Prevalence of addictive behaviors is commonly associated with alterations in the brain's reward circuitry, leading to the upholding of a maladaptive pattern of reward-seeking behavior despite aversive consequences. The main objective of this systematic review was to provide a broad overview of the literature on electrophysiological correlates of anticipation and reward processing in addiction, including substance use disorders (SUD), as well as behavioral addictions. Reward processing in addiction has been investigated using electroencephalography (EEG) studies employing a cue-reward experimental design, with event-related potentials (ERPs) as the outcome measure. Relevant studies were identified by searching scientific databases: PubMed, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus in April 2026. The terms used to search the databases covered EEG/ERP markers of reward processing in substance and behavioral addictions. The inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed ERP studies employing a cue-reward paradigm in adults with addictive behaviors and healthy controls, published in English between 2000 and 2026. Forty-two studies were reviewed (SUD: 23; behavioral addictions: 19). Reward anticipation was indexed by cue-P300, contingent negative variation (CNV), and stimulus-preceding negativity (SPN). Reward processing was examined in distinct early (feedback-related negativity (FRN) and reward positivity (RewP)) and late (P300 and late positive potential (LPP)) reward outcome phases. Altered neural responses were observed across multiple stages of reward processing in both substance and behavioral addictions, consistent with disruptions in the generation, evaluation, and updating of reward expectations. Despite these convergent patterns, methodological heterogeneity limits the strength of current conclusions and highlights the need for greater standardization in future research.

Memory loss from alcohol ("blackout") is common among young adults who drink and associated with significant alcohol-related harm. Despite longstanding evidence distinguishing fragmentary (transient) and en bloc (permanent) blackouts, a measure distinguishing these two forms of blackout (the Alcohol-Induced Blackout Measure-2 [ABOM-2]) was only recently developed and has not been psychometrically evaluated among young adults with a history of alcohol-induced blackouts. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the ABOM-2, particularly its longitudinal measurement invariance and prospective predictive validity, among 169 heavy-drinking young adults (ages 18-30) with a history of blackout. Confirmatory factor analyses at baseline (T1) and one-month follow-up (T2) supported previous research showing the ABOM-2 items are best represented by two correlated factors. Both factors, en bloc and fragmentary, demonstrated convergent validity, showing significant associations with hazardous drinking, alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related consequences. In concurrent convergent and prospective predictive regression models that accounted for relevant covariates and included both types of blackouts, en bloc (but not fragmentary) blackouts significantly predicted hazardous drinking, alcohol consumption, and consequences across time. Longitudinal measurement invariance testing provided evidence for configural, metric, and scalar invariance across T1 and T2, supporting the measurement equivalence of ABOM-2 over time. Findings reinforce the distinction between en bloc and fragmentary blackouts, support the convergent and predictive validity of the ABOM-2, and highlight the clinical and research utility of the ABOM-2 as a reliable tool for assessing blackout across time. En bloc blackouts, in particular, serve as a robust marker of alcohol-related risk among young adults.

Sexualised drug use (SDU) is the intentional use of psychoactive substances to enhance sexual experiences. SDU has been primarily studied in samples of men who have sex with men (MSM), with a focus on health outcomes (i.e., HIV). Research on SDU in samples other than MSM is sparse, in particular regarding processes which may be associated with SDU engagement, consequences of SDU, and associations with addictive behaviors. This mixed-methods study surveyed 3627 Canadians on their engagement with SDU, as well as addiction, mental health, and psychosocial variables. Open-ended text responses probed motivations for engaging in SDU and positive and negative consequences resulting from SDU. Participants were grouped according to their engagement with SDU in the past year: never (n = 3262), or during the past year (n = 365). A total of 9.6 % of heterosexual and 17.1 % of LGBQ + participants had engaged in SDU. The most robust associations were found between SDU engagement and problematic cannabis use severity, compulsive sexual behavior, and several psychosocial risk factors for addiction (i.e., childhood adversity, sensation-seeking). Participants most often engaged in SDU to increase sexual pleasure and enjoyment and reported that SDU could enhance the sexual experience, but was often followed by negative effects. Results indicate that SDU occurs among Canadian adults of varying genders and sexual orientations and has implications for well-being. Because SDU has been primarily attended to in MSM, these results may inform the scope of future research and prevention strategies.

Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a personality trait characterized by heightened responsiveness to both internal and environmental stimuli. Because substances can be used to reduce overstimulation, it has been hypothesized that SPS may correlate to cannabis use. Limited research has examined these associations, finding no relationship with cannabis abuse. Beyond levels of use, SPS could be associated with motives for using cannabis, but this has yet to be examined. The present study examined concurrent associations of SPS with cannabis use frequency, cannabis abuse symptoms, and cannabis use motives in young adults. Participants were 195 23-year-olds from Québec, Canada who self-reported SPS and cannabis measures. Path analyses indicated that SPS was not related to cannabis use frequency or abuse symptoms. Further, SPS was related to social, coping, and expansion motives for cannabis use. When examining SPS subscales, low sensory threshold/ease of excitation was associated with social and conformity motives for cannabis use, while aesthetic sensitivity was associated with enhancement and expansion motives. These results suggest that SPS is related to diverse cannabis motives, rather than only to coping as hypothesized in previous literature. Motivations for cannabis use could inform intervention strategies that are implemented when individuals high in SPS seek treatment for cannabis use problems.