by Alison Porter | Sep 10, 2026 | Member Spotlight
Epidemiological studies have shown repeatedly that one of the best prognosticators of adolescent or young adult drug use is whether an individual’s peers use drugs. The high concordance rates of drug use within peer groups can be explained by either selection theories...
by Alison Porter | Sep 10, 2026 | Member Spotlight
Dr. Greg Collins is using procedures in laboratory animals to understand aspects related to designer psychostimulant abuse. The rise of designer recreational drugs has added further complication to our efforts to reduce drug addiction and abuse. These drugs are...
by Alison Porter | Sep 10, 2026 | Member Spotlight
Tobacco use is the greatest preventable cause of death, cancer, and illness in the United States. Some smoking cessation interventions are effective, but the majority of individuals who stop smoking relapse within a year. A better understanding of the mechanisms...
by Alison Porter | Sep 10, 2026 | Member Spotlight
Although cocaine use is a leading cause of overdose deaths in the US, second only to opioids, there are currently no FDA-approved medications for its treatment. Exercise shows promise as a treatment option given its potential to reduce drug craving and vulnerability...
by Alison Porter | Sep 10, 2026 | Member Spotlight
Opioid analgesics remain the primary treatment for moderate to severe pain, but often cause behavioral impairment that constrains their therapeutic utility. Preclinical antinociception assays in animals have been indispensable in the development of analgesic...
by Alison Porter | Sep 10, 2026 | Member Spotlight
Stress is an important predictor of substance use and misuse. For example, early-life or chronic stress can contribute to the development of disordered patterns of substance use. Similarly, stressful events may precipitate relapse and continued substance use among...
