Pharmacologic approaches to nicotine addiction.

Nicotine addiction is like other drug addictions in that it represents a medical illness, and responds well to medical interventions. Nicotine is widely used, and is associated with very high rates of dependence. Cigarettes are the primary form of nicotine delivery, and are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Cigarette smoking is the number one leading cause of preventable death in this country. There are a wide variety of pharmacologic treatments available that are effective, and well tolerated. Most smokers misunderstand the nature of addiction, and are unaware of how effective smoking cessation medications are. Physicians should ask their patients about tobacco use, strongly recommend cessation, and help patients utilize effective treatments

Clinical characteristics of individuals using an online alcohol evaluation program

Access to treatment for substance abuse disorders is limited, and practical strategies are needed to expand opportunities for individuals to receive effective interventions. Automated or semi-automated treatments have shown promise in other disorders. Identifying the characteristics of patients who will be able to benefit from this unconventional approach will increase the likelihood of success. The current study examined 1,297 individuals using an online alcohol evaluation program. Subjects had high scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and a substantial amount of ambivalence about the possible harm that their drinking caused, but they also had very low levels of self-identification as actual problem drinkers