July 22, 2008
CHARLESTON -- The stigma surrounding alcoholism not only affects individuals suffering from the disease, but can also affect research efforts, as institutions investigating alcohol and drug abuse typically receive fewer donations than those researching diseases such as cancer or diabetes. In an effort to de-stigmatize a disease that affects so many people, the Diane Beever Trust has donated $500,000 to The Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs (CDAP) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
The donated funds will be used in a variety of ways to support research and preventive education regarding alcoholism, foster better understanding of the reasons why people drink excessively and to discover new ways to prevent and treat alcohol-related conditions.
Research areas could include:
• Investigations into the genetic basis of alcohol effects and alcohol use disorders
• Finding ways of preventing and treating 'high risk' individuals
• Conducting pioneering brain imaging studies in adolescents and young adults who might be vulnerable to developing alcohol use disorders
• Extending outreach and educational efforts to inform the general public about the causes, progression, and treatments for alcohol use disorders.
Situated within CDAP, the Charleston Alcohol Research Center is one of only 17 National Institutes of Health (NIH) - funded Alcohol Research Centers in the United States, and focuses on alcohol treatment and treatment implications.
About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 11,000 employees, including 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $1.6 billion. MUSC operates a 750-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's Hospital and a leading Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit www.musc.edu or www.muschealth.com.
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