Horizons Fall 2015

15 NSU HORIZONS In 1996, Mark Sobell, Ph.D., ABPP, and Linda Sobell, Ph.D., ABPP, brought their Healthy Lifestyles Guided Self-Change Program to Nova Southeastern University. The groundbreaking program, established in Canada, was a game-changer for NSU in the field of substance abuse and addiction treatment in its approach to substance use disorders. Their research suggested motivational interventions can help individu- als change behaviors. The Sobells’ internationally recognized research and program were the reason they were recruited by NSU. NSU continues to break ground. Today, much of the research conducted at the university in various areas of substance abuse and addiction con- tributes valuable statistics and generates valuable tools that can be imple- mented for preventative or action measures. From a study to help prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies—which is being used worldwide by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—to the development of a new technology that will make it difficult for drug abusers to tamper with prescription drugs, NSU research- ers are making a substantial impact in helping to reduce the statistics of a far-reaching public health epidemic. STUDIES AND STATISTICS An 11-year project, funded by research grants from the CDC and con- ducted by researchers at NSU along with two other universities (the Uni- versity of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston and Virginia Com- monwealth University) to study and develop interventions aimed at preventing alcohol-exposed pregnancies is now a fully integrated federal program. Called Project CHOICES (Changing High-risk alcOhol use and Increasing Contraception Effectiveness Study), it is managed, marketed, and disseminated to clinics and professionals by the CDC and the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The tools are used throughout the world as an intervention and prevention means to bring awareness to women. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder births are the No. 1 preventable birth defect in the world. BY MICHELLE F. SOLOMON Solutions