Here is the growing list of articles and papers related to supporting a Public Health Addiction Policy based upon a Biopsychosocial Model of Recovery & Relapse Prevention.

The Journal On Studies of Alcohol reported in September 2000 that The Assessment of Warning-Signs of Relapse (AWARE), a scale to operationalize the 37 warning signs identified in Gorski's post acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) model of relapse was shown to be a Reliable & Valid Predictor of Alcohol Relapses.  (Reference:  Miller, William R; Harris, Richard J Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 2000, 61, 5, Sept, 759-765.)

Alan Leshner reports the most recent scientific evidence that demonstrates that chemical addictions are brain diseases.  This article is must reading for counselors and therapists, program managers, mental health professionals, criminal justice professionals, and policy makers.  This article summarizes the basic reasons why the United States needs to shift its focus from a War On Drugs Policy which views addiction and a crime and addicts as criminals who need punishment to a Public Health Addiction Policy which views addiction as a brain disease and addicts as sick people requiring treatment.

A recent Supreme Court ruling decided that hospital workers cannot constitutionally test maternity patients for illegal drug use without their consent for the purpose of alerting the police to a crime.  This decision made it clear that pregnant women who are suspected of using illegal drugs that might harm their unborn baby still retain their civil rights.  The good news is that we can help drug abusing pregnant women, their unborn children, and their families without violating their civil rights.  Medical intervention programs that identify and motivate pregnant women to get substance abuse treatment work better than enforcement programs that entrap pregnant women into arrest and prosecution for drug law violations.  Medical intervention programs can be set up by training obstetricians to diagnose substance abusing patients, intervening in their addiction, and coordinating prenatal care with appropriate substance abuse treatment.  Outcomes are best when these medical intervention programs are supported by community-based treatment and sober residential centers that provide treatment for the women during their pregnancy and for the a period of three to six months after delivery.

Is it a good idea to rely on random drug testing to reduce the incidence of drug abuse in our schools.  A recent ruling by an Oklahoma Appeals Court may force us to rethink the answer.  They found that randomly drug testing all kids in extra-curricular activities violates the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches.  This isn’t necessarily bad.  Well designed Student Assistance Programs (SAP's) are far more effective than drug testing in preventing and helping kids who have problems with alcohol and drugs.

Home - What's New - Site Map - Search Gorski's Site - Articles - Book Reviews

Mission & Vision - Training & Consultation Services - Publications - Links

Daily News Review  -  Addiction Databases  - Leading Addiction Websites

GORSKI-CENAPS Clinical Model --- Research-Based Best Practice Principles

Terry Gorski and Other Members of the GORSKI-CENAPS Team are Available To Train & Consult On Areas Related To Recovery, Relapse Prevention, & Relapse Early Intervention