New Issue of The Spectrum Is Now Available

Volume 8, Issue 1 Is Now Available! NIAAA Spectrum Webzine NIAAA Spectrum is an online Webzine published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. It features the latest news from the alcohol research field, infographics, and interviews with NIAAA staff and researchers from the field. The latest issue is now available. The full table of contents is presented below. In This Issue Sex Differences to Become Fundamental Element of Alcohol Research at NIAAA  In the United States, and throughout the world, men drink more alcohol than women. But research shows that women start to have alcohol-related problems at lower drinking levels than men do. More... Dr. Kenneth Warren Retires From NIAAA November 1, 2015, marked a watershed moment in NIAAA’s history: It was the day that Kenneth R. Warren, Ph.D., retired as Deputy Director. Dr. Warren’s federal career spanned 41 years, including 39 with NIAAA. “Dr. Warren has shown incredible dedication to NIAAA, and the impact of his many accomplishments will continue long after this transition into the next phase of his life,” noted NIAAA Director George F. Koob, Ph.D.  More... News From the Field NESARC–III: Adults Are Drinking More Alcohol Than a Decade Age Adults drank more alcohol in 2012–2013 than they did in 2001–2002, according to the most recent National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Brief Training Increases Pediatricians’ Use of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Interventions Two to three brief training sessions can significantly increase pediatricians’ use of screening and brief interventions to help their patients with substance use and mental health problems, according to a large, 2-year trial supported by NIAAA. Clinical Course of Alcohol Use Disorder in Young Adult Native and Mexican Americans In a recent study, Cindy L. Ehlers, Ph.D., and colleagues examined the clinical course of alcohol use disorder in a sample of young adult (ages 18–30) individuals of Mexican American and Native American descent. Prevalence of Marijuana Use Among U.S. Adults Doubles Over Past Decade The percentage of Americans who reported using marijuana in the past year more than doubled between 2001–2002 and 2012–2013, and the increase in marijuana use disorder during that time was nearly as large. Noteworthy Dr. Patricia Powell Appointed Acting Deputy Director As of November 2015, Patricia A. Powell, Ph.D., has been serving as Acting Deputy Director of NIAAA. Spotlight Major Study Will Help Define How Substance Use Affects Adolescent Brain Development  In September 2015, NIH launched a groundbreaking national study of how substance use affects brain development in the short and long term. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study will follow about 10,000 children beginning at ages 9–10. A Closer Look NIAAA Releases CollegeAIM With the release of the CollegeAIM (which stands for College Alcohol Intervention Matrix) print guide and Web site in September 2015, NIAAA has embarked on an ambitious promotional effort.