Division on Addictions - Research Projects

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Division on Addictions Research Projects

Current funded research:

NIH FUNDED GRANTS:

NIAAA – Indices of Exposure & Vulnerability for Predicting Alcohol-Related Problems, PI, Sarah E. Nelson, Ph.D., (1 R03 AA01681—01A1). The objective of this project is to extend a recently published theoretical and quantifiable model of regional exposure to objects of addiction by further developing and applying population level (i.e., regional) quantifiable indices and by developing and applying new personal-level quantifiable indices for exposure and vulnerability to the study of alcohol use among adolescents.
NIMH – A Treatment Outcome Analysis for Behavioral Addictions, PI, Debi A. LaPlante, Ph.D. (1 R03 MH075760-01A2). The objective of this project is to conduct research that will generate a critical analysis and research matrix for treatment outcome research related to several behaviorally expressed addictions.
NIDA – An Assessment of a Problem Gambling Self-Change Toolkit, PI, Richard A. LaBrie, Ed.D. (1 R03 DA019705-01A2). The objective of this project is to conduct an evaluation of a newly developed problem gambling self-assessment/self-change intervention titled, “Your First Step to Change” in the state of Massachusetts.

LOCAL AND STATE FUNDING:

State of Nevada, Department of Health and Human Services, Problem Gambling Work-force Development - Problem Gambling Toolkit Evaluation, Co-PI’s, Richard A. LaBrie, Ed.D., Debi A. LaPlante, Ph.D., (SFY06-07). The objective of this project is to conduct an evaluation of a newly developed problem gambling self-assessment/self-change intervention titled, “Your First Step to Change” in the state of Nevada.
Port Authority Problem Gambling Fund, Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri - Evaluation Services with Regard to the Regional Impact of Compulsive Gambling, PI, Howard J. Shaffer, Ph.D. The objectives of this study are to (1) determine the prevalence and impact of disordered gambling in Greater Kansas City, in comparison with the rest of Missouri and the nation; and 2) conduct a rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of the Missouri Voluntary Exclusion Program as a tool for intervening in the course of a gambling disorder and providing a pipeline to treatment services.
- Publication (Reprints available for download in our Library & Archives page):
  - LaBrie, R. A., Nelson, S. E., Caro, G., LaPlante, D. A., & Shaffer, H. J. (2007). Missouri Casino Self-excluders: Distributions Across Time and Space, Journal of Gambling Studies, 23(2), 231-243.

UNIVERSITY FUNDING:

University of Nevada, Las Vegas President’s Research Award, PI Debi LaPlante, Ph.D. (Co-PIs: Margaret Shih, Ph.D. & Bo Bernhard, Ph.D.). The objective of this research is to identify the distribution of problem gambling and other important behavioral health disorders among rural and urban multi-racial/ethnic populations.
The Robert Wood Johnson Health and Society Scholars program at University of Michigan, PI Debi LaPlante, Ph.D. (Co-PI: Margaret Shih, Ph.D.). The objective of this research is to understand the role of social support in the tendency for multiracial individuals to engage in risky behavior and develop poor mental health.

NON-PROFIT/FOUNDATION FUNDING:

National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) - The Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders, PI, Howard J. Shaffer, Ph.D. The Institute supports intramural research on gambling disorders by the Division on Addictions faculty; extramural research grants awarded in competition to outside institutions; and educational activities. For more information about The Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders, please click here.
- Publications (Reprints available for download in our Library & Archives page):
  - Blaszczynski, A., Ladouceur, R., Nower, L., & Shaffer, H. J. (in press). Informed choice and gambling: principles for consumer protection. Journal of Gambling Business and Economics.
  - Kessler, R. C., Hwang, I., LaBrie, R. A., Petukhova, M., Sampson, N. A., Winters, K. C., Shaffer, H. J. (2008) DSM-IV Pathological Gambling in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Psychological Medicine, doi: 10.1017/S0033291708002900, Published online by Cambridge University Press 07 Feb 2008.
  - Lee, T.K., LaBrie, R.A., Seung Rhee, H., Shaffer, H. J. (2008) A study of South Korean casino employees and gambling problems. Occupational Medicine, 1-7. doi:10.1093/occmed/kqn025.
  - LaPlante, D.A., Nelson, S.E., LaBrie, R. A., & Shaffer, H.J. (2008) Stability and Progression of Disordered Gambling: Lessons From Longitudinal Studies. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 53 (1), 52-60.
  - LaPlante, DA & Shaffer, H. J. (2007). Understanding the influence of gambling opportunities: Expanding exposure models to include adaptation. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 77, 616-623.
  - Nelson, T., LaBrie, R. A., LaPlante, D. A., Stanton, M., Shaffer, H. J., & Wechsler, H. (2007). Sports betting and other gambling in athletes, fans, and other college students. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 78 (4), 271-283.
  - Lee T. K., LaBrie, R. A., Grant, J. E., Kim, S. W., & Shaffer, H. J. (2007 Online First). The Structure of Pathological Gambling among Korean Gamblers: A Cluster and Factor Analysis of Clinical and Demographic Characteristics, International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction.

CORPORATE FUNDING:

bwin Interactive Entertainment AG – Addiction and Technology: A Comprehensive Public Health Approach to Understanding the Internet and Internet-related Disorders, PI, Howard J. Shaffer, Ph.D. The objectives of this project are to investigate the behavioral patterns of Internet gamblers and develop intervention strategies based on predictive profiles.
- Publications (Reprints available for download in our Library & Archives page):
- LaPlante, D.A., Schumann, A., LaBrie, R.A., & Shaffer, H.J. (In Press). Population Trends in Internet Sports Gambling. Computers in Human Behavior.
- LaBrie R.A., Kaplan, S.A., LaPlante, D.A., Nelson, S.E., and Shaffer, H.J. (2008) Inside The Virtual Casino: A Prospective Longitudinal Study Of Actual Internet Casino Gambling, European Journal of Public Health. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckn021.
- LaBrie, R. A., LaPlante, D. A., Nelson, S. E., Schumann, A., & Shaffer, H. J. (2007). Assessing the Playing Field: A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Internet Sports Gambling Behavior. Journal of Gambling Studies, 23, 347-362.
Sands, Las Vegas Corporation – The Venetian Las Vegas Responsible Gambling Program: A Patron Intercept and Targeted Patron Evaluation Study, PI, Howard J. Shaffer, Ph.D. The goal of the evaluation is to examine the impact of the Venetians’ responsible gaming programs and procedures on its employees and patrons.

GIFTS:

Cheryl A. Lewin, Gaming Solutions & Associates
Larry L. Lewin, Lewin International, LLC

Funded Research (Completed)

NIH:

NIAAA - Toward Evidence Based Treatments to Reduce DUI Relapse, PI, Howard J. Shaffer, Ph.D., (5 R01 AA014710-02). The objective of this project is to establish the relationship between psychiatric comorbidity and DUI (Driving Under the Influence) reoffense.
- Publications (Reprints available for download in our Library & Archives page):
  - LaPlante, D. A., Nelson, S. E., Odegaard, S. S., LaBrie, R. A., & Shaffer, H. J. (2008). Substance and psychiatric disorders among men and women repeat driving under the influence offenders who accept a treatment-sentencing option. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 69(2), 209-217.
  - Nelson, S. E., LaPlante, D. A., Peller, A. J., LaBrie, R. A., Caro, G., & Shaffer, H. J. (2007). Implementation of a computerized psychiatric assessment tool at a DUI treatment facility: A case example, Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research.
  - Shaffer, H. J., Nelson, S. E., LaPlante, D. A., LaBrie, R. A., Albanese, M., & Caro, G. (2007). The Epidemiology of Psychiatric Disorders Among Repeat DUI Offenders Accepting a Treatment Sentencing Option. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 75 (5), 795-804.
  - LaBrie, R. A., Kidman, R., Albanese, M., Peller, A. J., & Shaffer, H. J. (2007). Criminality and continued DUI offense: Criminal typologies and recidivism among repeat offenders. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 25(4), 603-614.
  - LaBrie, R. A., & Shaffer, H. J. (2007) Gambling with adolescent health. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40(5), 387-389.

CORPORATE FUNDING:

ValueOptions – A Research Collaborative: Optimizing Quality of Care in Managed Behavioral Healthcare, PI, Howard J. Shaffer, Ph.D. The objective of this project is to utilize ValueOption’s extensive databank documenting ValueOption services, programs, and participants as a tool for empirical research on improving the delivery of managed behavioral healthcare.
- Publications (Reprints available for download in our Library & Archives page):
  - LaBrie, A., LaPlante, D. A., Peller, A. J., Christensen, D. E., Greenwood, K. L., Straus, J. H., Garmon, M. S., Browne, C., & Shaffer, H. J. (2007). The interdependence of behavioural and somatic health: implications for conceptualizing health and measuring treatment outcomes. International Journal of Integrated Care. Volume 7.
  - LaBrie, R. A., Browne, C., Christensen, D. E., Greenwood, K. L., Straus, J. H., Garmon, M. S., LaPlante, D. A., Scher, S., Peller, A. J., & Shaffer, H. J. (2007) Implementation of a Consumer-Directed Approach in Behavioral Health Care: Problems and Prospects, Psychiatric Services, 58, 300-302.

NON-PROFIT/FOUNDATION FUNDING:

Massachusetts Family Institute - Juxtaposing the Epidemiology of Disordered Gambling with other Health Disorders: Considering the allocation of Resources, PI, Howard J. Shaffer, Ph.D. The objective of this project is to look and compare funding allocations with other disorders with the same prevalence rates as pathological gambling.