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Drug And Alcohol (drug + and_alcohol)
Terms modified by Drug And Alcohol Selected AbstractsBirth-cohort and dual diagnosis effects on age-at-onset in Brazilian patients with bipolar I disorderACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2009P. V. Da Silva Magalhães Objective:, Substance use disorders and birth-cohort have been associated with an earlier onset in bipolar disorder (BD). This study aimed at evaluating the inter-relations of these factors in age-at-onset in bipolar illness. Method:, Two-hundred and thirty patients with bipolar I disorder were cross-sectionally evaluated. Patients were categorized into four age groups for analysis. Lifetime comorbidity and age-at-onset were derived from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Results:, There was a strong linear association between age group and age-at-onset. Lifetime alcohol and drug use disorders were also associated with age-at-onset. Illicit drug and alcohol use disorders and age group remained significant in the multivariate model. No interactions appeared. Conclusion:, Both age group and dual diagnoses had strong and independent impacts on age-at-onset in out-patients with BD. Substance abuse may be partly accountable for earlier symptom onset, but other features of BD in younger generations are still in need to be accounted for. [source] Forming a national multicentre collaboration to conduct clinical trials: Increasing high-quality research in the drug and alcohol fieldDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 5 2010ROB SANSON-FISHER Abstract Issues. There is a shortage of high-quality intervention-based evidence in the drug and alcohol misuse field. That is, evidence based on replicated effects using rigorous methodology, to establish a causal knowledge base around ethical, cost-effective methods relevant to clinical practice. The knowledge base in this field is limited participant recruitment challenges; difficulty generalising results from single-centre studies; lack of research culture; issues in managing research teams; incentives for descriptive research; and limited expertise in research design and working in multidisciplinary teams. Approach. An Australian national multicentre collaboration is proposed to overcome these barriers, and reduce the burden of drug and alcohol misuse by increasing the number of high-quality clinical trials in this field. It would involve: selecting a representative sample of centres nation-wide with expertise in specific drug and alcohol issues; creating an expert multidisciplinary team to facilitate clinical trials; simultaneous recruitment and implementation of clinical trials across centres; establishing a virtual infrastructure; forming an independent data-integrity and methodology review panel; and attracting and allocating funding for clinical trials. Implications. The ability to allocate funding, the involvement of multidisciplinary experts in drug and alcohol research, and the establishment of infrastructure and procedures are likely to result in the national multicentre group's capacity to prescribe the type of research conducted under its auspices. Conclusion. The proposed initiative is likely to increase the volume of high-quality clinical trials in the Australian drug and alcohol field, a key step towards reducing the burden of drug and alcohol misuse.[Sanson-Fisher R, Brand M, Shakeshaft A, Haber P, Day C, Conigrave K, Mattick R, Lintzeris N, Teesson M. Forming a national multicentre collaboration to conduct clinical trials: Increasing high-quality research in the drug and alcohol field. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010;29;469,474] [source] Characteristics and comorbidity of drug and alcohol-related emergency department presentations detected by nursing triage textADDICTION, Issue 5 2010Devon Indig ABSTRACT Introduction This study used nursing triage text to detect drug- and alcohol-related emergency department (ED) presentations and describe their patient and service delivery characteristics. Methods Data were reviewed for all ED presentations from 2004 to 2006 (n = 263 937) from two hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Each record included two nursing triage free-text fields, which were searched for more than 100 drug-related and more than 60 alcohol-related terms. Adjusted odds ratios were used to compare the characteristics of drug and alcohol-related ED presentations with all other ED presentation types. Results Just over 5% of ED presentations were identified as alcohol-related and 2% as drug-related. The most prevalent drug-related ED presentations specified were related to amphetamines (18%), heroin (14%), cannabis (14%) and ecstasy (12%), while nearly half (43%) were drug unspecified. Polydrug use was mentioned in 25% of drug-related and 9% of alcohol-related ED presentations, with the highest rate of polydrug use among ecstasy-related (68%) presentations. Drug- and alcohol-related ED presentations were significantly more likely than other ED presentations to have a mental health diagnosis, with the highest rates found among cannabis-related (OR = 7.6) or amphetamine-related (OR = 7.5) presentations. Conclusion The ED provides an opportunity for early intervention for patients presenting with comorbid drug and alcohol and mental health problems. Further research is needed to assess the prevalence of drug and alcohol problems in ED patients with mental health problems and to develop effective interventions in that setting. [source] High-throughput behavioral phenotyping in the expanded panel of BXD recombinant inbred strainsGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 2 2010V. M. Philip Genetic reference populations, particularly the BXD recombinant inbred (BXD RI) strains derived from C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice, are a valuable resource for the discovery of the bio-molecular substrates and genetic drivers responsible for trait variation and covariation. This approach can be profitably applied in the analysis of susceptibility and mechanisms of drug and alcohol use disorders for which many predisposing behaviors may predict the occurrence and manifestation of increased preference for these substances. Many of these traits are modeled by common mouse behavioral assays, facilitating the detection of patterns and sources of genetic coregulation of predisposing phenotypes and substance consumption. Members of the Tennessee Mouse Genome Consortium (TMGC) have obtained phenotype data from over 250 measures related to multiple behavioral assays across several batteries: response to, and withdrawal from cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; "ecstasy" (MDMA), morphine and alcohol; novelty seeking; behavioral despair and related neurological phenomena; pain sensitivity; stress sensitivity; anxiety; hyperactivity and sleep/wake cycles. All traits have been measured in both sexes in approximately 70 strains of the recently expanded panel of BXD RI strains. Sex differences and heritability estimates were obtained for each trait, and a comparison of early (N = 32) and recent (N = 37) BXD RI lines was performed. Primary data are publicly available for heritability, sex difference and genetic analyses using the MouseTrack database, and are also available in GeneNetwork.org for quantitative trait locus (QTL) detection and genetic analysis of gene expression. Together with the results of related studies, these data form a public resource for integrative systems genetic analysis of neurobehavioral traits. [source] The Juvenile Drug Court Judge and Lawyer: Four Common Mistakes in Treating Drug Court AdolescentsJUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT JOURNAL, Issue 4 2000C.A.C., MICHAEL D. CLARK M.S.W. ABSTRACT This article will present information gleaned from anecdotal experience of existing juvenile drug treatment courts regarding several common mistakes often made by those new to the drug court. The mistakes discussed include: 1) Believing the work and role responsibilities in a traditional juvenile court will not change significantly when entering a juvenile drug court; 2) Citing the elimination of drug and alcohol use as a final outcome goal when developing the mission statement for a juvenile drug court; 3) Believing that a juvenile drug court ensures accountability by keeping a close eye on participants and setting immediate consequences for any break in program rules; 4) Using vicarious learning to "teach a lesson",making an example of an individual participant who has broken program rules in front of the large group. The goal of this article is not only to raise caution to these pitfalls, but also to help incoming judges and lawyers become aware of the changes that working in a juvenile drug court will demand. [source] The Prevalence and Significance of Cannabis Use in Patients Prescribed Chronic Opioid Therapy: A Review of the Extant LiteraturePAIN MEDICINE, Issue 8 2009Gary M. Reisfield MD ABSTRACT Background., Cannabis is the most widely consumed illicit drug in the United States. Its use, particularly in early initiates, is associated with subsequent development of other drug and alcohol use disorders. Objective., The authors examined the prevalence of cannabis use and the association between cannabis use and aberrant opioid-related behaviors in patients prescribed chronic opioid therapy for persistent pain. Methods., PubMed was queried for studies of chronic opioid therapy in which aberrant opioid-related behaviors were quantitatively examined and in which cannabis use data (as determined by cannabinoid-positive urine drug tests) were extricable from that of other substances of abuse. Results., The prevalence of cannabis use among patients prescribed chronic opioid therapy in these studies ranged from 6.2% to 39%, compared with 5.8% in the general United States population. Furthermore, cannabis use in chronic opioid patients shows statistically significant associations with present and future aberrant opioid-related behaviors. Conclusion., Cannabis use is prevalent in patients prescribed chronic opioid therapy and is associated with opioid misuse. Further research is necessary to clarify the strength and the nature of the association between cannabis use and opioid misuse, and to address additional questions about the consequences of cannabis use in the context of chronic opioid therapy. [source] A Preliminary Report of Knowledge Translation: Lessons From Taking Screening and Brief Intervention Techniques From the Research Setting Into Regional Systems of CareACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2009Edward Bernstein MD Abstract This article describes a limited statewide dissemination of an evidence-based technology, screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT), and evaluation of the effects on emergency department (ED) systems of care, utilizing the knowledge translation framework of reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM), using both quantitative and qualitative data sources. Screening and brief intervention (SBI) can detect high-risk and dependent alcohol and drug use in the medical setting, provide early intervention, facilitate access to specialty treatment when appropriate, and improve quality of care. Several meta-analyses demonstrate its effectiveness in primary care, and the federal government has developed a well-funded campaign to promote physician training and adoption of SBI. In the busy environment of the ED, with its competing priorities, researchers have tested a collaborative approach that relies on peer educators, with substance abuse treatment experience and broad community contact, as physician extenders. The ED-SBIRT model of care reflects clinician staff time constraints and resource limitations and is designed for the high rates of prevalence and increased acuity typical of ED patients. This report tracks services provided during dissemination of the ED-SBIRT extender model to seven EDs across a northeastern state, in urban, suburban, and rural community settings. Twelve health promotion advocates (HPAs) were hired, trained, and integrated into seven ED teams. Over an 18-month start-up period, HPAs screened 15,383 patients; of those, 4,899 were positive for high risk or dependent drinking and/or drug use. Among the positive screens, 4,035 (82%) received a brief intervention, and 57% of all positives were referred to the substance abuse treatment system and other community resources. Standardized, confidential interviews were conducted by two interviewers external to the program with 24 informants, including HPAs and their supervisors, clinicians, nurse managers, and ED directors across five sites. A detailed semistructured format was followed, and results were coded for thematic material. Barriers, challenges, and successes are described in the respondents' own words to convey their experience of this demonstration of SBIRT knowledge translation. Five of seven sites were sustained through the second year of the program, despite cutbacks in state funding. The dissemination process provided a number of important lessons for a large rollout. Successful implementation of the ED-SBIRT HPA model depends on 1) external funding for start-up; 2) local ED staff acting as champions to support the HPA role, resolve territorial issues, and promote a cultural shift in the ED treatment of drug and alcohol misuse from "treat and street" to prevention, based on a knowledge of the science of addiction; 3) sustainability planning from the beginning involving administrators, the billing and information technology departments, medical records coders, community service providers, and government agencies; and 4) creation and maintenance of a robust referral network to facilitate patient acceptance and access to substance abuse services. [source] Co-morbid drug and alcohol and mental health issues in a rural New South Wales Area Health ServiceAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2006Bryan Hoolahan Abstract Objective:,In 2003 the New South Wales (NSW) Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) conducted an analysis of co-morbid drug and alcohol (D&A) and mental health issues for service providers and consumers in a rural NSW Area Health Service. This paper will discuss concerns raised by rural service providers and consumers regarding the care of people with co-morbid D&A and mental health disorders. Design:,Current literature on co-morbidity was reviewed, and local area clinical data were examined to estimate the prevalence of D&A disorders within the mental health service. Focus groups were held with service providers and consumer support groups regarding strengths and gaps in service provision. Setting:,A rural Area Health Service in NSW. Participants:,Rural health and welfare service providers, consumers with co-morbid D&A and mental health disorders. Results:,Data for the rural area showed that 43% of inpatient and 20% of ambulatory mental health admissions had problem drinking or drug-taking. Information gathered from the focus groups indicated a reasonable level of awareness of co-morbidity, and change underway to better meet client needs; however, the results indicated a lack of formalised care coordination, unclear treatment pathways, and a lack of specialist care and resources. Discussion:,Significant gaps in the provision of appropriate care for people with co-morbid D&A and mental health disorders were identified. Allocation of service responsibly for these clients was unclear. It is recommended that D&A, mental health and primary care services collaborate to address the needs of clients so that a coordinated and systematic approach to co-morbid care can be provided. [source] |