HEALTH Research Institute

Substance Use and Abuse

Substance abuse dramatically affects health outcomes. We analyze the connection between substance use and abuse and how it causes chronic, and even deadly, illnesses. For example, though illicit drug use a serious health concern, nicotine is extremely harmful. It is the single most abused substance in the world -- an estimated 40 million Americans are addicted to nicotine in spite of its well-publicized deadly affects. Our research aims to study the cycle of substance use and abuse and developed strategies to break the cycle for all.

Featured Publications

Latest News

Lung Cancer Care: New NOSI grant awarded to HEALTH-RCMI researchers to help expand lung cancer screenings and interventions

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., according to the American Lung…

Reducing Harm from Cannabis Use: New Mobile Intervention designed by UH researcher slated to help Black American Cannabis Users

Recent data suggests that 30 percent of those who use Cannabis may have some degree of Cannabis Use…

How to Talk to College Students about Alcohol Addiction and Binge Drinking

Dr. Ezemenari Obasi speaks on NPR member station Houston Public Media with reporter Matthew Harab

New NOSI grant awarded to RESTORE Lab Researcher Brooke Kauffman to study Latinx Smokers and the Impact of Microaggressions on Smoking Behavior and Relapse

Discrimination can be enacted in overt and intended ways, but it can also occur in many subtle…

Four Pilot Grants Awarded to HEALTH-RCMI Researchers and Early-Stage Investigators

To nurture the research paths of early-stage investigators, pilot project grants are tailored to…