Clinical risk factors for substance abuse : the potential effects on treatment outcomes

Alcohol and illicit drug abuse continues to be a significant problem in the United States. Although access to treatment remains a hurdle for many who struggle with addiction, the extent to which treatment (once available) is effective in promoting recovery and preventing relapse remains unclear. Thus, the present study examined the relationship between clinical risk factors for substance abuse and their effects on treatment outcomes. Data was obtained from the Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Outcome Registry (CATOR; N=13,051), which was designed to provide substance abuse treatment programs with uniform forms that cover intake information and discharge, as well as treatment outcomes for 12 months post-treatment. From the original CATOR sample, predictors of treatment outcomes (i.e., relapse) at follow-up were examined in a total of 10,405 participants with complete data. Results suggested several variables to be significant indicators of relapse, including needle use, age of first drink, using multiple substances, depression, multiple substance diagnoses, the Big 5 cocaine items (craving, failing to fulfill responsibilities, withdrawal symptoms, giving up pleasant activities to use substances, and inability to reduce or stop substance use), history of substance abuse and past psychiatric history, as well as all of the behavioral risk items (meeting conduct disorder criteria as an adolescent, being arrested within the past year, and being arrested for a DUI/DWI). Secondary multivariate analyses, specifically a series of logistic regressions, were used to determine if demographic factors were significant in the context of the clinical risk items. Results suggested that age, race, employment status and marital status remained significant and these variables were included as control variables. Third, it was determined that the significant clinical risk variables listed above, as well as the four demographic control variables, would be used to construct a global assessment tool measuring clinical risk factors of relapse for the purpose of identifying high risk clients

The ABC of peer mentoring – what secondary students have to say about cross-age peer mentoring in a regional Australian school

Cross-age peer mentoring is an educational model that builds on peer support and mentoring to assist young people to enhance social relationships, develop cognitive skills, and promote positive identity development. In this article, we outline the evaluation process of a cross-age peer-mentoring program implemented in an Australian secondary school. This program had a distinctive focus on blending cross-age peer mentoring, academic tutoring, and social support roles. We focus on the program's consumers – the voices of Year 7 students (mentees) and Year 10 students (mentors). Student perspectives were gathered using qualitative methods through repeated focus groups. Data were thematically analysed, and the findings show observed changes in social relationships, problem-solving skills, and engagement with literacy. We discuss the importance of this relationship for effective learning and examine the reported changes to engagement with relationship building. Implications for developing whole-of-school support and increasing wider participation are discussed

Plant profit maximisation improves predictions of European forest responses to drought

- Knowledge of how water stress impacts the carbon and water cycles is a key uncertainty in terrestrial biosphere models. - We tested a new profit maximisation model, where photosynthetic uptake of CO2 is optimally traded against plant hydraulic function, as an alternative to the empirical functions commonly used in models to regulate gas exchange during periods of water stress. We conducted a multi-site evaluation of this model at the ecosystem scale, before and during major droughts in Europe. Additionally, we asked whether the maximum hydraulic conductance in the soil-plant continuum

Universities and Success for Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula

The Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula (GPOP) region is experiencing tremendous growth through the commitment of governments and anchor institutions like Western Sydney University and the University of Sydney. However, sustained focus is necessary to achieve the true potential of GPOP. How large that opportunity is, and how soon it is realised, will be determined by the collaborative focus from governments, institutions, local industry and community leaders. For this reason, the time to invest in GPOP is now

Voices of Leadership

Voices of Leadership a collection of articles and speeches authored by staff and friends of Western Sydney University. The collection foregrounds the University’s ongoing commitment to collectively theorise and problem-solve the region’s most pressing challenges. Voices of Leadership includes contributions from Professor Peter Shergold AC, Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Lucy Turnbull AO and Dr Tim Williams, among other established and emerging voices