The Cabarrus Diagnostic Imaging study centers on the study of the effects of alcohol, cocaine and methamphetamines on brain function. This study has been accepted by the Journal of Abnormal Mental Health and is scheduled in the very near future. The study will give the experts a good understanding of the differences in how these three drugs affect the brain in patients with addiction. The results will be helpful in designing more effective drug addiction treatment programs for patients in the Cabarrus Area. The results are expected within three years. Although the study has only just begun, it is already proving to be an important addition to the field of addiction treatment.

The Cabarrus Diagnostic Imaging Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducts the study in collaboration with the University of Virginia, the American Society for Addiction Medicine and the American Medical Association. The partnership between these medical centers ensures that all the involved institutions are working in close cooperation and know the latest research results and treatment procedures. The study will also help develop new imaging technologies for the future treatment of addicts. In the field of addiction treatment, the use of brain imaging technology can help to identify the brain regions activated when a person is taking drugs or drinking. This method of identifying what part of the brain is involved will enable faster treatment in terms of effectiveness and the early identification of any potential problems such as drug dependency or mental illness.

This new facility will facilitate better access to effective rehab programs in Cabarrus, thus giving more personalized services for each individual. The use of brain mapping will allow therapists to be able to determine the areas of the brain that are not working during drug therapy sessions. Brain imaging and neuropsychological assessments will make it possible for therapists to customize treatments for each patient.