The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER, Vol. 20(5) - Continuing validation of the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen

Brief screens for health problems can provide a quick, low-cost way to identify people who need treatment. Such tools are especially useful for problems associated with poor treatment-seeking1, like Gambling Disorder. Many brief screens, such as the 3-item Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS; Gebauer et al., 2010)2 use well-know diagnostic tools, such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), to establish their psychometric validity. Changes to diagnostic tools require revisiting the psychometric foundation of brief screens. This week, The WAGER reports upon a re-evaluation of the BBGS with respect to DSM-5 (Brett et al., 2014). Method The... Read more →

STASH, Vol. 11(4) - Two wrongs won’t make it right: The effect of heavy alcohol use on suicide risk among illicit drug users

Suicide is a leading cause of death among illicit drug users (Bohnert et al., 2010). Likewise, heavy alcohol use has been shown to increase suicide risk in the general population (Kessler et al., 1999). However, little research has explored the combined effect of illicit drug use and alcohol on suicide risk. In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, this week’s STASH reviews a study that examined how heavy alcohol use affects suicide risk among illicit drug users (Kennedy et al., 2015). Methods Researchers completed secondary data analysis of two prospective cohort studies of illicit drug users in Vancouver, Canada. A prospective... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 11(4): Integrated intervention: Reducing both smoking and heavy drinking among young adults

Both cigarette smoking and excessive drinking behavior are prevalent among young adults. In non-college populations, 34% of young adults between age 18 and 22 smoke and 33% report binge drinking. In college populations, 21% smoke and 39% report binge drinking (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014). Smoking patterns among young adults differ from those in adult populations, and are often tied closely to their drinking patterns. However, few interventions have targeted the young adult population. This week’s ASHES, part of our Special Series on Alcohol Awareness Month, reviews a study by Ames and colleagues (2014) that tested an... Read more →

DRAM Vol. 11(4) – This too shall pass: Assessing changes in US state-level alcohol control policies from 1999-2011

Institutions including governments and colleges and universities have implemented policies in an attempt to reduce excessive drinking and mitigate the associated health and economic costs among their populations. However, some of the most effective alcohol control policies lack public support, and this is often a barrier to implementation (Greenfield et al., 2007). This week, as part of our efforts to promote Alcohol Awareness Month, The DRAM reviews a recent study that assessed the relationship between the efficacy of state-level alcohol control policies and the likelihood of their implementation (Nelson et al., 2015). Methods Experts reviewed information about the implementation of... Read more →

Introduction to the Special Series on Alcohol Awareness Month

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a designation designed to "increase public awareness and understanding, reduce stigma and encourage local communities to focus on alcoholism and alcohol-related issues." Here on The BASIS, we are doing our part to increase public awareness and understanding by reviewing contemporary research on alcohol and its effects. We begin with an article on The WAGER exploring how drinking alcohol and gambling jointly influence gambling-related beliefs--both for those with gambling problems, and those without. Next, The DRAM reviews changes in alcohol control policies over time and their effects on Americans' drinking patterns. ASHES investigates the effects of... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 20(4) – Drinking stopping thinking: Alcohol and gambling fallacies

The idea that alcohol makes bad ideas sound good has become a recurring joke in American music, movies and television[1]. Although popular culture has found humor in alcohol-fueled impairment, in real life the stakes are high, especially when it comes to situations that require thoughtful decision-making, like whether to begin, and when to end, a gambling session. People who gamble can be susceptible to endorsing superstitions, misconceptions, and bad ideas, and clear decision-making can be essential to avoiding their fallout. This week, as part of our efforts to promote Alcohol Awareness Month, The WAGER reviews a study that explores the... Read more →