When the National Alcohol Survey (NAS) first began in the mid-1960s, over 2500 people across the US were interviewed. Since then, the NAS has grown to include almost 8,000 US adults enabling both understanding the mechanisms underlying drinking behaviors and the long-term monitoring of our nation’s drinking patterns and its associated problems. While our drinking habits and relationship to alcohol have changed, measuring such changes provides a greater understanding of how alcohol impacts our … [Read more...]
Spotlight
Congratulations to Paul Gilbert
It’s with sadness that we say goodbye to Associate Scientist Paul Gilbert. Having recently completed his postdoctoral fellowship at ARG, Paul will begin his academic career as an assistant professor in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health at The University of Iowa College of Public Health this fall. With a Master’s of Science in Health and Social Behavior from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and a PhD in Health Behavior from the University of North Carolina at Chapel … [Read more...]
Digital Tool to Prevent Prenatal Drinking
A new clinical trial that will launch in September is an example of an innovative tool that can help educate and inform women of the risks of drinking during pregnancy. To find out more about this project and how it will impact women’s health, we caught up with Principal Investigator and ARG Scientist Madhabika Nayak. Tell me about your project and how it will support women’s health. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) continues to be a problem despite all the preventative measures … [Read more...]
Focus on Center Pilot Studies
As a core component of the National Alcohol Research Center, the pilot studies program provides early-stage investigators with the opportunity to explore new areas of research that often leads to independently funded projects. The most recent studies include the development of a kiosk-based prenatal screening intervention, improvement of alcohol dependent measures, associations between immune function, alcohol use disorders and psychological distress, and the relationship between experiences of … [Read more...]
Study Provides No-Cost Alcohol Treatment
For over 20 years Senior Scientist Douglas Polcin, EdD, has been studying addiction and treatment options, including recovery housing. His latest project, one that focuses on outpatient treatment for women with alcohol problems, is designed to assess the efficacy of intensive motivational interviewing (IMI). Over the next two years, the study will recruit 220 adult women, each randomized to one of two treatment types with services provided by licensed therapists and practitioners at New Leaf … [Read more...]
ARG Scientists Head to Munich
Senior Scientists, Thomas K. Greenfield and Cheryl J. Cherpitel, along with Associate Scientist Lauren M. Kaplan, are heading to Munich to attend the 41st annual Epidemiology Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society. The symposium runs from June 1-5 and features researchers from across the globe presenting their latest work. Prior to the symposium on May 31, Tom chairs the Gender, Alcohol and Culture: An International Study (GENACIS) session along with co-chairing a joint meeting of GENACIS … [Read more...]
Scientific Advisory Board at a Glance
The National Alcohol Research Center's Scientific Advisory Board supports and helps guide our ongoing work and provides advice in planning future activities. Members include both University of California faculty and external scientists experienced with alcohol epidemiology and research center operations. Members also have expertise in disparities research on alcohol and health, both in the US and internationally with each bringing a unique set of skills to the work we do. Board members … [Read more...]
LA project seeks to reduce HIV risk
A new ARG study will look at whether a Motivational Interviewing Case Management (MICM) intervention will improve outcomes for people who are on probation or parole, at risk for HIV and have recently entered a Sober Living House. The MICM will help respondents access needed services, adapt to their new living environment, find and maintain work, address HIV risk and treatment, and manage setbacks. With a high risk for HIV infection among criminal justice offenders, there is a strong need for … [Read more...]