Faculty Bibliography

The present study evaluated a model program at Bellevue Hospital Center incorporating a peer-led self-help (PLSH) approach which can be applied to bring about systems-level change in a variety of settings where persons with dual diagnosis are encountered. A total of 461 consecutive MICA inpatient admissions were evaluated to compare the PLSH unit with two standard psychiatric units. The PLSH program was associated with a higher rate of acceptance of aftercare referral (93% vs. 74%) and aftercare attendance (52% vs. 30%) among patients with no prior psychiatric hospitalizations (N = 111). In addition, the PLSH program appeared to benefit chronically impaired MICA patients (N = 350) or those with a history of prior psychiatric hospitalizations, as they were more likely to accept referral to aftercare treatment than were chronic patients discharged from the standard psychiatric units (96% vs. 81%). Such a program, when more widely applied, could yield decreased recidivism and considerably lower medical, psychiatric, and economic cost

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is described as a spiritual fellowship by many of its members, but its spiritual orientation needs to be better understood by clinicians and researchers. Spirituality is a latent construct, one that is inferred from multiple component dimensions, such as social psychology, neurophysiology, and treatment outcome research. Mechanisms related to its role in promotion of recovery in AA are discussed from the perspective of these findings, along with related options for professionally grounded treatment, such as Twelve-Step Facilitation. This discussion illustrates the importance of further research on AA and spirituality and of employing them in the provision of psychiatric services

Spirituality is a construct that has recently gained currency among clinicians because of its close association with twelve-step modalities and its perceived role in the promotion of meaningfulness in recovery from addiction. This article draws on studies from physiology, psychology, and cross-cultural sources to examine its nature and its relationship to substance use disorders. Illustrations of its potential and limitations as a component of treatment in spiritually oriented recovery movements like Alcoholics Anonymous, meditative practices, and treatment systems for the dually diagnosed are given

This study sought to determine which adolescents being treated for substance use in a residential Therapeutic Community (TC) would endorse spirituality and Twelve Step oriented approaches as part of their treatment. By identifying individual difference characteristics associated with preference for spirituality and Twelve Step oriented approaches, integrated substance abuse treatments can be targeted to appropriate subgroups of adolescents. A total of 181 adolescents completed a survey assessing their substance use and attitudes toward spirituality and Twelve Step oriented approaches that was similar to a survey completed by 322 adults in the same residential TC program. In the adolescent sample, three spirituality related characteristics: perceived connectedness to others, frequency of prayer, and spiritual orientation to life were associated with preference for both spirituality and twelve step oriented approaches being featured more in TC treatment. Adolescents were less likely than adults to express a preference that both approaches be featured more in TC treatment

The Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse (AMERSA) is a multi-disciplinary organization committed to health professional faculty development in substance abuse. In 1976, members of the Career Teachers Training Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse, a US federally funded multi-disciplinary faculty development program, formed AMERSA. The organization grew from 59 founding members, who were primarily medical school faculty, to over 300 health professionals from a spectrum of disciplines including physicians, nurses, social workers, dentists, allied health professionals, psychologists and other clinical educators who are responsible for advancing substance abuse education. AMERSA members promote substance abuse education among health professionals by developing curricula, promulgating relevant policy and training health professional faculty to become excellent teachers in this field. AMERSA influences public policy by offering standards for improving substance abuse education. The organization publishes a peer-reviewed, quarterly journal, Substance Abuse, which emphasizes research on the education and training of health professions and also includes original clinical and prevention research. Each year, the AMERSA National Conference brings together researchers and health professional educators to learn about scientific advances and exemplary teaching approaches. In the future, AMERSA will continue to pursue this mission of advancing and supporting health professional faculty who educate students and trainees to address substance abuse in patients and clients

Pathways to Recovery is a peerled, 12-step-based, self-help group with spiritual underpinnings that was developed to meet the needs of clients in a Methadone Treatment Program (MTP) based in a large municipal hospital. Pathways is facilitated by staff, but groups are patient-run. Pathways was adapted for the MTP population from our original Methadone Anonymous format because of the need for increased structure and to ensure the inclusion of women participating in substance abuse treatment that is predominantly male. A sample of 26 Pathways participants and a comparison group of 26 MTP clients who did not attend Pathways completed a battery of questionnaires to assess demographic characteristics, substance use, depression, anxiety, spiritual orientation, and 12-step beliefs. Preliminary findings on gender differences are presented

OBJECTIVE: Childhood and adolescence represent a critical period for the potential initiation of substance use, and thus it is important that child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) residents learn to screen, assess, refer, and/or treat children and adolescents who have substance abuse diagnoses. METHOD: The authors conducted a survey by mail of directors from all accredited U.S. CAP residency programs in order to describe addiction training in their respective programs. RESULTS: Seventy percent of program directors responded and indicated diverse addiction training experiences for their residents. Findings indicate that the majority of CAP residents are treating patients with substance use disorders in both years of training and in multiple treatment settings. CONCLUSION: The survey provides preliminary data for system-level constraints that merit additional consideration in order to potentially advance addiction training in CAP residencies