James L. Sorensen, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry
University of California, San Francisco
Co-Principal Investigator, Treatment Research Center
tel: (415) 206-3969
fax: (415) 206-5233
e-mail:
james@itsa.ucsf.edu
I am located at San Francisco General Hospital. My work in the substance abuse treatment research area began 20+ years ago, directing a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded double-blind investigation of detoxification from heroin. With NIDA research support, I have developed and evaluated a community network approach to drug abuse treatment, assessed family therapy's efficacy with methadone maintenance patients, tested the efficacy of small-group HIV education with drug users in three treatment modalities, and evaluated the impact of case management for substance abusers with HIV/AIDS. Currently, I am investigating the utility of treating methadone maintenance patients in a therapeutic community. I lead two studies in the Treatment Research Center (TRC). One study tests out linkages between the medical emergency department and drug abuse treatment, contrasting provision of case management versus providing vouchers good for free treatment. The second study examines the use of contingency management strategies aimed at improving medication adherence with HIV-positive drug users in methadone maintenance treatment.
My publications number over 170. In recent years I have focused increasingly on linking research and practice in the addictions. I am senior editor in a book on this topic, published by APA Press in 2003, and I lead an effort to conduct clinical trials of addiction treatments in a network of treatment programs in our region.
I am an experienced mentor of professionals in training. For three years, I was on the faculty of the APA-approved Clinical Psychology training program at Bowling Green State University. At UCSF, I am a Core faculty member for the locally funded Clinical Psychology Pre- and Postdoctoral training program; I am routinely the primary supervisor of at least one Fellow in the program each year. I am also Co-Director of the NIDA-funded postdoctoral training program in treatment research and enjoy training these research-oriented postdoctoral fellows.
Selected Publications
Sorensen, J. L., Delucchi, K. L., Dilley, J., London, J. A., Phibbs, C. S., & Okin, R. L. (2003). Case management for substance abusers with HIV/AIDS: A randomized clinical trial. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 29 (1), 133-150
Sorensen, J. L., Rawson, R., Guydish, J., & Zweben, J. E. (Eds.). (2003). Drug abuse treatment through collaboration: Practice and research partnerships that work. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association (326 pages).
Sorensen, J. L., Masson, C. L., & Perlman, D. D. (2002). HIV/hepatitis prevention in drug abuse treatment programs: Guidance from research. Science and Practice Perspectives, 1(1), 4-12.
Masson, C. L., Sorensen, J. L., Batki, S. L., Okin, R., Delucchi, K. L., & Perlman, D. C. (2002). Medical service use and financial charges among opioid users in a public hospital. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 66, 45-50.
Margolin, A., Kleber, H. D., Avants, K., Konefal, J., Gawin, F., Stark, E., Sorensen, J., Midkiff, E., Wells, E., Jackson, T. R., Bullock, M., Culliton, P. D., & Boles, S. (2002) Acupuncture for the treatment of cocaine addiction: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 287(1), 55-63.
