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Substance use and multiculturalism.

This paper reviews intercultural variability of substance use behaviors, including availability of international statistics on consumption of alcohol and other drugs, as well as the use of drugs available locally only. Within a conceptual framework of intercultural relations, it considers the history of transcultural spread of substance use behaviors and possible reactions to the introduction of new drugs within a culture or jurisdiction, including illustrations of the "law of alien poisons." Although intercultural views of substance use have generally concentrated on majority groups' views of substance use in minority groups, minority and non-Western views of substance use need to be considered in the context of increasing international and intercultural communications that increase the rate at which substance use behaviors spread. Both Western and non-Western experiences with substance use and misuse must be taken into account so that better interventions can be developed to deal with addictions and other substance-related problems.

Acculturation↗

Prevalence of depression and alcohol and other drug dependence in addictions treatment populations.

The diagnosis of depression has been viewed as an important factor in the treatment response for those who have alcohol and other drug dependence. The objective of the study was to examine the prevalence of a lifetime history of major depression in inpatients with a substance use disorder in addictions treatment. An evaluation study of 6,355 patients was conducted in inpatient and outpatient addictions treatment programs from 41 sites. Subjects were required to have a substance use disorder and to be evaluated for a lifetime diagnosis of major depression according to DSM-III-R criteria. The rate of a lifetime diagnosis of major depression was 43.7%. The most common diagnosis was alcohol dependence, followed by cocaine dependence, and cannabis dependence). Depression was associated in significantly greater numbers with diagnoses involving drugs other than alcohol, in females greater than in males, with number and frequency of use, and in inpatient programs more than outpatient programs. The rates for continuous abstinence at one year did not differ between those with and without a lifetime history of depression.

Adolescent↗

Pathological gambling among methadone patients.

This paper examines the correlates of problem gambling among a population of 220 methadone patients receiving treatment in the New York metropolitan area. Like most methadone patients, respondents were primarily adult males, ethnically mixed, of limited educational accomplishment and had long experiences with intravenous drug use. More than two-thirds of subjects had been convicted of one or more criminal offences. Analysis of the data showed seven percent of respondents to be probable pathological gamblers according to the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), indicating a high rate of gambling problems among this treatment population. Consistent with past studies, problem gamblers are more likely to be men, with histories of alcohol abuse, and with extensive criminal participation dating back to their teenage years. The data also suggested that problem gamblers who were also drug dependent were more likely to show greater evidence of social dysfunctionality compared to those who were exclusively substance abusers. More dually addicted respondents reported higher levels of recent heroin use, greater unemployment, and more reported hallucinations. Probable pathological gamblers who were substance abusers were also more likely to report being in conflict with their close friends. A multiple regression analysis suggested this to be the closest linked correlate to being a pathological gambler. Evidently, pathological gamblers create antipathy towards themselves as their compulsion to gamble is expressed; this in turn, may drive them toward further gambling, as they respond to this perceived opposition. These last preliminary findings will require further confirmation in future research.

Adult↗

[Sports, use of performance enhancing drugs and addiction. A conceptual and epidemiological review].

BACKGROUND: Both the general public and non-sports medicine health professionals have recently been made aware of a large use of performance enhancing drugs among sports practicing subjects. It has been suggested that this behavior is similar to that of substance dependence. Also some have reported that practice of a sport could be in itself an addictive behavior. OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to address the following question: is performance enhancing drug use in sports an addictive behavior? Methodology. We first reviewed the definition of performance enhancing drug use in sports and the diagnostic criteria of substance dependence as they are currently accepted and attempted to determine a possible common factor. Secondly we reviewed epidemiological data from the literature according to three approaches: RESULTS: Use of performance enhancing drugs is an important and increasing phenomenon among adolescents. It is sometimes associated to risk taking behaviors for health (syringe use and sharing). Competition participants are at increased risk (up to 20% according to some authors) and some substances (anabolic steroids) are also used by non-sports practicing individuals. It has not been shown that sports practicing subjects were more at risk of using addictive substances compared to non-sports practicing subjects. It is not established that practice of a sport is by itself a risk factor for substance use. However, it could be that a sub-group of individuals that practice certain types of sports in an intensive way, that use both performance enhancing drugs and addictive substances and that engage in health risk taking behaviors have an increased risk for developing a dependence syndrome to both addictive and performance enhancing drugs. This sub-group is even more at risk because some performance enhancing drugs (anabolic steroids) could increase the risk for occurrence of a substance dependence syndrome through neurobiological actions. Yet, the few available clinical studies show that at most only half of regular users actually meet criteria for dependence. Also, one study has reported an overrepresentation of sports professionals among patients seeking treatment for heroin addiction. CONCLUSION: The large majority of sports practicing subjects have no dependence to either performance enhancing or addictive drugs. However, a subgroup of individuals that practice sports intensely and makes use of both addictive and performance enhancing drugs appear to be at increased risk for developing a substance dependence syndrome.

Adolescent↗

Recent developments in the pharmacotherapy of substance abuse.

Modern concepts of addictive disorders emphasize the compulsive and relapsing drug-taking behaviors rather than tolerance and physical dependence. As with any chronic disorder, long-term treatment is necessary and medications may aid in the rehabilitative process. Specific medications have been demonstrated to be helpful for psychiatric disorders coexisting with addiction. Medications have also been demonstrated in controlled studies to aid in the rehabilitation of patients dependent on nicotine, alcohol, or opiates. Thus far, no medication has been clearly demonstrated to benefit patients suffering from abuse or dependence on cocaine, cannabinoids, nonalcohol sedatives, or hallucinogens.

Cannabis↗

"New Choices" for women with addictions: perceptions of program participants.

BACKGROUND: Substance use in pregnancy is a major public health problem. It can have profound effects on pregnancy outcomes, and childhood health and development. Additionally, women who use substances have their own health-related issues. Although intervention is important, these women often have difficulty using traditional systems of care. The New Choices program is a centralized, multi-sector approach to service delivery that has attempted to overcome barriers to care by offering one-stop shopping in a supportive environment. As part of an evaluation of this program designed for women who are pregnant and/or parenting young children, interviews were conducted with participants to gain insight into their experiences in New Choices and perceptions of any changes attributed to program involvement. METHODS: A qualitative, exploratory design was used to guide data collection and analysis. Four women participated in a focus group interview and seven women agreed to individual interviews over the course of the program evaluation (N = 11). A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore women's experiences in New Choices and their perceptions of the program and its impact. The interview data were analyzed using NVivo software and an inductive approach to data analysis. RESULTS: The emergent themes captured women's motivations for attending New Choices, benefits of participation, and overall quality of the program. Children were the primary motivating factor for program enrollment. Perceived benefits included decreased substance use, improved maternal health, enhanced opportunity for employment, increased access to other resources, enhanced parenting skills, and improved child behaviour and development. Women highly valued the comprehensive and centralized approach to service delivery that provided a range of informal and formal supports. CONCLUSIONS: Interview findings endorse the appropriateness and potential efficacy of a collaborative, centralized approach to service provision for women with substance use issues. Although the findings provide insight into an alternative model of service delivery for women with addictions, future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Research also is needed to determine which program components or constellation of components contribute to desired outcomes, and to learn more about processes that underlie changes in behaviour.

Adult↗