Trauma and Addiction: Implications for Helping Professionals

<H4>EXCERPT</H4> <P>Substance-related disorders originate from a variety of sources and for many reasons. There likely will be endless debates surrounding addiction. Many questions are common and sometimes unanswerable: Why does addiction occur in some individuals and not others? How do some individuals manage to control their substance use and others quickly descend a downward spiral? What synergistic roles do environment and genetics play in addiction? Regardless of whether such questions can be answered concretely, it is clear that the acute and chronic effects of substance use on individuals, families, and society as a whole cannot be ignored.</P> <H4>ABOUT THE AUTHORS</H4> <P>Dr. Cross is Associate Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, School of Public Health, and Mr. Ashley is Addictions Specialist and Undergraduate Coordinator, Department of Counselor Education, and Director, Problem Gambling Treatment Program, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Ashley is also Clinical Assistant Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada.</P> <P>The authors thank Tascha Spears, PhD, RN, for initially requesting them to submit an earlier version of this manuscript to the <cite>Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services</cite>.</P> <P>The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.</P> <P>Address correspondence to Chad L. Cross, PhD, NCC, Associate Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, School of Public Health, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 453064, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3064; e-mail: <A HREF="mailto:Chad.cross@unlv.edu">Chad.cross@unlv.edu</A>.</P>