bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Craving for Cigarettes
Authors: WEST ROBERT , SCHNEIDERS NINA
Published: January 2006

The urge to smoke is by far the most commonly reported subjective response to cigarette withdrawal. It is worse in smokers with higher nicotine intake and can be reduced by a nicotine substitute. Although it may occur at any time during abstinence, it can be increased by stress and boredom and reduced when the smoker is kept occupied. Craving for cigarettes probably has multiple causation arising partly out of the perceived benefits of smoking and negative consequences of not smoking and partly as a direct result of loss of nicotine. Whatever its root causes it would be expected to involve general psychological processes such as associative learning and attribution. This paper draws together the threads of pharmacological and psychological levels of explanation for cigarette craving in an attempt to provide a clearer understanding of this phenomenon.
The Abolition of the Swedish Alcohol Rationing System: effects on consumption distribution and cirrhosis mortality
Authors: NORSTRÖM THOR
Published: January 2006

From the mid‐fifties, Sweden experienced a much sharper rise in male cirrhosis mortality than should be expected from the development in per capita consumption. The present paper attempts to explain this anomaly. No evidence was found for the hypothesis that the discrepancy is due to the increased frequency of autopsy or to changes in stress factors (unemployment and divorce rates). Next, the attention is turned to the abolition of the Swedish rationing system in 1955. Available data indicates that the reform had a redistributive impact: the larger the consumption during the rationing, the larger the relative increase after its abolition. Considering the convex relationship between consumption and the risk of dying from cirrhosis, an effect of the redistribution on aggregate mortality is expected. This effect was assessed by means of a micro to macro simulation resting on a multitude of empirical findings. According to the results, a substantial part of the exceptional mortality rise‐possibly all of it‐is attributable to the redistribution of consumption.
Some Reflections on the WHO Project on Community Response to Alcohol‐related Problems
Authors: Rootman Irving , Hawks David
Published: January 2006

This paper summarizes some of the key lessons learned from the World Health Organization project on Community Response to Alcohol‐Related Problems which was carried out in Mexico, Scotland and Zambia between 1976 and 1983. In particular, it presents some of the lessons learned about alcohol problems, methods of research, translating research into action and managing an international research project. It reflects the experiences of the two project managers.
Drug Education to School Children: does it really work?
Authors: Swadi Harith , Zeitlin Harry
Published: January 2006

Despite the great efforts made by law enforcement agencies around the world, the evidence is that illicit substances are becoming more easily available. Increasing emphasis is being put on prevention by education. This review examines and evaluates some of the currently used drug education approaches and programmes. The evidence so far indicates that some programmes had limited effectiveness; most had major shortcomings, and there is little to choose between them. Certain aspects of the evaluated educational approaches have some potential This review also discusses a possible way of combining these aspects in a school‐based educational programme.
Acculturation and Drinking Patterns Among U. S. Hispanics
Authors: CAETANO RAUL
Published: January 2006

This paper reports on the relationship between drinking patterns and acculturation of Hispanics to U. S. society. Subjects comprise a national probability sample of members of this ethnic group. Acculturation is a composite measure which covers language used, media preference and other aspects of daily life. Acculturation is associated with decreased abstention among older men, and with a higher rate of frequent heavy drinking among younger men. More acculturated women have five times more chance of being drinkers than women in the low acculturation group. Women in the high acculturation group have 9 times more chances of being frequent high maximum or frequent heavy drinkers than women in the low acculturation group. Overall, the association between drinking patterns and acculturation is stronger and more consistent for women than for men.
Nasal Nicotine Solution as an Aid to Cigarette Withdrawal: a pilot clinical trial
Authors: JARVIS M. J. , HAJEK P. , RUSSELL M. A. H. , WEST R. J. , FEYERABEND C.
Published: January 2006

The value of a nasal nicotine solution (NNS) as an aid to cigarette withdrawal was assessed in a preliminary clinical trial. Consecutive new attenders at the Maudsley Smokers Clinic (n=26) were invited to use NNS for at least the first 11 days of their cessation attempt. Results indicated that NNS alleviated withdrawal and may he helpful in achieving cigarette cessation. Short and long term success rates were 65% and 35% respectively. Side effects were not a serious problem. Nicotine intake from NNS was low on average, but in some subjects who became long term users was similar to that from cigarettes. NNS merits further study, but its full potential can only be assessed by a placebo‐controlled trial.
Substance Use by Internes and Residents : an analysis of personal, social and professional differences
Authors: MYERS TED , WEISS ELLIOTT
Published: January 2006

This paper describes the alcohol and drug use reported by internes and residents in Ontario. The results are part of a larger study related to aspects of “work and well‐being” in this population. Of 1,805 physicians, who responded to a mailed survey, a response rate of 84.2% was obtained. The greatest use of substances were reported by internes and residents in family practice, psychiatry, radiology, anesthesia and obstetrics/ gynecology. There appeared in fact to be particular patterns of drug use in different specialities. Little evidence of polydrug use was found. Tobacco use was strikingly low, and mean alcohol consumption appeared to be similar to the general population. While nearly twice the proportion of internes and residents reported current use of marijuana as compared to the general population, this was not seen when age matched. Cocaine use was no different between these physicians and the aged matched general population. These results do not substantiate reports of excessive use of alcohol or drugs in physicians during their training years.
What Do We Know About the Risks of Caffeine Consumption in Pregnancy?
Authors: HELLER JULIA
Published: January 2006

This paper reviews the evidence for the harmful effects on the baby of caffeine use in pregnancy. There is relatively little research in this area and existing studies provide incomplete and conflicting evidence. Many of the studies are difficult to interpret due to methodological flaws. The two most carefully designed studies, however, do indicate an association with both spontaneous abonion and low birthweight. On this basis, women probably should be advised to limit their caffeine consumption during pregnancy.
Demographic Characteristics and the Frequency of Heavy Drinking as Predictors of Self‐reported Drinking Problems
Authors: HILTON MICHAEL E.
Published: January 2006

The distribution of both heavy drinking and drinking problems are well known from several previous studies. Not surprisingly, drinking problems are more prevalent among the demographic groups where heavy drinking is also more prevalent. This well‐known conjunction, however, does little to determine whether some groups are more likely than others to experience drinking problems when we control for the amount of alcohol consumed. Here, this question is punned through a multiple regression analysis in which the dependent variable is a score on a drinking problem scale and the independent variables are: the frequency of heavy drinking occasions, sex, age, marital status, region, urbanicity, income, and education. The results indicate that none of these demographic variables had a strong association with the reported problem level.
Local Physostigmine in the Management of Early Alcohol Withdrawal
Authors: STOJEK ANDRZEJ , BILIKIEWICZ ADAM , WOLNY STANISLAW
Published: January 2006

Physostigmine salicylate eyedrops were administered to 15 alcoholic patients suffering from alcohol withdrawal in a double‐blind study with placebo washout period prior to active medication. Treatment consisted of one 180 min session with placebo drops—saline chloride which followed trial of same duration with physostigmine salicylate eyedrops. Subjects were evaluated on the serial measurement on the Acute Withdrawal Scale and on the Visual Analog Craving Scale. The results immediately after treatment showed significant symptom reduction following physostigmine administration. It is postulated that the mechanism of physostigmine reversal of withdrawal symptoms may be due to short reversible changes in the reflex responses of the cholinergic hypothalamic neurons.
An Alcohol Research Center in Concept and Practice: interdisciplinary collaboration at the UConn ARC
Authors: MEYER ROGER E. , BABOR THOMAS F. , HESSELBROCK VICTOR
Published: January 2006

The Center for Research on the Etiology and Treatment of Alcohol Dependence is dedicated to the systematic examination of the nature, development, and clinical management of alcohol use disorders. The Center is organized around an integrated network of three basic science laboratories (Neurobiology, Neurodynamics, and Psychophysiology) and one treatment evaluation laboratory that incorporates basic science methods and concepts into its program. This paper describes the organization, programs and mission of the Center. It also discusses the conditions under which interdisciplinary collaborative research is likely to flourish.
Long‐term Effectiveness of Probation, Short‐term Intervention and LAI Administration for Reducing DUI Recidivism
Authors: WELLS‐PARKER ELISABETH , ANDERSON BRADLEY J. , LANDRUM JAMES W. , SNOW RONALD W.
Published: January 2006

Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) arrest records were checked for subjects participating in the Mississippi DUI Probation Follow‐up project 6 to 9 years after project entry. The efficacy of short‐term intervention, probation, and Life Activities Inventory (LAI) administration for reducing long‐term DUI recidivism were evaluated using a logit analysis. A small but statistically significant effect of probation for reducing long‐term recidivism was found for offenders classified both as low‐risk and high‐risk drinkers. However, an interaction effect of combining probation with short‐term intervention, which was suggested by an earlier 2‐year recidivism analysis, was not statistically significant after the longer tracking period. Administration of the LAI questionnaire was found to reduce recidivism only for offenders classified as low‐risk, replicating findings after 2 years of recidivism tracking.
Drunk‐driving Intervention in an Urban Community: an exploratory analysis
Authors: ADEBAYO AKIN
Published: January 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether age, sex, and marital status differences exist in preventing the occurrence of impaired driving among urban residents. Among other findings, the overwhelming proportion of the respondents were willing to intervene and prevent the occurrence of impaired driving. The research offers evidence that offering to drive the intoxicated person home or calling a taxi were the most frequently employed intervention techniques by the respondents. More females than males took keys away to prevent the occurrence of drunk‐driving. Suggestions for future research are couched.
The Opiate Dependence Syndrome: replication study using the SODQ in a New York clinic
Authors: SUTHERLAND G. , EDWARDS G. , TAYLOR C. , PHILLIPS G. T. , GOSSOP M. R.
Published: January 2006

Two papers have appeared in the literature recently reporting the use of the Severity of Opiate Dependence Questionnaire (SODQ) with American and British samples of opiate addicts. This paper presents the findings of a third study. The SODQ was completed by a further 126 subjects attending the original New York Clinic and the results largely confirmed our earlier findings: first the four main sections of the SODQ each give a strong first factor and secondly when these are combined a strong overall factor emerges. These results are again at variance with those found in the British sample and possible reasons briefly discussed.
Expectations about Appropriate Drinking Contexts: comparisons of parents, adolescents and best friends*
Authors: WILKS JEFFREY , CALLAN VICTOR J.
Published: January 2006

One hundred and six adolescents, their parents and the adolescent's best friend were separately asked their expectations about the social and motivational aspects of contexts for drinking alcohol. Convivial and utilitarian dimensions were recognized, with all groups tending to support drinking in social‐convivial rather than personal‐utilitarian contexts. Comparison of parents, sons and the son's best friend revealed that sons and their male friends held similar expectations, and were more likely than mothers and fathers to support drinking at celebrations for birthdays, graduations, job promotions and on receiving good news. Sons and their friends also supported drinking on occasions with friends or groups of people more than did parents. Fewer differences emerged in the standards reported by both parents, daughters and their best friends. Where differences did emerge, daughters and their best friends supported drinking at some celebrations. Results suggest a greater number of differences and sources of conflict in the norms about drinking contexts held by parents and their sons, than parents and their daughters.
The Origins of Alcohol Studies: E. M. Jellinek and the documentation of the alcohol research literature
Authors: PAGE PENNY BOOTH
Published: January 2006

The beginning of a modem field of alcohol studies based on multidisciplinary research and treatment for alcohol problems is described. The role of E. M. Jellinek in the creation of this field is analysed in terms of his activities to identify, gather, and disseminate alcohol research information. This work influenced the direction, and laid the foundation, for alcohol research for the next several decades.
Long Term Outcome for Patients with Drinking Problems: the search for predictors
Authors: EDWARDS GRIFFITH , BROWN DAVID , OPPENHEIMER EDNA , SHEEHAN MARGARET , TAYLOR COLIN , DUCKITT ANNIE
Published: January 2006

Previous work on prediction of outcome among patients with drinking problems is briefly reviewed. The literature suggests that few predictors of consistent strength have been identified. Two reasons frequently put forward for conducting such investigations are the belief that findings may be useful to clinical policies either by indicating which patients should be excluded from treatment or by assisting in matching. At present such amibitions seem premature. The separation between theory‐rich research on community samples and often very barely descriptive studies on clinical populations should be overcome. With the issues raised by this review taken as the background, results are then presented on a 10‐year follow‐up of a group of 99 married male alcoholics seen at the Maudsley Hospital. The usual predictive approach of running individual Intake variables against a range of Outcome variables reveals little of significance and actual drinking behaviour cannot be predicted at all. When, however, outcome is measured in terms of dimensions deriving from a principal components analysis, a number of very significant predictors are found which bear differentially on the two components. Prediction research may provide a test‐bed for theory but advances will depend on the development of ideas on the nature of outcome processes.
Alcohol and Suicide in Scandinavia
Authors: NORSTRÖM THOR
Published: January 2006

Several individual level studies suggest that heavy drinking is a risk factor with regard to suicide. At the aggregate level we should thus expect a relationship between the suicide rate and the prevalence of heavy drinking (as measured by per capita consumption of alcohol). To test this hypothesis, time series data far Denmark (1931–80), Finland (1932–80), Norway (1931–80) and Sweden (1922–49, 1950–70) was analysed. It was expected that the relationship between alcohol and suicide would be contingent on characteristics of the drinking culture. More specifically, it was thought that the relationship would be strongest in Finland, with its more explosive drinking practice, weakest in Denmark due to its more continental drinking patterns, and with Sweden and Norway in between. The results show that the relationship is statistically significant in the two latter countries only. Some methodological problems that should be considered when interpreting the findings are discussed in the final section.
Corpus Callosal Thickness in Alcoholics
Authors: HARPER CLIVE G. , KRIL JILLIAN J.
Published: January 2006

The coronal thickness of the corpus callosum in alcoholics and age‐ and sex‐matched controls was measured in a postmortem study. The alcoholics were found to have a significantly (p <0.001) reduced corpus callosal thickness (3.19 mm) when compared to the controls (4.02 mm). This adds weight to the previous pathological finding of reduced white matter volume in alcoholics, which presumably correlates with brain shrinkage seen on CT scans.

A significant linear relationship exists between age and the corpus callosal thickness in controls and the white matter volume and corpus callosal thickness in alcoholics.
The Minnesota Model in the Management of Drug and Alcohol Dependency: miracle, method or myth? Part I. The Philosophy and the Programme ★
Authors: COOK CHRISTOPHER C. H.
Published: January 2006

The Minnesota Model is an abstinence orientated, comprehensive, multi‐professional approach to the treatment of the addictions, based upon the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. It espouses a disease concept of drug and alcohol dependency with the promise of recovery, but not cure, for those who adhere to it. The programme is intensive, offering group therapy, lectures, and counselling based upon a pattern developed in Minnesota, in the United States, during the late 1940s and the 1950s. Its origins and content are distinct from the‘Concept Houses’and the wider Therapeutic Community movement, but it incorporates themes held in common with both of these treatment approaches.
Sex Differences in the Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Patients With Alcohol and Drug Problems ⋆
Authors: ROSS HELEN E. , GLASER FREDERICK B. , STIASNY SUSAN
Published: January 2006

A survey evaluated the lifetime and current prevalence of mental disorders in 260 male and 241 female patients seeking assistance with alcohol and drug problems at an addiction research facility. Information was gathered using the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) and computer diagnoses were generated according to DSM‐III criteria. Women did not show higher rates of psychiatric disorders than men, contrary to widespread belief among professionals that female substance abusers manifest more psychopathology and maladjustment than do their male counterparts. While there were no significant sex differences in the major mental disorders (cognitive impairment, schizophrenia and affective disorders), women were more likely to suffer from anxiety, psychosexual disorders and bulimia, while men were more often diagnosed as having an antisocial personality disorder. Patients of either sex who abused or were dependent on both alcohol and drugs had a much higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders than did other patients.
Effect of Clonidine on Cigarette Cessation and in the Alleviation of Withdrawal Symptoms
Authors: WEI HAO , YOUNG DERSON
Published: January 2006

One hundred and eighteen cigarette smokers who wished to give up were randomly assigned to receive either clonidine (a=42), diazepam (n=38) or placebo (n=38) in a double‐blind trial. All subjects also received at least three sessions of behavioural treatment. End of treatment abstinence rates for clonidine, diazepam and placebo groups were 69%, 40% and 40% respectively (p<0.01). At later follow‐up, averaging 4.5 months from the end of treatment, abstinence rates were 57%, 37% and 37% respectively (NS). Compared with diazepam and placebo, clonidine received more positive ratings (p<0.005) and was more effective in relieving withdrawal symptoms (p<0.05). This report demonstrates that clonidine helps smokers to quit. The mechanism of action may involve decreased firing of α‐2‐noradrenergic cells in the locus coeruleus.
Alcohol Consumption and Casualties: a comparison of two emergency room populations
Authors: STEPHENS CHERPITEL CHERYL J.
Published: January 2006

This paper compares alcohol consumption and casualties in probability samples of two diverse emergency room populations: San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) (n=2516) and four hospitals representative of a nearby California county (n=3609). Both studies used similar methods and data collection instruments. Patients were breathalysed and interviewed regarding self‐reported alcohol consumption 6 hours prior to the injury or illness event, usual drinking patterns and alcohol‐related problems. Injuries were found to be positively associated with breathalyser readings, self‐reported consumption prior to the event and more frequent heavy drinking in both samples. In the county sample injuries were also positively associated with more frequent drunkenness, symptoms of alcohol dependence and loss of control and prior alcohol‐related accidents. The SFGH sample had higher rates than the county sample on all alcohol variables and both samples reported higher rates of alcohol‐related problems than that found in U.S. general population surveys.
Effect on Traffic Accidents of Introducing Flexible Hotel Trading Hours in Tasmania, Australia
Authors: SMITH D. I.
Published: January 2006

Following the introduction of flexible hotel trading hours in Tasmania, hotels stayed open for approximately the same duration, but closed later than the previous 10.00 p.m. closing time. In the year after the legislative change there were 382 casualty accidents from 10.01 p.m. to 6.00 a.m., whereas the 95% confidence interval calculated on the basis of the previous five years was 309.3 to 356.3. By contrast, for the control time of 6.01 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. the 362 casualty accidents during the after period was within the 95% confidence interval of 331.1 to 365.3. With the later closing the accidents were significantly more likely to occur after midnight than before midnight.
Factors Influencing the Consumption of Alcohol and Tobacco: the use and abuse of economic models
Authors: GODFREY CHRISTINE
Published: January 2006

This paper is concerned with the use of economic models in the debate about the role that tax increases and restrictions on advertising should play in reducing the health problems that arise from the consumption of alcohol and tobacco. It is argued that properly specified demand models that take account of all the important factors that influence consumption are required, otherwise inadequate modelling may lead to misleading estimates of the effects of policy changes. The ability of economics to deal with goods such as alcohol and tobacco that have addictive characteristics receives special attention. Recent advances in economic theory, estimation techniques and statistical testing are discussed, as is the problem of identifying policy recommendations from empirical results.
The Prevalence in Various Social Groups of Eight Different Drinking Patterns, from Abstaining to Frequent Drunkenness: analysis of 10 U.S. surveys combined
Authors: KNUPFER GENEVIEVE
Published: January 2006

Ten surveys of drinking in the U.S.A. were combined, producing a sample size of 12,603 cases. The present study uses only non‐Hispanic Black and White races, bringing the total number down to 9891. Eight drinking categories were used, the heaviest being those who drank at least eight drinks at least three times a week. Classification by sex, age, race and socio‐economic status produced 72 social subgroups. The distribution of drinking patterns varied a great deal in these subgroups; frequent light drinkers, for example, were 0% in one subgroup and 42% in another; abstainers were 0% in one group and, in another, 76%. The type of classification of ‘heavier’ drinkers so often used in surveys of small sample size, where the lower limit of amount of drinking is unrealistically low, may give a false impression of the distribution of drinking patterns. We found that the proportions of respondents falling into our categories 1, 2, 3 and 4 (corresponding to many definitions of ‘heavier’ drinkers) are not good predictors of frequent drunkenness, or of serious problems.
Treating Alcohol Problems in Sri Lanka
Authors: SAMARASINGHE DIYANATH
Published: January 2006

Treatment in settings where facilities are limited poses many challenges. Attempts are being made to use untrained but committed people to help dependent persons maintain abstinence after withdrawal. This experience makes us question the need for highly trained specialized staff in helping in this task.
The Reliability of the CIDI‐SAM: a comprehensive substance abuse interview
Authors: COTTLER LINDA B. , ROBINS LEE N. , HELZER JOHN E.
Published: January 2006

The CIDI‐SAM is a fully‐structured interview that ascertains DSM‐III, DSM‐III‐R, Feighner, RDC and ICD‐10 diagnoses for alcohol, tobacco and nine classes of psychoactive drugs, h was designed at the request of the WHO/ADAMHA Task Force on Psychiatric Assessment instruments to expand the substance abuse sections of the CIDI. Using a test‐retest design, the diagnostic and item reliabilities of this instrument were tested in a sample of 39 patients in substance abuse treatment at three St. Louis treatment facilities. Kappa values and their 95% confidence intervals, and Yule's Y values are reported. The average kappa for DSM‐III substance disorders was 0.84, for DSM‐III‐R it was 0.82. We report, on the average, excellent kappa values for individual alcohol and drug symptoms. We also ascertained from the respondent's themselves the reasons why answers to specific questions might have been discordant. The findings from this unique,‘discrepancy interview’are reported.
Resisting Temptation: a psychological analysis*
Authors: HODGSON RAY J.
Published: January 2006

It is proposed that self control involves several related processes including vivid awareness of future consequences, overcoming learned helplessness and tunnel vision, developing commitment and accepting anxiety/frustration. Facing up to temptation and resisting the compulsive urge is considered to be a crucial therapeutic experience. Evidence is presented to support the view that cue exposure should therefore be a central component of treatments for compulsions and addictions.
Diagnostic Validity of the Drug Abuse Screening Test in the Assessment of DSM‐III Drug Disorders
Authors: GAVIN DOUGLAS R. , ROSS HELEN E. , SKINNER HARVEY A.
Published: January 2006

Diagnostic validity of the DAST was assessed using a clinical sample of 501 drug/alcohol patients. Various DAST cut‐points were validated against DSM‐III drug abuse/dependence criteria, as assessed by the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, The DAST attained 8S% overall accuracy in classifying patients according to DSM‐III diagnosis. This accuracy was maintained between DAST score cut‐points of 5/6 through 9/10. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis indicated that 5/6 was the optimum threshold score. The DAST was also correlated with demographic variables, psychiatric history, and drug use. The results showed very good concurrent and discriminant validity. This study concluded that fairly accurate estimation of DSM‐III drug criteria could be made using a brief self‐adminstered questionnaire (DAST). However, caution must be expressed when generalizing these findings to other contexts (e.g. the justice system) where subjects may have stronger motivation to under‐report drug involvement.
The Short Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD) Questionnaire: norms and reliability data for male young offenders
Authors: McMURRAN MARY , HOLLIN CLIVE R.
Published: January 2006

The Short Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD) questionnaire was administered to 100 male young offenders. The mean score was 8.09. Eighty subjects were available between 19 and 40 days later for retest. Of these, 44 were given the original SADD, resulting in a test‐retest correlation of 0.87. The remaining 36young offenders were given at retest a version of the SADD reworded to eradicate difficult words and ambiguous items. The test‐retest reliability using the reworded SADD was 0.88 and the split‐half reliability of the reworded SADD was 0.85. Thus, the SADD is shown to be reliable over time and the reworded SADD is a satisfactory alternative to the orginal SADD with this population.
Alcohol, Smoking and Pregnancy: some observations on ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom
Authors: WATERSON E. J. , MURRAY‐LYON I. M.
Published: January 2006

This paper describes drinking and smoking patterns before and during pregnancy in 363 women from ethnic minorities living in West London. Drinking and smoking were less common and levels of consumption were lower amongst women of Afro‐Caribbean, Asian or Oriental origin than amongst Europeans. However, 75% of the Afro‐Caribbeans, 56% of the Orientals and 47% of the Asians did drink alcohol before pregnancy. Twenty‐one per cent of the Europeans, 5% of the Afro‐Caribbeans, 3% of the Orientals drank more than 100 g alcohol per week (the level at which fetal harm may result). Drinking and smoking decreased in pregnancy in all ethnic groups, but 31% of Afro‐Caribbeans, 29% of Orientals and 18% of Asians continued drinking. It is important to take alcohol and smoking histories from all pregnant women whatever their racial origin as pan of good antenatal care.
Effect of Social Drinking on Neuropsychological Performance
Authors: WAUGH MARA , JACKSON M. , FOX G. A. , HAWKE S. H. , TUCK R. R.
Published: January 2006

The effects of social drinking on neuropsychological function have been assessed in a group of healthy male volunteers. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their daily alcohol consumption: (1) 40 g or less (n = 93), (2) 41–80 g (n = 22), (3) 81–130g (n = 16). Group t had been drinking at the present level for a mean of 12.6 years, group 2 for 16.9 years and group 3 for 15.1 years; the differences are not significant. There are no significant differences on any neuropsychological tests variables between groups 1 and 2. However, subjects in group 3 were found to perform at a significantly lower level than groups 1 and 2 on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, the Austin Maze, and the Little Man and Spatial Memory Tests of the Bexley Maudsley Automated Psychological Screening Test. The pattern of deficits found in heavy social drinkers is less severe but otherwise similar to that found in alcoholics.
Perspectives on the Validity of Self‐Reported Alcohol Use
Authors: MIDANIK LORRAINE T.
Published: January 2006

The purpose of this paper is to explore the search for an answer to the question “are self‐reports of alcohol consumption valid?” and the concurrent denial by most alcohol researchers, that over‐reporting of alcohol may be a possibility. Researchers have tended to ask this question with the inherent assumption that there is an absolute answer. The truth, however, is unlikely to be so neat or so simple.
Family cohesion, expressiveness and conflict in alcoholic families
Authors: BARRY KRISTEN L. , FLEMING MICHAEL F.
Published: January 2006

This study estimated family cohesiveness, expressiveness, and conflict in a primary care sample of alcoholics and non–alcoholics with and without a family history of alcoholism. Subjects completed the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule alcohol subscale, based on DSM–III criteria, and a family environment scale. Alcoholics with a family history of alcoholism (Alc + FH+) reported significantly less cohesion and expressiveness, and more conflict in their present families than did either non–alcoholics with a family history of alcoholism (Alc − FH +) or non–alcoholics with no family history of alcoholism (Alc − FH −). Non‐alcoholics who grew up in alcoholic families (Alc − FH +) reported present family relationships similar to non–alcoholics with no family history of alcoholism (Alc − FH −). Results suggest a family history of alcoholism alone was not associated with differences in perceptions of present family relationships. The findings of this study raise questions about the general perception that individuals who grew up in alcoholic families experience more family dysfunction in adulthood. The presence of two factors together–family history and alcohol problems in the subject–produced the perception of family dysfunction.
Heroin misusers: what they think of their general practitioners
Authors: TELFER IAN , CLULOW CATHERINE
Published: January 2006

One hundred and sixteen heroin misusers were assessed at hospital clinics regarding their contact with General Practitioners (GPs), their routes of referral and their estimation of GP reaction to a consultation regarding heroin misuse. Thirty‐nine (25%) had not previously contacted their GPs for drug misuse; 103 (89%) approached the specialized clinics through means other than a GP; the reported, or anticipated, responses concerning GP attitudes were generally unfavourable. Lack of training and support for GPs are remediable explanations for the findings.
Is pregnancy a time of changing drinking and smoking patterns for fathers as well as mothers? An initial investigation
Authors: WATERSON E. J. , EVANS C. , MURRAY‐LYON I. M.
Published: January 2006

This paper describes changing smoking and drinking patterns before and during pregnancy in 313 expectant couples. Fathers were more likely to drink and smoke more heavily than mothers throughout. Before pregnancy in only 42% of couples were both partners safe drinkers and non‐smokers. This increased to 50% during pregnancy. Most mothers reduced alcohol consumption during pregnancy and although about half of the fathers also changed their drinking patterns, only about a fifth decreased their consumption. Levels of paternal and maternal drinking in pregnancy were positively associated with pre‐pregnancy levels. Rates and levels of both maternal and paternal smoking declined in pregnancy. There was a positive association between partners of both the prevalence and level of drinking and smoking between fanners. There was some indication that mothers were more likely to reduce smoking and drinking if their partner joined them in doing so. Risk drinking in couples was more common in those who were older and of higher social status, but smoking was more common among the younger couples of lower social status.
Buprenorphine abuse: report from India
Authors: CHOWDHURY ARABINDA N. , CHOWDHURY SYAMALI
Published: January 2006

Buprenorphine has been stated a drug of low abuse potential and often used therapeutically in the management of opiate addicts. An analysis of 21/2 years' experience of opiate addiction cases at a de‐addiction clinic revealed its increasing rate of abuse, especially as a substitute for heroin.
Alcohol problems and the city
Authors: ROOM ROBIN
Published: January 2006

Alcohol problems have long been especially associated with city life, although this perception is not always supported empirically in comparisons of urban and rural rates. Potential explanations of higher urban rates include: more complete reporting of problems in the city; that problems may occur in the city, but involve non‐inhabitants; that migrants to the city may be especially attracted by or vulnerable to heavy drinking; and characteristics of city lifestyles that are conducive to heavy drinking, and to heavy drinking being defined as problematic. On the other hand, there are also potential explanations of higher rural rates, such as the ready availability associated with home production. Collective efforts to reduce rates of alcohol problems have often focused on the city or its neighborhoods; these local communities bear many of the costs of the problems, while alcohol tax revenues tend to go to national governments. Three forms of urban alcohol problems prevention are briefly discussed: local alcohol control through municipal public‐houses or sales license controls; community action movements to reduce rates of alcohol‐related problems; and AA and other mutual‐help movements, which are particularly attuned to counteracting characeristically urban problems.
Drug abuse severity in adolescents is associated with magnitude of deviation in temperament traits
Authors: TARTER RALPH E. , LAIRD SUSAN B. , KABENE MOSTEFA , BUKSTEIN OSCAR , KAMINER YIFRAH
Published: January 2006

Substance abusing adolescents were discriminated from normal controls on seven of the nine scales comprising the revised Dimensions of Temperament Scales. However, upon aggregating the scales into orthogonal dimensions using factor analysis, it was found that only activity level was associated with drug use severity. This behavioural trait was correlated with seven of 10 scales comprising the Drug Use Screening Inventory, including severity of substance use, behavior problems, psychiatric disorder, work, peer relationships and leisure activities.
Brief didactic treatment for alcohol and drug‐related problems: an approach based on client choice
Authors: SANCHEZ‐CRAIG MARTHA
Published: January 2006

The conceptual and empirical basis of a treatment programme for the prevention of severe alcohol or drug‐related problems is described. The approach rests on the assumption that clients are capable of self‐control and of taking responsibility for much of their treatment. We also believe that offering clients choices, particularly about the goal of treatment, is conducive to better outcome. The treatment involves cognitive and behavioural techniques which have been gradually refined in outcome studies with clients of diverse characteristics, and with abstinence or moderation as goals. It is proposed that the treatment model is suitable as a true self‐help procedure, or as a brief intervention for primary care health professionals.
Evaluation of an alcohol education package for non‐specialist health care and social workers
Authors: GORMAN D. M. , WERNER J. M. , JACOBS L. M. , DUFFY S. W.
Published: January 2006

A quasi‐experimental non‐equivalent control group design was used to assess the influence of a two‐day experiential alcohol education package for non‐specialist health care and social workers. Four pairs of teams took pan in the study: general practice; accident and emergency; medicine for the elderly; and social work. The dual foci of the evaluation were agents' knowledge and attitudes, and these were assessed using a modified version of the Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire (AAPPQ).1 For both variables, the one‐month follow‐up scores of the education teams were significantly higher than those of the comparisons, although the effect was stronger in the case of therapeutic attitudes than knowledge. There were also significant differences in improvement in ittitude scores, with significant effects being absented in the general practice, medicine for the elderly and social work teams but not the accident and emergency. At 6 months, the level of fall‐off in improvement varied and this, along with the pattern of change evident in the five components which comprise the AAPPQ attitude scale, was examined and discussed in relation to previous research in this field of inquiry.
Why smokeless tobacco should be banned
Authors: Mackay Judith
Published: January 2006

Abstract. In countries such as India, there is irrefutable evidence of the dangers of smokeless tobacco. In the USA, the‘new‐wave’ smokeless tobacco has shown that it can rapidly penetrate a market, especially among young males. Smokeless tobacco may cause less tobacco‐related illness than cigarettes, but there is little evidence available regarding the interrelationship between the two and hence the long‐term effect on personal total tobacco consumption. Therefore, on the basis of this uncertainty and also the intrinsic and proven harmfulness of the product, policy‐makers are advised to ban this new form of tobacco use before it becomes established on a market and causes an additional epidemic of tobacco‐related diseases.
How much alcohol is in a ‘standard drink’? An analysis of 125 studies
Authors: TURNER CHARLOTTE
Published: January 2006

A group of researchers have undertaken a review of 125 international, published, epidemiological studies that relate various physical harms to different levels of alcohol consumption. For this review it was necessary to be able to compare the data from the different studies directly. The different measures of alcohol quoted in the studies were converted to the standard measure of grammes of alcohol. The present paper discusses the problems involved in doing this, and gives details of the conversion methods used.
Outcome and efficacy expectancy in the prediction of post‐treatment drinking behaviour
Authors: SOLOMON KAREN E. , ANNIS HELEN M.
Published: January 2006

A recent controversy in research on self‐efficacy theory has been directed at the role of outcome and efficacy expectancies in the prediction of behaviour. While Bandura maintains that outcome expectancies add little information to prediction beyond that explained by efficacy expectations, others disagree. The present study explored the efficacy‐outcome expectancy relationship in a population of alcoholic clients as they moved through a traditional treatment program and were contacted following a three‐month aftercare period. Results indicated that outcome expectancies (defined as the costs and benefits expected to result from a change in drinking) did not predict consumption at follow‐up. However, self‐efficacy (defined as confidence in being able to resist the urge to drink heavily) assessed at intake of treatment, was strongly associated with the level of consumption on drinking occasions at follow‐up. These findings are discussed in relation to the relevance of self‐efficacy theory to research and treatment of alcoholic patients.
Initiation, continuation or discontinuation of cannabis use in the general population
Authors: HAMMER TORILD , VAGLUM PER
Published: January 2006

A nationally representative sample (n=1997) of young people (17‐20 years of age) was examined twice with an interval of two years using postal questionnaires supplemented by telephone interviews of non‐responders. Sixty‐eight per cent of the original sample participated in both surveys. Factors found to increase the probability of having ever used cannabis were sex, place of residence, divorced parents, earlier problems with education and employment, and mental and somatic health problems. However, these factors could not predict the persistence/cessation of cannabis use which was significantly related to the establishment of an adult social role with a partner/spouse and/or having children, and negatively correlated to long‐term unemployment. Among men, high aspirations as to future occupational activity predicted cessation of cannabis use. The hypothesis that alcohol consumption would be increased amongst those individuals who stopped using cannabis was not supported. The results replicate some of the main findings of Kandel and coworkers (1984,1986,1989) supporting the role incompatibility theory of Thornton (1975) as an explanation of the cessation of cannabis use.
Hospital admissions for somatic care among young men: the role of alcohol
Authors: ANDRÉASSON SVEN , ALLEBECK PETER , ROMELSJÖ ANDERS
Published: January 2006

The association between level of alcohol consumption and hospital admission for somatic care during a 15–year follow–up was studied in a cohort of 8226 Swedish conscripts. The relative risk for admission among high consumers of alcohol (more than 250 g alcohol per week) was 1.5 (95% confidence interval 1.2–1.8) compared with moderate consumers (1–100 g alcohol per week). After control for social background variables in a multivariate model the odds ratio was 1.2 (0.9–1.6). High consumers had a higher rate of recurring admissions; the number of admissions per capita increased from 1.8 among abstainers to 2.4 among high consumers. The association with alcohol was positive in all diagnostic categories studied. Earlier reports of a U–shaped curve for hospital admission was not confirmed; abstainers had the same rate of admission as moderate consumers.
Estimating drug consumption in opioid users: reliability and validity of a‘recent use' episodes method
Authors: DARKE SHANE , HEATHER NICK , HALL WAYNE , WARD JEFF , WODAK ALEX
Published: January 2006

The efficient and accurate measurement of recent drug use is an essential component of treatment and research among opioid users. Urinalysis results alone will not give sufficient information to either the clinician or researcher, due to limitations in detection and an inability to distinguish extent of use. The present paper describes a ‘recent use episodes method’, adapted from the measurement of alcohol consumption, for obtaining self‐reported drug use in eleven different drug categories. Reliability and validity data indicate that the method provides a quick means by which accurate information may be obtained on the overall recent drug use of Opioid users.
Public support for warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers
Authors: HILTON MICHAEL E. , KASKUTAS LEE
Published: January 2006

Warning labels are now required on alcohol beverage containers in the United States. Prior to the enactment of the warning label law, a random sample of adults in the general population of the United States were interviewed by telephone to assess baseline knowledge and support for the warning labels (n= 2006). This paper proceeds on the assumption that public support is crucial for sustained success of alcohol control policies such as the warning label mandate. We found that a vast majority (87%) of the respondents felt that alcoholic beverages should have warning labels about possible health hazards, with abstention as the most significant predictor of support. A majority of the respondents also felt that alcohol education, server intervention, treatment and counter‐advertisement programs should be increased. A large minority felt that alcohol taxes should be increased store hours should be decreased, and the legal drinking age should be increased. Most respondents agreed that warning labels would not have much effect on heavy drinkers. When compared to responses to similar questions about alcohol control policies over the past 20 years, evidence supporting a conservative trend towards alcohol in the United States was found.
Individual and family characteristics of middle class adolescents hospitalized for alcohol and other drug abuse
Authors: MALTZMAN IRVING , SCHWEIGER AVRAHAM
Published: January 2006

The frequency of alcohol and drug use, abuse and severity of dependence, and personality and family characteristics in 280 female and male hospitalized adolescents in treatment for chemical dependence and 120 middle class adolescents were examined. A MANOVA showed that parents' drug and alcohol use was a main effect, increasing frequency of use and severity of dependence upon alcohol and drugs in both groups of adolescents. Sexual and physical abuse studied in the patient group also functioned as a main effect. Patients reported significantly less family interests, and participation in intellectual, cultural and social activities, but more control than the comparison group. It was concluded that adolescent alcohol and other drug abuse is part of a biopsychosocial syndrome of problem behavior, which includes the problem behavior of parents and the interacting family unit.