Showing papers in "American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in 2001"
TL;DR: Results support the efficacy of MDFT, a relatively short-term, multicomponent, multitarget, family-based intervention in significantly reducing adolescent drug abuse and facilitating adaptive and protective developmental processes.
Abstract: Random assignment was made of 182 clinically referred marijuana- and alcohol-abusing adolescents to one of three treatments: multidimensional family therapy (MDFT), adolescent group therapy (AGT), and multifamily educational intervention (MEI). Each treatment represented a different theory base and treatment format. All treatments were based on a manual and were delivered on
488 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that gender may influence different aspects of cocaine craving, as estrogen is purported to modulate craving-related dopaminergic systems and to investigate their possible mechanisms.
Abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate potential gender differences in cocaine craving among non–treatment seekers with cocaine dependence. We examined 10 female and 11 male individuals matched by demographic characteristics and severity of drug use; we used a multidimensional questionnaire that assesses various aspects of craving: (a) current intensity, (b) projected intensity, (c) resistance to use cocaine, (d) responsiveness to drug-related conditioned stimuli, and (e) imagined likelihood of use if in a setting with access to drugs. Other instruments utilized were the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Addiction Severity Index. Female subjects had higher total craving scores (p <. 05), with post hoc tests showing more present desire to use cocaine and responsivity to drug-conditioned stimuli, along with lower scores on the desire not to use cocaine. In exploratory analyses, we found greater depressive symptomatology (p =. 02) and severity of family/social problems (p =. 02) in females th...
149 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that both family and peer factors have an impact on early substance initiation when children in this sample were 11 and 12 years old, and prosocial family processes had a significant negative effect on substance initiation even while modeling the influence of antisocial peers.
Abstract: A review of the literature suggests that early substance initiation is related to a variety of negative outcomes, including substance misuse or abuse in adolescence and adulthood. This study examines potentially modifiable predictors of early substance initiation, including both family and peer factors known to influence early initiation. A theoretically derived model of substance initiation was tested using structural equation modeling. Results indicate that both family and peer factors have an impact on early substance initiation when children in this sample were 11 and 12 years old. The model explained 60% of the variance in substance initiation. Prosocial family processes (rules, monitoring, and attachment) had a significant impact on child peer association, decreasing involvement with antisocial peers. These prosocial family processes had a significant negative effect on substance initiation even while modeling the influence of antisocial peers. Implications for drug use prevention practice are discu...
130 citations
TL;DR: The sample consisted of 125 male inpatients admitted to one of two substance abuse treatment centers in Iowa and subjects diagnosed with Borderline PD showed the highest rate of comorbid psychopathology, including Axis I disorders of generalized anxiety disorder, major depression, cocaine dependence, and inhalant dependence.
Abstract: The sample consisted of 125 male inpatients admitted to one of two substance abuse treatment centers in Iowa. They were diagnosed by means of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule Screening Interview-Quick-DIS version, the Structural Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorder (PD), revised, and the Substance Abuse Reporting System. The most frequently diagnosed comorbid Axis I conditions were anxiety and mood disorders, while the most frequently observed Axis II disorders were in Cluster B, borderline PD, and antisocial PD followed by Cluster C, avoidant PD, passive-aggressive PD and obsessive-compulsive PD; and then Cluster A; schizoid PD. Subjects diagnosed with Borderline PD showed the highest rate of comorbid psychopathology, including Axis I disorders of generalized anxiety disorder, major depression, cocaine dependence, and inhalant dependence. The most likely comorbid diagnosis for antisocial PD subjects was bipolar disorder. The schizoid PD and the NoPD groups were less likely to meet criteria for other Axis I disorders. A high rate of comorbid Axis II pathology was also found. Polysubstance dependent subjects were more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder than were those who were not polysubstance dependent or were dependent only on alcohol. Polysubstance dependent men were at highest risk for Axis II disorders: 56% of them met criteria for a Cluster B PD, with borderline PD and histrionic PD most frequent.
122 citations
TL;DR: Pregnant and parenting women who completed program requirements were more likely to have a high school degree or equivalent, no arrests in the 6 months before admission, and friends who were less deviant.
Abstract: Although there is increasing emphasis on providing drug treatment programs for women that address their specific needs (including parenting and childcare), some women still fail to complete treatme...
118 citations
TL;DR: Differences between urban and rural drug use patterns and treatment utilization among chronic drug abusers are examined to determine whether, and in what ways, rurality may affect substance abuse and treatment seeking.
Abstract: Surveys of incarcerated offenders and arrestees consistently report high rates of both alcohol and drug use in this population. This drug-crime connection has highlighted the need to learn more not only about drug treatment effectiveness, but also about drug treatment utilization. While studies have begun to examine drug treatment utilization, most of these studies have been based on urban substance abusers. Little is known about the extent to which urban and rural substance abusers may be different in terms of treatment utilization. This study, therefore, examines differences between urban and rural drug use patterns and treatment utilization among chronic drug abusers to determine whether, and in what ways, rurality may affect substance abuse and treatment seeking. The study examines these issues in a group of chronic drug users who were incarcerated at the time of the study. Findings show significant differences in drug use and treatment utilization of urban and rural offenders. Chronic drug abusers from rural and very rural areas have significantly higher rates of lifetime drug use, as well as higher rates of drug use in the 30 days prior to their current incarceration than chronic drug abusers from urban areas. Nonetheless, being from a very rural area decreased the likelihood of having ever been in treatment after controlling for the number of years using and race. While problem recognition appears to explain much of the effect of very rural residence on treatment utilization for alcohol abuse, the effects of being from a very rural area on seeking treatment for drug abuse remain statistically significant even after controlling for several other variables. The findings point to the importance of providing culturally appropriate education to very rural communities on the benefits of substance abuse treatment and of providing substance abuse treatment within the criminal justice system.
117 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that brief inpatient detoxification is followed by reduced drug use over several months and is accompanied by substantial treatment-seeking behavior, suggesting brief detoxification may serve as an effective harm-reduction intervention.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate short-term outcomes of a 3-day inpatient medical detoxification. Heroin abusers (n = 116; 66% male, 77% African-American, X = 38 years old), completed the Addiction Severity Index during detoxification, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after detoxification; 94.5% of the postdetoxification interviews were completed. During the 30 days before detoxification, mean days of self-reported use for heroin was 28, for cocaine 19, and for alcohol 14; a mean of $1,975 was spent on drugs. Across the postdetoxification interviews, mean days of reported heroin use ranged from 11 to 14; 21-30% of patients reported no heroin use, whereas 25-36% reported almost daily use. Reported use of cocaine and alcohol showed similar reductions from pre- to postdetoxification. Reports of heroin and cocaine abstinence were generally verified through urine tests. Other psychosocial factors improved as well from pre- to postdetoxification (e.g., employment increased and needle use decreased). During the 6-month evaluation, at least 41% reported engaging in formal inpatient or outpatient treatment; another 25-33% reported attending self-help groups. Engaging in formal treatment (at least 7 days duration) was associated with significantly better outcome. Nevertheless, pre- to postdetoxification changes were significant and robust for the entire study sample. These findings demonstrate that brief inpatient detoxification is followed by reduced drug use over several months and is accompanied by substantial treatment-seeking behavior. Thus brief detoxification may serve as an effective harm-reduction intervention.
113 citations
TL;DR: This study examined the relationship between environmental characteristics and heavy episodic drinking by examining college students' last drinking events and found dating events were protective of heavy episodi drinking.
Abstract: This study examined the relationship between environmental characteristics and heavy episodic drinking by examining college students' last drinking events. For this study, 409 undergraduate students attending a large public university were randomly selected. Students were asked to report on their last drinking event within the 30-day period prior to being surveyed. There were 274 drinking events analyzed. Bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to identify contextual factors predictive of heavy episodic drinking in specific drinking events. Drinking with friends, drinking beer and hard liquor, and having many people intoxicated at an event were predictive of heavy episodic drinking events. Dating events were protective of heavy episodic drinking. Implications for future research and prevention are discussed.
95 citations
TL;DR: Path analyses support a model in which the interaction of motivation and 3-month participation ratings have a direct effect on the selection of aftercare, and aftercare has adirect effect on relapse and recidivism.
Abstract: Although the largest effects of prison-based therapeutic community (TC) programs are associated with entry into aftercare, only a minority of prisoners volunteer for these aftercare programs. The study addresses the gap in our knowledge concerning these low rates of voluntary entry. A theoretical formulation of the TC process involving the effect of the interaction of clients' motivation and participation in the activities of the TC on entry into aftercare was tested on a sample of 110 volunteers in a prison-based TC for whom there were client and staff ratings of 3-month participation and 12-month follow-up data on relapse and recidivism. Path analyses support a model in which the interaction of motivation and 3-month participation ratings have a direct effect on the selection of aftercare, and aftercare has a direct effect on relapse and recidivism. The use of a combination of enhanced motivation and early program participation as a means of increasing the utilization and effectiveness of aftercare is discussed.
87 citations
TL;DR: Regression analyses suggest that exposure to the marketing campaign may be associated with lower (and more accurate) estimates of student drinking norms, and future evaluations of social norms marketing campaigns should adhere to basic evaluation principles.
Abstract: A social marketing campaign to change perceptions of peer drinking norms was conducted by the National Golden Key Honor Society at the University of Mississippi during the 1995-1996 school year. To assess the campaign's impact on perceptions of student drinking norms and alcohol consumption, Golden Key's national office administered a survey three times during the school year to all students enrolled in a random sample of required freshmen English courses. Regression analyses suggest that exposure to the marketing campaign may be associated with lower (and more accurate) estimates of student drinking norms. While offering promising results, this study was limited due to shortcomings in the research design. Future evaluations of social norms marketing campaigns should adhere to basic evaluation principles, such as using comparison groups, collecting contextual data, using a valid and reliable survey instrument, and ensuring proper survey administration techniques.
74 citations
TL;DR: The extent to which arrestees underreport crack cocaine use as compared to the use of marijuana, opiates, and methamphetamine was assessed.
Abstract: Despite the many problems associated with crack use, little validated empirical evidence about the prevalence of crack cocaine exists Researchers that track crack cocaine use have relied on self-reports to differentiate crack and powder cocaine Prior research suggests that the accuracy of self-reports for the use of a variety of illicit substances is relatively low To examine the validity of self-reports of crack use, this article employs a newly developed technology to detect specifically the presence of markers of crack cocaine in urine specimens With a sample of 2327 arrestees from six cities that participate in the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) Program, both face-to-face interview and urinalysis data were examined Using a positive urinalysis result as the validity standard, we assessed the extent to which arrestees underreport crack cocaine use as compared to the use of marijuana, opiates,and methamphetamine Logistic regression models were also de veloped to predict the factors that relate to underreporting The results showed a considerable amount of underreporting for all the drug measures In most cases, only about half the people who had a positive urinalysis test for drugs admitted using drugs Overall, the least amount of underreporting occurred for the use of marijuana (636% told the "truth"), followed by methamphetamine (561% told the truth), crack (482% told the truth), and opiate (459% told the truth) Female crack users, as compared to male crack users, were more likely to admit using crack Black arrestees were more likely to admit using crack than white or Hispanic arrestees Arrestees with a history of prior drug treatment or a prior arrest, as compared to those without such histories, were more likely to admit using crack The older the arrestee was, the more likely the arrestee would admit using crack The more money an arrestee spent on drugs, the more likely the arrestee would admit using crack Differences in underreporting were also observed across the six cities in this study The implications of these findings for the monitoring of crack use are discussed
TL;DR: Individuals who entered and completed in-prison residential treatment were less likely to experience the critical postrelease outcomes of new arrests and substance use during the first 6 months following release.
Abstract: Objective: The effectiveness of federal prison-based residential drug and alcohol treatment programs was evaluated using event history procedures that addressed the problem of selection bias and included a wide range of control variables. Methods: The sample comprised 760 treatment subjects and 809 comparison subjects. Treatment subjects were from 20 different prisons of medium, low, and minimum security levels. Comparison subjects were drawn from over 30 prisons. Results: The results indicated that individuals who entered and completed in-prison residential treatment were less likely to experience the critical postrelease outcomes of new arrests and substance use during the first 6 months following release. Conclusions: Without controlling for selection bias, the effects of treatment would most likely have been attenuated. The results have greater generalizability than other studies of prison-based treatment. This study occurred within a multisite context of 20 programs serving both male and female inmat...
TL;DR: Drug treatment providers can benefit from understanding their clients' social support systems, especially the dynamics of important relationships with main pretreatment supporters, such as parents, by gaining this understanding and helping their clients to effectively accept and use social support.
Abstract: Conceptually, social support among very heavily drug-involved women is complex and multidimensional. This article examines the structure and function of the social support systems of women offenders (N = 100) who used drugs during the last 6 months before entering court-mandated drug-free treatment programs. These systems typically contain about nine supporters, almost equally divided between men and women, and about half of the women's supporters are family members. The women identify parents and partners as their major providers of practical help and advice. They look most to their partners for a sympathetic ear, and to their parents for affirmation of their self-worth. Overall, two-thirds of the women identify their mothers as among their supporters. These mothers are often anxious to do whatever they can to help their daughters stop using drugs. Paradoxically, the assistance many mothers give their daughters in providing money or basic life necessities often enables the daughter's drug use. Although many daughters appreciate their mother's help, there is an element of distrust and control in many of the mother-daughter relationships, and some daughters receive unwanted help from their mothers. Drug treatment providers can benefit from understanding their clients' social support systems, especially the dynamics of important relationships with main pretreatment supporters, such as parents. By gaining this understanding and helping their clients to effectively accept and use social support, treatment providers can assist them in maintaining their recovery when they leave treatment and return to their communities.
TL;DR: It is suggested that 12-Step groups are more likely to be selected by clients with more severe histories of drug use and criminal activity, i.e., those most in need of the support to behavior change those groups provide.
Abstract: Comparison was made of treatment clients attending Narcotics Anonymous and/or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings less than weekly (n = 41) with treatment clients attending meetings at least three times a week (n = 30). The frequent attenders (attending an average of 30.6 meetings monthly) differed from non- and infrequent attenders (attending an average of 0.4 meetings monthly) in terms of histories of greater lifetime drug use, more arrests and treatment experiences, and an earlier age of first use of alcohol. Although the frequent attender was also older, age was not found to influence the differences found between groups. Measures of religiosity, use of community services, and support from others for recovery and psychological functioning, other than ratings of the helpfulness of 12-Step, were not differentiated among groups. The findings suggest that 12-Step groups are more likely to be selected by clients with more severe histories of drug use and criminal activity, i.e., those most in need of the support to behavior change those groups provide. The role of treatment programs in facilitating the use of 12-Step groups is discussed.
TL;DR: Gender and race differences in psychosocial concerns among patients recruited from substance abuse treatment as potential indicators of relapse prevention needs are examined, particularly between Caucasians and African-Americans.
Abstract: Attempts to address high relapse rates following substance abuse treatment have focused on identifying relapse prevention needs and development of subsequent relapse prevention programs. Few studies have examined whether women and African-Americans have unique relapse prevention needs. Research in this area could provide an initial basis for the development of alternative relapse prevention approaches that could be more appropriate for this pop ulation. This study examined gender and race differences in psychosocial concerns among patients recruited from substance abuse treatment as potential indicators of relapse prevention needs. Participants (N = 331) completed several questionnaires during their first month of substance abuse treatment. Assessment packets included measures of coping, self-efficacy, resource needs, cravings, social influences, exposure, and leisure activities. Analyses focused on gender and race differences in these variables before and after controlling for background characteristics (i.e., age, marital status, income, polysubstance use, treatment type, and problem severity). Gender differences found were that men reported poorer coping skills and more negative social influences and exposure to substances than women; these differences remained significant when controlling for background characteristics. Significant race differences were found on all scales except negative social influences. After controlling for background characteristics, African-Americans reported significantly greater coping skills and self-efficacy than did Caucasians; however, African-Americans also reported greater resource needs in comparison to Caucasians. Results highlight the diversity in psychosocial issues among substance abusers in treatment, particularly between Caucasians and African-Americans. Implications for developing alternative relapse prevention approaches to address this diversity are discussed.
TL;DR: A large proportion of the depressed drug abusers and the antisocial cluster group had S/L impairment that was identified at age 5 and Clarification of the developmental progress of the youths in these cluster groups can inform the approach to early intervention and treatment.
Abstract: Cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups of youths with past-year substance and/or psychiatric disorders (N = 110, mean age 19.0 years). Data for this study came from a community-based, pros...
TL;DR: Although human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors, as measured by Bell's risk indices, decreased, there were no meaningful significant differences between interventions and participants who went into drug treatment programs showed greater reduction in HIV risk behavior.
Abstract: To test the efficacy of culturally targeted acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention programs on ethnic minority street drug users, 669 African-American and Puerto Rican drug users were assigned to receive either the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) standard intervention or a culturally competent enhanced intervention in a quasi-experimental study. The standard intervention was a two-session educational program, while both the African-American and Puerto Rican enhanced interventions provided additional AIDS information in a culturally appropriate fashion. Although human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors, as measured by Bell's risk indices, decreased, there were no meaningful significant differences between interventions. However, participants who went into drug treatment programs showed greater reduction in HIV risk behavior. Cultural interventions may provide better outcome if they concentrate on getting participants into drug treatment.
TL;DR: SUD teaching interventions among medical students can improve their comfort level and attitude toward pregnant women with SUDs, and supports the current initiative of Project CREATE to implement a comprehensive undergraduate SUD teaching program in Canadian medical schools.
Abstract: Substance use disorders (SUDs) in pregnancy are becoming increasingly prevalent. Our study aimed to measure the effect of a teaching module on alcohol, tobacco, and drug use on the attitude of seco...
TL;DR: Not surprisingly, drugs were used least at work (though a surprising 47% had used at work), and popular situations of drug use among drug offenders are similar to that of high-risk youth.
Abstract: The present study provides a detailed, multiple-choice, self-report analysis of home, work, and other public locations where drug offenders report using drugs. In addition, these settings were examined as a function of gender, ethnicity, type of drug used, and drug abuse/dependence status. The participants for the present study were 462 individuals attending drug diversion programs in southern California. The single most frequently reported location of use was the subjects' living room with a small group of friends. However, heavier users used different drugs across a greater variety of locations. Not surprisingly, drugs were used least at work (though a surprising 47% had used at work). Popular situations of drug use among drug offenders are similar to that of high-risk youth.
TL;DR: Findings from a prospective investigation of outpatient drug treatment indicate that higher frequency of participation in group counseling during treatment predicts higher rates of alcohol and drug abstinence even for those who complete the 6-month treatment program and maintain weekly or more frequent attendance of 12-step meetings during and after treatment.
Abstract: Replicating and extending previous research, findings from a prospective investigation of outpatient drug treatment (n = 356) indicate that higher frequency of participation in group counseling dur...
TL;DR: In New York, gallery use and paid sex were related to living in other's home, living in temporary housing, and being homeless; in Puerto Rico, having paid sex was associated with homelessness.
Abstract: This article investigates the association between residential status and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors among island and New York Puerto Rican injection drug users (IDUs). We assigned 561 subjects from New York City and 312 from Puerto Rico to five residential status categories: living in parent's home, living in own home, living in other's home, living in temporary housing (hotel, single-room occupancy [SRO] hotels), and homeless (living in streets/shelters). Dependent variables included injection- and sex-related risk behaviors (sharing syringes, sharing other injection paraphernalia, shooting gallery use, and having paid sex). Chi square, t tests, and multivariate logistic analysis tests were performed separately by site. About one-quarter of the sample in each site was homeless. Island Puerto Ricans were more likely to live with their parents (44% vs. 12%, p < .001), and more New York IDUs lived in their own home (30% vs. 14%, p < .001). In New York, gallery use and paid sex were associated with living in other's home, living in parent's home, and being homeless. Sharing paraphernalia was related to living in other's home, living in temporary housing, and being homeless. In Puerto Rico, having paid sex was associated with homelessness. High-risk behaviors were more likely among homeless IDUs in both sites. Programs to provide housing and target outreach and other prevention programs for homeless IDUs would be helpful in reducing HIV risk.
TL;DR: The extent to which various indicators of coercion were related to treatment retention in a gender-specific treatment program and a traditional outpatient program for pregnant and postpartum women who were mandated to enter treatment was examined.
Abstract: This research examined the extent to which various indicators of coercion were related to treatment retention in a gender-specific treatment program and a traditional outpatient program for pregnant and postpartum women who were mandated to enter treatment. Women who were given custody of their infant stayed in treatment longer than women who did not have custody. There was an interaction effect with women who had custody and were in the intensive day treatment program completing treatment at a much higher rate than those in the traditional program. Implications for social work professionals and policy makers are discussed.
TL;DR: Both groups showed treatment improvements at 6-months follow-up with the DUAL group showing greater mean changes than the PSUD group in five of the seven ASI areas and study limitations related to a retrospective design and select sample of nonpsychotic mental disorders.
Abstract: This study presents the prevalence and treatment outcome of DUAL diagnoses (psychoactive substance use disorders [PSUD] plus other nonpsychotic mental disorders) among a population of homeless persons participating in a behavioral day treatment and contingency management drug abuse treatment program. Participants were 128 persons: 76.6% male, 23.4% female; 82.2% African-American, 17.2% Caucasian. There were 46 (35.9%) PSUDs and 82 (64.1%) DUAL participants. Cocaine (96.9%) and alcohol disorders (57.8%) were most prevalent overall, and 60.2% of participants had two or more psychoactive substance use disorders. DUAL participants had significantly more alcohol disorders than PSUDs (62.2% versus 50.0%). The most prevalent mental disorders (other than substance use) for the total and DUAL samples were, respectively, mood (51.6% and 80.5%) and anxiety (35.9% and 56.1%), and 31.3% and 48.8% had more than two mental disorders. The DUAL group had more severe problems than the PSUD group at baseline in alcohol, medical condition, employment/support, and psychiatric status areas on the ASI. Both groups showed treatment improvements at 6-months follow-up with the DUAL group showing greater mean changes than the PSUD group in five of the seven ASI areas. These findings are discussed in terms of effect of dual diagnoses on treatment outcome and study limitations related to a retrospective design and select sample of nonpsychotic mental disorders.
TL;DR: Intermittent use of nonopiate drugs is common during outpatient treatment for opiate dependence and may be a favorable prognostic indicator and support a “harm reduction” approach as opposed to a strict abstinence-oriented approach.
Abstract: The effect of concurrent nonopiate drug use on outcome of treatment for opiate dependence. Method: Forty-seven opiate-dependent patients received a 6-month course of outpatient treatment with naltrexone and cognitive-behavioral therapy (behavioral naltrexone therapy, BNT ) at a university-based research clinic. Opiate-negative urines and naltrexone ingestion were rewarded with monetary vouchers. Abstinence from other drugs was encouraged verbally, but no contingencies were placed on nonopiate drug use. The proportions of all urines (collected twice weekly) positive for cocaine, cannabis, and benzodiazepines over the course of treat
TL;DR: Results indicate that both frequency and quantity of alcohol use in high school significantly affect students' alcohol consumption in college and the effect and longevity ofStudents' alcohol problem symptoms after they graduate from college.
Abstract: This research examined the effect of students' drinking behaviors in high school on their alcohol use and alcohol problems in college. Five colleges in New York State were randomly selected for the study. The telephone interview method was employed to survey college students during the spring semester of 1998. Within each participating college, students were randomly selected through the use of complete student telephone directories provided by the college administration. A total of 813 students were interviewed. Alcohol problems were measured with items from DSM-IV. Results indicate that both frequency and quantity of alcohol use in high school significantly affect students' alcohol consumption in college. Furthermore, the impact of alcohol use in high school on alcohol problems in college tends to be composed of a moderate direct effect and a relatively strong indirect effect via its impact on current alcohol consumption in college. Prevention efforts for drinking in college may need to start in high school to reduce or delay alcohol use by high school students. Additional assessment services and more readily available treatment services may be required to address potential alcohol problems among college students. Future research should examine the effect and longevity of students' alcohol problem symptoms after they graduate from college.
TL;DR: It is indicated that women who used cocaine during pregnancy may not differ from nonusers in their interactions with their 12-month-old infants, and mothers who abused cocaine engaged in significantly more verbal behavior with their children than mothers of nonexposed children.
Abstract: This study examined mother-infant interactions of 12-month-old African-American prenatally cocaine-exposed infants and their mothers. Videotaped observations were made during a free-play dyadic interaction, a brief separation, and a reunion period. Videotapes were coded for maternal and child behaviors during each phase of the procedure. Although there were few differences in interactive behaviors between prenatally cocaine-exposed and nonexposed children and their mothers, children who were prenatally exposed to cocaine ignored their mother’s departure (odds ratio [OR] = 3.0, p < .05) during separation significantly more often than nonexposed subjects. In addition, mothers who abused cocaine engaged in significantly more verbal behavior (F(2,104) = 7.00, p < .001) with their children than mothers of nonexposed children. These findings indicate that women who used cocaine during pregnancy may not differ from nonusers in their interactions with their 12-month-old infants.
TL;DR: The degree of agreement between a semistructured clinical interview and a self-report inventory on a diagnosis of ASPD among substance abusers was assessed and low agreement indicated between the scales, with the MCMI-II diagnosing ASPD more often than the SCID-II.
Abstract: There is much controversy among social scientists and clinicians over the proper measurement of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). The degree to which various diagnostic measures differ in their assessment of ASPD among substance abusers is not known. This study assessed the degree of agreement between a semistructured clinical interview and a self-report inventory on a diagnosis of ASPD among substance abusers. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID-II), a clinically generated instrument, and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II), a self-report inventory, were administered to 275 clients randomly assigned to two therapeutic communities (TCs). Based on the limited existing literature, it was hypothesized that there would be minimal agreement between the diagnosis of ASPD by the two scales. This hypothesis was supported. The kappa statistic indicated low agreement between the scales (κ = 0.27), with the MCMI-II diagnosing ASPD more often than the SCID-II. The low agreement ...
TL;DR: In 1995, the University of Arizona installed and publicized new policies to provide better alcohol control during its annual homecoming event, which led to a lower percentage of tents selling alcohol, elimination of beer kegs, greater availability of food and nonalcoholic beverages, and the presence of hired bartenders to serve alcohol.
Abstract: In 1995, the University of Arizona installed and publicized new policies to provide better alcohol control during its annual homecoming event. Systematic observation at pregame tents revealed that, compared to 1994, these policies led to a lower percentage of tents selling alcohol, elimination of beer kegs, greater availability of food and nonalcoholic beverages, the presence of hired bartenders to serve alcohol, and systems for identification checks. These changes were still in evidence through 1998. In 1995, campus police also saw a downward shift in the number of neighborhood calls for complaints related to homecoming activities, which was maintained through 1998. Statistics on law enforcement actions were inconsistent. There was a sharp drop in 1995, but 1996 and 1998 saw enforcement levels similar to what was seen prior to the new policies. This case study underscores the importance of environmental management strategies for campus-based alcohol and other drug prevention.
TL;DR: Dyadic cohesion and positive interpersonal communication patterns were found to moderate effectively the relationship that existed among parental alcoholism, environmental influences, and adverse alcohol consequences.
Abstract: Important trends in research over the past decade indicate that women are as greatly affected by familial alcoholism as are men. Although it is increasingly recognized that the adverse drinking outcomes predicted for adult children of alcoholics (COAs) are not inevitable, and only a small percentage develop alcohol dependence or grow up to be alcoholic, relatively little knowledge exists regarding moderating factors that reduce their vulnerability. This study identifies a multiple mediator latent structural model of the intergenerational transmission of risk for DSM-IV-assessed alcohol abuse and dependence among women COAs in adulthood. The effects of both parental alcoholism and family environment are estimated at three time points spanning 10 years across 5-year intervals (1984, 1989, and 1994) using data from a subsample of 4,449 women in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY). Dyadic cohesion in marital communication (greater marital cohesion, harmony, and less verbal disagreement, discord, and conflict) is a proposed moderating factor that may operate in adulthood to lower the risk of female COAs developing alcohol abuse and dependence. Maximum likelihood standardized estimates of the effects of alcohol mediators measured over time indicate that direct parental effects for adverse outcomes decline when COAs are in their late 20s and early 30s. Indirect parental effects through environmental influences dramatically increase the risk of abuse and dependence among COAs at this time if they have one or more alcoholic siblings, especially an alcoholic sister. Dyadic cohesion and positive interpersonal communication patterns were found to moderate effectively the relationship that existed among parental alcoholism, environmental influences, and adverse alcohol consequences. COAs with satisfactory marital communication also evidenced higher levels of intimacy with their partners, perceived the division of housework to be fairer, shared more responsibilities and burdens of the household, and had less conflict over critical domestic issues than other women COAs. The protective benefits of a good marriage against the risks of alcoholism remained when applied to younger and older subjects, across diverse backgrounds, and after adjusting for other factors such as employment status.
TL;DR: Analysis of death certificates in Texas from 1988 to 1998 showed that the characteristics of 144 Texans for whom inhalants were mentioned as a contributing cause of death are different from those Texans who report use of inhalants in surveys and from persons who died from inhalant abuse in Virginia.
Abstract: Analysis of death certificates in Texas from 1988 to 1998 showed that the characteristics of 144 Texans for whom inhalants were mentioned as a contributing cause of death are different from those Texans who report use of inhalants in surveys and from persons who died from inhalant abuse in Virginia. While Texas surveys show little difference in prevalence of use between white and Hispanic adolescents or between boys and girls, Texas death data indicate inhalant use is also a problem among adult white males. The mean age of decedents was 25.6 years (SD 9.8 years), and ages ranged from 8 to 62 years. There were 92% males, 81% whites, and 17% Hispanics. Of the death certificates, 35% mentioned Freon, and 25% mentioned chlorinated hydrocarbons. Of those with the mention of Freon, 42% were students (mean age 16.4 years), and 37% were mechanics, installers, and repairers (mean age 27.4 years), occupations in which Freon can be readily available. Of the chlorinated hydrocarbon deaths, 49% were students (mean age 17.5 years), and 51% were from other occupations (mean age 27.4 years). Research on drug use and the workplace is not extensive, and the effects of inhalant intoxication can be a serious problem in the workplace. Prevention campaigns need to inform the public that inhalant abuse is not just a problem among youngsters, and intervention services for adult abusers should be provided within the context of employee assistance programs.