Can Treatment for Depression Help Prevent Drug Abuse in Teens?
A new study from Duke University researchers suggest treating teens for major depression could reduce their chances for developing drug or alcohol abuse problems later on.
Smokers Genes Could Predict Who Benefits Most From Cessation Medications
The same gene variations that make it difficult to stop smoking also increase the likelihood that heavy smokers will respond to nicotine-replacement therapy and drugs that thwart cravings, a new study shows.
Addiction On The Rise In European Youth
Addiction is on the rise in Europe. An increasing number of young people are unable to control their use of drugs, alcohol, sex, computer games, technology, shopping, dieting or exercise.
New Research about Facebook Addiction
Are you a social media enthusiast or simply a Facebook addict? Researchers from Norway have developed a new instrument to measure Facebook addiction, the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale.
Anti-tobacco Ads Help Adults Quit, But Only If They Are Not From The Tobacco Industry
New research released in April’s American Journal of Public Health discovered anti-tobacco advertising does help reduce the need to spark up in adults, however only when the ads are from sponsors not associated with the tobacco industry. In states where anti-tobacco ads were sponsored by private initiatives, pharmaceutical and the state itself, the anti smoking message had greater impact. Ads created or sponsored directly by the tobacco industry prompted more smoking in states which ran these campaigns. However, although the anti-smoking ads delivered by pharmaceutical companies were more effective in getting people to smoke less, running ads for cessation products appear to have turned people off potentially quitting their addiction.
High School Bullies More Likely To Be Substance Users
A new study released by researchers for Ohio State University points to increased substance use for bullies of middle and high school age. The research demonstrated that bullying was more prevalent within the middle school age group, and an increased substance use was seen in high school aged bullies. Additionally, victims of bullies were more likely to embark in fairly frequent substance use, with alcohol, cigarette and marijuana use being cited as most commonly used.
New Research Gives Insight Into Teen Cocaine Addiction
New research from Yale could help explain why cocaine addiction, abuse and dependency is dramatically increased in people who began using the drug during their teenage years, as opposed to later in adulthood.
Low Dopamine Levels Linked To Relapse For Ex-Smokers
Research undertaken by scientists at Baylor College of Medicine takes big steps in helping to explain why it is so hard for smokers to quit their addiction. Smoking enhances dopamine release, and when a smoker attempts to quit, dopamine levels lower significantly. The lapse in dopamine levels can prompt a relapse for smokers who are trying to quit. The authors suggest medications which could elevate dopamine levels when a smoker is trying to quit, could be key to a non-smoking life style and help to prevent relapse.
Making sense of addiction terminology
A new editorial released this week offers clarity and structure on confusing drug and alcohol addiction terminology for prescribers, users and regulators. “Through a glass darkly: can we improve clarity about mechanism and aims of medications in drug and alcohol treatments?” is published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, the official journal of the British Association for Psychopharmacology, published by SAGE.
Addiction Roots Dependent Upon A Person’s Sex?
A new report from Yale researchers considers the different biological mechanisms associated with cocaine addiction between men and women. It is hoped that the study could shed some light onto effective therapies to help curb cravings, and ultimately break the addiction cycle based upon the sex of the patient. The findings so far suggest that women could benefit from stress reduction therapies, while men might benefit more from cognitive behavioral therapies or more traditional 12 step programs.
