Two major developments have launched the Journal of Addictions Nursing into a new phase. First of all, we are pleased that, in the spring, the Journal was selected to be indexed and included in MEDLINE. As a result, citations from the articles indexed, the indexing terms, and the English printed abstracts are included and searchable using PubMed.
Second, it was determined because of the rapid growth and expansion of the Journal that it was time to search for a new publisher. The Board of Directors of the International Nurses Society on Addictions, the organization that owns the copyright, and the Editor were seeking a publisher who could enhance visibility and provide advanced technical and administrative support. One publisher, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, offered all the elements necessary to fulfill the expectations of the International Nurses Society on Addictions Board and Editor, and an agreement was reached during the summer. The most visible indication is the new cover, and we hope you like it as much as we do.
These key changes provide new opportunities and challenges for the Journal. The success of a professional scholarly publication depends on many factors. First and foremost, it must consistently contain quality articles that update and inform its readers. Certainly, success indicators, in addition to manuscript quality, include the volume of submitted manuscripts and an ever-increasing impact factor. Furthermore, like any other journal whose copyright is owned by a professional organization, the needs of the members in the organization must be a key concern. While maintaining quality, we strive to bring column and editorial writers, special issue leaders, and others that offer unique original perspectives to our readers who are in a variety of roles as clinicians, faculty, researchers, and consultants. The Editor and the Editorial Board continue to explore innovative ways to enhance the Journal's content and its mode of delivery.
The articles for this issue include five research reports, one of which is an application of a nursing theoretical framework, and the sixth paper, which presents a theoretical perspective. The research reports are headed by Mr. Andrew McPherson's and Ms. Andrea Brownhill's article examining associated alcohol abuse (using a simple tool [FAST] that takes less than 15 seconds to administer) in patients with significant facial trauma seen in a clinic in Glasgow, United Kingdom. This is another opportunity for nurses in specialized clinical settings encountering similar patients to employ Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in those whose FAST scores indicate potential problems.
The second report by Dr. Gary D. James et al. introduces testing of an alternative treatment to aid smokers trying to quit. In general, the literature on smoking indicates a need for a multidimensional approach to cessation as well as several attempts before sustained cessation is achieved for successful quitters. Nevertheless, this study offers some interesting insights such as the role of source-related encouragement as well as the need for further study on combinations of herbal products.
The third study by Dr. Gabriel Thorens et al. espouses that, despite the evidence that disulfiram is not an effective deterrent to drinking in abstinent problem drinkers, there is still considerable support for its use by many health caregivers primarily due to its generation of psychological fear in patients. Although not particularly advocated, one popular current psychiatric nursing textbook does mention that it "[horizontal ellipsis]is used with motivated patients[horizontal ellipsis]" and further notes that "[horizontal ellipsis]it may work best as a 'psychological threat'[horizontal ellipsis]" (Varcarolis & Halter, 2010, p. 426). Perhaps, this aversive treatment (although evidence may indicate that it is ineffective in short-term situations) may exhibit usefulness as a long-term treatment option to assist with behavior change; therefore, further investigation into its long-term use is suggested.
In their research on Internet addiction, Dr. Mi Heui Jang et al. examine factors associated with Internet addiction among 11- to 12-year-olds and parental problem drinking in J City, South Korea. The findings in this study add further evidence to the understanding that parental problem drinking has a negative impact on family functioning. Furthermore, the investigators suggest that their data show a significant association between Internet addiction and early adolescents' aggressive behavior. This finding warrants not only further study in this vulnerable population but also a need for health professionals to assess all youth who are significant Internet users for addiction, aggressive tendencies, and family functioning.
The last is by Dr. Stephen Strobbe et al. and applies the nursing theory of human relatedness to recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The authors emphasize the value of this multidimensional concept as a way of framing successful recovery in AA for many people. It is obvious that a dysfunctional relationship exists between the active alcoholic and alcohol. It leads to isolation from other humans either directly or indirectly as one important dimension of relatedness noted by the authors. In my own qualitative research on women in AA, the participants reported on the importance of human relationships in recovery and the development of significant bonds with others in the AA program. They reported that these AA relationships became increasingly salient over time to the extent that it had a significant effect on which groups they chose to attend (Vourakis, 1989).
The theoretical article in this issue is by Ms. Lawren Ericka Mundy and examines the concept of addiction as a stigmatized phenomenon. She makes a strong case for viewing addiction as a stigmatized condition with all the accompanying consequences this label offers. She shares how addiction-stigmatized patients in the healthcare system are penalized and may receive substandard care especially if they are doubly stigmatized as a result of their age, sexual preference, poverty, or other personal characteristics, which commonly invoke stereotypes and prejudice on their own. Ms. Mundy's work highlights the importance of health professionals being sensitive to their interactive style with patients and to take a leadership role and intervene when other caregivers show insensitivity or outright hostility to patients perceived as substance dependent.
In closing, I would like to invite you to visit our new website at http://www.Journalofaddictionsnursing.com to view and download full-text articles. Also, we welcome your submission of original manuscripts for review at http://www.editorialmanager.com/jan/.
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