It's well understood that women should not smoke while pregnant. Yet some women find it difficult to quit. Knowing some of the long-term effects may offer an extra motivational boost.

College kids use terms like "hammered" and "buzzed" to talk about drinking. These labels may lead students to think binge drinking is normal and a buzz is harmless.

Many public parks and beaches no longer permit smoking. Reducing cigarette butt litter might be the greatest unexpected benefit of these smoking bans.

It is already known that drinking during pregnancy can affect the growing baby's brain and development. But different amounts of alcohol drunk at different times in a pregnancy may have different effects.

When it comes to food and alcohol the phrase "everything in moderation" may apply. But when it comes to smoking, simply cutting back may not be enough. 

Opioid painkiller use has been on the rise for a few years now. Among women in the US, overdose deaths from prescription painkillers have eclipsed all other drug overdoses.

Breaking the tobacco habit is a sensible goal of many smokers. Meeting that target has clear payoffs. For some, including older women, it also may raise concerns about weight gain.

Quitting any addiction cold turkey can be really tough. A replacement for cocaine, like methadone for heroin addicts, may pave the way for a new therapy to help addicts quit. 

Quitting smoking can be extremely difficult. There may be a slight possibility that an electronic cigarette could help smokers wean off the habit, but long-term risks are still unknown.

Is food addiction real? A candy bar can’t exactly be compared to heroin, but the sugar spike from candy may wake up the same part of the brain that substance abuse can trigger.