- http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/48896
- http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/48914
- http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/49117
- http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/49157
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
17-Sep-12
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
There are many types of addiction, some that involve substances like drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and those that involve behaviors such as gambling or sex. And all share common attributes: compulsive, persistent and harmful. Science has discovered they also share a common biology in the brain. Any addiction taps into pathways deep inside the brain that give pleasure. This month ideastream is exploring addiction as part of our ongoing health information series, Be Well. Health reporter Anne Glausser begins by explaining how an essential chemical in the brain becomes problematic in addiction.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Abnormal Brain Structure Implicated in Stimulant Drug Addiction http://www.sciencemag.org/content/335/6068/601.abstract National Institutes of Health — Drug Abuse and Addiction http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/science-addiction/drug-abuse-addiction
Explain types of human sources used.
Dr. Barry Hoffer, Scientific Director for the National Institute on Drug Abuse. He lives in Cleveland and is an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University.
Results:
No specific results, as this was an informative broadcast feature for our audience and was not intended to prove or disprove a specific hypothesis. I’ve added several web links to other addiction segments produced by Anne Glausser, as part of a larger series about addiction and its causes.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No corrections, clarifications, or challenges have followed this feature’s airing.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Our author (reporter) suggests that reporters look into the concept of how our genes make us more vulnerable to certain drugs. This is an emerging area, and much of the neurochemistry of addiction is still being explored and worth further coverage.