Draft:Arnold M. Washton

Dr. Arnold M. Washton is an American psychologist, author, researcher, and educator, known for his pioneering work in the field of addiction psychology, including ten textbooks published between 1987 and 2023, four monographs published by the Hazelden Foundation (Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation), and over thirty articles in refereed journals, including early investigation of the efficacy of Naltrexone. His most recent book is “Treating Alcohol and Drug Problems in Psychotherapy Practice: Doing What Works” co-authored with Dr. Joan Zweben and updated in 2023. His work has influenced national policy on addiction research and treatment through advisory roles for state, local, and federal government agencies. He continues to provide professional training recognized by the Society of Addiction Psychology and delivered through the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University.

Education
A native of New York City, born and raised in The Bronx, Dr. Washton began his education in psychology at New York University where he earned a B.A. degree in 1968, followed by an M.A. from Queen College of The City University of New York 1973 and a Ph.D. in Psychology from The Graduate School of the City University of New York in 1978. He subsequently completed four years of post-doctoral training at The Westchester Center for Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis in White Plains, NY.

Career
Dr. Washton's career in addiction research and treatment began in 1975 working as staff psychologist and subsequently as Director of the Division of Substance Abuse Research and Treatment in the Department of Psychiatry at New York Medical College in New York City, a program that focused on developing new medications and behavioral therapies for opioid and other drug addictions. In the early 1980s, he highlighted the emerging issue of cocaine use in the United States and contributed to the understanding of its addictive properties. He has made appearances on television and radio programs as a commentator on addiction issues and served as a consultant to government organizations, major corporations, and professional sports teams.

Clinical Work
In 1998, Dr. Washton founded Recovery Options, a private practice in New York City. Together with his wife, Dr. Loraine Washton, he formed The Washton Group in Princeton, NJ, offering a range of online telehealth addiction and mental health services. The Washton Group specializes in the treatment of executives, professionals, and other high-functioning individuals and their families, providing personalized care that incorporates a range of treatment services to support various substance use goals, including abstinence, harm reduction, and alcohol moderation.

Academic Positions
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Washton has served as an instructor at the New York Medical College, NYU School of Medicine, and the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University.

Public Service and policy advocacy
Dr. Washton has served on the Substance Abuse Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and The American Psychological Association and has provided expert testimony on drug abuse trends in America to both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.

Selected Publications

 * Washton AM, Gold MS. (Eds.) (1987). Cocaine: A clinician’s handbook. New York: Guilford.
 * Washton, AM. (1989). Cocaine addiction: treatment, recovery, and relapse prevention. New York: Norton Professional Books.
 * Washton AM, Boundy D. (1989C). Cocaine and crack: What you need to know. Hillside, New Jersey: Enslow Publishers/
 * Washton AM, Boundy D. (1989). Willpower’s not enough: Recovering from addictions of every kind. New York: Harper-Row.
 * Washton AM. Quitting cocaine. (1990). Center City, MN: Hazelden.
 * Washton AM. Staying off cocaine. (1990). Center City, MN: Hazelden.
 * Washton AM Maintaining recovery. (1990). Center City, MN: Hazelden.
 * Washton AM, Stone-Washton, N. (1991). Step Zero: Getting to recovery. Center City, MN: Harper-Hazelden.
 * Washton AM (Ed.). )1985). Psychotherapy and substance abuse: A practitioner’s handbook. New York:Guilford.
 * Washton, AM. (2008). Quitting cocaine: your personal recovery plan. Center City, MN: Hazelden.
 * Washton, AM, Zweben, JZ. (2009) .Cocaine and methamphetamine addiction: treatment, recovery, and relapse prevention. New York: Norton Professional Books.
 * Washton, AM, Zweben, J.E. (2nd Edition, 2023). Treating Alcohol Drug Problems in Psychotherapy Practice Doing What Works New York, Guilford.