Current and Emerging Research for Alcohol and Substance Treatment

Abstract

We conclude the 41 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 ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT QUARTERLY 2023, VOL. 41, NO. 4, 371–372 https://doi.org/10.1080/07347324.2023.2253513