Last update:

Addiction news

Health

After Canada legalized cannabis, police caught more drunk drivers

When Canada legalized cannabis in October 2018, there were many concerns about its potential impacts. One of them involved cannabis-impaired driving.

Psychology & Psychiatry

More than a quarter of college students use CBD products at least once a month

Nearly half of college students have tried CBD products, according to new research from the University of Georgia.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Most Americans still get nicotine wrong

Nicotine is the drug that keeps people coming back to cigarettes, but not the substance that causes serious health effects in people who use tobacco. It is the tar and toxic chemical mix in tobacco and tobacco smoke that ...

Addiction

Reported use of most drugs remains low among US teens

For the fifth year in a row, use of most substances among teenagers in the United States has continued to hover around the low-water mark reached in 2021. The findings come from the latest report of the Monitoring the Future ...

Health

Young adults commonly mix cannabis with nicotine and tobacco

Simultaneous use of cannabis with nicotine and tobacco products is common among cannabis users—particularly those who vape—according to a new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The research ...

Health

Trying to quit smoking? A workplace lottery may help

People who want to quit smoking benefit from lotteries as an incentive. This is evident from the Smoke-Free Lottery, a field experiment conducted by the RIVM, Radboud University and various Dutch universities. The findings ...

Medical research

Rats may seek cannabis to cope with stress

It isn't just people—when given the chance, rats may also use cannabis to cope with stress, according to a study by researchers at Washington State University.

Health

Cannabis edibles pose major crash risk

More than 75% of recreational cannabis users aged 19 to 30 crashed in a driving simulation after consuming edibles, a new University of Saskatchewan (USask) study shows.

Oncology & Cancer

Research strengthens evidence linking alcohol use to cancer

As Americans gear up for the holiday season, new research offers a timely reminder to reflect on the long-term health effects of raising a celebratory glass—or two. Alcohol is known to increase the risk of several cancers ...

Addiction

Kratom faces increasing scrutiny from states and the feds

For years, state lawmakers have taken the lead on regulating kratom—the controversial herbal supplement used for pain relief, anxiety and opioid withdrawal symptoms. Some states have banned it entirely. Others have passed ...

Addiction

Harnessing VR to prevent substance use relapse

Substance use recovery is a lifelong process, but environmental triggers, such as alcohol at social gatherings or pain medication advertisements, can put individuals in recovery at risk of relapse.

Neuroscience

Novel neural pathway to treat alcohol use disorder identified

Researchers have identified a promising new strategy for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). A novel study found that the dopamine-boosting drug tolcapone increases activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during self-control ...

Addiction

USPSTF recommends screening adults for unhealthy alcohol use

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening adults for unhealthy alcohol use and providing brief behavioral counseling interventions for those engaged in risky drinking. These recommendations form ...