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Biomedical subjects

S Zimberg

Publications and source records attributed to S Zimberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Dual diagnosis subtypes in urban substance abuse and mental health clinics.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine rates of dual disorders (psychiatric and substance use disorders) in a population of low-income inner-city outpatients, to compare the rates in outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment settings, and to examine the clinical usefulness of classifying patients with dual disorders into three subtypes. METHODS: A total of 57 low-income urban residents receiving mental health treatment and 73 receiving substance abuse treatment were given semistructured clinical interviews to ascertain lifetime and concurrent DSM-III-R axis I disorders. Patients with dual disorders were classified into subtypes depending on whether their psychiatric or substance use disorder was caused by the comorbid disorder or whether both disorders existed independently. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients had a lifetime history of dual disorders: 34 patients (60 percent) in the mental health settings and 49 (67 percent) in substance abuse treatment. Among the 83 with dual disorders, more than half had experienced symptoms of both disorders within the past year. Each of the disorders was considered primary (that is, no indication was found that one was caused by the other) for 24 patients in the mental health settings (71 percent) and 31 in the substance abuse treatment settings (63 percent). CONCLUSIONS: In each type of treatment setting, nearly two-thirds of the patients met criteria for a lifetime diagnosis of a dual disorder. This high rate of comorbidity did not appear to be attributable to substance use causing psychiatric symptoms, or vice versa. The high rate suggests the need for greater integration of mental health and substance abuse treatment, regardless of setting.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Treating alcoholism: an age-specific intervention that works for older patients.

Alcoholism occurs in 10 to 15% of the population over age 65 and may be difficult to diagnose. The diagnosis is based on a history aimed at detecting behavioral problems associated with drinking, administering an in-office screening instrument, and conducting tests of liver function and/or mean corpuscular volume. The most effective treatment approach in this population focuses on the stresses of aging and co-existing depression, rather than on alcohol use itself. This approach has been found equally effective in long-standing alcoholics and those who develop a drinking problem in late life. Generally, older alcoholics are very responsive to treatment.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1983

Alcoholism in the elderly. A serious but solvable problem.

Alcoholism is a more common problem in the elderly than has been recognized. Manifestations are more subtle than in younger alcoholics, and problems are primarily social rather than medical. Treatment approaches directed at the psychosocial stresses associated with aging are the most successful. The principles of the therapeutic community have also been effective in eliminating alcoholism and other behavioral disorders in elderly alcoholics.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

Alcoholism and cerebral atrophy: a study of 50 patients with CT scan and psychologic testing.

A study of 50 alcoholic patients was carried out with CT scans of their brains and psychologic testing. These patients were alcohol and drug free, and without neurologic or psychiatric disorders at the time of the examinations. Fifty-eight percent of the patients had cerebral atrophy. There was no correlation between the results of the psychologic testing and cerebral atrophy. The only factor that correlated to a significant degree with cerebral atrophy was the duration of problem drinking. Only the mean duration of problem drinking was statistically significantly longer in the patients with cerebral atrophy compared to those patients with normal CT scans. Implications of this finding of high prevalence of cerebral atrophy in alcoholics is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Diagnosis and treatment of the elderly alcoholic.

Treatment interventions will be much more effective when delivered through facilities serving the aged, such as senior citizen programs, outpatient, geriatric, medical or psychiatric programs, nursing homes, or home-care programs. It is unlikely that significant numbers of elderly will be willing to go to alcoholism programs to deal with their problem drinking.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Sociopsychiatric perspectives on Jewish alcohol abuse: implications for the prevention of alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a major problem in our society and it is an increasing problem among American Jews. The sociocultural attitudes that equates Jewish identity with sobriety in contrast to drunkenness among non-Jews seems the major factor that accounts for the low rate of alcoholism among Jews. Alcohol problems increase when Jews lose their Jewish identity through less involvement with traditional religious practices, or in situations where it is difficult or impossible to maintain a Jewish identification such as in the military or in college, or when Jews live in a society where the dominant groups are not prone to drunkenness as in North Africa or Yemen. The Jewish experience with alcohol can be applied along with techniques designed to reduce the per capita consumption of alcohol as a means to prevent the development of alcoholism in our society. Recognition and treatment of alcoholism in Jews may be more difficult because of the severe stigma attached to alcoholism, but educating staff of social agencies and rabbis about alcoholism, and opening the doors of synagogues to AA meetings may lessen this stigma and help Jews who develop drinking problems go for treatment early in the course of their illness.

Alcoholics Anonymous↗