ADDICTION PREVENTION RESEARCH LAB
About
The Addiction Prevention Research Lab (APRL) is a multi-institution collaborative comprised of faculty members from the University of Georgia and the University of San Diego dedicated to addiction prevention efforts among youth. The APRL is committed to providing guidance through scholarship and instruction to equip those who work with youth to effectively prevent or reduce addictive behaviors.The members of the APRL have specializations in school counseling, community counseling, and addictions counseling and are active researchers and instructors in the field. APRL members provide in-person and virtual trainings and workshops, consultation, research dissemination, and collaboration with schools and communities to set children up for success and combat addictive behaviors. We would love to partner with others dedicated to addiction prevention among children and adolescents or talk more about our initiatives.
Services
Research
Our research focuses on the evaluation and development of addiction prevention for communities and schools. We strive to conduct rigorous research studies to inform prevention efforts in various settings and guidance for professionals working with children and youth.
Training/ Support
We provide trainings to increase knowledge related to addictive behaviors (e.g., vaping, alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, gaming, social media, pornography, self-injury) and possible preventative efforts to implement in schools and communities.
Consulting Services
APRL provides consultation to community agencies, school districts, and individual school settings with regard to addiction prevention efforts.
Collaboration
APRL members would love to discuss potential collaborations with others involved in addiction prevention. You can reach the APRL by emailing aprlabuga@gmail.com.
Faculty
APRL faculty are located at either the University of Georgia or the University of San Diego. All faculty members are well-accomplished professionals with numerous publications, awards, books, presentations, and counseling/clinical experience. Click on a faculty member’s name to view their curriculum vitas (CV) and biographies.
Associate Professor, UGA
Associate Professor, UGA
Associate Professor, USD
Request a Speaking Event
Our faculty are equipped to present on a variety of topics that your organization or school may find helpful. Below, please find the list of potential workshop topics. If you are interested in scheduling a training or speaking event, please click on the google form link below.
Dr. Giordano's presentation topics:
- Recognizing and responding to behavioral addictions
- Understanding nonsuicidal self-injury
- Understanding gaming addiction
- Adolescent substance use
- Raising kids in a digital age
- Understanding sex and pornography addiction
- Addressing technology-based behavioral addictions
- Motivational Interviewing training
Dr. Appling's presentation topics:
- Working with diverse youth
- Supporting the academic success of students in K-12
- Crisis Response in K-12 schools
- Non-suicidal self-injury in youth
- Substance Use & Sexting in youth
- Supporting gender non-conforming youth
- Working with students with disabilities
- Parenting workshops on multiple topics
- Creativity in counseling
- Self-esteem and anxiety in youth
Dr. Golubovic's presentation topics:
- The intersection between trauma and addiction
- Substance use and human trafficking
- Substance use and sexual crimes
- Trauma-informed approaches
- Synthetic drugs
Resources
Books
Webinars
Blogs/ Continuing Education Opportunities
Research Gate/ Google Scholar Pages
Addiction Counseling: A Practical Approach
Book that equips the upcoming generation of counselors with crucial knowledge to skillfully treat both chemical and behavioral addictions written by Dr. Giordano, Dr. Golubovic, and Dr. Cavaiola. The text covers all essential topics as outlined in the gold standard SAMSHA Counselor Training Manual. Included are detailed guidelines on how to write succinct treatment plans and conduct effective client sessions; case studies; role-playing exercises; and clinical applications to assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning, and case management.
A Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions
An innovative new text addressing 11 behavioral addictions in detail with a focus on recent neuroscience written by Dr. Giordano. Each chapter highlights the most current research related to specific behavioral addictions, provides a synthesis of recent neuroscience, and examines diverse treatment approaches to fit the widest range of clinical styles.
Can you really be addicted to a behavior? Exploring the effects of rewarding behaviors on the brain
In this presentation, Dr. Giordano describes how the nature of specific behaviors interact with the brain’s reward system to lead to addiction in susceptible individuals. She highlights the processes of positive and negative reinforcement in the experience of addiction and discuss how understanding the brain can help us effectively address addictive behaviors.
Addressing Internet Gaming Addiction: The Basics
Human service professionals must be prepared to recognize, assess, and treat internet gaming addiction with clients across the lifespan. In this video, Dr. Giordano will cover behavioral addictions, prevalence of gaming addiction, potential negative consequences of gaming, proposed criteria for DSM-5 for a Gaming Disorder, etc.
How to Navigate Non-Suicidal Self Injury with Youth
Dr. Amanda Giordano presents on how to navigate non-suicidal self-injury in youth. In this presentation, attendees will learn: How to describe the prevalence of NSSI among youth, potential motives for self-injury, and associated risk and protective factors?, How to describe the relationship between NSSI and a suicide attempt and explain NSSI as a symptom of a mental health disorder as well as a behavioral addiction?, How to explain social contagion and ways in which the internet and social media may exacerbate NSSI among youth?, and Treatment approaches for work with NSSI among youth and clinical considerations.
Essential Elements for Teaching Addiction Counseling Courses
In this Webinar, you’ll hear from three counselor educators (including Drs. Giordano and Golubovic) with experience teaching addictions counseling courses. Various topics are covered in this webinar, including trauma, advocacy, relapse prevention, empathy, individual counseling approaches, etc.
Basics of Addiction Training Video
This video is designed to increase awareness about addictive behaviors to inform school personnel, community leaders, families, and others who work with youth.
Psychology Today: Understanding Addiction
Understanding Addiction: Psychology Today Blog. A blog to increase knowledge of addictive behaviors written by Dr. Giordano with Psychology Today.
Working with Behavioral Addictions
This digitally-badged Credential Course is led by author and addictions expert, Dr. Amanda Giordano (University of Georgia). It’s a 38-hour deep-dive program that will teach you the latest research, evidence-based interventions, cultural insights and advocacy considerations for supporting clients with a range of behavioral addictions.
Research work. This page includes the research conducted by Dr. Brandee Appling.
Research work. This page includes the research conducted by Dr.Ned Golubovic
Amanda Giordano Google Scholar Page
Research work. This page includes research conducted by Dr. Amanda Giordano.
Stay connected with APRL
University of Georgia and University of San Diego
aprlabuga@gmail.com
Upcoming Events
https://www.mentalhealthacademy.net/masterclass/youthaddiction