bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The AAPPQ Revisited: the measurement of general practitioners' attitudes to alcohol problems
Authors: ANDERSON PETER , CLEMENT SUE
Published: January 2006

Four hundred and sixty‐seven general practitioners were sent a postal survey enquiring about their management of alcohol problems. Their attitudes towards working with patients with alcohol problems were measured by the alcohol and alcohol problems perception questionnaire (AAPPQ). The responses to the AAPPQ formed the subject of a data reduction technique to form a shortened scale often items (Short AAPPQ) which was demonstrated to be as valid as the original AAPPQ. It is suggested that the SAAPPQ is a more simple and useful measure of general practitioner's attitudes to working with patients with alcohol problems.
Dose‐Specific Effects of Alcohol on the Lifespan of Mice and the Possible Relevance to Man
Authors: SCHMIDT W. , POPHAM ROBERT E. , ISRAEL Y.
Published: January 2006

To determine the effects on lifespan of daily consumption of alcohol throughout adulthood, three groups of 100 male mice each (strain C57BL/J0J)‐housed one to a cage‐were given 3.5%, 7.5% and J2% v/v alcohol in distilled water as the only source of drinking fluid. On the basis of relative metabolic capacity, the resulting consumption levels could be considered comparable to a range in man from a moderate to an alcoholic intake. Two control groups of 100 mice each‐one group singly housed and the other housed five to a cage‐received distilled water ad libitum. There was no difference between the survival curves of the low alcohol and water‐drinking singly housed controls. The medium alcohol mice had the longest mean lifespan of the five groups and the high alcohol mice had the shortest. There were no clear alcohol‐related group differences in post mortem histology, although the early deaths in the high alcohol group showed evidence of a high rate of liver abnormality. The applicability of the findings to man is discussed.
Sex Differences in Help‐seeking for Alcohol Problems—2. Entry into Treatment
Authors: THOM BETSY
Published: January 2006

A sample of 25 men and 25 women, referred to a specialist alcohol clinic, was interviewed to obtain information about perceptions of the ‘barriers’ to treatment entry and of the events and circumstances seen as influencing decisions to attend the clinic. A semi‐structured interview schedule was used and interviews were tape recorded. Perceptions of the ‘barriers’ to treatment were described in an earlier paper. This paper reports on patients' accounts of the part played by life events and difficulties, and by other people on clinic attendance. Current difficulties, affecting patients at the time of entry into treatment are described and patients' perceptions of the main reason for treatment entry are reported. The study indicates that few patients had accepted referral to the clinic primarily because they wanted to change their drinking behaviour. Rather they hoped to alleviate other problems in their lives. Some differences were found between men and women in their experiences of life events in the preceding 12 months but not in their perceptions of the influence of life events on decisions to seek help. There were also some sex differences in the reporting of current difficulties in the main reason for treatment entry and in perceptions of the influence of others on clinic attendance.
Decline in Alcohol‐related Problems in Sweden Greatest Among Young People
Authors: ROMELSJÖ ANDERS
Published: January 2006

It has earlier been reported that a 22% reduction in alcohol sales (100% ethanol) since 1976 has been accompanied by a decline in mortality in the whole of Sweden and inpatient care (data from Stockholm County) for closely alcohol‐related diseases up to 1984. This report is a further analysis of the changes in various age groups and of survey data on alcohol consumption. The percentage decline since 1978–79 of self‐reported alcohol consumption, inpatient care and the number of persons charged with drunkenness or driving while under the influence of alcohol has been especially great among men and among persons aged between 15 and 24 years. The decline in inpatient care for alcohol psychosis, alcoholism and alcohol intoxication amounted to 49% among men aged 15–24 years and 22% among men aged 25years and older. The corresponding decline among women was 38% for women aged 15–24 years and 1% for women aged 25 years and older. The decrease also came sooner among young people. A decrease of alcohol‐related problems among teenagers and military conscripts was roughly paralleled by a decline in self‐reported frequent intoxication. The proportion of military conscripts with frequent intoxication was much greater among those with lower formal education. In addition, the decline was less than among those with higher formal education.
The Role of Alcohol‐dependent Self‐statements on Drinking Behaviour in a Public Bar
Authors: OEI TIAN P. S. , MEWETT ANDREW
Published: January 2006

Recent literature suggests that cognitions play a role in drinking behaviour. However, disagreement exists regarding which type of cognition is associated with drinking. This study tested the prediction of a positive relationship between alcohol‐dependent self‐statements and alcohol consumption in a public bar. Ten heavy, 10 light, and 10 non‐drinkers were administered the modified Alcohol Self‐statements Questionnaire which contains sets of alcohol‐dependent and alcohol non‐dependent self‐statements as well as factual and emotive self‐statements. Their self‐talk during drinking zvas also tape‐recorded and analysed. Subjects were tested half an hour before, and immediately before the commencement of drinking, and at 10‐minute intervals for the first half‐hour of a normal drinking session in a public bar. Each session lasted approximately one hour. The results revealed that heavy drinkers showed more alcohol‐dependent self‐statements than light drinkers who in turn showed significantly more alcohol‐dependent self‐statements than non‐drinkers. No significant differences between the groups were found on the factual or emotive self‐statements. Alcohol consumption during the testing period was significantly related to alcohol‐dependent self‐statements. The result of findings suggest (i) that alcohol‐related cognitions are associated with drinking behaviour and are relatively stable during drinking sessions, and (H) that there is a need for greater specificity in the definition of cognition in relation to a problem behaviour, in this case drinking behaviour.
Alcoholism in Sri Lanka: an epidemiological survey
Authors: SAMARASINGHE D. S. , DISSANAYAKE S. A. W. , WIJESINGHE C. P.
Published: January 2006

An epidemiological survey on a population of 7,643 reveals a surprisingly high incidence of alcoholism among males over the age of 25 years (29 per 1,000). Much the largest proportion of the sample professed faith in Buddhism, a religion which condemns alcohol use. Obligation to comply with religious teaching appears to apply only to females and the young.

Ninety percent of the alcoholics were over the age of 35 years (mode 45–54 years), and all were spirit drinkers. None showed significant use of other drugs. Re‐examination of the schedules showed a close correspondence between a diagnosis of ‘alcoholism’, on a problem‐based definition, and the presence of dependence.
Effects of Polydrug Use on the Criminal Activities of Heroin‐users
Authors: HAMMERSLEY RICHARD , MORRISON VALERIE
Published: January 2006

While heroin users commit crimes, it remains unclear whether they only do so to finance their heroin habits. Many users are criminal before taking heroin, but once taking heroin their need for heroin may determine their criminal activity. Alternatively, the heroin‐crime relationship may be reciprocal, each influencing the other. From structured interviews with 28 heroin‐users, it was found that: (1) Extent of heroin use correlated with theft from strangers and burglary of businesses but not other crimes. (2) Extent of heroin use correlated with working ‘on the side’ (evading tax and/or claiming social security benefits). (3) An economic crime index was predicted by tranquillizer use with heroin use. (4) The use of some other drugs—notably alcohol and sleeping pills—correlated with some crimes. (5) Regression analyses showed a general delinquent pattern and several crimes not predicted by other variables. (6) Heroin use could be well predicted by a complex equation including the extent of use of five different drugs, but only one crime—theft from work. It is concluded that, even amongst heavy heroin users, neither heroin use nor crime adequately predict each other. The uses of other drugs, especially depressants, influenced both heroin and crime.
Defining Rational Prescribing of Psychoactive Drugs*
Authors: SELLERS E. M.
Published: January 2006

A universal or simple definition of rational prescribing does not exist since what is rational or reasonable is determined by many factors and can he interpreted in various ways. However, a transcultural definition can be achieved when the components of the process are identified. Rational prescribing is operationally described in this paper by a systems approach involving the individual physician and the health care system.
A Follow‐up Study of Alcoholism Treatment Units: exploring consolidation and change
Authors: ETTORRE BETSY
Published: January 2006

The main aim of this paper is to provide feedback from a recent 1984–85 follow‐up study, based on an original study of Alcoholism Treatment Units carried out from 1978–1982. On the whole, the paper demonstrates the usefulness of this feedback strategy and the value of this type of research. While the empirical information reported in this paper speaks for itself, the discussion revolves around two main themes: (1) changes within the treatment settings and (2) consolidation in the ATUs institutional response. Conclusions drawn from this discussion confirm the future role of ATUs and suggest possible ways forward.
Book Reviews
Authors: GOSSOP MICHAEL
Published: January 2006

Books Reviewed in this Article:

Training Alcohol Educators: A Combined Training & Research Perspective R. MEANS & L. HARRISON

Heroin, Aids and Society ROY ROBERTSON

Determinants of Substance Abuse: Biological, Psychological and Environmental Factors M. GALIZIO & S. A. MAISTO (Eds)

Women, Drinking and Pregnancy MOIRA PLANT

Recent Developments in Alcoholism Vol. 4 MARC GALANTER (Ed.)

Social Psychology. Attitudes, Cognition and Social Behaviour J. RICHARD EISER
Trends in U.S. Drinking Patterns: further evidence from the past 20 years
Authors: HILTON MICHAEL E.
Published: January 2006

1984 U.S. survey data on alcohol consumption are compared to similar data from a 1964 survey and to a series of surveys taken between 1971 and 1981. This creates a wider set of trend comparisons than was available in a previous analysis, but does so at the cost of compromising comparability. Although most results indicate stability in drinking patterns, some results suggest that the prevalence of heavy drinking has increased among men. Among men and women, increases are more apparent among those aged 21‐34years than among other age groups.
Pattern of Alcohol‐related Liver Disease in Dependant Alcoholics: the Indian dimension
Authors: SARIN S. K. , BHATT A. , MALHOTRA V. , SACHDEV G. , JILOHA R. C. , MUNJAL G. C.
Published: January 2006

To study the incidence and profile of alcoholic liver disease in dependant alcoholics, 56 patients, 31 with moderate and 25 with severe dependence on alcohol, were assessed by a severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire. All the patients were males. Forty‐five (80.4%) dependant alcoholics were found to have alcoholic liver disease, diagnosed either by abnormal biochemical tests (78.6%) or when available, specific histological lesions (87.8%). Of the 49 (87.5%) patients in whom liver biopsy could be obtained, fatty liver was seen in 17 (34.7%), hepatitis in 22 (44.9%) and cirrhosis in four (8.2%) patients. Liver biopsy was normal in the remaining six (12.2%) patients. Symptoms suggestive of alcoholic liver disease were however, observed in only 18.6% patients. No significant difference was seen in the nature and severity of biochemical and histological liver injury between patients with moderate or severe dependence on alcohol.

It can be concluded that significant hepatic abnormalities exist in a high percentage of dependant alcoholics in India. Increased awareness and institution of measures for early screening of these patients for the presence of underlying liver disease are warranted.
Recruitment to Alcohol Treatment: a comparison between male and female problem drinkers recruited to treatment in two different ways
Authors: DUCKERT FANNY
Published: January 2006

This study looks at similarities and differences between four groups of problem drinkers. The subjects were 143 men and 39 women, inpatients of an alcoholism treatment clinic; and 84 male and 51 female participants in an outpatient treatment research project at The National Institute of Alcohol Research in Oslo, Norway. The latter were recruited by newspaper advertisements. The results showed that the outpatients when entering the study, were in a better socio‐economic situation, were better educated and had higher job status than the inpatients. The outpatients had a lower alcohol consumption, a less severe drinking pattern, and had fewer alcohol‐related treatment experiences. The differences between subjects seemed to be more pronounced for the women. However, the length of problem drinking and the age of the subjects were the same for inpatients and outpatients. The outpatients did not appear to be early problem drinkers, but may have been recruited from a different segment of the population of problem drinkers, namely with more moderate drinking problems. This finding may have therapeutic and prognostic significance.
Who Comes for Treatment: drug misusers at three London agencies
Authors: SHEEHAN MARGARET , OPPENHEIMER EDNA , TAYLOR COLIN
Published: January 2006

A study of 150 drug misusers who were seeking treatment for the first time was conducted at three London treatment agencies–a drug treatment clinic, a crisis intervention centre and a therapeutic community–between 1984 and 1986. The three agencies attracted misusers of somewhat different characteristics in respect of upbringing and current social behaviour patterns and drug use. In general the clientele were predominantly young heroin users with an overall average of 9 years drug usage, which often began before they left school. The majority were injectors, mostly using unsterile syringes which were often shared, and had on average over four years of injecting history. The group was disadvantaged with respect to education, unemployment and often had a difficult family background. The study highlights the need for encouraging drug misusers into earlier treatment, and into a variety of treatment centres.
Data Note–12. Cigar and Pipe Smoking in Britain: implications for smoking prevalence and cessation
Authors: JARVIS MARTIN , JACKSON PAUL
Published: January 2006

The Data Note series is edited by David Robinson, ESRC Addiction Research Centre, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, to whom all comments and suggestions for future notes should be sent.
What's Happened to the Cannabis Debate?
Authors: NEGRETE JUAN C.
Published: January 2006

The public debate on cannabis is showing signs of extinction. Little has been heard about this drug from political authorities in recent years, and the scientific community appears to be losing interest itself. Social complacency, the emergence of other drug habits which are perceived as being more threatening, and the rather limited progress made in answering some major cannabis research questions could explain this course of events. History shows that scientific work on cannabis is usually prompted by apolitical need to respond to a high level of social concern over this drug. When such social pressure diminishes, scientific interest tends to fade away. This paper warns against the repetition of previous historical episodes and gives an account of the many research issues that remain unanswered at this point.
Shadowland: general practitioners and the treatment of opiate‐abusing patients
Authors: McKEGANEY NEIL
Published: January 2006

A number of calls have recently been made for general practitioners to become more closely involved in the treatment of opiate abusing patients. At present, however, very little is known of the sorts of problems general practitioners will face in working within what is held to be a very difficult area. The research reported in this paper aimed to explore the experience of a group of general practitioners currently being consulted by such patients. A combination of enhanced records and semi‐structured interviews were used to collect detailed information on 50 consultations with opiate abusers. It is revealed that these doctors were experiencing a good deal of difficulty in sustaining a therapeutic role for themselves in relation to these patients. The nature of these difficulties, and their basis, are examined and recommendations are made as to how these difficulties may be resolved in the future.
Prevention Issues with Children of Alcoholics
Authors: BLANE HOWARD T.
Published: January 2006

Recognition of parental alcoholism as a risk factor for alcoholism is extremely important. Few other illnesses or social conditions have such a clear‐cut marker. Its presence clearly forms the basis for public information programs, but development of more detailed, sophisticated prevention efforts is not now warranted because the scientific base is not strong enough. Preventive interventions proposed and adopted by the grass‐roots children‐of‐alcoholics movement need to be tested under controlled conditions before committing public funds and health resources.
Validity of Self‐reported Alcohol Use: a literature review and assessment*
Authors: MIDANIK LORRAINE T.
Published: January 2006

Recently, there has been increased attention to the validity of self‐reported alcohol use. Yet, much of the literature appears to be inappropriately seeking the definitive answer to a relative question, e.g. are self‐reports of alcohol use valid?. The literature on the validity of self‐reported alcohol use was reviewed with a primary focus on concurrent criterion‐oriented validity. Validity studies using collateral reports, diaries, official records, different interviewing methods, laboratory tests and multiple measures were assessed. It is concluded that research on the validity of self‐reported alcohol use should emphasize the interactions of the respondent, the interviewer, the information being obtained and the context of the interview to determine under which conditions valid responses can be maximized. Further, research on validity should focus on specific processes involved in providing accurate responses. Emphasis should be placed on developing a range of strategies and determining their appropriateness for obtaining more accurate reports from specific populations.
‘Drug Scenes’. The Start of a Debate
Authors: BOYD PHILIP
Published: January 2006

This paper is a reply to the comments published in the August issue of British Journal of Addiction, pp. 883–897 on ‘Drug Scenes’. A Report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Problem Drinking in a Military Endoscopy Clinic
Authors: WILSON K. C. M. , WHITEOAK R. , DEWEY M. E. , WATSON J. P.
Published: January 2006

The prevalence of alcohol problems was studied in a consecutive series of 60 soldiers attending an endoscopy clinic, in a matched sample of non‐endoscoped soldiers from medical wards, and in a reference sample from the military alcohol treatment unit. Data were obtained using CAGE, MAST and SADQ questionnaires and MCV and Liver Function Tests and were analysed by discriminant function analyses. The endoscopy sample did not have an increased prevalence of problem drinking when compared to the medical inpatient sample. Of the instruments that were used, the MAST proved to he the most useful in identifying those patients that fulfilled the criteria for admission to the alcohol treatment unit and identified 50% of patients in the medical and endoscopy sample as having an alcohol problem.
Preference for 2 mg versus 4 mg Nicotine Chewing Gum
Authors: Hajek Peter , Belcher Michael , Feyerabend Colin
Published: January 2006

Smokers attending a 4‐week course of treatment at a Smokers Clinic were given free choice of 2 and 4 mg nicotine chewing gum. Data on gum use beyond the first week of treatment were obtained from 117 gum users. Of these 40.2% were using 2 mg gum only, 24.8% were using 4 mg gum only and 35.0% were using a combination of both. More 2 mg gum was used during the first week but there was no difference in the use of the two preparations during the last 3 weeks of treatment. Smokers clinic clients seem to accept the 4 mg gum well. The choice of the gum was not related to pre‐treatment cigarette consumption, CO and blood nicotine levels, or to questionnaire measures of cigarette dependence. Subjects choosing 4 mg gum or a combination of 2 mg and 4 mg gum used significantly more pieces of gum per day than those using 2 mg gum only, and the nicotine content of their daily gum ration was almost three times higher. Five to 10 weeks after stopping smoking, subjects still using 2 mg gum showed a significant drop in blood nicotine concentration compared with smoking, while 4 mg gum users remained close to their smoking level. Possible reasons for individual differences in gum use are discussed.
A Comparison of Brief Advice and Conjoint Therapy in the Treatment of Alcohol Abuse: the results of the Marital Systems study
Authors: ZWEBEN ALLEN , PEARLMAN SHELDON , LI SELINA
Published: January 2006

The Marital Systems Study (MSS) compared the effectiveness of a short‐term systems‐based outpatient treatment consisting of eight sessions of Conjoint Therapy with a single session of Advice Counselling which also involved the spouse. Eligible couples were randomly assigned to either Conjoint Therapy or Advice Counselling. In all, 218 couples were recruited for the Study. From this initial sample, 102 couples dropped out of treatment or follow‐up leaving the remaining 116 couples as the Study sample. Couples in both Advice Counselling and Conjoint Therapy showed significant improvement on all marital adjustment and drinking‐related outcome measures. Although significant treatment‐by‐time interactions were found on three of the nine variables, there were no significant differences in the change pattern between the groups on the principal drinking outcome measure, the percentage of heavy drinking days. There were also no significant between‐group differences on any of the outcome measures. In essence, a single session of Advice Counselling was as effective as eight sessions of Conjoint Therapy. Couples completing the Study represented a socially stable group, with a moderate degree of alcohol‐related difficulties and relatively non‐distressed marital relationships. Thus, the findings pertaining to the relative effectiveness of the two treatments may be limited to this specific client population.
Do Drinking Experiments have a Negative Effect on Alcoholics’ Recovery?
Authors: LØSBERG TOR , LABERG JON CHRISTIAN , ANDRESEN SVERRE , LARSEN GUNNAR
Published: January 2006

A representative sample of 14 male alcoholics who participated in an experimental drinking study were interviewed 1 year after discharge. Four subjects were abstinent, six were significantly improved and four were unimproved. At follow‐up, average amount consumed was significantly reduced from 96.5 to 44.8 Standard Units (SU)/week; consumption had been halved. In a control group one subject was abstinent, seven were significantly improved, and none were unimproved. However, six experimental and 12 control subjects were not interviewed. Reduced alcohol consumption was correlated with improved social and psychological adjustment. Despite missing subjects, data suggest that participation in drinking experiments did not have negative effects on alcoholics’ subsequent alcohol consumption or social and psychological adjustment.
Drinking Outcome Expectancies among Male Alcoholics During Relapse Situations
Authors: CONNORS GERARD J. , O'FARRELL TIMOTHY J. , PELCOVITS MARJORIE A.
Published: January 2006

Recent research suggests that alcohol expectancies may affect drinking decisions and also predict relapse among alcoholics. In the present investigation, information on 22 alcoholics’expectancies regarding what alcohol would achieve for them in 31 discrete relapse situations was gathered. Results showed that almost half of the expectancies reported dealt with drinking as an aid in coping with a social situation. Another one‐quarter of the expectancies dealt with drinking to gain control of a situation, with the remainder divided between drinking to cope with a non‐social situation or to create an altered physical state. The majority (81%) of drinking outcome expectancies were characterized by the subjects as being achieved. Taken together, these data emphasize the importance of understanding alcohol expectancies in drinking situations.
Alprazolam Versus Chlormethiazolc in Acute Alcohol Withdrawal
Authors: TUBRIDY P.
Published: January 2006

In this 7‐day, double‐blind, parallel‐group study of patients undergoing acute alcohol withdrawal, alprazolam and chlonnethiazole were equally effective as rated by both patients and physician. The starting doses were alprazolam 4 mg/day and chlormethiazole base 3.072 g/day (equivalent to 8g of the edisylate) and a specific tapered dosage regimen teas adhered to. Patients received study medication on days 1‐S; no study medication was given on days 6 and 7. Of the 102 patients who participated in the study, 90 were considered evaluable for efficacy; all available data were included in safety analyses. There was some evidence that alprazolam produced a faster response and was more effective than cklormethiasole in controlling tremor. One patient, in the chlormethiazole group, withdrew from the study early because of side effects (allergic reaction). One alprazolam‐treaced patient had a generalized seizure on day 3 that required treatment with diazepam and carbamazepine, but the patient remained in and completed the study.
Letting the Client Speak: drug misusers and the process of help seeking
Authors: OPPENHEIMER EDNA , SHEEHAN MARGARET , TAYLOR COLIN
Published: January 2006

This is the third report on a study of 150 drug misusers new to treatment at three London drug treatment agencies: a Drug Treatment Clinic, a Therapeutic Community and a Drug Crisis Centre. The focus here is on the clients’perceptions of the help seeking process, and particularly on their reasons for coming to services and their fears about treatment. Analysis of responses revealed an underlying structure to the‘reasons’and‘fears’. There were significant between‐agency differences, and differences between those who injected drugs and those who did not. The importance of mood disturbance in the help‐seeking process is discussed. The implications of the findings for the development of strategies and the provision of earlier and more appropriate treatment are examined.
Drug Injecting, AIDS, and Risk Behaviour: potential for change and intervention strategies
Authors: POWER ROBERT , HARTNOLL RICHARD , DAVIAUD EMMANUELLE
Published: January 2006

The sharing of unsterile needles and syringes is a primary means by which drug users who inject put themselves at risk of HIV infection. This paper examines a sample of 127 regular illicit drug users (both in and out of treatment) in terms of injecting and needle sharing patterns, and investigates the impact of concern about AIDS upon these behaviours. Amongst those that had ever injected, it was found that 54% had substantially reduced their risk behaviour, in that they either no longer injected, or else no longer shared injecting equipment. A further 32% had to some extent reduced their risk behaviour, and only 14% staled that they had been unaffected by concern about AIDS. Those who were in contact with agencies were more likely to have substantially reduced their risk behaviour than those not in contact with agencies. Regarding the impact of HIV testing, the data suggest that it may be associated with reduced rather than increased risk behaviours, though the differences only approach significance. In two consecutive time periods, similar proportions reported that they were still sharing; but by the second time period almost all reported some attempt at change. In general, the results confirm other studies, from the USA and Britain, that have shown that drug users are not inherently irrational, and are capable of modifying their risk behaviour. Availability of clean injecting equipment was given as the prime reason for sharing, and the free supply of needles and syringes is advocated as a complement to effective health education. Aggressive outreach work is to be encouraged so as to reach those individuals unlikely to use established schemes.
Chasing the Dragon: characteristics of heroin chasers
Authors: GOSSOP MICHAEL , GRIFFITHS PAUL , STRANG JOHN
Published: January 2006

Little is known about those heroin users who take the drug by inhalation (‘chasing the dragon’). This study investigates patterns of heroin use among a group of chasers, and compares them with injectors. The results suggest that chasing was not merely a pre‐injection phase of heroin use; 87% had been chasers for more than 2 years and 27% for more than 5 years whereas 69% of the injectors had begun using heroin intravenously within 1 year of first use. Chasers were younger than injectors and had started using heroin earlier. Results do not support the suggestion that the move from chasing to injecting is linked to the costs of sustaining a habit. A small group of young black males was seen, all of whom were either exclusively or predominantly heroin chasers. Implications of these results are discussed.
Psychosocial Variables Related to Quantity of Alcohol Consumed at a Single Session by Young Czech Males
Authors: KUBIČKA LUDĚK , KOŽENY̌ JIŘǏ
Published: January 2006

Results based on interviews with a representative sample of 1,050 men aged 22–33, all residents of Prague, Czechoslovakia, are presented. The number of drinks consumed during the last drinking session was the dependent variable in a hierarchical stepwise multiple regression using 32 developmental, social, psychological and situational measures as independent variables. In the stepwise procedure, 17 variables were accepted as statistically significant predictor of the last session's consumption. Undisciplined behaviour in childhood is the strongest developmental predictors of high consumption, tolerant drinking norm of friends is the best social predictor, an appreciative attitude toward intoxicating drinking is the primary psychological predictor, and the context of drinking (social versus nutritional) heads the situational predictors. In summary, the more or less enduring individual characteristics explain 17% of the consumption variance and the situational variables explain an additional 11%.
Mortality among Male and Female Hospitalized Alcoholics in Stockholm 1962–1983
Authors: LINDBERG STAFFAN , ÅGREN GUNNAR
Published: January 2006

The general and case‐specific mortality has been studied in a cohort consisting of 3,910 male and 962 female patients admitted to the Magnus Huss clinic, Karolinska hospital 1962–1981. The clinic is specialized in the care of voluntarily admitted patients with alcohol problems. The cohort has been followed until 20 March 1983. During this period there were 1,141 deaths among the male patients which gives the relative risk of 3.0, compared with the male population in Stockholm. Among the females there were 191 cases of death and the relative risk is 5.2.

Among males there was a significant excess mortality due to alcoholism, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, alcohol intoxication, suicide, other causes of violent death, ischaemic heart disease, cancer in upper digestive tract, primary hepatic cancer and lung cancer. Causes of death where a significant excess mortality was found among females were alcoholism, alcohol intoxication, cirrhosis of the liver, suicide, other causes of violent death and mammary cancer.

The mortality ratios among males were lower for the married patients than among those living single. Among females the ratio was lower for divorced patients. There were no significant variations in the mortality ratios among different social classes, with the exception of females from the highest social class, who showed a lower mortality ratio. The mortality was higher among the patients who entered the clinic during the latter part of the observation period. The ratio was highest the first year after admission but there was a significant excess mortality as long as 20 years after the first treatment period.
Patterns of Heroin Use: what do we know?
Authors: HARDING G.
Published: January 2006

Set against a background of assumptions that heroin use is inevitably problematic, there is significant evidence of its controlled use. This paper attempts to draw together the literature on patterns of heroin use which avoid physical and psychological dependence. However, studies of such patterns of use are hampered by the absence of a common definition. ‘Occasional’ use, ‘recreational’ use and ‘controlled’ use have been used interchangeably. Moreover, these terms have been defined variously by frequency of use, quantities of heroin used and consequences of such use. Nonetheless, these studies suggest that patterns of heroin use which avoid physical and psychological dependence do exist. However there is a paucity of research on non‐dependent patterns of use. Potential issues for future research are accordingly outlined.
Peer Influence and Adolescent Substance Abuse: a promising side?
Authors: SWADI HARITH , ZEITLIN HARRY
Published: January 2006

The reasons as to why individuals engage in substance abuse remain varied and in most instances multiple. Drug‐taking adults commonly refer to childhood and adolescence as the time when they first tried drugs. Preventing substance abuse among the young has constantly proved to be a trying task. Although drug education is still in abundant use, it proved to be of very little effect, but there are certain areas that hold some promise. This paper examines the influence of peer group on initiating and maintaining drug‐taking behaviour among the young and looks at the possibility of a positive use of such influence.
An Investigation of the Ability of Young Male and Female Social Drinkers to Discriminate Between Regular, Calorie Reduced and Low Alcohol Beer
Authors: McLAUGHLIN KARI
Published: January 2006

Nine female and nine male social beer drinkers aged 21–28 years participated in a beer discrimination study. Each participant consumed nine glasses of beer. All participants received three glasses of each of Swan Lager (5.0% V/V), Swan Gold (3.7% V/V) and Swan Special Light (0.9% V/V) in counterbalanced order. Participants were required to identify each glass of beer by brand name—first after one mouthful and again after consuming the whole glass. Results indicated that participants were identifying the beers at chance levels only on the first taste measure. On the second taste measure performance exceeded chance expectation but this was due to the respondents having a response bias towards Lager. There were no sex differences in performance, nor did amount of beer usually consumed have any effect on number of correct identifications. Rising blood alcohol levels/satiation did not have any significant effects on identification performance over the nine trials, nor were there any significant differences in number of correct identifications for each of the three different types of beer over the first and second taste measures.
Assessment of Opioid Dependence with Naloxone
Authors: PEACHEY J. E. , LEI H.
Published: January 2006

The reliability and validity of a naloxone rating scale (CINA) for assessing opioid dependence were studied in 75 opiate‐abusing patients. Patients received 0.4 mg naloxone IV, and the naloxone‐precipitated withdrawal effects were systematically measured at three five minute intervals using the 13‐item CINA scale. The reliability coefficient alpha of the total withdrawal score was 0.81. The item scores and total score were correlated well except for nasal congestion, abdominal pain, and muscle pain. The inter‐rater reliability of the total scores for the two raters was 0.93. The final methadone dose used in the treatment of individual patients was regressed on the CINA score. The simple regression equation was: METHADONE DOSE=11.2+ 0.72 CINA SCORE. This equation accounted for 69% of the variance of the final dose. By including a quadratic term, the prediction of the final methadone dose was improved by 3% (or a total of 72% of the variance); the regression equation was: METHADONE DOSE=4.36+1.26 CINA SCORE—0.01 CINA SCORE.2 The relatively large correlation (above 0.83) between CINA and the final methadone dose may be taken as an indication of the validity of the CINA score.
Central Embolization of Needle Fragment following Intravenous Drug Abuse
Authors: GYRTRUP H. J. , ANDREASSEN K. H. , PEDERSENSS J. H. , MORTENSEN L. B.
Published: January 2006

A case of migration of a broken needle from the right femoral vein to the heart leading to severe pericarditis in a heroin addict is described.
The Therapeutic Community: exploring the boundaries ⋆
Authors: ROSENTHAL MITCHELL S.
Published: January 2006

The past 20 years have demonstrated the effectiveness of therapeutic community (TC) treatment for drug abuse as it evolved in the United States. We now better understand the influence that psychodynamic features of TC treatment have on character disorder. Best perceived as a setting designed‐as society is not‐to encourage and support social learning, the TC has succeeded in modifying its programs and adapting self‐help methods to serve drug abusers of all kinds and abusers of all drugs. Continued evolution of the TC depends upon development of its already‐demonstrated capacity to affect disordered behaviour other than drug abuse. The growth of disordered populations in the United States and increasingly in Great Britain gives urgency to such future employment. Therapeutic communities and TC‐like programs for non‐drug abusers already exist. But widespread use depends upon strengthening the theoretical underpinnings of TC treatment and establishing closer working relationships between TC's and mainstream medical, mental health and social service institutions.
Treatment of Drug Misuse in the General Practice Setting
Authors: ROBERTSON J. R.
Published: January 2006

Despite several decades of contact between health workers and drug misusers and recent publicity aimed at increasing the use of this contact to control HIV infection, there remains a persistent belief that control of drug taking is possible either by medical intervention with substitute drugs or provision of facilities to detoxify those addicted. This paper describes, in the absence of a cure or control for drug abuse, the role of the primary care physician in preventing illness and promoting less damaging drug use among drug users and their social, sexual and domestic contacts. Extensive involvement with family and non‐statutory workers is seen as the best way to understand the pressures and dangers to which individual patients are exposed.
Can a Computer Reliably Elicit an Alcohol History?
Authors: BERNADT M. W. , DANIELS O. J. , BLIZARD R. A. , MURRAY R. M.
Published: January 2006

The drinking histories of 102 patients were elicited by both a computer and a nurse, with 48 of the patients also being interviewed by a psychiatrist. The computer agreed as closely with the nurse and the psychiatrist as they did with each other. For all three, there was better agreement for screening interviews whose questions are dichotomous (i.e. yes/no) than for interval data such as volume of alcohol consumed. Nevertheless, the agreement for alcohol volume was at least as good as that reported in the literature for inter‐rater reliability. Thus a computer can interview patients about their drinking habits as accurately as a nurse or a psychiatrist. In many clinical settings computer interviewing might prevent patients with alcohol‐related illnesses remaining undetected.
State Monopoly Systems and Alcohol Prevention in Developing Countries: report on a collaborative international study
Authors: KORTTEINEN TIMO
Published: January 2006

In many countries, state alcohol monopoly systems have been adopted as a means of public control over alcohol availability. These countries include industrialized as well as developing countries. In this paper, an analysis is presented on the present state and potentials of state alcohol monopoly systems in preventing alcohol abuse. Special reference is given to the specificity of alcoholic beverages supply in developing countries and the potential contributions of existing state monopoly systems in developed countries to assist developing countries willing to adopt and implement preventive national alcohol policies.
An 11‐year Follow‐up of a Network of Cocaine Users
Authors: MURPHY SHEIGLA B. , REINARMAN CRAIG , WALDORF DAN
Published: January 2006

This paper presents findings from an exploratory 11‐year follow‐up study of a small network of cocaine users. These findings suggest that while serious abuse potential exists, addiction is not a uniform outcome of sustained use and that long‐term controlled use is possible. In all, four types of career use pattern are described, in addition to one case of regular abuse. These data also suggest the importance of user norms and informal social controls in mitigating against the force of pharmacological and physiological factors leading toward dependence or addiction.
Dependence on Sedative‐hypnotics: neuropsychological impairment, field dependence and clinical course in a 5‐year follow‐up study
Authors: BERGMAN HANS , BORG STEFAN , ENGELBREKTSON KARIN , VIKANDER BRITT
Published: January 2006

Despite some neuropsychological improvement in a group of 30 patients who had been hospitalized for primary abuse of sedatives or hypnotics 4–6 years earlier, the prevalence of intellectual impairment was still increased and about as high as before. As in alcoholic patients CAT scan of the brain showed an increased prevalence of dilatation of the ventricular system, but unlike alcoholics not of widened conical sulci. Field dependence and visuo‐spatial skills during treatment predicted abuse status at follow‐up. Patients with improved drug habits had less pronounced withdrawal symptoms during treatment and a better social situation at follow‐up than patients without improvement of drug habits. The results suggest that despite some neuropsychological improvement cerebral disorder diagnosed in patients abusing sedatives or hypnotics is often permanent through the years and that neuropsychological status is linked to long‐term prognosis.
Economic Aspects of Illicit Drug Markets and Drug Enforcement Policies
Authors: WAGSTAFF ADAM
Published: January 2006

This paper reviews the economics literature on illicit drug markets and drug enforcement policies. The first pan of the paper examines the problems involved in establishing the parameters of the illicit market. The second part of the paper examines the contribution economics can make to the evaluation of drug enforcement policies: the discussion covers the determination of both the appropriate level of enforcement expenditure and the appropriate mix of policy measures.
The Influence of Advertising on Tobacco Consumption: some problems with Chetwynd et al.'s analysis
Authors: JACKSON JOHN D. , JR. EKELUND ROBERT B.
Published: January 2006

In a recent study of the relationship between cigarette advertising and the aggregate consumption of cigarettes in New Zealand between 1973 and 1985, Chetwynd et al. (1988) argue that quarterly data suggest that advertising affects overall consumption of cigarettes with an elasticity of +0.07. In addition, they argue that advertising has a ‘carry over’ effect of about four quarters on current consumption. These results are potentially important for two reasons. Although the evidence is mixed, the conventional view is that cigarette advertising affects brand choice among smokers but not aggregate demand for cigarettes. Chetwynd et al.'s results, (hereafter, Chetmynd) contradict this traditional view. Secondly, if advertising does increase the aggregate demand for cigarettes, then a public policy banning cigarette advertising might reduce aggregate demand for cigarettes. Unfortunately, the Chetwynd, study is sufficiently flawed with conceptual and econometric problems that their inference that advertising increases cigarette demand is questionable. Certainly cigarette advertising may increase or decrease cigarette consumption. The point we wish to make is that, any inference one way or the other based on the results of Chetwynd, cannot be viewed as well‐grounded in either scientific methodology or statistical principles.
A Randomized Study of Secondary Prevention of Early Stage Problem Drinkers in Primary Health Care
Authors: ROMELSJÖ ANDERS , ANDERSSON LENA , BARRNER HAKAN , BORG STEFAN , GRANSTRAND CLAES , HULTMAN OLLE , HÄSSLER ANNIKA , KäLLQUIST ANNA , MAGNUSSON PETER , MORGELL ROLAND , NYMAN KJELL , OLOFSSON ANDERS , OLSSON EVA , RHEDIN ANDERS , WIKBLAD OLLE
Published: January 2006

The subjects were recruited from participants in a health examination of random samples of the adult population in Stockholm county. Those aged 18–64years who admitted a high alcohol consumption (>40 g 100% ethanol/day) among men and <30 g among women) or had an elevated value of serum‐gammaglutamyltransferase (GOT) (cut‐off point 1.0 microkatal/l for men and 0.6 microkatal/l for women) or had certain other indications of a high alcohol consumption were included. More severe cases, and those with an elevated GOT due to reasons other than alcohol, were excluded. The remaining subjects, 70 men and 13 women, were allocated at random to either an intervention or a comparison group. An elevated GGT was the main inclusion criteria. The subjects in the comparison group were advised by the general practitioner to cut their alcohol consumption, while those in the intervention group made further visits to their general practitioner, who gave general support and used an elevated GGT as an indication of the recent level of alcohol consumption at consecutive visits. There were three visits on average, so we are comparing a group receiving advice with a group receiving further minimal intervention. At the one‐year follow‐up there were greater, however not significant, reductions in GGT‐level, in self‐reported alcohol consumption and in a ‘problem index’ in the minimal intervention group than in the comparison group.
Use of Alcohol among High School Students in Lesotho
Authors: MEURSING K. , MOROJELE N.
Published: January 2006

Data on alcohol consumption, attitudes to and knowledge of alcohol were collected by means of questionnaires from 1133 high school students aged 11–22 years in Lesotho. Additional data were obtained by means of classroom discussion and 13 in‐depth interviews. About half of the students (54% of the boys and 42% of the girls) had drunk alcohol at some point in their lives. Drinking was found to be related to age, sex, drinking of friends, family income, and drinking in the family. No indication of widespread alcohol abuse was found, but about half of the students (drinkers and non‐drinkers) believed that moderate drinking is impossible and that the fun of drinking is to get drunk, indicating the possibility of alcohol abuse in the future. The results have implications for future research and for preventive work among youth and adults in Lesotho.