The Edge:  

A Resource for Iowa's Behavioral Health Professionals 

 
2013 Edition, Volume 50                          


Start your work week off right!  Sign up to get a new edition of "The Edge" each Monday morning.







 

The Edge, a news scan for Behavioral Health Professionals in Iowa distributed by the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center (ISAIC).     

The Edge strives to provide a glimpse of new trends, changes on the horizon in the field of substance abuse and problem gambling, and opportunities to increase your knowledge! If you have articles of value that you'd like to share with others across the state, or feedback regarding the content, format, or method of distribution, please email them to Emily at the address below.
 
We hope you enjoy this edition of The Edge!  Please continue to forward it to colleagues you think would be interested!  


Emily Blomme, ISAIC Program Manager 
[email protected]

Bob Kerksieck, IDPH
[email protected]

pills.jpg
Substance Abuse:
Noteworthy Articles
 and Studies

3 Best and 3 Worst States in America for Drinking

With the recent passing of the 80th anniversary of the ratification of the 21st amendment to the Constitution, otherwise known as the end of prohibition. Though boozing has been legal nationwide for several generations, some states have retained their zeal for restricting American's right to party. Others are a lot more cool about it. In the spirit of this joyous anniversary, TIME presents the 3 best and worst states for drinking.  

 

Medicine or menace? The marijuana argument is rekindled

The perspective of someone who works with this population: Joseph Lee, M.D., medical director of Hazelden's youth continuum. These views are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of his employer.

 

Does Smoking Pot Cause "Man Boobs"

Few studies have examined a direct causative effect between smoking marijuana and gynecomastia. A report in 1972 made the initial connection between cannabis and gynecomastia, but is there really a link?

 

Alcohol Use Disorders Linked to Death and Disability

Disorders related to the abuse of alcohol contribute significantly to the burden of disease in the U.S., finds a new study in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. Researchers estimated that in 2005, about 53,000 men and 12,000 women died from issues related to alcohol use disorders (AUD). 

 



Problem Gambling: 
Noteworthy Articles
 and Studies
 

Baby boomers are suckers for appeals to their narcissism. Generation Xers can't stand their parents. And millennials want to feel like they're doing good in the world. These aren't tired stereotypes. They're lessons marketing consultants say the Nevada tourism industry needs to start using if it wants to pull new customers into casinos.

 

Sioux City lawmaker calls for moratorium on gaming licenses 

Calling the Iowa Legislature "addicted to gaming at the budget level," a Sioux City lawmaker is calling for a moratorium on gambling licenses. "I understand others want their share," Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, said Wednesday, "but I think it's time we look at putting, maybe, a moratorium on gaming and gaming licenses.

 

Teaching Rats to Gamble Responsibly - New Research about Medication to Curb Problematic Gambling Behavior In 2006, the NCRG awarded a new investigator grant to Catherine Winstanley, Ph.D., from the University of British Columbia, to test a new model of gambling behavior in rats, based on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT).  Researchers from the University of British Columbia were recently in the news again, this time with further results from the gambling rats.

 

Gaming board to ban firms from video gambling business  

Struggling to keep tabs on who profits in the sprawling video poker market, state gambling regulators instituted a series of reforms today and called on lawmakers to issue more. The Illinois Gaming Board said it will create a "blacklist" of people who will be banned from doing business with any video gambling company, much like the list that exists for casinos.  

 

 
Upcoming Trainings and Materials 

 

 ISAIC Training Calendar
Trainings around the state in the field of Behavioral Health, including national webinars and online train


ISAIC's new page for Professionals includes links to online libraries and databases, open positions in the field, and statewide training calendar.  Check back often for updates and submit open positions and upcoming trainings to be posted! 

 

Are you working with professionals in your community regarding SBIRT?  Curious about how Dentistry and how they fit in?  This 1.5 hour self-paced course contains six modules of instruction covering various topics related to the SBIRT Model and its use in the field of Dentistry, including an overview of the problem, why dentists need to understand substance use and abuse, a brief overview of SBIRT, screening, brief interventions, referral to treatment, and common concerns.

 

Online Training: Substance Use in Older Adults: Screening and Treatment Intervention Strategies 

Working with older adults?  Wanting to tlearn more?  This 3-hour self-paced course reviews alcohol and prescription medication use among Older Adults, and highlights the need for routine screening, assessment and specialized interventions for this vulnerable population.

 

Training Resource: Online Training is Available!

Don't forget that Training Resources has many training opportunities available online!  Click to find a list! 

 

Did you miss a NCRG Webinar?  You can view archived webinars here.

Interested in getting Certified?  Click to find information about Iowa Problem Gambling Certification  or National Problem Gambling Certification 
 




ISAIC Logo- Horizontal.jpg  
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter   
Do you know how to reserve, order, or check-out items from ISAIC? Use this handy document for step-by-step instructions.  ISAIC Search Help 
 
Call us: Toll Free Helpline:  866-242-4111
 
CRPL Logo new.jpg
  A Program of the Cedar Rapids Public Library
            

IDPH Logo.jpg
A service of The Division of Behavioral Health