The Importance of Family Dinners
The number of teens who have regular family dinners drops by 50 percent as their substance abuse risk increases sevenfold, according to a survey of 12 to 17 year olds released by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. Drug Education Program Launched
To raise awareness about the effects of drug use on the most vulnerable populations - children and adolescents - Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America is partnering with the National Institute on Drug Abuse to release a new drug abuse education effort.
Binge Drinking a 'Unhealthy' Pattern
How you drink alcohol can influence the risk of heart disease by affecting the accumulation of abdominal fat - a body characteristic shown to be an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Ecstasy Can Harm Unborn Children
Researchers have found that exposed in the womb to the drug Ecstasy during the first trimester in human pregnancy can cause changes in brain chemistry and behavior. ERs See Rise in Drug-Abuse Cases
Narcotic pain medications implicated in drug-abuse related emergency room visits rose 20 percent from 2001 to 2002, according to new estimates from the Drug Abuse Warning Network. Diuretic May Help Cocaine Addicts
A diuretic commonly used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure may improve brain blood flow in cocaine addicts, according to a study in the August 2003 issue of Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Drug Use Perpetuates Compulsive Behavior
New research shows that exposure to stimulant drugs such as amphetamine or cocaine can impair the ability of specific brain cells to change as a consequence of experience. New Nashville Music CD Celebrates Recovery
A new music CD from Nashville country music artists promotes recovery from drug and alcohol addiction while also benefiting treatment and recovery programs while including some of the finest country songs of the past 40 years. Internet Boosts Sale of Illegal Drugs, Study Shows
Web sites based outside the United States that sell illegal drugs on the Internet pose a significant public health risk and a real problem for law enforcement officials, a Pennsylvania School of Medicine study says. Teen Pitfalls - Stress, Boredom, Extra Money
The risk that teens will smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs increases sharply if they are highly stressed, frequently bored or have substantial amounts of spending money. Gene Shown to Influence College Drinking Habits
Researchers have identified a genetic factor that may predispose young people to consume more alcohol per occasion, drink expressly to become drunk, and engage in binge drinking more than students without the gene variant. Severe ADHD May Predict Alcohol Problems
Individuals with severe problems of inattention as children were more likely than their peers to report alcohol-related problems, a greater frequency of getting drunk, and heavier and earlier use of tobacco and other drugs. Peggy's Story
The getting there was the hardest part. Staying was easy. I have been clean now for over 9 years. Painkillers Increase Risk of Miscarriage
Women who take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or aspirin during pregnancy increase their risk of miscarriage by 80 percent, according to a California study. Sleep Problems in Recovering Alcoholics
Alcoholics can continue to have sleep problems for many months after they quit drinking, problems with sleep onset may be more pronounced than with sleep maintenance, and many alcoholics had sleep problems that predated the onset of alcohol dependence. Education Level Linked to Treatment Outcomes
A study has found that educational attainment may be able to predict relapse following alcohol treatment. Those who are less educated are more likely to return to drinking. Sensation-Seeking Behavior in Alcoholic Men
New research has found a genetic link between the a specific dopamine receptor gene and sensation seeking among male alcoholic patients. Meth Treatment Takes More Time
People who use or abuse methamphetamine do not necessarily need specialized treatment but do need more time in intensive outpatient or residential drug treatment than currently occurs. Brain Region That Triggers Relapse Pinpointed
Relapse among recovering drug addicts can now be linked to specific nerve cells in a particular region of the brain, according to researchers. The discovery may help pave the way for new addiction therapies and intervention strategies. Faith-Based Groups Help Ex-Offenders
Faith-based groups play an informal but significant role in helping released offenders rebuild their lives but could be more effective if communications were improved with existing social service agencies. U.S. Teens Face Addiction, PTSD, Depression
A new study of America's adolescents finds that roughly 16 percent of boys and 19 percent of girls met the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive episode and substance abuse. Addiction Relapse Similar to Other Chronic Diseases
Relapse following treatment for drug and alcohol addiction is common, predictable and preventable, according to a research report by the Caron Foundation, one of the nation's oldest and largest addiction treatment centers. Is Your Child at Risk to Use Drugs?
Teens who crave an especially great degree of stimulation and excitement have a much greater risk for drug and alcohol abuse. Five Win Award for Work in Addiction
Five Americans who are pushing the frontiers of substance abuse treatment, prevention and awareness were named recipients of the 2003 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Innovators Combating Substance Abuse award, among the most prestigious awards in the field. Mark W. Parrino, M.P.A.
Mark W. Parrino was one of the five Americans pushing the frontiers of substance abuse treatment, prevention and awareness who were named recipients of the 2003 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Innovators Combating Substance Abuse award, among the most prestigious awards in the field. | 