Drinking Alcohol Before 15 Years Of Age Is Risky For Later Alcohol Problems

ScienceDaily (2008-09-30) -- Researchers have known that age of first drink (AFD) is associated with the later development of alcohol-use disorders (AUDs). New findings show that an early AFD, before the age of 15, is especially risky for later AUDs. Experts recommend delaying the onset of drinking behavior as late as possible, until 18 or older.

Drug Overdose Deaths on the Rise

National Safety Council Says Prescription Painkillers Lead the Trend

By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Sept. 22, 2008 (Anaheim, Calif.) -- Deaths from accidental drug overdoses have increased dramatically in recent years, and prescription painkillers account for much of the problem, according to research presented today at the National Safety Council meeting.

Cocaine-induced Brain Plasticity May Protect The Addicted Brain: Findings May Lead To New Drug-abuse Treatments

ScienceDaily (2008-08-27) -- Increased connections among brain cells caused by excessive drug use may represent the body's defense mechanism to combat addiction and related behaviors, scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.

New Evidence On Addiction To Medicines: Diazepam Has Effect On Nerve Cells In The Brain Reward System

ScienceDaily (2008-08-29) -- Addictions to medicines and drugs are thought to develop over a relatively long period of time. The process involves both structural and functional changes in brain nerve cells that are still poorly understood. However, a single drug or alcohol dose is sufficient to generate an initial stage of addiction.

Mechanism Behind Cocaine Craving Identified

ScienceDaily (2008-08-16) -- A possible future way to prevent relapses into drug dependence has been discovered. The target is the dopamine-producing nerve cells in the midbrain.

Abuse Of Painkillers Can Predispose Adolescents To Lifelong Addiction

ScienceDaily (2008-09-11) -- Researchers reveal that adolescent mice exposed to the painkiller Oxycontin can sustain lifelong and permanent changes in their reward system -- changes that increase the drug's euphoric properties and make such adolescents more vulnerable to the drug's effects later in adulthood.