Australian Police to Use Twitter to Target Drunk DrivingAddictionBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 26, 2009Australian police announced that they will begin using Twitter, a popular micro-blogging service, to discourage drunk driving among young people. Victoria state police deputy commissioner Ken Lay said he would post “embarrassingly boozy breath readings” recorded during traffic operations in an attempt to make people think twice about drinking and driving.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: On-Screen and OffNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 25, 2009If you’ve ever watched the show “Monk” starring Tony Shalhoub, you know it’s about a detective who has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The seven-year-old series was created by David Hoberman, who struggled with OCD as a teenager. According to a poll taken by the Obsessive Compulsion Foundation, people with OCD don’t mind the emphasis on… Details
Study Examines Environmental Impact on Addiction RelapseAddictionBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 24, 2009Addiction can control a life, making it difficult to kick a habit completely. Even those who have been able to remain abstinent for long periods of time are still at risk of being vulnerable to their own memories of prior drug or substance abuse. A recent Science Daily release focused on a recent study that… Details
Study Finds Link Between Racism and DepressionMood DisordersBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 23, 2009By Susan J. Campbell Race impacts more in our lives than perhaps even we realize. According to recent research, fifth-graders who believe they have been mistreated as a result of the color of their skin are much more likely than their classmates to have symptoms of mental disorders, especially depression. The Pensacola News Journal recently… Details
When Dentists Act as Drug DealersSubstance AbuseBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 22, 2009Kenny Morrison was a top chef at a trendy Los Angeles restaurant, often serving dinner to Hollywood stars. He lived in a beachfront home and generally loved life. But after he became addicted to pain medication after getting dental work in 2003, he lost everything. He began using Vicodin, OxyContin, and codeine to get through… Details
Medical History of Mental Disorders Lacking in Doctor’s OfficeNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 21, 2009Anytime a patient visits the doctor’s office, a medical history is taken or updated. This history includes things like whether or not there is heart disease or cancer in the family, the number of surgeries a patient has had, and if he or she is allergic to any type of medication. When it comes to… Details
Young Men Living with Parents More Likely to be Violent and Have Alcohol ProblemsNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 20, 2009A new study by researchers at Queen Mary, University of London finds that young men who stay at home with their parents tend to be more violent than those who live independently. Researchers also found that men still living at home in their early twenties have fewer responsibilities and more disposable income to spend on… Details
Drug Patterns Uncovered through WastewaterNews and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 16, 2009A team of researchers has mapped patterns of illicit drug use across the state of Oregon by sampling municipal wastewater before it is treated. According to a Science Daily article, their findings provide a one-day snapshot of drug excretion that can be used to better understand patterns of drug use in multiple municipalities over time.
Heroin Use Back on the RiseDrug AddictionBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 15, 2009A very popular drug in the 60s and 70s, heroin is finding its popularity growing once again. This time, it is appealing to younger children in suburban areas, according to an IndyStar article. The trend has been noted by police, prosecutors, defense lawyers, coroners and treatment centers. “It’s not just something we thought we’d see,… Details
Drunk Driving Down; Drugged Driving UpAlcoholismBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 14, 2009A government survey found that the number of drunk-driving cases has fallen sharply over the last 30 years due to tougher laws and a shift in societal views on alcohol. However, a separate survey showed that for the first time, 16.3 percent of nighttime weekend drivers tested positive for drugs—mainly marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
