MedWorm: Addiction

Why can't some people give up cocaine?

ScienceDaily Headlines — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:37:03 +0100

Drug dependency is a recurrent but treatable kind of addiction. However, not all people who are drug dependent progress in the same way once they stop taking drugs. A new study shows that, in the case of cocaine, a high score on the so-called ‘scale of craving’, an antisocial personality type and previous heroin abuse are the factors most commonly involved in people falling back into the habit. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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A Brief Intervention That Works For Drivers Who Persist In Driving While Intoxicated

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Driving while impaired (DWI) contributes significantly to road-traffic crashes, and is involved in more than one-third of all fatalities. Many DWI recidivists - drinking drivers who re-offend - do not participate in mandated alcohol-evaluation and intervention programs or else continue to drink problematically after their licenses have been re-issued. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

An Intervention That Can Reduce Hostile Perceptions In Children With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been linked to a wide array of developmental deficits, including significant impairments in social skills. An examination of a social- skills intervention called Children's Friendship Training found that it led to a decrease in hostile attributions or perceptions of children with PAE. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Linking The Treatment Of Alcohol-Use Disorders And Tuberculosis

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The integration of alcohol screening, treatment and referral into primary care and other medical settings is not routinely done. Nor are there any studies evaluating the effectiveness of integrating care for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) into routine treatment for tuberculosis (TB), despite the high co-occurrence and mortality associated with these two diseases. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

An Intervention That Can Reduce Hostile Perceptions In Children With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Pregnancy News From Medical News Today — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

A Brief Intervention That Works For Drivers Who Persist In Driving While Intoxicated

Pediatrics News From Medical News Today — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

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Linking The Treatment Of Alcohol-Use Disorders And Tuberculosis

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Binge eating: Is it a form of addiction?

L.A. Times - Health — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:04:39 +0100

Overeaters describe cravings and benders. Experts are split. The notion that binge eating is a form of addiction comes up frequently in experts' discussions of the diagnosis. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)

Statement By Kathleen Sebelius Secretary Of Health And Human Services On The Great American Smokeout

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:00:00 +0100

"Breaking a cigarette addiction may be one of the toughest commitments anyone can make. It takes a lot of support. But if you're a smoker, today you'll have the support of millions of other soon-to-be ex-smokers, if you join them in the Great American Smokeout. "Saying no to cigarettes is one of the most important commitments you can make to your health. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Statement By Kathleen Sebelius Secretary Of Health And Human Services On The Great American Smokeout

Smoking / Quit Smoking News From Medical News Today — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:00:00 +0100

My Spouse Is Overweight

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:51:19 +0100

When I was growing up there was a couple on my block. She was heavy and he was thin. My mother who never failed to notice anything, particularly weight, would comment: She is heavy, but he is thin. Periodically, we would run into them and my mother would repeat "she is heavy and he is thin." Appearances had great meaning to my mother, but she would never permit herself to say anything beyond that. As I got older I began to wonder about that couple. Did she want him to be thin and smaller than her? Did he want her to be heavy? If she died and he married someone else, would the next woman also be heavy? If he died, would she again choose a man smaller in frame than she? Apparently, neither of them minded and they have as far as I know, lived out their lives with the normal happinesses and mi...

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Readers Respond on "Do Parents Matter?"--And More...

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0100

Parents and Peers As a psychologist very familiar with the research, I think in “ Do Parents Matter? ” Judith Harris is conflating personality and behavior, which are two different concepts. Personality has more to do with genetic traits related to mood and energy (which plenty of research indicates are strongly influenced by genetics). Behavior, on the other hand, depends on context and is guided by laws of behaviorism--that is, reinforcement principles. If parents do (or do not) provide reinforcement for specific types of behavior, you will either see or not see those behaviors. Likewise, certain behaviors will be reinforced in the classroom by teachers. [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

Prevalence of high blood pressure levels and associated factors among adults in Southern Brazil

Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:54:09 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: One third of the assessed adults presented high blood pressure levels, similar to most of the Brazilian findings. Factors that can be prevented, such as overweight, obesity and self-reported diabetes were associated with high blood pressure levels. (Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia)

Mathematical Abilities Examined In Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Mathematical Abilities Examined In Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have a number of cognitive deficits, but mathematical ability seems particularly damaged. Little is known about the brain structures related to mathematical deficits in children with FASD. A new study that used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate the relationship between mathematical skills and brain white matter structure in children with FASD supports the importance of the left parietal area for mathematical tasks. (Source: Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today)

Why Can't Some People Give Up Cocaine?

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Drug dependency is a recurrent but treatable kind of addiction. However, not all people who are drug dependent progress in the same way once they stop taking drugs. A new study shows that, in the case of cocaine, a high score on the so-called 'scale of craving', an antisocial personality type and previous heroin abuse are the factors most commonly involved in people falling back into the habit. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Why Can't Some People Give Up Cocaine?

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Drug dependency is a recurrent but treatable kind of addiction. However, not all people who are drug dependent progress in the same way once they stop taking drugs. A new study shows that, in the case of cocaine, a high score on the so-called 'scale of craving', an antisocial personality type and previous heroin abuse are the factors most commonly involved in people falling back into the habit. (Source: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today)

Clarification to Budget Requirements for RFA-DA-10-005 Targeted Library Synthesis and Screening at Novel Targets for Potential Drug Addiction Treatments and Research Tools (R21/R33)

NIH Funding Opportunities (Notices, PA, RFA) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:26:07 +0100

Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts (Source: NIH Funding Opportunities (Notices, PA, RFA))

MIND Reviews: Asylum: Inside the Closed World of State Mental Hospitals

Scientific American Topic - Medical Technology — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

BOOKS Asylum: Inside the Closed World of State Mental Hospitals [More] (Source: Scientific American Topic - Medical Technology)

MIND Reviews: Asylum: Inside the Closed World of State Mental Hospitals

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

BOOKS Asylum: Inside the Closed World of State Mental Hospitals [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

[Comment] Government vs science over drug and alcohol policy

LANCET — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

My statement in October that alcohol was more dangerous than many illegal drugs, including cannabis, ecstasy, and LSD, referred back to a paper I published in The Lancet 2 years ago. It would be an understatement, given the political, media, and academic interest, to say that I stirred up a hornets' nest in the UK Parliament and elsewhere. The Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, sacked me from my role as chair of the ACMD (the government's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, on which I had served with distinction for 10 years), and the Conservative shadow minister said it should have happened earlier this year when I published a paper comparing the harms of ecstasy and another addiction (which I had termed “equasy”—ie, horse riding). (Source: LANCET)

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[Perspectives] Film In Brief: Afghanistan's addicts

LANCET — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Kabul's Russian Cultural Centre is a burnt-out shell of a building; destroyed in the chaos that followed the Soviets' withdrawal in 1989. Today, the erstwhile arts centre stands in stately decay—gaping holes where once there were windows, its gardens covered in dust and dotted with fallen brickwork. Occasionally, NATO helicopters cross overhead. (Source: LANCET)

Integrated programs for women with substance use issues and their children: a qualitative meta-synthesis of processes and outcomes

Harm Reduction Journal — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: A number of distinct but interconnected processes emerged as being important to women's addiction recovery. Women experienced individual growth and transformative learning that led to a higher quality of life and improved interactions with their children. The findings support the need for programs to adopt practices that focus on improving maternal health and social functioning in an environment characterized by empowerment, safety, and connections. Women's relationships with their children require particular attention as positive parenting practices and family relationships can alter predispositions toward substance use later in life, thereby impacting favourably on the cycle of addiction and dysfunctional parenting. (Source: Harm Reduction Journal)

NEW ON THE BOOKSHELF: 2006 National Academies reports funded by National Institutes of Health

Bookshelf News — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 +0100

The Bookshelf's collection of NIH-funded reports from the National Academies has been updated with 12 reports published in 2006: Aging in Sub-Saharan Africa: Recommendations for Furthering Research Barney Cohen and Jane Menken, Editors; Panel on Policy Research and Data Needs to Meet the Challenge of Aging in Africa; Committee on Population, National Research CouncilWashington, D.C.: The National Academies Press; 2006 Asbestos: Selected CancersCommittee on Asbestos: Selected Health Effects, Institute of MedicineWashington, D.C.: The National Academies Press; 2006 Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment: Moving Beyond the Nature/Nurture Debate Lyla M. Hernandez and Dan G. Blazer, Editors; Committee on Assessing Interactions Among Social, Behavioral, and Genetic Factors in Health, Board ...

Ontario examining tougher painkiller rules

CTV Health — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:52:34 +0100

The Ontario government wants to impose new rules before the end of the year to restrict how the highly-addictive painkiller Oxycontin is prescribed and dispensed. (Source: CTV Health)

Don't lose your head over beer claim

NHS News Feed — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:03:00 +0100

Conclusion Although this study demonstrated a link between higher alcohol intake and reduced CHD risk, it is has several limitations. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that high levels of alcohol consumption lower the risk of CHD. People are advised not to exceed the recommended daily limits of 2-3 units a day for women and 3-4 units a day for men. Importantly, the study did not take into account any other adverse effects of alcohol, such as the increased risk of liver disease, obesity, pancreatic diseases, certain cancers, possible addiction, depression, accidental injury or reduced judgement in social situations. Further limitations to this research include the following: Asking someone to recall daily or weekly alcohol intake in the previous 12 months is likely to involve a high degree...

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Neuroprotective and Neurotoxic Effects of Nicotine

Pharmacopsychiatry — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:36:21 +0100

Pharmacopsychiatry 2009; 42: 255-265DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1224138AbstractThe interest in the action of nicotine in the central nervous system (CNS) has significantly increased during the past 15 years. This is due in part to the growing importance of nicotine addiction and its consequences in terms of life quality and costs for public health systems in industrialized countries and, on the other hand, to the significantly higher prevalence of tobacco consumption in patients with psychiatric disorders. The actual data indicate opposite effects of nicotine in the CNS. Nicotine seems to have, at the same time, positive, neuroprotective as well as negative, neurotoxic effects. This suggests that nicotine's action is complex, probably involving different neuronal circuits influencing each other th...

Factors affecting infection after calcaneal fracture fixation

Injury — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:02:51 +0100

Abstract: A retrospective study of 178 operatively managed intra-articular calcaneal fractures was undertaken. The primary purpose of the study was to investigate whether delay prior to surgery was related to the prevalence of post-operative deep infection although other factors related to infection were also examined.The deep infection rate was 5.6% but there was no statistical correlation between surgical delay and deep infection. However analysis of the results showed that surgical experience did correlate with deep infection. The infection rate for a group of inexperienced surgeons was 14.3% compared with 2.8% for the most experienced surgeon in the study. Analysis also indicated a trend towards more socially deprived patients having a higher rate of infection but it was only in drug a...

Increased Risk Of Seizures Faced By Current Cigarette Smokers

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

A recent study determined there is a significant risk of seizure for individuals who currently smoke cigarettes. Boston-based researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School also found that long-term, moderate intake of caffeine or alcohol does not increase the chance of having a seizure or developing epilepsy. (Source: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today)

Alkermes Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Study Of ALKS 33 For The Treatment Of Alcohol Dependence

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Alkermes Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Study Of ALKS 33 For The Treatment Of Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Alkermes, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALKS) announced the initiation of a phase 2 clinical study of ALKS 33, an investigational oral opioid modulator for the potential treatment of alcohol dependence and other central nervous system disorders. The study will assess the safety and efficacy of multiple doses of ALKS 33 in patients with alcohol dependence and is designed to further define the clinical profile of ALKS 33. (Source: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today)

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Why can't some people give up cocaine?

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology) Drug dependency is a recurrent but treatable kind of addiction. However, not all people who are drug dependent progress in the same way once they stop taking drugs. A new study shows that, in the case of cocaine, a high score on the so-called "scale of craving," an antisocial personality type and previous heroin abuse are the factors most commonly involved in people falling back into the habit. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

GSK and Nabi announce agreement for NicVAX®, a vaccine for nicotine addiction

World Pharma News — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (GSK) and Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (Nabi) announcedan exclusive worldwide option and licensing agreement for a nicotine conjugate candidate vaccine (NicVAX®), an investigational vaccine for the treatment of nicotine addiction and the prevention of smoking relapse, as well as for the development of a second generation nicotine vaccine. (Source: World Pharma News)

The cost-effectiveness of consistent and early intervention of harm reduction for injecting drug users in Bangladesh

Addiction — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The analysis confirms that harm reduction activities are cost-effective. Early intervention is more cost-effective than delaying activities, although this should not preclude later intervention. Starting harm reduction activities when IDU HIV prevalence reaches as high as 40% is still cost-effective. Continuing harm reduction activities once a project has matured is vital to sustaining its impact and cost-effectiveness. (Source: Addiction)

Orexins Excite Neurons of the Rat Cerebellar Nucleus Interpositus Via Orexin 2 Receptors In Vitro.

Cerebellum — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, perfusing slices with orexin A (100 nM-1 muM) or orexin B (100 nM-1 muM) both produced neurons in the rat cerebellar interpositus nucleus (IN) a concentration-dependent excitatory response (96/143, 67.1%). Furthermore, both of the excitations induced by orexin A and B were not blocked by the low-Ca(2+)/high-Mg(2+) medium (n = 8), supporting a direct postsynaptic action of the peptides. Highly selective orexin 1 receptor antagonist SB-334867 did not block the excitatory response of cerebellar IN neurons to orexins (n = 22), but [Ala(11), D-Leu(15)] orexin B, a highly selective orexin 2 receptor (OX(2)R) agonist, mimicked the excitatory effect of orexins on the cerebellar neurons (n = 18). These results demonstrate that orexins excite the cerebellar IN neurons through OX(2)R a...

Do You Have an Alcohol or Drug Problem?

About.com Alcoholism — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Alcohol and drug use can progress into abuse and even addiction so insidiously that sometimes people do not realize that it has become a problem for them and those around them. The following self-assessment tests can help you determine whether or not it may be time to get help. Alcohol Abuse Screening Quiz Drug Abuse Screening Quiz Could You Be Depressed? Is Your Child Using Drugs or Alcohol? Is Your Child Huffing Inhalants? Questions for Families: Are You Troubled by Someone's Drinking? Are You Enabling an Alcoholic or Addict? Did You Grow Up With a Problem Drinker? Domestic Abuse Screening Quiz Adult Child Screening Quiz Do You Have an Alcohol or Drug Problem? originally appeared on About.com Alcoholism on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 00:05:17.Permalink | Comment | Email this...

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Suboxone® (Buprenorphine/Naloxone) as an Agonist Opioid Treatment in Spain: A Budgetary Impact Analysis

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 2010;16:31-42 (DOI:10.1159/000259614) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

GPs and criminal justice staff to receive training as part of national strategy to improve offenders' health

BMJ Online First — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:47:15 +0100

(Source: BMJ Online First)

First Forensic Nurses Week Highlights the Problems of...

NurseZone.com Nursing News — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:54:42 +0100

Nov. 9. 2009 - “Violence is a Health Care Problem” is the theme of the first Forensic Nurses Week, taking place November 9-13, 2009. This week, which is expected to become an annual event, was created to honor and celebrate forensic nurses. This year’s theme reflects data showing that up to 37.5 percent of health care costs may be the result of violence, and research such as the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study that found a strong correlation between childhood experiences of violence and adult health problems such as diabetes and tobacco addiction. (Source: NurseZone.com Nursing News)

Coed College Housing Connected To Frequent Binge Drinking

Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

A new study in the Journal of American College Health finds that students placed by their universities in coed housing are 2.5 times more likely to binge drink each week than students placed in all-male or all-female housing. More than 500 students from five college campuses around the country participated in the study: 42 percent of students in coed housing reported binge drinking on a weekly basis. (Source: Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today)

Coed College Housing Connected To Frequent Binge Drinking

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

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Vaccine To Treat Nicotine Addiction Steps Closer To Market As Companies Agree Option Deal

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

An experimental vaccine called NicVAX, designed to treat nicotine addiction that works by stopping the drug from reaching the brain, moved a step closer to the market when the vaccine developer Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (Nabi), based in Rockville, Maryland, US agreed an option and licensing deal with GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (GSK), based in Brussels, Belgium. (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Vaccine To Treat Nicotine Addiction Steps Closer To Market As Companies Agree Option Deal

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Studies Suggest Parental Monitoring Can Help Decrease Adolescent Marijuana Use

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Studies Suggest Parental Monitoring Can Help Decrease Adolescent Marijuana Use

Pediatrics News From Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug by adolescents, with almost 42% of high school seniors admitting to having experimented with it. Continued marijuana use may result in a number of serious consequences including depression, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disease, and certain forms of cancer. As such, it is critical to prevent marijuana use by adolescents and numerous behavioral and medical scientists have been trying to establish the best means of prevention. (Source: Pediatrics News From Medical News Today)

Research On College Students' Drinking Beliefs And Behavior

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

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Research On College Students' Drinking Beliefs And Behavior

Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Unrealistic optimism about drinking behavior can lead to later alcohol-related problems, according to research published in the current issue of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (PSPB), the official monthly journal of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Researchers interviewed 800 college students several times over the course of two years about whether their drinking resulted in hangovers, memory loss or trouble with police. (Source: Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today)

Older addicts 'lose will to live'

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:23:29 +0100

Research published in Glasgow suggests rates of suicide among addicts aged over 35 may be higher than previously thought. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

The impact of cigarette deprivation and cigarette availability on cue–reactivity in smokers

Addiction — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The data suggest that, even under conditions of immediate cigarette availability, deprivation and cue presentations have independent, additive effects on self-reported craving levels in smokers. (Source: Addiction)

Antiepileptic Drug Curbs Cocaine Use

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:08:04 +0100

Vigabatrin, an epilepsy treatment, could break the vicious cycle of drug addiction and incarceration. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Differential induction of apoptosis in HER2 and EGFR addicted cancers following PI3K inhibition [Medical_Sciences]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:12:13 +0100

Non-small cell lung cancers with activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are highly responsive to EGFR tyrosine... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

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The American Medical Association eases its stance on marijuana belonging in the 'most restricted' drug category

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:00:00 +0100

The Obama administration announced last month that people who buy or sell medical marijuana in the growing number of states that have decriminalized its therapeutic usage should not be targeted for arrest or prosecution by federal authorities. Now, the American Medical Association (AMA) has called for the federal government to go one step further in easing restrictions, the Los Angeles Times reported last week . [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

The AMA eases its stance on marijuana

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:00:00 +0100

The relationship between frontal brain asymmetry and exercise addiction.

Journal of Psychophysiology — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:14:57 +0100

This study explores the hypothesized relationship between exercise addiction and the level of baseline frontal activity asymmetry, as measured by EEG. Regularly active women (n = 28, M age = 32.43, SD = 10.89) were recruited to participate in the study. Exercise addiction status was determined by the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI) (Terry, Szabo, & Griffiths, 2004). After completing the EAI, each participant took part in an EEG session consisting of eight 1-min resting trials, four with eyes open, and four with eyes closed, presented in counterbalanced order. Electrodes were applied to the left and right frontal sites (F3 and F4). A regression analysis, predicting exercise addiction from frontal asymmetry, was significant, F(1, 27) = 6.4, p < .05, and indicated that greater relative lef...

Publication Of First Ever Large-Scale Study Of Ketamine Users

Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

The first ever large-scale, longitudinal study of ketamine users has been published online in the journal Addiction. With Ketamine (K, Special K) use increasing faster than any other drug in the UK (British Crime Survey, 2008) this research showing the consequences of repeated ketamine use provides valuable information for users and addiction professionals alike. (Source: Psychology / Psychiatry News From Medical News Today)

Publication Of First Ever Large-Scale Study Of Ketamine Users

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

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Impact Fusion International Develops Caffeine Free 2 Ounce Hangover Relief Drink

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Impact Fusion International (PINKSHEETS: IFUS) announced it has developed a natural caffeine free "hangover" relief beverage to be sold in a 2 ounce shot. The beverage will contain Impact Fusion International's proprietary blend Nutri-Mastic™. The product has been developed for a U.S.-based multimillion dollar beverage company with distribution in more than half of the United States Market. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Impact Fusion International Develops Caffeine Free 2 Ounce Hangover Relief Drink

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Continuities and changes in self-change research

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Although considerable progress has occurred in natural recovery research, several topics deserving of further research are identified, and implications for policy practice are discussed. (Source: Addiction)

Consequences of chronic ketamine self-administration upon neurocognitive function and psychological wellbeing: a 1-year longitudinal study

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions These findings imply that heavy use of ketamine is harmful to aspects of both cognitive function and psychological wellbeing. Health education campaigns need to raise awareness among young people and clinicians about these negative consequences of ketamine use. (Source: Addiction)

Randomized controlled trial of cognitive–behavioural therapy for coexisting depression and alcohol problems: short-term outcome

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Integrated treatment may be superior to single-focused treatment for coexisting depression and alcohol problems, at least in the short term. Gender differences between single-focused depression and alcohol treatments warrant further study. (Source: Addiction)

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Cognitive test scores in male adolescent cigarette smokers compared to non-smokers: a population-based study

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Controlled analyses from this large population-based cohort of male adolescents indicate that IQ scores are lower in male adolescents who smoke compared to non-smokers and in brothers who smoke compared to their non-smoking brothers. The IQs of adolescents who began smoking between ages 18[ndash]21 are lower than those of non-smokers. Adolescents with poorer IQ scores might be targeted for programmes designed to prevent smoking. (Source: Addiction)

What neurobiology cannot tell us about addiction

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Molecular neurobiological studies have yielded enormous amounts of valuable information about neuronal response mechanisms and their adaptive changes. However, in relation to addiction this information is of limited value because almost every cell function appears to be involved. Thus it tells us only that neurons adapt to 'addictive drugs' as they do to all sorts of other functional disturbances. This information may be of limited help in the development of potential auxiliary agents for treatment of addiction. However, a reductionist approach which attempts to analyse addiction at ever finer levels of structure and function, is inherently incapable of explaining what causes these mechanisms to be brought into play in some cases and not in others, or by self-administration of a drug but n...

Ethnic differences in drinking outcomes following a brief alcohol intervention in the trauma care setting

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions All three ethnic groups evidenced reductions in drinking at 6- and 12-month follow-up independent of treatment assignment. Among Hispanics, BMI reduced alcohol intake significantly as measured by average volume per week, percentage days heavy drinking and maximum amount consumed in 1 day. (Source: Addiction)

Smoking cessation patterns and predictors of quitting smoking among the Japanese general population: a 1-year follow-up study

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Japanese smokers attempt to quit at a lower rate than smokers in the United Kingdom and United States, but factors that predict attempts (primarily markers of motivation) and success of attempts (primarily dependence) are similar to those found in western samples. (Source: Addiction)

Options for global tobacco control beyond the Framework Convention in Tobacco Control

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Addiction)

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Can hepatitis C virus prevalence be used as a measure of injection-related human immunodeficiency virus risk in populations of injecting drug users? An ecological analysis

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) outbreaks occur among injecting drug users (IDUs), but where HIV is low insight is required into the future risk of increased transmission. The relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV prevalence among IDUs is explored to determine whether HCV prevalence could indicate HIV risk.Methods Systematic review of IDU HIV/HCV prevalence data and regression analysis using weighted prevalence estimates and time[ndash]series data.Results HIV/HCV prevalence estimates were obtained for 343 regions. In regions other than South America/sub-Saharan Africa (SAm/SSA), mean IDU HIV prevalence is likely to be negligible if HCV prevalence is (Source: Addiction)

Evidence of a complex association between dose, pattern and timing of prenatal alcohol exposure and child behaviour problems

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Prenatal alcohol exposure at moderate and higher levels increased the odds of child behaviour problems with the dose, pattern and timing of exposure affecting the type of behaviour problems expressed. Larger studies with more power are needed to confirm these findings. (Source: Addiction)

Outcome of long-term heroin-assisted treatment offered to chronic, treatment-resistant heroin addicts in the Netherlands

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Long-term HAT is an effective treatment for chronic heroin addicts who have failed to benefit from methadone maintenance treatment. Four years of HAT is associated with stable physical, mental and social health and with absence of illicit heroin use and substantial reductions in cocaine use. HAT should be continued as long as there is no compelling reason to stop treatment. (Source: Addiction)

Prevention programs in the 21st century: what we do not discuss in public

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Prevention research concerning alcohol, tobacco and other drugs faces a number of challenges as the scientific foundation is strengthened for the future. Seven issues which the prevention research field should address are discussed: lack of transparency in analyses of prevention program outcomes, lack of disclosure of copyright and potential for profit/income during publication, post-hoc outcome variable selection and reporting only outcomes which show positive and statistical significance at any follow-up point, tendency to evaluate statistical significance only rather than practical significance as well, problem of selection bias in terms of selecting subjects and limited generalizability, the need for confirmation of outcomes in which only self-report data are used and selection of appr...

Heroin-assisted treatment in Switzerland: a case study in policy change

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion A major change in drug policy was effectively realised under typical conditions of a federalist country with a longstanding tradition of democratic consensus building. Facilitating factors were the size and visibility of the heroin problem, the rise of the Aids epidemic, and a pragmatic attitude of tolerating private initiatives opening the way to official policy change. (Source: Addiction)

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Estimating driver risk using alcohol biomarkers, interlock blood alcohol concentration tests and psychometric assessments: initial descriptives

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The findings suggest that several alcohol biomarkers and assessments could play an important role in the prediction and control of driver alcohol risk when re-licensing. (Source: Addiction)

Failure to reduce drinking and driving in France: a 6-year prospective study in the GAZEL cohort

Addiction — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions A recent crackdown on road violations by the French government has failed to deter DWI. Given that DWI seems to be a sporadic and rarely punished behaviour, its prevention requires more coercive measures, such as using a breath alcohol ignition interlock device. (Source: Addiction)

Quantification of a Methadone Metabolite (EDDP) in Urine: Assessment of Compliance.

Clin Med Res — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion For the first time, urine analyses may be used to monitor methadone over- or under-use in a clinical setting, regardless of the state of patient hydration or the manipulation of a sample by addition of another substance, such as bleach, soap, or even methadone, which could render an appropriate sample inappropriate or an inappropriate sample appropriate. A similar approach may prove useful for other drug treatments, allowing for more accurate monitoring of commonly abused prescription medications. PMID: 19920164 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clin Med Res)

A review of undergraduate university tobacco control policy process in Canada

Health Education Research — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:59:59 +0100

The college years occur during the stage of life when many people develop permanent smoking habits, and approximately one-third go on to become addicted smokers. The 18–24 year demographic that makes up the majority of undergraduate attendees represents the earliest years that the tobacco industry now can legally attempt to lure new customers into smoking. This research investigated the ways in which university tobacco control policies are developed, introduced to students, faculty and staff and how they are implemented and enforced. Findings show that tobacco control initiatives at Canadian undergraduate universities face a wide range of challenges including a lack of dedicated and consistent tobacco control personnel, ownership issues, funding, enforcement and monitoring dilemmas. ...

So Much To Know!

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:29:08 +0100

I wonder how many folks in the general population know that according to "the experts" there are currently ten different personality disorders. I have always been fascinated with the diagnostic value of "personality disorders." I wrote about them in my latest book "The PDR Guide to Pediatric and Adolescent Mental Health" (Thomson Reuters, 2009). What is fascinating about these characterological gems is that you can literally see how they lead to drug abuse and addiction. For example, Borderline Personality Disorder includes abuse/addiction as one of the defining points. Regardless of how "we professionals" may choose to band together symptoms, rehabilitation facilities must have staff who are aware of them and more importantly, know how to address them. For example, at a facility such as C...

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Alkermes Announces Positive Results from Phase 3 Clinical Study of Naltrexone for Extended-Release Injectable Suspension for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:59:53 +0100

— Once-Monthly, Non-Addictive Treatment Significantly Reduced Opioid Use in Multicenter, Six-Month Study — — Company to File for FDA Approval in the First Half of Calendar 2010 — CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

"It's Important for Me to Get My Jabs In:" Passive Aggressive Behavior on VH-1's "Sex Rehab"

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:14:56 +0100

Dr. Drew is always good for shedding light on mental health issues; Keri Ann's passive aggressive note to Kendra, on the third episode of VH-1's "Sex Rehab," ought to provide some good material to process in the group's sessions. Check out this clip to watch passive aggresion in action:http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1626189&vid=455635Notice how Keri Ann, unwilling to own her own anger, declares, "This is her anger..." referring to her castmate, Kendra. Passive aggressive people operate by getting others to act out the anger that they are harboring. If you have time, check out the rest of the episode and watch how Kendra is hooked into the passive aggressive dance.What do you think about how Keri Ann signs the note? "I'd love to be your friend...Love, Keri Ann xoxo" A little inc...

GSK and Nabi Announce Agreement for NicVAX(R), a Vaccine for Nicotine Addiction

HSMN NewsFeed — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:57:47 +0100

Upfront and Potential Consideration of Over $500 Million LONDON and ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 16, 2009 --(HSMN NewsFeed) -- GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (GSK) and Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (Nabi) today announced an exclusive worldwide option and licensing ag... Biopharmaceuticals, LicensingNabi Biopharmaceuticals, NicVAX, nicotine vaccine (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

Public Health Experts Call On The Scottish Parliament To Do The Right Thing And Introduce Minimum Pricing For Alcohol

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

At the Faculty of Public Health Scottish conference in Peebles, delegates called on the Scottish and UK governments to introduce new measures to curb binge drinking, anti-social behaviour and to tackle Scotland's increasing alcohol-related health problems. Scotland has one of the fastest growing chronic liver disease rates in the world, and one in three divorces is linked to alcohol problems. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Public Health Experts Call On The Scottish Parliament To Do The Right Thing And Introduce Minimum Pricing For Alcohol

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

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GSK and Nabi announce agreement for NicVAX®, a vaccine for nicotine addiction

GSK news — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

- Upfront and potential consideration of over $500 million (Source: GSK news)

GSK And Nabi Announce Agreement For NicVAX, A Vaccine For Nicotine Addiction

Pharmaceutical Online News — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:27:00 +0100

GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (GSK) and Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (Nabi) recently announcedan exclusive worldwide option and licensing agreement for a nicotine conjugate candidate vaccine (NicVAX), an investigational vaccine for the treatment of nicotine addiction and the prevention of smoking relapse, as well as for the development of a second generation nicotine vaccine. (Source: Pharmaceutical Online News)

First ever large-scale study of ketamine users published

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(Wiley-Blackwell) The first ever large-scale, longitudinal study of ketamine users has been published online today in the journal Addiction. With Ketamine (K, Special K) use increasing faster than any other drug in the UK (British Crime Survey, 2008) this research showing the consequences of repeated ketamine use provides valuable information for users and addiction professionals alike. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Drug Use: Effects of ketamine (K) on users

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The first ever large-scale, longitudinal study of ketamine users has been published. With Ketamine (K, Special K) use increasing faster than any other drug in the UK this research showing the consequences of repeated ketamine use provides valuable information for users and addiction professionals alike. Heavy ketamine users were impaired on several measures, including verbal memory. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Intranasal Self-Administration of Remifentanil as the Foray into Opioid Abuse by an Anesthesia Resident.

Anesthesia and Analgesia — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Levine AI, Bryson EO Remifentanil is a potent mu-opioid receptor agonist that produces intense analgesia. This anilidopiperidine analog of fentanyl was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and became commercially available in the United States in 1997. Because of its unique chemical structure, remifentanil must be reconstituted; it has a rapid onset, and because of ester hydrolysis, it has a rapid rate of degradation. Although remifentanil's package insert warns against the potential for addiction, because of its rapid rate of degradation there was little concern that health care workers would abuse this drug. Herein, we report a case of intranasal remifentanil abuse by an anesthesiology resident. PMID: 19917624 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (So...

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Risk factors for suicide attempts in dual diagnosis patients. - Gimelfarb Y, Natan Z.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:18:55 +0100

BACKGROUND: Patients suffering from both psychiatric disorders and substance abuse/addiction are titled "dual diagnosis patients" (DDP). Substance abuse/addiction is associated with suicidal behavior. Although our knowledge of substance abuse/addiction and... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

FDA To Look Into Safety Of Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

FDA To Look Into Safety Of Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

The Food and Drug Administration today notified nearly 30 manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages that it intends to look into the safety and legality of their products. "The increasing popularity of consumption of caffeinated alcoholic beverages by college students and reports of potential health and safety issues necessitates that we look seriously at the scientific evidence as soon as possible," said Dr. (Source: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today)

South Africa: The Cost of Drug Addiction

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:07:29 +0100

Drug use in general can be a costly habit. Richard, who recently discovered the highly addictive Tik, has learned this the hard way. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

Authorities back down over UK drug users on benefits

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:05:08 +0100

Opponents halt plans to order them into treatmentPlans to order drug users who are on benefits into treatment have been dropped after overwhelming opposition from medical and legal experts.The government's welfare reform bill would have given Jobcentre staff powers to "order" benefit claimants to undergo tests for drug addiction. But treatment agencies and charities, alarmed at the proposal, warned that it could deter addicts from confronting their problems.Under a redrafted bill due to become law this month, benefit claimants will be asked to undergo an assessment but will not have to accept any proposed treatment.Baroness Meacher, the crossbench peer who spearheaded opposition to the proposals, told the Observer: "The government's original intention to force drug users in the welfare sys...

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Bright-Sided

Psychology Today — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0100

The positive thinking movement -- panacea or national addiction? (Source: Psychology Today)

Can You Be Addicted to Junk Food?

ABC News: Health — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:17:15 +0100

Study suggests sugary and fatty foods may be as addictive as cocaine or heroin. Heroin - Cocaine - Addiction - Drugs - Substance abuse (Source: ABC News: Health)

Expert On Risks Of Alcholic Energy Drinks Available

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Expert On Risks Of Alcholic Energy Drinks Available

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Emergency physician Mary Claire O'Brien, M.D., of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, has done extensive research on the risks and dangers of alcoholic energy drinks (AEDs). She is available to comment on her research which has been cited in the ongoing effort by state attorneys general to ban the drinks. On Nov. 13, the FDA asked 30 munaufacturers of AEDs to provide safety data related to adding caffeine and other stimulants to their products. (Source: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today)

Human Expectation Of Pleasure Enhanced By Dopamine

Neurology / Neuroscience News From Medical News Today — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Enhancing the effects of the brain chemical dopamine influences how people make life choices by affecting expectations of pleasure, according to new research from the UCL Institute of Neurology. The study, published in Current Biology, confirms an important role for dopamine in how human expectations are formed and how people make complex decisions. It also contributes to an understanding of how pleasure expectation can go awry, for example in drug addiction. (Source: Neurology / Neuroscience News From Medical News Today)

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Mental Health Correlates of Post Disaster Increases in Alcohol and Cigarette Smoking: A Vietnamese Study

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:59:40 +0100

Abstract Previous research in US populations has found associations between disaster-related variables, psychological variables, and post-disaster increases in smoking and alcohol use. To date, no research has examined this association in an international population of disaster exposed individuals. Data used in this study were drawn from a larger study involving a two-wave assessment of a disaster-affected sample of Vietnamese citizens (N = 798). Interviews were conducted to assess the effects of mental health variables and typhoon related variables on reported increases in alcohol use and cigarette smoking. Results indicate that post-disaster increases in smoking were associated with post-disaster diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder. Post-disaster increases in al...

Target of 21 days set to help drug addicts

Scotsman.com News - Health — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

DRUG addicts who need help should receive treatment within three weeks, under new targets announced yesterday. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

Peer Health Coaching: Using Web 2.0/3.0 Technologies to Generate Personal Evidence (Richard Botelho MD)

Family Medicine Digital Resources Library (FMDRL) Recently Uploaded — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Peer Coaching for Health Behavior Change: Using Web 2.0 & 3.0 Technologies to Develop Personal Evidence Using Web 2.0 & 3.0 Technologies such as wordpress, LinkedIn and Facebook, you can learn how to become the researcher of your own health behavior change. Using reflective and collaborative learning exercises, you create meaningful experiences about healthy behavior change that you can share with your colleagues. Goals-Develop personal evidence about deep change that overcomes the limitations of evidence-based guidelines that address surface change. Method-Participate in real and online groups to improve your own health habits. Outcome-You can replicate this learning process for your residents, practitioners and staff and create a health-promoting culture within your practice setting. I...

Crushing Virtual Cigarettes to Squish Addiction

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0100

Can destroying cyber-cigarettes help smokers quit? Surprisingly, a new study says yes. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Nicotine replacement helps smokers quit

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:53:35 +0100

HOUSTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Smoking cessation experts at a U.S. cancer hospital advise smokers combine nicotine replacements with counseling to help them kick their addictive habit. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

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Calendar: MIND events in November and December

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0100

NOVEMBER Dementia, you thief [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

Calendar: MIND events in November and December

Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0100

NOVEMBER Dementia, you thief [More] (Source: Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology)

The NADA-Protokoll-standardised groupacupunture for improvement of metal state in patients with different psychiatric diseases

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:54 +0100

Acupuncture provided for a single person is time- and cost consuming and there is less experience with acupuncture in psychiatric diseases because of the common opinion that acupuncture is not useful in acute crisis or severe phases of psychiatric diseases.In the 1970 a standardized earacupunture (NADA-Protocol) for treatment of drug addiction provided for a group setting of patients was developed and showed positive clinical effects: relief of agitation and disturbance of sleep, reduction of stress and relaxing effect for patients with different mental problems. The method is used in a group setting on dressed patients without need of any detailed diagnostic steps. Therefore it is very time- and cost effective and works also well on severe sick patients.The goal of the study was to invest...

Trust in God's help as a measure of intrinsic religiosity and its association with depression and life satisfaction in patients with depressive disorders and addictions

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:55:28 +0100

Purpose: There are several studies that indicate that spirituality/religiosity (SpR) may be associated with lower incidence of depression and anxiety. Most of these studies were from the US, and one may doubt that these results can easily be transferred to more secular countries. We thus indented to investigate whether patients with depressive disorders and/or addiction utilize intrinsic religiosity as a resource to cope.Methods: The sample of this cross-sectional survey contained 96 patients recruited consecutively in 3 psychotherapeutic German clinics, i.e. Oberberg Clinics Schwarzwald, Weserbergland and Berlin/Brandenburg. Their mean age was 47.2±10.5 years; 50% women; 67% had a Christian denomination; 32% none; 67% had depressive disorders and 33% addictions (mostly alcohol). To measu...

Low and middle income countries must do more to prevent spread of AIDS, experts say

BMJ Online First — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:17:12 +0100

(Source: BMJ Online First)

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Study Links Yo-Yo Dieting to Addiction

MedicineNet Diabetes General — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Study Links Yo-Yo Dieting to AddictionCategory: Health NewsCreated: 11/12/2009 2:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 11/13/2009 (Source: MedicineNet Diabetes General)

Study Links Yo-Yo Dieting to Addiction

MedicineNet Senior Health General — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Study Links Yo-Yo Dieting to AddictionCategory: Health NewsCreated: 11/12/2009 2:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 11/13/2009 (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General)

Study Links Yo-Yo Dieting to Addiction

MedicineNet Weight Management General — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Study Links Yo-Yo Dieting to AddictionCategory: Health NewsCreated: 11/12/2009 2:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 11/13/2009 (Source: MedicineNet Weight Management General)

[Addiction and recidivism in forensic psychiatry.]

Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:34:03 +0100

CONCLUSION: Because substance abuse often played a role in the delinquent behaviour that led to the detention order, it may also be a risk factor for recidivism. More research is needed so that we can increase our knowledge about the most effective ways of treating substance abuse. PMID: 19904706 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie)

Shock Figures Highlight Prevalence Of Alcohol-Related Problems, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Millions of people across the UK could be putting themselves at risk of alcohol related violence, casual sex or blackouts, according to an ICM poll carried out on behalf of the Priory Group. 61% of people questioned had been adversely affected following a night's heavy drinking. The most common occurrence was not being able to remember what had happened the night before. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Shock Figures Highlight Prevalence Of Alcohol-Related Problems, UK

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Plans to give addicts free heroin come under fire

Scotsman.com News - Health — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

PROPOSALS to provide drug addicts in Aberdeen with free heroin on the NHS, as an alternative to methadone, were condemned yesterday by opposition councillors. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

TABADO: "Evaluation of a smoking cessation program among Adolescents in Vocational Training Centers": Study protocol.

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the program which was offered to all smokers in a population aged 15 to 20 years in Vocational Training Centers (VTC). This paper presents the TABADO study protocol. Methods: The study is quasi-experimental, prospective, evaluative and comparative and takes place during the 2 years of vocational training. The final population will be composed of 2000 trainees entering a VTC in Lorraine, France, during the 2008-2009 period. The intervention group (1000 trainees) benefited from the TABADO program while no specific intervention took place in the "control" group (1000 trainees) other than the treatment and education services usually available. Our primary outcome will be the tobacco abstinence rate at 12 months.DiscussionIf the program proves effecti...

Modeling the Spatial and Temporal Dependence in fMRI Data

Biometrics — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data sets are large and characterized by complex dependence structures driven by highly sophisticated neurophysiology and aspects of the experimental designs. Typical analyses investigating task-related changes in measured brain activity use a two-stage procedure in which the first stage involves subject-specific models and the second-stage specifies group (or population) level parameters. Customarily, the first-level accounts for temporal correlations between the serial scans acquired during one scanning session. Despite accounting for these correlations, fMRI studies often include multiple sessions and temporal dependencies may persist between the corresponding estimates of mean neural activity. Further, spatial correlations between brain acti...

The transtheoretical model and substance dependence: theoretical and practical aspects.

Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

DISCUSSION: The review of the Transtheoretical Model brought intentional behavior change to light, which could broaden the understanding of addictive behaviors. Together with its concepts of processes and stages of change, the Transtheoretical Model provides professionals with the idea that the effectiveness of therapy is dependent upon the capability of the therapist to match the technique to the current motivational stage of the patient in the process of change. This demonstrates the importance of identifying the stage of change of the patient when they present for treatment. Here, we describe the principal elements of the Transtheoretical Model, as well as the instruments currently used to identify the stage of change. Finally, criticisms and limitations of the model are discussed. ...

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Differences in attention to food and food intake between overweight/obese and normal-weight females under conditions of hunger and satiety.

Appetite — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, various attention-related tasks yielded various results, suggesting that they measure different underlying processes. Strikingly, overweight/obese individuals appear to automatically direct their attention to food-related stimuli, to a greater extent than normal-weight individuals, particularly when food-deprived. Speculatively, hungry overweight/obese individuals also appear to use cognitive strategies to reduce a maintained attentional bias for food stimuli, perhaps in an attempt to prevent disinhibited food intake. However, in order to draw firm conclusions, replication studies are needed. PMID: 19922752 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Appetite)

Avoidance Viable Coping Strategy or Maladaptive Behavior?

About.com Bipolar Disorder — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:04:06 +0100

I read a comment this evening that really struck me. In response to Marcia's Addictive Personality blog, Sarah brought up the topic of avoidance - what she termed an escapist personality. "I have an escapist personality, not an addiction. My escapist personality causes me to sabotage regular activities like going for coffee with a friend, turning off my phone and ignoring/avoiding life. "I can get into a book and days will pass without a shower or a proper meal. I can watch 8 movies in a day. I can sleep for 18 hours at a time and feel absolutely guilty about all of the above. But that won't stop me from doing it again and again." I think Sarah has expressed a common theme for those with bipolar disorder, with any severe mental illness really. Avoiding ... attempting to escape those situat...

More Americans Lit Up Last Year

ABC News: Health — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:38:03 +0100

Smoking rates increased for the first time in 15 years. Health - Tobacco - Addiction - Substance Abuse - Smoking cessation (Source: ABC News: Health)

Study Links Yo-Yo Dieting to Addiction

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0100

Rats fed sugary chow suffered withdrawal when regular meals returned Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Topics: Anxiety, Diets, Weight Control (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Out of Africa: The Tobacco War's New Battleground

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0100

Africa is already beleaguered by infectious diseases, such as AIDS and malaria, but now the continent's residents face growing health threats from preventable illnesses brought on by lifestyle changes, such as from poor diets and smoking. [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

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Use Of Performance Enhancers By Athletes More Likely To Lead To Abuse Of Alcohol, Other Drugs

Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

College athletes who use performance-enhancing substances may be at heightened risk of misusing alcohol and using recreational drugs as well, according to new research in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. The study, of 234 male athletes at one university, found that those who used performance enhancers -- ranging from steroids to stimulants to weight-loss supplements -- were more likely to admit to heavy drinking and using drugs like marijuana and cocaine. (Source: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today)

Use Of Performance Enhancers By Athletes More Likely To Lead To Abuse Of Alcohol, Other Drugs

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Counseling Patients With HIV/AIDS

Psychiatric Times — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Many patients with HIV/AIDS experience numerous challenges beyond those posed by the physical effects of their disease—including poverty, mental illness, drug addiction, social alienation, racism, and homophobia. Counseling patients who face these issues can be difficult, but a careful risk assessment along with patient education can improve a patient’s ability to cope and lead to better outcomes, said Marshall Forstein, MD, associate professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass, in a presentation at the US Psychiatric Congress in Las Vegas. (Source: Psychiatric Times)

Interdisciplinary Research Team Developing Novel Drug Detection Technology

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Every time a person snorts cocaine, it doesn't just go to his or her head: It also provokes a response in the immune system, creating special biomolecules that may serve as a permanent record of each exposure. With the support of a $2. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Interdisciplinary Research Team Developing Novel Drug Detection Technology

Cancer / Oncology News From Medical News Today — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

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Nicotine, through upregulating pro-survival signaling, cooperates with NNK to promote transformation

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Cigarette smoking is a mixture of thousands of compounds, many of which are carcinogens, such as NNK [4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone]. Nicotine, as an addictive substance in cigarette, has been shown to promote growth of non-neuronal cells. It is unclear how nicotine cooperates with tobacco-related carcinogens during tumorigenesis. Here, by concurrent treatment of nicotine and NNK, we investigate the effect of the cooperation of these two compounds on cell growth and apoptosis in various different lung epithelial (RLE) or cancer (LKR) cells. We demonstrated that short-term nicotine exposure moderately activated mitogenic signaling pathways (such as PKC, ERK, and Akt) and a mediocre protection against cisplatin-mediated apoptosis. In contrast, NNK strongly stimulated mitogen...

Do You Have an Alcohol or Drug Problem?

About.com Alcoholism — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Alcohol and drug use can progress into abuse and even addiction so insidiously that sometimes people do not realize that it has become a problem for them and those around them. The following self-assessment tests can help you determine whether or not it may be time to get help. Alcohol Abuse Screening Quiz Drug Abuse Screening Quiz Could You Be Depressed? Is Your Child Using Drugs or Alcohol? Is Your Child Huffing Inhalants? Questions for Families: Are You Troubled by Someone's Drinking? Are You Enabling an Alcoholic or Addict? Did You Grow Up With a Problem Drinker? Domestic Abuse Screening Quiz Adult Child Screening Quiz Do You Have an Alcohol or Drug Problem? originally appeared on About.com Alcoholism on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 00:05:17.Permalink | Comment | Email this...

Expand Vets' Access to Methadone, Other Addiction Treatment, Report Says

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:19:56 +0100

The U.S. military's Tricare program is coming under fire for not providing reimbursement for methadone maintenance and buprenorphine treatment -- two leading pharmacological interventions for opioid addiction. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

2nd Symposium for Course Leaders Teaching Substance Misuse and Addiction in Higher Education

MEDEV Events — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:39:03 +0100

This symposium aims to provide an opportunity for course leaders/convenors of higher education addiction and/or substance misuse courses to meet and discuss academic, professional and practice issues. Themes Representing HE in the future development of the substance misuse sector workforce Addiction/substance misuse developments in Social Work and Medical School curricula Sharing practice and building networks between academic institutions Details This event has been organised for all HE course leaders/convenors that work in the area of addiction and/or substance misuse. Course leaders/convenors who have an interest in the training and development of the workforce in the substance misuse sector will find the event of particular value. In July 2009 the National Treatment Agency (NTA) he...

Clashes between the government and its expert advisers

BMJ Online First — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:44:16 +0100

(Source: BMJ Online First)

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Policy makers face a growing range of illicit drugs and aggressive marketing

BMJ Online First — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:44:16 +0100

(Source: BMJ Online First)

Dieters Can Experience Neurobiological Similarities Of Drug Addicts And Alcoholics

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Dieters Can Experience Neurobiological Similarities Of Drug Addicts And Alcoholics

Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have shown that intermittent access to foods rich in fat and sugar induces changes in the brain which are comparable to those observed in drug dependence. The findings, reported in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may explain how abstinence from these foods contributes to relapse eating among dieters as well as related eating disorders. (Source: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today)

Online Gaming Addiction: The Role of Sensation Seeking, Self-Control, Neuroticism, Aggression, State Anxiety, and Trait Anxiety

CyberPsychology — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:12:24 +0100

CyberPsychology & Behavior , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: CyberPsychology)

Subject Index Vol. 3, 1997

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:210 (DOI:10.1159/000259183) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

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Author Index Vol. 3, 1997

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:209 (DOI:10.1159/000259182) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

Forthcoming 'Special Topic Sections'

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:208 (DOI:10.1159/000259181) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

Anja Dobler-Mikola

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:207 (DOI:10.1159/000259180) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

Principles of Cooperation among the Beverage Alcohol Industry, Governments, Scientific Rsearchers, and the Public Health Community

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:205-206 (DOI:10.1159/000259179) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

Overstating the Case

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:199-204 (DOI:10.1159/000259178) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

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Use of Drugs, Coping Styles, Mental Absorption and Some Outcomes Related to Health and Social Activity

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:192-198 (DOI:10.1159/000259177) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

Epidemiological Aspects of the Use of Cannabis among University Students in Greece

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:184-191 (DOI:10.1159/000259176) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

A Psychopathological Study of Substance-Induced Psychoses in a Sample of Spanish Patients

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:173-183 (DOI:10.1159/000259175) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

Opiate Addicts in and outside Treatment Compared on Psychopathology

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:164-172 (DOI:10.1159/000259174) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

Programme for a Medical Prescription of Narcotics

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:160-163 (DOI:10.1159/000259173) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

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Springtime in European Addiction Research

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:159 (DOI:10.1159/000259172) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

Contents, Vol. 3, 1997

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:I (DOI:10.1159/000259171) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

Forthcoming 'Special Topic Sections'

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:158 (DOI:10.1159/000259170) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)

Dilemmas in Implementing Alcohol-Related Secondary Prevention in Primary Care Using a Behavioural Method

European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Eur Addict Res 1997;3:150-157 (DOI:10.1159/000259169) (Source: European Addiction Research : Last 20 articles)