Abstract
Conducting Substance Use Research is a concise manual detailing broad and informative approaches that aim to translate substance use research to practice. The authors focus on various unique contributions social work makes to substance use research including biopsychosocial approaches, life span perspectives, cultural awareness, and multilevel integration. The intent of the book is to help inform social scientists, particularly social work researchers, of the resources available for “best practice” research in substance use. However, it is not an exhaustive or critical analysis of the evidence available to inform such practice. It appears useful for new researchers such as undergraduate or graduate students, or experienced researchers seeking to broaden their topical scope. In particular, it will likely appeal to policy analysts, public health social workers, and professors interested in using a well-articulated topical manual to serve as a supplementary text for an advanced research class.
The chapter sequence parallels a research process as follows: Chapter 1 provides an overview of substance use research with emphasis on background and rationale for conducting a study; Chapter 2 presents global views of substance use research design and analysis, emphasizing how to make informed design decisions; Chapter 3 details how to recruit and retain participants, with an emphasis on unique ethical considerations for generally vulnerable and stigmatized substance using populations; Chapter 4 focuses on measurement and analysis, highlighting the importance of reliability and validity in measures, assessment at various ecological levels, and the complementary nature of self-reporting. Finally, Chapter 5 focuses on dissemination and implementation research, noting the variables that contribute to the long lag time, between when empirical evidence becomes available and when protocols become implemented as practice.
From my perspective, this book has three primary strengths. First, it has a strong empirical base. The authors list 31 pages of much-appreciated appendices and references. Attention to empiricism shows in their nuanced discussion of diagnosis, as diagnostic criteria for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 is introduced and critiqued with respect to National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) standards. The authors explain how the NIMH will no longer accept DSM-5 criteria for funding research as DSM-5 lacks evidence base. This has very important implications for research design, inclusion criteria, and dissemination, that could have easily been overlooked by less meticulous authors. Second, it reads as a very practical tool for students and researchers alike. There are easily understood tables, listing screening protocols, research designs, and categories and theories of addiction etiologies. In addition, almost every subsection notes where additional information can be found in books, journals, or online sources. Third, the authors discuss both recognized and overlooked themes that play significant roles in substance use prevalence in populations. For example, they skillfully list “great debates” in substance use research, including controlled use versus abstinence, and whether harm reduction is a desirable or effective goal.
However, it also has two primary weaknesses. First, while there is an acknowledgment of the importance of interdisciplinary and collaborative research in substance use considering the complex nature of the phenomena, there is a little discussion about how social workers can engage with other disciplines in any kind of systematic way. As funding increasingly emphasizes and often mandates collaboration, an overview of resources to facilitate interdisciplinary research would be a welcomed addition. Second, the authors sparingly discuss alternative understandings of substance use; substance use is primarily viewed as a problem that essentially should be minimized or eliminated. However, there is ample empirical evidence suggesting substance use is common in most cultures, and cultural context plays an important role in shaping perceptions and outcomes of substance use. Unfortunately, the authors do not include the social work perspective that nonnormative behaviors can have adaptive functions, limiting the discussion of substance use only to a problem-treatment paradigm.
With those two caveats, however, this book is a poignant introduction to substance use research and the resources available to help conduct research. The text stays true to its stated goals of giving a breadth of information in a clear, well-organized manner. And while not explicitly stated, the authors combine public health and social work concepts seamlessly, in a manner that reflects the broader trend of social work adopting public health perspectives. Overall, this book is an essential and highly accessible desk reference for anyone interested in furthering their understanding of substance use research and applications. Outside of poverty, one could argue that substance abuse is the most common issue shared by clients seeking help from social workers in a variety of health and human service organizations.