Books and Articles — Substance Abuse and Addictions

Early Intervention Key to Shaping College Drinking Habits, by Janice Wood. Psych Central, January 31, 2012.  “The first few weeks of college are a critical time in shaping students' drinking habits, according to researchers at Penn State, who say early intervention may help keep students from becoming heavy drinkers.”

Ecstasy May Cause Chronic Serotonin Loss, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, December 07, 2011.  “Emerging research suggests recreational use of Ecstasy, the illegal drug that produces feelings of euphoria and emotional warmth, is associated with chronic changes in the human brain.”

New Approach for Substance Abuse among African-Americans, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, October 18, 2011.  “A new study examined the effectiveness of a motivational counseling approach to treat substance abuse among African-Americans.”

Study IDs Key Components of Alcoholics Anonymous, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, September 13, 2011.  “Researchers believe they have discovered key factors responsible for the success of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) programs.”

Stimulant Abuse Puts Students In Harm's Way, by Rick Nauert. Psych Central, September 07, 2011.  “College students use stimulants to enhance their alertness, theoretically improving study sessions and improving academic performance. But the perceived benefits are questionable.”

Rethinking Addiction's Roots, and Its Treatment, by Quenqua. New York Times, July 10, 2011.  “There is an age-old debate over alcoholism: is the problem in the sufferer's head - something that can be overcome through willpower, spirituality or talk therapy, perhaps - or is it a physical disease, one that needs continuing medical treatment in much the same way as, say, diabetes or epilepsy?”

Children's Mental Health, by APA. American Psychological Assosciation, June 19, 2011.  “Contrary to popular belief, infants and toddlers can suffer serious mental health disorders. Yet, because of the pervasive but mistaken impression that this can't happen, many very young children with mental health disorders don't get the help they need.”

Treatment for Prescription Drug Abuse Up 400 Percent, by The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun, July 19, 2010.  “There has been a 400 percent increase in substance abuse treatment admissions for people abusing prescription drugs, according to new government data.”

Spill Takes Toll on Gulf Worker's Psyches, by Mireya Navarro. New York Times, June 16, 2010.  “Beyond the environmental and economic damage, the toll of the mammoth spill in the Gulf of Mexico is being measured in hopelessness, anxiety, stress, anger, depression and even suicidal thoughts among those most affected, social workers say.”

Scientists Closer to Finding Cure for Alcoholism, by Rochelle Oliver. Psych Central, May 06, 2010.  “Scientists have discovered the molecule in the brain that leads to hangovers. The neuropeptide, a brain-signalling molecule, is believed to cause the body to experience withdrawal symptoms as the brain tries to adapt to different intoxication levels.”

New Rules Promise Better Mental Health Coverage, by Robert Pear. New York Times, January 29, 2010.  “The Obama administration issued new rules that promise to improve insurance coverage of mental health care for more than 140 million people insured through their jobs. Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services, said the new rules guard against “needless or arbitrary limits.” In general, under the rules, employers and group health plans cannot provide less coverage for mental health care than for the treatment of physical conditions like cancer and heart disease.”

How Cocaine Scrambles Genes in the Brain, by Maia Szalavitz. Time Magazine, January 08, 2010.

Perceptions of Risk from Substance Use among Adolescents, by National Survey on Drug Use and Health. National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Reportt, November 26, 2009.

Alcohol Promotion on Facebook, by Sara Mart and Jacob Mergendoller, et al. Journal of Global Drug Policy and Practice, November 01, 2009.  “This article explores the prevalence of alcohol-related content found in popular aspects of Facebook profiles. and offers recommendations for both Facebook and the alcohol industry to remove paid ads and other types of content promoting alcohol products and dangerous drinking behaviors in order to protect youth and young adults from the harmful effects of alcohol advertising.”

Massachusetts expands mental health parity, by Nan Shnitzler. New England Psychologist, October 15, 2009.

The Importance of Family Dinners V, by CASAColumbia. National Center on Additiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia, September 23, 2009.  “CASA report finds teens who have infrequent family dinners likelier to drink, smoke, use marijuana.”

Ask the Needham Youth Commission: Cough medicine abuse and how to protect your teens, by Needham Youth Commission. Needham Times, June 30, 2009.

Staying Sane May Be Easier Than You Think, by John Cloud. Time Magazine, June 22, 2009.

Program Tries to Identify Problem Drinkers Before Problems Start, by Jane Brody. New York Times, May 11, 2009.  “The alcohol institute estimates that 30 percent of people 18 and older drink at levels that raise their risk of alcoholism.”

The Real Face of Mental Health Stands Up to Win the Campaign of Many, by T.R. Johnson. thealternativepress.com, March 23, 2009.

The Mystery of Borderline Personality Disorder, by John Cloud. Time Magazine, January 08, 2009.  “A 2008 study of nearly 35,000 adults in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that 5.9% (which would translate into 18 million Americans) had been given a borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosis. As recently as 2000, the American Psychiatric Association believed that only 2% had BPD. (In contrast, clinicians diagnose bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in about 1% of the population.) BPD has long been regarded as an illness disproportionately affecting women, but the latest research shows no difference in prevalence rates for men and women. Regardless of gender, people in their 20s are at higher risk for BPD than those older or younger. What defines borderline personality disorder, and makes it so explosive, is the sufferers' inability to calibrate their feelings and behavior. When faced with an event that makes them depressed or angry, they often become inconsolable or enraged. Such problems may be exacerbated by impulsive behaviors: overeating or substance abuse; suicide attempts; intentional self-injury.”

Teenage drinking, by Michael Jellinek, M.D. The Newton Tab, November 11, 2008.