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Biomedical subjects

A C Pottash

Publications and source records attributed to A C Pottash.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

A 12-step treatment approach for marijuana (Cannabis) dependence.

Marijuana (Cannabis) dependence (addiction) is a disorder for which treatment is essential and relatively sophisticated. A basic assumption in the treatment model is that marijuana addiction involves pathological processes in the physical, mental (cognitive), and emotional (mood) states of the addicted individual. These pathological processes constitute a disease entity that is diagnosable, treatable, and has a predictable course. One approach for the treatment of marijuana addiction involves physicians, psychologists, counselors, and social workers who treat the disease of marijuana addiction. We present this approach to treatment of marijuana addiction as representative of a popular method but not as the only modality available.

Alcoholics Anonymous↗
PubMed1988

Sexual dysfunction in abusers of cocaine and alcohol.

Sexual dysfunction is not uncommon in alcoholics and in cocaine addicts. Alcohol abuse frequently develops along with cocaine dependence and the reverse is also common. We examined the sexual history of this common dually-addicted population. Sexual dysfunction was found in 62% (N = 50) of male cocaine and alcohol abusers consecutively admitted to a substance disorder treatment unit. The influence of cocaine and alcohol on commonly studied neurotransmitters and hormones along with their influence on sexual function are discussed.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1987

Cocaine abuse, attention deficit disorder, and bipolar disorder.

Cocaine is a potent dopamine agonist that frequently stimulates the central nervous system and is often manifested by increased psychomotor activity, impulsivity, euphoria, and rapid thoughts. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and bipolar disorder also present with physical restlessness, racing thoughts, distractibility, and mood instability. Although these three disorders rarely appear in the same individual, they are important differential diagnoses when considering any one illness with the above symptom complexes. We report two cases of cocaine abuse with ADD residual type in patients who were previously diagnosed as having atypical bipolar disorder. The adverse effects were reversed by the dopamine agonist bromocriptine.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Opiate and cocaine dependencies. Techniques to help counter the rising tide.

Clonidine (Catapres) is a safe and effective agent for detoxification of selected opiate addicts. It seems best suited for transitional treatment between opiate dependency and aftercare with naltrexone (Trexan). The current epidemic of cocaine abuse in the United States is associated with intensified usage patterns and an increased prevalence of adverse medical consequences. Successful treatment of the cocaine abuser may require either hospitalization or structured outpatient treatment in a specialized program.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1984

Upper-income cocaine abusers.

Seventy upper-income cocaine users who called the 800-COCAINE helpline received an extensive telephone interview to assess the nature, extent, and consequences of their cocaine use. The data revealed a high incidence of dysfunctional cocaine use associated with numerous physical, psychological, and social problems. Comparison with an earlier study of middle-income cocaine users highlights the role of drug access as a contributor to intensified use patterns and drug-related consequences. Issues pertaining to treatment of the upper-income cocaine abuser are discussed.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1984

Successful use of naltrexone in addicted physicians and business executives.

Naltrexone was administered to 114 opiate-dependent business executives and 15 opiate-dependent physicians as part of a comprehensive outpatient aftercare program following inpatient detoxification using clonidine. Over 80% of patients successfully completed at least 6 months of treatment without relapse or re-addiction and were still drug-free at 12-18 month follow-up. Patients who completed at least 6 months of treatment were more likely to be opiate free at follow-up than patients who had dropped out at an earlier point in the program. This study demonstrates that naltrexone can be an extremely useful and appropriate treatment for highly motivated middle/upper class addicts when administered within the context of an intensive high-expectation program.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Naltrexone in addicted business executives and physicians.

Naltrexone, an orally administered, synthetic, long-acting narcotic antagonist, is being reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, the FDA is reviewing the preclinical (toxicology, reproduction and teratology, and carcinogenicity studies) and clinical (Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III) data to determine if the drug is safe and effective. When the New Drug Application (NDA) is approved, naltrexone will be available as an unscheduled prescription medication, useful as an adjunct in the maintenance of an opioid dependence-free state in former narcotic abusers. FDA approval of naltrexone for marketing will conclude more than three and a half decades of research on narcotic antagonists by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and its predecessors.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed1984

Naltrexone in addicted physicians and business executives.

Naltrexone was administered to 114 opiate-dependent business executives and 15 opiate-dependent physicians as part of a comprehensive outpatient aftercare program following inpatient detoxification using clonidine. Over 80% of patients successfully completed at least six months of treatment without relapse or re-addiction and were still drug-free at 12-18 months follow-up. Patients who completed at least six months of treatment were more likely to be opiate free at follow-up than patients who had dropped out at an earlier point in the program. This study demonstrates that naltrexone can be an extremely useful and appropriate treatment for highly motivated middle/upper class addicts when administered within the context of an intensive high-expectation program.

Clonidine↗
PubMed1984

The 800-COCAINE helpline: survey of 500 callers.

Five hundred cocaine users who called the 800-COCAINE helpline received an extensive telephone interview to assess the nature, extent and consequences of their self-reported cocaine use. The data revealed a high incidence of dysfunctional cocaine use associated with numerous physical, psychological, and social problems. The typical caller was a white, middle-income male between 25 and 40 years old with no history of drug dependency or serious psychiatric problems. The findings are discussed with regard to the high abuse potential of cocaine and other factors that lead to problematic use and adverse effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Thyroid failure and protirelin (thyrotropin-releasing hormone) test abnormalities in depressed outpatients.

Forty-four consecutive outpatients referred to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation of depression and anergia were assessed by means of the protirelin (thyrotropin-releasing hormone) test. Nineteen patients (43%) had a blunted thyrotropin (TSH) response to protirelin, while six patients (13.5%) had augmented TSH responses indicating some degree of hypothyroidism. One patient had a low thyroxine level, while three patients had elevated basal TSH levels. Five of the six patients with augmented TSH responses were found to have antithyroid antibodies. These results suggest that a majority of depressed outpatients have abnormalities on the protirelin test and that the TSH response to protirelin is useful in both confirming a diagnosis of major depression and assessing thyroid status.

Adolescent↗