bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated Treatment Programme for Young Adults with Concurrent Disorders
Authors: Amaladoss A. , MacCullam K. , MacPherson B.
Published: March 2009

Background:

The incidence of substance use, abuse and dependence seem to be increasing (1). It is probable that underlying mental illness, may reinforce individual's continuing substance indulgence (2), and If not intervened early, the consequence of this not only affects individual health, but also poses the threat of them procreating future sufferers.

Objective:

To detect mental illness at an early stage, in young adults with drug indulging behavior, and early intervention could be attempted.

Method:

A pilot project has been undertaken, for young adults (16-20 years) with concurrent disorder providing integrated intensive treatment program for six months. 12 patients were enrolled the study and 8 patients completed the study. A questionnaire has been devised to detect the probable existence of concurrent disorders. Assessment in all tridimensional spheres and intervened concurrently by the multidisciplinary team members. The outcome measures with the patients and the personnel were assessed by an independent assessor. The sensitivity and specificity of the devised questionnaire, has been measured.

Result:

There is significant correlation between underlying mental illness with drug indulgence and specific drug preference with type of mental illness have been elicited. The outcome measures along with the sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire have been found significantly positive.

Conclusion:

It seems that the integrated treatment program is quite effective although resource consuming.

Limitation:

Small sample and limited duration which needs further replication.
Gender Prevalences of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence in Primary Care
Authors: Amara G. , Gorsane M.A. , Ben Nasr S. , Ben Hadj Ali B.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

In Tunisia and in most Muslim countries, alcohol consumption has remained taboo. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence in an adult primary care population and to compare gender prevalences and characteristics.

Method:

This is a cross-sectional prevalence survey conducted in the district of Sousse from June to November 2006. Thirty primary care centers have been randomly selected. The sample was composed of 2576 subjects aged 18 years and more. Participants were interviewed by psychiatrists and medical trainers using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, which was translated into the Tunisian dialect and validated.

Results:

Females represented 78% of the whole sample. The lifetime prevalence rates of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence were respectively 2,9% and 0,7%. The lifetime prevalences in the male subgroup were 12,9% for alcohol abuse and 3% for alcohol dependence. Only one case of alcohol abuse was found in the female subgroup.

Conclusion:

The related alcohol disorders among the men of our study are as frequent as among occidental ones. The related alcohol disorders among women were unexpectedly very low. However, a similar result was reported in an other study conducted in the United Arabic Emirates. This gender alcohol use discrepancy, found in our study, led to two main interrogations. The first one concerning the usefulness of the alcohol disorder structured interviews among Arabic women and the second concerning the Arabic women beliefs about alcohol consumption (Is it a result of religious thoughts or a deny?).
Monocyte Chemotactic Protein - 1 (MCP-1) Concentration in Alcohol Dependent Women
Authors: Augustyńska B. , Araszkiewicz A. , Odrowąż-Sypniewska G. , Grodzki L. , Sobczyk J.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Prolonged alcohol abuse as a chronic disease may increase inflammation and lead to hepatic disorders. Liver fibrosis results from chronic damage to the liver in conjunction with the accumulation of ECM proteins, which is characteristic of most types of chronic liver diseases. The main cause of liver fibrosis include alcohol abuse. The pathological features of hepatic cirrhosis induced by ethanol and other factors are similar. Monocyte chemotactic protein - 1 (MCP-1) is a protein related to inflammation and fibrosis.

The aim of this study was to assess of MCP-1in serum of alcohol dependent women.

Methods:

Study group consisted of 40 inpatients treated in Inpatients Clinic in Toruń. Mean age of females in the study group was 43+/-7 yrs, duration of alcohol dependence 8+/-6 yrs. Control group consisted of 35 healthy women. Monocyte chemotactic protein - 1 (MCP-1) in the serum was determined by ELISA, serum AST and ALT on automatic analyzer.

Results:

Average serum AST was 32,88+/-32,95, ALT 29,76+/-24,48 (U/l). The concentration of MCP-1 was significantly higher in alcohol-dependent female group compared to healthy subjects (360,34ng/ml +/-273,95 vs 240,27ng/ml+/-178,31; p=0,030).

Conclusions:

These results imply that prolonged alcohol abuse leads to increased concentrations of MCP-1 and may in consequence have impact on the pro-inflammatory state related to increased risk of liver fibrosis. Our results suggests that prolonged alcohol abuseas as chronic disease can be a factor of inflammation and lead to hepatic disorders.
Comorbid Borderline Personality Disorder and Alcohol use Disorder: A Case of Combined Psycotherapeutic and Pharmocotherapeutic Interventions
Authors: Martins M. , Castro L.C.
Published: March 2009

Background:

The increasing attention given to dual diagnosis does not correlate with well defined and consensual therapeutic interventions. This issue is particularly evident in the case of comorbid severe personality disorders with clear indication for psychotherapy.

Aim:

To report a case of comorbid borderline personality disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, underlining the impact of dysfunctional personality traits in a specific dangerous pattern of alcohol abuse. To present and discuss a combined psychotherapeutic and pharmocotherapeutic approaches in a dual diagnosis case.

Methods:

Case study and review of the literature.

Results:

A 37 year old woman with a history of alcohol abuse and self-destructive behaviour was referred to an alcohol treatment unit. She had a personal history of childhood parental sexual abuse, alcohol abuse since adolescence and a high risk self-destructive behaviour. A brief psychotherapeutic intervention (weekly 4 months sessions) was started, along with treatment as usual (psychiatric consultation and psychopharmacological treatment). The psychotherapeutic intervention (Person-Centered therapy) focused on her relational difficulties, corresponding to her request - “dealing with unresolved issues in my life”. After the psychotherapeutic intervention, she was able to stop the episodes of alcohol abuse and to reorganize her life at several levels.

Discussion:

Choosing a psychotherapeutic and pharmacological approach for comorbid addiction disorder and personality disorder cases, presents difficulties due to lack of empirical evidence on dual diagnosis treatment. This case of combined psychotherapeutic and pharmacotherapeutic interventions had acknowledged success, in contrast to several prior treatment attempts focused mainly on the alcohol use disorder.
Oxcarbazepine vs. Topiramate in Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Martinotti G. , Di Nicola M. , Tedeschi D. , De Vita O. , Guerriero L. , Guglielmo R. , Mazza M. , Pozzi G. , Janiri L.
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Aim of this randomised, parallel, placebo-controlled group trial was to compare oxcarbazepina and topiramate with placebo on alcohol drinking indices. Craving and psychiatric simptomatology have also been investigated.

Methods:

This randomised, parallel, placebo-controlled psychopharmacology trial studied 60 patients, consecutively recruited, meeting clinical criteria for Alcohol Dependence (DSM-IV). After detoxification, subjects were assigned to flexible doses of oxcarbazepine (n=20), or topiramate (n=20) or placebo (n=20). Withdrawal symptomatology was determined by the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar) and the level of craving for alcohol was evaluated by a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Italian -version of the Obsessive and Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS). Psychiatric symptoms were evaluated with the Symptom Check List 90 Revised (SCL-90 R).

Results:

Non-benzodiazepine anticonvulsants have been shown to be efficacious treatments for the prevention of alcohol relapse although the FDA has yet approved none of these agents. During the congress the main results of this study will be presented.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, this is the first randomised, parallel, placebo-controlled group study to evaluate the efficacy of oxcarbazepine and topiramate compared in alcohol dependent patients. The data of this pilot clinical study suggest and investigate a possible role for the anticonvulsants agents in the treatment of alcohol dependent patients.
Alexithymia and Dissociative Experiences in a Sample of Patients with Alcohol use Disorder
Authors: Di Nicola M. , Martinotti G. , Tedeschi D. , Rondoni A. , Gaglini S. , Mazza M. , Pozzi G. , Bria P. , Janiri L.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

Aims of this study were to investigate alexithymic traits and dissociative experiences in a sample of patients with Alcohol Use Disorders, the significance of this association and the possible correlation with temperamental and character personality traits.

Methods:

Eighty patients with diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder (DSM-IV) were consecutively recruited and assessed with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), to evaluate the alexithymic traits, the Dissociative Experience Scale II (DES II), to investigate the possible presence of dissociative experiences, and the Temperament and Character Inventory - Revised (TCI-R) in order to define a personality profile.

Results:

The mean scores obtained by the experimental group in both the TAS-20 and DES II do not differ from those estimated during the validation procedure. Pearson's linear correlation between scores was found statistically significant (p < .05). Significant correlations with some personality dimensions have also been found.

Conclusions:

According to some authors substances related disorders could be classified as “disturbs of emotional regulation”, an active process in which neurophysiological, motor-behavioural and cognitive-experiential systems are involved. The lack of connection or an inadequate development of these systems would result in the malfunction of the symbolic function and then in the inability for the subject to contain the tensions generated by internal needs and/or by environmental stimulations. Both alexithymia and dissociation may assume the form of defence mechanisms against the unbearable emotions. Finally, some personality factors may be involved both in the rise of dissociative states and in the alexithymic traits.
Differences Observed by ASI-6 among users of Alcohol, Cocaine and Opiates
Authors: Díaz-Mesa E. , Bobes T. , Al-Halabí S. , Flórez G. , Terán A. , Guardia J. , Carreño E. , Rubio G. , Ochoa E. , Pereiro C. , Sáiz P. , García-Portilla P.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

To identify the differences in the ASI-6 scores according to main substance of consumption among patients with drug use disorder who were included at the study of adaptation-validation of the Addiction Severity Index 6th version (ASI-6) into Spanish.

Method:

Multicentre, observational, longitudinal, prospective study. 186 substance dependent/abuser individuals were included. Assessments were made with the Spanish ASI-6.

Results:

Main substance of consumption: 57% alcohol, 19.9% cocaine and 19.4% opiates. Men were 77.4% vs. 81.1% vs. 83.3% (p n.s.), mean ages were 47.12 (SD 10.18) vs. 32.62 (SD 8.20) vs. 36.47 (SD 8.04) years (p< 0.001), and 25.5% vs. 64.9% vs. 55.6% were single (p< 0.001). The greatest severity was found in the Alcohol area in the case of alcohol users (56.86) and in the Family/Social Partner Problems area in the case of cocaine and the opiate users (50.43 and 51.22). Alcohol users had statistically significant greater severity than the other two groups in the Alcohol area (56.86 vs. 49.38 vs. 45.17, p< 0.001) and tended to have lower severity in the Legal area than cocaine users (46.78 vs. 48.43, p 0.079).

Conclusions:

Cocaine users were the youngest and used to be single. The ASI-6 only differentiated in the severity of the Alcohol area. Further studies including a higher proportion of cocaine and opiate users are needed.
Physical Health of Patients with Drug use Disorders
Authors: Díaz-Mesa E. , Bobes T. , Al-Halabí S. , Flórez G. , Terán A. , Guardia J. , Carreño E. , Rubio G. , Ochoa E. , Pereiro C. , Sáiz P. , García-Portilla P.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

To describe the physical health profile of patients with drug use disorders who were included in the study of adaptation-validation of the Addiction Severity Index 6th version (ASI-6) into Spanish.

Method:

Multicentre, observational, longitudinal, prospective study. A total of 194 substance dependent/abuser individuals were included. Assessments were made with the Spanish ASI-6.

Results:

Men were 79.9%, mean ages were 41.08 (SD 11.64), 42.3% were single and 87.6% were acute patients. The severity score in the Physical Health area was 44.32 (SD 9.51). The most prevalent diseases were: 25.3% hepatitis, 11.9% had high blood pressure, 8.2% cirrhosis or hepatic disease, 6.7% epilepsy or convulsions and 5.7% tuberculoses. No statistically significant differences were found according to gender. Acute patients had statistically significant higher proportion of pregnant woman (2.3% vs. 0% p< 0.05) and lower proportion of diabetes (3.5% vs. 12.5% p= 0.05).

Conclusions:

Patients with drug use disorders have a mild-moderate severity of physical health. Physical health is not influenced by gender, but it is by the clinical state.
Acetylcholinesterase-inhibitors in the Treatment of Tobacco Dependence
Authors: Diehl A.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Although alcohol-dependent smokers represent an important group for applying smoking interventions, sufficient pharmacotherapy has not been established in this high-risk group so far. Acetylcholinesterase-inhibitors inhibit the breakdown of Ach. The retention time of this neurotransmitter is prolonged and thereby the efficiency of cholinergic neurotransmission at nAChRs is enhanced. Thus, we suppose a possible substitution of neuronal nicotine effects.

Method:

In order to examine the effect of acetylcholinesterase-inhibitors on tobacco dependence, we performed clinical-pharmacological studies on alcohol and tobacco dependent patients who had already completed an alcohol detox. We investigated galantamine (with positive allosteric modulation, n=114, randomized placebo controlled over 24 weeks) and rivastigmine (without allosteric modulation, n=26, randomized, placebo controlled over 12 weeks) and assesses smoking behavior (diaries, FTND, CO measurements) as well as craving for tobacco (QSU) and alcohol (AUQ).

Results:

Galantamine (Diehl et al., 2006) as well as rivastigmine (Diehl et al., 2008) led to a significant smoking reduction (galantamine: -20% after 24 weeks, rivastigmine: -30% after 12 weeks) without compromising the alcohol abstinence. Patients taking rivastigmine also experienced a significant reduction of nicotine craving (-20%), without any other specific pharmacological or psychotherapeutical action to support the smoking cessation.

Conclusion:

Our preliminary data indicate an effect of galantamine and rivastigmine on tobacco craving and consumption in alcohol dependent smokers. These pilot studies encourage further investigation of acetylcholinesterase-inhibitors as a promising treatment approach regarding tobacco dependence.
Rivastigmine in Treatment of Alcohol - Induced Persisting Dementia
Authors: Djokic G. , Zivkovic N.
Published: March 2009

Alcohol- Induced Persisting Dementia (AIPD) can occur because of both the direct effects of alcohol and specific vitamin deficiencies, and the indirect influence of genetic or neurochemical predisposition.

Aim of this study was to ascertain the efficiency of the rivastigmine therapy in the treatment of AIPD.

Methods:

The prospective clinical study included 101 patients diagnosed in accordance with DSM IV criteria for AIPD. Patients were monitored for 3 months in hospital and outpatient conditions, according to specially designed protocol, which included MMSE, BPRS, CGI1-4 scales, and clock drawing test (CDT). Both the control and the experimental groups were treated with conventional therapy and in addition the experimental group treatment was supplemented with rivastigmine (3-12 mg/24 h).

Results:

The participants were in the same age range, predominantly male, with an similar average illness duration. Average daily rivastigmine dose was 9.76±2.014 mg. An average pretrial MMSE score was around 19, BPRS score was around 50, CGI1 score was around 4.6, and CDT score around 5. Statistically significant differences among the C and E group begin to show after 14th (in BPRS scores)and 28th day of therapy(in MMSE,CDT,and CGI1 scores) (p>0.1) and to become more apparently significant after two and three months of treatment (p>0.5).

Conclusion:

MMSE and CDT scores are significantly higher, and BPRS, CGI1-3 scores significantly lower in rivastigmine group from 14th and 28thday of treatment. Rivastigmine has statistically significant effect in treatment of AIPD.
Some Aspects of Social Phobia and its Relationship with Substance use Disorder
Authors: Dostanic N. , Djeric A. , Daragan-Saveljic J. , Raicevic S.
Published: March 2009

Social Phobia (SP) is one of the most prevalent anxiety disorder, characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People with social phobia have an intense, persistent, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and of doing things that will embarrass them. This excessive anxiety usually leads to avoidance behavior that can severely affect normal daily living. SP usually begins in childhood or early adolescence. There is some evidence that genetic factors are involved.

A number of studies have emphasized the high co-morbidity of social phobia with a number of other psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders. Though clearly elevated there is much debate as to the nature of this relationship. Substance abuse may develop if people try to self-medicate their anxiety and make thamselves more comfortable in social situations. Anxiety may be a result of alcohol or drug abuse due to a substance's anxiogenic effects or through protracted withdrawal syndromes. Substance abusers incur more pathological and unstable life circumstances, making them more susceptible to future stress and anxiety; and there may be a genetic susceptibility in some people which makes them vulnerable to both disorders.

The purpose of this article is to summarize research findings on SP and its complex relationship with substance use disorder. Clinical anxiety and substance abuse both warrant treatment and in all likelihood, each helps perpetuate the other.
LAMOTRIGIN as Psyhostabilisation by Drug Addicts with Psychiatric Comorbidity (Personality Disorder)
Authors: Draskovic S. , Raicevic S.
Published: March 2009

Poster shows attempt to reduce aggressive and impulsive behavior to drug addicts who have co morbidity, by using medication.

At he Special Hospital on Addictions in Belgrade, Serbia, for the past two years LAMOTRIGIN was introduced as a medicament in prevention of impulsive behavior and aggressive behavior by patients who are diagnosed with F60. 2,F19. 2 Test group that didn't use this medication had 35 patients, same as experimental group, All patients, both groups were given Antaxon, opioid antagonist, anti-depressive from SSRI group of medication, also Alprozalam was given for the duration of 24 weeks. By using Barratt's scale for the evaluation of impulsivity and Stuart's scale for the evaluation of aggressiveness, noted results show that LAMOTRIGIN is medication of choice for this kind of dependency. For the efficient evaluation, questionnaires were completed about eventual interventions (pharmacological treatment, psychotherapy).

After all, the question remains, was the addiction one that caused personal disorder or the other way around but the is less important, most important is neutrlised addiction and destructive behavior.
Psychiatric Comorbidity in Patients with Substance Dependence-socio Demographic & Relationship Characteristicsabdul Majid Gania MD
Authors: Gania A.M.
Published: March 2009

Kashmir has observed increase in number of Substance dependence (SD) patients due to various factors like easy availability of drugs, drugs smuggled across border, but most importantly present disturbed conditions for last two decades. Drug use appears to have an important role in etiology and vulnerability to development of psychiatric disorders and vice versa. After DSM IV allowed the clinicians to give multiple diagnosis when different syndromes occur together in one episode of illness, the issue of comorbidity has assumed central stage. A methodical, staged screening and assessment can ease the diagnostic challenge of distinguishing the symptoms of psychiatric disorders from manifestations of substance intoxication and withdrawal. This study was carried out on total of 300 substance dependence patients who were screened for psychiatric disorders by DSM IV based MINI Plus interview. The study revealed that 58% (n=174) had psychiatric comorbidity, with most number of patients between 18-38years age group 87.35% (n=133) and males (n=166) were involved more than females. Unmarried / divorced/ widows had higher (70.48%) Comorbid diagnosis. Unemployed & those associated with tourism transport trade were more commonly involved as were those who developed this comorbid diagnosis due to peer group pressure & after traumatic stress. Those who were using cannabis, Opioids, multiple substances had higher chances of having an associated disorder. Commonly associated psychiatric disorders in these dually diagnosed patients were psychotic disorders (33.90%), mood disorders (32.18%) & post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) in 11.49 %.
Retrospective Study on Various Characteristics of Service Users in a Substance Misuse Outpatients Service in London
Authors: Nodiyal A. Ghosh , Katona E.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

To see the demographic characteristics, co morbidities, past family, psychiatric and forensic history, types of substances misused and treatment provided for patients attending outpatient substance misuse service.

Methods:

50 case notes were looked into, of patients attending from May-July 2008. A detailed tool was designed which looked at; age, gender, ethnic distribution and living conditions. Presence of medical, psychiatric, family, forensic history was noted. The number of substances, psychotherapeutic intervention and treatment was recorded.

Results:

Out of the 50 patients, 35 were males while 15 were females. 9 were between 21-30 years, 27 between 31-50years, 14 over 51. 33 were White British, 7 Black Caribbean, 3 Asians and 2 mixed race.33 out of 50 were single and 25 had stable accommodation. 26 had a family history, 32 had a forensic history and 75% had physical problems. Out of the 50 patients, 18 did not have psychiatric history. 33 used 2 substances, 17 used 3 and 6 out of 50 used 4 substances.14 were given Methadone, 7 Buprenorphine, 13 were on Chlordiazepoxide and 1 switched between opiates.

Conclusions:

There was a preponderance of male users, with majority of patients presenting to services with co-morbid physical conditions. Almost two thirds had a forensic history. About 66% of patients used more than one substance. Apart from one, none had psychotherapeutic intervention, which needs to be considered for the future. The study showed the complex cases that are seen in the Specialist service, and preponderance of poly substance users.
Is Varenicline Able to Prevent Smoking Cessation Induced Affective Symptoms?
Authors: Grosshans M. , Mutschler J. , Hermann D. , Kiefer F. , Diehl A.
Published: March 2009

The selective alpha4-beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) partial agonist varenicline has been shown to be effective in the treatment of tobacco dependence by counteracting withdrawal symptoms and reducing smoking reward. However, the need to test safety, especially in smokers with varying co-morbidities and risk patterns is highlighted. There are some publications reporting exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms in subjects with pre-existing psychiatric disorders associated with varenicline treatment.

This case-report describes a patient whose several smoking cessation attempts led to enduring nicotine-related symptoms such as depression and suicidal tendencies. All further cessation attempts under medical control with nicotine patches, bupropion and psychotherapy failed. At lest reducing her daily dose by one cigarette already led to suicidal thoughts. We took her into inpatient treatment and started an uptitration with varenicline. Unlike earlier attempts there were no complications during the detoxication and depressive symptoms improved clearly.

Affective symptoms like depression are known to develop during nicotine cessation. The improving of affective symptoms in this case might be a result of the partial agonistic effects of varenicline.
Personality and Addiction: Psychological Assessment of Personality Traits in Addicted and Nonaddicted People
Authors: Homayouni A. , Nikpour G.A. , Khanmohammadi A. , Amiri S.J. Mosavi , Aghajanipour H.
Published: March 2009

Introduction & aim:

Since the introduction of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) in 1980, there has been a growing interest in the study of patients with substance use disorders (SUD). The driving force behind this field has been, and still is, the high clinical pessimism about the prognosis, and the difficulties in the clinical management of the characteristics of diagnosed patients. In this way the important matter to study is the evaluation of co-occurring personality problems and substance abuse. So the study investigated the personality traits of addicted and nonadicted people.

Method:

101 addicted people and 101 nonaddicted people were randomly selected and Mc Care & Costa's NEO PI-R inventory was administered on them. Mean scores were compared with T independent tests.

Results:

Findings indicated that there are differences among means of personality traits in two groups. Addicted people are more neurotic and open to experience than nonaddicted people and nonaddicted people are more extroverted, agreeable and conscientiousness than addicted people.

Conclusion:

Findings showed addicted people are more neurotic and open to experience than nonaddicted people and nonaddicted people are more extroverted, agreeable and conscientiousness than addicted people.It indicates that evaluating with reliable measures and with more attentions to personality traits can help the psychiatrists and psychologists to diagnose the cause of tendency to addiction and also reduce the psychological problems that is related with addiction before and in during drug treatment and can reduce duration of treatment and enhance efficacy of treatment methods.
Personality, Pain, Addiction: A New View in Pain Coping Strategies in Relation to Personality Traits in Substance Abusers
Authors: Homayouni A. , Khanmohammadi A. , Nikpour G.A. , Ahmadian M. , Amiri S.J. Mosavi
Published: March 2009

Introduction and aim:

According to recent research about treatment of diseases, pain coping strategies or management of pain can play important role in pain decrease and treatment of disease. But there is a few documented article or reference that imply to pain coping strategies specially in relation to personality in substance abusers. So this pilot study was to assess the relationship between pain coping strategies and personality traits in substance abusers.

Method:

50 addicted were randomly selected and Rosenstein & Keefe's Pain Coping Strategies Questionnaire (PCSQ) and Mc Care & Costa's NEO PI-R inventory were administered on them. PCSQ assesses six pain coping strategies: diverting attention, reinterpretation pain sensation, self -negotiation, ignoring pain, disastrous thought and praying-hoping and NEO assesses five personality traits: Neuroticism, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness to experience.

Results:

Finding showedthe are positive significant relationship between neuroticism and disastrous thought, negative significant relationship between agreeableness and disastrous thought, negative significant relationship between neuroticism and diverting attention, positive significant relationship between extroversion and conscientiousness and diverting attention.

Discussion:

With regard to findings it is recomended that in addition to drug treatment, for changing the attitudes and thinking in addicts, psychiatrits and psychologists apply psychological treatments specially cognitive - behaviour therapy to reduce bad and abnormal thinking level about pain so that the lenght during of treatment declince and as a results reduce the personality problems that is related with addiction before and in during drug treatment.
A Combined Trance-suggestive Method of Forming Antinarcotic Psychological Set
Authors: Iosebadze T.
Published: March 2009

The main aim of the method:

To eliminate psychological dependence of an individual on narcotics.

The basic principles:

1.

bio-psycho-social-religious determinism of a personality;

2.

the principle of psychological set;

3.

the principle of structural-systemic approach;

4.

the principle of differential approach;

5.

the principle of complementarity of various psychotherapeutic approaches;

6.

the principle of creative approach;

7.

the principle of establishing psychotherapeutic relations with a patient;

8.

the principle of determinism of conscious and subconscious psychic phenomena;

9.

the principle of coordinated psychotherapeutic influence upon the patient's consciousness and subconscious psyche.

Psychotherapeutic work stages:

1.

establishment of certain psychotherapeutic relations between the psychotherapist and the patient;

2.

psychological preparation of the patient for work on the formation of an antinarcotic set;

3.

revelation and work with the key components of the patient's antinarcotic set (motivation, the behaviors, the emotions, the memory, ways of self-realization, time continuum of the personality, etc.);

4.

psychological preparation of the patient for work on the formation of the antinarcotic set at subconscious level;

5.

psychotherapeutic work on the antinarcotic set at subconscious level (with the help of the combined trance-suggestive method);

6.

testing of the formation of antinarcotic psychological set in the personality.
Predictive Factors for Successfull Rehabilitation of the Drug Addicts: “Ligne de Vie” Association Experience
Authors: Kammoun M.-F. , Zerrouki K. , Laqueille X.
Published: March 2009

The association “Ligne de Vie “, created in 2004 propose to help the professional rehabilitation of the ex-drug addicts. She proposes an access to a professional career and a medico-social support during two years.

The aim of this work is to determine the predictive factors for a successful rehabilitation of ex drug addict's persons.

Are included in this study all the subjects having taken contact with the association between September first, 2005 and on June 30, 2006. The criterion of success is the access to a helped employment and its maintenance beyond the one month trial period. This criterion makes it possible to distinguish group 1 responder from group 2 not responder.

49 subjects were included. 25 were responders (group 1), 24 not responders (group 2). The average of age is 38, 56 years, 36,6 years in group 1, and 40,36 in group 2, with 68% of man in the group 1 and 75,5% in Group 2.

There were a statistically significant factors for financial incomes (p=0,002), the absence of psychiatric comorbidities (p = 0,003), dependences prevailing with heroin (p = 0.02) and with the cannabis (p = 0.04). However there were no differences with the other substances, cocaine, ecstasies, and amphetamine. The substitute treatments do not appear determining, 50% in group 1 versus 76% in group 2.

The absence of an acute psychiatric disorder, a poly drug-addiction with opiates and the financial motivation seems to be more determining than the setting under substitution therapy.
Low Emotional Intelligence as a Predictor of Tendency to Addiction
Authors: Khanmohammadi A. , Homayouni A. , Amiri S.J. Mosavi , Nikpour G.A.
Published: March 2009

Aim:

The study is to clarify role of emotional intelligent in addicted and nonaddicted people.

Method:

80 addicted and 82 nonaddicted people were randomly selected and Schutte's Self- Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSREIT) administered on them. Data were analyzed with independent T formula.

Results:

Results showed significant differences between components of emotional intelligent especially in regulation, expression and assessment of emotions between tow groups.

Discussion:

Findings indicates that applying of plans in the field of increasing emotional intelligent can help peolple with positive attitudes to addiction in order to manage the bad problems and event and as a result reduce tendency to addiction.
Challenges for Medical Models of Addiction [P01-45]
Authors: Sullivan J. , Kincaid H.
Published: March 2009

It is standard in current neurobiological research on addiction to describe addiction as a chronic disease. Working from this perspective, much effort has gone into characterizing the symptomology of addiction and the brain changes that underlie them. Evidence for involvement of dopamine transmission changes in the ventral tagament area and nucleus accumbens have received the greatest attention. Kaur and Malenka (2007) put it well: “drugs of abuse can co-opt synaptic plasticity mechanisms in brain circuits involved in reinforcement and reward processing”.

Our goal in this paper is to provide an explicit description of the assumptions of medical models, the different forms they may take, and the challenges they face in providing explanations of addiction with solid evidence. We first spell out the requirements of disease models and use them to point out ambiguities in the claims of those who defend medical models. After that, we ask to what extent DSM categorization is suitable to medical models and what aspects of the life course of addiction medical models are supposed to explain. In the third section, we note that a primary aim of the neurobiology of addiction is to localize the causes of addiction to cellular and molecular pathways in the brain's reward system. We investigate how well current neurobiological approaches approximate towards such a unified causal account of addiction, and what challenges current approaches still face. We finish with a survey of some of the important social processes in addiction and the challenges they raise for medical models.
Serotonin Transporter Concentration is Decreased in Cerebral Cortex but not in Striatum of Chronic MDMA (ecstasy) Users
Authors: Kish S.J. , McCluskey T. , Meyer J. , Warsh J.J. , Wilkins D. , Wilson A.A. , Houle S.
Published: March 2009

Background:

Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) is an amphetamine derivative that is used recreationally and is now being tested in clinical trials for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Ecstasy can damage serotonin neurones in brain of experimental animals; however, relevance of these findings to the human is debated.

Aim:

To measure by positron emission tomography (PET) levels of binding to the serotonin transporter (SERT), a marker of serotonin neurones, in brain of chronic ecstasy users and in matched controls.

Methods:

An estimate of brain SERT levels was obtained, using the PET tracer 11C-DASB, in 50 chronic (confirmed by drug hair testing) ecstasy users (mean age, 26 years; mean duration of drug use, 3.9 years; median drug withdrawal time, 38 days) and 50 (drug-hair negative) control subjects (mean age 26 years).

Results:

SERT binding levels in the ecstasy group were significantly decreased by 22 to 46% in frontal, temporal, cingulate, insular and occipital cortices, and by 23% in hippocampus. However, concentrations were distinctly normal in the SERT-rich caudate, putamen, ventral striatum and thalamus.

Conclusion:

Our imaging data suggest that cerebral cortical SERT concentration is below normal in some ecstasy users for at least one month after last use of the drug. However, it remains to be established whether low SERT might have preceded drug use, reflects actual loss of brain serotonin neurones, or is causally related to any functional impairment in the ecstasy users. (Supported by US NIH NIDA DA017301).
Drug Situation in Serbia
Authors: Kovacevic M. , Raketic D.
Published: March 2009

There are no precize estimation of problem drug use prevalence in Serbia. The research about drug use in a whole population has been done two years ago, but the results have shown far to much underestimated results regarding problem drug use then expected. Preliminary preparations for an ESPAD survey have been done in 2005. The results were concordant with similar researches conducted on a local or municipality level and they have shown that 13% adolescent at the age of 16 have had an experience with cannabis.

Official records show that a wide mayority of patients in state or private medical facilities request an opiate dependency treatment. There is far too more requests then available medical capacities and trained professionals for different treatment programs.

An intensified efforts are made for overcoming this actual discordance and an adopting and implementing a national strategy and an action plan to fight drug problems in society are of a greatist significance.
Comorbiditet Social Phobia and Alcoholism
Authors: Kozarov T. , Ivic B.
Published: March 2009

Alcoholism is the modern disease on the third place in modern society after cardiac and malignant disease. Social phobia is generally spread phobia (20-40%) people had some kind of fear and anxiety in most causal social activity. Examination has prepared on alcololic department SBB - G. Toponica. They have 44 beds, 38 males beds. From 38 males beds, we found 6 patients with social phobia (15,08%).

Methods and results:

It has been used WILLOU GHBY PERSONALITY SCHEDULE -all of them have been over fifty points which means that all of them have social phobia. They are curred with REMERON and TRITTICO and cognitiv behavior psycho therapy. REMERON has great success in secundary depression reduction. TRITTICO has great succes in anxiety reduction.
The use of the Free Recall Method in the Analysis of Verbal Memory Deficits in Dual Diagnosis Patients [P01-49]
Authors: Krysta K. , Klasik A. , Janas-Kozik M. , Przybylo J. , Krupka-Matuszczyk I.
Published: March 2009

In schizophrenia there are specific cognitive deficits including verbal memory deficits. The objective of this study was to examine short-term verbal memory differences between subjects with and without a dual diagnosis.

A group of 80 patients with a diagnose of schizophrenia were examined. 40 of them never used illicit drugs, the other 40 also received a diagnose of addiction to psychoactive substances. The Free Recall Method was used to compare two examined groups. The results of addicted and not addicted schizophrenic patients were analyzed in all trials of the 5 stages of the examination with the use of Free Recall Method. Persons suffering from schizophrenia can usually repeat much fewer words in all five stages of the examination with Free Recall Method. This deficiency of short-term memory in this group of subjects is present from the very beginning of information coding.

As it was expected a deficiency in short-term verbal memory was found in all examined patients. However when comparing both groups no statistical differences concerning verbal memory deficits were found between the group of patients suffering from schizophrenia addicted and not addicted to psychoactive substances.

The fact that no significant differences concerning short-term verbal memory between two examined groups were found, which is consistent with some of the studies found in the literature, may be a good predictor for this group in terms of their possible chances of successful rehabilitation.
Training Specific Attentiveness Functions to Improve Professional and Social Reintegration of Young Schizophrenic Patients with Multiple Drug Abuse
Authors: Kunert H.J. , Schatten H.-J. , Löhrer F.
Published: March 2009

Statement of the problem:

Recent studies have conclusively proven the effectiveness of cognitive training in the context of psychiatric rehabilitation. Examinations on young schizophrenic drug users are yet to be done, although it could be shown that most of these patients are likely to relapse, abandon therapy and show untreated social adaptation disorders if existing cognitive functional deficits are not treated appropriately.

Method:

Pre-post examinations were done on 35 schizophrenic drug users (mean age 26±8 years; 27/8 men) to assess various attentiveness functions (i.e. alertness, divided attentiveness, visual scanning) before and after computerised attentiveness training (CURE therapy system, Siemens (NCSys)). Patient results were compared to those of a control group matched for age, education, illness characteristics and current medication which did not undergo cognitive training. Cognitive training lasted 6 weeks. At the same time, patients were assessed using standardised scales to determine whether their performance improved after work therapy.

Results:

Computerised attentiveness training led to significant improvement (>30%; p< .05) in everyday attentiveness functions (tonic and phasic alertness, divided attentiveness) as did work therapy (precision, endurance), although some patient subgroups are different in their course of therapy.

Discussion:

Training specific attentiveness functions helps improve rehabilitation of young schizophrenic patients with multiple drug abuse. Subgroup effects may also be of clinical relevance.
Impulsiveness and Neuropsychological Performance in First Degree Relatives of Patients with Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Gierski F. , Cuervo-Lombard C. , Hubsch-Sonntag B. , Carré A. , Limosin F.
Published: March 2009

Aims:

It is now well known that unaffected first-degree relatives of patients with alcohol disorder have electrophysiological abnormalities (less P3 amplitude). These abnormalities are associated with higher scores in impulsivity self-rating scales and are assumed to reflect central nervous system disinhibition and/or hyperexcitability. However very much less is known about the performance of this population in neuropsychological tests assessing executive functioning and in particular the inhibition process.

Method:

Thirty-five first-degree relatives of patients with alcohol dependence were compared to thirty-five healthy controls, matched in terms of age, gender and education level. They completed a self-rating scale of impulsiveness (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale) and a battery of neuropsychological tests. The test battery included the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, a measure of overall executive functioning, and two performance measures of inhibition process (a Stroop task and a Go-No Go task).

Results:

As expected, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale showed differences between the two groups, with first-degree relatives having higher overall scores and increased scores in the non-planning subscale. Results from neuropsychological testing indicated significant differences among the three tasks (WCST, Stroop task and Go-No Go).

Conclusion:

Our findings are consistent with the view that unaffected first-degree relatives of patients with alcohol dependence show decrements in executive functioning and inhibition process. Studies are underway to identify genes associated with the underlying predisposition involved in disinhibitory disorders in this population.
Are there Differences between Primary Psicosis and Substance-induced Psicosis? [P01-53]
Authors: Digon L. Diaz , Sanvisens D. Martinez , Fernandez L. Morro , Codina G. Mateu , Torres A. Merino , Melich M. Torrens
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Substance-induced psychoses (SIP) are associated with greater conjugal ties, greater substance dependence, homelessness, parental substance abuse, poorer family support and visual hallucinations, while primary psychotic disorders (PP) have greater symptom severity.

Objective:

To describe differential characteristics between PP and SIP in a dual diagnosis unit.

Method:

We collected sociodemographic, employment data, admission reasons, family substance abuse and main drug of abuse.

Results:

•

23 patients were admitted with psychosis (87% males; mean age 35,6±10,1). Two groups were performed: PP (N=12) and SIP (N=11).

•

Mean length of admission was 17,78±13,17 days. Most prevalent co-occurrent diagnoses were psychotic disorders-cocaine use disorders (43,5%).

•

The only significant difference between PP and SIP was shorter length of admission in SIP (days: mean [s.d]) (26,6±14,9 vs. 13,8±7,5; p< 0.05). Other variables studied were: (1) main reasons for admission: hallucinations/delusions (33,3% vs. 90,9%), suicide ideation (33,3% vs. 0%); (2) main drug of abuse: cocaine (50% vs. 45,5%), alcohol (33,3% vs. 0%), psychoestimulants (0% vs. 27,3%), cannabis (8,3% vs. 18,2%); (3) marital status: married/cohabiting (25% vs. 36,4%), divorced (16,7% vs. 0%), single (58,3% vs. 63,6%); (4) employment: employed (33,3% vs. 50%) and unemployed (66,7% vs. 50%); (5) age, years: mean (s.d): 37,8 (10,6) vs 33,2 (9,5); (6) parental substance abuse (65,7% vs. 83,3%).

Conclusions:

•

No significant differences were found between both groups (PP vs. SIP) except for shorter length of admission in SIP.

•

The most frequent co-ocurrent diagnosis was psychotic disorder+cocaine use disorder.
The Effect of Topiramate in the Treatment of Opioid (Heroin) Withdrawal
Authors: Mokhber N. , Soltanifar A. , Talebi M.
Published: March 2009

Objective:

This study was carried out on 149 of Heroin dependent patient that admission for detoxification.

Design:

This study is a 10 days double blind placebo-controlled trial.

Place & duration of study:

This study is a 10 days double blind placebo-controlled trial which was carried out on 149 of Heroin dependent patient that admission for detoxification in Mashhad Ebne-sina hospital in 1385-1386 Subjects were randomly divided into topiramate and placebo detoxification groups.

Subjects & methods:

Topiramate group receive topiramate (max 200 mg) for 10 days. The placebo group received usual regimen and placebo. Withdrawal symptoms were assessed by Subjective and Objective Opiate Withdrawal Scale in days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10.information s analyzed by chi-square test for qualities variables and T-test & Mann-Whitney for quantities variables in SPSS software.

Results:

22 subjects were excluded from the study. Both groups had no significant differences in age, sex, education, number of previous withdrawal and past history of other drug use. Result indicates decrease in objective withdrawal symptom significant in 3(p=0.000), 5 (p=0.004) and 7(p=0.026) day and subjective withdrawal symptom significant in 3 (p=0.000) day in topiramate groups.

Conclusion:

Topiramate can use for control of withdrawal symptom in patient with Heroin dependency.