The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The Limitations of Context Neutral Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

Editor’s note: The following op-ed was prepared by Dr. H. Westley Clark, Dean's Executive Professor at Santa Clarita University. This editorial is part of our Black History Month Special Series.   Read more →

A Black History Month Celebration of Black Scholars of Addiction

This February, in recognition of the ongoing importance of highlighting the vital contributions that Black academics make to addiction science, The BASIS is featuring the research and opinions of Black scholars of addiction. Dr. Debi LaPlante, Director of the Division on Addiction, introduces our Black History Month special series. Read more →

Remembering Our First Issue of The WAGER: Celebrating 25 Years

The BASIS is celebrating more than a quarter-century of sharing addiction science. Our very first issue of The WAGER - published on January 2, 1996 - was dedicated to reviewing key recommendations set forth by the North American Think Tank on Youth Gambling Issues. Today, to celebrate our 25-year anniversary, Drs. Howard Shaffer and Heather Gray briefly review the progress we, and others, have made toward making these recommendations a reality. Read more →

The BASIS Year-In-Review: 2020

Another successful year of The BASIS has come to a close. In 2020, we continued our decades-long effort to make high-quality addiction science widely available to a global audience. We also explored timely and urgent topics, such as racism in policing and healthcare and the COVID-19 pandemic, and their intersection with addiction. In this Editorial, we reflect on the material we produced throughout 2020 and how our readers reacted to it. Read more →

Are you building a responsible gambling-oriented culture?

Editor’s note: This op-ed was prepared by Dr. Kahlil Philander Assistant Professor in the School of Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University’s Carson College of Business. Read more →

Revisiting Stigma and Addiction, Again

Sadly, addiction stigma was on display again during last week's U.S. presidential debate. Today, Dr. Debi LaPlante, Director of the Division on Addiction, discusses the consequences of addiction stigma and discrimination. She contrasts this antiquated mindset with a contemporary approach which emphasizes the possibility of sustained recovery. She concludes with recommendations for people working to maintain their recovery while facing the challenges posed by this pandemic. Read more →

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 →