The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

Who Protects US?

Editor’s Note: This editorial was written by Karen Amichia, a Research Coordinator at the Division on Addiction. Ms. Amichia prepared this editorial as part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction. 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 descriptions of sexual violence and readers should use their best judgement in reading this story.  Read more →

When Justice for Black People Begins, the Looting Will Stop

Editor’s note: This op-ed was prepared by Malakai Z. Hart and Carl L. Hart, PhD. Malakai Hart is a student at Columbia University. Carl Hart (@drcarlhart) is a professor of psychology and psychiatry at Columbia University and the author of the forthcoming “Drug Use for Grown-ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear.” Mr. Hart and Dr. Hart prepared this op-ed is part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction. Read more →

No Justice, No Peace: Racism Is A Public Health Issue

Editor’s note: The following editorial was prepared by Vanessa Graham, Manager of Grants and Resource Development at the Division on Addiction. This editorial is part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction. Read more →

‘Uncomfortable’ is Not Enough: Integrating Anti-racism within Addiction Treatment

Editor’s note: The following op-ed was prepared by Sara Matsuzaka, PhD, and Margaret Knapp, LMSW as part of our Special Series on Race and Addiction. Read more →

No Time Like The Present: The BASIS Special Series on Race and Addiction

We are privileged to have The BASIS as a worldwide platform for our thoughts and to highlight important research that clarifies the devastating impacts of racism. Because there is no time like the present to start anti-racism work, this month The BASIS will feature a special series on race and addiction, addressing addiction-related discrimination, social determinants of health, health equity, and race. Read more →

Caring for Others with Addiction During a Time of Uncertainty and Social Distancing

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating havoc around the world. People are struggling in many ways and healthcare systems are overwhelmed and under resourced. During this time of unease and concern, many stakeholders are publishing hints and tips for making it through. We recently published a blog describing some suggestions for maintaining addiction recovery during current recommendations for social distancing. Specifically, we recommended four key strategies. First, it is important to have a plan for recovery and diligently work the plan. Second, rely on your escape and avoidance skills to limit exposure to risky situations. Be sure to identify alternative activities... Read more →

Leading a Public Health Response to the Expansion of Gambling in Massachusetts: Engagement, Equity, and Empowerment

This month's Special Series on Community Approaches to Addiction focuses on ways to bring addiction prevention and recovery beyond medical settings and into communities. Today, we feature the fourth in a series of interviews and op-eds with inspiring people who have led efforts to reduce the impact of addiction on their own communities. The Office of Problem Gambling Services, within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, aims to prevent problem gambling and mitigate gambling-related harms across the Commonwealth. In this op-ed, Victor Ortiz, MSW, LADC I, CADC II, discusses the unique public health response this organization has taken to address problem gambling, informed by the principles of engagement, equity, and empowerment. Read more →

A History of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

This month’s Special Series on Community Approaches to Addiction focuses on ways to bring addiction prevention and recovery beyond medical settings and into communities. Today, we feature the third in a series of interviews and op-eds with inspiring people who have led efforts to reduce the impact of addiction on their own communities. Founded in 1983, The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling aims to reduce the impacts of gambling disorder by providing education and resources, as well as advocating for responsible gambling practices. In this op-ed, Dr. Howard Shaffer and Kathleen Scanlan reflect on the history of this organization, driven by Tom Cummings’ vision of establishing statewide gambling-related services. Read more →

Learning to cope, together: How my son's experience with addiction inspired me to launch a family support network

This month’s Special Series on Community Approaches to Addiction focuses on ways to bring addiction prevention and recovery beyond medical settings and into communities. Today, we feature the second in a series of interviews with inspiring people who have led efforts to reduce the impact of addiction on their own communities. In 2004, Joanne Peterson founded Learn to Cope, a non-profit support network that offers “education, resources, peer support and hope” for family members coping with a loved one’s addiction. Learn to Cope, which includes over 11,000 members, is a nationally recognized model for peer support and prevention programming. Here, Ms. Peterson discusses her efforts to launch and sustain Learn to Cope with Heather Gray, Senior Editor of The BASIS. Read more →

Building bridges to problem gambling solutions: Our experience leading the New Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling

This month’s Special Series on Community Approaches to Addiction focuses on ways to bring addiction prevention and recovery beyond medical settings and into communities. Today, we feature the first in a series of interviews with inspiring people who have led efforts to reduce the impact of addiction on their communities. Ed Talbot and Dot Duda serve as Executive Director and President, respectively, of the New Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling (NHCPG), which was first incorporated in 1997. The NHCPG became inactive for a number of years, but Mr. Talbot, Ms. Duda, and others brought it back to life. In the following, Mr. Talbot and Ms. Duda discuss their work with Heather Gray, Senior Editor of The BASIS and former member of the NHCPG Board of Directors. Read more →