The Road to Recovery 2009 series will air eight Webcasts supporting the 19th annual observance of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month). In addition to the Webcasts, visitors can pose questions about each Webcast to an expert in the field through our interactive feature, Ask the Expert. DVDs and videocassette tapes are available for a nominal cost-recovery fee, and can be ordered online.

A Call for Increased Screening for Substance Abuse Among Pregnant Women

This front-page article from the August 1, 2008 issue of Ob.Gyn. News discusses the importance of screening pregnant women for substance abuse. Dr. Ellen Mason, an internist and attending physician in the obstetrics/gynecology department at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital in Chicago and the subject of the article, calls on primary providers to recognize the effectiveness of intervention. She also suggests that physicians examine the attitudes and biases they bring to treating pregnant women who are or may be dependent on a substance, and that they educate themselves about the substance abuse and mental health treatment processes, as treatment is ultimately more successful for women when they are not made to feel that they are intentionally harming their unborn child.

Article Citation
Birk, S. (2008). Helping pregnant substance abusers. Ob.Gyn. News 43(15): 1, 4.

Updated SAMHSA Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs Now Available

A new, updated guide to finding local substance abuse treatment programs is now available from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs 2008 provides information on thousands of alcohol and drug treatment programs located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and five U.S. territories.

This SAMHSA National Directory includes public and private facilities that are licensed, certified, or otherwise approved by substance abuse agencies in each state. A nationwide inventory of substance abuse and alcoholism treatment programs and facilities, the National Directory is organized and presented in a state-by-state format for quick reference by health care providers, social workers, managed care organizations, and the general public. This latest SAMHSA directory provides information on more than 11,000 community substance abuse treatment programs.

The directory gives important information on levels of care and types of facilities, including those with programs for adolescents, persons with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and pregnant women. In addition, the SAMHSA directory includes information on forms of payment accepted, special language services available with select providers, and whether methadone or buprenorphine therapy is offered.

The updated directory complements SAMHSA’s internet-based Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator. The online service, which is updated regularly and may contain more current information, provides searchable road maps to the nearest treatment facilities, complete addresses, phone numbers and specific information on services available. The electronic, searchable version of SAMHSA’s updated National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs is available on the Web at http://FindTreatment.samhsa.gov/

Hard copies of the Directory may be obtained free of charge from SAMHSA’s Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727). Request inventory number SMA 08-4335.

New Native American Center for Excellence to Strengthen Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts Throughout Native American Communities
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced its financial and technical sponsorship of the Native American Center for Excellence, Prevention Technical Assistance Resource Center – a first-of-its-kind national Native American-run project to promote effective substance abuse prevention programs in Native American communities throughout the United States. Once it is established, the center’s database will be accessible through SAMHSA's Web site.

"This program will further empower tribal communities and foster cooperation and scientific innovation among Native American substance abuse prevention and mental health service providers," said SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline, Ph.D.

The Programs of Regional and National Significance contract supporting the center is funded at $1 million for one year and provides two additional option years (contingent on the availability of funds).

The center will serve as the repository for the best available information on effective services and strategies for preventing substance abuse and related disorders in Native American populations. It will also identify innovative and promising programs and practices that prevent substance abuse disorders and related problems among Native Americans. The center will provide these programs with technical support and additional opportunities for demonstrating their efficacy.

Drinking and Reproductive Health: A Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Prevention Tool Kit
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the CDC have collaborated to develop the "Drinking and Reproductive Health: A Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Prevention Tool Kit." The primary component in the tool kit is a CD-ROM that aims to teach women's health care providers how to screen and advise all of their patients of reproductive age about risky drinking and encourage the use of effective contraception among patients who continue to engage in risky drinking. It also addresses drinking during pregnancy. This tool kit contains: a brief guide, a laminated screening instrument for providers, resource information, and patient handouts that can be downloaded and printed. Print copies and a CD version of this gude can be requested through the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of FAXing a request to 202-484-3917 or writing ACOG, Division of Women's Health Issues, PO Box 96920, Washington, DC.

Making a difference: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders public awareness guide
The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) has recently published exciting new materials that will help you in your efforts to prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): Making a Difference: The FASD Public Awareness Guide and the K-12 FASD Education and Prevention Curricula. Visit the NOFAS website for more information.

SAMHSA Science to Service Awards
Press release announcing the new Science to Service Awards that will honor implementation of evidence-based mental health and substance abuse interventions.

Booklets Available on Preventing FASD
These booklets provide information on the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy and the ways to help pregnant women avoid alcohol. Booklets can be ordered from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information.

Recovering Hope Video wins awards
2005 Press release announcing that SAMHSA's video Recovering Hope: Mothers Speak Out About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders won a FREDDIE award in the behavioral health category. FREDDIE is the name of the International Health & Medical Media Awards. It was named for the late Fred Gottlieb, founder of the awards.