Women and Addiction: A Comprehensive Handbook

For many years, addiction research focused almost exclusively on men. Yet scientific awareness of sex and gender differences in substance use disorders has grown tremendously in recent decades. This volume brings together leading authorities to review the state of the science and identify key directions for research and clinical practice. Concise, focused chapters illuminate how biological and psychosocial factors influence the etiology and epidemiology of substance use disorders in women; their clinical presentation, course, and psychiatric comorbidities; treatment access; and treatment effectiveness. Prevalent substances of abuse are examined, as are issues facing special populations.

Kathleen T. Brady, MD, PhD, is Distinguished University Professor and Director of the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her interests include drug and alcohol abuse/addiction and comorbid conditions. A board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Brady leads numerous research projects and served as president of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, a member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and a board member of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. She has authored over 300 publications; presented at conferences, grand rounds, and symposia; and received numerous awards.

Sudie E. Back, PhD, a clinical psychologist, is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Director of the Drug Abuse Research Training program for psychiatry residents at the Medical University of South Carolina. She serves as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on numerous federally funded research projects. Her current research involves prescription opioid dependence, the integrated psychosocial treatment of substance use disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder, and gender. The ultimate aim of this line of research is to improve the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders. Dr. Back also maintains a small clinical practice.

Shelly F. Greenfield, MD, MPH, is Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Chief Academic Officer at McLean Hospital, where she also serves as Chief of the Division of Women's Mental Health andDirector of Clinical and Health Services Research and Education in the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Program. The Women's Recovery Group grew out of her extensive research and clinical work in the field of substance use disorders, with a particular focus on women and addiction. Dr. Greenfield has authored more than 125 articles and book chapters. She is Chair of the National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network gender special interest group andpast Chair of the American Psychiatric Association's Council on Addiction Psychiatry, and serves on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and on the Advisory Committee on Services for Women of the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. A member of the American College of Psychiatrists and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Dr. Greenfield is a recipient of the R. Brinkley Smithers Distinguished Scientist Award from the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the A. Clifford Barger Award for Excellence in Mentoring from Harvard Medical School.