Current and Emerging Research for Alcohol and Substance Treatment

We conclude the 41^st volume of our journal with a good selection of interesting and useful studies, reports and works. The final issue for this volume highlights studies on providers and special populations in treatment and recovery. Belus and colleagues present their findings from a clinical trial with a focus on how sexual or gender minority (SGM) status may influence treatment outcomes. These researchers examined an abstinence-focused mixed inpatient-outpatient substance use treatment program within a predominantly unemployed population of African Americans who were living with HIV. The research presents findings on substance use/reuse rates. The identified rates among individuals with a sexual or gender minority (SGM) status differed in that there was an increased risk of reuse among SGM individuals. Bobak presents a brief report, via program evaluation methodology, on an educational workshop completed in a recovery home. In particular, this workshop was focused on encouraging the use of medication-assisted treatments (MATs) and NARCAN to prevent and reduce opioid overdoses. Information is presented on participant abilities to identify an opioid overdose and take steps to reverse it. This report provides an example of a community-based organization implementing a novel program, subjecting it to research and focusing on quality enhancement.

Ricciutti reports on an interesting study exploring the effect of stigma among mental health and chemical dependency counselors toward individuals treated for SUD, and found a range of participants in both professions holding stigma toward this client population. This showed a need to understand the predictors of stigma and how it may impact the quality of treatment provided. Next, Thorkildsen and peers report on an online survey that used scenarios to assess recovery perceptions and positive-risk taking approaches among mental health support workers. This group of workers treat clients with co-occurring disorders of mental illness and substance use. The authors found an overemphasis on topics and techniques common to the field including aversive and paternalistic strategies. The researchers asserted that recovery-oriented practices need a more thorough and authentic implementation within mental health settings. Namgyal Bhutia reported on the prevalence of substance use disorder in an Indian city. The authors noted a considerable number of deaths associated with substance use and a high percentage of respondents identified the impact of substances on their own communities. Concepts around stigma, acknowledgment, and increasing awareness within the community are presented.

Hatch and colleagues offered a perspective on the use of Alcohol Severity Index (ASI) among incarcerated populations and noted several shortcomings in the assessment, including validity, time of assessment, and window of detection. The authors also advocate for improving assessment within the prison population with a focus on enhancing treatment outcomes. Ahmad and peers reported on early age alcohol initiation among adolescents and found factors such as parental alcohol consumption, availability of leftover drinks, parenting approach and peer pressure to contribute to the phenomenon. Furthermore, the psychological constructs of alcohol curiosity and expectancies, peer influences and family dynamics are described. D’Souza and Singh explore the etiology and treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). The authors document the prescribing of anti-craving drugs among AUD patients and therapeutic steps to lessen or manage a return to use.

Dayal and colleagues present an interesting report on a single-center, parallel, and single-blind randomized controlled trial where they evaluated the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve cognitive functioning in individuals with alcohol dependence. The authors found no significant impact on neuropsychologic functioning; however, a three-week period of abstinence from alcohol resulted in significant improvement across various cognitive domains including mental speed, verbal learning and memory, visual memory, verbal fluency, and response inhibition.

Polcin and team examined giving and receiving help in the context of creating social environments that are considered necessary to support recovery efforts. This study was conducted with persons entering sober living houses. They found that those who reported giving or receiving help in one context tended to report increase the activity in other contexts. Interestingly, they hypothesize that helping in recovery occurs in more ways than previously written about. McCool provides an important study on the effects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and how those skills impact drinking in the daily lives of individuals receiving treatment. The author used multilevel modeling procedures to examine the effects of DBT skills on the same and next-day quantity of drinks consumed. Evidence is provided that DBT skills can be taught and may be associated with overall decreases in drinking behaviors.

We close with a book review of “Group Psychotherapy with Addicted Populations: an Integration of Theory and Practice, 4^th ed.” Schroeder provides a concise and comprehensive book review of a text that includes theory and strategy for providing group psychotherapy to individuals with addictive disorders.