The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

STASH, Vol. 5(5) – Substance use and abuse among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths: The role of rejection to disclosure

Youths who self-identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) are significantly more likely than other young people to report using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (Marshal et al., 2008). Recent research has focused on risk or protective factors that influence substance use among this population. One proposed risk factor is rejection from one’s friends and family members following the disclosure of sexual orientation (i.e., “coming out”). Rejection following disclosure might produce feelings of shame and social isolation, which might contribute to increased substance use. This week’s STASH reviews a recent study of the relationship between reactions to disclosure of sexual... Read more →

Addiction & the Humanities, Vol. 5(5) – A Possible Resolution: Regulation of Cognitive-Enhancing Drugs

In our past two issues of Addiction and the Humanities, we discussed the debate within the medical and legal communities about whether people should use powerful drugs for cognitive enhancement. This last installment of the series advances the discussion from whether people should use these drugs to a consideration of safety, distribution, and legalization. Safety Cognitive-enhancing drugs specifically affect executive function, and anecdotal evidence claims that they also improve focus and memory and reduce the effects of fatigue (Beddington et al., 2008; Morein-Zamir, Turner, & Sahakian, 2007; Turner et al., 2003). Researchers have tested one drug, Modafinil, in healthy individuals... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 5(5) – The Effects of Smoking and Smoking Abstinence on Verbal and Visuospatial Working Memory Capacity

Smoking can cause numerous health problems. However, despite this fact, many people start and continue to smoke cigarettes. Often, smokers argue that smoking actually helps them concentrate and think more clearly. Is it actually so? Working memory is one of the mental systems involved in the thinking process. This week the ASHES reviews a study by Greenstein & Kassel (2009), which examines the effect of smoking on working memory. Working memory is a complex mental system that is involved in performing tasks that require both storage and processing information. How does smoking and smoking abstinence affect working memory capacity? Previous... Read more →

The DRAM Vol. 5(5) - One Drug, Two Treatments

Research has shown that alcohol and tobacco dependence are often comorbid disorders (Grant, 1998; McKee, Falba, O'Malley, Sindelar, & O'Connor, 2007). Research also shows that some of the chemical treatments used for smoking cessation may be used to treat alcohol consumption and craving. This week the DRAM reviews a study that tested the effects of varenicline, a new FDA approved treatment for smoking cessation, on alcohol consumption in heavy smokers and drinkers (McKee et al., 2009). Methods: The researchers conducted a double-blind, placebo controlled study examining the effect of varenicline on alcohol self-administration. Participants (N=20) were eligible if they were... Read more →