The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

Addiction & the Humanities, Vol. 6(4) - A diary of morphine-addiction

Although evidence suggests that that natural history of addiction is similar across people and expressions of addiction (Shaffer et al., 2004), personal stories about the development of addiction remain compelling and informative. This week’s Addiction and the Humanities presents annotated excerpts from an intensely gripping story about the gradual metamorphosis of the psychological state, thoughts, and emotions of a physician who became addicted to morphine. The fictional story,Morphine, is based on the real experiences of the author, a famous Russian writer Michael Bulgakov*, who became morphine addicted early in his life. Background: The story is set in Russia, during January... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 6(4) - Even better than the real thing? Electronic cigarettes vs. real cigarettes

Despite a lack of research, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) companies market their products as “safe,” without harmful carcinogens found in cigarettes, and helpful in the cessation process (World Health Organization, 2008, 2009). E-cigarettes are a refillable nicotine cartridge with a heater that vaporizes a nicotine solution (i.e., nicotine, propylene glycol and other chemicals), which then gets absorbed into the lungs when the smoker takes a “puff” (Laugesen, 2009; World Health Organization, 2008). This week the ASHES reviews a study that compares participants’ nicotine and craving levels from smoking their usual cigarette brand to levels produced by two e-cigarettes (Eissenberg, 2010). Methods... Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 6(3) – Pass or fail? College students, binge drinking and academic performance.

In a national study, Wechsler et al. (2002) found that more than 40% of college students reported binge drinking (i.e., drinking at least 5 drinks in one sitting for males and at least 4 drinks for females) during the previous two weeks. The scientific literature suggests negative associations between binge drinking and college academic performance. However, experimental data about the influence of binge drinking on academic performance is limited (Engs, Hanson, & Diebold, 1996; Singleton, 2007; Wolaver, 2002). This week the DRAM reviews the first experimental study examining the effects of previous-night binge drinking on college students’ next-day test-taking scores... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 15(3) – Problem gambling associations: Gambling motivations and perceptions of money-limiting strategies

Research has indicated that electronic gaming machines (EGMs) are associated with higher rates problem gambling (e.g., Breen & Zimmerman, 2002; Cox, Kwong, Michaud, & Enns, 2000). However, new research reveals that this association is not causal. When we take the extent of gambling into account (i.e., involvement), this association disappears (LaPlante, Nelson, LaBrie, & Shaffer, In press; Welte, Barnes, Tidwell, & Hoffman, 2009). Consequently, a growing body of research now indicates that EGMs are not inherently “addictive” (e.g., Blaszczynski, Sharpe, Walker, Shannon, & Coughlan, 2005; Dowling & Thomas, 2005). This week the WAGER reviews a study that considers whether self-reported... Read more →