We’re often presented with mixed messages regarding mild or moderate alcohol consumption and its effect on brain and/or cardiovascular health. This current study tracks alcohol consumption and its effects on cognition performance among middle-aged and older adults in the U.S.

What is important to patients as they choose a treatment setting? This retrospective analysis examines online ratings and reviews that patients in specific Pennsylvania drug treatment facilities completed from 2010-2018 to assist in identifying quality metrics.

How helpful is adding a particular psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to medications for substance use disorder (SUD)?

The post-test for this issue is available for one year after the publication date to subscribers only. By successfully completing the test you will be awarded a certificate for 2 CME credits.

After reading these articles, you should be able to…

Dr. Potenza, an expert in behavioral addictions, defines gambling disorder and compulsive shopping. We explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted gambling and shopping behaviors, and how to approach these disorders in the clinic.

Faith may be a protective factor against addiction, and some widely accepted treatments use faith to build recovery capacity. This article reviews the evidence for faith-based treatment and provides suggestions for incorporating faith in the clinic.

Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most prevalent treatments for alcohol use disorder, but claims of its effectiveness has been mired by limited evidence. This updated Cochrane meta-analysis tells a fuller story and offers suggestions for supporting patients utilizing this ubiquitous program.

Interventions that combat isolation may be particularly important in the context of current physical distancing recommendations. This randomized trial tested whether community reinforcement paired with motivational enhancement therapy impacted outcomes among seniors with alcohol use disorder.

Stay-at-home orders in many US states, which began in early 2020, have been associated with increased alcohol sales, particularly via online outlets. The World Health Organization issued a warning in April 2020 that alcohol use may potentially exacerbate poor health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. How has the pandemic influenced individuals’ drinking behavior, and which groups have felt this influence the most?