Substance Abuse RSS

Smokers More Likely to Report Chronic Pain than Nonsmokers

Smoking has been connected to several serious health conditions such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease. Recently, medical researchers have begun to look into how smoking may affect a person's experience of pain. read more

Substance Use While Working Prevalent in Australia

However, many who use drugs and alcohol do not perceive that their use is affecting their workplace, according to a report published online in the journal Addiction. It shows wide use of drugs and alcohol in the Australian workplace, and workers unaware of the possible impact of that use. read more

Women Who Drink and Drive May Have Unique Emotional, Mental Health Characteristics

When women drink and drive, what characteristics do they have? Researchers at the University of Nottingham said that female drunk drivers may have similar, and surprising, traits - including well-educated, in older age groups, and typically divorced or widowed. read more

Early Alcohol Initiation and Later Alcohol Problems

Teen drinking is associated with many immediate risks, including a higher risk of injury and a tendency to engage in risky sexual behaviors. Teens that drink regularly may also experience difficulties in academic achievement and in relating to parents and siblings. read more

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Affects Brain Function

Being exposed to secondhand smoke in an enclosed space for just one hour affects the brain in the same way as direct nicotine exposure does. read more

Study Links Impulsivity of Alcohol-Dependent Individuals to Brain Anomalies

Impulsivity associated with alcohol dependence could be the result of functional anomalies in brain regions that are associated with cognition and emotion. read more

Study Suggests Link Between Prenatal Alcohol Consumption and Conduct Disorder

Despite efforts by the Surgeon General and other organizations to encourage women not to drink alcohol during pregnancy, the message may not be getting through. Now, recent research adds more to the list of devastating consequences for alcohol use during pregnancy, with strong indications that prenatal alcohol use may be linked with conduct disorder later in life for children and teens. read more

Do Smoking Bans Make Cents?

New data shows that smoking bans not only reduce consumption, they successfully lower the rate of heart attack. Many countries throughout the world are enforcing smoking bans, and currently there are 32 states in the U.S. that have enacted legislation to limit smoking in public places. read more

Swedish Alcohol Consumption Trends

Alcohol consumption shows trends over multiple months, giving policymakers a view of how the general population is making consumption decisions. Alcohol consumption is an important public health concern. Decisions about drinking impact other areas of life, and can lead to possibly risky behaviors, such as dangerous sexual choices, and rash decisions. read more

Too Much Caffeine Can Cause Caffeine Intoxication, A Recognized Disorder

Caffeine is one of the world's most popular stimulants, and often viewed as a relatively harmless way to get a boost of energy or alertness. However, researchers are warning of a dangerous condition called caffeine intoxication, especially in light of increasing national use of caffeine-laden energy drinks. read more