The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The DRAM, Vol. 7(10) – Drinking and Dropping Out - Common Genetic Influences?

Many studies have described an association between academic attainment and alcohol use. For example, Crum et al. (2006) found that drinking among adolescents is associated with more educational problems and Kessler et al. (2005) found that alcohol and substance use disorders are more prevalent among those with lower education levels. It is unclear, however, what role genetic or environmental influences play in this association. This week’s DRAM reviews a study exploring influence of genetic and environmental factors on alcohol use and academic attainment (Latvala, Dick, Tuulio-Henriksson, Suvisaari, Viken, Rose & Kaprio, 2011). Methods 4,858 Finnish twins (1,546 monozygotic [MZ] twins... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 16(10) – Warm Turkey: Considering whether abstinence ought to be the goal of gambling treatment

The goal of most gambling treatment is abstinence from gambling. Though not everyone who engages in treatment achieves this “cold turkey” goal, it is possible that the goal itself deters some individuals from seeking treatment. This week’s WAGER reports results of a study that examined how common abstinence versus controlled gambling are among problem gamblers in recovery (Slutske, Piasecki, Blaszczynski, & Martin, 2010). Method Participants were 104 individuals who qualified for DSM-IV pathological gambling (PG) among a general population sample of 2,382 twin pairs drawn from the Australian twin registry.1 Researchers classified these life-time PG gamblers into three groups according... Read more →

STASH, Vol. 7(10) – How does marijuana smoking impact driving? A randomized placebo- controlled study

About 10 million Americans report that they have driven under the influence of an illicit drug at least once during the past year (US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance and Mental Health Services Association, Office of Applied Studies, 2007). Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug (ibid.). This week’s STASH reviews a randomized control study that examines the effect of smoking marijuana versus a placebo on a driving simulator (Anderson, Rizzo, Block, Pearlson & O’Leary, 2010). Method Investigators recruited 50 men and 35 women 18 - 31 y/o who used marijuana at least once but fewer than... Read more →

Addiction & the Humanities, Vol. 7(9) – Why krokodil, why Russia?

During June of this year, Time Magazine and the British newspaper The Independent published stories about a disturbing new trend in drug use: the steady rise in Russia of “krokodil” consumption (Shuster, 2011; Walker, 2011). Krokodil (or crocodile in English) is “homemade” desomorphine, referred to as a very powerful synthetic opiate that is significantly less expensive than heroin. Its name comes from the scaly appearance of users’ skin. This cheap, homemade alternative to heroin has shocking effects on users’ minds and bodies. The story about krokodil was picked up in several blogs, and people began posting graphic videos on YouTube... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 7(9) – e-interventions for smoking cessation

Although research has shown a decline in the number of people smoking cigarettes in the United States, the annual premature death rate associated with smoking (440,000+) remains a cause for concern (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services). One potential strategy for promoting smoking cessation is to provide many readily accessible options for smokers who wish to quit. This week, ASHES reports on a study that tested the efficacy of a smoking cessation program delivered via video messages for cellular phones (cell phone) (Whittaker et al., 2011). Methods The researchers recruited participants using radio, Internet, cell phone, magazine, newspaper, and... Read more →