Showing papers in "Substance Use & Misuse in 1983"
TL;DR: The reliability and stability of self-reports of licit and illicit drug use are estimated using longitudinal data, and found to be rather high, although there appears to be a tendency for discrepant reporting of marijuana and alcohol use to be correlated within time.
Abstract: The reliability and stability of self-reports of licit and illicit drug use are estimated using longitudinal data, and found to be rather high. An apparent inconsistency in reporting (less use over a 12-month period than would be expected based on use reported over a 30-day period) is examined (1) for association with personal characteristics and (2) for individual consistency over time. Neither individual consistency nor significant associations are found, although there appears to be a tendency for discrepant reporting of marijuana and alcohol use to be correlated within time. The data used are from the Monitoring the Future project, an ongoing nationwide study of high school seniors, with follow-up surveys after graduation.
463 citations
TL;DR: A study of 114 male and female alcoholics was conducted to evaluate the validity of information obtained by means of self-report questionnaires, and the results contradict the assumption that the alcoholics' self-reports were not accurate.
Abstract: A study of 114 male and female alcoholics was conducted to evaluate the validity of information obtained by means of self-report questionnaires. Factor analysis was used to derive composite measures of alcohol dependence, withdrawal symptomatology, pathological intoxication, and alcoholic psychosis. Validation was conducted by comparing these measures with independent and external criteria; that is, drinking estimates made by collateral informants, measures of general alcohol involvement, and drinking behavior 6 months after treatment.
190 citations
TL;DR: Evidence from the analysis of the survey data suggests that adolescent self-reports are, in most cases, reliable and valid, and that the setting in which respondents complete questionnaires does not, in general, result in systematic reporting bias.
Abstract: Given the sensitive topic of drug abuse and the private nature of the family, researchers must overcome a number of methodological obstacles when studying drug abuse and the family. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adolescents would provide honest and accurate answers to drug use questions in the context of their homes with their families participating in the same survey. Although there is no direct objective validation of the self-report measures used in this study, evidence from the analysis of the survey data suggests that adolescent self-reports are, in most cases, reliable and valid, and that the setting in which respondents complete questionnaires does not, in general, result in systematic reporting bias.
172 citations
TL;DR: Children of MM mothers performed more poorly than children of NDA mothers on measures of intelligence, development, and socially adaptive behavior; and there were no differences between the two groups of mothers on their parenting attitudes.
Abstract: The present study compared 15 mothers on methadone maintenance (MM) and their 15 preschool children to 15 non-drug-addicted mothers (NDA) and their 15 preschool children on mothers' personalities and parenting attitudes, the mother-child interaction, and on children's intelligence and developmental levels Findings showed that in comparison to the control group, MM mothers performed less adaptively on measures of personality and parenting behavior There were no differences between the two groups of mothers on their parenting attitudes Children of MM mothers performed more poorly than children of NDA mothers on measures of intelligence, development, and socially adaptive behavior
135 citations
TL;DR: These findings suggest, as stress theory postulates, that number of risk factors predicts drug abuse better than any particular set of risk Factor, but no one combination reliably predicts better than the other.
Abstract: Current knowledge points to several psychosocial risk factors, each of which correlates with drug abuse but does not explain all of the variance Predictive studies have shown that combinations of these risk factors predict drug abuse better than any single risk factor does, but no one combination reliably predicts better than any other These findings suggest, as stress theory postulates, that number of risk factors predicts drug abuse better than any particular set of risk factors
89 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that women addicts are especially sensitive to the effects of life stressors and tend to lack the support systems which are available to the males.
Abstract: A longitudinal study was conducted with 49 clients recently discharged from heroin detoxification programs. Interviews were conducted at monthly intervals for 3 months, and information was gathered on drug use, stressful life events experienced, the availability of social support, and the presence of psychiatric symptomatology. Clients who reentered treatment (i.e., methadone maintenance) reported increasing social support over the 3-month period, decreased their use of heroin and several other drugs, and evidenced decreased depression and anxiety. The remainder of the sample evidenced no significant changes over time. Cross-correlation analysis was applied to the data for males and females, separately. The results suggest that women addicts are especially sensitive to the effects of life stressors and tend to lack the support systems which are available to the males. As a means of coping with stressors, in the absence of support, the female addict appears to “self-medicate “with illegal drugs.
85 citations
TL;DR: Follow-up data on 900 inpatients at eight hospital-based chemical dependency treatment centers demonstrate a high correlation between total abstinence 6 months after discharge and weekly attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous during this period, suggesting that alcoholics Anonymous is an appropriate and beneficial aftercare for the majority of treatment inpat patients.
Abstract: Follow-up data on 900 inpatients at eight hospital-based chemical dependency treatment centers demonstrate a high correlation between total abstinence 6 months after discharge and weekly attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous during this period. Almost three-fourths (73%) of the regular attendees remained chemically free, compared with one-third (33%) of the nonattendees. These data suggest that Alcoholics Anonymous is an appropriate and beneficial aftercare for the majority of treatment inpatients.
79 citations
TL;DR: The results reveal that fear appeals are successful in strengthening students' intentions to refrain from drinking and implications are discussed for implementing these principles and for designing future investigations of alcohol abuse prevention programs.
Abstract: Despite the importance of alcohol abuse prevention programs, the effectiveness of many components of these programs has not been demonstrated empirically. An experiment tested the efficacy of three components of many prevention programs: fear appeals, one- versus two-sided message style, and the expertise of the source. The persuasive impact of this information was examined on 113 ninth-grade students' intentions to abstain from drinking alcohol while they are teenagers. The results reveal that fear appeals are successful in strengthening students' intentions to refrain from drinking. Implications are discussed for implementing these principles and for designing future investigations of alcohol abuse prevention programs.
68 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that although the disease concept is widely held, the image of the term "alcoholic" remains highly stigmatized and have implications for clinicians in the areas of labeling and the phenomenon of client denial.
Abstract: Acceptance by the client of the label “alcoholic” is viewed by many practitioners as a prerequisite to alcohol abuse recovery. This study demonstrates, however, that the label is a highly stigmatized term associated with the skid row habitue. The 1956 American Medical Association acceptance of alcoholism as within the “purview of medical practice” was an important step for those who believed alcoholism could be destigmatized under the disease label. This study demonstrates that although the disease concept is widely held, the image of the term “alcoholic” remains highly stigmatized. These findings have implications for clinicians in the areas of labeling and the phenomenon of client denial.
49 citations
TL;DR: Findings on the intelligence testing indicated that on the average the pathological gamblers were of bright normal intelligence and group profile results on the POI were essentially within normal limits with a tendency toward time incompetency noted, suggesting difficulty living fully in the present here and now.
Abstract: A sample of 23 veterans entering the Pathological Gambling Treatment Program at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Miami, Florida, were administered a battery of tests including the following: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS), and the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI). Findings on the intelligence testing indicated that on the average the pathological gamblers were of bright normal intelligence with a mean WAIS Full Scale IQ of 116.78, mean Verbal IQ of 119.30, and a mean Performance IQ of 111.30. Group profile results on the MMPI showed significant mean clinical scale elevations on two of the nine clinical scales: Scale 2, Depression; and Scale 4, Psychopathic Deviate. Group profile results on the EPPS indicated relatively high scores on the variables of achievement, exhibition, autonomy, dominance, and heterosexuality; and relatively low scores on the variables of deference, order, and ...
48 citations
TL;DR: This study found that coercion facilitates success for certain population groups, only by certain criteria for certain treatment settings, and confirmation of the maturing-out process with regard to treatment of heroin addicts was noted.
Abstract: The impact of coercion in rehabilitation of drug abusers was examined in a 1979 study of a population of drug abusers in treatment programs in South Jersey, The experimental group consisted of patients in treatment through the TASC program, while the control group was made up of patients who had voluntarily committed themselves to treatment. A validated interview schedule was utilized for both coerced and noncoerced groups. Data analysis utilized analysis of contingency tables involving χ2 tests of significance and Pearsons Correlation Coefficients, as well as one-way and two-way analyses of variance. This study found that coercion facilitates success for certain population groups (e.g., older, longer-term heroin addicts), only by certain criteria (e.g., arrest and abstinence) for certain treatment settings (e.g., drug-free vs methadone maintenance programs). Confirmation of the maturing-out process with regard to treatment of heroin addicts was also noted. Based on study findings and literature review, a...
TL;DR: A household survey of 794 adults in metropolitan Boston found that among men, mean alcohol consumption was significantly higher in bars than in other settings and significantly higher with friends than with spouse and relatives.
Abstract: Previous studies have related the level of alcohol consumption to several context variables. The present study investigates the relationship between context variables and drinking levels. A household survey of 794 adults in metropolitan Boston found that among men, mean alcohol consumption was significantly higher in bars than in other settings and significantly higher with friends than with spouse and relatives. Among women, drinking location interacted significantly with type of companions. Mean consumption with friends was significantly higher in bars than in other settings. Mean consumption with relatives was significantly lower in home contexts than in other settings.
TL;DR: The major findings were that polydrug users scored higher in sensation seeking than depressant users, and that this effect was independent of demographic differences between groups.
Abstract: Sensation Seeking Scale scores were obtained from two groups of drug program clients: poly drug users and opiate and depressant drug users. The major findings were that polydrug users scored higher in sensation seeking than depressant users, and that this effect was independent of demographic differences between groups. These results suggest that the sensation-seeking motive may be a significant factor for polydrug, but not depressant, abuse patterns.
TL;DR: The status of the drug-dependent individual as a psychiatric patient and the resultant treatment implications when such a patient is viewed from within, rather than exclusive of, the mental health treatment delivery system are discussed.
Abstract: This article explores countertransferential and attitudinal considerations in relation to their impact on the evaluation, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of drug-dependent individuals. Following a literature survey of the manner in which countertransference has been applied to the treatment of drug dependency, the authors discuss the status of the drug-dependent individual as a psychiatric patient and the resultant treatment implications when such a patient is viewed from within, rather than exclusive of, the mental health treatment delivery system. A number of examples are provided of patient-induced countertransferential reactions, in addition to specific attitudinal factors often present in the treatment of addiction.
TL;DR: Personal control beliefs of smokers and nonsmokers in several high schools were analyzed for embedding implicit suggestions into an interventional format and Motivational and self-regulative characteristics of participants were also examined.
Abstract: In the first stage of the present study, personal control beliefs of smokers and nonsmokers in several high schools were analyzed. This attitudinal information was utilized for embedding implicit suggestions into an interventional format. The cognitive-behavioral intervention in two high schools consisted of identified smokers receiving various reinforcements for coping behaviors relevant to cigarette control. Matched groups in two other high schools received popular tips on how to quit smoking. Only subjects in the cognitive-behavior condition reported a significant smoking reduction at 1-month and 3-month posttests. Subjects receiving the cognitive-behavioral program revised their ideal level of marijuana consumption downward and differed on certain other beliefs compared to the popular tips group. Motivational and self-regulative characteristics of participants were also examined through in-depth questioning.
TL;DR: Four carefully matched groups, each containing nine male, chronic users of a specific type of substance, were compared with each other and with a group of nine nonusers, and the MMPI was found to reveal more group differences than the 16 PF.
Abstract: Four carefully matched groups, each containing nine male, chronic users of a specific type of substance, were compared with each other and with a group of nine nonusers. Each person was elaborately studied in a representative case research, but this report presents only data from two tests of intelligence (the Revised Beta and the WAIS) and two tests of personality (the MMPI and 16 PF). Extensive descriptive information is presented to characterize the participants. Groups were found not to differ on scores on intelligence tests, and the MMPI was found to reveal more group differences than the 16 PF. Users of barbiturates and sedative-hypnotics were most severely maladjusted, followed by users of opiates, users of cocaine, users of amphetamine and its congeners, and nonusers. Differences also appeared between combined users of stimulants, combined users of depressants, and nonusers, as well as between all drug users (as a group) and nonusers. This research is offered as a methodological paradigm for evaluating future studies. It illustrates how the representative case method may be expanded to permit comparisons among groups.
TL;DR: Frequency of use and regularity of use were found to predict significantly the length of time subjects had been able to remain abstinent from cigarettes.
Abstract: High-school-aged smokers were surveyed about recent attempts to give up cigarette smoking and about the nature of their smoking behavior, including the duration of the habit, frequency of use, and regularity of use. For smokers who had attempted to quit (72%), a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed. Frequency of use and regularity of use were found to predict significantly the length of time subjects had been able to remain abstinent from cigarettes. The implications of these findings for the categorization and treatment of young smokers are discussed.
TL;DR: Length of stay was positively associated with being Black and secondary drug use of stimulants, but negatively associated with overall symptom distress, and the clinical implications for retaining patients in outpatient drug-free counseling are discussed.
Abstract: The 20 background characteristics and SCL-90-R Global Severity Index scores of 110 patients seeking outpatient drug-free counseling were correlated with (1) their lengths of stay in treatment and (2) whether or not they completed treatment. Length of stay was related to race, occupational level, presence of felony arrests, type of referral, secondary drug use of stimulants, and the SCL90-R Global Severity Index. Completion of treatment was associated with just race; Whites dropped out of treatment more frequently than Blacks. When a multiple stepwise regression analysis was employed with the six significant zero-order psychosocial characteristics for length of stay, only race, secondary stimulant use, and overall symptom distress (SCL-90-R) remained related to length of treatment. Length of stay was positively associated with being Black and secondary drug use of stimulants, but negatively associated with overall symptom distress. The clinical implications for retaining patients in outpatient drug-free co...
TL;DR: This paper is a review of the literature of proposed typologies based upon drinking history, psychopathology, neuropsychological assessment, and family pedigree, with implications for theories of etiology, approaches to treatment, and research methodology.
Abstract: There seems to be a growing consensus that the differential outcome associated with alcoholism suggests different prognoses of specific subgroupings of alcoholic patients. This paper is a review of the literature of proposed typologies based upon drinking history, psycho-pathology, neuropsychological assessment, and family pedigree, with implications for theories of etiology, approaches to treatment, and research methodology. It should serve as an introduction to the series of papers which will follow.
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TL;DR: The findings indicate that no single career line of pattern characterizes all heroin users, and some users quickly progress from initiation to heroin to regular, intermittent use or "chipping" to daily heroin use and physical dependence, others are deflected at various points along the way.
Abstract: This report examines heroin use careers within a sample of 147 Black male heroin addicts and their nonaddicted friends. Based on the extent of their heroin use, subjects were classified into the following subgroups: “light” experimenters, “moderate” experimenters, “heavy” experimenters, and addicts. Our findings indicate that no single career line or pattern characterizes all heroin users. While some users quickly progress from initiation to heroin to regular, intermittent use or “chipping” to daily heroin use and physical dependence, others are deflected at various points along the way. In this report we describe some of the sociobehavioral processes or career contingencies associated with movement from one level of heroin use to the next.
TL;DR: Forty-five patients and their relatives were interviewed by telephone regarding their posttreatment status and in 80% of the cases, the relative described the alcoholic as engaging in excessive drinking and disruptive behavior while the alcoholic denied or minimized these behaviors.
Abstract: Forty-five patients and their relatives were interviewed by telephone regarding their posttreatment status. Questions were asked concerning such areas as drinking, health, employment, family relationships, legal trouble, and AA involvement. In 80% of the cases, there was almost exact agreement between the alcoholic and his relative in all areas. In the remaining cases, the relative described the alcoholic as engaging in excessive drinking and disruptive behavior while the alcoholic denied or minimized these behaviors. The discrepancy between the alcoholic's and the relative's report varied according to area asked about.
TL;DR: White problem-drinking women are more likely than their Black counterparts to perceive difficulties in male-female relations as a major cause of their alcohol problems.
Abstract: This study examines alcohol-related behavior of Black and White female problem drinkers. Subjects included 163 Whites and 38 Blacks currently in treatment. Findings indicate some similarities and important differences between Black and White women in terms of selected factors. When social background factors are held constant, race continues to be a significant predictor of selected drinking behavior factors. In addition, White problem-drinking women are more likely than their Black counterparts to perceive difficulties in male-female relations as a major cause of their alcohol problems. Implications for improving prevention and treatment services to women are discussed.
TL;DR: Subjects with an alcoholic predrinks who viewed alcohol advertisements second, drank more and reached higher blood alcohol concentrations than alcohol predrinkers who viewed the alcohol advertisements first.
Abstract: Three hypotheses related to viewing alcoholic beverage advertising were examined: (1) alcohol advertising cues drinkings, (2) alcohol advertising prompts faster drinking, and (3) drinkers are more influenced by alcohol advertising when they are drinking. Alcoholic beverage advertisements did not increase either the quantity of liquor poured in mixed drinks or the rate of drinking. However, subjects with an alcoholic predrink who viewed alcohol advertisements second, drank more and reached higher blood alcohol concentrations than alcohol predrinkers who viewed the alcohol advertisements first. In some situations, distilled spirits advertisments may encourage continued drinking.
TL;DR: This pedigree study supports the genetic transmission hypothesis for alcoholism and suggests that "assortative mating" may have an effect on the transmission of alcoholism.
Abstract: The focus of this study was on the patterns of appearance of alcoholism in the families of two groups: 90 male and female alcoholic inpatients and 30 control psychiatric inpatients. Results indicated that there was at least one first-degree- or one second-degree-relative family member who was diagnosed as alcoholic in 78% of the male alcoholic proband families and in 75% of the female alcoholic proband families. Prevalence of alcoholism for first- and second-degree relatives was similar. Thus, this pedigree study supports the genetic transmission hypothesis for alcoholism and suggests that “assortative mating” may have an effect on the transmission of alcoholism.
TL;DR: The psychopharmacological rationale and clinical effectiveness of the methadone maintenance treatment program was subjected to critical theoretical and methodological analysis and it was concluded that the MMTP constitutes and perpetuates an immature coping mechanism.
Abstract: The psychopharmacological rationale and clinical effectiveness of the methadone maintenance treatment program was subjected to critical theoretical and methodological analysis. It was concluded (1) that the MMTP constitutes and perpetuates an immature coping mechanism; i.e., “subliminal euphoria”—pervasive pharmacological shielding of addicts from the inevitable discomforts attending adaptation to the real world; (2) that it does not satisfy so-called tissue craving for florid euphoria because most “stabilized” clients actively seek and obtain same from heroin, methadone itself, and/or other potentially euphorogenic drugs; (3) that the source of this craving resides in the addict's personality rather than in his tissues; (4) that official evaluation studies of the MMTP grossly exaggerate its clinical effectiveness; and (5) that the MMTP has inadvertently created incomparably more primary methadone addicts than it has cured heroin addicts.
TL;DR: The linkages between the social control variables, personal biographical data, risk assignments, and self-reported marijuana smoking were significantly different for each of the groups studied.
Abstract: An exploration is undertaken of the relationships between legal control, peer and parental influences, and perceptions of marijuana smoking as risk-taking behavior; and of the use of marijuana in a rural school district that serves a culturally diverse community. Specifically, data were obtained from the school district by means of an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. A total of 605 questionnaires were obtained from the district, including 104 completed by Native American youth. The linkages between the social control variables, personal biographical data, risk assignments, and self-reported marijuana smoking were significantly different for each of the groups studied. In fact, the variables that revealed the most about Caucasian marijuana smoking revealed the least about this activity among the Native Americans, and vice versa. These findings and their implications are explored.
TL;DR: A significant 17-21% reduction in alcohol-related property damage crash involvement among drivers aged 18-19 is attributable to Maine's increase in drinking age, and no demonstrable effect of the raised drinking age on the incidence of injury and fatal crashes was found.
Abstract: The minimum legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages continues to be a controversial issue in North America as numerous jurisdictions that lowered the legal age in the early 1970s are returning to higher drinking ages. Monthly frequencies of motor vehicle crashes among drivers aged 18-45 in the states of Maine and Pennsylvania from 1972 through 1979 were examined using a multiple time series design. Controlling for the effects of long-term trends, seasonal cycles, and other factors with Box-Jenkins time series models, a significant 17-21% reduction in alcohol-related property damage crash involvement among drivers aged 18-19 is attributable to Maine's increase in drinking age. No demonstrable effect of the raised drinking age on the incidence of injury and fatal crashes was found.
TL;DR: The main focus of the paper is to show the flexibility of the capture/recapture approach in handling not only the dependence of samples of heroin users but also the nonhomogeneity of sampling probabilities, allowing estimation in populations which are mixtures of qualitatively different heroin user types.
Abstract: This article reviews two of the major methodologies applied to estimation of the number of heroin abusers: survey research methods and the capture/recapture technique. The main focus of the paper is to show the flexibility of the capture/recapture approach in handling not only the dependence of samples of heroin users but also the nonhomogeneity of sampling probabilities, allowing estimation in populations which are mixtures of qualitatively different heroin user types. Models with these features are illustrated using both simulated and real heroin abuse data.
TL;DR: The data suggest reexamination of two common myths: that heroin users comprise a very unique, albeit undesirable, sample of the general population; and that "overdose" deaths are the result of ignorance, incompetence, or indifference.
Abstract: On-site investigations involving interviews with spouses, friends, co-workers, supervisors, and commanders were conducted following 37 deaths or near-deaths by drug overdose among U.S soldiers stationed in Europe. Subjects were all active-duty soldiers put on the seriously ill list at any Army hospital with an initial diagnosis which included suspected drug overdose. Victims were typically single Black males, less than 22, high school graduates in excellent health. They had been in Germany 7-24 months, liked their jobs, and were judged better than average workers by both peers and supervisors. Fifty percent played on a unit sports team, 6 of 10 had German girlfriends, and one-third had prior disciplinary problems. Although nearly half had been previously identified as having a drug or alcohol problem, only two or three could be called addicts in even the broadest sense. Six cases were suicide gestures, and only these six cases did not involve heroin and/or alcohol. The modal case followed a party, with su...