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Search review questions

Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

731 questions in 61 reviews · Drugs and Alcohol

current versions
No studies 57 · 7.8%Ungraded 39 · 5.3%Very low 186 · 25.4%Low 239 · 32.7%Moderate 171 · 23.4%High 39 · 5.3%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Combined programmes vs usual curricula
Hard drugs use ≥12 months Subjective · primary or secondary school pupils
Universal school‐based prevention for illicit drug use (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.86 [0.39, 1.9]2 studies · 1066 participantsHigh
Combined programmes vs usual curricula
Any drugs use < 12 months Subjective · primary or secondary school pupils
Universal school‐based prevention for illicit drug use (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.76 [0.64, 0.89]1 study · 6362 participantsHigh
Social competence vs usual curricula
Marijuana use ≥ 12 months Subjective · primary or secondary school pupils
Universal school‐based prevention for illicit drug use (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.86 [0.74, 1]1 study · 2678 participantsHigh
Social competence vs usual curricula
Hard drug use < 12 months Subjective · primary or secondary school pupils
Universal school‐based prevention for illicit drug use (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.69 [0.4, 1.18]1 study · 2090 participantsModerate
Social competence vs usual curricula
Hard drugs use ≥ 12 months Subjective · primary or secondary school pupils
Universal school‐based prevention for illicit drug use (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 1075 participantsHigh
Social competence vs usual curricula
Any drug use < 12 months Subjective · primary or secondary school pupils
Universal school‐based prevention for illicit drug use (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.27 [0.14, 0.51]2 studies · 2512 participantsModerate
Social influence vs usual curricula
Marijuana use < 12 months Subjective · primary or secondary school pupils
Universal school‐based prevention for illicit drug use (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.88 [0.72, 1.07]3 studies · 10716 participantsModerate
Social influence vs usual curricula
Marijuana use ≥ 12 months Subjective · primary or secondary school pupils
Universal school‐based prevention for illicit drug use (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.95 [0.81, 1.13]1 study · 5862 participantsModerate
Combined programmes vs usual curricula
Marijuana use < 12 months Subjective · primary or secondary school pupils
Universal school‐based prevention for illicit drug use (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.79 [0.59, 1.05]3 studies · 8701 participantsModerate
Combined programmes vs usual curricula
Marijuana use ≥12 months Subjective · primary or secondary school pupils
Universal school‐based prevention for illicit drug use (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.83 [0.69, 0.99]6 studies · 26910 participantsModerate
Buprenorphine vs clonidine
Drop out Number of participants who did not complete the detoxification treatment · patients with opiate dependent adolescents
Detoxification treatments for opiate dependent adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.45 [0.2, 1.04]1 study · 36 participantsModerate
Buprenorphine vs clonidine
Duration and severity of signs and symptoms of withdrawal Adjective rating scale · patients with opiate dependent adolescents
Detoxification treatments for opiate dependent adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 32 participantsModerate
Buprenorphine vs clonidine
Initiation of naltrexone treatment Number of participants initiating naltrexone · patients with opiate dependent adolescents
Detoxification treatments for opiate dependent adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
RR 11 [1.58, 76.55]1 study · 36 participantsModerate
Buprenorphine detox vs buprenorphine maintenance
Drop out Number of participants who dropped out from the study · patients with opiate dependent adolescents
Detoxification treatments for opiate dependent adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
RR 2.67 [1.85, 3.86]1 study · 152 participantsLow
Buprenorphine detox vs buprenorphine maintenance
Patients with positive urine at the end of treatment Number of participants with urine positive for opiates · patients with opiate dependent adolescents
Detoxification treatments for opiate dependent adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.82, 1.28]1 study · 152 participantsLow
Buprenorphine detox vs buprenorphine maintenance
Self‐reported use at 12 months · patients with opiate dependent adolescents
Detoxification treatments for opiate dependent adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
RR 1.36 [1.05, 1.76]1 study · 152 participantsLow
Buprenorphine detox vs buprenorphine maintenance
Enrolment in addiction treatment at 12 month · patients with opiate dependent adolescents
Detoxification treatments for opiate dependent adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.75 [0.53, 1.07]1 study · 152 participantsLow
Buprenorphine maintenance vs buprenorphine detoxification
Drop‐outs Number of participants who did not complete the study
Maintenance treatments for opiate ‐dependent adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.37 [0.26, 0.54]1 study · 152 participantsLow
Buprenorphine maintenance vs buprenorphine detoxification
Use of primary substance Patients with positive urine test at the end of treatment
Maintenance treatments for opiate ‐dependent adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.97 [0.78, 1.22]1 study · 152 participantsLow
Buprenorphine maintenance vs buprenorphine detoxification
Self reported use at 12‐month
Maintenance treatments for opiate ‐dependent adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.73 [0.57, 0.95]1 study · 152 participantsLow
Buprenorphine maintenance vs buprenorphine detoxification
Enrolment in addiction treatment at 12‐month
Maintenance treatments for opiate ‐dependent adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
RR 1.33 [0.94, 1.88]1 study · 152 participantsLow
Anticonvulsants vs placebo
Dropouts · patients with alcohol dependence
Anticonvulsants for alcohol dependence (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.94 [0.74, 1.19]16 studies · 1675 participantsModerate
Anticonvulsants vs placebo
Continuous abstinence · patients with alcohol dependence
Anticonvulsants for alcohol dependence (2014) · Cochrane
RR 1.21 [0.97, 1.52]634 participantsModerate
Anticonvulsants vs placebo
Drinks/drinking day · patients with alcohol dependence
Anticonvulsants for alcohol dependence (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted11 studies · 1126 participantsModerate
Anticonvulsants vs placebo
Heavy drinking · patients with alcohol dependence
Anticonvulsants for alcohol dependence (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted12 studies · 1129 participantsModerate
Anticonvulsants vs placebo
Adverse events—withdrawn for medical reasons · patients with alcohol dependence
Anticonvulsants for alcohol dependence (2014) · Cochrane
RR 1.22 [0.58, 2.56]12 studies · 1410 participantsModerate
Non‐alcohol commercials vs alcohol commercials
Total alcohol consumption in number of glasses · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 80 participantsVery low
Alcohol ban vs no ban
Delayed age of initiation of alcohol use ‐ not reported · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Alcohol ban vs no ban
Reduction in alcohol‐related injuries or accidents ‐ not reported · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Alcohol ban vs no ban
Reduction in individual spending on alcohol ‐ not reported · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Alcohol ban vs no ban
Loss of revenue from alcohol industry ‐ not reported · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Alcohol ban vs no ban
Loss of advertising revenue ‐ not reported · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Non‐alcohol commercials vs alcohol commercials
Delayed age of initiation of alcohol use ‐ not measured · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Non‐alcohol commercials vs alcohol commercials
Reduction in rate of reported risk behaviour ‐ not measured · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Non‐alcohol commercials vs alcohol commercials
Reduction in alcohol‐related injuries or accidents ‐ not measured · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Non‐alcohol commercials vs alcohol commercials
Reduction in individual spending on alcohol ‐ not measured · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Non‐alcohol commercials vs alcohol commercials
Loss of revenue from alcohol industry ‐ not measured · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Non‐alcohol commercials vs alcohol commercials
Loss of advertising revenue ‐ not measured · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Alcohol ban vs no ban
Alcohol consumption: % change in beer consumption · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 participantsVery low
Alcohol ban vs no ban
Reduction in rate of reported risk behaviour ‐ not reported · General population
Restricting or banning alcohol advertising to reduce alcohol consumption in adults and adolescents (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Tapered methadone vs any other treatment
Completion of treatment Objective · patients with the management of opioid withdrawal
Methadone at tapered doses for the management of opioid withdrawal (2013) · Cochrane
RR 1.08 [0.97, 1.21]16 studies · 1381 participantsHigh
Tapered methadone vs any other treatment
Number of participants abstinent at · patients with the management of opioid withdrawal
Methadone at tapered doses for the management of opioid withdrawal (2013) · Cochrane
RR 0.98 [0.7, 1.37]3 studies · 386 participantsHigh
Magnesium vs placebo or standard care
muscle strength dynamometer¹ · people with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Magnesium for alcohol withdrawal (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 226 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Amphetamine use (UA) Negative urinalyses across the study · Amphetamine abuse or dependence
Efficacy of psychostimulant drugs for amphetamine abuse or dependence (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted7 studies · 473 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Sustained abstinence Negative urinalyses for at least 3 consecutive weeks · Amphetamine abuse or dependence
Efficacy of psychostimulant drugs for amphetamine abuse or dependence (2013) · Cochrane
RR 1.12 [0.84, 1.49]6 studies · 559 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Retention to treatment Number of participants who competed treatment · Amphetamine abuse or dependence
Efficacy of psychostimulant drugs for amphetamine abuse or dependence (2013) · Cochrane
RR 1.01 [0.9, 1.14]11 studies · 791 participantsLow
naltrexone vs placebo or no pharmacological treatments
retention and abstinence, all patients · patients with opioid dependence
Oral naltrexone maintenance treatment for opioid dependence (2011) · Cochrane
RR 1.43 [0.72, 2.82]6 studies · 393 participantsUngraded
naltrexone vs placebo or no pharmacological treatments
abstinence at · patients with opioid dependence
Oral naltrexone maintenance treatment for opioid dependence (2011) · Cochrane
RR 1.28 [0.8, 2.05]3 studies · 116 participantsUngraded
naltrexone vs placebo or no pharmacological treatments
side effects · patients with opioid dependence
Oral naltrexone maintenance treatment for opioid dependence (2011) · Cochrane
RR 1.29 [0.54, 3.11]4 studies · 159 participantsUngraded
Antidepressants vs placebo according to any definition
Dropout ‐ Dropouts: excluding studies with high risk of bias objective · patients with cocaine abuse and dependence
Antidepressants for cocaine dependence and problematic cocaine use (2011) · Cochrane
RR 1.01 [0.91, 1.12]27 studies · 2417 participantsModerate