The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and
Addiction
(CCSA) transforms complex data into insights that reflect real human experiences. Every aspect of the Canadian Substance Use Cost and Harms (CSUCH) project represents individuals with lived or living experience of substance use, along with their families, workplaces, and communities.
A new resource highlights these journeys and the human cost of substance use through illustrated stories from people with
lived experience
and their families. The illustrations cover three key areas of the CSUCH project: healthcare, lost productivity, and...
Streimann, K., Vilms, T., Erm, R. et al. Becoming a Member of the Prevention Club: Development of Interdisciplinary Prevention Terminology. J of Prevention (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-025-00858-7
Introduction
Prevention science is interdisciplinary, drawing upon multiple fields of research and practice to develop integrated knowledge. A challenge facing the field is the proliferation of different terms with the same meaning, and of terms with different meanings. This can create confusion in communication, affect evaluation standards, and ultimately also affect the implementation of preventive interventions. Contributing to the development of evidence standards for preventive interventions, this article describes the process and results of interdisciplinary prevention terminology...
INTRODUCTION: Declining fertility and rising numbers of only children necessitate understanding their specific characteristics. The main objective of the present research study is to map the area of sibling constellations. It focuses on perfectionism and the Big Five personality traits.
METHODS: Online data were collected from 1,384 Slovak participants aged 15-74 (133 only children, 1,251 with siblings) using the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) and the Big Five Inventory (BFI 10). MannWhitney U tests compared groups, with effect sizes (AUC) calculated. Spearman’s...
Govarthnapany, N., Dékány, L., Gabrhelík, R., & Singh, D. (2025). Clinical outcomes and healthcare perspectives on adolescent kratom use in the Czech Republic: A study protocol. Adiktologie, 25(1), pp-pp
ABSTRACT: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a plant native to Southeast Asia, has gained global popularity due to both its dose-dependent stimulant and sedative effects. This has raised concerns, particularly around adolescent use, as regular consumption can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms. In the Czech Republic, kratom is reportedly used alongside cannabis among adolescents. However, there is limited clinical data on the impact of kratom dependence within this demographic. This study aims to address this gap by exploring adolescent kratom use from the clinical and healthcare policy...
Al Khouri, I., Fulajtarova, M., & Iannaccone, B. (2024). The Association Between Substance Use Prevalence and Youth Mortality: A Comparative Study of Selected EU Countries. Adiktologie 24(4), pp-pp
INTRODUCTION: Psychoactive substance use constitutes a significant determinant of morbidity and mortality among adolescent and emerging adult populations across European Union member states. This study aims to examine associations between substance use prevalence and drug-induced mortality rates, with a focus on age- and gender-specific disparities and spatiotemporal patterns across selected EU countries.
METHODS: The research design employed a quantitative descriptive-comparative analysis of EMCDDA and EUDA datasets spanning the years 2010–2022, complemented by predictive modelling using...
Ceresnik, M., Dolejs, M., Povazanova, B., Knazek, G., & Ceresnikova, M. (2024). Big Five Personality Traits of Adolescents aged 11–19 Years from the Czech and Slovak Republics: Age, Sex and Nationality Specifications. Adiktologie 24(4), pp-pp
The article explores basic personality characteristics in accordance with the Big Five inventory; it concerns the age category of adolescence, i.e. the ages 11–19. Particular attention is paid to the variables of age, sex, and nationality as factors contributing to the establishment of these personality characteristics. The research involved 2,830 adolescents aged 11–19. The average age was 14.89 (SD = 2.23). Participants attended lower or higher secondary education (ISCED 2 and 3) in the Czech Republic or the Slovak Republic. The research employed the Big Five Inventory BFI-10. While...
More than 100 million people — including at least 15 million children — are now using e-cigarettes, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Children are nine times more likely than adults to vape, raising serious concerns about early nicotine dependence. WHO officials warn that e-cigarettes, often marketed as “harm reduction,” are in fact hooking a new generation on nicotine and undermining decades of progress in tobacco control.
While traditional tobacco use continues to decline globally, vaping is rapidly increasing, especially in high-income countries. Yet by the end of 2024, 62...
In this reading list, we provide resources to help engage our members with the latest knowledge, tools, and case studies on quality standards in substance use disorder
treatment
. These materials highlight international frameworks, research-backed practices, and country-level initiatives designed to improve access, strengthen systems, and ensure safe, ethical, and effective care.
Together, they offer a practical foundation for policy-makers, service providers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to reflect on what “quality” means in treatment and how to achieve it across diverse...
The 2025 Annual Report to the Parliament on Drug Addictions in Italy offers a comprehensive overview of the current drug
addiction
landscape. Despite a slight decline in youth drug use for the first time since 2018, the report highlights ongoing challenges, particularly with substances like cocaine, synthetic opioids, and high-potency cannabis derivatives. Law enforcement and judicial efforts remain strong, and Italy continues to be a key collaborator in global anti-drug initiatives, particularly with countries in South America and the Indo-Pacific region.
AI is helping improve
addictiontreatment
in many ways. It creates personalized treatment plans based on a person’s history and needs, and can even detect early signs of risk before addiction develops. AI also analyzes large amounts of data to better understand addiction patterns and improve
recovery
methods. Tools like AI chatbots offer around-the-clock support and a safe space to talk, while remote monitoring through apps and wearables helps counsellors track progress and prevent
relapse
. Virtual reality therapy lets individuals practice coping skills in realistic situations, making recovery...
Banárová, K., Boleková, V., & Čerešník, M. (2024). Risk Behavior Among Slovak and Czech Adolescents Through the Lens of Self-Regulation, Prosociality, and Antisociality. Adiktologie, 24(3), pp–pp. https://doi.org/10.35198/01-2024-003-0002
INTRODUCTION:
In the present article, we focused on the relationship between risk behaviour in adolescents, self-regulation, pro-sociality and anti-sociality. We work under the assumption that the development of the ability to self-regulate facilitates processes of internalisation, thereby strengthening the conscious effort toward prosocial behaviour and the reduction in antisocial tendencies. This creates suitable conditions for minimising risk behaviours typical for adolescence.
METHODS:
Our research sample consisted of 3,092 adolescents enrolled in upper secondary education (ISCED 3)...
The WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health and
Treatment
of Substance Use Disorders provides a comprehensive snapshot of global trends in alcohol consumption, related harms, and national policy responses, alongside the availability and quality of treatment services for alcohol and drug use disorders.
Key Highlights:
Presents the latest data from WHO Member States, aligned with SDG Health Target 3.5: “Strengthen prevention and treatment of
substance abuse
, including narcotic
drug abuse
and harmful use of alcohol.”
Offers updated insights on global alcohol consumption patterns...
Eriksen A, De Bock F, Alayli A, Boode K, Durvy B, Gaspar T, Kosola S, Saxena S, van Ginneken E. Improving reach and access to health promotion and preventive services for vulnerable children and adolescents: experiences from five European countries. Copenhagen: European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2025. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO
Across Europe, one in four children faces
poverty
or social exclusion, with vulnerable groups—such as migrants, refugees, and children from disadvantaged families—bearing the greatest burden. These disparities were worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the urgent need for more equitable access to health and social services.
Early childhood is a critical window for health and development, yet investment in prevention remains low. Barriers such as financial constraints, administrative complexity, and lack of coordination across sectors hinder access to essential services—especially...
This publication presents key findings from the 8th round of the European School Survey Project on
Alcohol and Other Drugs
(ESPAD), conducted in 2024 among 113,882 students aged 15–16 across 37 European countries.
Marking 30 years of monitoring adolescent risk behaviours, the 2024 edition introduces a new focus on mental well-being and prevention activities, highlighting their growing role in shaping youth health outcomes.
The key findings report is available in 33 languages and optimised for online access. A full report, ESPAD Report 2024, will be released in October 2025.
Pebley, K., D. Nelson, J., Marshall, J.L. et al. Tobacco
treatment
billing and tobacco use disorder diagnosis in healthcare settings in the United States: an analysis of South Carolina medicaid claims. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 20, 24 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-025-00654-w
Background
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Although Medicaid covers tobacco cessation treatments, smoking rates remain much higher among Medicaid beneficiaries (30%) compared to those with private insurance (18%). This study examined how often South Carolina Medicaid fee-for-service beneficiaries received tobacco counseling from 2019 to 2022.
Methods
The study analyzed data from 49,401 individuals diagnosed with tobacco use disorder. It assessed differences in counseling rates by age, race, sex, region, and provider type using Chi-squared tests.
Wang, Y., Zhou, H., Tang, Z. et al. Smoking and bladder cancer: insights into pathogenesis and public health implications from a bibliometric analysis (1999–2023). Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 20, 25 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-025-00658-6
Background
Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for bladder cancer. Harmful substances in tobacco smoke can damage cells and lead to cancer. Understanding this link is important for better prevention and
treatment
.
Objective
This study reviews global research on the connection between smoking and bladder cancer using bibliometric analysis, aiming to identify key trends, topics, and future directions.
Methods
We analyzed studies published between 1999 and 2023 from the Web of Science database. Tools like VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used to map contributions from countries, institutions...
Thom, B., Annand, F., Clancy, C., Whittaker, A., & Janiszewska, I. (2023). The role of UK alcohol and drug (AOD) nurses in a changing workforce. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 31(6), 616–624. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2023.2266554
Background:
This article shares findings from a study that looked into how
alcohol and other drugs
(AOD) nurses in the UK view their current career opportunities and the challenges they face. It also explores how changes in health services have affected their roles.
Methods:
Researchers conducted interviews with twelve AOD nurses using a narrative approach to allow for open discussion and new insights. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify common themes.
Key Findings:
Nurses discussed the pros and cons of non-medical prescribing (NMP) and how it has...
