More than ever, people are seeking substance use disorder treatment during the adolescent and young adult stages of development. Developmentally, many of these young adults new to recovery are in the process of making career decisions that may require attendance at a college or university. However, the collegiate environment is not conducive to a…

This article describes five creative experiential classroom activities used in teaching addictions. The activities were integrated into the classroom curriculum and were processed weekly in focused dialogue. Student reflections throughout the article add depth to the meaning gained from the experience of the change process. The students' feedback…

Key to the dissemination of evidence-based addiction treatments is the exchange of experiences and mutual support among treatment practitioners, as well as the availability of accurate addiction training materials and effective trainers. To address the shortage of such resources, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) created…

This paper describes the Gerontology Alcohol Project (GAP), which was established by the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse as a pilot treatment/research project for late life drinkers, those who begin abusing alcohol after age 50. Two strategies developed by GAP for identifying elderly alcohol abusers are described including…

Describes the author's work using poetry therapy groups with chemically-dependant adults in a residential drug treatment unit and in an outpatient setting of a large drug rehabilitation program. Discusses each poetry therapy group and notes the stages of group work. (SR)

Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) is a scientifically-supported program for family members who are desperate to get a treatment-refusing substance abuser to enter treatment (Meyers & Wolfe, 2004; Sisson & Azrin, 1986; Smith & Meyers, 2004). CRAFT teaches these family members how to apply behavioral principles at home so that…

Describes the Alternative to Impaired Driving (AID) program, a cooperative effort among a community agency, the court system, and a counselor education program. The AID program provides trainees with real-life experience as well as helps arrested clients identify and deal with alcohol problems in a three-day residential program. (JAC)

This manual describes a Relaxation-Information Presentation program based on the clinical observation that anxiety is a serious barrier to detoxification for many methadone clients, and on experimental evidence indicating that expectations may play a greater role in the discomfort experienced during detoxification than the actual methadone dose.…

Describes a cooperative program between Rockland Community College and the Rockland County Community Mental Health Center (New York) that introduced education and retraining into the final stages of the rehabilitation process for individuals with a history of drug and substance abuse. Discusses program components, budgetary considerations, and…

Describes the use of symbolic gifts as a subtle confrontational treatment technique that counterbalances harsher encounter methods usually employed in drug-free therapeutic communities. Recommends use of this technique as an ancillary treatment device in milieu therapy settings. (Author)

Rutgers University's alcohol and drug abuse program aids New Jersey college students while they live in special facilities and continue to attend class. Previously, students referred to off-campus clinics had to choose either recovery or college. However, some say help with addictions is not a college responsibility. (MSE)

The Oakland Crack Task Force (OCTF) was created by concerned citizens to combat the problems caused by crack cocaine and ensure the future existence of the family, especially the black family, using community resources and no outside funding. Goals are to educate the community about crack; identify and access prevention, intervention, treatment,…

Interdisciplinary groups of students learned screening tools for substance use and practiced skills of brief intervention while serving needs of a local free clinic.

Families First, an early intervention program implemented in Marin City, California, was designed to integrate and coordinate the provision of a wide range of services to families of children in a low-income, mostly African-American community, from the third trimester of pregnancy to 8 years of age. The program is intended to enhance the…

Describes a program to assess the vocational interests of clients at the Kankakee Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Center. The program attempted to intervene and impact those with erratic work histories. Results indicate clients made some job progress but the number changing jobs and seeking new employment did not change. (JAC)