Showing papers in "Journal of Psychoactive Drugs in 1988"
80 citations
TL;DR: The psychotropic effect of Ketamine has been studied in this paper, where the effect of the drug on the human brain is investigated. But the results are limited to a single application.
Abstract: (1988). The Psychotropic Effect of Ketamine. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 419-425.
67 citations
TL;DR: Although the topic was of great interest during the 1970's, as indicated by the preponderance of the references from that period, interest has waned during the present decade, suggesting that perhaps most investigators feel that this line of inquiry will not be rewarding.
Abstract: Despite the fairly large literature that developed during the past 15 years or so, the effect of cannabinoids on the immune system is still unsettled. The evidence has been contradictory and is more supportive of some degree of immunosuppression only when one considers in vitro studies. These have been seriously flawed by the very high concentrations of drug used to produce immunosuppression and by the lack of comparisons with other membrane-active drugs. The closer that experimental studies have been to actual clinical situations, the less compelling has been the evidence. Although the topic was of great interest during the 1970's, as indicated by the preponderance of the references from that period, interest has waned during the present decade. This waning of interest suggests that perhaps most investigators feel that this line of inquiry will not be rewarding. The AIDS epidemic has also diverted the attention of immunologists to the far more serious problem of the truly devastating effects a retrovirus can have on a portion of the immune system. The relationship between the use of social drugs and the development of clinical manifestations of AIDS has been of some interest, however. Persons infected with the virus but not diagnosed as AIDS have been told to avoid the use of marijuana and/or alcohol. This advice may be reasonable as a general health measure, but direct evidence that heeding this warning will prevent the ultimate damage to the immune system is totally lacking.
65 citations
57 citations
TL;DR: Generally speaking, disulfiram is most useful early to establish sobriety and to allow time for other support structures, such as AA, therapist-patient relationships, and new personal relationships, to take hold.
Abstract: Disulfiram is a potent alcohol-sensitizing drug, the effectiveness of which remains unproven in the treatment of alcoholism after 40 years of use. Its clinical utility is more closely associated with nonspecific, nonpharmacological factors (such as social class, patient compliance, patient personality characteristics, and treatment structure) than with its aversive biochemistry. Disulfiram is not effective as a sole alternative to a structured treatment program. Disulfiram retains a place in standard alcoholism treatment programs because clinicians have found this agent useful for selected alcoholic patients. Clinical studies and clinical lore describe these patients as older, relapse-prone, socially stable, cognitively intact, not depressed, compulsive, capable of following rules, and tolerant of dependence. Another distinctly responsive (but evasive) group is court-probated patients. These characteristics also describe patients who are well-known to have good outcomes without disulfiram, thus they do not help clinicians to select suitable patients for this medication. Consequently, this article proposes the following selection criteria: (1) patients who can tolerate a treatment relationship; (2) patients who are relapse-prone (but in treatment); (3) patients who have failed with less structured approaches; (4) patients in early abstinence who are in crisis or under severe stress; (5) patients in established recovery for whom individual or group psychotherapy is a relapse risk; and (6) patients who specifically request it. With or without disulfiram, a treatment program needs to be highly structured and predictable in order to be useful to newly recovering patients. Recovery is a process with discernible phases of development, and the provision of structure is the core of early treatment, where behavior change is more important than insight. A well-structured program will have phases through which a patient may progress. Generally speaking, disulfiram is most useful early to establish sobriety and to allow time for other support structures, such as AA, therapist-patient relationships, and new personal relationships, to take hold. Disulfiram is best given to patients with prior treatment failures, early in treatment, briefly during crises in established sobriety, or to support unusual stresses, such as psychotherapy. Prescriptions should be short-term and not allow automatic refills. It should be necessary to attend a treatment program in order to obtain them. Supervision and monitoring dramatically increase compliance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
55 citations
TL;DR: The main problem in assessing the relationship between marijuana use and the human condition of marijuana users is the pervasive influence of the general social disapproval of marijuana smoking in Costa Rican society.
Abstract: The social standing of marijuana use in Costa Rica becomes important as one examines the results of this study. Before 1968, marijuana use itself defined Costa Rican consumers of the drug as lower class. Its coming to fashionability among Costa Rican upper-middle-class youths during the late 1960's and early 1970's temporarily blurred marijuana's class identification. Nevertheless, the lower-class users' dress, speech and style of use kept them distinct from these youths. In 1986, working-class users participating in the present intensive study still occupied the lowest positions in the Costa Rican social strata. Their marijuana use does not appear to be a major factor in blocking upward mobility. The social stations in which users were raised were more powerful in determining their present fates than taking up or not taking up marijuana use. Users speak the language differently, employing a mix of lexical changes and wordplay to keep the decent Costa Ricans out of their clandestine business. Smokers of marijuana also dress differently from other Costa Ricans and tend to live in disreputable barrios, according to the stereotype. The Costa Rican image of a marijuana smoker is one of a streetwise, corrupt and uncomfortably distinctive character who is not to be trusted. The main problem in assessing the relationship between marijuana use and the human condition of marijuana users is the pervasive influence of the general social disapproval of marijuana smoking in Costa Rican society.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
53 citations
35 citations
TL;DR: The Persephone's Quest: Entheogens and the Origins of Religion as mentioned in this paper is a seminal work in the field of psychoactive drugs and is a classic example of such an approach.
Abstract: (1988). Persephone's Quest: Entheogens and the Origins of Religion. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 489-490.
33 citations
TL;DR: Methadone maintenance programs are treating increasing numbers of HIV-infected IVDUs and will need added resources as well as new and more flexible treatment techniques to meet this challenge.
Abstract: †Preparation of this manuscript was supported in part by Center Grant No. MH 42459 from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
33 citations
TL;DR: Concerns with self-report biases, literacy, attentional focus, measurement constructs, and drug states confounding psychological states all pose challenges to psychological research with this heterogeneous population.
Abstract: The instruments used for psychological assessment have been under close scrutiny for many years. In particular, ethnic and racial minorities have pointed out that misapplication of instruments standardized to White middle-class norms can result in incorrect assessments. An analogous situation exists with IVDUs. In the work of the present authors with IVDUs, they were found to be a very diverse group. Contrary to common wisdom, they differ by race, ethnicity, age, and drug use profiles. However, their economic circumstances and social stigma make them a special case in terms of psychological assessment. Given the unique characteristics of IVDUs, it behooves researchers to carefully examine the standardized instruments that are available for psychological evaluation. Too often, measures standardized on White middle-class samples lack the value neutrality that makes them applicable across disparate groups. In addition, many such measures are designed with certain presumptions that do not necessarily hold true with this population (e.g., willingness and/or ability to communicate intimate information about one's feelings and psychological states). This article briefly describes some of the challenges encountered in examining standardized instruments for use in the study of IVDUs, their health psychology and AIDS-related behavior. Concerns with self-report biases, literacy, attentional focus, measurement constructs, and drug states confounding psychological states all pose challenges to psychological research with this heterogeneous population. While the need for direct intervention on the sexual and needle-sharing behaviors of IVDUs remains paramount in the combat against the spread of AIDS, researchers must also continue with the further development of basic measurement tools.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
TL;DR: This study aims to demonstrate the importance of knowing the carrier and removal of canine coronavirus, as a source of infection for other animals, not necessarily belonging to the same breeds.
Abstract: †Supported by NIDA Grant No. RO1-DA-03018 and by U.S. Public Health Service CRC Grant No. RR-00865.
TL;DR: Depending on how it is implemented, testing could reduce marijuana use in the working population, however, it seems unlikely that this would result in appreciable gains in public safety given the continuing availability of alcohol and other drugs.
Abstract: The evidence suggests that marijuana impairment presents a real, but secondary, safety risk; and that alcohol is the leading drug-related accident risk factor. In this light, it is ironic that current drug urinalysis technology reflects the opposite bias, being highly intolerant of marijuana but not of alcohol. Given the current technology, the popularity of marijuana testing apears to rest more on deep social and political prejudices than on actual scientific evidence. Much more research is needed before the costs and benefits of marijuana testing can be evaluated. Depending on how it is implemented, testing could reduce marijuana use in the working population. However, it seems unlikely that this would result in appreciable gains in public safety given the continuing availability of alcohol and other drugs.
TL;DR: The present author's analysis of recent trends in heroin and speed use in San Francisco suggests that the number of abusers of each of these drugs was fairly constant between 1985 and 1987.
Abstract: To recapitulate the above findings: Heroin: 1. From burglary analysis: upper limit of 12,700 users in 1986. 2. From CSAS roster: lower limit of 8,363 abusers in three-year period (fiscal years 1985-87). 3. From capture-recapture method: 14,900 users in fiscal year 1987. 4. From methadone decedent analysis: 10,300 abusers in 1986 and the first half of 1987. Speed: 1. From data on gay males: 4,600 regular users in 1987. 2. From CSAS roster: lower limit of 1,214 abusers in fiscal years 1985 through 1987. 3. From capture-recapture method: 5,400 users in fiscal year 1987. IVDUs: 1. From data on Black IVDUs: 19,400 in 1987. 2. From data on Latino IVDUs: 21,100 with lifetime histories in 1987. 3. From CSAS roster: lower limit of 9,350 in fiscal years 1985 through 1987. These estimates can now be assessed, keeping three cautions in mind: (1) different time frames are involved; (2) some estimates are useful only to establish lower or upper bounds; and (3) there is a difference between users (the Coroner reports on decedents who may have used a drug but once) and abusers. The present author's analysis of recent trends in heroin and speed use in San Francisco (Newmeyer 1987) suggests that the number of abusers of each of these drugs was fairly constant between 1985 and 1987. With regard to heroin, the estimate that best meshes with the findings of the present study is that between 10,000 and 12,000 San Franciscans were abusers during 1987. Of these, more than 90 percent used the drug primarily by the IV route.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
TL;DR: This study aims to demonstrate the importance of knowing the carrier and removal status of canine coronavirus, as a source of infection for other animals, not necessarily belonging to the same breeds.
Abstract: †Supported by NIDA Grant No. RO1-DA-03018 and by the United States Public Health Service CRC Grant No. RR-00865 from the National Institutes of Health.
TL;DR: In this paper, why bleach is used to fight AIDS Contagion among Intravenous Drug Users: The San Francisco Experience, 1988, Vol. 20, No. 1, No.
Abstract: (1988). Why Bleach? Fighting AIDS Contagion Among Intravenous Drug Users: The San Francisco Experience. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 20, AIDS and Chemical Dependency. Social and Clinical Issues, pp. 159-163.
TL;DR: Observing clients who initially seek treatment for cocaine dependence as they move into the later stages of recovery has piqued interest because of some of the unanticipated changes in cognitive processing and emotional expression that unfold over time.
Abstract: (1992). Strategies for Breaking Marijuana Dependence. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 24, Anthology Series I: Smokable Drugs, pp. 165-171.
TL;DR: It may be that neuroleptics or naltrexone will prove to decrease reinforcement of cocaine use, but the hazards of long-term neuroleptic use make it unlikely that they will be widely used for this purpose.
Abstract: Addiction consists of a complex neuropharmacologic behavioral cycle. The positive reinforcement of the drug and the negative reinforcement of withdrawal serve to drive the behavior of obtaining and ingesting the drug. The pharmacological adjuncts that are available today work by interfering with one or another part of the cycle. The alpha 2-adrenergic agonists, such as clonidine and guanabenz, act to block noradrenergic activity in the locus coeruleus and therefore block the negative reinforcement of opioid withdrawal. Naltrexone, on the other hand, works by preventing the positive reinforcement of administered opioids by preventing them from binding to the opioid receptor. In the case of cocaine addiction, most of the adjuncts currently in use focus on decreasing the severity of the immediate withdrawal symptoms. These agents potentiate dopaminergic transmission and in so doing tend to counter the dopamine depletion effect of prolonged cocaine use. Bromocriptine is the best known and probably the most effective member of this class. It may be that neuroleptics or naltrexone will prove to decrease reinforcement of cocaine use. However, the hazards of long-term neuroleptic use make it unlikely that they will be widely used for this purpose. Desipramine and perhaps other antidepressants may have a special role in treating cocaine addiction: They may prove to have some long-term prophylactic value and prevent relapse in recovering addicts. This ability may stem from the antidepressant action or it may involve a more specific action on dopaminergic transmission. These pharmacological agents may be very effective for certain purposes, such as relieving withdrawal symptoms. However, since they only act on one part of the addiction cycle, they can never be considered complete treatment by themselves. Of course, the use of all of these agents requires the voluntary cooperation of the patient. Therefore, the basis of the treatment of addictive illness continues to be the peer group and other types of interpersonal interactions. However, these pharmacological adjuncts may serve to make treatment easier, shorter and less expensive, and they may improve overall success rates. Consequently, they are of great value in the present and they can serve as models for the development of more effective agents in the future.
TL;DR: Observation of the real world of social marijuana use renders the scare tactics of the new marijuana proponents not only inaccurate but irrelevant, and the evidence simply cannot support the argument by Cohen (1986) that marijuana is "ten or more times more potent than the product smoked ten years ago".
Abstract: Observation of the real world of social marijuana use, where autotitration is the norm, renders the scare tactics of the new marijuana proponents not only inaccurate but irrelevant. There is much published evidence about the availability of highly potent varieties of cannabis from the nineteenth century through the present day. The effects attributed to the new marijuana are the same ones debated for centuries in many different cultures. The assertion that "all marijuana research to date has been done on 1 or 2 percent THC material" (Cohen 1968) ignores several thousand years of human experience with the drug. The old medical cannabis extracts were stronger than most of the forms now available, though the potency of illicit hash oils by the mid-1970's was approaching the level of medicinal preparations available before their removal from the USP. While it may be true that sinsemilla is more widely available than 10 or 15 years ago, its potency has not changed significantly from the 2.4 to 9.5 percent THC materials available in 1973-1974 (see Table I), or the five to 14 percent sinsemilla of 1975 (Perry 1977). The range of potencies available then (marijuana at 0.1% to 7.8% THC, averaging 2.0% to 5.0% THC by 1975) was approximately the same as that reported now. With such a range, the evidence simply cannot support the argument by Cohen (1986) that marijuana is "ten or more times more potent than the product smoked ten years ago." And to say that marijuana potency has increased 1,400 percent since any date in history is patent nonsense.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
TL;DR: This research was conducted under contract to NIDA and the author's views reflect only the views of the author.
Abstract: †This research was conducted under contract to NIDA. Its contents reflect only the views of the author. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the NIDA Community Epidemiology Work Group, Phoenix, December 11, 1987.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss whether the current treatment binges are doing more harm than good, and they conclude that the current binges may actually cause more damage than good.
Abstract: (1988). Can Alcoholism and Other Drug Addiction Problems Be Treated Away or Is the Current Treatment Binge Doing More Harm Than Good? Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 375-383.
TL;DR: This chapter discusses classroom-Oriented, primary Prevention Programing for Drug Abuse, which focused on school-based interventions to reduce the likelihood of abuse in the classroom.
Abstract: (1988). Classroom-Oriented, Primary Prevention Programing for Drug Abuse. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 403-408.
TL;DR: In this article, a Neuronutrient Intervention Adjunct (SAAVE) was used to restore neurogenetic defects caused by Alcoholism, which were restored by SAAVE™.
Abstract: (1988). Neurogenetic Deficits Caused by Alcoholism: Restoration by SAAVE™, a Neuronutrient Intervention Adjunct. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 20, Pharmacological Adjuncts and Nutritional Supplements in the Treatment of Drug Dependence, pp. 297-313.
TL;DR: The fiscal costs of California marijuana law enforcement began to escalate dramatically in the mid-1960’s as mainly young, White, middle class marijuana offenders flooded the criminal justice system, replacing older, nonWhite heroin addicts as the typical drug offenders in the state.
Abstract: (1988). Savings in California Marijuana Law Enforcement Costs Attributable to the Moscone Act of 1976—A Summary. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 20, Marijuana—An Update, pp. 75-82.
TL;DR: In this paper, the Intravenous Drug User and Secondary Spread of AIDS is discussed. But the authors focus on the secondary spread of AIDS and do not consider the effects of intravenous drug users on secondary spread.
Abstract: (1988). The Intravenous Drug User and Secondary Spread of AIDS. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 20, AIDS and Chemical Dependency. Social and Clinical Issues, pp. 169-172.