News Archive
Report Finds Older Smokers More Apt to Lie to Docs
February 25, 2008
One in four smokers over age 75 lied when asked about their tobacco use, compared to just 6 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds, according to researchers who broke down results of self-reported surveys along age, gender, and racial lines.
Chronic Marijuana Use Can Cause Gum Disease, Researchers Say
February 25, 2008
Marijuana smokers can develop gum disease even if they don't also smoke cigarettes, according to new research.
Bush's 2009 Budget Cuts $198 Million from SAMHSA
February 11, 2008
Drug-prevention advocates and others are raising the alarm over President Bush's FY2009 budget plan, which slashed $198 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and calls for elimination of the Recovery Community Support Programs and the STOP Underage Drinking program.
Appalachia Besieged by Painkiller Addiction
February 11, 2008
A hardscrabble region where employment is often limited to working the mines or working in prisons, Appalachia also has become home to some of the nation's worst addiction problems.
Old Heartland Industrial Cities Face Big Drug Problems
February 11, 2008
The decline of the steel industry and the former U.S. industrial heartland -- now known as the Rust Belt -- has left behind poverty, unemployment, hopelessness and drug abuse.
Comprehensive Health Coverage Resource Center Launched
February 11, 2008
The Foundation for Health Coverage Education (FHCE) has launched a new Internet resource center that provides eligiblity and other information on more than 144 government-sponsored programs designed to help people who lack health insurance.
Nonmedical Prescription Drug Use by 12th Graders
February 11, 2008
The nonmedical use of prescription-type drugs continues to be a problem among 12th grade students, according to data from the 2007 national Monitoring the Future survey.
Methadone Cardiac Death Danger Reported
February 11, 2008
Normal therapeutic doses of methadone could cause sudden cardiac death.
Marijuana Smokers Face Breathing Problems at Young Age
February 11, 2008
Long-term marijuana smokers are prone to develop bullous lung disease at a much younger age than cigarette smokers, possibly because they tend to inhale more deeply and hold hot smoke in their lungs up to four times longer.
Young Drinkers Face Array of Health Problems Later in Life
February 11, 2008
Heart disease, stroke and diabetes are just some of the health problems facing people over age 35 who started drinking heavily during their teens and as young adults.
Study: Heavy Marijuana Users Face Tough Withdrawal
February 11, 2008
Withdrawal from heavy marijuana use is about as harsh for users as withdrawal from nicotine addiction is for tobacco users.
State Anti-Smoking Campaigns Shown Effective
February 11, 2008
State-funded tobacco control programs have effectively trimmed smoking rates, and the best results have been seen in the states that spent the most on smoking prevention.
NIDA Releases Draft Strategic Plan, Seeks Comments
January 14, 2008
Citing "recent revolutionary advances in drug abuse research," NIDA has been working with its national advisory council and others in the addiction research field to develop the plan, the agency's first major new outline of goals and objectives since former director Alan Leshner, Ph.D., published a five-year strategic plan in 2000.
Stop-Smoking Drug Faces Suicide Warning
January 14, 2008
European regulators are calling for a suicide warning to be including on packaging for the stop-smoking drug Champix (varenicline).
Recovering Addict Fights Homelessness in N.Y.
January 14, 2008
A night of living on the street helped motivate recovering addict Felix Middleton to help out some fellow New Yorkers by using his fashion skills to make sleeping bags for the homeless, the New York Times reported Dec. 3.
Smoking Hits Historic Low Among N.Y. High-School Students
January 14, 2008
Just 8.5 percent of high-school students in New York City identified themselves as smokers in 2007, the lowest rate ever, the Associated Press reported Jan. 3.
Supermarket Chain Drops Cigarettes, Tobacco Products
January 14, 2008
A supermarket chain based in upstate New York has announced that it will no longer sell cigarettes or other tobacco products, citing concerns about customers' health, the Elmira Star-Gazette reported Jan. 5.
Drug Czar Raises Alarm About 'Extreme Ecstasy'
January 14, 2008
U.S. drug czar John Walters recently warned that Canadian suppliers are shipping ecstasy pills laced with methamphetamine across the border to the U.S., the Windsor Star reported Jan. 4.
Feds Alarmed About Abuse of Cough Medicine
January 14, 2008
Federal researchers say that about 5 percent of 12- to 25-year-olds have misused over-the-counter cold and cough medicines to get high, MSNBC reported Jan. 9.
New SBI Codes, Dollar Values, for Medicare, Private Insurance
December 10, 2007
Physicians now have four different codes that can be used in 2008 for screening and brief intervention (SBI). These codes are a victory for the addiction field, and especially for the sponsors, with Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group, leading the way.
Smoking Takes Huge Fiscal Toll on Medicaid
December 10, 2007
The American Legacy Foundation estimates that the federal Medicaid system could save $9.7 billion within five years if all current smokers receiving Medicaid benefits quit smoking.
Black Americans Far More Likely to Be Jailed for Drugs, Study Says
December 10, 2007
Black and white Americans use illicit drugs at about the same rate, but blacks are 10 times more likely to be imprisoned on drug charges, according to research from the Justice Policy Institute.
Methadone OD Deaths Up 390 Percent, Report Finds
December 10, 2007
Deaths from overdoses on methadone rose 390 percent between 1999 and 2004, and the trend is continuing, according to a new report from the National Drug Intelligence Center.
'Air Rage' Blamed on Alcohol, Tobacco
December 10, 2007
A British study concludes that a 62 percent increase in "air-rage" incidents among airline passengers can largely be traced to misbehavior among drinkers and smokers, the Daily Mail reported Dec. 6.
Abstinence Strongest Strategy for Sustained Recovery
December 3, 2007
According to a recent study, recovering alcoholics who opt to completely abstain from alcohol consumption have the best chance of sustaining their recovery, Newswise reported on Nov. 27. However, sustained recovery may be more difficult for young people, regardless of whether they remain abstinent or simply restrict their consumption.
Florida Community Serves as Haven for Those in Recovery
December 3, 2007
Delray Beach, Fla., located between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, has emerged as the country's largest and most vibrant recovery community, with many halfway houses and 5,000 people a week attending 12-step meetings.
New Jersey Implements 'Last Drink' Location Protocol
December 3, 2007
In an effort to crack down on establishments that may serve drinks to already intoxicated customers, New Jersey is instructing police officers to ask motorists they stop on suspicion of drunk driving where they consumed their last drink.
Early Binge Drinking Linked to Later Health Problems
December 3, 2007
Youths and young adults who binge on alcohol raise their risk of developing myriad serious health problems later in life, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Peers, Gender May Influence Adolescent Alcohol Use
December 3, 2007
Teens who drink alcohol tend to have opposite-sex friends who do the same, and girls may be particularly vulnerable to the influence of their friends.
Smoking by Age 12 Related to Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Dependence
December 3, 2007
Youths who begin smoking at age 12 or younger are more likely to meet the criteria for past year alcohol and drug abuse or dependence, according to a recent analysis of data from the National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
NIDA Launches Public Service Campaign for Hispanic Youth on Link Between Non-Injection Drugs and HIV
December 3, 2007
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), marks World AIDS Day on December 1st with the launch of its new, national public service campaign to educate Hispanic teens on the link between non-injection drug use and HIV transmission.
Participate in Survey on Workplace Alcohol Screening
December 3, 2007
Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems at The George Washington University is gathering information about alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI) approaches used in the workplace. This survey will help develop techniques and strategies to more effectively address unhealthy alcohol use in work-related settings.
Co-occurring Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders in Adolescents
December 1, 2007
 The NeATTC has recently revised the Adolescent Co-occurring Curriculum. The curriculum format has been updated to include the power point within each module of the trainers manual. A participant manual was also developed. . . . .
Linking Adolescent Problems to Substance-Use Problems in Young Adulthood
November 28, 2007
A recently released research report from the RAND corporation explores how problematic substance use, failure to assume adult roles and responsibilities, and exposure to pro-drug social influences in adolescence may be linked to later substance use.
What are the Effects of Marijuana Sanctions on Risk and Price?
November 28, 2007
A recent report from RAND explores the fact that lower legal risks for marijuana users users are associated with higher marijuana prices and thus higher profits for drug dealers.
Recovery Advocacy Teleconference Series
November 28, 2007
Are you interested in learning more about recovery advocacy? If so, join the Faces and Voices fo Recovery teleconference series: January 30: Recovery Voices Count; February 27: Recovery Community Centers Part 1; March 26: Recovery Community Centers Part 2. Mark your calendar, details to follow. Visit the Faces and Voices of Recovery website to learn more about recovery advocacy.
CASA Conference: Sobering Up the High Society: Substance Abuse and Public Policy
November 28, 2007
The next CASACONFERENCE will be held on February 14, 2008 in Washington, DC. This conference will, in large part, build upon the release and findings of CASA Chairman Joseph A. Califano's new book, High Society: How Substance Abuse Ravages America and What to Do About It. The conference will show healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and the American public that substance abuse and addiction causes and aggravates the nation’s most wrenching social problems—violent and property crimes, soaring health care costs, family breakup, domestic violence and child abuse, the spread of AIDS, teenage pregnancy, poverty and low productivity.
Do you have 5 or more years of recovery? Participate in an online survey
November 28, 2007
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) invites individuals with 5 or more years of recovery to participate in a brief online survey about their recovery. CASA would like to gain insight into the personal experiences of individuals 18 years and older in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol or other drugs.
Lost in Woonsocket: A Fundraising Opportunity
November 28, 2007
The Lost in Woonsocket campaign offers showings of an inspiring film and sales of a Special Edition DVD as fund raisers for recovery, homeless, and faith based organizations.
Toys Recalled for Child Drug Threat
November 20, 2007
Chinese-made toys made with a chemical that converts to gamma hydroxyl butyrate (GHB) when ingested have been pulled from store shelves in the U.S. and Australia after at least five children were hospitalized.
Smoking Vaccine Gets Study Backing
November 20, 2007
New research shows that a nicotine vaccine can be effective in helping people quit smoking.
PDA Supports Smoking Cessation
November 20, 2007
The University of Nebraska Medical School is pilot-testing a smoking-cessation intervention that includes giving patients personal digital assistants (PDAs) loaded with support materials designed to boost long-term abstinence.
State Medicaid Programs Hinder Naltrexone Use
November 20, 2007
States that allow managed-care programs to limit prescriptions and access to pharmacy networks are hindering the use of naltrexone for treating alcohol addiction.
Youth Conduct Problems Associated with Perinatal Drinking
November 20, 2007
Conduct problems among children rise in proportion to the amount of drinking their mothers did when they were pregnant.
Binge Drinking and Burst Bladders
November 20, 2007
A rare but not unknown side-effect of binge drinking can be potentially catastrophic: bladder rupture.
Prozac Can Help Teens with Co-occurring Addictions, Mental Illness, Researchers Say
November 20, 2007
Adolescents with co-occurring addictions and depression can benefit from a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and fluoxetine (Prozac) in cases where therapy alone does not appear to be improving their depressive symptoms
Addiction, Depression Hit Soldiers Months After Returning from Combat
November 20, 2007
Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan report worse symptoms of addiction and depression months after they leave the combat zone than when they initially get home.
Depressed Youth More Likely to Smoke, Drink, Use Illicit Drugs, SAMHSA Reports
November 20, 2007
Young adults who have recently battled depression are at increased risk of starting to smoke cigarettes or initiating alcohol and other drug use, according to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Smokers' Babies Exposed to High Levels of Nicotine
November 20, 2007
A new study finds that babies whose parents smoke have five times higher levels of the nicotine marker cotinine in their blood than children of nonsmokers.
Smoking May Contribute to Hair Loss Among Asian Men
November 20, 2007
Asian men who smoke appear to be at increased risk of losing their hair, according to researchers in Taiwan.
Funding: Campus Suicide Prevention Grants
November 20, 2007
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will award up to 15 grants of up to $100,000 each for Campus Suicide Prevention Grants.
Free Logos from LogoBee
November 20, 2007
Nonprofits are invited to submit applications to have their logo made over by LogoBee, an online graphics-design firm. LogoBee is donating up to 10 logo-makeover packages, valued at $425 each, that include business cards and stationery with the new logo. Nonprofits based in North America may apply. Application deadline is Dec. 4. For full details, see the LogoBee website.
Issues Facing Returning Veterans
November 8, 2007
 "These are no ordinary times for the nation and its veterans and those who care for them. For that reason, this issue of Resource Links newsletter is dedicated to understanding the complexities that returning veterans and their families face. This issue, an update to our similar 2004 edition, will focus on the unique as well as the more fundamental issues facing our veterans today."
Definition of Recovery Proposed
November 6, 2007
Addiction recovery is "a voluntarily maintained lifestyle characterized by sobriety, personal health, and citizenship," according to a draft definition composed by an expert panel convened by the Betty Ford Institute.
Huffing and Suicide Related, New Study Suggests
November 6, 2007
"Huffing," or inhaling volatile chemicals to get high, is associated with increases in suicidal thought and suicide attempts among adolescents, according to researchers at the University of Denver.
Hypnosis Effective with Smokers, Study Says
November 6, 2007
A new study concludes that hypnotherapy is more effective than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in getting hospitalized patients to quit smoking after discharge.
Treatment for Blacks, Hispanics Falls Short, Study Finds
November 6, 2007
African-Americans and Hispanics need access to more residential addiction treatment if improvements are to be made in outcomes among these populations, experts say.
Latino Stereotypes Affect Access to Alcohol Treatment
November 6, 2007
Cultural stereotypes about Hispanics could impede Latino youth from seeking help for drug and alcohol abuse. In turn, substance-abuse treatment providers must better understand how their own attitudes toward culture can affect the provision of sufficient behavioral health services, according to a new study. To do this, providers must first assess their own notions of culture and address any hidden biases.
Recovery Voices Count Guide to Non-Partisan Civic Engagement Now Available
November 6, 2007
This guide lays out the non-partisan voter registration, voter education and Get-out-the Vote strategies that Faces and Voices of Recovery will be working on over the next year to raise issues of importance to the recovery community in the 2007-2008 election cycle.
White Bison's Wellbriety! Online Magazine for 2007 Now Available
November 6, 2007
Online magazine from the nation's leading advocacy and research group related to Native American issues in recovery.
November is American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month
November 6, 2007
Visit the Indian Health Service Heritage Site to learn about resources and events.
NIAAA Expert Explains Impact of Alcohol Abuse on Justice System
November 6, 2007
Research shows that alcohol abuse costs the United States an estimated $184.6 billion a year, due to crime, medical consequences, lost earnings, lost productivity, motor vehicle crashes, and other social consequences. A large part of that can be attributed to the costs incurred by the criminal justice system?estimated at 6.2 billion. Here, Linda Chezem, a trial court judge by profession and former special assistant to Dr. Ting-Kai (T. K.) Li, M.D., Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), explores the impact that alcohol abuse has on the court system and how community coalitions can help lessen that impact.
CASA: Smoking, Drinking, Drugs and Depression Related
October 29, 2007
Depression, alcohol use, and marijuana use are all more prevalent among adolescents who smoke, according to a report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA).
Doctors Can Use Simple Test to Detect Patient Smoking
October 29, 2007
A device called a pulse cooximeter, commonly used to test for carbon monoxide in firefighters, can also be used by doctors to detect smoking among patients who may be reluctant to admit their addiction.
Young Adult Workers Have Highest Rate of Illicit Drug Use, Least Access to EAPs
October 29, 2007
Young adults workers are more likely to use illicit drugs than older workers, according to a recent report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Why Quit Smoking? It Depends on Your Age
October 29, 2007
Older smokers have far different motivations for quitting smoking than younger ones, according to new research that finds that older smokers can be persuaded to quit if the right arguments are used.
Funding: William T. Grant Youth Fellows Program
October 29, 2007
A fellowship program to support youth research will be funded by the William T. Grant Foundation. The foundation's Distinguished Fellows Program is open to mid-career researchers, policymakers, and practitioners whose research helps improve youth outcomes. Between two and four fellows will be named, and each will receive $175,000 for a period of six months to two years, during which they can focus on their research. Deadline for letters of inquiry is Jan. 10, 2008. For more details, see the foundation website.
SAMHSA Takes Snapshot of Teen Drug Use
October 22, 2007
On any given day, about 1.2 million American teens smoke, 631,000 drink alcohol, and 586,000 use marijuana, according to a new study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Sex Abuse, Other Issues Complicate Female Recovery
October 22, 2007
Women seeking recovery from addiction often must also overcome a history of sexual abuse as well as the challenges of raising children, poverty, lack of education and other obstacles.
Searching for Effective PTSD Therapy for Vets
October 22, 2007
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common mental-health problem among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, but officials say it's not clear if the therapies used to treat them are working.
Tobacco-Exposed Kids Do Worse on School Tests
October 22, 2007
Adolescents who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home perform worse on standardized school tests than non-exposed youth, although researchers are not sure why.
Funding: FAS Grant Application Deadline Extended
October 22, 2007
The application deadline for the Juvenile Court Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Intervention project has been extended to Nov. 29, with questions due Oct. 24, the grantmaker has announced.
Funding: Science Education Drug Abuse Partnership Award
October 22, 2007
Grants of up to $250,000 will be awarded under the Science Education Drug Abuse Partnership Awards, which fund "development and evaluation of innovative model programs and materials for enhancing knowledge and understanding of neuroscience and the biology of drug abuse and addiction among K-12 students, the general public, health care practitioners, and other groups."
Funding: Grants Focus on Relationship Between Spirituality, Risky Behaviors
October 22, 2007
Grants of up to $50,000 each will be awarded to researchers who study the relationship between religiosity/spirituality and risky behaviors among children and adolescents.
Report: Connect Kids to Communities to Prevent Crime
October 15, 2007
Juvenile-justice systems need to involve communities and family members in connecting youth to mentors, jobs, and community services to prevent crime and addiction.
Hispanic Teens More Likely Than Whites, Blacks to Use Drugs
October 15, 2007
A new report from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) finds that Hispanic youth are more likely to use illicit drugs than white or black teens and says trying to adapt to American culture may be the cause.
Mass. Launches Public Anti-Stigma Campaign
October 15, 2007
Massachusetts has launched a statewide public awareness campaign to address and reduce the stigma associated with addiction.
Drinkers Face Fines for Rowdy Bar Behavior
October 15, 2007
Some Pennsylvania bars are demanding customers' credit-card numbers and charging them if they vomit or otherwise damage property while drinking.
Moyers to Pen Addiction Column
October 15, 2007
Author and addiction-recovery speaker William Cope Moyers will launch a nationally syndicated column called "Beyond Addiction" this month.
New Campaign Opposes Lower Drinking Age
October 15, 2007
The new Support 21 coalition, launched by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the American Medical Association, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, is aimed at countering growing calls for lowering the national drinking age from 21 to 18.
Cell Phones, Social-Networking Sites New Pathways for Smoking Cessation
October 15, 2007
Websites have long been established as an information and support portal for smokers looking to quit, but now cell phones and social-networking sites also are being thrown in the mix.
Blacks, Hispanics More Likely to Have Severe Liver Disease
October 15, 2007
A new study concludes that blacks and Hispanics are more likely than whites to have severe cases of a rare form of liver cirrhosis, but experts don't know why.
Genetic Variations Affect Smoking Treatment Success
October 15, 2007
Smokers with a particular genetic variation in a key enzyme are more likely to succeed in their quit attempts if they get bupropion therapy as well as counseling, according to researchers.
Smoking Raises Risk of Erectile Problems
October 15, 2007
Better hold off on smoking a cigarette after sex: a new study finds that smokers face an increased risk of erectile dysfunction, and sexual problems are greater among those who smoke more.
Daily Drinkers Raise Risk of Breast Cancer
October 15, 2007
Women who consume alcoholic drinks daily face an increased risk of breast cancer.
Alcohol Abstinence Cuts Cancer Risk
October 15, 2007
People who quit drinking can lower their risk of getting a variety of cancers, according to researchers from Canada's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
Drivers Ages 21 to 34 Disproportionately Involved in Drunk-Driving Fatal Crashes
October 15, 2007
Drivers ages 21 to 34 comprise a disproportionate share of fatal motor vehicle crashes in which at least one of the drivers was legally intoxicated (had a BAC of .08 or greater), according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Link Between Inhalant Use, Suicidal Behavior
October 15, 2007
Researchers who studied 723 incarcerated youth found a correlation between inhalant use and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Peer-Led Prevention Called Effective
October 15, 2007
Peer-led prevention efforts aimed at reducing adolescent alcohol and other drug use are about 15 percent more effective than other programs, researchers say.
Study Busts Steroid Stereotypes
October 15, 2007
The typical male steroid user is 30 years old, well-educated, Caucasian, and working in a white-collar job, not an athlete or teenager looking to get a competitive edge, according to a new study.
Funding: Awards Honor Supportive Housing Programs
October 15, 2007
Nonprofits and for-profit companies that develop affordable and supportive housing projects may apply for the Maxwell Awards of Excellence, administered by the Fannie Mae Foundation and the Partnership to End Long Term Homelessness. Four awards will be made in recognition of outstanding development of supportive and affordable housing for homeless individuals and families. Supportive housing projects often include addiction and mental health services. Application deadline is Oct. 31. For more information, see the Maxwell Awards of Excellence Program website.
Funding: NY: Heckscher Foundation Grants
October 15, 2007
Programs that promote the welfare of children in New York City may apply for grants from the Heckscher Foundation for Children.
National Quality Forum Issues Consensus Standards for Treatment
October 15, 2007
Recognizing the devastating toll substance use conditions take on our nation's health, the National Quality Forum (NQF) today, for the first time ever, released a groundbreaking set of endorsed national voluntary consensus standards on evidence-based practices to treat substance use conditions.
Addiction Treatment Leaders Launch National 'ACTION' Campaign
October 15, 2007
A cadre of private and public entities in the addiction treatment field announced the launch of the National Adopting Changes to Improve Outcomes Now - ACTION Campaign for the improvement of addiction treatment services.
Online Alcohol Test Precedes College Admission
September 19, 2007
Incoming Cornell University freshman must log onto a website and complete an online alcohol-prevention course before moving onto campus. Cornell is one of more than 1,000 colleges that now require students to complete online courses about the dangers of drinking.
Young Binge Drinkers Face Dim Future, Researchers Report
September 19, 2007
Teenagers who binge drink are 60 percent more likely to become alcoholics by the time they reach age 30 than non-bingers, and also are more likely to use illicit drugs and commit crimes.
Antidepressants Don't Prevent Smoking Among ADHD Patients, Study Says
September 19, 2007
The antidepressant bupropion is ineffective in preventing smoking among youths with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Depression Common Among Pregnant Smokers
September 19, 2007
About 12 percent of pregnant women are addicted smokers, and about half of these also had mental-health disorders.
Painkillers, Other Prescription Drugs Causing More Deaths, Injuries
September 19, 2007
A "substantially growing number of patients" are being injured or killed by the prescription drugs they are taking under doctors' orders, according to a new report from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
Smokeless Tobacco Users Face Higher Risk of Throat Cancer
September 19, 2007
Users of smokeless tobacco are up to four and a half times more likely to develop cancer of the hypopharynx -- the part of the throat just above the voicebox -- than nonusers.
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