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Patrick B Johnson

Publications and source records attributed to Patrick B Johnson.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Nonmedical use of prescription opioids among teenagers in the United States: trends and correlates.

PURPOSE: This article reports on trends and correlates of the nonmedical use of prescription opioids among youth. METHODS: Secondary analyses of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health were performed on youths, ages 12 to 17. RESULTS: Analyses revealed evidence of an emerging epidemic of opioid misuse among teenagers. Sub-groups of youth at particularly high risk include females, blacks, those of lower socio-economic status, and those who hold favorable attitudes toward illicit drugs, have detached parents, or have friends who use illicit drugs. Respondents' own use of other illicit drugs is the strongest predictor of their nonmedical use of prescription opioids. CONCLUSIONS: Nonmedical use of prescription opioids is a recurrent epidemic and valuable lessons from past epidemics of this nature can be learned if historical data are studied. Prevention campaigns should target groups at risk for substance abuse and focus on improving family bonds and peer-resistance skills.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Telescoping of drinking-related behaviors: gender, racial/ethnic, and age comparisons.

OBJECTIVE: To examine demographic differences in alcohol telescoping-the rate of self-reported movement from regular alcohol consumption to the onset of regular heavy drinking-as well as differences in ages of initiation of regular alcohol use and alcohol use to intoxication. METHOD: The present study compared the retrospective reports of 2037 clients (1252 males, 785 females) enrolled in substance user treatment facilities around the country in 1998 and 1999. RESULTS: Overall, the findings support previous research, indicating that women generally move more rapidly than men from initiation of regular alcohol use to problem use (telescoping). The findings also indicate that African-Americans generally begin regular alcohol use later than their Anglo counterparts and move more rapidly from initiation of regular alcohol use to problem use (telescoping). Examining the sample by older vs. younger age groups demonstrates that gender and racial/ethnic differences in the age of initiation of regular alcohol use and in telescoping may be limited by age group, as these patterns appear in the older but not the younger cohort. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that self-reported regular alcohol use, alcohol abuse, and telescoping differences vary dramatically by gender, race/ethnicity, and age cohort. Furthermore, the pattern of findings suggests that these differences are more likely the result of sociocultural than biological differences between the groups under study.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Rethinking medication prescribing practices in an inner-city Hispanic mental health clinic.

Improved compliance with pharmacotherapy was achieved in treating Hispanic outpatients with psychotic disorders when recognition of culturally based differences between patients and psychiatrists led to modifications in prescribing practices. Unacculturated Hispanic outpatients experienced akathisia as an increase in "nerviosismo." Addressing this issue, as well as using anxiolytics and low doses of antipsychotics when beginning treatment, led to an improvement in compliance. Increased discussion of other antipsychotic side effects, which forced us to confront our false assumption that unacculturated Hispanics would be prone to suggestibility and, therefore, that discussions of side effects would lead to an increase in somatization, similarly improved medication compliance and therapeutic alliance. Practicing psychiatrists need to become aware of cultural factors to better treat patients with different backgrounds.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed2002

The relationship between smoking, drinking, and adolescents' self-perceived health and frequency of hospitalization: analyses from the 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse.

PURPOSE: To investigate the more immediate health effects of smoking and drinking among adolescents. METHODS: Secondary analyses of data from the 1997 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse were conducted to explore the relationship between subjective and objective health outcomes and the use of alcohol and tobacco among adolescents. RESULTS: The findings suggest that adolescents who smoke or drink actually report poorer health during adolescence than those who do not. In fact, adolescents who are frequent or heavy alcohol and tobacco users report poorer subjective overall health and a greater number of overnight hospital stays during the previous year than less frequent or intense users and than nonusers. In addition, the data revealed a number of significant gender and age group differences in reports of health outcome as well. CONCLUSIONS: Demonstrating to youngsters the more immediate, negative health consequences of alcohol and tobacco use might strengthen prevention messages and ultimately decrease the use of these substances among adolescents.

Adolescent↗