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Addiction is a chronic disorder proposed to be precipitated by a combination of genetic, biological/pharmacological and social factors. Addiction is characterized by the repeated use of substances or behaviors despite clear evidence of morbidity secondary to such use.
There is a lack of consensus as to what may properly be termed 'addiction.' Some within the medical community maintain a rigid definition of addiction and contend that the term is only applicable to a process of escalating drug or alcohol use as a result of repeated exposure. However, addiction is often applied to compulsive behaviors other than drug use, such as overeating or gambling. These behavioral addictions, however, almost never exist without another addiction to some substance . In all cases, the term addiction describes a chronic pattern of behavior that continues and is perceived to be hard or impossible to quit at any time. It is quite common for an addict to express the desire to stop the behavior, but find himself or herself unable to cease.
Addiction is often characterized by an ongoing effort to use more (drug or behavior), tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms in the absence of the stimulus. Many drugs and behaviors that provide either pleasure or relief from pain pose a risk of addiction or dependency.
More on [ Addiction ]
Substance Abuse
Recreational Drugs
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
Clean water should be recognized as a human right. At the March 2009 United Nations meetings coinciding with the World Water Forum, a declaration that would recognize water as a basic human right was defeated. In this month's Editorial, the PLoS Medicine Editors argue that access to clean water should be declared a basic human right for three reasons. First, access to clean water can substantially reduce the global burden of disease caused by water-borne infections. Second, the privatization of water—as witnessed in Bolivia, Ghana, and other countries—has not effectively served the poor, who suffer the most from lack of access to clean water. Third, the prospect of global water scarcity—exacerbated by climate change, industrial pollution, and population growth—means that no country is immune to a water crisis.Image Credit: Rudhach at flickr.com
Seasonal Hunger: A Neglected Problem with Proven Solutions
Bapu Vaitla et al. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
Clean Water Should Be Recognized as a Human Right
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
Can We âHedgeâ against the Development of Antiviral Resistance among Pandemic Influenza Viruses?
David K. Shay et al. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
David K. Shay and Benjamin Ridenhour discuss a modeling study predicting that stockpiling a secondary antiviral for use early in a flu pandemic can forestall resistance to the primary stockpiled drug.
Pralidoxime in Acute Organophosphorus Insecticide PoisoningâA Randomised Controlled Trial
Michael Eddleston et al. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
In a randomized controlled trial of individuals who had taken organophosphorus insecticides, Michael Eddleston and colleagues find that there is no evidence that the addition of the antidote pralidoxime offers benefit over atropine and supportive care.
What Is the Optimal Therapy for Patients with H5N1 Influenza?
Nicholas J. White et al. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0000
Nicholas White discusses optimal dosing of oseltamivir, Robert Webster and Elena Govorkova discuss combination antiviral therapy, and Timothy Uyeki discusses clinical care of patients with H5N1.
EurekAlert! - Biology
Study identifies how tamoxifen stimulates uterine cell growth and cancer
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400
(University of California - San Francisco) University of California - San Francisco researchers have identified a new "feed-forward" pathway linking estrogen receptors in the membrane of the uterus to a process that increases local estrogen levels and promotes cell growth.
'Genetic arms race' between bacteria, viruses subject of stimulus grant
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400
(Michigan State University) The oceans teem with microscopic bacteria that produce much of Earth's oxygen as they absorb carbon dioxide greenhouse gas. But fast-mutating viruses also populate the seas, attacking marine bacteria in an ages-old evolutionary arms race. A Michigan State University researcher will probe that ancient dynamic against the backdrop of environmental and climate change, and the pivotal role played by aquatic bacteria in maintaining the Earth's biological balance.
Learning from locusts
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400
(Queen's University) A similarity in brain disturbance between insects and people suffering from migraines, stroke and epilepsy points the way toward new drug therapies to address these conditions.
online textbook. - This is the entire content (text and figures) of a textbook that was entitled 'Principles of Behavioral Pharmacology'. The authors are professors at Rutgers and Drew Universities in New Jersey.
Meta Description: [ Drugs, Brains and Behavior, a textbook of behavioral pharmacology by C. R. Timmons and L. W. Hamilton, is freely available in its entirety at http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~lwh/drugs/ and at http://www.users.drew.edu/ctimmons/drugs/. ]
Addiction and Alcoholism Treatment - Free online books, journals. The best collection on intervention techniques, substance abuse, recovery, relapse prevention, sobriety.
Meta Description: [ Addiction and alcoholism treatment resources. Free online books, journals. The best collection on intervention techniques, substance abuse, recovery, relapse prevention, sobriety, and more. ]
Alcohol and Adolescent Brain Development - Explores recent scientific evidence that alcohol affects adolescents and adults differently. Also discusses recent findings regarding adolescent brain development.
Marijuana Special Report from The New Scientist - Visual guide to brain regions involved in the mediation of cannabis actions - geared to the lay person. Links to a variety of articles on cannabis/Marijuana.
Mind Over Matter: The Brain's Response to Methamphetamine - An online magazine series exploring the brain's response to drugs. In this issue, it investigates many facts about the stimulant drug methamphetamine.
Meta Description: [ The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) created the NIDA for Teens Web site to educate adolescents ages 11 through 15 (as well as their parents and teachers) on the science behind drug abuse. ]
National Institute on Drug Abuse - Comprehensive web-site with research and treatment reports and news. Includes a site for teachers and students with educational materials. Fact sheets on drug abuse, including the most recent economic costs report.
Meta Description: [ The mission of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is to lead the Nation bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. ]
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Pharmacology Research Unit - The PRG of the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinics in San Francisco conducts clinical trials of medications and therapeutic interventions for the treatment of addiction.
Society for Neuroscience Brain Briefings - For the layperson interested in the science behind addiction: and in the brain in general. Current topics include: Nicotine and the brain, Addictions path, the brains stash, and the opiate receptor.
Meta Description: [ The Society for Neuroscience is a nonprofit membership organization of basic scientists and physicians who study the brain and nervous system. Neuroscience includes the study of brain development, sensation and perception, learning and memory, movement, sleep, stress, aging and neurological and p... ]
The Drug Discrimination Bibliography - Drug Discrimination is widely recognised as one of the major methods for studying the behavioral and neuropharmacological effects of drugs and plays an important role in drug discovery and investigations of drug abuse. This page provides access to Dr. Ian Stolerman's ongoing Comprehensive Bibliography of Drug Discrimination Research. Search bibliography for combinations of training drug, pretreatment drug, methodology.
Meta Description: [ Drug Discrimination is widely recognised as one of the major methods for studying the behavioral and neuropharmacological effects of drugs and plays an important role in drug discovery and investigations of drug abuse. This WWW page provides access to Dr. Ian Stolerman's ongoing Comprehensive Bib... ]
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