Sara L. Dolan, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience; Associate Dean for Professional Development, Graduate School Baylor University

  • Waco TX

Expert in neuropsychological functioning, addiction psychology and diagnosis/treatment of PTSD & traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Contact

Baylor University

View more experts managed by Baylor University

View all Experts

Spotlight

3 min

Staying Sober and on the Path to Recovery During the Holidays

The holidays can be a joyous time full of celebrations and they also can be a time of intense stress. Individuals with substance and alcohol use disorders can experience additional stress during the holidays, which can interfere with their recovery, and they may need additional support to abstain from substance use. What can people in recovery do to both abstain and enjoy the holidays? And what can loved ones do to support them? “Holidays can be difficult for anyone, but those with substance use and mental health disorders may have a more difficult time coping with those difficulties,” said Baylor University substance use disorder treatment expert Sara Dolan, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience. “The holidays can be – on one hand – a time rife with loneliness, and on the other hand, a time where family conflict might be more present,” Dolan said. “Both of these situations are hard for many of us to cope with, but we may want to be more sensitive to those who struggle more with these situations.” Dolan is a nationally known researcher on how neuropsychological dysfunction, including problems with memory and executive functions, affects how people cope with alcohol and substance use disorders and how these issues affect the treatment process and outcome. Dolan offers the following suggestions for individuals in recovery to help them get through the holidays and how family and friends can offer support. Stay active in recovery If the individual already has a recovery plan in place such as a 12-step program or Celebrate Recovery, make sure to continue attending meetings and appointments during the holiday season. “There are numerous virtual and in-person resources for people who are struggling, including mutual aid support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Smart Recovery,” Dolan said. “People can also call the SAMHSA national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.” Even when traveling, it is a good idea to know local meeting schedules, use virtual resources and consider attending extra meetings to stay on top of your recovery. Have a coping plan “It is important for people to have a solid coping plan before they go into potentially distressing situations,” Dolan said. Are there places or events to just stay away from? Dolan said it is “okay to keep yourself safe by leaving or even avoiding places that may be unsafe.” By having a plan to handle stressors ahead of time, you can manage it better in the moment. Preparation is key to feeling safe and enjoying the holidays. Avoid triggers and stressors Understanding personal triggers, which can be different for different people, can help us avoid them ahead of time. “For some people, it’s family conflict, for some, it’s loneliness, and for some it’s feelings of anxiety or depression,” Dolan said. “It’s important to know your own stress points before you go into situations that may trigger them.” Once you know what leads to urges to use alcohol or other substances, you can determine how to counteract those circumstances or avoid them if necessary. Reach out for support Reach out to family and friends who will most likely offer positive support. Letting your loved one know what you need – and how to support you in your recovery – can help you abstain from substance use during stressful situations. In fact, Dolan said you may even want to let them know ahead of time that you may need extra support. How to support someone with a substance use disorder Be as open, direct and caring as you can be. Dolan suggests talking to your loved one directly about what may – or may not be helpful – during the holidays. “Some people in recovery may feel more comfortable in alcohol-free environments,” she said, “but some may not want their loved ones altering their behavior. “Ask – don’t assume – and let your loved one tell you what might work best for them,” Dolan added. Using these suggestions can help both individuals with substance and alcohol use disorders and their families have a healthy and happy holiday season.

Sara L. Dolan, Ph.D.

5 min

Physical distancing and less access to liquor could be opportunity for individuals seeking recovery from addictions, Baylor expert says

Drinking alcoholic beverages may be more appealing amid unease about the coronavirus, as people deal with shelter-at-home orders, fears about the economy and boredom, says a Baylor University researcher who studies alcohol use and misuse. But with regulations providing less access to alcohol, this may be a good time for individuals struggling with alcohol use to begin recovery and for others to guard against over-relying on alcohol or other substances. When bars and restaurants began closing — other than for such options as pickup, delivery or drive-through — liquor stores saw a surge in business, according to news reports. But Pennsylvania closed its liquor stores — some people defied stay-at-home orders and drove to liquor stores in neighboring states — and New Hampshire recently closed some of its liquor stores, according to reports. Other states who deemed the businesses “essential” also may take another look at the issue. How to grapple with the risks of substance use and misuse during this stressful time is the subject of this Q&A with Sara Dolan, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University, who has done extensive research on substance use and misuse. Q: There are memes — some of them humorous — going around about heavy alcohol use during quarantine. Why might people be drinking more than usual? DOLAN: People have many different motivations for drinking, and I think self-isolation amplifies some of those. First, people drink to feel good. For some, being out of the normal work routine may feel like a time to let loose. People also drink to feel less bad. It would be normal to feel out of sorts now that we are social distancing. It also would be normal to feel some boredom, and certainly we feel anxiety and uneasiness about our current circumstances. Alcohol may be seen by some as a way to cope with those negative feelings. Q: How might the “new normal” be especially hard for alcoholics? Could this be a time to begin recovery? Some may be social distancing from drinking buddies, although that wouldn’t stop drinking alone. DOLAN: A forced lack of access to alcohol through social distancing and bars being closed can be a great jumping-off point for someone to begin recovery, especially when people are physically distancing from the people they drink or use with. But this can be an especially tough time for people because they may not be able to cope with all the new stressors, especially if they don’t have access to their typical means of coping. For example, for someone who usually relies on friends and family for support, social distancing can cause more stress. And loneliness is especially difficult when it is stacked on top of economic, illness and other anxieties we are experiencing. It is important for us to reach out, from a distance, to family and friends and other resources to help us cope positively so we don’t turn to drinking or other drug use to help us cope. I worry about people who are very heavy drinkers who suddenly stop drinking. Alcohol withdrawal, which can happen when a very heavy drinker stops drinking suddenly, can be very dangerous. Symptoms include anxiety, shakiness, sweatiness, headaches, nausea and even hallucinations – seeing and hearing things others don’t see or hear — and seizures. If someone who usually drinks very heavily and suddenly stops drinking experiences these symptoms, immediate medical attention is necessary. Q: What strategies would you suggest as far as dealing with heavy drinking during this time – both for drinkers and for those who love them? DOLAN: We really all need to be compassionate toward one another, regardless of our individual struggles. This is a difficult time for everyone – it is normal during a crisis like this to feel anxious and even depressed. Support is very important, both for those who are struggling and for those who seem like they are doing fine. This support can take a lot of different forms, from offering an ear to listen to offering specific strategies, such as mutual recovery groups (such as Alcoholics Anonymous, offered online) and other coping resources, like apps. Here is a list of just a few of the apps that may help people cope with stress: Breathe2Relax iChill Personal Zen Self-Help for Anxiety Management T2Mood Tracker The Mindfulness App meditate Q: What about groups like Alcoholics Anonymous during this time, who because of guidelines against large gatherings may miss in-person support? DOLAN: There are quite a few digital resources to support recovery from alcohol and substance abuse. Here are just a few: Alcoholics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous Smart Recovery Groups Al-Anon Recovery Groups for loved ones of those struggling with problematic alcohol use Q: Is there anything else you would like to add? DOLAN: We know that during times of crisis, rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal behaviors increase, and those feelings and behaviors can be exacerbated by heavier alcohol or drug use. Let’s do all that we can to care for those around us. ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 18,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University’s oldest and largest academic division, consisting of 25 academic departments and seven academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. Faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit www.baylor.edu/artsandsciences.

Sara L. Dolan, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Dolan joined the Baylor faculty in 2007, after serving as a National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism-funded Postdoctoral Fellow and subsequently a National Cancer Institute-funded faculty member at the Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. While at Brown, she also served as a Research Scientist at the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, as well as the Assessment Coordinator at Psychological Associates, in Warwick, RI. Prior to that, she earned her B.S. degree in psychology from Indiana University, followed by both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of Iowa. She then completed her clinical internship at Yale University, in the Division of Substance Abuse. In her spare time, she can be found serving as an alumnae advisor for her sorority on campus, at a Baylor football or men's basketball game, traveling, or volunteering in the community.

Areas of Expertise

Addiction and Decision Making
Substance Abuse and Treatment
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Education

University of Iowa

Ph.D.

Clinical Psychology

University of Iowa

M.A.

Clinical Psychology

Yale University School of Medicine

Clinical Internship

Division of Substance Abuse

Show All +

Media Appearances

Sara Dolan and Joe Taube

Baylor Connections  online

2024-03-29

AUDIO: Baylor celebrates Graduate Student Appreciation Week April 1-5, presenting an opportunity to recognize the nearly 5,500 Baylor graduate students who advance research, teaching and more throughout the University. In this Baylor Connections, Sara Dolan, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Professional Development in the Graduate School, and Joe Taube, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology and Graduate Program Director, share more about the importance of graduate education and how they’ve both have partnered with graduate students to advance high-level research.

View More

Sara Dolan

Baylor Connections  online

2023-03-31

AUDIO: National Graduate Student Appreciation Week runs April 3-7 this year, affording the perfect time to celebrate the more than 5,000 graduate students who daily enrich the Baylor campus community. In this Baylor Connections, Sara Dolan, Ph.D., associate dean for professional development in the Graduate School and longtime psychology professor and researcher, shares how graduate students impact teaching, research and scholarship at Baylor, and examines their impact long after their last class at Baylor.

View More

Baylor hosts panel on Ukraine invasion

KXXV-TV  online

2022-03-16

VIDEO: Sergiy Kudelia, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, Baylor President Linda Livingstone, Ph.D., Sara L. Dolan, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and neuroscience, and Stephen Gardner, Ph.D., professor of economics, were all quoted for their contributions to the discussion on the biggest issues facing Ukraine and the international community.

View More

Show All +

Research Focus

Neuropsychological Functioning and Substance Abuse Treatment

Diagnosis and treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

My research examines how neuropsychological dysfunction, including problems with memory and executive functions, is related to etiology of alcohol and substance use disorders and how these issues affect the treatment process and outcome. We study how cognitive functioning (e.g., memory, attention, problem-solving, decision-making) impacts wellbeing in those with addiction and other mental health disorders. We hope to improve addiction treatments so that those who enter treatment are getting the best treatments for their individual cognitive risk factors. We are currently conducting research on the relationship between craving and neuropsychological functioning in a population of non-psychotic substance dependent individuals. Undergraduates, PsyD, and PhD students are welcome to apply to work with us on these and related issues.

Veterans are returning from combat zones at higher rates than before with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Substance Use Disorder. We are examining how their cognitive abilities, which may be compromised by these disorders, relate to overall psychological functioning and quality of life to improve diagnosis and treatment. Undergraduates with an interest in this work should consider applying for the VA-CERP internship program (information is here: https://www.baylor.edu/prehealth/index.php?id=93416).

Articles

Treatment of alcohol use disorder: Integration of Alcoholics Anonymous and cognitive behavioral therapy

Training and Education in Professional Psychology

Breuninger, M. M., Grosso, J. A., Hunter, W., & Dolan, S. L.

2020-02-01

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are among the most common psychological disorders experienced by Americans. Only 10% of individuals with this disorder receive treatment, and the most popular treatment is some form of 12-Step involvement. Although there is evidence for the efficacy of 12-Step treatment, most AUD treatment providers are not well versed in 12-Step principles and practices. Recent work suggests that clinicians and training directors do not feel confident in their knowledge about and training in 12-Step programs. This concern is not new, and programs have struggled to find ways to help trainees bridge this knowledge gap in a way that would be beneficial to clients. Therefore, the current article seeks to address this by clarifying common misconceptions about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), describing AA’s conceptualization of alcoholism, and its goal. We also offer a number of ways in which the 12-Steps share principles and skills/techniques with cognitive behavioral therapies for AUD. Finally, we provide training recommendations for closing the training gap through increased trainee exposure to 12-Step programs and interprofessional training opportunities. It is our hope that once AUD treatment providers understand that the 12-Steps are meant to accomplish similar goals using similar techniques to Evidence Based Practices (EBPs) for AUDs, they will be able to provide more integrated, or at least less disparate, treatments to individuals with AUDs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)

View more

Intimate partner cohesion and military unit cohesion: Different types of interpersonal relationships each uniquely predict soldier well-being

Military Psychology

2019

Although research on military populations has found that measures of personal well-being are correlated with both intimate partner cohesion and military unit cohesion, it is not clear how these correlations should be interpreted.

View more

Using the PAI-A to Classify Juvenile Offenders by Adjudicated Offenses

Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma volume

2019

To improve understanding and treatment of criminal behavior, researchers have developed typologies of juvenile offenders, primarily focusing on personality traits and criminal history to classify according to type of offense committed.

View more

Show All +
Powered by