Cocaine

Marijuana is being implicated in increased drop-out rates for college students with short term memory and motivational issues. New vaccines for different drugs continue to come out at a rapid rate, and new experiments with controlling coke addiction by manipulating the pre-limbic cortex using a laser to switch off controlling neurons.

A new drug use survey shows a marked increase in drug use by 18-25 yr olds, especially marijuana, while cocaine and meth use has gone way down. Changing attitudes about pot may come form medical marijuana issues, and also whether alcohol/energy drinks may contribute to the alcohol overdoses.

Salt, a high blood pressure medicine and South American trance vine are all in the news, shedding new light on how addiction works, and perhaps offering new treatment avenues.

Addiction, treatment and recovery are spawning more profitable businesses, from high-end treatment to a variety of media with tv series, and this week, a brand new website, by-for-and-of the addiction community. Also news on the cocaine vaccine, and how another state is readying a pseudoephedrine restriction to combat meth.

The Rolling Stone and "sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll" somehow seem to go together. Guitarist Keith Richards chronicles his life experience in a new autobiography, which talks alot about his passion -- music, and how that helped him overcome his addictions without quitting all drugs and drinking. Dr Inaba comments.

A Cocaine vaccine shows some promising results - but more work remains. Dr. Inaba comments.