Substance misuse training in graduate psychology programs

A total of 436 graduate psychology training programs, including both academic and internship programs, were surveyed to determine the extent to which they included issues of substance misuse in their curricula. The survey consisted of a 37-item questionnaire and a multiple-mailing methodology that yielded a 78% response rate. The results indicate that a majority of programs provide students with at least some exposure to substance misuse issues, that programs focus both on alcoholism and on misuse of other drugs, that misuse is considered from several different combinations of perspectives (theory, research and treatment), and that both abstinence and moderation training are included in many curricula as potential goals of treatment. Additionally, data are presented on locations of training, measurement of student competence, professional involvement of faculty and staff members in the area of substance misuse, and plans that programs are making for future research and training activities. The role of psychology in general in the provision of substance misuse training is also discussed.