Showing papers in "Substance Use & Misuse in 1980"
TL;DR: Outcome studies of the effectiveness of drug and alcohol education programs are reviewed and there is evidence to suggest that these programs may exacerbate the use and sale of drugs and alcohol.
Abstract: Outcome studies of the effectiveness of drug and alcohol education programs are reviewed. Studies were examined that dealt with student populations as well as adult programs. In addition, specific ...
197 citations
TL;DR: It was found that the experimental subjects had an increased level of anxiety, depression, and subjective level of craving following the stimulus presentation, with the controls showing no similar change in these measures.
Abstract: Heroin addicts on 0 or 2 mg of methadone and finishing a 14-day detoxification program, and control subjects were shown a videotape of heroin-related stimuli. Psychological questionnaires were completed before and after the videotape, while physiological responses were monitored during viewing. It was found that the experimental subjects had an increased level of anxiety, depression, and subjective level of craving following the stimulus presentation, with the controls showing no similar change in these measures. In addition, the experimental group had significant increases in heart rate and galvanic skin response compared with controls. The results present some of the first objective evidence of conditioned abstinence occurring in addicts exposed to stimuli closely related to those found in the natural environment.
75 citations
TL;DR: The life table technique was applied to the analysis of retention in a therapeutic community for the treatment of drug abuse and those factors which exercise most influence on retention are sex, race, age, and probation/parole status.
Abstract: The life table technique was applied to the analysis of retention in a therapeutic community for the treatment of drug abuse. The results indicate that those factors which exercise most influence on retention are sex, race, age, and probation/parole status. The higher rates of discharge among female, adolescent, and Hispanic residents raise questions concerning differential response to the program. The findings suggest that retention might be increased by modifying the treatment plans for these subgroups. Differences between the retention patterns of single/first admissions and readmissions to treatment were also found to be significant. Implications of these findings are presented.
75 citations
TL;DR: The major research focus was to predict the direction of weight change after smoking cessation, and among the characteristics most related to weight gain after quitting were heavier tar consumption, younger age, and leanness of body build.
Abstract: Smoking behavior and weight change over a 5-year period were studied in 1,749 adult males of the Normative Aging Study. While men who quit smoking generally gained more weight than those in other smoking categories, 36% either lost weight or maintained the same weight after quitting. The major research focus was to predict the direction of weight change after smoking cessation. Among the characteristics most related to weight gain after quitting were heavier tar consumption, younger age, and leanness of body build. Conversely, traits related to weight loss were lighter smoking, older age, and stoutness of build.
55 citations
TL;DR: Most users of pentazocine and tripelennamine started the use in an attempt to withdraw from heroin or because of the poor quality of heroin available.
Abstract: The change in illicit drug use from 1975 to 1978 was studied in Chicago veterans. Barbiturates and amphetamine use has decreased significantly. Nearly a sevenfold increase in pentazocine use has occurred. All but one of the pentazocine users added tripelennamine to the intravenous or subcutaneous injections. Sixty-four instances of medical or psychiatric complications including seizures, abscesses, depression, and psychosis occurred in the 69 pentazocine and tripelennamine users. A possible pharmacologic explanation of the seizures and psychiatric complications is advanced. Most users of pentazocine and tripelennamine started the use in an attempt to withdraw from heroin or because of the poor quality of heroin available.
45 citations
TL;DR: While data initially indicated a superiority of the combined treatment program, this superiority faded over time, and the effectiveness of one particular antagonist, naltrexone, was examined under two conditions: when administered alone, and when administered in conjunction with behavior therapy.
Abstract: Recently, narcotic antagonists (drugs which block the euphoric effects of opiates) and behavior therapy have both been proposed as possible treatments for heroin addiction. In the present study the effectiveness of one particular antagonist, naltrexone, was examined under two conditions: (1) when administered alone, and (2) when administered in conjunction with behavior therapy. Measures of treatment effect included number of days on naltrexone, number of weeks in the program, reported side effects, and number of dirty urines in each treatment. While data initially indicated a superiority of the combined treatment program, this superiority faded over time. Results are discussed in terms of program start-up effects (especially when using experimental drugs), terms of process versus outcome measurement, and in terms of societal pressure operating against the success of heroin treatment in minority populations with poor job skills.
44 citations
TL;DR: Preliminary data are reported on 10 former heroin addicts who have maintained long-term occasional patterns of heroin use, with emphasis on the degree of their past addiction and present control.
Abstract: Preliminary data are reported on 10 former heroin addicts who have maintained long-term occasional patterns of heroin use. Emphasis is placed on the degree of their past addiction and present control. The implication of the existence of such users for etiological theories, treatment, and further research are discussed.
44 citations
TL;DR: The Horn-Waingrow Smoker Survey was administered to subjects in 1973 and again in 1976, and factor analyses showed that the original factor structure could be satisfactorily replicated at both times, and that the addition of Coan's new items contributed only one new factor.
Abstract: A review of recent research shows that some consensus on the number, nature, and function of smoking motives or styles is emerging. Large-scale studies on the stability of motives and the utility of the smoking motive model, however, have not yet been reported. To test the factorial replicability and longitudinal stability of smoking motives, the Horn-Waingrow Smoker Survey was administered to subjects in 1973 and again in 1976, together with 20 additional items developed by Coan. Subjects were 1,340 current and former adult male smokers. Factor analyses showed that the original factor structure could be satisfactorily replicated at both times, and that the addition of Coan's new items contributed only one new factor. The 3-year stability coefficients for both continuing and former smokers ranged from. 45 to. 67, consistent with the idea that smoking motives are a relatively stable reflection of personality needs and traits.
41 citations
TL;DR: Six rational psychopathic state scales for Impulsivity, Egocentricity, Needs, Hypophoria (negative feeling states), Sociopathy, and High were revised by selecting items within a rational category which most highly differentiated psychopaths as exemplified by opiate addicts and alcoholics from normals.
Abstract: Six rational psychopathic state scales for Impulsivity, Egocentricity, Needs, Hypophoria (negative feeling states), Sociopathy, and High (search for “highs”) were revised by selecting items within a rational category which most highly differentiated psychopaths as exemplified by opiate addicts (N = 28) and alcoholics (N = 53) from normals (N = 54) and which also most highly correlated with the parent rational scale or correlated most highly with the differentiating items. These procedures were effective in deriving scales which more highly differentiated alcoholics and addicts from normals and which were more reliable in each criterion group. It is thought that the scales will be useful in the study of the prevalence of or changes in psychopathic states.
41 citations
TL;DR: Drug use by Native American adolescents from five Southwestern tribes is compared with a large national sample and Native Americans show higher use of alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants from the 7th through the 12th grade.
Abstract: Drug use by Native American adolescents from five Southwestern tribes is compared with a large national sample. Native Americans show higher use of alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants from the 7th through the 12th grade. They show lower use of barbiturates. Peyote may be seen as less dangerous than LSD. There are no significant differences for other drugs. Cultural characteristics that may influence potential danger from drug use and intervention strategies are noted.
40 citations
TL;DR: A high degree of problem-related communication with parents and closeness of relationship with parents are associated with lower probability of drinking, while low problem- related communication with peers is associated with less frequent drinking.
Abstract: The data reported here are from a study of all eighth and and twelfth grade students ih three counties of north central Idaho. Questions were administered in the classroom setting by the senior author and an assistant. At least 16% of eighth graders and 34% of twelfth graders in north central Idaho counties drink frequently. A much higher proportion drink occasionally. Drinking behavior of parents and closeness of relationship with parents are strongly related to drinking patterns. An even stronger relationship exists between drinking and peer relationships. A high degree of problem-related communication with parents is associated with lower probability of drinking, while low problem-related communication with peers is associated with less frequent drinking.
TL;DR: The effects of mothering and addiction proved to be additive such that addict mothers were extremely high on this scale and was discussed in terms of the parental home environment of addict women.
Abstract: Parenting attitudes of female heroin addicts were investigated in a single factor design which compared addict mothers, addict non-mothers, nonaddict mothers, and nonaddict nonmothers. A principal components factor analysis was performed on the PARI and used as the dependent measure. A factor labeled "authoritarian overinvolvement" emerged which significantly differentiated between groups. Further, the effects of mothering and addiction proved to be additive such that addict mothers were extremely high on this scale. This result was discussed in terms of the parental home environment of addict women.
TL;DR: The findings indicate that drug and alcohol use are linked to individual differences in a more complex way than is typically studied.
Abstract: Interest in examining more precisely the relationships between specific motives for drug and alcohol use and personality prompted the undertaking of this study. By means of a series of canonical correlation analyses, patterns of self-attributed reasons for drug and alcohol use were interrelated to a battery of individual difference variables drawn from the domains of personality needs, daydreaming and mental style, optimal level of stimulation, and locus of control. The findings indicate that drug and alcohol use are linked to individual differences in a more complex way than is typically studied.
TL;DR: Methadone maintenance averaging 30 mg/day achieved similar "success' rates as other studies using larger daily doses, but did so at the expense of retaining fewer clients in treatment.
Abstract: Addicts were maintained on a daily average methadone dose of 30 mg. Clients remaining in treatment for 6 and 12 months were compared to clients dropping out of treatment within the first 30 days and followed up 1 year later. Results showed that clients remaining in treatment showed significant reductions in heroin usage and arrests, and large increases in full-time employment. One year later, the dropouts were doing as poorly as they had 1 year earlier. Methadone maintenance averaging 30 mg/day achieved similar “success' rates as other studies using larger daily doses, but did so at the expense of retaining fewer clients in treatment. It was recommended that treatment strategies be designed to impact at the first 30 days of treatment to retain them in treatment in view of the beneficial effects awaiting them if they stay.
TL;DR: The consistency of the obtained discriminant results across four different samples suggests that rather than seeking some superordinate personality trait to differentiate substance users from nonusers, a general cluster of variables which may be described under the rubric "hang loose ethic" will best separate the groups.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which subjects comprising substance use criterion groups (nonusers, alcohol only users, marijuana only users, polydrug users) could be differentiated on the basis of theoretically relevant personality and inner experience constructs. The test battery included variable from the domains of needs, daydreaming and mental style, optimal level of stimulation, and locus of control. Separate stepwise discriminant analyses were computed for males and females in order to predict drug-use pattern. The analyses were replicated, and the best set of predictor variables was used to predict classifications in different samples. The results indicate that it is possible to differentiate among the criterion groups in a statistically reliable manner on the basis of well-conceived assessment instruments with an accuracy of 60 to 65%. The consistency of the obtained discriminant results across four different samples suggests that rather than seeking some superordinate personality trait to differentiate substance users from nonusers, a general cluster of variables which may be described under the rubric "hang loose ethic" will best separate the groups.
TL;DR: In January 1974, the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, assisted by the Census Bureau, interviewed 10,400 inmates of state correctional facilities, which showed that an estimated 61% of the 191,000 inmates stated they had used drugs such as heroin, methadone, cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, or barbiturates at some point in their lives, without a doctor's prescription and outside of a treatment program.
Abstract: In January 1974, the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, assisted by the Census Bureau, interviewed 10,400 inmates of state correctional facilities. Results from this survey were applicable to 191,400 inmates, which was the estimated population of all state correctional facilities at the time of the survey. Findings showed that an estimated 61% of the 191,400 inmates stated they had used drugs such as heroin, methadone, cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, or barbiturates at some point in their lives, without a doctor's prescription and outside of a treatment program. A greater percentage of inmates presently convicted of property crimes (61%) had ever used drugs than inmates convicted of violent crimes (56%)--a difference which becomes greater when inmates convicted of robbery are removed from the violent crime category, particularly since seven out of every 10 inmates presently convicted of robbery had ever used drugs. Around one out of every four inmates stated they were using drugs daily, or almost daily, at the time of any of their present offense(s) resulting in imprisonment. Around one in every three inmates presently convicted of robbery was using drugs daily at this time. Classifying inmates according to daily drug use at this time resulted in the finding that a significantly smaller proportion of inmates with daily drug use at this time were presently convicted of "violent crimes" (41%) than inmates with no drug use (57%). In this survey, inmates were asked if they were under the influence of any drugs at the time of any of the offense(s) causing their present imprisonment. Around one in four of all inmates responded affirmatively to this question. Inmates were asked if they had been drinking at the time of any of the offenses resulting in their being in prison at this time. Four out of every 10 stated they had. Taken together with other drugs, six out of every 10 inmates were either under the influence of drugs, or had been drinking, at the time of any of the offenses causing imprisonment now. When the population was asked about enrollment in drug treatment programs, responses were that only 4% of all inmates were enrolled at the time of any of the present offenses resulting in imprisonment, while around 9% had been enrolled in drug treatment prior to the time of their present offenses.
TL;DR: Findings must be approached with great caution, since the research was frequently scientifically inadequate, and since rigor of research was negatively correlated with intensity and duration of program services.
Abstract: This article reviews 35 drug abuse prevention program evaluations employing drug-specific outcome measures. Many of these evaluations assessed the effects of "new generation" prevention strategies: affective, peer-oriented, and multidimensional approaches. Only 14 studies evaluated purely informational programs. Evaluations were analyzed to ascertain (1) characteristics of the programs under study, (2) characteristics of the research designs, and (3) patterns among findings. This review provides some evidence that the newer prevention strategies may produce more positive and fewer negative outcomes than did older drug information approaches. Over 70% of the programs using the newer strategies produced some positive effects; only 29% showed negative effects. In contrast, 46% of informational programs showed positive effects; 46% showed negative effects. These findings must be approached with great caution, since the research was frequently scientifically inadequate, and since rigor of research was negatively correlated with intensity and duration of program services.
TL;DR: The results suggested that previously reported correlates of program retention may not be generalizable across common treatment modalities, such as methadone maintenance, but are only descriptive of the specific programs which were studied.
Abstract: The relationship of 14 background characteristics, 11 psychological test scores, and 4 psychiatric ratings with 207 heroin addicts' lengths of stay in methadone maintenance and with whether or not they dropped out of treatment were studied. Living with other addicts was positively related to length of stay and not with dropping out of treatment. Being Black, admitting to past suicide attempts, and describing oneself as vigorous and active at admission were inversely related to dropping out. The results suggested that previously reported correlates of program retention may not be generalizable across common treatment modalities, such as methadone maintenance, but are only descriptive of the specific programs which were studied.
TL;DR: It was found by analyzing their urine that 82.9% of these patients used illicit drugs during the research period, seriously question the validity of the use of acupuncture in methadone withdrawal.
Abstract: Acupuncture was applied to 35 patients in a blind control manner in methadone withdrawal over a period of 6 months. It was found by analyzing their urine that 82.9% of these patients used illicit drugs during the research period. Results of the study seriously question the validity of the use of acupuncture in methadone withdrawal. The factors influencing the use of illicit drugs are discussed.
TL;DR: Results suggest that there are important differences in personality, motivational, drug use, and value system characteristics between Black and White drug abusers.
Abstract: A cross-validation approach was used to explore potential differences in degree and type of psychopathology among sex and race subgroups of 428 drug abusers applying to two geographically distant treatment programs. Dimensions of psychopathology were measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and analyses of covariance and chi-square procedures were used to compare subgroups on scale elevations and types of psychopathology. Personality characteristics were highly similar across treatment programs, and applicants were characterized by antisocial, passive-dependent, and psychotic symptomatology. Men and women differed little in extent or type of psychopathology, suggesting that women were no more psychologically aberrant than men. White drug abusers were more antisocial, behaviorally deviant, and neurotic than Blacks, but subgroups did not differ in type of psychopathology. Interpreted in the context of other research, results suggest that there are important differences in personal...
TL;DR: The study suggests that A.A.A.'s affiliates who are among the more seriously impaired when they come to this organization tend to make less stable members of this organization.
Abstract: The study suggests that A.A. affiliates who are among the more seriously impaired when they come to A.A. tend to make less stable members of this organization. Also, affiliates who are younger, male, lower in SES, have more slips, are in A.A. shorter time, and less involved in A.A. activities tend to be less stable members. Implications for treatment are suggested.
TL;DR: Eighty male ex-heroin addicts were given a standardized interview to investigate Their reasons for beginning and continuing heroin use, and changes in popularity of motives at different stages of addiction were found.
Abstract: Eighty male ex-heroin addicts were given a standardized interview to investigate Their reasons for beginning and continuing heroin use. The relative popularity of motives is presented. Changes in popularity of motives at different stages of addiction were found, and a view of the motivational development of addiction is discussed. An oblique rotation factor analysis was used to investigate relationships between motives. Seven factors were identified for "beginning" motives, and correlations between the factors suggested two contrasting motivational syndromes. Motives for continuing heroin use also yielded seven factors, but with a different hierarchy of importance. "Continuing" factors were generally more complex and more frequently correlated with each other than "beginning" factors suggesting that continuing heroin use is a more multidetermined phenomenon than beginning it, and one in which it is more difficult to identify discrete motivational syndromes. Implications for future research and treatment are suggested.
TL;DR: A follow-up study was conducted of a sample of 360 former clients of the Narcotics Treatment Administration program in Washington, D.C, indicating that a general decrease in drug use has occurred between the period immediately preceding treatment and time of the interview.
Abstract: A follow-up study was conducted of a sample of 360 former clients of the Narcotics Treatment Administration program in Washington, D.C. Ninety-five percent of the persons sampled were located, and interviews were successfully completed with 81 percent of the total sample. Interviews were conducted 1 to 3 years following treatment. Findings indicate that a general decrease in drug use has occurred between the period immediately preceding treatment and time of the interview. Improvements were also realized in arrests and in employment and other prosocial activities.
TL;DR: The paper suggests that the relevant problem connected with addicts' self-reports is not whether they are to be trusted or not, but rather what types of questions and situations best lend themselves to be researched when using retrospective techniques.
Abstract: A review of the literature and a report of an empirical inquiry both suggest that retrospective inquiries, based on addicts' self-reports, are, in very many cases, valid and reliable The paper suggests that the relevant problem connected with addicts' self-reports is not whether they are to be trusted or not, but rather what types of questions and situations best lend themselves to be researched when using retrospective techniques
TL;DR: The data suggest that the potentiality for an upward trend in use remains a constant danger, and that the attitudes became increasingly permissive and inclined to denial of danger.
Abstract: Monitoring revealed a consistent relationship between attitude and use for those drugs which showed a definite trend in use, whether upward or downward. Increasing use, which applied to five of the eight groups of drugs surveyed, was associated with a more permissive attitude to use and an increasing denial of danger. The reverse applied to decreasing use, found only in the case of the stimulants. On the other hand, in the case of drugs which showed no change in the rate of use, a change in attitudes could still occur. In the case of tobacco and narcotics, which showed no significant overall change in use during the 3 years of monitoring, the change in attitudes reflected the effects of intervention programs. The data are interpreted to indicate that health education had arrested an upward trend in use by discouraging the potential moderate user, but failed to influence the heavy user, whose numbers increased. Reflecting the associated change in attitudes, nonusers became increasingly inclined to prohibit...
TL;DR: The progress of two groups of patients on methadone maintenance were compared by examining urine results for use or nonuse of illicit drugs, attainment of a drug-free status, employment, continuous time in treatment, and take-out-of-clinic (TOC) medication.
Abstract: The progress of two groups of patients on methadone maintenance were compared by examining urine results for use or nonuse of illicit drugs, attaiment of a drug-free status, employment, continuous time in treatment, and take-out-clinic (TOC) medication (an assessment of a patient's overall progress as determined by the treatment team). Four paraprofessional counselors with an average education level of 12.7 years followed Group A patients (CGA) while five master's degree trained counselors followed Group B patients (CGB) (Table 1).
TL;DR: For instance, the authors found that personality factors fared poorly in distinguishing users from nonusers with the exception of anxiety and IQ for hallucinogen use only, while social factors seem to play a major role in the spread of drug use.
Abstract: Retrospective data on 106 young people collected 10 years prior to this study as well as contemporaneous data were analyzed to determine predictors of drug use. Results indicate that personality factors fared poorly in distinguishing users from nonusers with the exception of anxiety and IQ for hallucinogen use only. Users tended to have high IQs and low anxiety. Social factors seem to play a major role in the spread of drug use. The initiator of the adolescent into drug use is not a group leader but rather an equal status peer group member. Factors in the spread of drug use follow similar patterns for licit as well as illicit drugs.
TL;DR: The techniques used for treating compulsive gamblers include psychoanalytic psychotherapy, aversion therapy, marital therapy, and self-help groups (Gamblers Anonymous).
Abstract: The techniques used for treating compulsive gamblers are reviewed. They include psychoanalytic psychotherapy, aversion therapy, marital therapy, and self-help groups (Gamblers Anonymous). The problems especially important in treating compulsive gamblers include lack of motivation for change and the role of the significant others in maintaining the gambler as the scapegoat of the family. Although therapists report good success in treating gamblers, the sporadic nature of gambling probably inflates "success' rates.
TL;DR: The findings here are based on a two-wave study that suggested the need for fundamental revisions in both the eligibility requirements for and the distribution system of opium coupons to those who legally received opium, the registered addicts of Iran's opium maintenance program.
Abstract: Much of evaluative research in the drug abuse field to date has centered on the outcome comparison of different treatment and rehabilitation modalities. Consequently, despite avowed interest in policy research by the students of drug abuse to a great extent and, in part, due to lack of research opportunities, there have not been many action-oriented evaluative policy researches even in the industrially advanced countries. On the other hand, the piecemeal accumulation of information through numerous ad hoc drug-related research activities has signaled the need for more integrated research activities on a comprehensive scale, embracing both the demand and supply dimensions of drug abuse. In the absence of substantive inputs from drug policy research, there is a real danger that the call for comprehensive approaches may once again, by default, neglect the crucial dimension of macro policy. This paper presents the findings of an action research design for evaluation of Iran's opium maintenance program. As suc...
TL;DR: Women alcoholics were somewhat lower in self-esteem than male alcoholics, less internal in locus of control, and less sex-role traditional than men alcoholics and when respondents with high Lie scores were eliminated, these results remained constant.
Abstract: Alcoholic women were lower on self-esteem and higher on alienation, neuroticism, and anxiety than "normal" women. On one comparison, alcoholic women appeared somewhat higher on conscious femininity and lower on unconscious femininity, while in another analysis they did not differ from normal women. Women alcoholics were somewhat lower in self-esteem than male alcoholics, less internal in locus of control, and less sex-role traditional than men alcoholics. When respondents with high Lie scores were eliminated from the analyses, these results remained constant.