Addiction News and Research

RSS

Brain mechanisms behind compulsive behaviors in Parkinson's disease patients

New research unravels the brain mechanisms that underlie the ability of a standard drug treatment for Parkinson's to elicit compulsive behaviors in some patients with the disease. The study, published by Cell Press in the January 14th issue of the journal Neuron, provides fascinating new insight into the brain mechanisms that underlie a predisposition to behavioral addictions, such as pathological gambling and shopping.

18 Jan 2010

Medical Marijuana praises New Jersey State Assembly for removing state-wide penalties on marijuana use

Medical Marijuana Inc applauds the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate for having approved "The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act" on Monday, January 11, 2010. A804/S119 removes state-wide penalties for possession of up to two ounces of marijuana when a New Jersey licensed Physician recommends it for one of the qualified medical conditions including Aids, Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and Crohn's disease among others.

13 Jan 2010

Law enforcement and community activists join hands to support anti-marijuana cause

With President Obama leading the charge against legalization of marijuana in what he calls a "new era of responsibility," a cultural change is taking place in California as more and more community activists join law enforcement officers, former drug addicts and faith-based leaders in support of the anti-marijuana cause.

13 Jan 2010

Reducing DA dosage causes acute withdrawal symptoms in Parkinson's patients

New research has shown that reducing the dosage of dopamine agonist (DA) drugs, a mainstay treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), sometimes causes acute withdrawal symptoms similar to those reported by cocaine addicts -- including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, sweating, nausea, generalized pain, fatigue, dizziness and drug cravings. These symptoms can be severe, and are not alleviated by other PD medications.

12 Jan 2010

New federal law expands mental health coverage

The Los Angeles Times reports on the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which went into effect on Jan. 1. "Passed as part of the federal stimulus package, the act requires that insurers provide mental health coverage that's no less restrictive than traditional medical coverage. In theory, the act should enable patients needing lengthier therapy to receive it.

12 Jan 2010

Researchers identify key epigenetic mechanism that helps explain cocaine's addictiveness

Researchers have identified a key epigenetic mechanism in the brain that helps explain cocaine's addictiveness, according to research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health.

8 Jan 2010

Findings shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of visual system in brain

The laboratory of Dr. Fr-d-ric Charron, a researcher at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montr-al (IRCM), has discovered a new molecular mechanism that permits the guidance of visual nerves towards the brain.

8 Jan 2010

Rx Locker device to secure prescription medications

Due to the rising statistics about teens and prescription drug abuse, Dr. Drew Pinsky, host of Celebrity Rehab and Loveline, recently debuted the Rx Locker, a device designed to secure prescription medications within the home to restrict unauthorized access and prevent abuse.

7 Jan 2010

CAMH: Online interventions for problem alcohol use can be effective in changing drinking behaviours

A recent evaluation by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows that online interventions for problem alcohol use can be effective in changing drinking behaviours and offers a significant public health benefit.

6 Jan 2010

'Make Today the Day' public awareness campaign to quit smoking launched

At a time when many smokers consider quitting for the New Year, today is a timely launch of a partnership that joins together mutual public health interests sought by the American Lung Association in California, Healthy San Francisco and the city's Public Health Office in a citywide public awareness campaign aimed to help smokers achieve that goal.

6 Jan 2010

Medical Marijuana launches National Educational Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center

Medical Marijuana Inc is proud to announce the launch of its first National Educational Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Theatre Room on January 16 & 17, 2010.

5 Jan 2010

New Stop Smoking Quit Kit launched

A new Quit Kit developed by scientists and smokers could help people to give up smoking in the New Year.

5 Jan 2010

Physicians fail to provide pain treatment for fear of prescription drug abuse

Millions of Americans with significant or chronic pain associated with their medical problems are being under-treated as physicians increasingly fail to provide comprehensive pain treatment - either due to inadequate training, personal biases or fear of prescription drug abuse.

5 Jan 2010

Citicoline supplements may reduce cravings and increase satiety

The obesity crisis in the United States has now grown to epidemic proportion. And as the list of consequential health conditions and diseases continues to expand as well, there are major movements toward helping Americans lose weight.

5 Jan 2010

Bacterial enzyme decreases cocaine desire

A recent study shows that a bacterial protein may help cocaine addicts break the habit.

3 Jan 2010

Food addiction remains largely ignored but can be easily overcome, says psychologist

As holiday parties give way to New Year's resolutions, rehabs across the country become inundated, making early January one of the industry's busiest times of the year.

31 Dec 2009

UB neurobiologist studies the impact of acute and chronic caffeine consumption in young people

Caffeine is a stimulant drug, although legal, and adults use it widely to perk themselves up: Being "addicted" to caffeine is considered perfectly normal.

30 Dec 2009

Health gurus say recommit each Monday to resolve the smoking habit

On January 1st millions of Americans will resolve to quit smoking -- again. Yet many will resume their addiction by Groundhog's Day. Now authorities at Johns Hopkins and the American Cancer Society say it doesn't have to be that way. If a quitter falls off the wagon, the pros agree, just quit again the following Monday. And recommit to stay quit each Monday thereafter.

29 Dec 2009

Hunger hormone can intensify high-fat food consumption

The premise that hunger makes food look more appealing is a widely held belief - just ask those who cruise grocery store aisles on an empty stomach, only to go home with a full basket and an empty wallet.

28 Dec 2009

New study indicates growing number of people are abusing prescription painkillers

This entire year was marked by an abundance of media coverage and attention surrounding prescription painkillers, largely the result of widespread misuse throughout Hollywood.

24 Dec 2009

Addiction News and Research

Brain mechanisms behind compulsive behaviors in Parkinson's disease patients

Medical Marijuana praises New Jersey State Assembly for removing state-wide penalties on marijuana use

Law enforcement and community activists join hands to support anti-marijuana cause

Reducing DA dosage causes acute withdrawal symptoms in Parkinson's patients

New federal law expands mental health coverage

Researchers identify key epigenetic mechanism that helps explain cocaine's addictiveness

Findings shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of visual system in brain

Rx Locker device to secure prescription medications

CAMH: Online interventions for problem alcohol use can be effective in changing drinking behaviours

'Make Today the Day' public awareness campaign to quit smoking launched

Medical Marijuana launches National Educational Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center

New Stop Smoking Quit Kit launched

Physicians fail to provide pain treatment for fear of prescription drug abuse

Citicoline supplements may reduce cravings and increase satiety

Bacterial enzyme decreases cocaine desire

Food addiction remains largely ignored but can be easily overcome, says psychologist

UB neurobiologist studies the impact of acute and chronic caffeine consumption in young people

Health gurus say recommit each Monday to resolve the smoking habit

Hunger hormone can intensify high-fat food consumption

New study indicates growing number of people are abusing prescription painkillers

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

Latest News