Tom Randall of Bloomberg writes that the compulsive tanners met psychological criteria for addiction gauged by two different measurers, according to the study published today by the medical journal, Archives of Dermatology. About 42 percent of tanning addicts reported using more than one drug in the previous month, twice the rate of casual tanners.

Indoor tanning can cause skin cancer, premature skin aging and eye damage, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The health overhaul signed by President Barack Obama last month will charge customers a 10 percent tax effective in July. But curbing the habits of these undergraduates may prove more difficult than previously thought, researchers wrote in the study.

“Results suggest that treating an underlying mood disorder may be a necessary step in reducing cancer risk among those who frequently tan indoors,” wrote the researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the State University of New York, Albany. “Individuals who use drugs may be more likely to develop dependence on indoor tanning because of a similar addictive process.”

The study evaluated 421 college students in 2006. The students answered surveys designed to evaluate drug addiction. The surveys were modified to measure tanning addiction.

Questions included: “Do you ever feel guilty that you are using tanning beds or booths too much?” and “Do you try other non-tanning-related activities but find you really still like spending time in tanning beds or booths best of all?”

Published online today in the journal Biological Psychiatry, researchers also found that those who drank a large amount of alcohol before a traumatic event did not report an increase in the number of flashbacks.

"Many people who experience a personally traumatic event such as rape or a road traffic accident have consumed alcohol beforehand. For the first time, this research gives us an idea of how being under the influence of alcohol might contribute to our wellbeing later on," said James Bisby, from UCL’s Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, who led the research.

Scientists believe that the findings can be attributed to how alcohol affects two types of memory: one that is egocentric, providing a visual ‘snapshot’ of an event, and another that stores a mental representation of the context of the event, which is independent of the person’s viewpoint.

The authors of the study suggest that contextual memory is reduced in those who experience high levels of stress and this reduction may be exaggerated in those who have had a couple of glasses of wine (around three units). This allows egocentric memories to be involuntarily re-experienced—resulting in more flashbacks. In those that have drunk seven or more units of alcohol both types of memory are disrupted leading to fewer flashbacks and an overall reduction in memory for the event.

During the study, nearly 50 participants consumed either alcohol or a placebo drink and then performed a virtual reality task designed to examine how an experienced event is stored within memory. They were then shown a video of serious road traffic accidents and recorded the number of times they spontaneously re-experienced any of the footage, i.e. had a flashback, over the following 7 days.

"People who had been given a small amount of alcohol showed reductions in memory that relies on contextual aspects of an event, whereas memory based on an egocentric representation was intact. However, those individuals given a higher dose of alcohol showed a global reduction in memory with decreases in both types of memory," explained James Bisby.

Although the findings suggest that drinking a large amount of alcohol might result in less involuntary re-experiencing of the event due to an overall reduction in memory, the researchers are cautious in drawing this conclusion.

"When people have no memory of the traumatic event, as can happen if they consumed a large amount of alcohol beforehand, they are more likely to imagine a ‘worse case scenario.’ This alone can prove to be extremely distressing and debilitating for the individual involved. We are currently extending our findings to try and provide a clearer picture of alcohol’s ability to affect memory during trauma," explained Professor Valerie Curran, also from the UCL Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, and a co-author of the research.

The research was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

This year, 19.4% of high school seniors said they had smoked marijuana at some point in the prior 30 days, as did 13.8% of 10th-graders and 5.8% of eighth-graders. Melissa Healy of the Los Angeles Times reports that this downward trend has stalled in the last two years, and kids’ attitudes suggest a reversal may be ahead.

In 1991, 58% of eighth graders said they thought occasional marijuana use was harmful. By last year, that number had fallen to 48%, and this year, to 45%.

In a Washington, D.C., news conference Monday, drug czar Gil Kerlikowske called such numbers "a warning sign."

"When beliefs soften, drug use worsens," said Kerlikowske, whose office is expected to release its first policy initiatives to combat and treat drug abuse in February.

University of Michigan researcher Lloyd Johnston, who oversees the annual survey, said there was "serious softening" in the perceived risks of LSD, inhalants and the party drug Ecstasy—a sign that "a new generation of kids are interested…in rediscovering these drugs, because they don’t understand why they shouldn’t be using them."

Johnston also flagged a phenomenon the survey has recently begun to track—“extreme binge drinking," or the consumption of more than 10 drinks on a single occasion. They survey’s findings suggest that such high-risk drinking is not unusual among older teens.

Binge drinking, defined as consumption of five drinks or more in a row, has declined since peaking in 1983. But Johnston said there has been "not much decline" in numbers of extreme binge drinkers.

Among high school seniors, 11% said they had drunk 10 drinks or more in a row in the two weeks prior to the survey; 6% said they’d had 15 or more.

Healy writes that the survey also showed that U.S. adolescents continue to raid their parents’ and friends’ medicine chests. Use of prescription painkillers is at an all-time high: 10% of high-school seniors reported taking Vicodin for nonmedical reasons in the last year, and 5% reported taking OxyContin.

Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which has commissioned the survey for 35 years, said at the news conference that teen use of prescription stimulant drugs is holding steady, with just over 7% of 10th- and 12th-graders reporting they had taken amphetamines for nonmedical reasons. Volkow said that in many cases, teens take these drugs before tests or study sessions as "cognitive enhancers." Although fewer kids reported taking Ritalin, much of that decline was because kids had merely shifted to Adderall, a newer ADHD drug.

The officials said that youths report some confidence that prescription drugs are less harmful than street drugs.

In the survey’s first accounting of where kids get drugs, it found that 66% who reported illicit drug use said they got the drugs from a friend or relative. Almost 19% said they got drugs with a doctor’s prescription.

Research into this area also revealed that more than one third of 11-year-old boys have consumed alcohol. Brain development experts are becoming alarmed, claiming an entire generation of young people is destroying their chance of reaching their full potential. In fact, cases of alcohol-related harm overall in Victoria have risen 77 percent from 1995 to 2005.

Many are pointing to liberal licensing laws as the cause of this epidemic of alcohol-fuelled injury and violence. As a result, family groups and adolescent experts are calling for the legal drinking age to be raised to 21.

Victoria Police statistics found that assaults in Melbourne rose 44 percent to close to 2,500 cases a year. Cases for hospitalization due to alcohol-related harm more than doubled from 11,571 to 23,144 between 1995 and 2005. In addition, the number of licensed premises in Victoria increased from 2,000 to 24,000.

Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg, adolescent psychologist, believes a rise in the drinking age is long overdue and cited the decrease in alcohol-related harm that occurred when the age was raised in Washington D.C.

Gabrielle Walsh, a spokeswoman for the Australian Family Association, asked for controls to be put on the spread of licensed venues. She also recommended a consideration in moving the legal drinking age to 21.

The concern for underage drinking – especially underage binge drinking – is very real. Already there has been a sharp rise in the number of women in their 20s being diagnosed with alcohol-acquired brain injury.

Sheriff’s Department spokesman Ross Bonfiglio said the writer is expected to be released next July. Catherine Saillant of the Los Angeles Times writes that until last week, Avary had been permitted to leave the furlough program daily to work at a production office, where he sent messages through the social networking site Twitter (called “tweets”) about strip searches, lockdowns, and talks with gangbangers, officials said.

But after the Los Angeles Times published reports about the short messages, Avary was transferred on Thanksgiving to county jail. The tweets played a role in the decision, Bonfiglio said, but he said probation officials also had "security issues."

"He really messed up," Bonfiglio said. "He could have done nine months out of a year sentence, and not even in lock-up, for killing someone. Now he is going to do the remainder of that time in county jail."

In January 2008, Avary drove while intoxicated and lost control of his Mercedes, slamming into a telephone pole on a rural Ojai road. The crash killed passenger Andreas Zini, 34, of Modena, Italy, and seriously injured Avary’s wife Gretchen. Avary, 44, plead guilty in August to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and other charges stemming from the accident.

Zini and his new bride were in Los Angeles for their honeymoon, Lief said. A mutual friend arranged for them to have dinner with Avary that night because Zini was a fan of "Pulp Fiction," he said.

"They’d never met until that night," said prosecutor Michael Lief.

Lief and defense attorney Mark Werksman said it was not unusual for Judge Edward Brodie to screen Avary for the work furlough program. Inmates who have jobs and haven’t been convicted of violent offenses are generally eligible for the program if they face more than 30 days in jail, both attorneys said.

Lief said he asked Brodie to send Avary to prison for six years and eight months. But the judge, citing Avary’s lack of criminal background and his community standing, gave him a year in county jail.

"The court gave him a break by sentencing him to 365 days in county jail and five years’ probation. Work furlough gave him an additional break," said Lief, a senior deputy district attorney. "It’s interesting that Mr. Avary could not do what was required of him to stay out of trouble and stay out of county jail."

Avary reported to Ventura County jail on Oct. 26 for processing and was released to appear at the work furlough program. He started his term the same day, said Lyle McDonald, manager of the program.

Inmates in the program live in military-style barracks housed at Camarillo Airport. They are allowed to leave daily for jobs, reporting back at night and on weekends, McDonald said. There is no Internet access, he said. Inmates eat communally and have access to a TV room, reading materials, and a recreation area.

Avary and writer-director Quentin Tarantino won an Academy Award in 1994 for "Pulp Fiction. Avary also co-wrote 2007′s fantasy hit "Beowulf."

The findings, presented Nov. 20 at a meeting in Atlanta of the Gerontological Society of America, suggest that alcohol abusers who are older than 60 consume more than 40 drinks a week, and younger alcoholics consume 25 to 35 drinks a week. Older drinkers are also more likely to binge drink, which means drinking large amounts of alcohol in one sitting.

"A combination of high levels of drinking and the physiological effects of aging are particularly problematic for older adults," said Linda Ginzer, co-author of the study and a doctoral student in social work at Ohio State University.

The researchers reached their conclusions after analyzing a national survey of more than 43,000 people taken between 2000 and 2001. People older than 60 who suffered from alcohol dependency drank in binges an average of 19 times a month, whereas younger people in the same category averaged 13 to 15 binges a month, the study found.

"More often than not, we think of binge drinking as occurring among college students or those in their 20s," said another co-author, Virginia Richardson, a professor of social work at Ohio State.

"But the fact is, binge drinking occurs among older people as well, and it is, in fact, worse among those who have problems with alcohol."

In fact, Ginzer said, binge drinking "may be a better measure of problem drinking than just the total amount of drinks someone has per week."

Although many people find the holiday season to be full of joy and merriment, millions of people find themselves depressed, lonely, and deeply sad during the holidays. This condition—commonly referred to as the holiday blues or holiday depression—can occur throughout the year, but becomes heightened during the months of November and December, when holiday cheer is in full bloom. The symptoms of holiday depression may resemble those of clinical depression, and there are several triggers.

Many people feel pressure to fill their calendars with holiday parties and family gatherings, and the failure to do so (or the anticipation of failing to do so) can lead to feelings of resentment and sorrow. The holidays can also be a difficult time for people who either don’t have a significant other or are struggling with a troubled relationship, as images of romantic gift-giving and couples snuggling up to a blazing fireplace abound.

The holiday season can also stir up memories of past holidays, both good and bad. If you had a negative experience during a previous holiday, you will likely be reminded of it every holiday season, or if you are currently depressed or experiencing troubles, memories of happy times during previous holidays can trigger depression. Holidays can also be very difficult for those who have lost a loved one of who are living far away from family and friends, as loneliness kicks in and hangs over even the most cheerful festivities.

If you suffer from the holiday blues, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone and that there are many steps you can take to lessen your feelings of depression or prevent them altogether. Be sure to get plenty of rest (but not too much, as excessive amounts of sleep can trigger depression), maintain a balanced and healthy diet, and exercise regularly.

You should also avoid drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes, as these two substances have been found to contribute to depression. Plan to spend time with the positive people in your life who care about you, and make time to do things you enjoy.

If your holidays are contaminated with negative thoughts of past holidays, resolve to start a new tradition, try out a new recipe, or do something you’ve never done before—just for yourself. Volunteering or helping someone in need is a great way to alleviate depression because helping others often results in a feeling of satisfaction and greater self-worth. Volunteer work is also an excellent excuse to get out of the house and socialize.

Aside from avoiding drinking and smoking (as well as other substances of abuse), don’t overindulge on holiday foods that are in high in sugar, as sugar “crashes” can result in feelings of depression. Try to refrain from dwelling on the past or on what you don’t have and focus on what you do have and the positive things in your life. Also avoid spending money you don’t have—financial stress will only add to depression, not alleviate it. Finally, don’t put yourself down if you suffer from the holiday blues, and understand that people experience the holidays in their own unique ways.

Being aware that you’re not alone, focusing on the positive things in your life, and avoiding depression triggers can help you prevent the holiday blues and truly enjoy the season.

Children being underweight, unsafe sex, alcohol use, lack of clean water, sanitation and hygiene issues, and high blood pressure are responsible for one-quarter of the 60 million deaths estimated to occur annually, according to the WHO report, entitled Global Health Risks.

The study lists 24 factors affecting health, ranging from air pollution to poor nutrition, and includes issues like tobacco use and alcohol abuse. The WHO said a mix of risk factors was usually behind premature deaths.

At the global level, being obese and overweight causes more deaths than being underweight, though in poor countries nutritional deficiencies prevent one in 38 newborns from reaching the age of five.

In 2004, a total of 10.4 million children died, mostly in non- industrialized countries, with over a third of the fatalities due to nutritional issues and preventable environmental risks.

True Food Allergies

When you have a true food allergy – say, you eat shellfish, and you’re violently allergic to it – your body’s immune system gets immediately involved. In highly allergic people, even a trace of the iodine in shellfish can produce a severe reaction, even anaphylaxis (severe rashes, breathing difficulty, stomach cramps or collapse). The human body’s immune system regards the ingredient as a harmful substance. The response is to trigger certain cells to make antibodies (called immunoglobulin E) to fight the enemy food.

Ingredients that May Cause Allergic Reactions

If you have an allergy to certain grains, such as wheat, barley, corn, rye and hops, or to the preservative sulfur dioxide, even to the yeast used in fermentation, you may experience an allergic reaction to drinking alcohol that contains these substances or ingredients.

Alcohol Intolerance

Allergic reaction to alcohol itself is rare, described in a few dozen published medical reports. Experts say that what’s more likely is that you have intolerance to alcohol. This makes you more sensitive to alcohol’s effects.

Alcohol is broken down in the liver by enzymes within minutes. If you can’t break down alcohol easily, problems may occur with any alcohol consumption.

Some of the immediate adverse effects of alcohol intolerance include:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain in the abdomen
• Nasal congestion
• Heartburn
• Headache
• Warm, red, and itchy skin

Alcohol Flush

Certain people of Asian descent have a genetic disorder in which the body is unable to break down alcohol completely. They have an unusual flushing reaction after consuming even a small amount of alcohol. According to the Mayo Clinic, research suggests alcohol flush reaction may increase the risk of alcohol-related conditions, including esophageal cancer and liver disease.

Alcohol Worsens Asthma

Up to one-third of patients with asthma say wine makes their asthma worse. This occurs less frequently with beer or spirits. Wheezing after drinking alcohol could be because of sodium metabisulphite, a preservative in beer, champagne and wine. There is more of this preservative in white wine than red (because red wines use natural tannins to help preserve it), and more in wine from casks than from bottles. The amount of preservative also varies from brand to brand.

There are some low-sulfite wines available, but in individuals with extreme sensitivity, even these may not be tolerated. Sulfites and preservatives may cause anaphylaxis in some highly-allergic people.

Histamines

Histamine is produced by bacteria and yeast during fermentation. It is also released by mast cells in allergic reactions. Large amounts of histamine in alcohol can cause an allergic reaction. Some wines have a high concentration of histamines.

What to do if You Have an Allergic Reaction

The simple answer is to avoid drinking alcohol, period. Pinpointing exactly what you are allergic to (an ingredient, a preservative, etc.) may not be worth the trouble. However, if you have the reaction to certain alcohol but not others, simply avoid that type of alcohol or brand.

Of course, it you experience severe pain after drinking alcohol, this may be a sign (although rare) of Hodgkin’s disease (also called Hodgkin’s lymphoma). Bottom line: if you have any unusual symptom that appears after drinking alcohol, you should consult your doctor.