The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

STASH, Vol. 13(13): Does physician education have a role in the opioid epidemic?

The Centers for Disease Control suggest that every day, 91 Americans die from an opioid overdose[1]. The development of opioid dependence and addiction is complex, and some have focused on the contributing role of prescription medications to what has been commonly been called the opioid epidemic. One supply-side policy aimed at curbing the crisis involves reducing the over-prescription of opioids. This week, STASH reviews a study by Janet Currie and Molly Schnell that looks at how opioid prescription relates to physician education. What is the research question? Is the quality of physician education related to opioid prescribing? What did the... Read more →

The BASIS top 10 most read posts of 2017

Today, we reflect on our efforts to share addiction science during the past year. We hope that you’ve benefited from the material we’ve posted this year, from our weekly reviews of scientific studies of smoking, gambling, drinking, and other kinds of substance use to our editorials from researchers, treatment providers, and those who have personally experienced addiction. We’d love to learn more about how you’ve used The BASIS in your own life, what posts you have personally enjoyed, and any topics you would be interested in hearing about moving into the new year! Please share your experiences by emailing us... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 13(13) - Smoking for two? Quit intentions and attempts during pregnancy

In 2014, over eight percent of women who gave birth in the United States smoked cigarettes during pregnancy. In addition to the harm that smoking does to a person’s body in general, smoking during pregnancy is also associated with a number of negative health outcomes and even death for the infant. Not surprisingly, many women who smoke consider quitting when they become pregnant. However, we need to learn more about how women’s intentions and attempts to quit smoking evolve throughout the course of pregnancy. This week, ASHES reviews a British study by Dr. Sue Cooper and her colleagues that investigates... Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 13(13) – “Please drink responsibly.” So many questions, so few answers.

We have all seen messages to “drink responsibly,” whether on television, online, on billboards, or in other forms of media. But are these messages actually effective in helping people drink responsibly? And what do we mean by responsible drinking? Responsible drinking for a college student might be very different than responsible drinking for someone struggling with a 10-year alcohol use disorder. With these questions in mind, Antony Moss and Ian Albery conducted a research review to examine the existing research on the effectiveness of responsible drinking messages. This week, The DRAM reviews their study. What was the research question? What... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 22(13) - Gambling disorder: Self-stigma and anticipation

How society views people with addiction can produce complex consequences. Anticipating stigmatization might lead a person to deny their illness, avoid treatment seeking, or prematurely end treatment services. Self-stigmatization, when a person begins to internalize the stigmas associated with their condition, might amplify these fears and lead people to reject social support and treatment. This week, The WAGER reviews a study by Nerilee Hing and Alex Russell that explores how the anticipation of stigma influences self-stigma among people with gambling-related problems. What is the research question? What aspects of public attitudes toward problem gambling contribute to public stigma? How do... Read more →