Yes, you got it. This is the place to get some of the most recent, and most interesting information about addiction from experts who study addiction as a specialty. Our “About Addiction” posts cover some of the latest information from the WWW that addresses addiction specifically or issues related to addiction. Enjoy!

Drugs: Smoking, Placebo Effect, and Elder Abuse

PsyPost-Smoking cigarettes at an early age may make people more prone to using illicit drugs such as cannabis when they are older. Risk factors that are associated with smoking include externalizing problems such as impulsiveness. By the time teens are seventeen years old 15% of girls and 12% of boys have used cannabis in the past.

Psychology Today– It seems like most people have heard of the placebo effect. Previously individuals thought that a person had to be told that they were taking effective medications in order for the placebo to work but this is not the case according to a study at Harvard that we covered for the Psychology Today version of A3. Individuals were being treated for irritable bowel syndrome and were put into two groups. One group got no treatment while another group got a sugar pill which was labeled “placebo pills”.  Those taking the placebo pills reported feeling better than those who received no treatment.

Science Daily– Elderly individuals who are victims of elder abuse are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. This drug and alcohol abuse was particularly common in females and people who have some sort of mental illness. Alcohol and drug abuse are linked to physical abuse of elderly individuals.

ABCNews– A study was conducted which found that the earlier teens start drinking the more likely they are to deal with substance abuse disorder. This was particularly prevalent with heavy teen drinking (between 18-21 drinks a week, so pretty heavy drinking!). For more information check out the video and see an interview with our very own Dr. Adi Jaffe!

Addiction Treatment- Being an Educated Parent and Exercise

Breaking the cycles-Teaching children often seems to be the number one thing that parents want to do for their children. Another thing they can do is to be educated about their children. Parent denial is a common threat that teens face when they are doing things such as smoking a joint or popping pills. Parents don’t want to think that their child is the “bad” kid and often tend to think about their friends as bad influences. For tips and information about addiction check out this article!

Addiction Inbox– A study has found a connection between exercise and getting high. The study suggests the runners high and the high people get from cannabis are striking similar. Additionally, exercise has been found to curb cravings for addictive drugs.  Does this mean that exercise will be the new “it” treatment for trying to combat drug addiction? Only time can tell, but as we’ve talked about on A3 before it probably can’t hurt.

TheWest- There is new funding for an addict Naltrexone implant program. This program will fund naltrexone impants for drug addicts. As we’ve mentioned here on A3, this new form of injectable-depot naltrexone (called Vivitrol) allows naltrexone to stay in a patients system for 30 days at a time. The naltrexone (an opiate antagonist) then stops opiate molecules from having an effect and addicts have no reaction (or a much reduced reaction) to heroin and other opiates. Due to its effect on the body’s opioid system, Vivitrol has even been shown to be effective for reducing alcohol relapse. Sounds good to us!