Measures of General Intelligence and Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder

JAMA Psychiatry

This male Swedish cohort study that included 573,855 participants assessed if there is an association between IQ and risk for alcohol use disorder, and if so, what is the nature of this association. It found that IQ at age 18 years was associated with subsequent alcohol use disorder risk. Mendelian randomization analyses suggest a causal association, albeit with context-dependent differences; genetic liability for cognitive performance also predicted alcohol use disorder in a US-based sample. Results suggest that there was a clear impact of genetic liability for cognitive performance on alcohol disorder risk, but the association varies based on the sociocultural context.

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Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Playbook

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

The AHRQ Integration Academy developed the Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Playbook as a practical guide for providing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and immediate care for patients with OUD in primary care and other ambulatory care settings. It is interactive, web-based, and has the latest guidance, tools, resources, and examples that address key aspects of MOUD implementation. The MOUD Quick Start Guide covers the essentials of low-threshold care, while the balance of the Playbook offers more in-depth resources and guidance for those practices interested in working toward more comprehensive, whole-person care. The low-threshold approach ensures immediate access to MOUD, eliminating barriers for both patients and providers.

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Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Lactation

American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug under U.S. federal law. With increasing social acceptability, accessibility, and legalization in many states, the prevalence of cannabis use among pregnant and lactating individuals has increased significantly. Substance use in pregnancy, including cannabis use, has been associated with adverse outcomes such as spontaneous preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental delay. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of pregnant and lactating patients' use of cannabis and be prepared to counsel and screen all patients and use evidence-based strategies to reduce cannabis use. These include supportive home visits, psycho-behavioral strategies, or brief electronic or text messaging interventions to reduce cannabis use in pregnancy and the postpartum period to promote parental and newborn health.

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