Main research interests
- Therapy and prevention intervention research for the reduction/cessation of substance use disorders
- Addiction prevention and therapy on the Internet
- Evaluation and quality research in the area of substance use disorders
- Epidemiology of illicit drug consumption
Curriculum vitae
Dr. Michael P. Schaub is Associate Professor at the University of Zurich and the Scientific Director of the Swiss Research Institute of Public Health and Addiction ISGF, a WHO Collaborating Centre, associated with the University of Zurich. He is a trained psychotherapist with a strong clinical and scientific background as well as a public health expert in the area of substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. He completed his Ph.D. in 2005 on the topic of cannabis use, its associated personality dimensions in the general population, and co-occurring mental-health problems in vulnerable persons. In 2012 he received his postdoctoral lecture qualification (Habilitation) for psychology, with the specialization for “treatment and diagnostic of substance use disorders” at the University of Zurich. In 2014 Dr. Schaub received the Best Scientific Paper Award from the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). One of his current main focus is on internet interventions for the reduction of substance use and substance use disorders as well as for the treatment of behavioral addictions.
Dr. Schaub has published more than 90 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals. He is scientific expert in addiction research for the World Health Organization WHO and at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC. Currently, he is the PI of the effectiveness study on the new WHO web-based self-help intervention Drink Less conducted in Belarus, Brazil, India and Mexico.
Publications
ZORA Publication List
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Publications
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Efficacy of an instant messaging-based life-skills training program to prevent behavioral risk factors among adolescents in Europe: study protocol of a cluster-randomized controlled trial BMC Psychology, 13(1), 1292. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03592-1
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Understanding alcohol in Swiss disabled sports Sports Psychiatry, 2025:1-13.
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Evaluation of additional resources and stories within therapist-assisted internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for alcohol misuse Internet Interventions, 39:100809.
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Wirkfaktoren bei mHealth-Anwendungen zum Alkohol- und Tabakkonsum SuchtMagazin, 51(2):5-8.
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Stimulanzien vom Amphetamin-Typ In: Batra, Anil; Moggi, Franz; Walter, Marc; Soyka, Michael . Suchtmedizin (2. Auflage). München: Elsevier, 235-256.
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E-Health und Suchterkrankungen In: Batra, Anil; Moggi, Franz; Walter, Marc; Soyka, Michael . Suchtmedizin (2. Auflage). München: Elsevier, 347-354.
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Halluzinogene In: Soyka, Michael; Batra, Anil; Moggi, Franz; Walter, Marc . Suchtmedizin (2. Auflage). München: Urban & Fischer, 257-273.
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Psychometric Validation of the Gambling Craving Scale in a Treatment-Seeking Sample Journal of Gambling Studies, 40(3):1761-1778.
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Effectiveness of a digital alcohol intervention as an add-on to depression treatment for young adults: results of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial Psychological Medicine, 54(11):2887-2898.
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Effect of cultural adaptation of a smartphone-based self-help programme on its acceptability and efficacy: Randomized controlled trial Clinical Psychology in Europe, 6(2):2743.
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Internet-delivered therapy for alcohol misuse: engagement, satisfaction, and outcomes when patients select their preference for therapist- or self-guided treatment Addiction science & clinical practice, 19(1):30.
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Mental health and substance use among elite para-athletes: An cross-sectional survey Current Issues in Sport Science, 9(2):016.
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Unveiling the shadows - Substance use among para-athletes: A qualitative study with Swiss elite para-athletes Current Issues in Sport Science, 9(2):015.
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Efficacy of an Internet- and Mobile-Based Intervention for Subclinical Anxiety and Depression (ICare Prevent) with Two Guidance Formats: Results from a Three-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 93(3):155-168.
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Opioid agonist treatment in transition: A cross-country comparison between Austria, Germany and Switzerland Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 254:111036.
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Effectiveness of a web-based self-help tool to reduce problem gambling: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 12(3):744-757.
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Treating internet use disorders via the internet? Results of a two-armed randomized controlled trial Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 12(3):803-816.
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Case report for an internet- and mobile-based intervention for internet use disorder Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14:700520.
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Predictors of Youth Accessibility for a Mobile Phone-Based Life Skills Training Program for Addiction Prevention International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(14):6379.
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Efficacy of a novel online integrated treatment for problem gambling and tobacco smoking: Results of a randomized controlled trial Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 12(1):168-181.
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Mobile App-Based Coaching for Alcohol Prevention among Adolescents: Pre–Post Study on the Acceptance and Effectiveness of the Program “MobileCoach Alcohol” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4):3263.
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Using digital solutions for Brief Interventions in Alcohol, Tobacco, other drug use, and gambling: From the present to the future Frontiers in Digital Health, 5:1123942.
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Präventionsbedarfe und -interessen bei Berufslernenden Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung, 18(1):99-110.
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Nikotinabhängigkeit In: Ebert, David D; Baumeister, Harald . Digitale Gesundheitsintervention. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, 247-258.
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Suchtstörungen In: Ebert, David D; Baumeiser, Harald . Digitale Gesundheitsinterventionen. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, 69-84.
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Optimizing internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for alcohol misuse—a randomized factorial trial examining effects of a pre-treatment assessment interview and guidance Addiction science & clinical practice, 17:37.
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Examining differential responses to the Take Care of Me trial: A latent class and moderation analysis Addictive Behaviors Reports, 16:100437.
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Longer-Term Efficacy of a Digital Life-Skills Training for Substance Use Prevention American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 63(6):944-953.
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Efficacy of a Mobile App-Based Coaching Program for Addiction Prevention among Apprentices: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23):15730.
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One SMS a day keeps the stress away? A just‐in‐time planning intervention to reduce occupational stress among apprentices Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 14(4):1389-1407.
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Internet-based interventions for behavioral addictions: A systematic review Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 11(3):620-642.
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Recent advances in digital health interventions for substance use disorders Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 35(4):246-251.
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The burden of mental disorders, substance use disorders and self-harm among young people in Europe, 1990–2019: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 The Lancet Regional Health. Europe, 16:100341.
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Cannabis Use in Adults Who Screen Positive for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: CANreduce 2.0 Randomized Controlled Trial Subgroup Analysis Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(4):e30138.
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Engagement within a mobile phone-based life-skills intervention for adolescents and its association with participant characteristics and outcomes: a tree-based analysis Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(1):e28638.
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Farewell for Ambros Uchtenhagen European Addiction Research, 28(6):403-404.
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Hands-off: Feasibility and preliminary results of a two-armed randomized controlled trial of a web-based self-help tool to reduce problematic pornography use Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 10(4):1015-1035.
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Alcohol and Cigarette Use among Adolescents and Young Adults in Austria from 2004–2020: Patterns of Change and Associations with Socioeconomic Variables International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(24):13080.
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Efficacy of a minimally guided internet treatment for alcohol misuse and emotional problems in young adults: Results of a randomized controlled trial Addictive Behaviors Reports, 14:100390.
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Elena+ Care for COVID-19, a Pandemic Lifestyle Care Intervention: Intervention Design and Study Protocol Frontiers in Public Health, 9:625640.
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A Mobile Phone–Based Life-Skills Training Program for Substance Use Prevention Among Adolescents: Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 9(7):e26951.
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Stakeholders’ views on online interventions to prevent common mental health disorders in adults implemented into existing healthcare systems in Europe European Journal of Public Health, 31(Supp.):i55-i63.
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Online prevention programmes for university students: stakeholder perspectives from six European countries European Journal of Public Health, 31(Supp.):i64-i70.
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CANreduce 2.0 Adherence-Focused Guidance for Internet Self-Help Among Cannabis Users: Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(4):e27463.
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How to achieve greater comparability-suggested ways to improve the determination of treatment gap and treatment lag Drugs and Alcohol Today, 21(1):45-53.
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The concept of buying-shopping disorder: Comparing latent classes with a diagnostic approach for in-store and online shopping in a representative sample in Switzerland Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 9(3):808-817.
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User Experience and Effects of an Individually Tailored Transdiagnostic Internet-Based and Mobile-Supported Intervention for Anxiety Disorders: Mixed-Methods Study Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(9):e16450.
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e-INEBRIA Special Interest Group Roadmap for Best Practices for Research on Brief Digital Interventions for Problematic Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(8):e20368.
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Stigmatizing attitudes of Swiss youth towards peers with mental disorders PLoS ONE, 15(7):e0235034.
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Hands-off: Study protocol of a two-armed randomized controlled trial of a web-based self-help tool to reduce problematic pornography use Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 9(2):433-445.
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Die Klientel in der stationären Suchttherapie – Entwicklung und Herausforderungen SuchtMagazin, 46(5):23-28.
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Quality of life of parents of mentally-ill children: a systematic review and meta-analysis Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 28(5):563-577.
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A digital intervention addressing alcohol use problems (the “Daybreak” Program): quasi-experimental randomized controlled trial Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(9):e14967.
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Short- and long-term effects of digital prevention and treatment interventions for cannabis use reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 200:82-94.
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Problematic smartphone use in young Swiss men: Its association with problematic substance use and risk factors derived from the pathway model Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 8(2):326-334.
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Stimulanzien des Amphetamin-Typs In: Soyka, Michael; Anil, Batra; Andreas, Heinz; Moggi, Franz; Marc, Walter . Suchtmedizin. München: Elsevier, 203-218.
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Halluzinogene In: Soyka, Michael; Anil, Batra; Heinz, Andreas; Moggi, Franz; Marc, Walter . Suchtmedizin (1. Auflage). München: Elsevier, 223-235.
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Efficacy of an Online Self-Help Treatment for Comorbid Alcohol Misuse and Emotional Problems in Young Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR research protocols, 7(11):e11298.
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Drinking goal trajectories and their association with client characteristics and outcomes among clients in outpatient alcohol treatment Substance Use & Misuse, 53(13):2140-2151.
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A Participatory Health Promotion Mobile App Addressing Alcohol Use Problems (The Daybreak Program): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR research protocols, 7(5):e148.
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Moderators of outcome in a technology-based intervention to prevent and reduce problem drinking among adolescents Addictive Behaviors, 72:64-71.
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Internet interventions for adult illicit substance users: a meta-analysis Addiction, 112(9):1521-1532.
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Drinking goals and their association with treatment retention and treatment outcomes among clients in outpatient alcohol treatment Substance Use & Misuse, 52(3):313-321.
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Efficacy of a technology-based, integrated smoking cessation and alcohol intervention for smoking cessation in adolescents: Results of a cluster-randomised controlled trial Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 82:55-66.
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Efficacy of a Web- and Text Messaging-Based Intervention to Reduce Problem Drinking in Adolescents: Results of a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 85(2):147-159.
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Engagement within a mobile phone–based smoking cessation intervention for adolescents and its association with participant characteristics and outcomes Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(11):e356.
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Web-Based Interventions for Substance Abuse In: Andrade, A L M; De Micheli, D . Innovations in the Treatment of Substance Addiction. Basel: Springer, 151-163.
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Assessing geographical differences in illicit drug consumption - A comparison of results from epidemiological and wastewater data in Germany and Switzerland Drug and Alcohol Dependence, (161):189-199.
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Cognitive and emotional impairments in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and cocaine use Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 163:92-99.
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Rates of HIV and Hepatitis Infections in clients entering heroin-assisted treatment between 2003 and 2013 and risk factors for Hepatitis C infection European Addiction Research, 22(4):181-191.
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Why didn’t patients use it? Engagement is the real story in Gilbody et al. (2015), not effectiveness BMJ Open, 2015(351):h5627.
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A pilot study on the feasibility and acceptability of a text message-based aftercare treatment programme among alcohol outpatients Alcohol and Alcoholism, 50(2):188-194.
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Tiryaki Kukla — Smoking cessation and tobacco prevention among migrants from Turkey in Switzerland In: Sirkeci, Ibrahim; Şeker, Betül Dilara; Caglar, Ali . Turkish Migration, Identity and Integration. London: Transnational Press, 109-114.
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The Swiss cohort study on substance use risk factors – findings of two waves Sucht - Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft und Praxis, 61(4):251-262.
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Cannabis use and other predictors of the onset of daily cigarette use in young men: what matters most? Results from a longitudinal study BMC Public Health, 15(843):online.
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The Use of Prescription Drugs and Drugs of Abuse for Neuroenhancement in Europe European Psychologist, 1:1-12.
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Feasibility of a group cessation program for co-smokers of cannabis and tobacco Drug and Alcohol Review, 34(4):418-426.
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The importance of stress, self-efficacy, and self-medication for pharmacological neuroenhancement among employees and students Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 156:221-227.
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Erreichbarkeit Jugendlicher für ein Internet- und SMS-Programm zum Thema Alkohol Sucht - Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft und Praxis, 61(6):357-365.
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Swiss university students’ attitudes toward pharmacological cognitive enhancement PLoS ONE, 10(12):e0144402.
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A Web-Based Self-Help Intervention With and Without Chat Counseling to Reduce Cannabis Use in Problematic Cannabis Users: Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Medical Internet Research, 17(10):e232.
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Smartphone use and smartphone addiction among young people in Switzerland Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 4(4):299-307.
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Effectiveness of different web-based interventions to prepare co-smokers of cigarettes and cannabis for double cessation: A three-arm randomized controlled trial Journal of Medical Internet Research, 16(12):e273.
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Qualitätsentwicklung in der Internetgestützten Suchthilfe am Beispiel des Schweizer Suchtportals Safe Zone Suchtmedizin in Forschung und Praxis, 16(4):187-193.
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Predictors of adolescent smoking cessation and smoking reduction Patient Education and Counseling, 95(3):378-383.
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Queer quit: a pilot study of a smoking cessation programme tailored to gay men BMC Public Health, 14:126.
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Predictors of onset of cannabis and other drug use in male young adults: results from a longitudinal study BMC Public Health, 14:1202.
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Barrieren und Ressourcen für einen Rauchstopp bei Auszubildenden Sucht - Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft und Praxis, 60(4):225-234.
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Editorial zu "Stimulanzien" SuchtMagazin, 39(3):3.
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Group hypnosis vs. relaxation for smoking cessation in adults: a cluster-randomised controlled trial BMC Public Health, 13:1227.
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Differenzielle Wirksamkeit eines Short Message Service (SMS)-basierten Programms zur Förderung des Rauchstopps bei Jugendlichen Psychiatrische Praxis, 40(6):339-346.
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Editorial zu "Zukunftsfragen der Suchtforschung" SuchtMagazin, 39(6):3.
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Multidimensional Family Therapy lowers the rate of cannabis dependence in adolescents: A randomised controlled trial in Western European outpatient settings Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 130:85-93.
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Orales Diacetylmorphin in der heroingestützten Behandlung Suchtmedizin in Forschung und Praxis, 15(5):280-285.
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Snow Control: Online-Selbsthilfe zur Reduktion von Kokainkonsum SuchtMagazin, 39(3):34-39.
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Predictors of hazardous drinking, tobacco smoking and physical inactivity in vocational school students BMC Public Health, 13:475.
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Development of an integrative cessation program for co-smokers of cigarettes and cannabis Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 8:33.
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Efficacy of a text messaging (SMS) based smoking cessation intervention for young people: A cluster randomised controlled trial Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15(8):e171.
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A pre-post study on the appropriateness and effectiveness of a web- and text messaging-based intervention to reduce problem drinking in emerging adults Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15(9):e196.
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Stimulanzien: vielschichtige Konsumphänomene erfordern diversifizierte Angebote SuchtMagazin, 39(3):5-9.
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Building a european consensus on minimum quality standards for drug treatment, rehabilitation and harm reduction European Addiction Research, 19(6):314-324.
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Auswirkungen der Schweizer Drogenpolitik aus Sicht der Suchtforschung SuchtMagazin, 39(6):37-39.
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Behandlung bei schädlichem Cannabisgebrauch und Cannabisabhängigkeit: Hintergründe und Evidenz der Ansätze Abhängigkeiten : Forschung und Praxis der Prävention und Behandlung:54-69.
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Group hypnotherapy versus group relaxation for smoking cessation: an RCT study protocol BMC Public Health, 12:271.
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Web-based cognitive behavioral self-help intervention to reduce cocaine consumption in problematic cocaine users: randomized controlled trial Journal of Medical Internet Research, 14(6):e166.
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I-cut - gleichzeitige Rauchentwöhnung von Tabak und Cannabis SuchtMagazin, 38(3&4):58-60.
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Minimum Quality Standards in Drug Demand Reduction EQUS Zürich: Schweizer Institut für Sucht- und Gesundheitsforschung.
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Predictors of retention in the 'voluntary' and 'quasi-compulsory' treatment of substance dependence in Europe European Addiction Research, 17(2):97-105.
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Wirksamkeit internetbasierter Programme zum Tabakrauchen. Eine systematische Literaturübersicht Zeitschrift für Gesundheitspsychologie, 19(4):181-196.
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Bedarfsabklärung zu Behandlungsangeboten für Personen mit Alkoholproblemen Zürich: ISGF, Institut für Sucht‐ und Gesundheitsforschung.
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Leisure time activities that predict initiation, progression and reduction of cannabis use: A prospective, population-based panel survey Drug and Alcohol Review, 29(4):378-384.
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Wenn der Staat mit Cannabis handelt SuchtMagazin, 36(6):25-29.
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Comparing Outcomes of "Voluntary" and Quasi-Compulsory" Treatment of Substance Dependence in Europe European Addiction Research, 16(1):53-60.
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Behandlung der Kokainabhängigkeit: ein multimodales Unterfangen Swiss Medical Forum, (25):437-440.
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Evaluation der Partydrogenprävention in der Stadt Zürich SuchtMagazin, 36(5):41-47.
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Feasibility of buprenorphine and methadone maintenance programmes among users of home made opioids in Ukraine International Journal of Drug Policy, 21(3):229-233.
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Vorstudie und Bedarfsanalyse für die Entwicklung eines integrativen Rauchstopp‐Programms für Tabakkonsumentinnen und Tabakkonsumenten, die auch Cannabis konsumieren Zürich: Schweizer Institut für Sucht- und Gesundheitsforschung ISGF.
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Heroingestützte Behandlung in der Schweiz im Langzeitverlauf 1994-2007: Einflussfaktoren auf den Behandlungserfolg Psychiatrische Praxis, 37(4):175-182.
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Feasibility of buprenorphine maintenance therapy programs in the Ukraine: First promising treatment outcomes European Addiction Research, 15(3):157-162.
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Evaluation 10 Jahre Q-Train, Pforzheim Pforzheim: Bücherpost.
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Bericht zur Wirksamkeit der Kurse : Rauchstopp-Therapie bei türkeistämmigen Migrantinnen und Migranten Edited by: Schnoz, D; Schaub, Michael P; Cangatin, S; Salis Gross, Cornia (2009). Bern: Institut für Sucht- und Gesundheitsforschung.
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Behandlung der Kokainabhängigkeit in der Schweiz : Ausmass und Erfahrung bei der Implementierung von in der internationalen wissenschaftlichen Literatur publizierten Therapieansätzen : Resultate einer Netzwerkumfrage Abhängigkeiten : Forschung und Praxis der Prävention und Behandlung, 15(3):69-79.
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The barriers to smoking cessation in Swiss methadone and buprenorphine-maintained patients Harm Reduction Journal, 5:10.