The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

ASHES, Vol. 5(2) - Advertising the Smoking while Drinking Phenomena

The tendency of people, especially young adults, to smoke while drinking is well documented in the scientific literature (e.g., Falk, Yi, & Hiller-Sturmhofel, 2006). The tobacco industry suggested using the associations between smoking and drinking to “leverage …the correlation… in our marketing efforts” (p.1; Troutman & R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co, 1990). This week’s ASHES reviews a study that explores how frequently tobacco companies link alcohol to cigarettes in their advertisements. Methods Belstock, Connolly, Carpenter, & Tucker (2008) reviewed each 2003 and 2004 issue of Maxim, FHM, Cosmopolitan, and Ebony. The target audience of these magazines is 18-24 year olds for... Read more →

The DRAM Vol. 5 (2): Wet, Dry, Moist: DUI Characteristics based on Alcohol Sale Restrictions

Despite an overall decrease in arrests in the past 25 years, DUI continues to be one of the most frequently committed crimes in the United States (Webster, Pimentel, & Clark, 2008). This fact is made more frightening by the many victims DUI crimes can instantly claim: drivers, passengers, pedestrians, other motorists. Furthermore, it suggests that DUI behavior is still prevalent in our society despite current educational and preventative measures. This week, the DRAM reviews a study by Webster et al. (2008) that examines how the characteristics of convicted DUI offenders differ by the alcohol sales restrictions in their county of... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 14(2) - Can Treatment be Short and Sweet? A Comparison of Brief Interventions for Problem and Pathological Gamblers

Disordered gamblers do not typically seek treatment (Slutske, 2006). Therefore, it is important to test brief interventions because these strategies might attract more treatment-seeking gamblers than more extensive treatment. Previous WAGERs (see WAGER 13(5) and 11(9)) have reviewed some of these interventions. This week the WAGER reviews a study examining the efficacy of three types of brief interventions for disordered gamblers (Petry, Weinstock, Ledgerwood, & Morasco, 2008). Methods: Participants (N=180) were recruited using advertisements posted at numerous medical clinics and were eligible for this study if they endorsed > 3 South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS: Lesieur & Blume, 1987) items... Read more →

STASH, Vol. 5(1) - Doctor Shopping and Diversion: One Pharmacological Substance Abuse Problem, Two Ways to Support it

Some prescribed medications, such as opioid analgesics, are commonly objects of dependency and abuse (e.g., Martins, Ghandour, & Chilcoat, 2007). People who abuse controlled pharmaceuticals can obtain extra medication by doctor shopping or by diverting the medication from other sources. This week’s STASH reports on a study about the demographics, histories of substance abuse, and drug prescription records from people dying of unintentional pharmaceutical overdose in West Virginia in 2006. Method: Hall, Logan, Toblin, Kaplan, Kraner et al. (2008) reviewed public and medical records to obtain data. The deceased persons’ medical records provided information about their substance abuse behaviors and... Read more →