The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The DRAM, Vol. 7(2) - A Binge Influence: Findings from the College Alcohol Study (CAS) highlight the role of college environment in students' drinking habits

Half of college binge drinkers adopt these bingeing behaviors before entering college, the other half develop this pattern during college (Weitzman et al. 2003b) and, despite the large variation of bingeing rates across colleges (ranging from 1% to 76%), within-college rates have remained constant for more than a decade (Wechsler et al., 2002b). College environmental factors likely play an important role in the problem drinking of this high-risk group. This week’s DRAM summarizes the key findings about the influence of environmental factors and students’ bingeing patterns from a review of the landmark Harvard School of Public Health’s College Alcohol Study... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 16(2) – Gambling frequency decline in 15 years

It is important to understand how the introduction of new gambling opportunities affects gambling behavior, particularly among young people. This week’s WAGER reports results of a study that collected youth gambling rates every three years from 1992 to 2007 (Stinchfield, 2011). Method The researchers analyzed data from the Minnesota Student Survey (MSS). The Department of Education administered this survey every three years from 1992 to 2007 years to 9th and 12th grade students. The maximum number of students (N = 83, 260) were surveyed in 2007 and the minimum number (N = 73, 897) in 1995. The survey included a... Read more →

STASH, Vol. 7(2) - When I grow up, I want to be a drug user: Considering childhood self-control and adult substance abuse

Research indicates that several factors might place people at a higher risk for developing problems with substance use. These include exposure to violence, familial substance use, and low socioeconomic status (SES) (Kilpatrick et al., 2000). In this week’s STASH, we review a study that aims to determine if lack of self-control mastery during childhood is a predictor of substance use disorders (SUD) during adulthood (Moffitt et al., in press-a). Methods Participants (N at age 3=1,037; 52% male) born during April 1972 and March 1973 in Dunedin, New Zealand. When participants were age 32, 96% of the living participants completed the... Read more →

Addiction & the Humanities, Vol. 7(1) – “It’s for your own good!” A look into smoking bans worldwide

New York City made headlines this week when its City Council approved a controversial law banning smoking in all parks, beaches, and many public plazas; including, iconic Times Square (Katz, 2011). Smoking bans are common around the world; however, the scope of the New York City ban is especially broad. Today’s Addiction & the Humanities explores the rise and proliferation of smoking bans worldwide, and briefly discusses some of the science related to their efficacy. The Proliferation of Smoking Bans Smoking bans are not a US invention. Cities such as Paris, Berlin, and Vienna had smoke-free streets as early as... Read more →