The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The STASH, Vol. 11(13) – Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of Psychoactive Prescription Medicines

Editor’s Note: This post was written by Luke Downey, PhD, Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology. Dr. Downey recently completed the Division on Addiction Visiting Scholars Program. Although most drivers recognize the dangers and laws against driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, the dangers and prevalence of DUI of other prescription based psychoactive medicines are less well known. Nonetheless, it is possible that those who engaged in risky behaviour, such as DUI, also might engage in other risky behaviour, such as risky drug use. This issue of STASH explores the use of... Read more →

ASHES Vol. 11(13) - Co-occurring cannabis and nicotine dependence increases the odds for DUI

Those who are caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs often have an underlying mental health disorder. Compared to the general population, repeat DUI offenders are more likely to be dependent on substances other than alcohol including nicotine or drug dependence (Shaffer et al., 2007). This week’s ASHES examines the relationship between cannabis dependence, nicotine dependence, and co-occurring cannabis and nicotine dependence on the prevalence of driving under the influence of alcohol (Peters, Schwartz, Wang, O’Grady, & Blanco, 2014). Methods Researchers examined associations between substance use, psychiatric disorders, and psychosocial correlates including driving under the influence from the... Read more →

What influences driving under the influence?

At the Division on Addiction, we have studied DUI behavior for a long time – almost 12 years. We have established a connection between repeated DUI behavior and mental health diagnosis. We have quantified that connection and replicated it (Nelson, Belkin, LaPlante, Bosworth, & Shaffer, in press; Shaffer et al., 2007). We have shared those findings with treatment providers and used those findings to inform the development of a computerized mental health screening system, the Computerized Assessment and Referral System (CARS). We hope to continue to raise awareness about mental health issues among repeat DUI offenders and provide tools to... Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 11(13) – The more you know? When it comes to reducing DUI risk, education isn’t enough

About a third of motor vehicle fatalities involve driving under the influence (DUI) (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2013). Unfortunately, though rates of alcohol-related fatalities declined before the turn of the century, they have plateaued and held steady (Nelson & Tao, 2012). This week, as part of our Special Series on Driving under the Influence, we look at a paper suggesting that DUI is about more than just problem drinking: it may be a symptom of a larger pattern of criminal behavior related to psychiatric comorbidity (Nelson, Belkin, LaPlante, Bosworth, & Shaffer; 2015). Methods This study included 743 repeat DUI... Read more →

A reflection on our efforts during 2015: Top 10 most read BASIS posts

As the end of the year approaches, we’re reflecting upon our efforts to share addiction science during the past year. We hope that you’ve benefited from the material we’ve posted this year. Our BASIS posts have included weekly reviews of scientific studies of smoking, gambling, drinking, and substance use and editorials from researchers, treatment providers, industry and policy experts, and others who have personally experienced addiction. We’d love to learn more about how you’ve used The BASIS in your own life! Please share your experiences by emailing us at [email protected] Here are the top ten most widely read posts for... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 20(13) – Driving under the influence: A dangerous gamble

People who decide to drive under the influence of intoxicants (DUI) risk hurting themselves or others. DUI clearly represents poor decision-making. Although it might seem logical that all DUI offenders struggle to make good decisions, some might be especially impaired in this area. If so, they might benefit from treatment that specifically targets this limitation so that they do not keep reoffending. This week, as part of our Special Series on Driving under the Influence, The WAGER examines whether DUI offenders with impaired decision making skills are especially likely to drink heavily and re-offend (Bouchard et al., 2012). Methods Twenty-three... Read more →

Introduction to the Special Series on Driving under the Influence (DUI)

President Reagan proclaimed the first National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Week during December, 1982. Back then, more than 25,000 Americans were killed each year as a result of alcohol- or drug-related crashes. President Reagan’s proclamation marked the launch of sustained national efforts to cut the rate of drunk and drugged driving. When President Obama proclaimed this year’s National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, he noted that drunk drivers kill approximately 10,000 Americans each year-- a meaningful reduction from 1982, but still 10,000 too many. Drunk and drugged driving is a complicated problem that demands evidence-based solutions from the worlds of... Read more →

STASH Vol. 11(12) – Double trouble: Mental health, substance use disorder, and harsh punishment among female inmates

As we discussed in last month’s Special Series, mental illness and substance use disorders (SUD) are common among American prisoners. Prisoners living with mental health conditions and SUDs might have extra difficulty coping with stressful prison conditions and following rules. However, harsh punishments for misconduct—especially segregation—might make mental health and SUD symptoms worse. Therefore, it’s important to understand how prisons respond to misconduct among these prisoners. Some research suggests that correctional officers treat symptoms of mental health problems as intentional misconduct, especially among women (Houser, Belenko, & Brennan, 2012). Today’s STASH examined whether female prisoners with mental health or substance... Read more →