Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies
About Us
The Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies (CAS) in the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology is a multidisciplinary institute dedicated to substance use research, education, and training. Our collaborations intersect with key translational health domains, broadening impact in the field of addiction science. CAS researchers and educators provide expertise on alcohol and other substance use topics for the public through local, national, and international media outlets.
Research
Human experimental studies focus on the role of body-brain communication in the development, consequences, and treatment of alcohol and other drug use disorders using psychophysiology, brain imaging, and computational modeling. Longitudinal and daily survey research examine patterns, predictors and consequences of substance use over the life course. Cross-sectional and experimental studies address racial/ethnic disparities in the biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying tobacco and cannabis use disorders.
Education
The Addiction Education program is the oldest substance use training program in the nation, providing extensive opportunities for professional development in substance use prevention, behavioral health and treatment best practices since 1962. This program promotes the recognition of substance use disorders as a major public health concern, maintains a strong focus on special populations, understands the connection with mental health and addresses the need to reduce stigma and connect practitioners with the empirically supported advancements in the field.
Scholarly Journal
Founded by Howard W. Haggard, M.D., director of Yale University’s Laboratory of Applied Physiology, The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs began in 1940 as the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol. As alcohol research expanded in the 1970s, it changed to a monthly publication in 1975, and its name became the Journal of Studies on Alcohol. With this change, the Journal began publishing research articles and abstracts in alternating months.
Digital Alcohol Studies Archives
GSAPP’s Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies (CAS) has introduced their new Digital Alcohol Studies Archives! The archives hold over 80 years' worth of pivotal information for the next generation of researchers to use and reference.
Wellness Self-Care
Self-care is not selfish - it's self-preservation. Wellness Self-Care is not just for those in recovery, but for society-at-large. It is a series of initiatives dedicated to sharing tips and tools on wellness. GSAPP continuously highlights the importance of focusing on wellness and its benefits. Many helpful resources and activities are available to support wellness self-care practices.
All the best to you on your journey to wellness! Questions? Contact Dr. Peggy Swarbrick, Associate Director, CAS; Research Professor, Applied Department; Director of Rutgers-New Brunswick's ScarletWell Program @ swarbrma@rutgers.edu.
