NIAAA Collaborative Sessions Highlight Research on Alcohol and Young People

Underage drinking is a research priority for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Epidemiologic surveys indicate that the prevalence of underage drinking has not fallen in recent years but rather has remained stable at unacceptably high levels. Adding to public concern about such trends are data from animal and human research that raise worries about alcohol's potential disruption of adolescent development.

Recent research has underscored the need to understand and address alcohol use behavior within the context of developmental trajectories or pathways across youth and into early adulthood. NIAAA's research track at APA's annual meeting in Toronto offers a number of sessions exploring research on the prevention, intervention, and treatment of young people affected by alcohol misuse.

Treatment and Comorbidity

Research findings on treatment issues will be highlighted in“ Adolescent Alcohol Use Disorders and Psychiatric Comorbidity,” a symposium chaired by NIAAA Associate Director Howard B. Moss, M.D.

“More often than not, adolescents in treatment for alcohol problems also manifest concurrent psychiatric disorders. It remains a clinical challenge and can affect treatment outcomes,” said Moss. “This symposium is designed to inform the clinical practitioner about the latest research on assessment and treatment of alcohol use disorders and specific comorbidities.”

The symposium will feature presentations by Duncan Clark, M.D., Ph.D., Deborah Deas, M.D., Jack Cornelius, M.D., and Timothy Wilens, M.D. The topics will include findings related to major depression, childhood trauma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and other comorbidities, as well as adolescent development, assessment domains, and state-of-the-art assessment instruments.

The session is scheduled for May 24 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Room 716A at the Toronto Convention Centre, South.

Perspectives on College Drinking

In a separate session on college drinking, the Rev. Edward Malloy, C.S.C., former president of the University of Notre Dame, will examine the perspectives of both college administrators and scientific researchers involved in the application of alcohol policies on college campuses. His lecture is scheduled for May 24 at 11 a.m. in Exhibit Hall A on Level 300 of the Toronto Convention Centre, North.

Each session in the NIAAA research track is noted in the annual meeting program as a “Collaborative Session with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.” ▪