The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

Op-Ed/Editorials: Who Owns Tokens Left In Slot Machine Trays

The views expressed in the Op-Ed/Editorials page are solely the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the BASIS, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Prof. I. Nelson Rose, J.D. Professor, Whittier Law School, Costa Mesa, CA BASIS, editorial board member Stella Romanski found a nickel token in a slot machine tray and won a jackpot, thanks to a runaway jury and judges who think casinos have too much money. Stella, 72, and her friends, Dorothy Dombrowski and Linda Holman, had paid $9.00 each for bus rides and a lunch buffet at the MotorCity casino in... Read more →

The Dram - Volume 2(1) - School’s In Session: How Do College Addiction Policies Stack Up?

The start of college can be a challenge for freshman. Incoming students encounter new environments, friends, and lifestyles. Students also might have first-time contact or increased access to new experiences, such as the use of alcohol and drugs. Because college students face few restrictions, these new experiences place them at increased risk for alcohol problems. Over 80% of college students report drinking alcohol and almost 50% of college students report binge drinking (Wechsler, Davenport, Dowdall, Moeykens, & Castillo, 1994). Findings like these have prompted researchers to look at what influences students’ drinking and how substance use is regulated on campuses.... Read more →

Op-Ed/Editorials: Is There A Law Against Gambling On The Internet?

The views expressed in the Op-Ed/Editorials page are solely the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the BASIS, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. I. Nelson Rose, J. D. Professor, Whittier Law School Costa Mesa, CA BASIS, editorial board member The question I get far more than any other is, “Is gambling on the Internet legal?” Often it comes from regular players. It is interesting how many gamblers are concerned about making sure they are not breaking the law. Advocates of legalization often say that people are going to gamble anyway, and that when an... Read more →

The WAGER Vol. 11(1) - “Parkinson’s Drug Sparks Gambling Fever!” Evaluating the scientific evidence that Mirapex causes Pathological Gambling

In July, 2005, newspapers all over the world reported that Mirapex, a drug used to treat Parkinson’s disease, caused some patients to become addicted to gambling. A recent issue of Time Magazine identified the finding as one of the most important medical breakthroughs of 2005 (“The Year in Medicine,” Song, Park et al., 2005). In their eagerness to report these interesting results, however, the media failed to emphasize that the research is in its very preliminary stages and much more research is necessary before scientists can establish that a direct causal link exists. In this issue of the WAGER, we... Read more →

STASH Vol. 2(1) - Stimulant Misuse 101

People hold the belief that college students mostly use illegal drugs like ecstasy and marijuana. However, many college students also report misusing prescription drugs. Prescription drug misuse is a risk factor for the misuse of other drugs: college students who misuse prescription drugs are more likely to use marijuana, cocaine, and designer drugs, for example (Meilman & Crace, 1995). In addition, Low and Gendaszek (2002) found that about a third of college students use amphetamines without a prescription. Students misuse these stimulants for various reasons such as attempting to enhance academic or sports performance (Low and Gendaszek, 2002). This week’s... Read more →

Op-Ed/Editorials - A Dose of My Own Medicine

The views expressed in the Op-Ed/Editorials page are solely the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the BASIS, its sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Nancy Costikyan, MSW, LICSW BASIS, editorial board member After I agreed to write something for the Basis, I asked myself, ‘what do I really know about addiction, and about those who have lost control over their lives because of it?’ Not finding a good enough answer, I decided to play to my strengths: ignorance and bewilderment. So I started to write about some of my own unanswered questions about this field.... Read more →

Addiction & the Humanities Vol. 2(1) - Self-Portraits of a Struggle with Addiction: The Life and Paintings of Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits convey the suffering she experienced during her turbulent life. Kahlo had a unique talent for translating her pain into artwork that elicits a visceral response from the viewer (Fuentes, 1995). However, rather than just a morose expression of her pain, her self-portraits also show beautiful and whimsical images which reflect her means of coping with painful experiences. Kahlo became addicted to multiple substances including opioids, alcohol, and cigarettes; the development of her addictive behavior and the nature of it remain elusive. This week’s Addiction and the Humanities explores the legacy of Frida Kahlo’s artwork and the factors... Read more →