Experts in the substance abuse field highlight the practical issues inherent in planning and conducting alcohol treatment assessment research. The rising costs of health care and malpractice fees, along with third party payers'demands for more accountability have resulted in an urgent need for more and better treatment evaluation. Contributors address some of the pitfalls and examine valuable techniques and tools involved in conducting treatment assessment research. Topics include the initial assessment or diagnostic instrument, the role of the treatment environment on the outcome of treatment, the data collection process and its relation to the goals of the assessment, and the cost-effectiveness of treatment.

Each year pharmaceutical companies invest billions of dollars in clinical trials of drugs used for the treatment of central nervous system diseases. Due to enormous progress in basic pharmaceutical research in recent years, controlled tests of new medications are flourishing and these trials have rapidly become an intense focus of practical medical research. Aware of the complexities presented in the design, execution, and evaluation of clinical trials, Marc Hertzman and Douglas E. Feltner bring together a collection of essays that dissect the scientific, psychosocial, political, and ethical concerns that must be examined for any CNS trial. The internationally known contributors examine concerns about ethics and cost; the FDA and its regulatory impact; and the implementation of a variety of trials, for disorders such as schizophrenia, alcoholism, eating disorders, insomnia, and aggression. The editors carefully consider important social issues including the considerations related to women's special needs; and the relative merits of psychotherapy and medications. The Handbook of Psychopharmocology Trials provides an up-to- date and stimulating exploration of important issues on the subject of CNS Clinical trials.

Includes established theories and cutting-edge developments. Presents the work of an international group of experts. Presents the nature, origin, implications, an future course of major unresolved issues in the area.