June 2001 | Monitor on Psychology | Vol. 32 No. 6

COVER: Substance abuse treatment: An untapped practice opportunity
- Abuse on the job
Some occupations are more likely to experience higher rates of alcohol and drug use than others.
- Adolescents aren't getting the help they need
Most adolescents who enter substance abuse treatment have psychological problems and many emerge from treatment with mental health challenges, a major study suggests.
- Cognition is central to drug addiction
Recent research shows that drug abuse alters cognitive activities such as decision-making and inhibition, likely setting the stage for addiction and relapse.
- Exploring alcohol treatments for teens
Project Options includes three interventions: a website on behavior change, an informal informational group session framing alcohol as a coping mechanism, and an individual version of the group intervention.
- Helping ex-smokers stay that way
Two interventions are sending eight "Stay Quit" booklets over the course of a year and offering use of a 24-hour hot line.
- Real-world research: the Clinical Trials Network
NIDA spearheads a program that partners academic centers and community-based treatment centers nationwide--and delivers new solutions to drug abusers.
- Research on teen smoking cessation gains momentum
A new wave of research promises to clarify the types of interventions that best help adolescents quit smoking.
- Research opportunities abound
Interested in substance abuse research? Here's where to look for funding.
- Substance abuse linked to learning disabilities and behavioral disorders
The report also urges substance abuse researchers and counselors to examine the possibility of this link when studying adolescent or adult substance abuse.
- The changing face of marijuana research
Studies on marijuana withdrawal have helped ignite interest in developing effective treatments.
IN BRIEF
- More research needed on harm-reduction products for smokers
- Most substance abusers aren't getting treatment
- NIAAA to release findings of student drinking study
- NIDA director says psychologists needed to research medication abuses
- Eat dinner with your children, September 24
- Children and parents are having different conversations about substance use
- Fifty-four percent of youth have tried an illicit drug
- Smoking and depression perpetuate one another, study indicates
- Spotlight on SAMHSA
- Study explores the relationship between drinking and fraternities
- Substance abuse is nation's No. 1 health problem, but there is hope
- A picture is worth a thousand words
- Teen drinking more dangerous than previously thought
- More college campuses breathe easy
TIME CAPSULE
Key dates in American drug, alcohol and tobacco use

FEATURES
Individual therapy is often the approach of choice for treating substance abuse problems, say experts.
Looking at data differently led to today's influential Relapse Prevention Therapy.
Psychologists are helping to shape a new--and smarter--generation of prevention programs.
Join APA and its divisions and affiliated groups for APA's 2001 Annual Convention in San Francisco, Aug. 24-28.
APA's Annual Convention in San Francisco, Aug. 24-28, offers substance abuse programming for researchers and practitioners alike.
Drug and alcohol abuse exact a high toll on America's workforce, which could benefit from more research and interventions by psychologists.
Behavioral Couples Therapy offers addicts a path to recovery alongside a loved one.
The federally funded COMBINE study seeks to clarify what combination of behavioral and pharmacologic treatments for alcohol dependence are most effective.
Individual therapy is often the approach of choice for treating substance abuse problems, say experts.
Recent decision strikes down a policy that appeared to target poor ethnic-minority women.
A psychologist-designed CD-ROM has become a popular way to teach adolescents about the science of drug and alcohol addiction.
With trendy coffee bars and well-stocked soda machines at every corner, psychologists are calling for more research on caffeine's impact on children.
A Florida county takes steps to ensure that teen-agers don't become lifelong smokers.
While the popular media have reported that Ritalin may cause children to smoke and abuse stimulants as adults, most experts disagree.
Practitioners are relying on several psychology-grounded and psychologist-tested substance abuse treatments.
Psychologists are watching a handful of states to see whether mandatory treatment of drug offenders works.
APA's Annual Convention highlights efforts to bring promising treatments into practice.
PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE
Psychologists' work continues to support tobacco control, in both research and practice.
COLUMNS
Judicial Notebook
Judicial notebookPresident's Column
Building a healthy world: addictions are a major health hazardRunning Commentary
The greatest threat to our nation's healthShared Perspectives
What does it mean that addiction is a brain disease?

