Volume 4, Number 1 - December 2007
Science Versus Stigma
[PDF - 224K]
Nora D. Volkow, M.D.
A New Title and an Invitation
[PDF - 112K]
David Anderson
Marijuana Dependence and Its Treatment
[PDF - 952K]
Alan J. Budney, Roger Roffman, Robert S. Stephens, and Denise Walker
The prevalence of marijuana abuse and dependence disorders has been increasing among adults and adolescents in the United States. This paper reviews the problems associated with marijuana use, including unique characteristics of marijuana dependence, and the results of laboratory research and treatment trials to date. It also discusses limitations of current knowledge and potential areas for advancing research and clinical intervention.
Assessing Addiction: Concepts and Instruments
[PDF - 896K]
Sharon Samet, Rachel Waxman, Mark Hatzenbuehler, and Deborah S. Hasin
Efficient, organized assessment of substance use disorders is essential for clinical research, treatment planning, and referral to adjunctive services. In this article, we discuss the basic concepts of formalized assessment for substance abuse and addiction, as established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision, and describe six widely used structured assessment instruments. Our aim is to help researchers and clinical programs identify the instruments that best suit their particular situations and purposes.
Hepatitis C for Addiction Professionals
[PDF - 580K]
Diana Sylvestre
A disease whose reputation is often worse than its reality, hepatitis C is usually benign. Most infected individuals do not experience symptoms requiring treatment, and roughly half of those treated will become free of detectable virus for an extended, perhaps permanent, period. Moreover, a growing body of data suggests that drug users can attain successful treatment outcomes, even when not completely abstinent. Addiction professionals belong in the forefront of prevention and management of this disease. We can assist our patients by helping them stabilize their lifestyles, correcting misperceptions about the disease, teaching prevention and health maintenance, promoting access to diagnosis and treatment, monitoring for treatment side effects, and providing encouragement to remain in treatment.
Managing Addiction as a Chronic Condition
[PDF - 640K]
Michael Dennis and Christy K Scott
This article reviews progress in adapting addiction treatment to respond more fully to the chronic nature of most patients' problems. After reviewing evidence that the natural history of addiction involves recurrent cycles of relapse and recovery, we discuss emerging approaches to recovery management, including techniques for improving the continuity of care, monitoring during periods of abstinence, and early reintervention; recent developments in the field related to self-management, mutual aid, and other recovery supports; and system-level interventions. We also address the importance of adjusting treatment funding and organizational structures to better meet the needs of individuals with a chronic disease.
This Issue's Authors and Respondents
[PDF - 344K]
Cocaine Activates Genes Through Chromatin Remodeling
[PDF - 651K]
Continuing Education Quiz for Counselors
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Substance abuse counselors can earn two nationally certified continuing education (CE) hours by reading the indicated articles and completing the multiple-choice quiz. This is an open-book exam. Complete the quiz by circling one or more of the multiple-choice answers. Be sure to answer all questions; unanswered questions will be scored as incorrect. You must score at least 70 percent to earn CE hours. Please note that we must receive your quiz by March 31, 2008.
[PDF - 268K]
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