The magnitude of the alcohol and drug abuse problem today is well-documented.  Eighteen percent of the population experiences a substance use disorder at some point in their lives, and the cost of addictive illness to the public is calculated at $246 billion per year in health care and lost work.  Furthermore, at least 20% of patients in general medical facilities and 30% in general psychiatric units present with such problems, many of which go undiagnosed -- in some settings, many more.  When the sequelae of addiction such as cirrhosis, psychopathology, trauma, and infection are present, they may receive proper medical attention; patients' primary addictive problems often go untreated.

         Nonetheless, important advances are being made in the addiction field.  Basic mechanisms in relation to receptors, membrane chemistry, and genetic transmission have been elaborated.  Public awareness has been aroused so that substance abusers may seek help earlier, when treatment can be administered more effectively.  New treatment concepts, both pharmacologic and psychosocial, have made recovery a possibility for the majority of alcohol and drug abusing patients.  Furthermore, the health community has been alerted to the need for early diagnosis and provision of comprehensive care.

         The addiction field has moved toward maturation, and it is essential that the trainees in medical teaching centers be exposed to faculty experts in the addictions. In order to develop a cadre of educators and researchers, a sequence of training for medical students, residents, allied health professionals, and fellows has been developed within academic medical centers.  NYU has led the nation in this process in developing the field of addiction psychiatry in organized medicine.

         Research into addictive illness has been expanded so that emerging concepts in etiology and treatment will be introduced into the medical mainstream. Here, too, the Division at NYU has been a leader in Substance Abuse research. This evolution was formally recognized by organized medicine in the establishment of a subspecialty in addiction psychiatry, and a formal fellowship training process.

         The purpose of the Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse at NYU is therefore to implement new ideas in training, research and clinical care, and to establish a model for similar programs nationwide.  It is uniquely equipped to do so with its extensive facilities and broad-based faculty.  Furthermore, it is strongly supported in this mission by one of the country's leading departments of psychiatry and its leading academic medical center.

         This investment in resources and innovative approaches has led to awards from the American Psychiatric Association, its Gold Award for outstanding achievements in the development of comprehensive substance abuse clinical care, and its Seymour Vestermark Award for excellence in medical education.

Marc Galanter, M.D., Director
Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse