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Biomedical subjects

S Allsop

Publications and source records attributed to S Allsop.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

The process of relapse in severely dependent male problem drinkers.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate factors hypothesized to influence the relapse process, with a focus on the role of self-efficacy, alcohol dependence and cognitive functioning. DESIGN: The study was conducted in the context of a controlled trial of a relapse prevention programme. Subjects were assessed prior to treatment, at immediate conclusion of treatment and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. SETTING: The study was conducted in an Alcohol Treatment Unit (ATU) in Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects were 60 male problem drinkers who were patients at the ATU. They were heavy drinkers, with corresponding high levels of alcohol dependence and alcohol-related harm. MEASUREMENTS: The independent variables were post-treatment self-efficacy, alcohol dependence, cognitive functioning, level of depression and alcohol consumption prior to admission to treatment. The dependent variables were post-treatment drinking behaviour and functioning and time to lapse and relapse. FINDINGS: Although the methodology does not allow identification of causality, support was found for the hypothesis that post-treatment self-efficacy was an intervening variable between treatment and outcome. Higher post-treatment self-efficacy predicted better outcome at 6-month follow-up and was associated with a reduced risk of lapse and relapse over the 12-month follow-up. Poorer cognitive functioning was significantly associated with being categorized as a problem drinker at 6-month follow-up and with higher risk of a lapse over the 12-month follow-up. Level of alcohol dependence did not predict outcome. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that post-treatment self-efficacy rating is a predictor of treatment outcome and time to lapse and relapse and that cognitive functioning is a predictor of treatment outcome and time to lapse.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Physical and mental health problems in amphetamine users from metropolitan Adelaide, Australia.

Phase I of this study was designed to inform the development of a range of responses to hazardous and harmful amphetamine use. Research techniques from Rapid Assessment Methodology (RAM) were utilized to collect data. A survey of current amphetamine users included the Short Form 36 (SF36) Health Status Questionnaire, for which South Australian population norms were published in 1995. This facilitated comparisons of the health of this sample of amphetamine users with that of the general population. The sample were found to have significantly poorer health than the general population. The self-reported prevalence of mental health problems in the sample was consistent with previous Australian research on amphetamine use. Approximately one-third of the sample reported that they had experienced symptoms of anxiety, depression, mood swings and aggressive outbursts prior to their use of amphetamines. Two-thirds of the sample reported symptoms of anxiety and depression since starting to use amphetamines, almost half reported mood swings and aggressive outbursts, and over a third reported panic attacks and paranoia. One of the most important findings was a strong association between mental and physical health problems and the severity of dependence on amphetamines. The implications of these results for interventions with amphetamine users are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

A trial of relapse prevention with severely dependent male problem drinkers.

Over the last two decades, relapse prevention has emerged as a major focus of the treatment of drug problems. Few studies have demonstrated any impact on generally high relapse rates. In this paper the outcome of a controlled trial of a relapse prevention programme with male problem drinkers (n = 60) attending an Alcohol Treatment Unit is reported. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria were allocated to a relapse prevention (n = 20) procedure or a discussion (n = 20) or no-additional treatment (n = 20) control procedure. Subjects were followed-up at 6 and 12 months by the first author. The relapse prevention programme was associated with significantly greater increases in pre- and post-treatment self-efficacy compared to the discussion control group and significantly greater probability of total abstinence than all controls over the first 6-month follow up. In addition, the relapse prevention programme was associated with significantly longer survival time to an initial lapse and relapse than the controls. At 12-month follow-up, treatment effects had been eroded. It was concluded that the relapse prevention programme was an effective treatment in the short term and that longer-term impact may require greater focus on maintenance factors, such as the individual's environment.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Women with alcohol problems: do they relapse for reasons different to their male counterparts?

A sample of 44 women and 50 men attending an alcohol treatment facility were assessed on a range of demographic, social and psychological measures in order to determine whether women and men relapse for different reasons. Clients were monitored for a 3 month period after the initial intake interview whereupon follow-up interviews were conducted. The data were analysed by the use of survival analysis techniques. The results indicated that there were different predictors of relapse across the three levels of post treatment alcohol use investigated. Gender differences were present at two of these levels. The implications of these differences are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Relapse prevention and management.

The prevention and management of relapse has become a central theme in the research and literature of the addiction behaviours. The major focus of this work has been on identifying relapse precipitants and equipping clients with appropriate coping strategies. Such a focus either ignores or plays down the importance of the individual's decision-making processes: both the quality of the initial decision to change and the role of decision-making in any return to the behaviour are essential ingredients of an understanding of relapse. In reviewing the process of relapse within a context of 'giving up addiction behaviour', a model can be developed with clear clinical implications. This model emphasizes the role of decision-making interacting with a client's resources and coping skills. The paper includes a summary examination of a clinical programme based on this model.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1987

Effectiveness of a controlled drinking self-help manual: one-year follow-up results.

Following the description of six-month follow-up results by Heather et al. (1986), this article reports one-year follow-up for a cohort of media-recruited problem drinkers sent either a controlled drinking self-help manual or a general advice and information booklet. Among those remaining in the sample, mean reduction in drinking at six months had been retained at the one-year point. This stability of reduced consumption included respondents showing evidence of late dependence or high consumption at initial assessment. When respondents who had received other forms of treatment had been excluded, the results confirmed the superior effectiveness of the self-help manual in enabling problem drinkers to reduce consumption. Evidence for a superior outcome among respondents interviewed by telephone, rather than contacted solely by post, was again observed. Some limited evidence is presented as to the reliability and validity of self-reports of consumption in the main sample.

Alcohol Drinking↗