The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER, Vol. 24(14) - Loot boxes in video games: A new level of gambling

This week, The WAGER reviews a study by Wen Li, Devin Mills, and Lia Nower that investigated whether loot box purchasing is associated with problematic video gaming and gambling. Read more →

STASH, Vol. 15(13) - Narrative identity and microdosing psychedelics

This week, STASH reviews a qualitative study by Megan Webb and colleagues that looked at individuals’ practices, reasons, and perceived benefits behind microdosing psychedelics and how they reconcile the use within their identity. Read more →

The BASIS Year In Review - 2019

Another successful year of The BASIS has come to a close. In 2019, we continued to cover important advances in addiction research. We also presented Special Series on Gambling Disorder, Addiction and Stigma, and Addiction and Social Media featuring many insightful op-eds. For instance, former Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli and Massachusetts Director of Programs for The Phoenix Sydney Durand explained how stigma affects recovery from addiction. Cyberaddiction experts Dr. Stephanie Diez and Dr. David Greenfield highlighted the dangers of excessive social media use. And Lisa Lundrigan shared the powerful story of her father’s recovery from gambling... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 15(13) - Menthol users switching to traditional cigarettes: The key to smoking less?

This week, ASHES reviews a study by Krysten Bold and colleagues that used a quasi-experimental research design to assess smoking behaviors and attitudes among menthol cigarette smokers after a simulated ban on menthol cigarettes. Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 15(13) - Alcohol use during pregnancy: Who is at greatest risk?

This week, the DRAM reviews a study by Dvora Shmulewitz and Deborah S. Hasin where they looked for indicators of women who are more likely to drink during their pregnancy. Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 24(13) - Casino gambling vs. eSport gambling: Is stigma the same?

This week, The WAGER reviews a study by Samuel Peter and colleagues about social stigmatization of people experiencing problems with eSports gambling, an increasingly popular gambling form in which players bet on the outcomes of video game tournaments. Read more →

STASH, Vol. 15(12) - From childhood maltreatment to substance use: The role of attachment style in this relationship

This week, STASH reviews an article by Rajan Hayre and his colleagues that looks at the impact of recent maltreatment and caregiver attachment style on adolescent substance use. Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 15(12) - Can the course of ADHD progression influence an individual’s risk for developing Nicotine Dependence?

This week, ASHES reviews a longitudinal study by Shahrzad Ilbegi and colleagues investigating whether the course of progression of ADHD is associated with an increased risk for developing Nicotine Dependence (ND). Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 15(12) - Family history of alcoholism is associated with brain activation to a rewarding stimulus

Dysfunction in the brain’s reward system response, and familial history of alcoholism, each increase the risk for problem drinking. Is it possible that these factors exert their effects not just in isolation, but in conjunction? In other words, is someone with a family history of alcoholism more likely to have an exaggerated brain response to rewarding stimuli? This week, the DRAM reviews a study by William J.A. Eiler II and his colleagues that explores this question. Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 24(12) - What are the most important risk factors that predict gambling problems?

This week, The WAGER reviews a study by Matthew Browne and colleagues from 2019 that examined how 25 potential individual and social risk factors predict gambling-related harm within a sample of regular gamblers. Read more →