The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

STASH, Vol. 11(1) - Youth drug involvement and suicidal behavior: Information for National Drug Facts Week

This week, as part of National Drug Facts Week, the National Institute on Drug Abuse helps refute myths about drugs by providing science-based resources and promoting local events for teens. This week, in support of highlighting the science of youth drug use, STASH reviews a recent study that examined the relationships between youth drug use patterns and suicidal behavior (Wong, Zhou, Goebert, & Hishinuma, 2013). Methods The authors analyzed data from 73,183 high school students who participated in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) between 2001 and 2009. The YRBS is a school-based survey that assesses a diversity of risk... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 11(1) - Comparisons of smoking behavior in lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults

In a previous edition of The DRAM, we reviewed evidence suggesting that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) populations have higher rates of alcohol use disorders than their heterosexual counterparts, especially in states with same-sex marriage bans. Studies have also shown higher rates of smoking in gay and bisexual populations (e.g. Lee et al., 2009). Higher rates of smoking and alcohol use in this group could be due to elevated rates of mental health issues stemming from discrimination and stigmatization. However, previous studies have failed to study differences within LGB subgroups. It is possible that certain subgroups might be at higher... Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 11(1) - The not-so-simple link between drinking at an early age and alcohol use disorder

Across addictive behaviors, there is one association that is consistently observed, across studies, methodologies, and samples: substance use at an early age is associated with later problems. Age of onset is one of the best predictors of substance use problems and disorders. We often assume, based on this association, that delaying age of onset ought to reduce the rate of substance use disorders. This week’s edition of The DRAM reviews a study by Ystrom and colleagues (2014) that suggests otherwise for alcohol use. Methods The researchers used data from a study that surveyed members of the Norwegian Institute of Public... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 20(1) - In pursuit of something different: Chasing losses among online poker players and online casino patrons

“We play because poker is not a scratch-off ticket, a half-court jumper, or a knock on wood. It’s no game of luck, poker.” These lines provided the opening of a commercial for a once-famous online poker service—and ad designed to appeal to poker players who feel superior to other gamblers because, they believe, they rely on skill rather than irrational beliefs and behaviors. One irrational behavior associated with gambling disorder is “chasing losses” – placing bets in an attempt to win back money lost in previous bets. This week, The WAGER reviews a study that explores chasing losses and its... Read more →