UB to hold programs on addiction

The University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions is presenting a free seminar series beginning Oct. 5 on addiction-related topics.

The four-part series, featuring national experts, will be held on designated Fridays on the first floor of the RIA building at 1021 Main St., on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

The opening presentation by Dr. Thomas J. Crowley is titled "Conduct Disorder and Substance Dependence: Genes, Brains and Behavior."

Crowley is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and director of the Division of Substance Dependence in the University of Colorado's School of Medicine in Denver.

His research has concentrated on the combination of substance dependence and conduct disorder in adolescents.

On Oct. 12, Lynn Kozlowski, Ph.D., will present "Tobacco Harm Reduction: Cigarettes, Cigars, Snuff and NRT?"

Kozlowski is a professor of health behavior and psychology and chair of the Department of Health Behavior in the UB School of Public Health and Health Professions.

His research has focused on various aspects of tobacco use, including epidemiology, treatment, risks of low-tar cigarettes, filter vent blocking and nicotine addiction.

The seminars continue on Nov. 9 with a discussion of "Predictors of Six-Month Alcohol Use among Severely Mentally Ill Individuals Entering Dual-Diagnosis Treatment" by Clara M. Bradizza, Ph.D.

Bradizza is a senior research scientist at RIA with extensive research in improving assessment and treatment among individuals diagnosed with both a substance use disorder and a severe mental illness, as well as interventions among pregnant smokers and alcohol-dependent individuals.

The series closes on Nov. 30 with a presentation on "Nicotine and Drugs: What Drives the Affair?" by Sara Jo Nixon, Ph.D. Nixon is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville.

She holds a joint appointment as professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her current research is focused on neurocognition, nicotine and polysubstance abuse.

For more information about the seminars, contact RIA at 716-887-2566.