Pharmacology and Toxicology : College of Pharmacy: UT Austin

Phone: 512-471-5198
Fax: 512-471-5198
erickson.carl@mail.utexas.edu

Research Interests

I am interested in addiction science education, performed through the dissemination of new research findings on drug addiction in lay language. Primarily through lectures and slide presentations to treatment professionals (alcohol and other drug abuse counselors, social workers, mental health counselors, etc.) and the "reachable public" (criminal justice workers, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, clergy, and family members), education is packaged in an easily-understandable form so that new information can be transferred quickly to those who can use it. I am also interested in teaching other researchers to communicate their research results more effectively, and to motivate them to also talk to nonscientific groups. Finally, the evaluation of such information transfer is critical to its long-term effectiveness in altering public opinion about addictions as diseases. Therefore I am interested in learning behavioral change methods and theory, attitudinal theory, and how to influence public opinion regarding drug use, abuse, and dependence in our society.

Recent Publications

Lawson, K.A., Wilcox, R.E., Littlefield, J.H., Pituch, K.A., and Erickson, C.K., "Educating treatment professionals about addiction science research: Demographics of knowledge and belief changes" Subst. Use Misuse 39: 1235-1258 (2004). (Original data article)

Wilcox, R.E. and Erickson, C.K., "Prevention of relapse to addiction: Information for the Practitioner" J. Texas Med. 100: 52-61 (2004). (Review for physicians)

Pituch, K.A., Lawson, K.A., Wilcox, R.E., Littlefield, J.H., Miller, J.D., and Erickson, C.K., A multisite evaluation of a communication skills workshop for scientists, J. Teach. Addict. 4:1-22 (2005). (Original data article)

Wilcox, R.E. and Erickson, C.K., The brain biology of drug abuse and addiction", In: Chemical Dependency: A Systems Approach, Third Edition, McNeece, C.A., DiNitto, D.M. (eds), Pearson Publ., Boston, MA, pp. 42-60 (2005). (Book Chapter)

Erickson, C.K., Understanding the pharmacology of alcohol and other drugs is easy. In: Substance Use and Abuse: Exploring Alcohol and Drug Problems, Mignon, S., Myers, P., Garrett, G., Faiia, M.M., and Rubington, E. (eds). Lynne Rienner Publ., Boulder, CO (In press, 2006). (Book Chapter)

Erickson, C.K., Science of Addiction: From Neurobiology to Treatment. W.W. Norton, New York, NY. (2007). (Book)

Addiction Science Research and Education Center

Addiction treatment professionals, medical personnel, social workers, psychologists, law enforcement personnel, teachers, students, and the general public are often not aware of the newest research in addiction science. University scientists working on the leading edge of addiction research have been trained to communicate the latest findings in understandable language. With the aid of some outside funding, we are often available to travel to other institutions or organizations to present workshops, at little cost to the sponsoring organization. We provide all handouts, audiovisuals, and supplies for audiences of 75 people or more. Call Dr.Carlton Erickson at (512) 471-5198 for further information.

14 February 2007
Faculty Directory
College of Pharmacy at UT Austin
Comments to: pharmacy@www.utexas.edu