The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

STASH, Vol. 8(2) - A risky inheritance? Brain abnormalities among drug-dependent individuals and their non-addicted siblings

Researchers have observed brain abnormalities among people who are dependent on stimulant drugs (Ersche et al., 2011). More specifically, these individuals show abnormalities in fronto-striatal brain systems known to be involved in self-control (Ersche et al., 2011). It is also known that self-control deficits increase the risk for substance use disorders (Nigg et al., 2006), and that brain structure is largely inherited (Wright et al., 2002). Consequently, inherited patterns of brain structure and function that increase an individual’s risk for impaired self-control likely increase the risks of stimulant dependence. Ersche and colleagues (2012) recently explored this hypothesis by studying the... Read more →

Op-Ed/Editorials: Celebrating 20 Years with Monthly Giveaways - February

There are only a few days left to enter for our February giveaway! 2012 is the 20th anniversary of the Division on Addiction #DOA20th. To celebrate, each month we will host one anniversary event. This month we are giving away 20 copies of Christopher Kennedy Lawford's book, Symptoms of Withdrawal: A Memoir of Snapshots and Redemption. To be eligible to receive a copy of this new book, tell us how you use the BASIS at [email protected] by February 27th. On February 29th, we will post a list of 20 book recipients who email us the best uses of The BASIS... Read more →

Addiction and the Humanities, Vol. 8(2): Shameful addiction? A look at media portrayals of sex addiction.

Like gambling and shopping, some people engage in excessive sexual behavior to the extent that it disrupts their private, public, and professional lives. Although excessive sexual behavior has received less scientific attention than other behaviors, self-proclaimed sexual addiction by high-profile celebrities such as Michael Douglas, David Duchovny, and Tiger Woods (Serjeant, 2008; Klein, 2010), increases the general public’s awareness of this problem. Today, reality shows and movies grapple with excessive sexual behavior – but it is unclear whether these shows present a realistic depiction of its consequences. Today’s BASIS explores recent media portrayals of sex addiction through two case studies:... Read more →

Op-Ed/Editorials: Celebrating 20 Years with Monthly Giveaways - February Reminder

2012 is the 20th anniversary of the Division on Addiction #DOA20th. To celebrate, each month we will host one anniversary event. This month we are giving away 20 copies of Christopher Kennedy Lawford's book, Symptoms of Withdrawal: A Memoir of Snapshots and Redemption. To be eligible to receive a copy of this new book, tell us how you use the BASIS at [email protected] by February 27th. On February 29th, we will post a list of 20 book recipients who email us the best uses of The BASIS or Division website/research. http://bit.ly/DOA20th_February Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 8(2): Two meds are better than one? Examining the success of combination therapies for smoking cessation

Mounting evidence suggests that combinations of nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) are more effective at improving cessation rates than single therapies ((Piper et al., 2009; Smith et al., 2009) Research on single therapies suggest that these therapies work in part by affecting factors such as craving and withdrawal (McCarthy et al., 2008; Piper et al., 2008). This week’s ASHES reviews a study of potential mediators for combination pharmacotherapies’ superior smoking cessation outcomes compared to monotherapies (Bolt, Piper, Theobald, & Baker, 2012). Methods 1,504 current smokers (41.8% male, 83.9% White) who wished to quit smoking were randomized to one of six cessation... Read more →

Op-Ed/Editorials: Celebrating 20 Years with Monthly Giveaways - February

2012 is the 20th anniversary of the Division on Addiction #DOA20th. To celebrate, each month we will host one anniversary event. During January, we gave away 20 copies of our upcoming book, Change your Gambling, Change your Life to BASIS subscribers. This month we are giving away 20 copies of Christopher Kennedy Lawford's book, Symptoms of Withdrawal: A Memoir of Snapshots and Redemption. To be eligible to receive a copy of this new book, tell us how you use the BASIS at [email protected] by February 27th. On February 29th, we will post a list of 20 book recipients who email... Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 8(2) - Happy Birthday to You: Heavy Drinking among College Students

For many people, the college years are a time of increased risk for binge drinking and other risky drinking behavior (The DRAM, Vol. 7(2); The DRAM, Vol. 5(3); The DRAM, Vol. 6(3)). Researchers have determined that some events, like holidays, can dramatically increase such risk (Addiction and the Humanities, Vol. 3(9); The DRAM, Vol. 6(2)) among college students. This week, The DRAM reviews research that examined how the event of turning 21 years old affects risky drinking behavior among college students (Neighbors et al., 2011) compared to other special events and baseline risky drinking behavior (i.e., college student drinking on... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 17(1) – Shhh! Keep it a Secret: The Role of Stigma and Culture as Barriers to Gambling Treatment

Recent research suggests that a small minority of people who have gambling problems ever seek treatment for those problems (Slutske, 2006). One reason for failing to seek treatment might be the stigma attached to mental health problems, particularly problems with addiction. This week, The WAGER reviews a study that examined whether culture plays a role in the stigma attached to gambling problems and treatment (Dhillon, Horch, Hodgins, 2011). Method Participants were students of East Asian and Caucasian ancestry recruited from the University of Calgary through the Psychology Department Research Participation System (n=64 and n=50, respectively). Researchers gave participants questionnaire packets... Read more →