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Innovative Drugs-of-Abuse Testing System

Concateno plc, Europe's largest provider of drug and alcohol testing programmes, and Royal Philips Electronics announced an innovative handheld drugs-of-abuse detection device.

Concateno-Philips pioneering system will make testing for drugs such as cocaine and heroin quicker, simpler and easier, enabling immediate point-of-care drug test results, similar to current alcohol tests. Concateno and Philips will deliver the new solution to selected customers in the second half of 2009.

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From the Editor August 2006

From the Editor - From the Editor

Monday, 31 July 2006

Dear Readers,

We know that addiction is an insidious disease that does not discriminate — it can happen to anyone, regardless of their gender, religion, or cultural backgrounds. However, when seeking treatment and during recovery from addiction, people often look for something familiar and known to them, as a source of comfort and stability.

In this issue, we explore how a group of persons — the Native Americans — has learned to treat addiction by embracing their heritage and cultural principles. We at Counselor Magazine are very pleased to present as our lead feature article, “The Native American Wellbriety Movement — Continuing a legacy of resistance … implementing a vision for healing,” by Don Coyhis and Richard Simonelli.

This article focuses on the growing number of resources, programs and events that make up the Wellbriety Movement, and explains the teachings behind some of its most popular community-based programs today, used to promote recovery from addiction and prevent relapse.

Our second feature this month marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration between Counselor, The Magazine for Addiction Professionals and the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. I am very pleased to be working with the staff at JSAT, who will be providing research-based articles that have been adapted to meet needs and concerns of Counselor Magazine’s audience. It is our sincerest wish that this collaborative effort will help bridge the gap between research and clinical practice, and will in turn, help you to provide your clients with the best possible treatment.

In his article, “A Plan for Planning Treatment,” D. Dwayne Simpson, PhD, presents several important research-based concepts, as they apply to “real world” clinical practice. Simpson discusses the principles and dynamics of the treatment process, strategic planning of interventions, and assessments for monitoring and managing clinical care.

Research continues to uncover more answers to addiction treatment, as illustrated in our next article by researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Developing Medicines that Treat Addiction.” This article focuses on the development of addiction medications aimed at easing craving, preventing relapse, and enhancing cognitive processes that have been compromised by drug abuse and addiction.

Our next article discusses the NIATx program, which was created by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In her article, “Improving Substance Abuse Treatment Delivery: The NIATx Solution,” Maureen Fitzgerald discusses how the 39 members of NIATx have implemented process improvement tools that are both timesaving and cost effective ways to get and keep people in treatment.

Returning to the Wellbriety Movement, William L. White, MA and Don Coyhis reveal the truths at the center of the movement in their article, “Alcohol Problems in Native America: A New and Provocative History.” The article discusses the “firewater myths” that prevail despite being disproved by addiction scientists and historians.

Rounding out the feature articles, William A. Howatt, PhD, EdD, ICADC, RSW, RPC, brings us the second installment in his series entitled, “The Rubik’s Cube of Addiction Counseling: Five Best Practices for Addictive Disorder Assessment.” In this article, Howatt provides counselors with five assessment best practices that begin with the client at first observation.

In addition, for those of you who missed U.S. Journal Training’s Fourth Annual Conference on Adolescents in April, I have provided a wrap-up of the event in this issue of Counselor.

And don’t forget to pencil in the dates for the 12th Annual Counseling Skills Conference to be held September 14-16, 2006, at the Las Vegas Hilton. The conference will feature distinguished speakers Don Meichenbaum, PhD, Joe Dispenza, DC, John Briere, PhD, Cloe Madanes, and many others who will bring you the latest developments to help you treat your clients. Some of the topics include: Treating Clients with PTSD; Neuroplasticity and the Art of Rewiring Your Brain; Treating Suicidal Clients; Complex Psychological Trauma: Bipolar Disorder and PTSD; and Applying Human Needs to Develop Couples Relationships.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Counselor, and as always, I encourage you to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns regarding the content of the magazine. Also, I am always looking for new ideas for articles, so please share your thoughts.

I can be reached by phone at (800) 851-9100, ext. 258, email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by mail.

Sincerely,