Want to stop smoking? See a specialist!
A study of over 10,000 people found that seeing a specialist increased quit rates by three times compared to self-trying. Buying nicotine patches or gum did not improve success rates.
Addiction
Articles tagged with Addiction
The smoking gun: Fish brains and nicotine
A new study from Carnegie Institution researchers used zebrafish to understand the circuitry underlying nicotine addiction. The research confirmed that a specific neural pathway in fish brains responds similarly to nicotine as it does in human brains.
New clues to memory formation may help better treat dementia
Researchers at UH have discovered that a specific protein inhibits gamma lobe neurons, which are involved in forming memories. This finding has implications for treating dementia by understanding how memories form.
Cannabis use among teens is on the rise in some developing countries
A recent study found that cannabis use among adolescents is stable or increasing in developing countries, unlike richer nations where it's declining. The research suggests that socioeconomic factors may play a role in shaping cannabis use patterns among young people.
Quitting smoking easier for social media users
A recent study found that people who engage in health-specific social networking sites are more likely to quit smoking and maintain abstinence. The study suggests that increased social connectedness on these sites leads to a stronger sense of community, trust, and self-efficacy, ultimately aiding smokers in quitting
Underage youth get cigarettes and alcohol from friends and family, survey shows
A majority of underage students in Ontario who smoke or drink obtain their substances from friends or family members. The survey found that males are more likely to buy cigarettes from corner stores than females, while females are more likely to receive alcohol from a friend or family member.
Partner violence linked to specific drinking environments
Research links male violence with drinking in public places and female violence with quiet evenings at home. The study suggests that certain drinking contexts can trigger partner aggression.
NIH awards CCNY $1.5 million to train addiction researchers
The City College of New York has received a $1.5 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to train researchers in addiction studies. The TRACC program aims to increase diversity among scientists and provide intensive training in interdisciplinary research skills.
Mental health youth report paves the way for improved access to youth services
A new report by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that two in five youth receiving services experience significant concurrent mental health and substance use problems. The study also showed that increased collaboration between service providers can enhance services for youth.
Study highlights need for more social responsibility by online gaming industry
A new study highlights the need for more social responsibility by online gaming industry regarding over-addictive use. Researchers found that warning messages on loading screens are insufficient and game developers must adopt strategies to promote responsible gameplay and provide gamers with tools to control their behavior.
Why shopaholics overspend? Poor credit management, buying to boost mood, study says
A new study by San Francisco State University researchers identifies specific behaviors that lead to compulsive buying, including poor credit management and emotional purchases. The study found that shopaholics are more likely to buy things to boost their mood or improve their life.
NIH launches neurological drug development projects
The NIH has launched three new projects to develop therapeutics for Fragile X syndrome, nicotine addiction, and age-related macular degeneration. Researchers aim to create novel treatments using cutting-edge science to address debilitating disorders.
Uncovering a healthier remedy for chronic pain
A Duke University study found that a compound called neuroprotectin D1 can relieve neuropathic pain caused by nerve injuries. The derivative of DHA, a main ingredient of fish oil supplements, inhibits the production of cytokines and chemokines, protecting nerve cells from further damage.
CAMH scientists discover genetic changes that may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia
Researchers identified large rare changes in chromosome structure associated with schizophrenia, similar to those found in autism spectrum disorder. These findings suggest a potential role for clinical DNA testing in understanding the complex disease.
New brain imaging study provides support for the notion of food addiction
A recent brain imaging study by Boston Children's Hospital suggests that consuming highly processed carbohydrates can stimulate the brain's reward and craving centers, leading to excessive hunger. Limiting high-glycemic index foods may help obese individuals control their appetite.
Action needed to help tobacco users quit across the globe
More than half of WHO FCTC signatory countries lack tobacco quit plans, with only 44% having treatment guidelines. Tobacco dependence treatment is a cost-effective way to save lives, according to expert comments.
CAMH policy study outlines ways to reduce alcohol harms
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has released a summary report highlighting the need for improved policies to address drinking behaviours in Ontario. The report recommends 10 policy improvements to decrease alcohol-related harms and costs in the province.
Childhood abuse linked with food addiction in adult women
A new study finds that women who experienced childhood abuse are more likely to have a food addiction, with eight percent meeting the criteria for food addiction. Women who experienced both physical and sexual abuse in childhood had an even higher likelihood of developing food addiction.
Study of 'screen time' on mood, memory, and cognition wins top NIH Addiction Science Award
A high school student's project found that excessive screen time shapes sleep patterns, compromising academic success and emotional health. The study also linked fetal alcohol exposure to an increased risk of type 1 diabetes.
New program successful in reducing service and substance use among frequent health care users
A new program, co-led by St. Michael's Hospital, has shown promise in reducing service use and substance abuse among frequent healthcare users with severe addictions. The Toronto Community Addiction Team provides one-on-one intensive case management, resulting in a statistically significant decrease in service use, alcohol, and drug use.
Theta brainwaves reflect ability to beat built-in bias
Researchers found that theta brainwave activity in the prefrontal cortex is related to overcoming ingrained biases. The study used a custom-designed computer game to measure subjects' ability to repress Pavlovian biases, with those who performed better showing higher theta activity.
Teen girls less successful than boys at quitting meth in UCLA pilot research study
A UCLA-led study found that teen girls are more likely to continue using methamphetamine during treatment, suggesting a need for new approaches. The study suggests that gender differences in addiction may begin in adolescence.
Tobacco companies keep people smoking despite UK cigarette tax increases
A recent study found that UK tobacco companies absorb increasing taxes on ultra-low-price cigarettes, maintaining prices and market share. This strategy undermines the effectiveness of cigarette taxes in reducing smoking rates.
CAMH study shows mental illness associated with heavy cannabis use
Researchers from CAMH found that people with mental illnesses are more than seven times more likely to use cannabis weekly compared to those without a mental illness. The study also shows that individuals with mental illness were 10 times more likely to have a cannabis use disorder.
Genetics might determine which smokers get hooked
A genetic risk score has been developed to predict who is likely to become a lifelong heavy smoker. Individuals with high-risk genetic profiles were more likely to start smoking as teens, progress to heavy smoking, and develop nicotine dependence.
UNC study shows how 2 brain areas interact to trigger divergent emotional behaviors
Researchers used optogenetics to study the interaction between two brain regions involved in emotional behavior. They found that stimulating one pathway increased anxiety-like behavior, while stimulating another pathway promoted reward-associated behaviors.
To forgive or not to forgive: What Josh Hamilton tells us about sports fandom
Researchers found that fans forgave Josh Hamilton through various narratives, including offering support and attributing his actions to personal struggles. Most people extended forgiveness due to perceived similarity with Hamilton's public struggles with addiction.
It's a sure thing: Knowledge of the game is not an advantage in sports gambling
A study published in Psychopathology found that sports gamblers who believed they could control the outcome using knowledge of the game were actually no more successful than those with no prior experience or knowledge. Cognitive therapy may be a better approach for treating this type of addiction.
Single gene might explain dramatic differences among people with schizophrenia
A new imaging-genetics study from CAMH found that a specific version of the microRNA-137 gene is associated with younger age at onset and distinct brain features in patients with schizophrenia. The study suggests that developing tests to screen for this gene could help treat patients earlier and more effectively.
Unhealthy drinking widespread around the world, CAMH study shows
A new CAMH study shows that alcohol is the third leading cause of disease and injury worldwide, with vast differences in drinking patterns across regions. The research found that North Americans and Canadians drink significantly more than the global average, with a detrimental drinking pattern characterized by bingeing.
Drop in alcohol-related deaths by nearly a third follows minimum alcohol price increase of 10 percent
A recent study found that minimum alcohol prices increased by 10% resulted in significant reductions in alcohol-related deaths. The decrease was particularly pronounced among heavier drinkers, who reduced their consumption when cheaper drinks became more expensive.
Cutting in and weaving irritate drivers the most, new CAMH study on road rage shows
A new study by CAMH found that cutting in and weaving are the most common online complaints about unsafe driving practices. The study analyzed over 5,000 entries from RoadRagers.com and found that drivers feel compelled to retaliate when slighted, leading to hostile situations.
Alcohol pricing policies save lives and increase profits, experts say
Experts say setting minimum prices for alcohol increases health and economic benefits, with research showing a reduction in overall consumption, deaths, and hospitalizations. Heavy drinkers are targeted by pricing strategies, which can also generate revenue for the government and industry profits.
Put the kettle on? When tea drinkers were viewed as irresponsible as whiskey drinkers
In early 19th-century Ireland, women who drank tea were seen as reckless and uncontrollable, wasting their time and money on a supposedly luxury they couldn't afford. This perception was fueled by concerns about tea's supposed addictive qualities and its associations with slavery and revolutionary feminism.
Less wait for travel could reduce drinking and driving in people with 'urgency' personality trait
Studies by University of Missouri psychologists found that individuals with 'urgency' personality tend to drive after drinking due to impulsivity. Reducing travel wait times for taxis and public transit could provide a safe alternative, helping to lower DWI rates.
Cell phone addiction similar to compulsive buying and credit card misuse, according to Baylor study
A Baylor University study found that materialism and impulsiveness drive cell phone addiction. Cell phones are used as a status symbol and can erode personal relationships.
Adolescents with low status among peers are more likely to become adult smokers
A new Swedish study reveals that adolescents with lower peer status are at a higher risk of becoming regular or heavy smokers in adulthood. Researchers found that marginalized students, those nominated few times by their classmates, were more likely to adopt smoking as a behavior.
Less than half of youth with mental illness received adequate follow-up care, new study finds
A new study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that less than half of Ontario youth aged 15-19 with a psychiatric diagnosis received follow-up care within a month after discharge. This lack of timely aftercare is linked to demographics, diagnoses, and socioeconomic status.
CAMH scientist wins Polanyi Prize
Dr. Aristotle Voineskos has won the prestigious Polanyi Prize for his research combining brain imaging and genetics to improve diagnostic classification and treatment strategies for severe mental illness.
Programs for treating addiction in doctors pose ethical issues
State physician health programs help doctors with substance abuse problems, but their system is inconsistent and prone to potential conflicts of interest. The authors recommend increased oversight and national standards to address these concerns.
Close call – bad weather drives up phone calls to our nearest and dearest
Research by Newcastle University found that uncomfortable weather leads to longer phone calls with close friends and family, while fewer calls are made to wider networks. The study analyzed data from over 1.3 million mobile phone users in Portugal, revealing the influence of weather on human behavior.
Gamblers in a spin over frustrating losses
A new study finds that near-misses are perceived as frustrating losses, stimulating the brain's reward systems and promoting addictive behavior. This leads to increased skin conductance responses and a desire to spin again quickly.
CAMH illuminates roles of novel epigenetic chemical in the brain
Researchers at CAMH have identified 5-hmC, an epigenetic modification of DNA, as playing a key role in the brain's plasticity. The study found that 5-hmC is highly enriched in genes related to synapses, suggesting its involvement in learning and memory.
Smokers who value the future are more likely to quit
Researchers at Newcastle University analyzed data from over 7,000 Australian households and found that smokers with a longer time horizon were more likely to quit smoking by 2008. Seventy-six percent of quitters fell into this category compared to 66% of those who continued to smoke.
Plain packaging of cigarettes encourages young smokers to heed health warnings
New research published in Addiction suggests that plain packaging of cigarettes can draw attention to health warnings and deter young smokers. The study found that students who were occasional or had tried smoking before paid more attention to the health warnings on plain packs.
BMC receives $2.67 million to reduce opioid risk in primary care settings
Researchers at Boston Medical Center are implementing a new model of care in primary care settings to decrease opioid misuse and addiction among patients with chronic pain. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of standardized practice guidelines and tools to improve provider monitoring and patient care.
Gladstone scientists identify brain circuitry associated with addictive, depressive behaviors
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered a specific brain circuitry associated with addictive and depressive behaviors. The study found that an imbalance in medium spiny neurons controlling movement also contributes to psychiatric disorders.
New form of intellectual disability discovered
Researchers at CAMH discovered a new form of intellectual disability linked to the NSUN2 gene mutation, affecting cognitive development and neuron functioning. The study found that this recessive disorder requires inheriting two defective genes from parents to develop intellectual disability.
New method to measure work addiction
Researchers have created a new instrument, the Bergen Work Addiction Scale, to measure work addiction. The scale assesses seven core elements of addiction and can differentiate between workaholics and non-workaholics.
Mobile technology helps explore nicotine addiction
A team of researchers used mobile devices to collect data on nicotine addiction and found that successful quitters had a weaker association between their urge to smoke and their ability to quit. The study suggests that baseline nicotine dependence and negative emotional states influence people's urge to smoke while trying to quit.
BMC physician awarded NIDA grant for addiction medicine training program
Boston Medical Center physician Jeffrey Samet, MD, received a $1.4 million NIDA grant to develop the Research in Addiction Medicine Scholars (RAMS) Program, which aims to create formal addiction medicine training programs with strong research components.
GPs should advise drinkers to keep a daily record of their drinking
A new study found that encouraging patients to monitor their daily alcohol intake, typically through keeping a record, is the most effective piece of advice in reducing drinking. This simple task raises awareness of behavior and helps individuals stay within set limits, leading to significant reductions in consumption.
BUSM student-published study focuses on khat chewing in Yemeni culture
A new study by BUSM researchers found that most medical students in Yemen believe khat chewing is harmful to health, but they won't advise patients to quit. The study highlights conflicting attitudes towards khat use among Yemeni medical students, with cultural factors possibly influencing their views.
Reigniting consumer emotions: Why are some experiences better the second time?
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that repeating experiences can renew appreciation for both the object of consumption and oneself. Participants reported enhanced emotional lives and mental health benefits from re-consumption, with various motivations including self-reflection and social sharing.
Internet addiction disorder characterized by abnormal white matter integrity
Research suggests internet addiction disorder is characterized by impaired white matter fibers in the brain, affecting emotional regulation and cognitive control. This study provides a new approach to understanding IAD, potentially leading to novel treatments.
Study finds that treatment of depression can increase work productivity
A new study from CAMH found that treatment of depression while working increases productivity, with workers experiencing moderate depression 2.5 times more likely to be highly productive compared to those without treatment.
Alcohol can lead to unsafe sex: It's official
A new study published in Addiction journal found that alcohol consumption directly impacts a person's intention to have unsafe sex. The study analyzed 12 experiments and found a significant increase in the likelihood of unprotected sex with rising blood alcohol levels.
Short walk cuts chocolate consumption in half
A 15-minute walk can cut snacking on chocolate at work in half, regardless of task difficulty or stress levels. Researchers found that employees who took a short break consumed an average of 15g, equivalent to a small 'treat size', compared to 28g for those who didn't exercise.
Norwegian study finds opening bars longer increases violence
A new Norwegian study reveals that extending pub and bar closing hours by one hour leads to a 20% increase in violent cases on weekends. The findings suggest that reducing trading hours also decreases violence by the same magnitude.
Harmful patterns of painkiller prescriptions seen among methadone patients
A study found that 18% of methadone maintenance therapy patients also received prescriptions for more than a week's supply of other opioids. This combination can lead to fatal consequences. The researchers recommend short-acting opioids for short periods and real-time prescription monitoring.