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Full-Text Articles in Substance Abuse and Addiction

Fact Sheet: Kratom, Cadence Johnnie, Ashley Yaugher, Aaron Hunt, Cara Murray, Timothy Keady Jan 2026

Fact Sheet: Kratom, Cadence Johnnie, Ashley Yaugher, Aaron Hunt, Cara Murray, Timothy Keady

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There are many common myths and misunderstandings associated with kratom. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. In recent years, kratom use has grown in the United States. It is sold in various forms, including capsules, powders, and most commonly as liquid extracts or “shots." These kratom products are promoted as health supplements, advertised for benefits such as boosting energy, enhancing mood, or producing opioid-like effects. However, most users may not fully understand what they are consuming or the potential risks it carries. Commercial kratom products vary widely in their chemical composition. Synthetic (human-made) or …

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Acceptance And Commitment Therapy: A Treatment Option For Substance Use Disorders, Miriam N. Mukasa, Ashley Yaugher, Ty Aller Dec 2025

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy: A Treatment Option For Substance Use Disorders, Miriam N. Mukasa, Ashley Yaugher, Ty Aller

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There are many evidence-based treatments for individuals experiencing substance use disorders (SUDs) that support both individuals and families. Psychological treatments are effective for a wide range of SUDs, making them a key approach for helping people with differing needs. This fact sheet provides information on treatments and provides more detail about acceptance and commitment therapy as a SUD treatment support.

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Fact Sheet For Parents: What You Need To Know About Alcohol, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Alyssa Ferrin Sep 2025

Fact Sheet For Parents: What You Need To Know About Alcohol, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Alyssa Ferrin

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This fact sheet explains what alcohol is and why it is dangerous for kids and teens. It offers ideas for how parents can help prevent underage drinking and provides resources to help parents..

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Staying Safe When Taking Prescription Opioids, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Amy May, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin Apr 2025

Staying Safe When Taking Prescription Opioids, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Amy May, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

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Prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, and hydrocodone, are often used for short-term pain management, and it is important to know how to keep yourself safe when taking opioids prescribed by a doctor. This fact sheet reviews what opioids are, how they work in the body, and how people become dependent on or overdose on opioids. It also offers how to limit your risk of dependence and suggests alternative pain management options.

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Fact Sheet For Parents: What To Know About Zyn Nicotine Pouches, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Alyssa Ferrin Apr 2025

Fact Sheet For Parents: What To Know About Zyn Nicotine Pouches, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Alyssa Ferrin

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This fact sheet provides information about ZYN, which is a nicotine pouch becoming commonly used among youth due to social media advertising. This fact sheet will help parents understand the impact of ZYN pouches and approaches to monitor, prevent, and address use among youth.

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Naloxone: A Lifesaving Tool Against Opioid Overdose, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Amy May, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin Apr 2025

Naloxone: A Lifesaving Tool Against Opioid Overdose, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Amy May, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

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Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily stop an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain, which can save a person's life. This fact sheet explains why naloxone is important and safe, how to recognize the signs of opioid overdose, and how to obtain, store, and administer naloxone. Naloxone training is also available through Utah State University Extension.

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Fact Sheet: Ketamine, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin Mar 2025

Fact Sheet: Ketamine, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

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This fact sheet discusses ketamine, which has pain-relieving properties and has gained recent attention for its antidepressant effects. However, as a Schedule III substance, it has a risk of strong psychological and physical dependence. Recreational use can lead to short- and long-term effects on health and risk of overdose and death.

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Fact Sheet: Methamphetamine, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin Mar 2025

Fact Sheet: Methamphetamine, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

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Methamphetamine, or meth, is a powerful stimulant that speeds up the central nervous system, causing increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and how fast the body uses energy. This fact sheet explains how meth is habit-forming and addictive and what it does to your body. It also explains overamping and responding to such an emergency.

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Fact Sheet: Fentanyl, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Amy May, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin Mar 2025

Fact Sheet: Fentanyl, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Amy May, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

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This fact sheet provides essential information on fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid increasingly found in illegal street drugs, posing significant overdose risks. It highlights how opioids affect the body, the dangers of fentanyl, and the importance of harm-reduction strategies, such as fentanyl test strips, naloxone access, and safe syringe disposal. Information on signs and symptoms and how to respond to an overdose are also included.

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Fact Sheet For Parents: What You Need To Know About Adderall, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Alyssa Ferrin Nov 2024

Fact Sheet For Parents: What You Need To Know About Adderall, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Alyssa Ferrin

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This fact sheet provides information about what Adderall is used for, how it can be misused, and what parents can do to talk to their kids about appropriate use.

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Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Nas): What You Need To Know, Maren Wright Wright Voss, Amelia Van Komen, Emily Hamilton, Aarica Cleveland, Jaclyn Miller May 2023

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Nas): What You Need To Know, Maren Wright Wright Voss, Amelia Van Komen, Emily Hamilton, Aarica Cleveland, Jaclyn Miller

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National overdose deaths continue to rise, with 2021 marking the first time U.S. overdose deaths topped 100,000 in a 12-month timeframe. Substance use, such as alcohol, cocaine, opioids, and marijuana, during pregnancy is also increasing. As the U.S. struggles with harmful substance use, a growing number of infants are born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a harmful outcome of fetal exposure to substances. This fact sheet will talk about why and what to do, with recommendations for safe treatment and support during pregnancy.

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Cross-Cultural Collaborations For Addressing Opioid Use Disorder In Utah, Michelle Q. Chapoose, Cassandra Manning, Erin Fanning Madden, Katie Zaman, Claire Warnick, Suzanne M. Prevedel, Sandra H. Sulzer Feb 2023

Cross-Cultural Collaborations For Addressing Opioid Use Disorder In Utah, Michelle Q. Chapoose, Cassandra Manning, Erin Fanning Madden, Katie Zaman, Claire Warnick, Suzanne M. Prevedel, Sandra H. Sulzer

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Cross-cultural collaboration allows for more effective interventions for opioid use disorder among tribal communities. Practicing cultural humility, incorporating Indigenous knowledge, and amplifying Indigenous voices are crucial to the cross-cultural collaboration process. This process can ensure that interventions that address opioid use disorder meet the needs of tribal communities.

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Opioid Facts For Youth, Timothy Keady, Stacey Macarthur, Gabriela Murza, Suzanne Prevedel Oct 2021

Opioid Facts For Youth, Timothy Keady, Stacey Macarthur, Gabriela Murza, Suzanne Prevedel

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This fact sheet explains what opioids are, lists street names, and reviews the risks of using or misusing opioids. It reviews reasons why youth may abuse opioids. Ways youth can help and support peers are included as well as resources to get educated and find treatment for substance abuse and addiction. Several poster-styled and social media-compatible posters are included as an additional file that youth can share with other youth to spread the message and encourage safety.

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Opioid Use Disorder (Oud) And Pregnancy In Utah, Saralyn Margetts, Erin Fanning Madden, Lauran Hymas, Katie Zaman, Gabriela Murza, Suzanne Prevedel, Sandra H. Sulzer Oct 2021

Opioid Use Disorder (Oud) And Pregnancy In Utah, Saralyn Margetts, Erin Fanning Madden, Lauran Hymas, Katie Zaman, Gabriela Murza, Suzanne Prevedel, Sandra H. Sulzer

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Over the past twenty years, opioid use during pregnancy has become much more common (Haight et al., 2018). Opioids may be prescribed for pain management or the treatment of an opioid use disorder (OUD). For example, methadone or buprenorphine are medications recommended for pregnant women with OUD. Opioid use may also include misusing prescription painkillers or using illicit drugs such as heroin. Regardless of the nature of opioid use, it is important for pregnant women to know how opioid use can impact their pregnancy and what treatment options are available.

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Opioid Fast Facts For Parents, Timothy Keady, Paige Wray, Katie Zaman, Gabriela Murza, Gabriel Glissmeyer, Elizabeth Elsmore, Maren Wright Wright Voss, Suzanne Prevedel, Sandra H. Sulzer Oct 2021

Opioid Fast Facts For Parents, Timothy Keady, Paige Wray, Katie Zaman, Gabriela Murza, Gabriel Glissmeyer, Elizabeth Elsmore, Maren Wright Wright Voss, Suzanne Prevedel, Sandra H. Sulzer

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This fact sheet explains what opioids are and how they are used--or misused, which can lead to opioid use disorder (OUD). The information provided can help parents understand what questions to ask if a doctor prescribes opioids, and ways parents can safeguard their child against opioid misuse. It also includes ideas for managing an emergency, namely, using naloxone to address overdose.

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If You Suspect Your Child Is Using Opioids, Gabriela Murza, Timothy Keady, Paige Wray, Elizabeth Elsmore, Gabriel Glissmeyer, Suzanne Prevedel, Sandra H. Sulzer Oct 2021

If You Suspect Your Child Is Using Opioids, Gabriela Murza, Timothy Keady, Paige Wray, Elizabeth Elsmore, Gabriel Glissmeyer, Suzanne Prevedel, Sandra H. Sulzer

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Opioid use disorders touch the lives of many families, and numerous factors influence the decision to use substances. Your child’s drug use does not mean that you are unsuccessful at parenting. This fact sheet considers actions a parent can take to support a child suspected of using opioids. A number of local and national resources are also listed for further guidance and support services.

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Pregnancy And Substance Use, Elise Withers, Krista Thompson, Emily Hamilton, Maren Wright Voss Jun 2021

Pregnancy And Substance Use, Elise Withers, Krista Thompson, Emily Hamilton, Maren Wright Voss

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The use of alcohol and other harmful substances, such as cocaine, opioids, and marijuana during pregnancy has increased over the last decades (Sebastiani et al., 2018). Using these substances can be very harmful to the unborn baby and mother (Viteri et al., 2015). This fact sheet covers (1) the consequences of substance use and (2) the current recommendations for substance use during pregnancy.

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A Crisis Of Her Own: Fatal Opioid Overdose, Opioid Use Disorder, And Intimate Partner Violence Among Rural Utah Women, Timothy Light, Erin Fanning Madden, Debasree Das Gupta, Hilary Disch, Katie Zaman, Suzanne Prevedel, Sandra H. Sulzer Feb 2021

A Crisis Of Her Own: Fatal Opioid Overdose, Opioid Use Disorder, And Intimate Partner Violence Among Rural Utah Women, Timothy Light, Erin Fanning Madden, Debasree Das Gupta, Hilary Disch, Katie Zaman, Suzanne Prevedel, Sandra H. Sulzer

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The Centers for Disease Control report that the rate of overdose deaths among women is rapidly increasing, with women experiencing a 532% increase in fatal opioid overdose deaths between 1999 and 2017, compared to a 355% increase for men. Among women, those in rural areas have disproportionately higher drug overdose death rates than women in urban areas (Mazure & Fiellin, 2018), indicating an opportunity for targeted rural public health interventions to slow overdose fatality increases among women. This fact sheet reviews Utah trends, potential factors increasing fatal opioid overdose, intimate partner violence and substance use disorders, and provides resources for …

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Diet, Nutrition, And Substance Use Disorder, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos, Ashley Yaugher, Alise Williams Condie, Gabriela Murza, Maren Wright Voss, Kandice Atisme Jul 2020

Diet, Nutrition, And Substance Use Disorder, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos, Ashley Yaugher, Alise Williams Condie, Gabriela Murza, Maren Wright Voss, Kandice Atisme

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Consuming a healthy diet can benefit everyone—especially individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), a disorder that occurs when frequent use of drugs or alcohol causes impairment, health issues, and difficulties with managing daily responsibilities (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2020). Although often overlooked, nutrition can play a key role in the treatment and recovery process for individuals with SUD, and should be included as part of a holistic approach toward recovery. In this fact sheet we will review how diet and nutrition are impacted during an active addiction, and the influence nutrition can have on treatment and …

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