Addiction Research
Adolescents May Drink More Because of Media Habits
Researchers from Sweden and colleagues from the United Kingdom are closely looking at the connection between the media practices of adolescents and their consumption of alcohol. According to an article in Science Daily, a professor of practical philosophy, Christian Munthe, says there appears to be a strong link between adolescents who watch Tv shows involving alcohol and an increased level of drinking. Full Story
Working Long Hours Puts Young People at Risk for Alcohol-Related Problems
Young people who work more than 50 hours a week have more than double the risk for alcohol-related problems than the unemployed, according to a new study from New Zealand.
Study Explores Why People Respond Differently to Environmental Drug Cues
A new study has found that differences in people’s responses to environmental cues can change chemical responses in the brain. This finding could help researchers develop new treatments for substance abuse, compulsive gambling, sexual addiction, and other compulsive behaviors.
Commonly Prescribed Medication for ADHD Poses Addiction, Abuse Risk
Commonly known by brand names Ritalin or Concerta, the drug methylphenidate remains the most typically-used medication for treating ADHD, leading to a global perception that the drug is benign. However, experts warn that it has similar effects as cocaine if taken in large amounts, and the drug remains a controlled substance due to its high potential for addiction, especially among younger adults.
Studying Compulsivity in the Brain Can Lead to Better Treatments
No one likes to admit they are impulsive, but many people are and it can impact their ability to change their behavior. When that individual has certain challenges, such as ADHD or drug addiction, the degree to which impulsivity plays a part can affect treatment.
Symptoms of ADHD May Prompt Higher Rates of Substance Abuse
For some people living with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), the challenges of trying to complete a task or focus on a project can be overwhelming. Many find that the stress can be lessened with certain substances, ranging from caffeine to tobacco; to prescription pain medications and sugar.
Father’s Prison Stay Associated with Child’s Drug Use
Young people who begin using marijuana in adolescence often stop using the drug by their early adulthood. However, early initiation can introduce an individual to other unhealthy behaviors, such as alcohol use and the use of other illegal drugs. It is important to understand the risk factors for a teen vulnerable to trying marijuana in order to produce effective education and prevention programs.
Understanding the Reasons People Abuse Drugs or Alcohol
Addiction alters a person’s brain functioning to the point where they experience strong or irresistible cravings for the substance or behavior. The addictive behaviors can quickly become escalated to the point where the person has no more control over the situation, and millions of lives are wrecked each year.
Early Alcohol and Tobacco Use May Delay Puberty in Girls
Both alcohol and tobacco use are known to produce several adverse effects, including psychological, physiological, emotional, and physical health hazards. These side effects have been extensively investigated among teenagers and adults, and are acutely apparent in older age, after long-term use, or following binge episodes. Yet alcohol and tobacco’s adverse reactions upon younger adolescents, especially on their physical development, are not fully known. Alcohol use has already been found to impede puberty growth rats, but the same evidence has not been established among humans, particularly young girls.
Ongoing National Study Shows Dangerous Trends in Teen Attitudes Toward Drugs
In the fight against drug abuse among young adults, information about students’ attitudes and experiences is vital. Since 1975, Monitoring the Future – an ongoing research study – has surveyed 50,000 young adults each year to find out their opinions on topics ranging from gender to ecology and new trends in drug or alcohol use. The 2009 survey findings show interesting results in the realm of substance abuse, such as an increase in marijuana use, a decline in use of hallucinogenic drugs and potentially worrisome trends in teen attitudes toward some drugs.
Funded under competitive grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Monitoring the Future is based at the University of Michigan inside the Institute for Social Research. Surveys are sent to 8th, 10th and 12th graders across the U.S. Questions measuring experiences with drugs and alcohol focus on students’ age of first use, their attitudes toward use, how available they perceive the drugs to be and connections between peer groups and drug use.
The goal is to learn which factors, such as social changes and an individual’s transitions during development, may contribute to certain behaviors over time. Follow-up surveys are also sent to 12th graders upon leaving high school in an attempt to track young adult behaviors further.
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A very inexpensive yet indispensable guide for anyone struggling with a loved one's addiction. Chapters on intervention, what to expect from rehab, and information on how addiction impacts the family.
