The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

STASH, Vol. 14(13) - What can twins tell us about cannabis dependence and IQ?

Adolescents who use cannabis often show signs of cognitive impairment. It could be that cannabis causes these impairments. Another possibility is that underlying family risk factors-- like socioeconomic status, parenting style, neighborhood, and educational opportunities-- contribute both to cannabis use and cognitive impairment. Studying twins can help us tease apart these explanations, because twins share the same family background but don’t necessarily use substances in the same way. This week, STASH reviews a study by Madeline Meier and colleagues that explored how cannabis dependence among twins relates to IQ. What is the research question? Among pairs of twins, what is... Read more →

STASH, Vol. 14(12) - Recovery is impacted by our social connections

This week, as part of our Special Series on Self-Directed Recovery, STASH reviews a study by Elizabeth Elms and colleagues that explored how peer substance use habits relate to successful self-directed recovery. Read more →

STASH, Vol.14(11) - Religion and problem substance use in disadvantaged urban mothers

This week, STASH reviews a study examining the relationship between religious involvement and hazardous substance use among single, urban mothers of low socioeconomic status. Read more →

STASH, Vol.14(10) - Decreased pain, increased risk: The role of marijuana in the opioid crisis

This week, STASH reviews a study that examines whether marijuana use changes the risk of non-medical prescription opioid use. Read more →

STASH, Vol.14(9) - Are the next generation of doctors prepared to treat SUD?

This week, STASH reviews a study that examines how prepared Massachusetts medical students feel they are to treat patients with SUD. Read more →

STASH, Vol.14(8) - Has teenage substance use changed in the US? Results from a national survey.

This week, STASH reviews a study that examines national trends in youth substance use between 2002 and 2014. Read more →

STASH, Vol.14(7) – Does stress affect drug use in rural communities?

This week, STASH reviews a study by Pamela Black and Helen M. Hendy that examined how psychological stressors affect rural adults’ drug use. Read more →

STASH, Vol. 14(6) - Elevated risk for substance use and mental health problems in the LGBTQ community

This week, as part of our Special Series on Addiction in the LGBTQ Community, STASH reviews a study by Richard Bränström and John Pachankis that explores how people in the LGBTQ community experience both substance use and mental health-related problems. Read more →

STASH, Vol. 14(5) - The interaction between attachment styles and substance use

This week, STASH reviews a study by Catharine Fairbairn and colleagues that explores how attachment style relates to the development of substance use behavior. Read more →

STASH, Vol. 14(4) - Marijuana use and perceptions among 12th graders in response to legalization

This week, STASH reviews a study by Aaron Sarvet and colleagues that explores how perceptions and use of marijuana among 12th-graders have evolved over the past two decades. Read more →