Wednesday, April 25, 2012
A history of binge eating -- consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time -- may make an individual more likely to show other addiction-like behaviors, including substance abuse, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. In the short term, this finding may shed light on the factors that promote substance abuse, addiction, and relapse. In the long term, may help clinicians treat individuals suffering from this devastating disease. (more)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Recovering addicts who avoid coping with stress succumb easily to substance-use cravings, making them more likely to relapse during recovery, according to behavioral researchers. "Cravings are a strong predictor of relapse," said H. Harrington Cleveland, associate professor of human development at Penn State. "Whether you avoid problems or analyze problems not only makes a big difference in your life but also has a powerful impact on someone who has worked hard to stay away from alcohol and other drugs." (more)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Depending on which study you read, the relapse rate for drug and alcohol addiction ranges from 50 to 90 percent. These numbers do not surprise Kyung-An Han, associate professor of biology, whose primary work seeks to understand how molecules in the brain mediate behavior. Han argues that addiction has nothing to do with willpower. She says, "Addiction is a problem of the brain that can be chronic and progressive. It is not a moral issue. Our behavior is largely controlled by brain function." (more)
