Addiction

Although smoking prevalence has declined in the United Kingdom over recent decades, it has changed little among people with mental health disorders, remaining substantially higher than the national average.  Yet a study published in the journal Addiction, presenting work carried out for a report released today by the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Psychiatrists called ‘Smoking and Mental Health’, suggests that general practitioners (GPs) are missing opportunities to help smokers with mental health disorders to quit. 

A new study made available online today in ‘Addiction’ shows that, between 2002 and 2009, the percentage of deaths caused by alcohol in British Columbia, Canadadropped more than expected whenminimum alcohol price was increased, while alcohol-related deaths increasedwhen more private alcohol stores were opened. The paper has significant implications for international alcohol policy.

A new study from Sweden reveals that having low peer status in adolescence is a strong risk factor for regular and heavy smoking in adulthood.

The financial effects of alcoholism on the family members of addicts can be massive, but little is known about whether treatment for alcoholism reduces that financial burden.  A study of 48 German families published online today in the journal Addiction reveals that after twelve months of treatment, family costs directly related to a family member’s alcoholism decreased from an average of €676.44 (£529.91, US$832.26) per month to an average of €145.40 (£113.90, $178.89) per month.  Put another way, average costs attributable to alcoholism decreased from 20.2% to 4.3% of the total pre-tax family income.

Cigarette smoking among drug dependent pregnant women is alarmingly high, estimated at 77 to 99%.  Programs that treat pregnant patients for substance use disorders often fail to address cigarette smoking despite the clear risks to both mother and child, including ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, low birth weight, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, programs to help people quit smoking do not seem to interfere with drug abuse treatment, and may actually improve drug abstinence rates.

When governments use comprehensive, well-funded tobacco control programs to reduce adult smoking, they also reduce smoking among adolescents. 

A study published in the international scientific journal Addiction reveals that restrictions on pub closing times imposed in 2008 within the Australian city of Newcastle have reduced the assault rate by 37 per cent.