veterans with, AUC = .904; 95% CI [.846, .962], and without, AUC = .904 95% CI [.861, .946], positive AUDIT-C screens. Although optimally efficient cutoff scores for veterans who screened positive were higher (i.e., 34-36) than for those with negative screens (i.e., 30), neither were significantly different from the overall PCL-5 cutoff score (i.e., 32), suggesting that neither veterans with nor without positive AUDIT-C screens require differential PCL-5 cutoff scores. The results do underscore the importance of using PCL-5 cutoff scores in concert with clinical judgment when establishing a provisional PTSD diagnosis and highlight the need for additional study of the impact of comorbidities on PCL-5 diagnostic accuracy and cutoff scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Sistad
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachel Kimerling
- Dissemination and Training Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Center for Innovation to Implementation, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Paula P Schnurr
- Executive Division, National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, Vermont, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Michelle J Bovin
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Miranda O, Fan P, Qi X, Wang H, Brannock MD, Kosten T, Ryan ND, Kirisci L, Wang L. Prediction of adverse events risk in patients with comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder using electronic medical records by deep learning models. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 255:111066. [PMID: 38217979 PMCID: PMC10853953 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying co-occurring mental disorders and elevated risk is vital for optimization of healthcare processes. In this study, we will use DeepBiomarker2, an updated version of our deep learning model to predict the adverse events among patients with comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), a high-risk population. METHODS We analyzed electronic medical records of 5565 patients from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to predict adverse events (opioid use disorder, suicide related events, depression, and death) within 3 months at any encounter after the diagnosis of PTSD+AUD by using DeepBiomarker2. We integrated multimodal information including: lab tests, medications, co-morbidities, individual and neighborhood level social determinants of health (SDoH), psychotherapy and veteran data. RESULTS DeepBiomarker2 achieved an area under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) of 0.94 on the prediction of adverse events among those PTSD+AUD patients. Medications such as vilazodone, dronabinol, tenofovir, suvorexant, modafinil, and lamivudine showed potential for risk reduction. SDoH parameters such as cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma focused psychotherapy lowered risk while active veteran status, income segregation, limited access to parks and greenery, low Gini index, limited English-speaking capacity, and younger patients increased risk. CONCLUSIONS Our improved version of DeepBiomarker2 demonstrated its capability of predicting multiple adverse event risk with high accuracy and identifying potential risk and beneficial factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oshin Miranda
- Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences/School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Peihao Fan
- Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences/School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Xiguang Qi
- Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences/School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Haohan Wang
- School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | | | - Thomas Kosten
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Neal David Ryan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Levent Kirisci
- University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - LiRong Wang
- Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences/School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Osilla KC, Gore KL, Pedersen ER, Hummer JF, DeYoreo M, Manuel JK, McKay JR, Kim JP, Nameth K. Study protocol for a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial to reduce risky drinking among service members and their partners. Contemp Clin Trials 2023; 133:107324. [PMID: 37652360 PMCID: PMC10591961 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Military spouses and partners in relationships with a heavy drinking service member report high levels of mental health concerns and consequences, which are compounded when both partners drink heavily. Military spouses and partners -termed "concerned partners" (CPs)-may be an important gateway for motivating service members (SMs) to seek care. However, CPs may first need to reduce their own drinking and improve their communication to effectively support and encourage changes for their service member partner. Partners Connect is a web-based intervention aimed at improving communication and relationship quality and increasing SM help-seeking. METHODS The current study design is a two-stage Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) to develop an adaptive CP intervention to decrease CP drinking and increase SM help-seeking. CPs aged 18 and older (n = 408) will be recruited via social media and followed for six months. In stage one, we will randomize CPs to either a 4-session web-based intervention (Partners Connect) or to receive communication resources from the Gottman Institute website. The goal is to have CPs invite their SM to complete an online personalized normative feedback (PNF) session. If their SM completes the PNF at stage one, CPs will be considered "responders," if the SM does not complete, CPs who are "non-responders" will be re-randomized during stage two to receive either (1) a CRAFT workbook or (2) phone-based CRAFT if in Partners Connect; or (1) Partners Connect or (2) a CRAFT workbook if in Gottman. DISCUSSION By first intervening with the service member's CP, we aim to better equip them to engage their service member partner in treatment services. In doing so, we develop a model that increases treatment accessibility and appeal among a group that may not otherwise seek care. CLINICALTRIALS gov Identifier: NCT05619185.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Chan Osilla
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1070 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
| | - Kristie L Gore
- RAND Corporation, 1200 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA 22202, USA
| | - Eric R Pedersen
- University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 2250 Alcazar Street, Suite 2200, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Justin F Hummer
- RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, PO Box 2136, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138, USA
| | - Maria DeYoreo
- RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, PO Box 2136, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138, USA
| | - Jennifer K Manuel
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; University of California San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 401 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - James R McKay
- Center for Studies of Addiction, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jane P Kim
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1070 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Katherine Nameth
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1070 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
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Cypel YS, DePhilippis D, Davey VJ. Substance Use in U.S. Vietnam War Era Veterans and Nonveterans: Results from the Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:858-870. [PMID: 37096682 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2188427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Background: Substance use (SU) is associated with physical injury and mental health disorders in older persons, but recent research has scarcely examined SU in U.S. Vietnam-era veterans who are mostly in or near their eighth decade of life. Objectives: We compared the prevalence of self-reported lifetime and current SU and modeled current usage patterns in a nationally representative sample of veterans versus a matched nonveteran cohort. Methods: Cross-sectional, self-reported survey data were analyzed from the 2016-2017 Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study (VE-HEROeS) (n = 18,866 veterans, n = 4,530 nonveterans). We assessed lifetime and current alcohol and drug use disorders; lifetime and current use of cannabis, opioids, stimulants, sedatives, "other drugs" (psychedelics, prescription or over-the-counter drugs not prescribed/used as intended); and current SU patterns (alcohol-use-only, drug-use-only, dual-SU, no SU). Weighted descriptive, bivariable, and multivariable statistics were calculated. Covariates in multinomial modeling included sociodemographic characteristics, lifetime cigarette smoking, depression, potentially traumatic events (PTEs), and current pain (SF-8TM). Results: Prevalence of lifetime opioid and sedative use (p ≤ .01), drug and alcohol use disorders (p < .001), and current "other drug" use (p < .001) were higher in veterans versus nonveterans. Current use of alcohol and cannabis was high in both cohorts. In veterans, very severe/severe pain, depression, and PTEs were highly associated with drug-use-only (p < .001) and dual-SU (p < .01), but these associations were fewer for nonveterans. Conclusion: This research confirmed existing concerns over substance misuse in older individuals. Vietnam-era veterans may be at particular risk due to service-related experiences and later-life tribulations. Era veterans' unique perceptions toward healthcare assistance for SU may need greater provider focus to maximize self-efficacy and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin S Cypel
- Epidemiology Program, Health Outcomes Military Exposures (HOME) (12POP5), Office of Patient Care Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - D DePhilippis
- Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - V J Davey
- Office of Research & Development (14RD), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Back SE, Flanagan JC, Killeen T, Saraiya TC, Brown DG, Jarnecke AM, Rothbaum AO, Joseph J, Ana ES, de Arellano A, Shoemaker HL, Dixon RA, Nietert PJ, Brady KT. COPE and oxytocin for the treatment of co-occurring PTSD and alcohol use disorder: Design and methodology of a randomized controlled trial in U.S. military veterans. Contemp Clin Trials 2023; 126:107084. [PMID: 36646315 PMCID: PMC9998357 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A significant proportion of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) also meet criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Military veterans are at increased risk for developing co-occurring AUD/PTSD, with prevalence rates 2-4 times higher than the general population. Research is needed to develop more effective treatments for this common comorbidity. The current investigation addresses this need by examining the synergistic effects of a novel pharmacotherapy combined with psychotherapy for co-occurring AUD/PTSD among veterans. Accumulating evidence suggests that the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is a promising pharmacotherapy to augment psychotherapy for AUD/PTSD. OT targets neurobiological and behavioral dysregulation common to both AUD and PTSD, in particular, corticolimbic connectivity. Human and animal studies show OT reduces alcohol self-administration, tolerance, and withdrawal; enhances fear extinction; and promotes prosocial behaviors. The current study builds on previous work by examining OT among veterans with AUD/PTSD receiving Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders using Prolonged Exposure (COPE), an evidence-based integrated treatment. METHODS This paper describes the rationale, design, and methodology of a Stage II, 12-week, double-blind, randomized clinical trial of intranasal OT (40 IU) versus placebo combined with COPE among veterans (N = 180) with current AUD/PTSD. In addition, the effects of treatment on corticolimbic connectivity will be examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at pre- and post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS The proposed study will provide new knowledge and mechanistic insights to accelerate research in this understudied area and may lead to improved treatment outcomes for co-occurring AUD/PTSD. CLINICALTRIALS gov: NCT04523922.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudie E Back
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Julianne C Flanagan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Therese Killeen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Tanya C Saraiya
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Delisa G Brown
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Amber M Jarnecke
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Alex O Rothbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jane Joseph
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Santa Ana
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Abigail de Arellano
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Hannah L Shoemaker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Reagan Ashley Dixon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Paul J Nietert
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kathleen T Brady
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Miller MB, Freeman LK, Aranda A, Shoemaker S, Sisk D, Rubi S, Everson AT, Flores LY, Williams MS, Dorimé-Williams ML, McCrae CS, Borsari B. Prevalence and correlates of alcohol-induced blackout in a diverse sample of veterans. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 47:395-405. [PMID: 36533546 PMCID: PMC9992316 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol-induced blackouts have been associated concurrently and prospectively with alcohol-related harm. Although rates of heavy drinking among military samples tend to be comparable or higher than rates among civilian samples, the prevalence and correlates of blackout in the military population are understudied. METHODS Veterans (N = 241, 29% female, 39% Black) reported on their alcohol consumption and mental health as part of a larger health-related study among veterans. In this secondary analysis, we tested theoretically and empirically informed predictors (gender, drinking quantity, and other drug use) and consequences [depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)] of alcohol-induced blackout. Given the diversity of the sample, potential roles of racial/ethnic discrimination and drinking to cope in alcohol-induced blackout were also tested. RESULTS Past-year prevalence of alcohol-induced blackout was 53% among veterans who drank alcohol and 68% among those who screened positive for hazardous drinking. Everyday experience of racial discrimination was the strongest concurrent predictor of alcohol-induced blackout. Drinking quantity and use of other drugs were significant correlates only in bivariate models. Controlling for gender, race, drinking quantity, other drug use, and discrimination, blackout frequency was significantly associated with symptoms of depression, but not symptoms of PTSD. Both blackout and racial discrimination were associated with drinking to cope. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence and correlates of alcohol-induced blackout among veterans are largely consistent with those documented in civilian and young adult populations. Among racially diverse groups, racial discrimination may be more strongly associated with mental health symptoms than alcohol consumption or acute alcohol consequences such as blackout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Beth Miller
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, 1 Hospital Dr DC067.00, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, College of Arts & Sciences, 210 McAlester Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Lindsey K. Freeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, 1 Hospital Dr DC067.00, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, College of Arts & Sciences, 210 McAlester Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Amaya Aranda
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, 1 Hospital Dr DC067.00, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, College of Arts & Sciences, 210 McAlester Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Sydney Shoemaker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, 1 Hospital Dr DC067.00, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Delaney Sisk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, 1 Hospital Dr DC067.00, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Sofia Rubi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, 1 Hospital Dr DC067.00, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Adam T. Everson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, 1 Hospital Dr DC067.00, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Lisa Y. Flores
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, College of Arts & Sciences, 210 McAlester Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Michael S. Williams
- Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, University of Missouri, College of Education, 202 Hill Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Marjorie L. Dorimé-Williams
- Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, University of Missouri, College of Education, 202 Hill Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | | | - Brian Borsari
- Mental Health Service, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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12
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Religiosity, impulsivity, and compulsivity in university students. CNS Spectr 2022; 28:367-373. [PMID: 35593450 PMCID: PMC7614799 DOI: 10.1017/s1092852922000815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Prior research suggests that religiosity may be associated with healthier levels of mental health in certain domains (eg, higher self-esteem and lower rates of substance use problems). However, very little is known about religiosity and impulsive plus compulsive tendencies. This study examined associations between religiosity and impulsive and compulsive behaviors and traits among university students. METHODS Nine thousand, four hundred and forty-nine students received a 156-item anonymous online survey which assessed religiosity, alcohol and drug use, mental health issues, and impulsive and compulsive traits. Two groups of interest were defined: those with high religiosity, and those with low religiosity, based on z-scores. The two groups were compared on the measures of interest. RESULTS Three thousand, five hundred and seventy-two university students (57.1% female) responded to the survey. Those with high levels of organizational religious activity, as well as those with high levels of intrinsic or subjective religiosity, differed from their fellow students in having better self-esteem, being less likely to have alcohol or drug problems, and generally being less impulsive in terms of attention and planning. Compulsivity did not differ between groups. Associations were of small effect size except for the link between religiosity and lower impulsivity, which was of medium effect size. CONCLUSION This study shows a link between higher religiosity and lower impulsivity, as well as higher levels of mental health across several domains. Whether these associations are causal-and if so, the direction of such causality-requires rigorous longitudinal research.
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