Research Updates from the Blog!
Our Commitment to Ongoing Research
April 17, 2025The SASSI Institute is dedicated to enhancing the utility of our screening tools through ongoing research and development. Our efforts focus on improving our screening instruments, understanding substance use trends, and addressing co-occurring disorders. Key Research Areas: Instrument Validation and Updates: The Institute has conducted recent validation studies to ensure the effectiveness of the SASSI in detecting substance use disorders among adults and adolescents. This includes research on identifying individuals who may underreport or deny… Read more
Another Public Health Threat: The Extensive Use of Bromazolam
February 8, 2024We recently published a commentary in Public Health Open Journal regarding Bromazolam (fake Xanax) use. It is increasingly being found in the illicit drug supply, mixed with other drugs like fentanyl and heroin, among others. Within the commentary, we examine the current state of the science as it pertains to the public health dangers of Bromazolam and its various illicit distribution networks, not only in North America but across the world. We also examine possible… Read more
Xylazine: The Real Deal
September 7, 2023Xylazine is a significant drug used by veterinarians specializing in the care of large animals such as horses, cattle, and deer as it provides needed pain relief. Despite this usefulness, as often happens with legal drug supplies, illicit uses become commonplace and result in unintended consequences—in this case, devastating ones. In our new peer reviewed article we examine the current state of the science as pertains to xylazine and the various uses of the illicit… Read more
SAMSHA Survey
June 15, 2023June is National Pride month so we thought we would bring attention to the just released SAMSHA survey on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Results from the 2021 and 2022 National Surveys on Drug Use and Behavioral Health. The results point to the heavy societal stressors of this minority population in regards to mental health and the overall use of substances as a significant coping response. The behavioral survey looks at any mental illness, serious mental… Read more
How the SASSI can be a Useful Tool in the LGBTQIA+ Community
May 18, 2023Overall, the SASSI can be a valuable tool for helping members of the LGBTQIA+ community by identifying and addressing substance use disorders. It can provide a standardized and sensitive way to screen for these issues and can help to ensure that individuals receive appropriate care and support based on their unique needs and experiences. Read more
SASSI’s Latest Publication Focuses on Long Term Recovery
February 2, 2023On January 19th of this year our latest manuscript was published in Social Behavior Research and Practice. Examining Sustained Recovery from Substance Use Disorder — A Delicate Process discusses the various aspects and definitional terms involved in achieving sustained abstinence (Long-term recovery). This article was submitted as the first in a series of manuscripts examining the recovery process; both from the perspective of the recovering individual, but also including persons within that individual’s personal and… Read more