From needle exchanges to the latest “wet houses” for alcoholics, studies show “harm reduction” can help kick a habit
Addiction
What Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Sponsor Could Have Done for Him
As part of Twelve-Step programs, they act as support, friend, mentor, and advisor—but they’re also former addicts and shouldn’t be treated as experts
5 Reasons Why TV’s Top Shows Are So Addictive
There’s science behind what makes your favorite shows so hard to miss.
Team-Based Addiction Care Not as Effective as Experts Hoped
Smarter Kids Are Smart Enough to Avoid Alcohol and Drugs, Right?
Maybe not. The latest study of twins shows that early bloomers may become heavier drinkers who start chugging earlier in life.
Addicted to the Internet? There’s a Hospital-based Treatment for That
Does internet addiction warrant full-fledged in-patient rehab— or are there better ways to manage your Angry Birds and email-checking obsessions?
This Is Your Brain on Facebook
That little zing you get when someone “likes” your picture or sings your praises on Facebook? That’s the reward center in your brain getting a boost.
When Meditation Helps Mental Illness — And When It Hinders
It can help smokers as they quit, but meditation may not have the same benefits for some mental illnesses as it does for addictions.
Hand Gestures Could Make Kids Smarter
Using hand gestures may be important for more than just making a point; they could help children to learn.
My Name Is John and I Am a Sex Addict. (Or Maybe Not)
Is it or isn’t it? A new study undermines the theory that sex addiction is a brain-based disorder similar to other addictions.
Viewpoint: How the Drug Treatment System Failed Cory Monteith
The Vancouver coroner’s office revealed that “Glee” star Cory Monteith died of a toxic mixture of alcohol and heroin, weeks after leaving rehab for substance misuse. His death highlights the dangers of the post-rehab period, and …
Viewpoint: U.N. Admits Drug War Is ‘Floundering,’ but Is Regulating Recreational Drugs the Answer?
As the DEA reported its largest-ever bust of synthetic-drug dealers and manufacturers, the U.N. admitted that its law-enforcement efforts to contain illegal drugs have largely failed.
What Milk Shakes Teach Us About Food Addiction
Have you ever craved a piece of chocolate? Or felt the lure of a hot slice of pizza? And been convinced that the force responsible wasn’t your stomach hoping to quell hunger but your brain, desperately seeking to satisfy …