Dear Readers,

Happy New Year from all of us at Counselor Magazine! We are very excited about this year’s lineup of featured article topics and the addiction professionals who will be sharing their expertise and insight. So, without further ado, I give you Counselor Magazine’s debut issue for 2008.

Our first feature deals with the youngest victims in families with addiction. In his article, “Road Map to Healing: Strengths-Based Approach for Kids,” Jerry Moe, MA, shares lessons he has learned from many years of working with children and their families. He also provides ideas for counselors on incorporating games and play activities, which are an essential but often forgotten component of any good children’s program.

In this first issue of the year, we are pleased to bring you another research-based article from our colleagues over at the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. In their article, “Integrating Smoking Cessation Treatment in Drug Abuse Clinics,” researchers and authors Bret E. Fuller, PhD and Joseph Guydish, PhD, introduce findings of a survey of directors and staff members at several drug and alcohol treatment centers, to determine whether smoking cessation treatment was offered as part of their services. They further analyze the characteristics of both the treatment centers and employees at these programs, regarding their views and attitudes on integrating smoking cessation into substance abuse treatment.

Addiction treatment providers are well aware that sex, love and relationships and subsequent codependency are common triggers for relapse. In her article, “Sex, Love and Relationships — When Love Becomes a Drug,” author Terra Holbrook, LCSW, CADC, explores the impact of sex, love and relationship issues on treatment and early recovery from addictions, and explains some very important tasks of treatment.

Our history lesson this month focuses on choices for addicted persons. In his article, “Toward a Philosophy of Choice: A New Era of Addiction Treatment,” author William L. White explains why addiction professionals have been reticent to offer choices to their alcohol and drug dependent clients, and why that philosophy is being reevaluated.

One segment of the population that has always demanded much attention (for several reasons) is the Baby Boomers. As this group ages, there are many concerns about how the healthcare industry will manage the large influx of Boomers; addiction treatment facilities are no exception. In her article, “Older Adult Treatment: The Baby Boomer Effect,” Carol Colleran, CAP, ICADC, explains some important considerations in addiction treatment for these “young older adults.”

The diagnosis and treatment of persons with co-occurring disorders is at the forefront of the addiction and mental health fields. One model of treatment that is gaining momentum is biopsychosocial treatment, which recognizes substance abuse as a brain disease. In his article, “A Wellness Perspective on Treating Patients with Co-Occurring Disorders,” Counselor columnist John Newport, PhD, discusses an approach to treating these patients with an approach that is more holistic and integrative in nature.

As promised, we are pleased to introduce two new columns this year. Returning to us with a brand new column entitled, From the Addiction Physician, is Stuart Gitlow, MD. With the help of our newly established Medical Advisory Board, Dr. Gitlow will bring us up to speed on some of the latest treatments and trends in the addiction medicine field.

Our other new column is Management Corner, which is being written by James E. Burgin, MDiv, MAC, who in our last issue discussed the importance of culture change in the behavioral healthcare industry.

Also, in honor of the upcoming 25th Anniversary Adult Children of Alcoholics Conference, we have included a column by National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) President Sis Wenger, on the importance of awareness and treatment for children and families to prevent the devastating effects of generational substance abuse. The upcoming conference, to be held in Orlando, Fla., March 6-8, 2008, features some of the leading pioneers in the treatment of adult children of alcoholics. For more information on the conference, presented by U.S. Journal Training, Inc., and the Institute for Integral Development, please visit www.usjt.com.

As always, I encourage you to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns regarding the content of Counselor. You can reach me by phone at (800) 851-9100, ext. 258, email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by mail.

Sincerely,

Stephanie L. Muller
Editor
Counselor, The Magazine for Addiction Professionals
A Health Communications, Inc. Publication

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