MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'addiction research'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:14:01 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4532577&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fall-about-addiction%2F Image via WikipediaSpecial issue of Neuron examines the new neuroscience of substance abuseAddiction is a brain disease that destroys lives, devastates families and tears at the very fabric of society. Effective prevention and treatment of addiction requires a clear understanding of the complex brain mechanisms that underlie addictive behaviors, and research has provided a fascinating view of how substance abuse hijacks neuronal circuits involved in reward and motivation and causes profound and persistent changes in behavior. Now, a special issue of the journal Neuron, published on February 24th by Cell Press, provides new insight into to the most recent advances in addiction research and highlights the complexities associated with the neurobiological and societal impacts of addiction, as ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4532577 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:06:00 +0100 4532577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122067&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35797&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewrecovery.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Foriginally-posted-on-hellowellness.html [Originally posted on hellowellness.in on Oct. 29 2010] Everyone concerned with addiction recovery knows the importance of motivation.  As Darlene, a heroin addict portrayed in Dr. Lonny Shavelson’s wonderful book Hooked, tells her psychiatrist, “You can talk at an addict until you’re blue in the face, but if they don’t want to get clean, they’ll tell you to f**k off.”  Almost every treatment modality works if the patient is motivated;  nothing works at all if the patient isn’t.  A group of counselors and researchers grouped under the umbrella label of Motivational Interviewing has been working for a couple of decades on cracking the secret of motivation, and they’ve shown a series of positive results.  Their latest success comes in the highly chall... New Recovery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122067 Sat, 30 Oct 2010 21:17:00 +0100 4122067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122073&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35797&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewrecovery.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fdrive-to-thrive.html [Originally published Sept. 4 2010 on hellowellness.in]The great majority of young people who experience the death of a parent, divorce, emotional or physical abuse, substance abuse, mental illness, developmental disabilities, and similar ordeals end up OK.  They recover, form healthy relationships, have good marriages, and become productive citizens. That, at least, is the finding of numerous studies in a diversity of cultures, summarized by the researcher Bonnie Benard at the outset of her book on Resiliency.  I shouldn’t have been surprised.  I lost my father before I was born, I survived bombing raids, childhood malnutrition and diseases, numerous changes of home, several addictions, and I’m OK.  And I’m not alone.  I know lots of people with worse e... New Recovery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122073 Sat, 30 Oct 2010 18:08:00 +0100 4122073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122076&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35797&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewrecovery.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fstiffness-of-mind.html [Originally posted Sept. 4 2010 on hellowellness.in]If the brain is like a muscle, then the onset of addiction is like rheumatism -- a growing stiffness and pain with movement.  That, at least, is the finding of a group of international researchers based in France, and published in a recent issue of Science.  The scientists studied what happens in the brains of rats when exposed to various addictive substances.  Rats and scores of other species from the great apes down to tiny worms and fruit flies, can be turned into addicts by infusing their bloodstreams with the addictive substance.  Researchers either hook up the animals to intravenous tubes that inject the drug, or they confine the animals in a vapor chamber where the air is infused with the substance.  I... New Recovery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122076 Sat, 30 Oct 2010 17:53:00 +0100 4122076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4025778&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35797&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewrecovery.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fgenetics-dna-causation-unravels.html In several earlier posts here, I quoted from scientific journals reporting on the findings of modern genetic research -- or rather, the surprising absence of such findings.  For the first time ever, science has the tools to find out exactly where the genes are that we have long believed underly major diseases.  What the tools are telling us is that the supposed genetic causality isn't there, or it's much weaker than previously thought.  We can now say with confidence that the "alcoholism gene" does not exist; that the genetic contribution to alcoholism, such as it is, is spread over an as yet unknown number of genes, each of which has only a minute influence, and that this influence is profoundly mixed up with and moderated by environmental factors. Now the current issue of ... New Recovery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4025778 Sat, 02 Oct 2010 03:11:00 +0100 4025778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3640990&cid=t_185793_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fwhat-happens-to-your-body-when-you-stop-smoking-part-2-%25e2%2580%2593-new%2F This is the second in a series of posts by Bill from California, a Blisstree reader, former smoker, and active member of our passionate community of commenters. Read Bill’s first post here, where you’ll also find Blisstree’s original smoking post by Liz Lewis. Am I a Former Smoker? Part 2 Bias and Activism In the Public Health Community I’ve been put off by the aggressive efforts from the more extreme elements of the public health community. Though my own field is very different, I’m close to this subject because my wife is a researcher on public health issues. (I hasten to add that she’s not among the radicals I’m targeting here.) In my opinion, the worst of these efforts are biased and even propagandistic. They’re a clear violation of basic s... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3640990 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:34:28 +0100 3640990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3522614&cid=t_185793_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fwhat-happens-to-your-body-when-you-stop-smoking-part-2-%25e2%2580%2593-new%2F This is the second in a series of posts by Bill from California, a Blisstree reader, former smoker, and active member of our passionate community of commenters. Read Bill’s first post here, where you’ll also find Blisstree’s original smoking post by Liz Lewis. Am I a Former Smoker? Part 2 Bias and Activism In the Public Health Community I’ve been put off by the aggressive efforts from the more extreme elements of the public health community. Though my own field is very different, I’m close to this subject because my wife is a researcher on public health issues. (I hasten to add that she’s not among the radicals I’m targeting here.) In my opinion, the worst of these efforts are biased and even propagandistic. They’re a clear violation of basic s... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3522614 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:52:28 +0100 3522614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3122201&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2Fb0Wiv1AfTyw%2F I frequently point out the lack of outrage over the epidemic of opiate dependence and the consequence of that epidemic.  I live in ‘middle America,’ and sometimes it seems that everyone I know has some connection to opiate dependence– a relative who is an addict, a friend who died, a parent who is in prison.  My perceptions are admittedly distorted by the work that I do, but I don’t know who has the more accurate perceptions; me or the people who seem surprised to hear that most high school kids know where they could get heroin.  Addicts who I treat who come down from the U.P. of Michigan tell me that heroin is very easy to get up there now, even cheaper than oxycodone.  I guess that’s to be expected, given the horrible economic situation up there.  One... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3122201 Sat, 26 Dec 2009 04:56:51 +0100 3122201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105066&cid=t_185793_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F19%2Faddicted-to-sex-the-internet-friendship%2F Some would argue that one can become “addicted” to the Internet. I’ve argued for over a decade this is a fairly ridiculous assertion that doesn’t even withstand a simple test of logic. Because if we can become addicted to the pipes that bring us information and friendship, it stands to reason one can become “addicted” to virtually anything in the world — sex, cake, shopping, TV, reading, the Internet, even friendship itself. Where do we draw the line and how? Why single out Internet use as its own disorder, but not someone who can’t be pried from in front of the TV 30 hours a week? Or from reading a book? I’m certainly not alone noting how the term “Internet addiction” helps sells newspapers more than it helps us understand ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105066 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:30:03 +0100 3105066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2972055&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35797&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewrecovery.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fgoodbye-genetics-hello-epigenetics.html For the first time in history, science now has tools that can definitively answer long-standing questions about the role of genetics as the cause of diseases.  So far, the results have been devastating for believers in genetic causality.  The better we can see, the less genetic causality we find. I've previously summarized the minimalist findings of modern genetics research for a number of psychiatric disorders, including addiction, here and here in this blog, and in my book, Empowering Your Sober Self. Now comes another blockbuster study, this time of schizophrenia, a disease commonly believed to have a strong genetic component.  According to the November issue of Scientific American, summarizing a recent report in Nature, "three crack teams of investigators ... New Recovery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2972055 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:10:00 +0100 2972055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2406210&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35797&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewrecovery.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fdont-drink-that-marshmallow.html The marshamallow experiments are famous by now, thanks in large part to Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence books, and their relevance to addiction seems obvious.  In 1968, Stanford psychology prof Walter Mischel presented four-year olds with a marshmallow and the choice: Eat it now, or wait 15 minutes and get two.  The kids who could delay the gratification ended up, a decade and more later, with higher SAT scores, higher graduation rates, better jobs -- in short, twice as many of the marshmallows life had to offer.  It was often believed that the kids who could delay gratification did so thanks to more "will power."  Mischel -- according to a helpful and informative summary in this week's New Yorker, by Jonah Lehrer -- analyzed what this "will power" really consisted of.  He pa... New Recovery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2406210 Thu, 14 May 2009 18:52:00 +0100 2406210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2112339&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35823&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAddictionInbox%2F%7E3%2FBa7nVF4pC6g%2Faddiction-research-highlights.html Clinical studies in 2008.Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence—a free online newsletter from the Boston Medical Center—offers summaries of relevant clinical research on drugs of abuse and related drug issues.In the November-December 2008 issue, the editors present “a comprehensive guide to all the clinically relevant research articles published by the newsletter in 2008.”Herewith, a brief sampling:Topiramate Reduces Drinking in Adults With Alcohol Dependence“Topiramate may decrease alcohol consumption among people with alcohol dependence by reducing the release of dopamine.”Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal Is Poor Despite Proven Therapies“Evidence-based practice guidelines are clear that patients at risk for alcohol withdrawal should be monitored and treated with... Addiction Inbox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2112339 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:02:00 +0100 2112339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1488160&cid=t_185793_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F06%2F02%2Fvirtual-therapy-for-alcoholics%2F glumbert - Become A Virtual Alcoholic A common theme of addiction recovery counseling is the idea that you should avoid situations that trigger cravings. But that’s not always so easy. So therapists have often use role-playing techniques to help people discover the their best method of avoidance. Now Patrick Bordnick, a University of Houston researcher, has taken this one step further and has been creating virtual reality scenarios designed to prepare alcoholics for situations that could trigger drinking. He enlisted 40 alcohol dependent participants to test the effectiveness of this virtual world therapy. Putting on virtual reality headsets, the participants entered into a number of tempting environments such a kitchen filled with various forms of alcohol and a party in a small apar... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1488160 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:50:33 +0100 1488160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=783967&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fnicotine-the-brain%2F This study paves the way for determining whether medications normalize the number of receptors and why some smokers, such as women and those with neuropsychiatric disorders, have more difficulty quitting smoking." Research report: Staley, J. K., et al. (2006) Human Tobacco Smokers in Early Abstinence Have Higher Levels of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors than Nonsmokers. J. Neurosci., 26: 8707-8714. From; Join Together Online Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=783967 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:58:26 +0100 783967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=758735&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fdual-dependence-2%2F Conclusions: Alcohol use is an important and under-rated problem in the treatment of drug misusers. A comprehensive assessment of alcohol use among drug misusers should include separate assessments of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems and severity of alcohol dependence. Research; Gossop, Michael; Marsden, John; Stewart, Duncan. Dual dependence: assessment of dependence upon alcohol and illicit drugs, and the relationship of alcohol dependence among drug misusers to patterns of drinking, illicit drug use and health problems. Addiction; Volume 97(2), February 2002, p 169-178. Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=758735 Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:27:47 +0100 758735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=730449&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation.com%2Fcharacteristics-of-children-of-alcoholics%2F This article reviews important research results, with emphasis on findings generated by the alcohol-research community. Attention also is given to examining the empirical validity of concepts that have been advanced by several influential clinicians from the COA field. ALCOHOL HEALTH & RESEARCH WORLD, VOL. 21, NO. 3, 1997 Brief-TSF manual US$9.95 Buy Now with Paypal, Visa or Mastercard Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by Email (Source: Twelve Step Facilitation.com) Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=730449 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:55:41 +0100 730449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=730804&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35813&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.encognitive.com%2Fgambling-addiction%2Flinks%2Frisky-business-the-gaming-industry-courts-older-gamblers-2007-jun-23.html An interesting article from the June 2007 AARP Bulletin by read more (Source: ENCOGNITIVE.COM - Gambling Addiction) ENCOGNITIVE.COM - Gambling Addiction blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=730804 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 19:05:55 +0100 730804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=730490&cid=t_185793_151_f&fid=35797&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewrecovery.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fmonkeys-demonstrate-nicotine-reward.html Squirrel monkeys in cages will press a lever up to 600 times to get a shot of nicotine, researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have found. The study demonstrates that nicotine has the same rewarding effect in nonhuman primates as other drugs of addiction. Source. (Source: New Recovery) New Recovery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=730490 Mon, 26 Feb 2007 18:04:00 +0100 730490