MedWorm: Addiction

New estimates predict that between 3.4-3.5 million children live with at least one binge-drinking parent

Action on Addiction — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:10:03 +0100

A new piece of research launched today shows that the number of children living with substance misusing parents is greater than previously thought (Source: Action on Addiction)

MedWorm Supporter Message: Action on Addiction takes action to disarm addiction to see that people are free from addiction and its effects. Our approach to this mission is multi-dimensional and covers everything from prevention to recovery.

College Students of Both Genders Binge Drinking More

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:06:02 +0100

Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine found that a decline in binge drinking among males 12- to 20-years-old did not extend to females of the same age, and that both male and female college students are bingeing more. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

N.H. Lawmakers Approve Medical Marijuana Bill

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:05:00 +0100

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed legislation that would allow medical use of marijuana, leaving the final word to Gov. John Lynch. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Michael Jackson Death Probe Focuses on Prescription Drugs

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:02:12 +0100

Officials investigating the death of music icon Michael Jackson are looking at the King of Pop's past struggles with prescription-drug addiction to help determine if his death was due to an overdose. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Study: Tobacco Linked to Brain Damage

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:44:03 +0100

New research has found a direct link between tobacco use and brain damage. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Utah Set to Relax Liquor Laws to Boost Tourism

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:20:00 +0100

Utah will loosen its liquor laws next month in a bid to boost tourism and bring alcohol sales practices closer in line with those in other states. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Exercise Can Aid in Alcohol and Drug Recovery

About.com Alcoholism — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

If exercise can help people in residential treatment facilities and subjects in scientific studies, it can benefit anyone trying to quit drinking and drugging or striving to maintain abstinence.... (Source: About.com Alcoholism)

Obama Says His Nicotine Addiction is '95 Percent Cured'

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:05:39 +0100

President Barack Obama told reporters that while he is almost totally over his smoking addiction, quitting remains a constant struggle. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Supreme Court Requires Lab Analysts to Testify about Drug-Test Results

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:01:55 +0100

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that crime-lab reports can no longer be used against defendants at trial unless the analyst who created the report testifies in court and is available for cross-examination. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Illinois Considers Upping Penalties for High-Potency Marijuana

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:59:51 +0100

Legislators in Illinois are considering a bill that would increase penalties for marijuana containing high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Cobra Venom Drug Stops Growth of Lung Cancer Cells

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:53:00 +0100

A group of Italian investigators has found that an anti-cancer agent called Î±-CBT -- derived from cobra venom -- inhibited the growth of lung-cancer cells and increased the survival time of mice infected with human lung cancer. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

APhA Publishes Reference On Drugs And Substances Of Abuse

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:00 +0100

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) will publish in mid-July the second edition of Pagliaros' Comprehensive Guide to Drugs and Substances of Abuse. Written by veteran authors Louis A. (Source: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs News From Medical News Today)

One in Five Young Adults Need Rehab

About.com Alcoholism — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

More than one in five young people in the United States aged 18 to 25 were classified as needing treatment in the past year for alcohol or illicit drug... (Source: About.com Alcoholism)

The high prevalence of substance use disorders among recent MDMA users compared with other drug users: Implications for intervention.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:46:24 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Seven out of ten recent MDMA users report experiencing an SUD in the past year. Adults who have recently used MDMA should be screened for possible SUDs to ensure early detection and treatment. PMID: 19361931 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Addictive Behaviors)

Use of tobacco products among rural older adults: prevalence of ever use and cumulative lifetime use.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:46:22 +0100

Authors: Bell RA, Arcury TA, Chen H, Anderson AM, Savoca MR, Kohrman T, Quandt SA Tobacco use is a well-documented contributor to morbidity and mortality in the US and worldwide. Information on the comprehensive use of tobacco products is lacking, particularly smokeless tobacco in its various forms. Data from 635 older (>/=60 years) African American, American Indian and White adults in rural North Carolina were analyzed to assess current and lifetime use of cigarettes, cigars, pipe, snuff and chewing tobacco. Participants were classified as being current, former or never users of each product. Lifetime use of each product was determined by asking about typical intensity of use per day and length of time the product has been used. About 70% of participants were current or former user...

Mental health and rape history in relation to non-medical use of prescription drugs in a national sample of women.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:46:11 +0100

Authors: McCauley JL, Amstadter AB, Danielson CK, Ruggiero KJ, Kilpatrick DG, Resnick HS The current study examined prevalence and correlates of non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD), with particular emphasis on lifetime history of rape and PTSD as risk associates. Interviews conducted via telephone using Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing technology, resulting in a nationally representative sample of 3001 non-institutionalized, civilian, English or Spanish speaking women (aged 18-86 years) residing in households with a telephone. Demographic characteristics, rape history, general health/mental health, and substance abuse variables were assessed. NMUPD was assessed by asking if, in the past year, participants had misused a prescription drug. Multivariable logistic regress...

Predictors of alcohol use prior to deployment in National Guard Soldiers.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:46:09 +0100

This study examined the relative contribution of these factors in predicting drinking among National Guard soldiers prior to deployment to a combat zone. Members of a National Guard Brigade Combat Team (N=515) completed questionnaires assessing drinking behaviors in the past year (frequency, quantity, binge, and total drinking), as well as demographic, personality, and mental health variables. As a group, demographic and personality variables significantly predicted all drinking outcomes. Negative emotionality and disconstraint were independent predictors of all drinking variables. Younger age predicted higher quantity of drinking, while being unmarried predicted greater total drinking and higher frequency of binge drinking. Once the influence of personality variables were accounted for, m...

Brief screens for detecting alcohol use disorder among 18-20 year old young adults in emergency departments: Comparing AUDIT-C, CRAFFT, RAPS4-QF, FAST, RUFT-Cut, and DSM-IV 2-Item Scale.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:50 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Two items from the DSM-IV criteria for AUD performed best for identifying ED-treated older adolescents with alcohol use disorders. The FAST and AUDIT-C performed well, but are longer and more difficult to score in the hectic environment of the Emergency Department. PMID: 19398161 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Addictive Behaviors)

Illicit use of pharmaceutical opioids among young polydrug users in Ohio.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:42 +0100

This study, conducted in Columbus, Ohio, identified the predictors of current (past 30 day) illicit use of pharmaceutical opioids among young individuals (n=402) with a history of MDMA/ecstasy use who were recruited in 2002-2003 using respondent-driven sampling. To be eligible, participants had to be 18-30 years old, not involved in a drug abuse treatment, and report MDMA/ecstasy use at least once in the past 6 months. About 81% reported lifetime, and more than 31% reported current illicit use of pharmaceutical opioids. Logistic regression analysis revealed that illicit use of pharmaceutical tranquilizers and pharmaceutical stimulants were the strongest predictors of illicit use of pharmaceutical opioids. Risk of pharmaceutical opioid use was also greater among those who had higher levels ...

A Quick Drinking Screen for identifying women at risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:29 +0100

Authors: Dum M, Sobell LC, Sobell MB, Heinecke N, Voluse A, Johnson K Two previous studies comparing the Quick Drinking Screen (QDS) with the Timeline Followback (TLFB) found that these two instruments yielded similar reports of alcohol use for clinical and nonclinical populations of problem drinkers. The current study evaluated the correspondence between these two drinking measures with women at risk of an Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancy (AEP). Participants were 355 women who voluntarily participated in a research study during 2005 through 2007 designed to prevent AEPs. All women were screened by phone for eligibility using the QDS and approximately 2 weeks later completed a 3-month TLFB by mail. Results of this study, analyzed in 2008, paralleled previous studies showing that the QDS and t...

Patterns of cortisol and craving by menstrual phase in women attempting to quit smoking.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:27 +0100

This study describes the relationship between craving and cortisol concentrations by menstrual phase during ad libitum smoking and investigates the impact of this relationship on time to relapse. Five assessments of cortisol concentrations and craving levels were collected the day before smoking cessation in female smokers (n=38) during either the follicular (n=21; F) or luteal (n=17; L) phase. Craving at wake-up was significantly greater in the F phase than the L phase (2.5+/-1.9 vs. 1.1+/-1.4; p=0.018; respectively). Decreased levels of morning cortisol concentrations and a greater decline from morning to the nadir levels in cortisol were associated with increased craving at bedtime in the L (r=-0.68, p=0.002; r=-0.67, p=0.003; respectively), but not in the F phase. Craving at wake-up wa...

Troubled parents, motivated adolescents: predicting motivation to change substance use among runaways.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:24 +0100

In this study, predictors of motivation for changing substance use were examined among 140 shelter-recruited adolescents and their parents/primary caretakers. Several findings were noteworthy. A perceived negative family environment increased parents' and adolescents' depressive symptoms, which increased adolescent's motivation to change. Also, greater severity of adolescent substance use predicted higher motivation to change. Consideration of the family environment and parent problems when addressing motivation for changing substance use among these adolescents might be important foci for motivational interventions and future research. PMID: 19411144 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Addictive Behaviors)

Depressive symptoms predict smoking status among pregnant women.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:22 +0100

Authors: Linares Scott TJ, Heil SH, Higgins ST, Badger GJ, Bernstein IM The current study assessed self-reported psychopathology in women who spontaneously quit or continued smoking after learning that they are pregnant and examined whether any potential differences remained after control for confounding variables. All participants (77 smokers and 50 spontaneous quitters) completed 3 assessments of psychological functioning prior to enrollment in either smoking cessation or relapse prevention studies. Assessments included the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI); the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); and the Adult Self-Report (ASR). Smokers and spontaneous quitters differed on sociodemographic and smoking characteristics. In terms of psychological functioning, smokers reported significantly mo...

Multiple trajectories of peer and parental influence and their association with the development of adolescent heavy drinking.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:19 +0100

Authors: Martino SC, Ellickson PL, McCaffrey DF PMID: 19423232 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Addictive Behaviors)

Testing gender effects on the mechanisms explaining the association between post-traumatic stress symptoms and substance use frequency.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:17 +0100

Authors: Bornovalova MA, Ouimette P, Crawford AV, Levy R The present study examines gender differences in the mechanisms that explain the association between PTSD symptoms and substance use frequency in a sample of 182 urban substance users. Specifically, the current study examined gender differences in the role of two potential explanatory variables, namely, difficulties controlling impulsive behavior when distressed (IMP), and a lack of emotional awareness and clarity (AW/CLAR). Multiple-group path modeling (across males and females) was used to examine gender differences in the path coefficients from PTSD symptoms to IMP and AW/CLAR, and from these latter variables to drug use frequency. Results indicated that PTSD symptoms were associated with IMP and AW/CLAR, and these path coeffi...

Smoking trajectories, health, and mortality across the adult lifespan.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:14 +0100

This study extends research on the association between smoking behavior and chronic disease by following a cohort from the time of initiation of regular smoking patterns into old age and by examining the association of lifetime smoking trajectories with chronic disease and mortality. Participants consisted of 232 males selected from the Harvard classes of 1942-1944 and followed biennially through 2003. Five distinct smoking trajectories were identified based on the age at which participants quit daily smoking. Participants following smoking trajectories with later cessation had a higher likelihood of developing lung disease and lived shorter lives than those who quit smoking at an earlier age. This study confirms that the earlier a smoker quits, the greater the health benefits, and that th...

Does readiness to change predict subsequent alcohol consumption in medical inpatients with unhealthy alcohol use?

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:11 +0100

Authors: Bertholet N, Cheng DM, Palfai TP, Samet JH, Saitz R We studied whether readiness to change predicts alcohol consumption (drinks per day) 3 months later in 267 medical inpatients with unhealthy alcohol use. We used 3 readiness to change measures: a 1 to 10 visual analog scale (VAS) and two factors of the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale: Perception of Problems (PP) and Taking Action (TA). Subjects with the highest level of VAS-measured readiness consumed significantly fewer drinks 3 months later [Incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57 (0.36, 0.91) highest vs. lowest tertile]. Greater PP was associated with more drinking [IRR (95%CI): 1.94 (1.02, 3.68) third vs. lowest quartile]. Greater TA scores were associated with less drink...

Psychometric properties of the Peer Proficiency Assessment (PEPA): a tool for evaluation of undergraduate peer counselors' motivational interviewing fidelity.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:08 +0100

Authors: Mastroleo NR, Mallett KA, Turrisi R, Ray AE Despite the expanding use of undergraduate student peer counseling interventions aimed at reducing college student drinking, few programs evaluate peer counselors' competency to conduct these interventions. The present research describes the development and psychometric assessments of the Peer Proficiency Assessment (PEPA), a new tool for examining Motivational Interviewing adherence in undergraduate student peer delivered interventions. Twenty peer delivered sessions were evaluated by master and undergraduate student coders using a cross-validation design to examine peer based alcohol intervention sessions. Assessments revealed high inter-rater reliability between student and master coders and good correlations between previously es...

Initiation of alcohol use in early adolescence: links with exposure to community violence across time.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:06 +0100

This study used a cross-lagged structural equation model to examine the prospective relationships between alcohol use initiation and witnessing community violence and victimization in early adolescence. A sample of 603 boys and girls provided two waves of data 16 months apart. After controlling for continuity in alcohol use and violence exposure, early initiation of alcohol use predicted later victimization in the community. Witnessing community violence increased and victimization decreased the risk of subsequent alcohol use. Prevention programs targeting early alcohol initiation may result in decreased victimization, while interventions addressing constructive ways of coping with witnessing community violence may also reduce early adolescents' alcohol use. PMID: 19442452 [PubMed - in...

Alcohol use and comorbid anxiety, traumatic stress, and hopelessness among Hispanics.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:04 +0100

This study provides evidence of the need for further investigation of stress, trauma, anxiety, hopelessness, and alcohol abuse in Mexican American residents and to inform future prevention and treatment efforts to improve both the physical and mental health of this population. PMID: 19443127 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Addictive Behaviors)

Randomized controlled trial of the ACTION smoking cessation curriculum in tobacco-growing communities.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:01 +0100

This study suggests that ACTION has promise as a relatively effective adolescent cessation program, although the overall limited effectiveness of cessation programs for adolescents must be acknowledged. PMID: 19446402 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Addictive Behaviors)

Mono- and polysubstance dependent subjects differ on social factors, childhood trauma, personality, suicidal behaviour, and comorbid Axis I diagnoses.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:59 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Polysubstance dependence is common among the groups studied and may be associated with certain socio-demographic, developmental, and personality factors. PMID: 19446962 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Addictive Behaviors)

Gender differences in 16-year trends in assault- and police-related problems due to drinking.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:57 +0100

This study examined the frequency and predictors of physical assault and having trouble with the police due to drinking over 16 years among women and men who, at baseline, were untreated for their alcohol use disorder. Predictors examined were the personal characteristics of impulsivity, self-efficacy, and problem-solving and emotional-discharge coping, as well as outpatient treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) participation. Women and men were similar on rates of perpetrating assault due to drinking, but men were more likely to have had trouble with the police due to drinking. Respondents who, at baseline, were more impulsive and relied more on emotional discharge coping, and less on problem-solving coping, assaulted others more frequently during the first year of follow-up. Similarly,...

Gender and dating relationship status moderate the association between alcohol use and sex-related alcohol expectancies.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:55 +0100

Authors: Pedersen ER, Lee CM, Larimer ME, Neighbors C Young adulthood can be a period where the development of intimacy and dating relationships coincide with alcohol experimentation. The current study was designed to examine how dating relationship status is associated with drinking behavior. Additionally, although the relationship between sex-related alcohol expectancies and drinking has been established, the current study extends this research by investigating how gender and dating relationship status moderate the association between these expectancies and drinking behavior. A sample of 1932 college students who were single and not actively dating, single and actively dating, or in a steady relationship were included in the analyses. Results revealed that males and females who were ...

Are non-fatal opioid overdoses misclassified suicide attempts? Comparing the associated correlates.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:53 +0100

Authors: Maloney E, Degenhardt L, Darke S, Nelson EC This paper aimed to determine whether non-fatal opioid overdose and suicide attempts are distinct behaviours by examining the histories of 1500 opioid-dependent individuals. This paper utilised data collected as part of a large retrospective case-control study. Unintentional non-fatal opioid overdoses were more common than suicide attempts (58% vs. 32%). Overall, the correlates associated with a history of attempted suicide only and non-fatal opioid overdose only were different. Drug-related risk behaviours (including high impulsivity, injection of opioids, sedative dependence) were associated with non-fatal opioid overdose; and a history of mental disorders (depression, anxiety disorder, and screening positive for borderline persona...

Marijuana discontinuation, anxiety symptoms, and relapse to marijuana.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:51 +0100

Authors: Bonn-Miller MO, Moos RH The present investigation examined the role of anxiety symptoms immediately following substance abuse treatment in the relation between frequency of pre-treatment marijuana use and relapse to marijuana use at 12-months post-treatment among 1288 male patients who used marijuana within the 3 months prior to admission to treatment. Consistent with expectation, more frequent marijuana use at intake predicted more anxiety symptoms at discharge. Anxiety symptoms at discharge predicted relapse to marijuana use at 12-month follow-up, but did not mediate the relation between intake marijuana use and relapse. Results are discussed in relation to better understanding the role of increased anxiety during discontinuation of regular marijuana use in the prediction of...

Social anxiety and alcohol consumption: the role of alcohol expectancies and reward sensitivity.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:48 +0100

In this study, a total of 454 young adults responded to a questionnaire assessing social anxiety, alcohol consumption, reward sensitivity and alcohol expectancies. Regression analyses revealed a positive relationship between reward sensitivity, expectations of tension reduction and increased confidence, and alcohol consumption. Expectations of tension reduction were observed to moderate the relationship between social anxiety and alcohol consumption. In addition, three-way relationships between reward sensitivity, alcohol expectancies and social anxiety were observed to predict alcohol consumption. Overall, these results suggest that both reward sensitivity and alcohol expectancies play a role in the relationship between social anxiety and alcohol consumption, and that inclusion of these c...

The influence of neighborhood disadvantage and perceived disapproval on early substance use initiation.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:46 +0100

Authors: Fite PJ, Wynn P, Lochman JE, Wells KC The current study examined the role of neighborhood disadvantage, perceived caregiver disapproval, and perceived peer disapproval in early initiation of substance use in a sample of 126 aggressive 9th graders (66% male; 79% African American). Findings suggested that perceived caregiver and peer disapproval as well as neighborhood disadvantage were associated with early substance use initiation. However, when associations were simultaneously examined, neighborhood disadvantage was the only factor related to early substance use initiation. Implications for findings are discussed. PMID: 19473772 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Addictive Behaviors)

Validation of the drinking refusal self-efficacy questionnaire in Arab and Asian samples.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:43 +0100

This study offers evidence of the utility of this measure with Arab and Asian samples. PMID: 19481874 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Addictive Behaviors)

Development of self-efficacy and expectancy measures for benzodiazepines.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:40 +0100

This study aimed to develop and assess the reliability and validity of a pair of self-report questionnaires to measure self-efficacy and expectancy associated with benzodiazepine use, the Benzodiazepine Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (BRSEQ) and the Benzodiazepine Expectancy Questionnaire (BEQ). Internal structure of the questionnaires was established by principal component analysis (PCA) in a sample of 155 respondents, and verified by confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) in a second independent sample (n=139) using structural equation modeling. The PCA of the BRSEQ resulted in a 16-item, 4-factor scale, and the BEQ formed an 18-item, 2-factor scale. Both scales were internally reliable. CFA confirmed these internal structures and reduced the questionnaires to a 14-item self-efficacy sc...

Association of genes coding for the alpha-4, alpha-5, beta-2 and beta-3 subunits of nicotinic receptors with cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:38 +0100

Authors: Etter JF, Hoda JC, Perroud N, Munafò M, Buresi C, Duret C, Neidhart E, Malafosse A, Bertrand D We assessed whether smoking behavior was associated with nine polymorphisms in genes coding for the nicotinic receptor subunits alpha-4 (rs1044394, rs1044396, rs2236196 and rs2273504), alpha-5 (rs16969968), beta-2 (rs2072661 and rs4845378) and beta-3 (rs4953 and rs6474413).We conducted an Internet survey and collected saliva by mail for DNA and cotinine analyses, in Switzerland in 2003. We conducted DNA analyses for 277 participants and cotinine analyses for 141 current daily smokers. Cotinine levels were higher in carriers of the CC genotype of CHRNA4 rs1044396 (371 ng/ml) than in those with the CT or TT genotypes (275 ng/ml, p=0.049), a difference of 0.53 standard deviation un...

Factors associated with substance use problem among Maryland Medicaid enrollees affected by serious mental illness.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:35 +0100

The objective of this study was to identify long-term factors associated with substance use problem among individuals affected by severe mental illness. Prospective data come from the 1994, 1998, and 2000 waves of the Maryland Mental Health Outcomes Survey conducted among a sub-cohort of adult Medicaid recipients affected by serious mental illness. We estimated factors associated with alcohol and drug problem, as well as a hierarchy of substance use problem severity constructed from the alcohol and drug problem outcomes. Drug problem was the strongest factor associated with alcohol problem, and vice versa. Conceptualizing alcohol and drug problem separately, and as a hierarchy of severity, revealed distinct profiles of significant factors. Further research is warranted to explore the utili...

The social context of cannabis use: relationship to cannabis use disorders and depressive symptoms among college students.

Addictive Behaviors — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:44:29 +0100

Authors: Beck KH, Caldeira KM, Vincent KB, O'Grady KE, Wish ED, Arria AM Few studies have investigated the association between the social context of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD). This longitudinal study of college students aimed to: develop a social context measure of cannabis use; examine the degree to which social context is associated with the transition from non-problematic cannabis use to CUD; and, examine the association between social context of cannabis use and depressive symptoms. The analytic sample consisted of 322 past-year cannabis users at baseline. Four distinct and internally consistent social context scales were found (i.e., social facilitation, emotional pain, sex seeking, and peer acceptance). Persistent CUD (meeting DSM-IV criteria for CUD at baselin...

Morphine-induced changes of adenylate and guanylate cyclase in locus ceruleus, periaqueductal gray, and substantia nigra in rats.