Authors: EMCDDA/Robert West

A better understanding of the complex science of ‘addiction’ can improve responses to drug problems. This report contains a critical review of existing addiction theories and explores how these can be organised into an overarching structure to inform how we assess, prevent and treat addictive behaviours. This model is not limited to illicit drugs, but can also be applied to alcohol, tobacco and even non-pharmacological addictions, such as gambling or compulsive use of the Internet.

Models of addiction delivers the message that understanding the biological basis of addiction, along with the broader social and psychological aspects of addictive behaviour, can lead to successful prevention and treatment responses.

Authors: Gunderson E, Kirkpatrick MG, Willing LM, Holstege CP

There is a growing concern about the availability of a new generation of “designer drug” stimulants that are marketed as “bath salts” and other household products. The products are not true bath salts and contain substituted cathinone stimulant substances, such as  ethylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and mephedrone. Calls to the American Association of Poison Control Centers regarding “bath salts” consumption began in 2010 and have continued since that time.

Author: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

The World Drug Report 2013 presents a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in drug markets, covering production, trafficking, consumption and related health consequences. This year's report contains new global data on the number of people who inject drugs and those who inject drugs and are also living with HIV, showing progress and setbacks during the 2008-2011 period.

Feature in Science Magazine on David Nutt - reducing alcohol-related harm through sound politics, evidence-based policy and the potential of a synthetic substitute for alcohol.

A review of the monitoring of drug-related acute emergencies in 30 European countries, published in April 2014 by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). 

The report aims:

• To present a summarised literature review of the most common health problems caused by cocaine use, focused on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and neurological problems.
• To describe the sources of information on drug- and cocaine-related health emergencies in Europe and analyse relevant data from European countries’ recent annual National reports to the EMCDDA.
• To discuss the limitations of the data collected on cocaine-related acute emergencies and the public health implications of the cocaine-related results.
• To discuss the broader issue of using data from emergency settings to help monitor problems related to drug use.