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The Authors’ Own Words: Exploring the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) as a Possible Measure of Nicotine Dependence

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The Authors’ Own Words: We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Exploring the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) as a Possible Measure of Nicotine Dependence

Melissa Mercincavage, PhD; Joshua M. Smyth, PhD; Steven A. Branstetter, PhD; & Delwyn Catley, PhD

Volume 37, 2016 – Issue 2

“This manuscript describes a study examining associations between the time to first cigarette (TTFC), a single-item measure of physical nicotine dependence, and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), a brief measure of psychological dependence not yet extensively applied to nicotine research, among a sample of smokers participating in the baseline session of a cessation trial. Relations of TTFC and SDS with previous quitting behaviors and cognitive-affective variables were also examined. The current findings offer utility to clinicians in demonstrating that the SDS, in its typically administered 5-question format, is not appropriate for diagnosing nicotine dependence among smokers. Because the SDS appears to tap into non-physical components of dependence (e.g., loss of control) that relate to quitting motivation and affect, assessing nicotine dependence using only the SDS may fail to capture physical dependence and, further, may not reflect the same domains of addiction the SDS assesses in other drugs of abuse. It is possible that the three-item factor subscale assessing psychological dependence among smokers may be of utility to the cessation workforce if this factor is predictive of clinical outcomes such as cessation and relapse; however, this needs to be further explored. Nonetheless, using three SDS items in addition to TTFC may offer utility over using TTFC alone.”

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The Authors’ Own Words: Contemplation of Smoking Cessation and Quit Attempts in HIV-Infected and Uninfected Veterans

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The Authors’ Own Words: We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Contemplation of Smoking Cessation and Quit Attempts in HIV-Infected and Uninfected Veterans

Shahida Shahrir, MPH; Hilary A. Tindle, MD; Kathleen A. McGinnis, DrPH, MS; David A. Fiellin, MD; Joseph Goulet, PhD, MS; Kathleen M. Akgün, MD; Cynthia L. Gibert, MD; Maria C. Rodriguez-Barradas, MD; & Kristina Crothers, MD

Volume 37, 2016 – Issue 2

 contemplation of smoking cessation and having made a prior quit attempt in the last year in HIV-infected compared to HIV-uninfected current smokers. While there were not overall major differences by HIV status, unhealthy alcohol use was significantly associated with both decreased likelihood of contemplating cessation and making a prior quit attempt in HIV-infected smokers. Shortness of breath and/or wheezing was associated with an increased likelihood of contemplating smoking cessation, whereas a new diagnosis of chronic pulmonary disease was associated with greater likelihood of having made a prior quit attempt in those with HIV. These findings suggest that smoking cessation rates may be improved by considering combined interventions for smoking cessation and unhealthy alcohol use for HIV-infected patients in future trials. Our results also suggest that HIV-infected patients with respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing, or newly diagnosed with pulmonary disease may represent a more receptive population who could benefit from targeted interventions to improve the likelihood of sustained, successful cessation.

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The Authors’ Own Words: Residents’ Experience of SBIRT as a Clinical Tool Following Practical Application: A Mixed Methods Study

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The Authors’ Own Words: We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Residents’ Experience of SBIRT as a Clinical Tool Following Practical Application: A Mixed Methods Study

A. Jill Clemence, PhD; Victoria I. Balkoski, MD; Minsun Lee, PhD; John Poston, PhD; Bianca M. Schaefer, PhD; Isabelle M. Maisonneuve, PhD; Nicole Bromley, PsyD; Mark Lukowitsky, PhD; Portia Pieterse, PhD; Angela Antonikowski, PhD; Christopher J. Hamilton, PhD; Schekeva Hall, PhD; & Stanley D. Glick, PhD, MD

Volume 37, 2016 – Issue 2

“The current study found that after ample opportunity to practice SBIRT techniques in clinical work, residents remained highly satisfied with SBIRT training, showed high rates of dissemination among their colleagues, and reported that SBIRT had good clinical utility. Much of the success of the training seemed tied to enhancing trainee skill and confidence in working with patients regarding issues of substance use. A significant number of trainees reported that training made them more likely to talk to their patients about substance use and allowed them to be more effective in helping their patients with substance use issues. Likewise, they felt SBIRT training provided them useful tools for engaging patients around issues of substance use. Indeed, after months of practice, residents continued to find the training relevant to their work, with more than 80% of trainees applying the skills they had learned to their daily work.  This compelling finding supports the utility of screening and BIs in clinical practice and speaks to the willingness and ability of physicians to use these tools. This and previous research indicates that SBIRT training may increase use of screening at the population level when widely disseminated.”

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The Authors’ Own Words: Feasibility and Acceptability of an Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview Version of the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) in Primary Care Patients

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The Authors’ Own Words: We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview Version of the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) in Primary Care Patients

Suzanne E. Spear, PhD; Michele Shedlin, PhD; Brian Gilberti, MD; Maya Fiellin, BA; & Jennifer McNeely, MD, MS

Volume 37, 2016 – Issue 2

“Patient perspectives on substance use screening in health settings have received little attention in the literature. This study is among the first to describe patient attitudes toward screening for substance use in primary care, and is the first in-depth exploration of patient views on the feasibility and acceptability of the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). The results of this study suggest that the audio computer assisted self-interview (ACASI) version of the ASSIST is acceptable to patients, and that a computer self-administered approach should be considered as a strategy for reducing barriers to screening in primary care. Computerized methods can facilitate the collection of patient reported information, and are congruent with trends toward integrating patient-reported information into electronic medical records and using online portals for patients to access their health information.”

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COVID-19 Resources

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AMERSA board members are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and are thinking about the safety and well-being of members and the people we all serve. We are here for you! AMERSA has an entire page of resources you can check out here.

Finding and/or maintaining recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges. We want you to know that you are not alone and the following resources may help you or someone you know. Many of these resources are shared from the National Institute of Health (NIH).

General Information:

Research Resources:

Recovery Resources:

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Coping With Coronavirus: Managing Stress, Fear, and Anxiety, Director’s Blog
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Virtual Recovery Resources for Substance Use and  Mental Illness. Includes links to online meetings and recovery support resources offered by various mutual help groups and other organizations, as well as information on setting up a virtual meeting.
  • Addiction Policy Forum and CHESS Health: Connections App. Free research-based smartphone app to help people with recovery from substance use.
  • Center on Addiction: Resources for Parents, Families, and Caregivers. Provides mobile (phone- and text-based) education and support for family members struggling with a loved one’s addiction as well as links to other virtual resources.
  • Faces and Voices of Recovery: Faces & Voices of Recovery is dedicated to organizing and mobilizing the over 23 million Americans in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, their families, friends and allies into recovery community organizations and networks.
  • Shatterproof: Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States.
  • Unity Recovery, WeConnect, SOS Recovery, and Alano Club: Offering online recovery support group meetings five times daily, a daily family and loved one recovery support meeting, and weekly LGBTQ+ and Women’s Only recovery meetings.

Virtual Meetings: