The Center of Alcohol Studies founded the first Summer School of Alcohol Studies (SSAS) at Yale University in 1943. The School was the focus of several important forces that shaped the alcohol field as it is today. For example, the National Committee on Alcoholism was founded at the SSAS in 1944. The North Conway Institute, as well as other organizations, was also founded at the SSAS.
To learn more about the history of the Summer School, see the history page.
1943
- E.M. Jellinek was the director
- 6-week session
- Scholarships were provided by the National Education Association and the Commission on Religion and Health
- Lecturers included co-founder of Alcoholic Anonymous, Bill Wilson
1944
- 4-week session
- Continued format of daily lectures, seminars, and discussion periods
1945
- Seven lecture topics including the prevention of insobriety, measures of control, and treatment
1947
- Adopted new format in second half of the program included an additional research seminar
1948
- Physicians and psychologists became part of the student body
- The third and fourth weeks had two possible curricula: one for educators and one for physicians and others interested in the care and treatment of alcoholics
1949
- Two sessions were offered: one at Yale and the other at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas
1951
- Selden Bacon became the director
- All scholarships were awarded through the School rather than external organizations
1953
- Objectives were expanded to included professionals and nonprofessionals
- Industrial Institute, a one week program, was opened
1954
- Nursing, community organization, social work and special studies were added to the curriculum
- Nurses Institute on Alcoholism, a 3 day session, was held
1955
- Included new afternoon seminars in education, ministry, community health, and therapy
- One-week Refresher Session was opened to earlier graduates of the School
1957
- Leon A. Greenberg became the director
1958
- Scholarships became available through state and provincial commissions
- Seminar topics in enforcement and correction and rehabilitation were added
1959
- Public health seminar was added
1960
- Industry Seminar was added
1962
- Center of Alcohol Studies and the Summer School moved to Rutgers University
- Raymond McCarthy became the director
1964
- 3 week session
- Physicians Institute began
- Northeast Institute co-sponsored by several State Alcoholism program began
1965
- Milton A. Maxwell became the director
- Nursing was added to the School
1970
- Smithers Fellowship for attorneys and law students begins
- Alumni Association of the Summer School of Alcohol Studies began offering scholarships as well
1972
- 19 courses were available including Program Evaluation and Research
- A. E. Bennet scholarships were available for physicians
- 5-day refresher course was held for alumni
1974
- Ronald Lester became the director
1976
- 5 day refresher course was held for alumni
- 6 new courses were added
- New Jersey Summer School of Alcohol and Drug Abuse began
1979
- 29 courses were available including Sexual Issues in Counseling, Preventing Substance Abuse, and Medical Implications of Alcoholism
1980
- Distilled Spirits Council of the United States began offering scholarships
- Alumni Institute was held
1982
- Gail G. Milgram became the director
1984
- 40 courses were available
1991
- Renamed the Summer School of Alcohol and Drug Studies
1998
- Biennial European School of Alcohol and Drug Studies, a 1 week program, is conducted for the first time in Denmark in English
1999
- Institute of Alcohol and Drug Studies, a 1 week program, is added as an additional professional development opportunity
2009
- Institute of Alcohol and Drug Studies and School of Alcohol and Drug Studies were merged
- Continued as a one-week program
2012
- Institute of Alcohol and Drug Studies was renamed The Institute of Addiction Studies (IAS)
- One-week professional development experience
- Tracks for new and advanced addiction professionals, medical students, and other individuals
2014
- Institute of Addiction Studies was renamed the Summer School of Addiction Studies