ISAP Researchers' Profiles

Deborah Podus, Ph.D.

Deborah Podus, Ph.D. Associate Research Sociologist. Deborah Podus, Ph.D., is an Associate Research Sociologist whose primary research interests are treatment effectiveness and substance abuse treatment policy. She is currently Principal Investigator of a study on disaster preparedness for disruptions in methadone treatment and Co-PI and project director of a study using meta-analytic techniques to test principles of effective drug treatment. Podus has conducted numerous policy and treatment-related projects at ISAP including a study on the intersection between substance abuse and welfare reform; research on the impact of the termination of SSI benefits to persons disabled by substance abuse; and research on methadone treatment regulation. She also was project director for several meta-analyses on various aspects of drug treatment. Her research has been funded by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-Substance Abuse Policy Research Program, the Center on Substance Abuse Treatment, and the California Policy Research Center. Podus has a doctorate in Sociology from Rutgers University and received postdoctoral training in mental health service systems and evaluation research at UCLA.

Education and Training

• New York University, B.A., 1973, History/Spanish
• New York University, M.A., 1977, Latin American Studies
• University of Texas-Austin, M.P.A., 1980, Accounting
• Rutgers University, Ph.D., 1992, Sociology

Specialties

• drug abuse treatment policy
• substance abuse and welfare reform
• methadone treatment regulation
• meta-analysis
• disaster preparedness

Contact Info

UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs
1640 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90025
dpodus@ucla.edu

Selected Publications

Grusky, O., Podus, D., Webster, C.,& Young, A. (1997).  Cost and outcome effects of case management teams.  In J. Kronenfeld (Ed.) Research in the Sociology of Health Care, 14, 305-325.  Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

Gresenz, C. R., Watkins, K., Podus, D., & Anglin, M. D. (January, 1997).  Benefits for substance abusers repealed: Impact in California.  UCLA Center for Health Policy Research: Policy Brief.

Webster, C., Grusky, O., Young, A., & Podus, D. (1998).  Leadership structures in mental health case management teams: An application of social network analysis.  In J.P. Morrissey (Ed.) Research in Community Health, 9, 11-28.  Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

Young, A., Grusky O., Sullivan G., Webster, C., & Podus, D. (1998).  The effect of provider characteristics on the performance of case management activities.  Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 26, 21-32.

Gresenz, C., Watkins, K., & Podus, D. (1998).  Supplemental security income (SSI), disability insurance (DI), substance abusers: The impact of benefit termination.  Community Mental Health Journal, 34, 337-350.

Prendergast, M.L., Podus, D., & McCormack, K. (1998).  Bibliography of literature reviews on drug abuse treatment effectiveness.  Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 15, 267-270.

Prendergast, M.L. & Podus, D. (1999 May 10). Methadone debate reflects deep-rooted conflicts in the field. Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, 11, 4.

Webster, C.M., Grusky, O., Podus, D., & Young, A. (1999). Team leadership: Network differences in women’s and men’s instrumental and expressive relations.  Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 26, 169-190.

Prendergast, M.L. & Podus, D. (2000). Drug abuse treatment effectiveness: An examination of conceptual and policy issues.  Substance Use & Misuse, 35(12-14): 1629-1657.

Prendergast, M.L., Podus, D., & Chang, E.  (2000). Program factors and treatment outcome in drug dependence treatment: An examination using meta-analysis.  Substance Use & Misuse 35(12-14): 1931-1965.

Watkins, K.E. & Podus, D. (2000). Terminating disability benefits to substance abusers: Impact on use and treatment. Psychiatric Services, 51, 1371-1372.

Podus, D., Watkins, K.E., & Lombardi, E. (December 2000). Drug use and disability payments in Los Angeles County after SSI reform. CPRC Brief, 12, no.8.  Berkeley, CA: University of California, California Policy Research Center.

Prendergast, M.L., Urada, D., & Podus, D. (2001)  Meta-analysis of HIV risk-reduction interventions within drug abuse treatment programs.  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 69(3): 389-405.

Watkins, K.E., Podus, E., & Lombardi, E. (2001) The health and mental health of disabled substance abusers.  Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 28(2): 205-211.

Watkins, K.E., Podus, D., Lombardi, E., & Burnam, A. (2001).  Terminating Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to substance abusers: Changes in mental health and access to care.  Psychiatric Services, 52: 1210-1215.

Prendergast, M.L., Podus, D., Chang, E., & Urada, D. (2002).  The effectiveness of drug abuse treatment: A meta-analysis of comparison group studies.  Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 67: 53-72.

Podus, D., Change, E., Brecht, L., Swartz, J., & Anglin, M.D. (2003).  Substance abuse prevalence among reclassified and former recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for drug addiction and alcoholism. Journal of Contemporary Drug Problems 30(1-2):275-290.

Podus, D., Barron, N., Chang, E., Watkins, K., Guydish, J., & Anglin, M.D. (2003).  Medical and mental health services utilization among reclassified and former recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for drug addiction and alcoholism.  Journal of Contemporary Drug Problems 30(1-2):365-390.

Last updated - 06/28/2007

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