The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER Vol. 5(17) - NIDA's 13 Principles

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that it supports over 85% of the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction. As part of the National Institutes of Health, NIDA provides funds to some of the best-known addiction researchers. In October 1999, NIDA released Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide. Covering multiple therapies, the document presents 13 principles of effective treatment. Although NIDA's mission limits its organizational scope to substance abuse, several of the principles also are relevant and applicable to the treatment of pathological gambling. The graphic below presents a complete list... Read more →

The WAGER Vol. 5(16) - The Right Stuff: Options in Certification

Not so long ago, anyone possessing a limited knowledge of human anatomy (and, perhaps, a jar of leeches) could practice medicine. As the field developed, the prerequisites for becoming a doctor increased dramatically. Later, these prerequisites were standardized so that patients could expect every practitioner to have achieved a uniform level of knowledge and skill. Today, in the United States, medical education can last seven years or more, and students must meet certain national standards. Although the burden on doctors-to-be has multiplied, the benefits for the public are great. How many of us would choose a doctor who did not... Read more →

The WAGER Vol. 5(15) - Who Cares: Concerns about Gambling in Nova Scotia

The government of Nova Scotia, like many other states and provinces, has devoted considerable financial resources to the study of problem gambling. But just how important are gambling-related issues to constituents? As part of its Annual Gaming Report [see WAGER 5(14)], the Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority commissioned Focal Research Associates to study public perceptions of gambling. Researchers sampled from three separate geographical areas: Halifax County (31% of respondents), Cape Breton County (13%), and the rest of the province (56%). Respondents were asked to report their personal interest in 10 gambling-related issues. The results of this part of the... Read more →

The WAGER Vol. 5(14) - Spending Habits: Where the Money Goes

The two-volume Annual gaming report of the Nova Scotia Alcohol and Gaming Authority weighs just over 4lbs 3oz (1.9kg). An anthology of independent research reports, the Report provides a comprehensive look at the state of gambling in Nova Scotia and in Canada in general. Chapter topics include the socioeconomic impact of gambling, prevalence of problem and pathological gambling, and public opinion of gambling and related activities. One of the more unusual subjects addressed is the relationship between gambling status and household spending habits. That is, do gamblers spend their income differently than non-gamblers? The research report dealing with this issue,... Read more →