The Latest News from Our Field

The number of hospitalized patients who smoke fell to 18.4 percent in 2010, from 25 percent in 1995, a new study finds.

A study released by a Mexican think tank concludes if three U.S. state initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana are approved by voters in today’s election, proceeds for Mexican drug trafficking syndicates could be reduced by up to 30 percent.

An experimental vaccine tested in rats largely protected the rodents from typical signs of methamphetamine intoxication, Medical News Today reports.

Mothers’ smoking during pregnancy probably does not lead to substance abuse in their children, as earlier studies suggested, according to researchers at Indiana University.

A survey of addiction counselors finds almost half say it is acceptable for at least some of their patients to drink from time to time. The survey included 913 members of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Counselors.

Voters in six states will consider measures that deal with the recreational or medical use of marijuana on Tuesday. In Colorado, Oregon and Washington state, voters will decide whether their states will become the first to allow recreational use of the drug.

Living near bars may increase the risk of heavy drinking, a new study suggests.

About half of HIV patients skip taking their medication while they are drinking alcohol, a new study finds. The researchers say not taking the medication could endanger patients’ health.

A new study suggests boys are more likely than girls to abuse over-the-counter drugs.

Teens who try menthol cigarettes are more likely to become smokers than those who start experimenting with regular cigarettes, a new study finds.

A new report concludes more than 10,000 people are arrested each year in Colorado for possession of marijuana.

Psychologists warn the mental health effects of Hurricane Sandy could be powerful, HealthDay reports.

An analysis of studies that evaluated two medications used to treat alcoholism concludes they are a good first option for people who want treatment but wish to avoid an inpatient program.

Smoking can reduce women’s lifespan by at least 10 years, according to a new study. Quitting smoking can add years back to a woman’s life expectancy.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled this week to hear two cases related to drug-sniffing dogs. Florida is appealing two decisions by the state’s highest court, which ruled the detection of drugs by police dogs violated the constitutional ban on unreasonable searches and seizures.

Male veterans with a history of heavy alcohol use are more likely than civilians to seek treatment. They are also more likely to report better overall health, and to be less depressed, according to a study presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.

Although the field of addiction treatment is always in need of new ideas and helpful tools, it is critical that the ideas/tools be based upon sound research. The idea that “cash in hand” is a trigger for drug use has long been an area of critical debate, say scientists from the Treatment Research Institute.

Programs designed to treat physicians’ substance use disorders have too little oversight and no clear standards, according to two experts from Harvard Medical School.

Many energy drinks incorrectly list the amount of caffeine in their product, or do not list the amount at all, according to Consumer Reports.

The number of prescription drug-related deaths decreased in Florida in 2011, according to a new report. Deaths related to oxycodone decreased more than 17 percent, according to The Miami Herald.

A new study in rodents suggests that having a few drinks a day can adversely affect the brain.

Doctors’ concerns about receiving negative reviews on consumer ratings websites may influence their decision to write opioid prescriptions for patients who request them, according to an opinion piece in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine.

A web-based survey for people in recovery from an alcohol or drug problem will be available until October 31. The “What is Recovery” study is funded by the National Institutes of Health. The researchers hope the study will help dispel the stigma that those in recovery face.

An online petition demanding the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation test homes for methamphetamine residue before selling them has received more than 200,000 signatures. The petition was started by a family who purchased a home from the agency that turned out to be a former meth lab.

Maine is seeing an increase in the number of children placed in foster care due to their parents’ abuse of bath salts, MPBN reports.