[On the chemotherapy of brucellosis].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Biomedical subjects
R Castaneda
Publications and source records attributed to R Castaneda.
Empirical assessment of the self-medication hypothesis among dually diagnosed inpatients.
The aim of this study was to empirically determine the expected effects of drugs of abuse on the psychiatric symptoms of individuals dependent on alcohol and other drugs to assess the validity of the self-medication hypothesis, defined as motivation of patients to seek a specific drug for relief of a particular set of symptoms. Eight-three inpatients in a large metropolitan hospital with an axis I diagnosis of one drug dependence and an axis II diagnosis of personality disorder completed the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-Revised (HSCL-90-R) and the Neuropsychological Impairment Scale (NIS). They also reported the effect of their drug of choice on each of the symptoms included in both tests. Heroin addicts reported that heroin improved some of their psychiatric symptoms and all of their cognitive dysfunctions. Both cocaine and alcohol users reported that their drug of choice worsened their psychiatric and cognitive symptoms. No relationship was found between frequency or severity of symptoms and drug choice. We concluded that attempts at self-medication may have occurred among heroin addicts, but were unlikely among alcoholics and cocaine addicts. We found no evidence in support of the self-medication hypothesis as a necessary reinforcer of continued drug use.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Concurrent cocaine withdrawal is associated with reduced severity of alcohol withdrawal.
The purpose of this study was to implement an empirical assessment of the clinical response to standard alcohol detoxification during withdrawal from both alcohol and cocaine. One hundred forty-nine males consecutively admitted in acute alcohol withdrawal to a hospital-based detoxification unit were studied. All subjects completed a 4-day chlordiazepoxide detoxification. Patients who used drugs other than cocaine were excluded. Fifty-five subjects withdrawing only from alcohol and 94 subjects withdrawing from both alcohol and cocaine, as evidenced by positive urinalysis and history, were studied. Both groups reported similar amounts of daily alcohol intake and had a similar age of onset of alcohol dependence. Parental alcoholism was equally frequent in both groups. Statistically, several variables were directly related to severity of alcohol withdrawal, including associated cocaine abuse, age, abnormal laboratory values, and duration of homelessness. As measured by the Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (AWS), alcohol withdrawal was less severe among cocaine users, not only at intake but throughout the 4-day detoxification. Singly addicted alcoholics were older and had longer drinking histories, more prior detoxifications, and more abnormal laboratory values than cocaine users. A multiple regression analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between cocaine and severity of alcohol withdrawal. Cocaine users more frequently requested reductions in chlordiazepoxide dosages than singly addicted alcoholics, complaining of dysphoria, sedation, and weakness. The severity of alcohol withdrawal was associated with recent cocaine use, age, laboratory abnormalities, and duration of homelessness. Concurrent cocaine withdrawal in the sample was associated with reduced severity of alcohol withdrawal. Possible neurobiological mechanisms, as well as study limitations affecting interpretation of the findings, are discussed. Tailored detoxification as opposed to standard detoxification regimens may be more appropriate for the clinical management of combined alcohol-cocaine withdrawal.
Adult↗
[Biological treatment of depressive syndromes in general practice].
The authors describes situations in general practice when physicians who are not trained in Psychiatry are supposed to treat depressed clients. Educational needs of physicians who are involved in the treatment of depressive syndromes in general medical practice are discussed in order to avoid common errors in the treatment of depressed patients. Guidelines for selection of appropriate interventions are highlighted.
Antidepressive Agents↗