The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

STASH, Vol. 9(3) - Re-thinking Special K: Using ketamine to treat treatment resistant depression

Ketamine (street name “Special K”) is an anesthetic drug that some people use recreationally at sub- anesthetic doses to induce a dissociative state. Notably, some research suggests that intravenous ketamine provides rapid relief from depressive symptoms among people with major depressive disorder (MDD). Ketamine might therefore be a useful option for people who have not responded to traditional anti-depressives (Berman et al. 2000). This week’s STASH reviews meta-analysis describing studies of ketamine for the treatment of MDD and bipolar disorder (BD) (aan het Rot, Zarate Jr., Charney, & Mathew, 2012). Methods To identify studies, the researchers searched for relevant terms... Read more →

Special Topics in Addiction and the Humanities: From scare tactics to realism: Different approaches to the portrayal of methamphetamine

Editor's Note: This special edition of Addiction and the Humanities was written by Julia Wise, who conducted an independent research project with the Division on Addiction during the summer of 2012. Crystal Meth is a unique drug that affects users unlike any other substance. A first example is methamphetamine’s effects on the brain; long-term use can result in psychotic symptoms. Some people suffer from these symptoms even after they stop using (Kelly, 2005). A second way that crystal meth is distinct is the way it is produced. Rather than being derived originally from a plant, meth is produced chemically from... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 9(2) - Where there’s smoke there’s fire: Scientific support for comprehensive smoke-free laws

The dangers of second-hand smoke are well established. To protect nonsmokers from exposure to second-hand smoke and to encourage smokers to quit, states and municipalities have implemented a variety of policies prohibiting smoking in public buildings and open spaces, businesses, and even apartment buildings. This week’s ASHES reviews a meta-analysis of studies examining trends in cardiovascular and respiratory disease risk before and after implementation of smoke-free laws (Tan & Glantz, 2012). Methods The research team used scientific databases, reference lists, and a network of tobacco control scientists to identify studies that examined the association between smoke-free laws and hospitalizations or... Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 9(2) – Drinking just to fit in? The effect of drinking norms and perceived social support on alcohol consumption in college students.

Alcohol norms are one of the strongest predictors of alcohol consumption: people who expect that others drink heavily tend to drink heavily themselves. Many factors can influence this relationship, including perceived social support. Research indicates that those who perceive low support from their social groups tend to be more greatly influenced what they think other people are doing, as they change their behavior as an attempt to ‘fit in’ (Cullum, O’Grady, & Tennen, 2011). Today’s DRAM reviews a study that explores the relationship between alcohol norms, behavior, and perceived social support in college students. (Cullum, O’Grady, Sandoval, Armeli, & Tennen,... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 18(2) – Potential pathways to problem gambling: The relationships among life stress, gambling motives, and gambling behavior

Research suggests that some people might develop addictive behavior through their attempts to escape or avoid experiences associated with stressful life events (Blaszczynski & Nower, 2002; Cooper, Frone, Russell, & Mudar, 1995). Other contributing factors to developing addictive behavior include proximity to and accessibility of potential objects of addiction (Cox, Yu, Afifi, & Ladouceur, 2005; Shaffer et al., 2004). This week’s WAGER reviews a study that examined how these factors intersect and relate to gambling motivation, frequency and gambling-related problems (Thomas, Allen, Phillips, & Karantzas, 2011). Methods Three hundred forty seven (229 females) current gamblers who use electronic gambling machines... Read more →