According to the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013), an substance use disorder (SUD) involves patterns of symptoms caused by using a substance that an individual continues taking despite its negative effects. Though there are 11 specific DSM-5 criteria for an SUD, they…

Objective: To conduct a preliminary cost-effectiveness analysis of collegiate recovery programs in the United States and to create a tailorable cost-effectiveness calculator based on the preliminary cost-effectiveness model. Methods: Cost-effectiveness was assessed with a base case, one-way sensitivity analyses, and probabilistic sensitivity…

Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who use alcohol are at a heightened risk of disengagement in HIV care. A mixed-methods substudy was embedded in an implementation science trial to assess perceived satisfaction and acceptability of the Women's Health CoOp (WHC), a gender-focused, alcohol and harmful substance use, HIV…

Given the prevalence of alcohol and cannabis co-use among college students, prevention for co-use is crucial. We examined hypothetical receptiveness to substance-specific interventions among students who reported co-use. Students who use alcohol and cannabis were more receptive to alcohol interventions than cannabis interventions. Campus…

Social workers can help advance public health through increased acceptability of harm reduction principles and practices. This study evaluated Master of Social Work students' attitudes towards harm reduction before and after a substance use and social work practice course and assessed differences in students' attitude outcomes across multiple…

Law enforcement agencies across the country are confronted with the problems associated with substance abuse. Law enforcement personnel receive only cursory training on substance abuse and lack targeted training that addresses the complex problems that are associated with it, such as co-existing mental health issues. This study, conducted on…

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in adults with intellectual disabilities. Often there are additional disorders such as substance use, mood and anxiety disorders. The current study focuses on the feasibility and initial efficacy of prolonged exposure (PE) for PTSD in adults with mild intellectual disabilities. The…

This chapter explains recovery as an individual process and as an organizing framework for addressing substance use disorders.

The effects of the opioid crisis have been felt across the country, and many educators are seeking ways to be proactive around their students' needs. An important step toward this goal is identifying students who need support. The Center on PBIS website (PBIS.org) provides multiple resources with provide general guidance on screener selection and…

Substance abuse continues to be a growing concern in America with more efforts to improve the overall quality of treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). A history of trauma experiences significantly increased the likelihood of an individual turning to substances to cope. However, psychological abuse remains understudied with its relation to…

This study examined the impact of ITV intervention on reduction in the propensity to abuse substances and engage in drug trafficking. The researcher conducted this study using an experiment of 517 vulnerable adolescents aged 10-19 years. The participants were randomly assigned to control (n = 258) and treatment (n = 259) groups. The researchers…

Background: Substance use in minoritized youth is associated with negative long-term health and life outcomes. The present study explores perspectives of school stakeholders at urban minority-serving schools regarding integration of an evidence-based intervention, screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) into existing…

Universal and selective preventive interventions targeting youth behavioral problems have shown crossover effects on suicide risk, the second leading cause of death among youth. However, the mechanisms that explain this long-term unanticipated benefit are understudied and unclear. The current study examines the crossover effects of PROSPER, a…

Background: Epidemiological surveys are designed to collect representative trend data. School-based surveys are important to utilize so systems can effectively create prevention and intervention programs to alter youths' perceptions and behaviors related to substance use. However, there are many barriers when implementing a school-based survey.…

Substance use in adolescence is a significant public health issue, particularly in early-to-mid adolescence, which represents a window of risk in the etiology of substance abuse and dependence. Substance use during this development period often results from affiliation with deviant peers, who model, facilitate, and reinforce use. Existing…