Summer 2023 eNewsletter
Director's Letter: The Changing Face of Cannabis: Public Perception vs. Research Evidence
Dear Friends,

The use of cannabis is increasing, with thirty-eight states legalizing its use for medical use and twenty-three states legalizing recreational use. This has led to a public acceptance and perception that cannabis is harmless, which is not entirely true. Cannabis-derived compounds are being researched for their therapeutic use, but they also come with risks. Rates of cannabis use disorder (CUD) are increasing. Studies have linked it to mental health issues and changes in the developing brain of adolescent users.
 
A recent study by the National Institutes of Health found that young men with cannabis use disorder have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. This is just one example. At the U-M Addiction Center, we are committed to studying cannabis, including its impact on mental health and brain development through the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, and best practices for prevention, early intervention, and treatment. It is our goal to raise awareness about the potential dangers of cannabis use and encourage people to make informed decisions about their health, achieve lasting recovery, and a better quality of life.

Are you or someone you know struggling with CUD? Reach out to U-M Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS). Our team of dedicated medical professionals provide individualized and compassionate evidence-based care for individuals of all ages. We’ve also compiled a number of resources to help you on your journey to wellness.

 
Sincerely,
 
Professor & Director, U-M Addiction Center
News Highlights
An Agenda for Research to Transform Care for Cannabis Use Disorder
U-M Addiction Center researchers publish recommendations and call to action to address the growing problem of cannabis use disorder. Read more
"This can not be our new normal that over 100,000 people a year are dying ever single year of overdose." said Dr. Allison Lin in this Detroit Free Press Article. Read more
U-M Addiction Center Experts Featured on Michigan Radio Stateside
Anne Fernandez, Ph.D. and G. Scott Winder, M.D. were featured on Michigan Radio Stateside and discussed U-M's Alcohol Related Liver Disease Clinic and options for treatment. Read more
Stigma, Access to Blame for Mental Health Care Being Hard to Reach in Rural Areas
Lara Coughlin, Ph.D. was quoted in this News Channel 3 article on stigma and how it contributes to the lack of access to mental health care in rural areas. Read more
Research Highlights
“This is the first study of its kind to show the effectiveness of a relatively inexpensive e-health intervention for hazardous alcohol use in a component of our nation’s Army reserves,” says Frederic Blow, Ph.D., lead author of the study. Read more
U-M Study Helped Reduce the Frequency of Cannabis Use and Improve Mental Health Outcomes
Dr. Lara Coughlin and colleagues designed a telehealth intervention that reduced the frequency of cannabis use and improved mental health outcomes. Read more
T-32 Post-Doctoral Fellow Spotlight
Meet Dr. Amelia Mueller-Williams. Her research focuses on focus on population-level approaches to decreasing racial disparities in morbidity and mortality related to suicide, alcohol, and drugs. Read more
Meet Dr. Devin Tomlinson. Her research focuses on comorbidities, vulnerabilities to substance use, and their intersection on substance use outcomes. Read more
Grant Award Highlight
Reducing Alcohol Use among Elective Surgical Patients Using Adaptive Interventions
Anne Fernandez, Ph.D. received $3 Million in Funding to Help Patients Reduce Alcohol Use Before and After Surgery to Reduce Surgical Complications. Read more
Addiction Center Faculty Awarded New R21 Grant
Alex Weigard, Ph.D. is the Principal Investigator, along with Co-Investigators Adriene Beltz, Ph.D. and Brian Hicks, Ph.D., on a new grant that seeks to improve the measurement of specific individual brain functions that place people at risk for mental and substance use disorders. Read more
Education & Resources
Substance Use During Adolescence - An Overview of Trends, Risk Factors, and Consequences
In this webinar, Developmental Psychologist and Research Assistant Professor, Dr. Meghan Martz, discussed the factors that make adolescent youth particularly vulnerable to risk taking behaviors, such as substance use. Watch here
Addiction, Depression & Anxiety: What's the Connection?
Watch a recording of the recent Michigan Medicine livestream, George (Cam) Coleman, M.D. and Emily Bilek, Ph.D., ABPP discussed the connection between addiction, depression, and anxiety. Watch here
How Alcohol Can Accelerate the Aging Process and Damage Your Health
In this U.S. News and World Report article, Anne Fernandez, Ph.D. discusses the pandemics effect on alcohol use, the use of alcohol, and the relationship between alcohol dependence and extreme anxiety. Read more
Podcast Series about Women Leading in Substance Use Prevention Field Features Erin Bonar, Ph.D.
In a recent episode titled Intersecting Identities: First Gen Women Scientists, Episode #12, Erin Bonar, Ph.D., discussed her work in substance use prevention, researching ways to prevent and treat substance use disorders. Listen here
The U-M Addiction Center resource guide includes free online support groups, 24-hour helplines, and other important recovery and mental health-related resources. Learn more