Substance use (Cannabis, Tobacco and unhealthy alcohol use)

3DI investigators are engaged in evaluating interventions that aid individuals in quitting smoking and identifying effective strategies for promote cessation, such as counseling, pharmacotherapy, and digital health interventions. 3DI Investigators are interested in the intersection of tobacco and cannabis use and how cannabis use impact tobacco cessation. Many of our investigators are affiliated with the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education (CTCRE).

3DI investigators are engaged in understanding the health and public health ramifications of cannabis use.  Their work spans public health, policy implications, epidemiology, and clinical research, focusing on mental health, chronic conditions, and behaviors associated with cannabis use. They have examined the public health consequences of legalization, trends and disparities in cannabis use among different demographics, and the specific implications for Veterans' health.  They are examining gaps in care in the VA related to assessing cannabis use and referring Veterans with problematic use for behavioral interventions. Investigators are working on using natural language processing and large language models to extract mentions of cannabis use from the medical record.

3DI investigators have led research on motivational interviewing (MI), peer coaching and other evidence-based, low-burden interventions to enhance engagement in care while reducing provider burden. Examples include the stay Quit Coach 2.0, the VA’s mobile application to target tobacco use. Our investigators are interested in strategies (e.g.  digital interventions for Veteran engagement) into care and for cessation. Investigators are examining use of peer specialists/Whole Health coaches for engaging Veterans into behavior change and/or into care settings that may optimize motivation.

3DI investigators explore the epidemiological aspects of alcohol use and its impact on Veteran health outcomes, they are focused on reducing alcohol misuse through behavioral interventions and counseling strategies. 

3DI Investigators engaged in research related to Cannabis Use:
-    Beth E. Cohen, MD, MAS
-    Katherine Hoggatt, PhD, MPH
-    Sabrina Islam, PhD, MS
-    Salomeh Keyhani, MD, MPH
-    Alison Rustagi, MD, PhD

3DI Investigators engaged in research related to Tobacco Cessation:
-    Brian Borsari, PhD
-    Beth E. Cohen, MD, MAS
-    Ellen Herbst, MD
-    Sabrina Islam, PhD, MS

3DI Investigators engaged in research related to unhealthy alcohol use 
-    Brian Borsari, PhD
-    Katherine Hoggatt, PhD