http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/addiction/ Read current medical research articles on drug addition including nicotine, prescription drugs and illegal drugs. Find out about addiction treatment. en-us Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:05:01 EDT Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/addiction/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827164138.htm Although many women quit smoking during pregnancy to protect their unborn children from the effects of cigarettes, half resume the habit within a few months of giving birth. By shedding light on the factors that enable the other half to put down that cigarette for good, a study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill could lead to programs designed to help women quit and stay quit. Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827164138.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827102742.htm Addictions to medicines and drugs are thought to develop over a relatively long period of time. The process involves both structural and functional changes in brain nerve cells that are still poorly understood. However, a single drug or alcohol dose is sufficient to generate an initial stage of addiction. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827102742.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827163820.htm Increased connections among brain cells caused by excessive drug use may represent the body's defense mechanism to combat addiction and related behaviors, scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827163820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080826144852.htm A new study sheds light on why smokers' intentions to quit "cold turkey" often fizzle out within days or even hours. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080826144852.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825103531.htm The initial signs of fetal alcohol syndrome are slight but classic: facial malformations such as a flat and high upper lip, small eye openings and a short nose. Researchers want to know if those facial clues can help them figure out how much alcohol it takes during what point in development to cause these and other lifelong problems. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825103531.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825092424.htm Leading child advocates have called for a new approach to tackling child abuse and neglect amid rising rates of abuse notifications and children being brought into state care. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825092424.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820163103.htm Vigabatrin, a medication proposed as a potential treatment for drug addiction, also leads to rapid weight loss and reduced food intake according to a new animal study from the same research group. Genetically bred 'fat rats' experience dramatic weight loss, reduced food intake after being given vigabatrin. Vigabatrin is currently undergoing US Food and Drug Administration-approved Phase II clinical trials against cocaine and methamphetamine addiction across the US. Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820163103.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820080339.htm Alcohol use can cause reproductive dysfunctions for both teenage and adult females. A new study is the first to examine alcohol's effects on childbearing onset across reproductive development. Findings show that, for women, alcoholism is linked with delayed childbearing. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820080339.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820162848.htm In a novel study looking at the propensity of illegal alcohol sales at sports stadiums, researchers reported that nearly one in five people posing as underage drinkers, and three out of four seemingly intoxicated "fans" were able to buy alcohol at professional sporting events. They also found that location mattered: sales were more likely if the attempt took place in the stadium stands rather than at a concession booth. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820162848.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080815073522.htm A possible future way to prevent relapses into drug dependence has been discovered. The target is the dopamine-producing nerve cells in the midbrain. Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080815073522.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080813120745.htm The persistent nature of addiction is its most devastating feature. Understanding the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is the key for designing efficient therapy. Two separate studies published by Cell Press in the journal Neuron identify specific cocaine-induced changes in dopamine neurons that play a pivotal role in behaviors associated with drug addiction. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080813120745.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080812213931.htm "Erasing" drug-associated memories may prevent recovering drug abusers from relapsing, researchers have discovered. The team was able to reduce drug-seeking behaviors in rats by blocking a brain chemical receptor important to learning and memory during the recall of drug-associated memories. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080812213931.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080812160607.htm Younger service members and Reserve and National Guard combat personnel returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are at increased risk of new-onset heavy drinking, binge drinking and other alcohol-related problems, according to a new study. Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080812160607.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080812135513.htm Researchers using positron emission tomography (PET) have validated a long-held theory that individual personality traits -- particularly reward dependency -- are connected to brain chemistry, a finding that has implications for better understanding and treating substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080812135513.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080813114222.htm An estimated 15 million American children are diagnosed with a mental disorder, but only about a quarter of them are getting appropriate treatment based on scientific evidence. Many more children are at risk of developing behavioral disorders. And the problem is only going to get worse unless the health care system changes how it delivers services, according to a new task force. Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080813114222.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080811070628.htm In a study on fetal alcohol syndrome, researchers were able to prevent the damage that alcohol causes to cells in a key area of the fetal brain by blocking acid sensitive potassium channels and preventing the acidic environment that alcohol produces. The cerebellum, the portion of the brain that is responsible for balance and muscle coordination, is particularly vulnerable to injury from alcohol during development. Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080811070628.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080808160331.htm A dopamine imbalance triggers Parkinson's disease and drug addition -- two opposite diseases. How it worked to do this in the brain had been a mystery. New research shows dopamine strengthens and weakens the two primary circuits in the brain that control our behavior. This provides new insight into why a flood of dopamine can lead to compulsive, addictive behavior and too little dopmaine can leave Parkinson's patients frozen and unable to move. Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080808160331.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080808123144.htm Anyone who has ever tried smoking probably remembers that first cigarette vividly. Now, a new study links those first experiences with smoking, and the likelihood that a person is currently a smoker, to a particular genetic variation. The finding may help explain the path that leads from that first cigarette to lifelong smoking. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080808123144.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080806113135.htm In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the impact of smoked medical cannabis, or marijuana, on the neuropathic pain associated with HIV, researchers have found that reported pain relief was greater with cannabis than with a placebo. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080806113135.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080805192727.htm New research reveals how the brain processes the "rewarding" and addictive properties of nicotine, providing a better understanding of why some people seemingly become hooked with their first smoke. The research could lead to new therapies to prevent nicotine dependence and to treat nicotine withdrawal when smokers try to quit. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080805192727.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080806122416.htm African-American girls who abuse alcohol are more likely to have unprotected sex despite having participated in interventions that stressed the importance of consistent condom use according to a study by public health researchers. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080806122416.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080804100200.htm A new study hints that people who have both alcohol problems and sleep problems -- which often occur together -- might be helped by an epilepsy drug. The study, which is small but was placebo-controlled, opens the door for further research on how to help alcohol-dependent people escape the Catch-22 of insomnia and drinking that often stands in the way of their recovery. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080804100200.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080730175518.htm An experimental drug that blocks the euphoric feelings associated with drinking may prevent alcoholics from relapsing. The finding, the result of a mouse study at Oregon Health & Science University, could lead to human clinical trials within the next year. Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080730175518.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080730140839.htm A new study in the journal Neuron indicates that microRNA may influence the development of alcohol tolerance, a hallmark of alcohol abuse and dependence. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080730140839.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080730155352.htm New research has uncovered a fundamental cellular mechanism that may drive pathological drug-seeking behavior. Rats that voluntarily use cocaine show a persistent cellular memory in the brain's reward center even after several months of abstinence from the drug, while their involuntary counterparts had no such memory, according to a new study. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080730155352.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731073646.htm High levels of alcohol and drug consumption by young people in Europe is leading to an increase in unsafe sexual practices and a consequent rise in sexually-transmitted disease infections, according to a recently published study by the European Institute of Studies on Prevention (IREFREA). Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080731073646.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080729133515.htm Scientists have now described the specifics of how brain cells process antidepressant drugs, cocaine and amphetamines. These novel findings could prove useful in the development of more targeted medication therapies for a host of psychiatric diseases, most notably in the area of addiction. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080729133515.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080729075111.htm Strong cravings for alcohol can be sparked by the mere sight, smell and taste of a person's favorite drink. Responses to such cues that are associated with the positive effects of drinking are a lead cause of relapse in abstinent alcoholics. Using a behavioral animal model, researchers of a new study have found that the physical surroundings where alcohol cues are experienced can greatly influence the ability of those cues to trigger relapse. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080729075111.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080729074926.htm Although secondhand smoke is widely accepted as a risk factor for coronary heart disease, there have been few studies investigating the association of SHS and stroke risk. Researchers now report on evidence of increased risk of stroke for spouses of smokers. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080729074926.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080728192659.htm Asking patients to monitor their own medications can be fatal, as exemplified by the recent death of actor Heath Ledger. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080728192659.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080722192336.htm Drug abuse accounts for a third of the deaths behind Scotland's higher mortality rate, according to a new study. Death rates in Scotland are higher than in England and Wales and the difference between the nations is increasing. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080722192336.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080724150438.htm Over the last decade, energy drinks -- such as Red Bull, Monster and Rockstar -- have become nearly ubiquitous on college campuses. Now new research validates and expands upon existing concerns about energy drink consumption. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080724150438.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723192444.htm Parents who have regular meals with their adolescent children might help lessen the chances they will start drinking or smoking later in their teen years, according to new research. Researchers noted benefits in families that ate five or more meals together each week, and found that about 60 percent of the participants did so. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723192444.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080718180729.htm Prenatal alcohol exposure may be particularly destructive for neurotrophins, a family of peptides that influence the growth, development and functional plasticity of the fetal brain. A new rodent study of alcohol's effects on three key neurotrophins has found that, even though environmental enrichment may be able to improve some fetal-alcohol effects, those benefits do not appear to be mediated by neurotrophins. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080718180729.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080718180731.htm More than one million Americans currently participate in the Alcoholics Anonymous program. Recent findings confirm that coffee and cigarette use among AA members is greater than among the general US population. Most AA members drink coffee for its stimulatory effects; more than half smoke to reduce feelings of depression, anxiety and irritability. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080718180731.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080718180723.htm Commercial venues are very aware of the effects that the environment -- in this case, music -- can have on in-store traffic flow, sales volumes, product choices and consumer time spent in the immediate vicinity. A study of the effects of music levels on drinking in a bar setting has found that loud music leads to more drinking in less time. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080718180723.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716161601.htm Most teenagers who smoke cigarettes make repeated attempts to quit but most are unsuccessful, according to new research. The study found that more than 70 percent of the teens expressed a desire to quit, but only 19 percent actually managed to stop smoking for 12 months or more by the end of the five-year study. Girls were more likely than boys to want to quit and to attempt quitting. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716161601.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714170957.htm As children's waistlines continue to grow, so have concerns about childhood obesity. According to a new report childhood obesity is now the No. 1 health concern for kids in 2008, topping smoking and drug abuse. In 2007, childhood obesity ranked third among parents' top 10 overall health concerns for kids. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714170957.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716161603.htm Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health explored tobacco industry manipulation of menthol levels in specific brands and found a deliberate strategy to recruit and addict young smokers by adjusting menthol to create a milder experience for the first time smoker. Internal industry documents, independent lab tests and survey data reveal strategy. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080716161603.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714172318.htm Six treatments for smoking cessation perform better than placebos -- including varenicline, recently approved for use in Canada. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714172318.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715204734.htm The presence of tattoos on forensic psychiatric inpatients should alert clinicians to a possible diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder, and also about the potential for histories of suicide attempt, substance abuse and sexual abuse, according to research published in Personality and Mental Health. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715204734.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080711100526.htm Sexual behavior counseling during drug addiction treatment should be considered an important component among Russian substance-dependent individuals, in order to decrease risky sexual behavior in the HIV at-risk population, according to recent research. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080711100526.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080711141755.htm Heavy alcohol use, or binge drinking, among college students in the United States is tied to conditions in the college environment. The review of a landmark 14-year study cites factors such as easy access to alcohol, low prices and special promotions, weak control policies and lax enforcement. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080711141755.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710170551.htm Heart and stroke risks associated with alcohol use differ among Japanese men and women. Women with light alcohol consumption had a small decrease in heart disease death risk; heavy alcohol users had a much greater increase in risk. Men with heavy alcohol use had a 19 percent lower risk of dying from coronary heart disease than non-drinking men. Heavy alcohol use increased the risk of stroke in men and women. Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710170551.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080709084033.htm Girls moving through adolescence may experience unhealthy levels of weight gain, but the reasons for this are not always clear. In fact, many potential causes of weight gain are easily overlooked. A new study in the Journal of Pediatrics analyzes the effect of Internet usage, sleep, and alcohol and coffee consumption on weight gain in adolescent girls. The researchers found that more Internet time, more alcohol consumption, and less sleep resulted in extra weight gain during the study year. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080709084033.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708173226.htm The chemical dopamine induces both desire and dread, according to new animal research in the Journal of Neuroscience. Although dopamine is well known to motivate animals and people to seek positive rewards, the study indicates that it also can promote negative feelings like fear. The finding may help explain why dopamine dysfunction is implicated not only in drug addiction, which involves excessive desire, but in schizophrenia and some phobias, which involve excessive fear. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708173226.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708104521.htm Scientific evidence has long suggested that moderate drinking offers some protection against heart disease, certain types of stroke and some forms of cancer. But new research shows that stopping drinking -- including at moderate levels -- may lead to health problems including depression and a reduced capacity of the brain to produce new neurons, a process called neurogenesis. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708104521.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708094212.htm A particular gene variant might make women more susceptible to alcoholism. According to new research, a gene in the endorphin metabolism is altered in a typical fashion more often in women alcoholics than in healthy women. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708094212.htm