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Choosing Treatment Goals?
April 9th, 2013 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Of those who complete treatment for alcohol dependence, approximately 60% relapse within the first post treatment year. Choosing treatment goals at treatment entry is a promising, yet under-studied approach to preventing relapse. Evidence is mixed as to whether abstinence as a drinking goal at treatment entry has any influence on future alcohol use. Thus the question of whether those entering treatment should be given the choice of treatment goals remains controversial. Researchers from the University of Michigan examined who, at treatment entry, is most likely to desire abstinence as...
April 9th, 2013 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Of those who complete treatment for alcohol dependence, approximately 60% relapse within the first post treatment year. Choosing treatment goals at treatment entry is a promising, yet under-studied approach to preventing relapse. Evidence is mixed as to whether abstinence as a drinking goal at treatment entry has any influence on future alcohol use. Thus the question of whether those entering treatment should be given the choice of treatment goals remains controversial. Researchers from the University of Michigan examined who, at treatment entry, is most likely to desire abstinence as...
Smoking Bans Linked To Less Heart and Lung Disease
January 28th, 2013 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
There is longstanding evidence linking secondhand smoke exposure to an increased risk for both lung cancer and heart disease. In response, many communities have instituted clean air policies banning smoking in public locations including workplaces. Previous studies were limited in scope or lacked controls for other factors. To address these issues, this study examined how clean air laws in communities across the United States affected the hospitalizations of Medicare beneficiaries sixty-five or older for two smoking-related conditions—acute myocardial infarction and chronic obstructive...
January 28th, 2013 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
There is longstanding evidence linking secondhand smoke exposure to an increased risk for both lung cancer and heart disease. In response, many communities have instituted clean air policies banning smoking in public locations including workplaces. Previous studies were limited in scope or lacked controls for other factors. To address these issues, this study examined how clean air laws in communities across the United States affected the hospitalizations of Medicare beneficiaries sixty-five or older for two smoking-related conditions—acute myocardial infarction and chronic obstructive...
Proven Health Programs for Schools and Communities
October 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Healthy People is a government sponsored program to provide science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans. For over thirty years Healthy People has established benchmarks to measure the impact of prevention efforts and to guide individuals toward making informed health decisions. One of the objectives of Healthy People 2020 is to increase the number of elementary, middle, and high schools that provide comprehensive health education in the areas of injury, violence, suicide, tobacco, alcohol and other drug use, unintended pregnancy, HIV/Aids,...
October 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Healthy People is a government sponsored program to provide science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans. For over thirty years Healthy People has established benchmarks to measure the impact of prevention efforts and to guide individuals toward making informed health decisions. One of the objectives of Healthy People 2020 is to increase the number of elementary, middle, and high schools that provide comprehensive health education in the areas of injury, violence, suicide, tobacco, alcohol and other drug use, unintended pregnancy, HIV/Aids,...
Medical Marijuana Diverted to Adolescents
July 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Fourteen US states have legalized medical marijuana, and 12 states are considering doing so. This widespread availability of medical marijuana raises concerns about its impact on adolescents through increased availability, altered perceptions of harmfulness, and changed social norms surrounding its use –all factors known to impact adolescent marijuana use and relapse after treatment. This University of Colorado-Denver study evaluated the prevalence of marijuana diversion into the hands of adolescents in treatment and explored the hypothesis that adolescents exposed to medical...
July 5th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Fourteen US states have legalized medical marijuana, and 12 states are considering doing so. This widespread availability of medical marijuana raises concerns about its impact on adolescents through increased availability, altered perceptions of harmfulness, and changed social norms surrounding its use –all factors known to impact adolescent marijuana use and relapse after treatment. This University of Colorado-Denver study evaluated the prevalence of marijuana diversion into the hands of adolescents in treatment and explored the hypothesis that adolescents exposed to medical...
Tailgating Proves Dangerous
May 6th, 2011 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Of historical interest, the practice of partying before events (tailgating) is associated with American football but it traces its origins to the 1861 Civil war Battle of Bull Run. Supporters of the Union showed up in their wagons with baskets of food and enthusiastically cheered for the Union soldiers. This modern day study measured alcohol consumption by students and non-students tailgating prior to football games at one southeastern university (School 1) and one Midwestern university (School 2). Approximately 75 % of those approached agreed to participate. Researchers did not...
May 6th, 2011 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Of historical interest, the practice of partying before events (tailgating) is associated with American football but it traces its origins to the 1861 Civil war Battle of Bull Run. Supporters of the Union showed up in their wagons with baskets of food and enthusiastically cheered for the Union soldiers. This modern day study measured alcohol consumption by students and non-students tailgating prior to football games at one southeastern university (School 1) and one Midwestern university (School 2). Approximately 75 % of those approached agreed to participate. Researchers did not...
Evidence-Based Prevention Programs for Schools
March 3rd, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Healthy People 2020 are a government-sponsored program to provide science-based 10-year objectives for improving the health of all Americans. One objective is to “Increase the proportion of elementary, middle, and senior high schools that provide comprehensive school health education to prevent health problems.” A University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Medical University of South Carolina study examined the role of education in this effort and identified evidence-based, peer-reviewed programs, strategies, and resources. The results were organized in the categories of sexual...
March 3rd, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Healthy People 2020 are a government-sponsored program to provide science-based 10-year objectives for improving the health of all Americans. One objective is to “Increase the proportion of elementary, middle, and senior high schools that provide comprehensive school health education to prevent health problems.” A University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Medical University of South Carolina study examined the role of education in this effort and identified evidence-based, peer-reviewed programs, strategies, and resources. The results were organized in the categories of sexual...
Study Supports Value of Sober Living Houses
February 4th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Research has shown that relapse rates are high when clients in outpatient programs have to live in situations that are not supportive of recovery. This is especially true in high crime areas and where heavy drinking and drug use is common. In addition, treating homeless persons with addictions is especially challenging because they must deal with survival, health, and safety as well as staying sober. Earlier research showed that when clients received housing as part of their out-patient treatment, they had better retention and achievement of treatment milestones than those who made...
February 4th, 2011 / Abused Drugs / Betty Ford Institute
Research has shown that relapse rates are high when clients in outpatient programs have to live in situations that are not supportive of recovery. This is especially true in high crime areas and where heavy drinking and drug use is common. In addition, treating homeless persons with addictions is especially challenging because they must deal with survival, health, and safety as well as staying sober. Earlier research showed that when clients received housing as part of their out-patient treatment, they had better retention and achievement of treatment milestones than those who made...
Effectiveness of High School Substance Use Prevention Programs
January 7th, 2011 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Surveys show that initiation of teen substance use increases rapidly during middle and high school grades. This study points to a lack of evidence-based drug prevention programs in high schools. Researchers identified eight prevention programs recognized as evidence-based and classified as “model” or effective” based on the following criteria: (1) they target substance use; (2) they are intended for all students; (3) they are designed for use in high school; and (4) they are classified as effective by either the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or...
January 7th, 2011 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Surveys show that initiation of teen substance use increases rapidly during middle and high school grades. This study points to a lack of evidence-based drug prevention programs in high schools. Researchers identified eight prevention programs recognized as evidence-based and classified as “model” or effective” based on the following criteria: (1) they target substance use; (2) they are intended for all students; (3) they are designed for use in high school; and (4) they are classified as effective by either the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or...
Does Availability Increase Teen Drinking?
September 22nd, 2010 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Restricting access to alcohol is thought to reduce underage drinking. Community policies such as strict enforcement of underage drinking laws and responsible beverage server training have proven effective. Research has also shown an association between geographic availability of alcohol and consumption. A recent study by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation examined whether the frequently advocated strategy of limiting the number or density of alcohol purveyors in a neighborhood further reduces underage drinking. The study focused on adolescents from 50 California zip...
September 22nd, 2010 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
Restricting access to alcohol is thought to reduce underage drinking. Community policies such as strict enforcement of underage drinking laws and responsible beverage server training have proven effective. Research has also shown an association between geographic availability of alcohol and consumption. A recent study by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation examined whether the frequently advocated strategy of limiting the number or density of alcohol purveyors in a neighborhood further reduces underage drinking. The study focused on adolescents from 50 California zip...
Brief Intervention Cuts Alcohol – Related Teen Violence
September 22nd, 2010 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
In 2006 there were nearly 20,000 emergency department (ED) visits by patients aged 15 to 24 years. These ED visits are an opportunity for intervention efforts to reach adolescents not attending school, who lack a primary care MD, or who are otherwise outside mainstream medical care. A recent study conducted at the Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan looked at whether therapist and computer interventions could be effective in reducing adolescent violence and alcohol misuse. Over a 3-year period (2006-2009) 3,338 patients 14-18 years old completed a 15-minute computerized survey....
September 22nd, 2010 / Adolescents / Betty Ford Institute
In 2006 there were nearly 20,000 emergency department (ED) visits by patients aged 15 to 24 years. These ED visits are an opportunity for intervention efforts to reach adolescents not attending school, who lack a primary care MD, or who are otherwise outside mainstream medical care. A recent study conducted at the Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan looked at whether therapist and computer interventions could be effective in reducing adolescent violence and alcohol misuse. Over a 3-year period (2006-2009) 3,338 patients 14-18 years old completed a 15-minute computerized survey....
Sacramento SNAPP Program Pays Off
August 31st, 2007 / Community Programs / Betty Ford Institute
Most alcohol-prevention projects are large, community-wide efforts with the intent of reducing alcohol-related problems such as assaults, automobile accidents, and other injuries. While these programs are effective in communities at large, certain neighborhoods within a larger community may benefit from more targeted strategies. For example, prior studies have shown that neighborhoods with a high density of alcohol outlets have more alcohol-related problems such as violence and drunk driving. Thus prevention efforts on the neighborhood level would benefit not only the neighborhood, but the...
August 31st, 2007 / Community Programs / Betty Ford Institute
Most alcohol-prevention projects are large, community-wide efforts with the intent of reducing alcohol-related problems such as assaults, automobile accidents, and other injuries. While these programs are effective in communities at large, certain neighborhoods within a larger community may benefit from more targeted strategies. For example, prior studies have shown that neighborhoods with a high density of alcohol outlets have more alcohol-related problems such as violence and drunk driving. Thus prevention efforts on the neighborhood level would benefit not only the neighborhood, but the...

