The second issue of Science & Practice Perspectives, published in August, exemplifies how the vital dialogue between scientific investigators and clinical practitioners is improving drug abuse treatment and research. NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow says, "The blending of drug abuse research and clinical practice can spur progress, so this journal represents some of our most important work."
In the new issue of Perspectives, a biannual publication, authoritative researchers and clinicians address topics from criminal justice supervision of drug abuse treatment to the melding of 12-step treatment with other addiction therapies. Research Reviews include:
- "Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Criminal Justice Supervision," by Dr. Douglas B. Marlowe. The author describes a research-based strategy for coordinating substance abuse treatment and criminal justice supervision to achieve more economical use of resources as well as levels of monitoring appropriate to individual clients' drug use and criminal justice history.
- "Treating Adolescents for Substance Abuse and Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders," by Dr. Paula D. Riggs. The author presents up-to-date research-based guidelines for treating adolescents with both substance abuse and psychiatric problems and identifies key issues for further investigation.
Clinical Perspectives authors and articles are as follows:
- "Targeting Nicotine Addiction in a Substance Abuse Program," by Dr. James R. Sharp, Steven Schwartz, Thomas Nightingale, and Dr. Steven Novak. The authors describe the rationale, history, policies, and practices of a smoking cessation program that is obligatory for all clients of an inpatient substance abuse program.
- "12-Step Participation as a Pathway to Recovery: The Maryhaven Experience and Implications for Treatment Research," by Dr. Gregory S. Brigham, of Maryhaven, Inc., analyzes how 12-step treatment works as part of a total addiction recovery, focusing on the example of one longstanding, community-based treatment facility.
Both Clinical Perspectives articles recommend how other programs can adapt these approaches to their own treatment program and how additional research could lead to understanding and better treatment outcomes.
In the article "Fishbowls and Candy Bars: Using Low-Cost Incentives To Increase Treatment Retention," Drs. Nancy M. Petry and Michael J. Bohn discuss their experience with low-cost contingency management approaches to drug abuse treatment. Along with the research background, they offer experience-based advice on successful implementation and mistakes to avoid, tips on overcoming common problems, and illustrative accounts of patient responses.
Also in this issue:
- Panel discussions examine and expand the implications of issues raised in each Research Review and Clinical Perspectives article;
- "Graphic Evidence" presents a striking visual representation of brain activity during cue-induced craving; and
- A continuing education (CE) quiz for counselors provides an opportunity for readers to earn two NAADAC-certified CE hours.
Perspectives is mailed to more than 25,000 drug abuse researchers and prevention/treatment providers nationwide.