Articles tagged with Behavioral Addiction
West Virginia University is launching an innovative in-school mental health program to address a critical provider shortage and youth mental health crisis. The program, called the Mountaineer School-Based Mental Health Fellows Program, will place six advanced counseling graduate students in Harrison County schools each year.
A recent study found that heavy alcohol use changes signaling pathways in the brain, affecting cognitive functions like decision-making and impulse control. The mechanism involves the brain's immune system and the molecule interleukin 1β, which regulates inflammation and neurotransmitter release.
A recent study has found a significant link between fibromyalgia and increased odds of exacerbation in pain-related opioid use disorder. Researchers surveyed 125 individuals living with both conditions, revealing that those with fibromyalgia were more likely to report worsening addiction symptoms due to chronic pain.
A survey of over 2,500 teens and young adults found that vaping nicotine and THC is associated with self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dual vapers were more likely to report addiction to nicotine and feel less depressed after starting vaping.
Researchers at Texas A&M University School of Medicine have identified a specific brain circuit that characterizes how fentanyl affects the brain. Suppressing negative emotional states may increase a person's chance of overcoming opioid use disorder.
Researchers at Kyoto University found distinct patterns of gazing and brain activity in patients with kleptomania when shown relevant environmental cues. These results suggest a similar mechanism to drug addiction, potentially leading to the development of therapeutic treatments.
A new study found that individuals with a strong sense of purpose in life are less likely to drink heavily when craving alcohol. This discovery opens the door for new strategies to discourage binge drinking in college students by focusing on their mission, values, and goals.
A new poll by Michigan Medicine and U-M found that 13% of people aged 50-80 experience addiction to highly processed foods, with higher rates among women and those in poor physical or mental health. The survey used a standardized questionnaire to measure addictive eating habits.
A new study explores the relationship between fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) levels and heavy drinking patterns in young adults. Lower FAAH activity was associated with more severe drinking, increased cravings, and reduced sensitivity to alcohol's negative effects.
A new national study found that excessive screen time, especially video gaming and watching videos, is linked to an increased risk of developing OCD in US preteens. The study, led by UCSF researchers, suggests that intrusive thoughts about video game content can develop into obsessions or compulsions.
Research at Aston University found a significant link between childhood deprivation and impulsive behavior, leading to addictions and unhealthy choices later in life. The study showed that children from deprived areas had a higher discount rate, indicating a preference for immediate gratification.
Researchers believe that changes in the brain's orexin system promote drug-seeking behavior and that existing insomnia treatments could reduce or eliminate cravings. Studies have shown that blocking this system reverses addiction in animals and reduces opioid cravings in human subjects.
Research reveals that pregnant smokers decrease their daily cigarette count by an average of one cigarette per day before realizing they are pregnant. This trend continues in the month following pregnancy recognition, with a decline from nine to five cigarettes per day on average.
A Rutgers-led study of over 2,700 pairs of twins found that adolescent alcohol misuse is associated with poorer life satisfaction, physical symptoms, and self-rated health in midlife. The study's findings suggest that teenage drinking may have long-lasting indirect effects on physical health and well-being.
A new study found that women experiencing food insecurity report more symptoms of food addiction, such as compulsive eating and withdrawal symptoms. Participants in food-insecure households had significantly more food-addiction symptoms than those in food-secure households.
Binge drinking and heavy alcohol consumption increased significantly among pregnant women between 2011 and 2020. The average annual percentage change for these behaviors was greater among pregnant women compared to nonpregnant women.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that people with high 'Fear-of-Missing-Out' and 'Need-to-Belong' personality traits check their phones significantly more often when in silent mode, staying on the phone longer as well. This suggests a one-size-fits-all approach to managing smartphone distractions may be misguided.
Researchers from the University of Bath and Lancaster found that popular scales measuring technology use are related and poorly defined, failing to confirm 'addictive' behaviors. This calls into question current measures of digital technology use and its links to mental health and wellbeing.
Between 2017 and 2019, more than 1 million US youth aged 14 to 17 years became new daily tobacco users, with three-quarters of them vaping e-cigarettes daily. The majority of these young users were introduced to JUUL products, which had high nicotine concentrations and youth-appealing flavors.
A global study of over 51,000 adolescents aged 13-15 found that approximately 8.6% reported vaping in the past 30 days, with lower rates for frequent vaping. Countries with higher tobacco taxes tend to have higher adolescent vaping rates.
Leicester researchers developed an Opioid Toolkit to reduce non-cancer pain opioids prescribed by 2024. The tool provides a theory and evidence-based approach to implementing the NHS' goal, balancing workload with patient support.
A new study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (JNCCN) found that incorporating the Electronic Health Record-Enabled Evidence-Based Smoking Cessation Treatment (ELEVATE) program into electronic health records can significantly improve smoking cessation rates among cancer patients. The research demonst...
Experts warn of the risk of industry funding compromising gambling addiction research, highlighting the need for independent funding to address the pervasive problem. They propose a 1% statutory levy on the gambling industry to support research and treatment provision.
A US study found that e-cigarettes were less popular as a smoking cessation aid in 2017 compared to FDA-approved pharmaceuticals. However, researchers did not see any reduction in relapse rates among those who quit using e-cigarettes.
Research identifies maladaptive nature of drug-seeking habits as key factor in perpetuating addiction and relapse. Drug-paired cues can activate flexible goal-directed behaviors, driven by negative emotional urgency.
A study found that lack of impulse control, poor emotional regulation, and motivation for entertainment are significant predictors of problematic binge-watching. Researchers also discovered that cliffhanger endings and autoplay features can encourage excessive watching.
A recent study by the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project found that most adult vapers oppose flavor restrictions, with 82% saying they would continue vaping if flavored products were banned. Some vapers may switch to smoking cigarettes instead, highlighting potential unintended consequences of a flavor ban.
A recent study published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine found that people who wake up, smoke, and return to sleep are more likely driven by stress than nicotine addiction. To help these smokers quit, researchers recommend addressing their psychological distress and developing treatments that go beyond nicotine dependence.
A recent UC San Diego study has found that e-cigarette use does not help smokers stay off cigarettes, but rather increases the risk of relapse. Former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes were more likely to relapse compared to those who remained tobacco-free.
Researchers have discovered a new pathway in the brain that plays a key role in rewards and reinforcement. GABA neurons from the ventral tegmental area project to the nucleus accumbens shell, promoting reward processing. This finding offers new avenues for understanding psychiatric diseases such as depression and addiction.
A randomized clinical trial found that graphic warning labels on cigarette packaging changed the perception of US smokers, making them more likely to recognize the negative consequences of tobacco use and consider quitting. However, it did not significantly increase quit attempts or reduce nicotine addiction.
A novel study on young adults' heavy drinking during the pandemic reveals a reduction in problematic drinking among men and women. However, women showed significant increases in depression and anxiety symptoms compared to men.
Research at University of Strathclyde suggests frequent social media use is not necessarily linked to addiction, contradicting previous studies on attentional bias. The study tested participants' attention towards specific apps and found no association with self-reported addictive severity or established measures of engagement.
A team of neurobiologists identified a brain region, subthalamic nucleus, that predicts addiction in rats. Abnormal activity in this region was observed in future addicted individuals before punishment exposure.
A systematic review of the Yale Food Addiction Scale reveals that clinical and non-clinical samples with higher body mass and incidence of eating disorders exhibit higher scores of YFAS. The studies also suggest that food addictions differ according to population studied and sample selection methods.
A new study from Oregon State University-Cascades found that millennials are not getting the message about sun safety and the dangers of tanning. The research suggests that those with lower self-esteem and higher narcissism rates are more likely to exhibit addictive tanning behavior, driven by a desire for improved appearance.
Researchers found increased brain activity in the insula and frontal cortex of problem gamblers when exposed to gambling cues. The study suggests that targeting the insula could be a promising approach for treating problem gambling.
A University of Liverpool study found that people who believed they were food addicts ate fewer calories and spent less time tasting unhealthy foods. This perception reduced their concern about eating behavior, leading to decreased consumption.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that people with compulsive sexual behavior seek out new sexual images more frequently than others. They are also more susceptible to environmental cues linked to sexual images, which can trigger their addiction.
A recent study has identified distinct patient profiles in terms of associated violence and/or criminal acts, influencing treatment development. The findings reveal significant differences in sociodemographic, consumption, and psychopathological variables between patients with and without these issues.
A University of Cambridge study found that brain activity in people with compulsive sexual behavior is similar to that triggered by drugs in the brains of drug addicts. The ventral striatum, dorsal anterior cingulate, and amygdala regions were more active in individuals with compulsive sexual behavior compared to healthy volunteers.
The concept of food addiction is being debated as a potential mental disorder, with some studies suggesting that certain obese individuals exhibit addictive-like behavior towards food. However, more evidence is needed to support inclusion in the DSM, and experts caution against over-diagnosing disorders.
A study found that physical manifestations of shame in recovering alcoholics can predict relapse, with those displaying greater shame behaviors more likely to relapse and experience worsening health.
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.
Researchers identified a brain pathway imbalance linked to addictive behavior, which may also underlie less severe compulsive behaviors. The study's findings could lead to better understanding and monitoring of various compulsive behaviors.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that frequent tanning bed users exhibit brain activity and blood flow patterns similar to those of people addicted to drugs or alcohol. The study suggests that the rewarding effects of tanning beds may lead to compulsive behavior despite the increased risk of skin cancer.
A new study found that using fake cigarettes can significantly boost a smoker's chances of quitting. The research analyzed the effectiveness of nicotine-free inhalers in helping people overcome their addictive behavior and ritual of smoking.
Research reveals prenatal exposure to nicotine increases vulnerability to nicotine self-administration in adolescent mice, making them more likely to start smoking and susceptible to addictive effects. The study supports the hypothesis that adolescents with prenatal nicotine exposure are more prone to nicotine addiction.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham are using MRI technology to investigate whether brain abnormalities can predict drug addiction. The three-year study aims to understand why some people become addicted while others do not, with a focus on the frontal cortex and its role in decision-making.
A study found that frequent energy drink consumption is associated with increased risk of substance use, unsafe sexual activity, and other forms of risk-taking among college students. Energy drink consumption may serve as a screening indicator for identifying students at risk for problem behavior syndrome.
Researchers found that rats most susceptible to addictive drugs had stronger nicotinic acetylcholine receptor responses, which can increase brain excitation and reward. This suggests that targeting these receptors may be a promising approach for treating multiple addictions.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo are investigating endocannabinoid, the 'brain's own marijuana,' to regulate stress and anxiety. The study aims to develop a new pharmacotherapy strategy for stress-related mood disorders.
A landmark Carnegie Mellon University study found that people who know they are addicted to drugs tend to underestimate the intensity of their cravings. This underestimation can lead to a higher willingness to take risks and engage in behaviors that increase the likelihood of relapse. The study suggests that teaching individuals to ant...
A randomized, controlled study evaluated four behavioral drug abuse treatments for reducing methamphetamine use and risky sexual behavior among gay and bisexual methamphetamine addicts. Treatment produced immediate, three-fold reductions in both methamphetamine use and risky sexual behavior.
A study in Tobacco Control found that nicotine addiction symptoms appear within weeks of starting to smoke, rather than gradually. Almost two-thirds of smokers exhibited symptoms of dependency, with cravings and feelings of addiction being the most common initial symptoms.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that symptoms of nicotine dependence can appear within four weeks or even just a few days of starting to smoke. The research team monitored over 700 teenagers and found that nearly two-thirds developed at least one symptom of addiction, with feeling addicted being the most common initial symptom.
Researchers discovered that nicotine uses a mechanism responsible for learning and memory to enhance neural connections and induce an enduring memory trace. This finding suggests new targets for drugs designed to block nicotine craving.
A study combining disulfiram (Antabuse) with buprenorphine found that participants who received both experienced longer periods of cocaine abstinence and achieved continuous abstinence sooner than those receiving only buprenorphine. No significant differences were observed in opiate abstinence between the two groups.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse's Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment outline essential components of effective treatment based on 30 years of research. The guide highlights the importance of individualized approaches and treatment effectiveness.
Researchers have identified two brain chemicals, delta-FosB and GluR2, as major contributors to the addiction process. The study found that delta-FosB increases sensitivity to cocaine reward by activating genes involved in glutamate receptors, leading to compulsive behavior.