AddictionsInfo Center

Pill Problems: Some Patients May Not Need Anti-Anxiety Rx
They relieve anxiety and help many patients sleep, but benzodiazepines might not be the best choice for many patients — especially over the long term. Still, many older patients were taking these medications. 
New Treatment Helped More Patients Ditch Nicotine
If you can fight fire with fire, why not fight addiction to nicotine with another chemical?
E-Cigs May Help Smokers Kick the Habit
It's tough to kick the smoking habit, but electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) may help.
More Teens Puffing on E-Cigs Than Experts Thought
At the moment, electronic cigarettes are unregulated, widely advertised and readily available in the US — and they may be catching on with teens. But parents can take action to keep their kids from using nicotine products of any kind.
New Report Ranks US States for Healthiness
The United Health Foundation today released its annual state health rankings. The states varied widely, and some national measures of health saw slight improvements.
Doctors May Hesitate to Prescribe Pain Rx
Some doctors may believe that opioids to treat pain are prescribed too often and pose a risk of abuse. That belief might have made some less likely to prescribe these medications.
Some Hookah Users Got 'Hooked' on Cigarettes
Alternative tobacco products like snus and hookahs may be gaining popularity among teens and young adults — and they may also spark later cigarette use.
Head Trauma May Up Risk of Substance Abuse in Teens
Teens often engage in risky behaviors, but a head injury may mean double trouble, a new study found.
Smoking Rate Hit All-Time Low
Efforts to reduce smoking like public bans and media campaigns may be having an effect. The number of Americans who smoke may be smaller than it has ever been.
Teens May Abuse Their Prescription Medications
Prescribing anti-anxiety and sleep medications may backfire with some teens. The authors of a recent study found that teens who had received prescriptions for these medications were much more likely to abuse them.