Empire State University Professor Featured in The Academic Minute

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - June 8, 2023) Cailyn Green, assistant professor of addiction studies in the School of Human Services, was featured on Northeast Public Radio’s The Academic Minute for her research on defining polysubstance use in adolescents. She conducted a meta-analysis to show inconsistencies in the terminology for polysubstance – defined as when an individual is using more than one substance – and how that creates barriers when comparing research. 

“While it is understood that this term can be referring to any number of combinations of substances, there is no set standard on the time frame in which these substances are ingested,” Green says. “Does it mean multiple substances in the body at once, multiple substances used in a specific time frame? If so, what is this time frame? A day, a week, a month, a year?"

According to Green, having a standard definition for this term can help in clinical and research situations when studying the health effects of teen substance use.  

This is the second time Green has been featured in The Academic Minute, where professors from colleges and universities around the world are featured for their expertise on relevant topics.  

Green’s interview for The Academic Minute was also mentioned in Inside Higher Ed’s podcast section. 

Listen to The Academic Minute here.