Research at the Vince Carter Sanctuary
When the Vince Carter Sanctuary was dedicated in August 2009, the Research Center was poised to establish itself as a world class research program. Our ongoing activity is collection of data for the Center of Disease Control data base of substance abuse. Researchers collect data on voluntary participants from one of SMA’s programs through a questionnaire developed by the UF Department of Psychiatry allowing principle investigators and approved research coordinators access to data for research. The data will contribute to the ongoing epidemiology study of the current scope of substance abuse and examine the effects of family histories that may be associated with neurocognitive and psychosocial functioning. Local benefits include the ability to identify factors that influence the occurrence, characteristics, associations, and distribution of substance abuse that are unique to the substance abuser in Northeast Central Florida.
Virtual Reality can be used to place clients into real life situations that may trigger relapse. Counselors are present to assist them in developing refusal skills which will help them deal with situations they may face in the real world. This is ground-breaking technology that has been proven effective in other areas, and we are looking forward to conducting ground-breaking research into the realm of addictions treatment.
Many areas of addiction need to be researched in order to be effective. Until we can answer the questions “Why they do it?”, "How does it affect their bodies?”, "How does it affect the family?" “How to treat it,” we cannot reach them. There is no silver bullet for addiction, but by fully understanding the disease we can find the best methods to treat it. Research can help in the process of rehabilitation and recovery to reduce relapse and is constantly making strides in order to know as much as possible. This knowledge will ultimately be the way to help fight the disease.
Articles of Interest
Alcohol-Energy Drink Craze Fueling Concern
VR Environments Therapeutic For Addicts
