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New & Noteworthy
The 2nd Asian Pacific Problem Gambling and Addictions Conference will use the newest scientific research to look at problem gambling and addiction from a new paradigm: the syndrome model. It is suggested that each outwardly unique addiction disorder might be a distinctive expression of the same underlying addiction syndrome. The syndrome model views addiction as a syndrome with multiple opportunistic expressions resulting from multidimensional susceptibility in neurobiological, psychosocial and experiential spectrums. This conference will include presentations and workshops on the syndrome model of addiction, treatments for addiction and impulse disorders, cognitive behavioral and alternative treatment approaches to treating problem gamblers, cultural specificity in problem gambling, financial and debt counseling, working with families, responsible gaming policy, treatment on co-morbidity and addictions such as mental illness, suicide, alcohol and substance abuse, and other topics. For more information, please click here.
Publication Spotlight
Now Available in our Library & Archives:
Stability and progression of disordered gambling: lessons from longitudinal studies.
Very few studies have examined the progression of disordered gambling in an individual or the tendency for individuals to stay at one diagnostic level, as opposed to getting better or worse. Nonetheless, conventional wisdom states that disordered gambling is a condition that is both escalating and unmanageable. The objective of this study was to examine these assumptions. In analyses of available longitudinal studies from the peer reviewed literature, LaPlante, et al found no evidence to support the assumption that individuals cannot recover from disordered gambling, no evidence to support the assumption that individuals who have more severe gambling problems are less likely to improve than individuals who have less severe gambling problems, and no evidence to support the assumption that individuals who have some gambling problems are more likely to worsen than individuals who do not have gambling problems. This review demonstrates instability and multidirectional courses in disordered gambling. Click here to visit the Library & Archives page.
Implementation of a computerized psychiatric assessment tool at a DUI treatment facility: A case example
Psychiatric comorbidity is common among patients in a variety of treatment settings, yet treatment providers seldom use standardized mental health assessments to identify these problems. Using standardized assessment tools gives practitioners and clients the opportunity to tailor treatment and aftercare efforts to a potential problem, and trains practitioners to provide valid and reliable measurements of mental health. Despite the benefits, there are barriers to implementing formal assessment tools. This paper discusses the barriers the authors encountered and the strategies they used to implement a standardized mental health assessment at a state-licensed Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offender treatment program. Click here to visit the Library & Archives page.
The Epidemiology of Psychiatric Disorders Among Repeat DUI Offenders Accepting a Treatment-Sentencing Option
Psychiatric comorbidity likely contributes to driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol among repeat offenders. This study presents one of the first descriptions of the prevalence and comorbidity of psychiatric disorders among repeat DUI offenders in treatment. Repeat DUI offenders evidenced higher lifetime and 12-month prevalence of alcohol use and drug use disorders, conduct disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder compared with the general population. Almost half qualified for lifetime diagnoses of both addiction (i.e., alcohol, drug, nicotine, and/or gambling) and a psychiatric disorder. These results suggest that clinicians should consider multimorbidity within DUI treatment protocols. Click here to visit the Library & Archives page.
Research Spotlight
St. Francis House Moving Ahead Program (MAP) Evaluation
The
Division on Addictions has partnered with St. Francis House, a service
center for people struggling with homelessness in the greater Boston area,
to evaluate the instruments used to collect information from participants in
its job- and life-skills training program, the Moving Ahead Program (MAP).
The current evaluation project includes a descriptive and psychometric
analysis of approximately 10 years of data on participants in MAP. Findings
from these analyses will inform recommendations for both revising the
intake, graduation, and follow-up tools used at MAP, and creating a complete
computerized intake and assessment system for St. Francis House and its
programs.
The Opioid Addiction and Family Project
The Opioid Addiction and Family Project is a new research study being conducted at Cambridge Health Alliance. The goal of this effort is to find out if adding family counseling to individual counseling and Naltrexone medication leads to better treatment outcomes for people struggling with opioid addiction. This study is funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Patients in the study are randomly assigned to receive either (a) naltrexone plus individual drug counseling without family counseling, or (b) naltrexone plus individual drug counseling with family counseling. Counseling and medication received as part of this study are free of charge. Each patient takes part in the study for 16 months - 4 months of treatment and 12 months follow-up. Study participants are needed. For more information, please visit our webpage at www.cha.harvard.edu/opioid or call (617) 591-6055.
Joint research initiative on multiracial identity and health: Harvard Medical School faculty at the Division on Addictions, Cambridge Health Alliance, University of Michigan, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Division on Addictions is a founding member of a multi-university research initiative dedicated to examining the distribution and determinants of important addiction-related health behaviors among multi-racial/ethnic populations. Compared to monoracial majority and monoracial minority individuals, research shows that multiracial individuals are in greater danger of developing a number of risky health behaviors (e.g., underage drinking) and health disorders (e.g., depression) (Choi, et al.,2006; Shih & Sanchez, 2005). Two research projects addressing this issue will commence during the summer of 2007. First, we will collaborate with Dr. Margaret Shih of the University of Michigan on a secondary data analysis of the ADD Health longitudinal dataset to examine addiction-related behavior and social support among multiracial young adults. The Robert Wood Johnson Health and Society Scholars program at University of Michigan will provide support for this study. Second, we will collaborate with Dr. Shih and Dr. Bo Bernhard of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on a study that will examine addiction-related behavior among multiracial individuals in the rural and urban Southwest. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas President’s Research Award will provide support for this study.
Joint research project: bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and Harvard Medical School Faculty at the Division on Addictions, Cambridge Health Alliance an affiliate of Harvard Medical School.
The
science of Internet gaming is young. Consequently, there are many things we
do not know about Internet gaming and some of those things might help with
the prevention of gambling addiction. Because of this, bwin Interactive
Entertainment AG has entered
into a long-term research project in collaboration with the Division on
Addictions and its Harvard Medical School faculty. The first stage of this
project involves compiling and analyzing objective and bwin Interactive
Entertainment consumer
data with respect to the gaming habits of potential problem gamers. At the
second stage, preventive measures will be developed and evaluated in the
light of these results. The third phase will examine additional risk factors
that bwin Interactive Entertainment consumer data does not include, such as compulsivity,
impulsivity, learned associations, and cognitive ability.
This initial project with the Division on Addictions is funded by bwin Interactive Entertainment and the plan is for this 3-year grant to extend through 2008.
Education Spotlight
Depression: True Stories (26 minutes)
Professional
basketball player Chamique Holdsclaw and other young adults describe living
with – and recovering from – depression. Their powerful stories show how
early diagnosis and treatment can transform and save lives. A guide embedded
on the DVD will help you lead thoughtful discussions with groups of young
adults and parents and other caregivers. For grades 6-college, parents, and
other caregivers.
Words Can Work: When Talking About Depression and Other Mental Health Disorders (52 pages)
Young
adults and their families discuss living with depression, bipolar disorder,
and other mental health disorders. Experts offer information, strategies,
and the words to help families talk about these topics. This booklet is an
ideal companion to the DVD and underscores its key messages.
For more information on these and other programs, visit www.wordscanwork.com.
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