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Treatment Clinic (treatment + clinic)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	60%

Selected Abstracts

Lifetime multiple substance use pattern among heroin users before entering methadone maintenance treatment clinic in Yunnan, China

DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 4 2010
LEI LI
Abstract Introduction and Aims. Multiple substance use leads to greater levels of psycho-behavioural problems, unsafe sex, and therefore a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, and is also more difficult to treat. This study aims to determine pattern of lifetime multiple substance use among Chinese heroin users before entering methadone maintenance treatment clinic. Design and Methods. A survey to obtain retrospective longitudinal data on lifetime multiple substance use was conducted among 203 heroin users in two of the biggest methadone maintenance clinics in Kunming City, Yunnan province. Results. All participants used more than one substance in their lifetime. Most of them used four or more substance groups (range two to seven groups). The most common substance patterns in lifetime use were alcohol, tobacco, opiates and depressants. Approximately 80% of them had a history of simultaneous substance use (co-use). The most common combination of co-use pattern was heroin with depressant. Common reasons for co-use were to get high, to experiment, to sleep and to increase the potency of other drugs. Determinants of co-use were education, marital status and family relationship. Discussion and Conclusions. Multiple substance use is highly prevalent among Chinese heroin users. Depressants are the most common substances used in combination with heroin.[Li L, Sangthong R, Chongsuvivatwong V, McNeil E, Li J. Lifetime multiple substance use pattern among heroin users before entering methadone maintenance treatment clinic in Yunnan, China. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010] [source]

The outcome of a rapid hepatitis B vaccination programme in a methadone treatment clinic

ADDICTION, Issue 2 2010
Parameswaran Ramasamy
ABSTRACT Aim Injecting drug users are a high-risk population for hepatitis B (HBV), but are difficult to engage in vaccination programmes. This study examines the completion rates of a HBV vaccination schedule and seroconversion in a group of patients in methadone maintenance treatment. Methods Patients at a public methadone maintenance programme in Sydney, Australia, were screened for viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B and C) and offered a rapid HBV vaccination schedule (0, 1 and 2 months). Hepatitis B surface antibody (antiHBs) was retested on completion of the vaccination schedule. Results A total of 143 patients [71.3% male, mean age 33.1 (standard deviation ± 8.3)] enrolled in the project. Forty-nine per cent of patients were HAV antibody (Ab) positive, 81.1% hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab) positive and 38.9% antiHBs positive. Exposure to multiple hepatitis viruses was common, with 24.5% testing positive for all three viruses. Seventy-three (83%) of the 88 antiHBs negative patients completed the vaccination schedule. Post-vaccination serology indicated a seroconversion rate of 75.4% (55 of 73) of completors, or 62.5% of eligible participants (55 of 88). Conclusion While there was a high rate of completion of the rapid vaccination schedule in this population, a moderate seroconversion rate was achieved. Further work is required to identify an optimal vaccination schedule in opioid substitution patients. [source]

Short-term outcomes after brief ambulatory opioid detoxification with buprenorphine in young heroin users

ADDICTION, Issue 4 2003
Devang H. Gandhi
Abstract Aims, This study examines the outcomes at 1, 3 and 6 months after a very brief outpatient detoxification with buprenorphine in 18,25-year-old heroin users. Design, Prospective follow-up study. Setting, Outpatient drug treatment clinic, providing brief detoxification in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Participants, One hundred and twenty-three subjects between 18 and 25 years old; 56% male; 95% Caucasian; seeking detoxification; living in Baltimore City and five surrounding counties. Intervention, Detoxification with buprenorphine over 3 days. Follow-up at 1, 3 and 6 months. Measurements, Drug use history, the Addiction Severity Index at baseline and follow-up, urine drug screens, evaluation of the detoxification experience. Findings, By self-report, 37% of the total sample were not currently using heroin at 1 month, 32% at 3 months and 29% at 6 months, and 6.7%, 10.1% and 11.8% had an opioid negative urine test at 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively. There was a significant reduction from the baseline in mean Addiction Severity Index drug use composite score, as well as the mean number of days of heroin and cocaine use during past 30 days, that was sustained over the three follow-up points. Engagement in aftercare was generally poor. Conclusions, The findings show a reduced frequency and intensity of drug use, suggesting a possible role for brief outpatient detoxification in reducing the severity of dependence for some younger heroin users who may not yet be ready to engage in long-term abstinence-oriented or opioid substitution treatments. [source]

painACTION-Back Pain: A Self-Management Website for People with Chronic Back Pain

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 7 2010
Emil Chiauzzi PhD
Abstract Objective., To determine whether an interactive self-management Website for people with chronic back pain would significantly improve emotional management, coping, self-efficacy to manage pain, pain levels, and physical functioning compared with standard text-based materials. Design., The study utilized a pretest,posttest randomized controlled design comparing Website (painACTION-Back Pain) and control (text-based material) conditions at baseline and at 1-, 3, and 6-month follow-ups. Participants., Two hundred and nine people with chronic back pain were recruited through dissemination of study information online and at a pain treatment clinic. The 6-month follow-up rates for the Website and control groups were 73% and 84%, respectively. Measurements., Measures were based on the recommendations of the Initiative on Methods, Measurement, and Pain Assessment in Clinical Trials and included measures of pain intensity, physical functioning, emotional functioning, coping, self-efficacy, fear-avoidance, perceived improvement with treatment, self-efficacy, and catastrophizing. Results., Compared with controls, painACTION-Back Pain participants reported significantly: 1) lower stress; 2) increased coping self-statements; and 3) greater use of social support. Comparisons between groups suggested clinically significant differences in current pain intensity, depression, anxiety, stress, and global ratings of improvement. Among participants recruited online, those using the Website reported significantly: 1) lower "worst" pain; 2) lower "average" pain; and 3) increased coping self-statements, compared with controls. Participants recruited through the pain clinic evidenced no such differences. Conclusions., An online self-management program for people with chronic back pain can lead to improvements in stress, coping, and social support, and produce clinically significant differences in pain, depression, anxiety, and global rates of improvement. [source]