ISAP's Increasing Leadership in Addiction Medicine

After more than a decade of work in the addiction medicine field conducting research, delivering training, and advising groups of policy makers and service providers, the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP) is recognized as one of the world's leading organizations involved in efforts to advance research and treatment for substance use disorders. Having endured and even expanded during budgetary difficulties among research sponsors at all governmental levels, ISAP remains well positioned to extend that process. The group continues to advance the knowledge base on substance use disorders and related problems and to improve the delivery of treatment services through diverse efforts. Examples of ongoing efforts include:

Continued development of medication and behavioral treatments through ISAP’s role leading the Pacific Region Node of NIDA’s Clinical Trials Network and through clinical trials of medications (e.g., methylphenidate for methamphetamine dependence, and long-acting depot buprenorphine for opioid dependence) and behavioral treatments (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Contingency Management). ISAP also is investigating alternative/complementary approaches such as mindfulness/meditation, drumming, and aerobic exercise for methamphetamine dependence.
Strengthened ISAP as a resource for methodological expertise via the NIDA-funded Center for Advancing Longitudinal Drug Abuse Research.
Expanded international clinical research and training efforts in China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Middle East.
Increased research attention on special populations, including drug-using offenders via NIDA’s Pacific Coast Center for Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies and studies on prison services and post-release services; many other efforts focus on HIV-infected drug-using individuals (including mothers), women, adolescents, and gay and transgender populations.
Hosted research training programs in addiction research methods via the NIH-funded training programs for pre- and post-doctoral fellows as well as for international visiting research scholars from Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
Increased dissemination of knowledge about substance use disorders, research-based interventions, and innovative treatment modalities and practices throughout the nation via the Pacific Southwest Addiction Technology Transfer Center, technical assistance contracts for the State of California and Los Angeles County Mental Health, as well as through other trainings delivered around the nation and the world.
Broadened and strengthened technical assistance collaboration with government agencies via contracts with Los Angeles County Substance Abuse Prevention and Control and the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.

ISAP will continue to advance the empirical understanding of substance use disorders, develop and evaluate new approaches for the treatment of addiction, and support efforts to reduce substance use and related problems.