National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, 2008 (White House News)

Substance abuse is an unrelenting evil that destroys lives, ruins families, and endangers neighborhoods. During National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, we emphasize our commitment to alcohol and drug addiction prevention. This month is also an opportunity to recognize those who have had the courage to combat and overcome addiction.

Martin Sheen opposing drug rehab initiative (Los Angeles Times)

The actor, who like his son has battled substance abuse, is co-chairing an effort against Prop. 5, which would expand court-sanctioned treatment for addicts instead of jail time. Martin Sheen, the politically liberal actor who has advocated a tough-love approach to drug addiction, is teaming up with California law-and-order groups to lead the charge against an initiative that would increase ...

New Findings on Drug Abuse (Psych Central)

New research suggests our brain has an innate defense mechanism to combat addiction and related behaviors. The protection involves increased brain-rewiring or neuro-connections among brain cells when exposed to excessive drug use. UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists report that previous studies have shown that repeated use of drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines [...]

Cocaine-induced Brain Plasticity May Protect The Addicted Brain: Findings May Lead To New Drug-abuse Treatments (Science Daily)

Increased connections among brain cells caused by excessive drug use may represent the body's defense mechanism to combat addiction and related behaviors, scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.

New Evidence On Addiction To Medicines: Diazepam Has Effect On Nerve Cells In The Brain Reward System (Science Daily)

Addictions to medicines and drugs are thought to develop over a relatively long period of time. The process involves both structural and functional changes in brain nerve cells that are still poorly understood. However, a single drug or alcohol dose is sufficient to generate an initial stage of addiction.