The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

Op-Ed/Editorials: List of selected recipients for January giveaway "Change your Gambling, Change your Life"

The Division on Addiction is pleased to announce the following people will receive the book Change your Gambling, Change your Life: Jeanne Blake, Nicola Coalter, Don Feeney, Sally Langland, Jamie Large, Judy McCormick, Gavin Miller, Tom Murphy, Megan Petra, Nanciellen Poulin, Glen Rampton, Fred Smith, Naoko Takiguchi, Bob Thomson, Edith Townsend, Marianne Vick, Marlene Warner, Jessica Williams, Andrea Wöhr, and Trish Wright. http://bit.ly/editorial_DOA20th. We’ve selected people from as far away as Australia, Canada, Germany, and Japan. Thank you for celebrating our 20th anniversary with us! Read more →

STASH, Vol. 8(1) – Who are dual alcohol and marijuana users?

When people drink alcohol, they are more likely also to use marijuana than any other illicit drug (Degenhardt, Hall et al. 2001). However, little is known about this group of dual alcohol/marijuana users, or about how different levels of alcohol and marijuana use affect other risky behaviors. This week’s STASH reviews a study that investigates behavioral and psychosocial characteristics of those who use both alcohol and marijuana (Harrington, Baird et al. 2012). The investigators sought to determine if there are distinct clusters of alcohol/marijuana users and examine the range of potential negative consequences associated with this pattern of substance use.... Read more →

Addiction & the Humanities, Vol. 8(1): DARE to be Ineffective? A look at Drug Education Programs in Schools

During 1983, Police Chief Daryl Gates created the Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or DARE program, which more than 80% of school districts in the United States use for educating students about resisting drug use. Every year, more than 26 million students participate in a DARE course (DARE, 2009). The DARE program utilizes uniformed police officers to teach students to make decisions to resist drug use (DARE, 2009). In addition to classes, DARE incorporates interactive education and activities like dances and socials and culminates in a graduation ceremony (DARE, 2009). DARE is very popular among students and parents. A Canadian study... Read more →

Op-Ed/Editorials: The Division on Addiction is Celebrating its 20th Anniversary during 2012!

We are pleased to announce that 2012 is the 20th anniversary of the Division on Addiction. To celebrate, each month we will host one anniversary event. During January, this event will consist of giving away 20 copies of our upcoming book, Change your Gambling, Change your Life to BASIS subscribers. To be eligible to receive a copy of this new book, send a note to [email protected] by January 24th. On January 25th, we will post on The BASIS a list of book recipients. For more information about upcoming anniversary events, check our website, The BASIS, our Facebook account, or Twitter... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 8(1): Who’s winning at quitting? A state-by-state look at smoking cessation quitlines

States and the federal government have enacted public policies that assist with smoking cessation. A popular line of treatment is over-the-phone counseling via quitline. Quitlines can and often do serve as the first and sometimes the only line of help for smokers who want to quit. Since 2004, every state in the U.S., the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico has operated a tobacco cessation quitline (American Lung Association, 2011). This week’s ASHES focuses on these state quitlines by examining data presented in the American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control Report (2011). Methods The American Lung Association’s State of... Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 8(1) – Do U WAN2 DRNK < ?

Research shows that the emergency room (ER) might be an important location for mental health screening and intervention, particularly drug and alcohol screening (Fleming et al., 2007). However, most ERs have limited time and resources to conduct such interventions. This week, the DRAM reviews a study examining the implementation and efficacy of an ER-based screening and brief intervention for young adults delivered through text messaging (Suffoletto, Callaway, Kristan, Kraemer, & Clark, 2011). Method Participants were 45 individuals (41% of those initially recruited; 87% of those who screened in) recruited during emergency room visits. Participants were 18-24 years old and screened... Read more →