The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

Gambling Disorder Screening Day 2019: Supporting Growth & Spreading the Word

On March 12, 2019, the Division on Addiction is supporting the 6th annual Gambling Disorder Screening Day event. During past years (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), our annual announcement of this event on The BASIS has highlighted the importance of screening, celebrated widespread national and international participation, and repeated calls for key stakeholders to embrace screening for gambling-related problems in multiple contexts. When we first promoted Gambling Disorder Screening Day, we didn’t imagine that it would turn into one of our most popular outreach activities. However, because of key supporters and organizations who have engaged in screening events, Gambling Disorder... Read more →

Introduction to the Special Series on Gambling Disorder

Here at The BASIS, we have a tradition of dedicating every March to the topic of Gambling Disorder. Our focus coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, an initiative of the National Council on Problem Gambling designed to raise awareness of prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Read more →

The BASIS 2018 Roundup - Top 5 and Editor's Picks

2018 has been a busy year here for The BASIS. We presented Special Series on Addiction and Homelessness, Gambling Disorder, Addiction in the LGBTQ Community (sponsored by Fenway Health), and Self-Directed Change. We have shared op-eds written by Boston’s “street doctor” Dr. James O'Connell, social worker Frank Busconi, an anonymous writer sharing her experiences of achieving sobriety as a member among the LGBTQ community, gambling expert Dr. Sally Gainsbury, and addiction scientist Dr. Wendy Slutske. Today, we look back on the year with our top 5 most-read science reviews of 2018, followed by top picks from our editorial staff. What's... Read more →

The Natural History of My Research on the Natural History of Gambling Disorder

In an op-ed today, Dr. Wendy Slutske describes how she came to study self-directed change among people with Gambling Disorder as well as the results of some of these studies. Read more →

Introduction to the Special Series on Self-Directed Recovery

Today, we launch the Special Series on Self-Directed Recovery, to celebrate the many pathways to recovery. Read more →

Problematic online behaviours are not all the same: Cyberaddictions are distinct disorders

Analysis of self-report measures from a large community sample of Swiss males indicates that problematic online gaming and cybersex represent distinct disorders. Internet addiction represents an “umbrella concept” or vector mediating various cyberaddictions. It is essential for research, practice, and policies to recognize and treat Internet- and technology-mediated addictive behaviours such as online problematic gaming, gambling, and sexual activity as specific disorders. by Sally Gainsbury, Ph.D. Internet and smartphone use has become a worldwide phenomenon with many positive applications. Yet, in the last two decades there has been a growing recognition of an association between problematic use of emerging technologies... Read more →

Getting sober

Editor's Note: Today's op-ed comes from a woman who describes her experiences with addiction, trauma, coming out, and a supportive same-sex relationship. We thank her for generously sharing her story with our readers. We hope that readers with the same kinds of experiences will feel less alone after reading this piece. This piece includes explicit descriptions of sexual violence, as well as drug use and its psychoactive effects, and readers who might struggle with cravings, especially for opioids or stimulants, should use their best judgement in reading this story. The 2018 Special Series on Addiction in the LGBTQ Community is... Read more →

Addiction, trauma, and resilience in LGBTQ people’s lives: My experience as an Integrated Behavioral Health Services Provider

This op-ed was written by Frank Busconi, LICSW, LADC, Manager of Integrated Behavioral Health Services at Fenway Health, as part of our month-long Special Series on Addiction in the LGBTQ Community. Read more →

Introduction to Special Series on Addiction in the LGBTQ Community

Today, we launch the 2018 Special Series on Addiction in the LGBTQ Community, in recognition of LGBT Pride Month--one of the most loving and jubilant times of the year. Read more →

The Fifth Annual Gambling Disorder Screening Day is March 13, 2018

People and organizations from our hometown of Boston to Hong Kong have participated in Gambling Disorder Screening Day by providing promotional support, recruiting others to host screenings, and hosting screening events themselves. Each year, more organizations support Gambling Disorder Screening Day, and we are grateful for their involvement. It’s hard to believe that this event is turning five, but we are so pleased that so many have embraced its importance. Read more →