The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

WAGER 15(8) – And the List Goes On: More Similarities between Problem Gambling and Substance Use Disorders

Past research shows that problem gambling shares many neuropsychological similarities with substance use disorders: people with problem gambling show evidence of withdrawal and tolerance, and their brains demonstrate activity similar to that of people addicted to illicit substances (Breiter & Gasic, 2003; Shaffer et al., 2004; Wray & Dickerson, 1981). This week the WAGER reviews a study that examined similarities in decision-making deficits between people with problem gambling and people with alcohol dependence (Lawrence, Luty, Bogdan, Sahakian, & Clark, 2009). Methods The investigators recruited: Problem Gamblers (PGs): a community sample (n=21) of male problem gamblers (>=3 on the South Oaks... Read more →

STASH, Vol 6(8) – You’ve got mail! The effectiveness of a personalized web-based feedback system designed to reduce marijuana use among college students

The transition from high school to college includes a period of increased risk for marijuana use (Johnson, O’Malley, Bachmann, & Schulenberg, 2008). Web-based interventions might reduce the risk. Today’s STASH reviews a study of the effectiveness of a brief, personalized, web-based feedback intervention on marijuana-use measured at baseline (enrollment) and three and six months post intervention (Lee, Neighbors, Kilmer, & Larimer, 2010). Methods Approximately 4000 incoming first-year students at a large public Northwest US university completed a screening survey that measured past-90 day marijuana use, consequences of use, and the family history of use. Among the 370 students who used... Read more →

Addiction & the Humanities, Vol. 6(8): Cash for Good Grades…or Bad Grades – Motivation to Succeed?

Ultrinsic, “ULTerior motivation that produces intRINSIC love of knowledge” ("Ultrinsic," 2010), is a company that allows college students to bet on the grades they will receive during the semester. Students who get their predicted grade, or better, win back their wager, plus a reward from the company. Those who do not get the grade lose their wager. Ultrinsic claims that their monetary incentives motivate students to improve their grades and succeed academically. However, motivation research (Ryan & Deci, 2000) suggests that Ultrinsic’s monetary awards could backfire in the end (see http://www.psych.rochester.edu/SDT/theory.php for a summary of Ryan & Deci’s self-determination theory).... Read more →

ASHES Vol. 6(8) – The role of affect in the relationship between vulnerability to depression and smoking behavior

Research suggests that a substantial portion of college students smoke to alleviate symptoms of depression in particular (See: ASHES Vol. 2(10) and Morrell, Cohen, & McChargue, 2010) and to reduce negative affect in general (See: ASHES Vol. 5(7)). However, much remains to be learned about the potential moderating and mediating influences of the relationship between depression and smoking behavior. This week's ASHES reviews a study that examined the association between vulnerability to depression (i.e., history of depression or anhedonia) and smoking and potential moderating (i.e., gender) and mediating (i.e., negative affect reduction expectancy) variables among college students (Morrell, et al.,... Read more →

The DRAM Vol. 6(7) – Different reasons why men and women drink: Examining the underlying association between maltreatment during childhood and later alcohol problems

Previous studies have demonstrated a positive association between maltreatment during childhood and drinking-related problems later in life (Bensley, Spieker, Van Eenywk, & Schoder, 1999). However, the motivational mechanisms underlying this association have not been studied. This week DRAM reviews a paper that examines why men and women who report experiencing childhood maltreatment abuse alcohol (Goldstein, Flett, & Wekerle, 2010). Method Eighty-six male and 132 female college students answered questions regarding Childhood maltreatment (i.e., physical, sexual and emotional abuse; physical and emotional neglect), assessed with the 28-item Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ; Bernstein and Fink, 1998). Drinking motives, assessed with the 28-item... Read more →