bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personality and Drinking Behaviour in Medical Students
Authors: FALKOWSKI JAN , HATCHER SIMON , SONDHI RAVI , FONG KWON , YOUNG KASZE
Published: January 2006

A survey of the quantity and frequency of drinking amongst medical students was carried out and correlated with personality traits. A positive correlation was found between the quantity of drinking and certain personality traits, particularly for women. The possible implications of these findings are discussed.
T Lymphocyte Subsets in Parenteral and Non‐parenteral Heroin Abusers in Britain
Authors: NOVICK DAVID M. , TREGENZA GILLIAN S. , SOLINAS ANTONIO , NEWMAN ROBERT G. , GHODSE A. HAMID , MRCPSYCH  , THOMAS HOWARD C.
Published: January 2006

Parenteral drug abusers comprise the second largest group of patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). To determine whether heroin abusers in Britain had immunologic abnormalities similar to those seen in AIDS, we determined T lymphocyte subsets in 14 parenteral heroin abusers and 10 non‐parenteral heroin abusers. No significant differences were found in T4/T8 ratios or in the absolute numbers of T3, T4, or T8‐positive cells. These results suggest that neither narcotic drugs nor repeated exposure to unsterile injectable substances are responsible for low T4/T8 ratios in parenteral drug abusers with AIDS.
Alcoholism and Eating Disorders in Women of Fertile Age
Authors: BEARY M. D. , LACEY J. H. , MERRY JULIUS
Published: January 2006

Twenty consecutive alcoholic women aged 40 or under were compared with 20 age‐matched bulimia nervosa patients and 17 age‐matched controls using a semi‐structured interview. Thirty‐five per cent of the alcoholics had a previous major eating disorder. Fifty per cent of the bulimics either abused (40%) alcohol or used it to excess (10%). Weight variables were not different between alcoholics and bulimics but were significantly different front controls in both groups. Also alcoholism presented many years after the onset of bulimia. One hundred and twelve consecutive bulimia nervosa patients were studied by the same interview. Reported alcohol abuse and excess usage increased with age to 50% by the age of 35 and may be even higher by 40. A history of an eating disorder should alert physicians to the diagnosis of future alcoholism.
Opioid Users' Attitudes Towards and Use of NHS Clinics, General Practitioners and Private Doctors
Authors: BENNETT TREVOR , WRIGHT RICHARD
Published: January 2006

The paper reports some of the findings of a study which investigated opioid users' views on and use of available treatment services in Britain. Samples were drawn from among addicts currently receiving a prescription from a National Health Service (NHS) clinic, a general practitioner and a private practitioner and addicts who were currently dependent solely on black‐market supplies. Addicts were interviewed using a combined structured and semi‐structured interview schedule. There was little evidence that users dependent on black‐market sources only had actively rejected available treatment services in the past. The majority of the black‐market users had approached at least one type of doctor in connection with their addiction. Most of the users currently receiving a prescription from a clinic or a general or private practitioner had at some time approached other types of doctor. The main reasons given for not approaching various types of doctor concerned a belief that such doctors were unavailable locally and an expectation that they were unwilling to prescribe opioids. Given a free choice, the majority of addicts said that they would prefer to attend a GP rather than a clinic or private practitioner.
Problem Drinkers in Medical Wards: consumption patterns and disabilities in newly identified male cases
Authors: LLOYD GEOFFREY , CHICK JONATHAN , CROMBIE EVELYN , ANDERSON SALLY
Published: January 2006

One hundred and sixty‐one male medical inpatients were identified as problem drinkers according to criteria previously defined. This paper describes the pattern of their drinking and the associated medical and psychosocial problems. Over half had been admitted with an illness not typically related to alcohol and a similar proportion reported levels of consumption which have previously been considered safe. Classical symptoms of dependence were uncommon but specific enquiry revealed a broad range of social problems related to alcohol. Recognition of this profile is necessary if problem drinkers are to be identified at an early stage and to benefit from counselling.
The Aro Drug Addiction Research and Treatment Centre: a first report
Authors: MAKANJUOLA J. D. A.
Published: January 2006

The Drug Addiction Research and Treatment Centre at Aro Neuro‐Psychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta was established in March 1983. The programmes of the Centre are described and its first year experience reported. During this period, the 52 patients admitted were mostly single, employed and educated, at least to primary school leaving certificate level. Most were students and vehicle drivers, but some other occupational groups were represented. They were referred for treatment by hospital doctors and relatives. Cannabis and alcohol were the two most commonly abused substances. As many as a quarter of the patients, mostly the cannabis abusers, presented with psychotic symptoms. The prescribed specialized treatment is for 8 weeks but many stayed longer due to difficulties with arranging their rehabilitation and after‐care.
Alcohol Use and Depression Among U.S. Hispanics
Authors: CAETANO RAUL
Published: January 2006

This paper reports on the relationship between drinking patterns, alcohol problems and depression among U.S. Hispanics. Subjects comprise a national probability sample of members of this ethnic group. Depression was estimated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The results show that depression, drinking and heavier drinking have different sociodemographic correlates. Depression is more common among women, among single respondents and among those with lower income. Drinking and heavier drinking are more frequent among men, among the young and among those with higher income. Problem drinkers have twice the chance of being depressed as compared to all others, and this is independent of sex.
Cognitive‐Behavioural Treatment for Benzodiazepine Dependence: a comparison of gradual versus abrupt cessation of drug intake
Authors: SANCHEZ‐CRAIG MARTHA , CAPPELL HOWARD , BUSTO USOA , KAY GLORIA
Published: January 2006

In a double‐blind outpatient trial, long‐term users of therapeutic doses of benzodiazepines seeking treatment were randomly assigned to either gradual tapering of their daily active dose (N = 23) or abrupt cessation of benzodiazepine intake (N = 19). The latter was achieved by substitution of placebo tablets for active benzodiazepines. All subjects received cognitive‐behavioural treatment preceded by a 2‐week baseline period during which they took their benzodiazepine as usual. Both groups received on average about five therapy sessions involving: goal setting, daily self‐monitoring, identification of anxiety‐provoking situations, and development of cognitive and behavioural coping. Placebo subjects showed more prominent withdrawal symptomatology and supplemented more often with their own prescription. At the end of treatment, no significant differences were observed in rates of attrition (30% for drug and 16% for placebo subjects) or in rates of abstinence (30% for drug and 58% for placebo). However, compared to drug subjects, those treated with placebo were significantly more successful in maintaining abstinence throughout the one‐year follow‐up period. It was argued that it may be advantageous to expose patients who are dependent on relatively low doses of benzodiazepines to some withdrawal distress during treatment. A relatively inexperienced therapist became as effective as a highly experienced therapist relatively quickly, thus indicating transferability of the treatment.
Some Characteristics Distinguishing High and Low Dose Users of Benzodiazepines
Authors: PERERA K. M. H. , JENNER F. A.
Published: January 2006

A study is reported which attempts to demonstrate differences between patients who seem to want high doses of benzodiazepines and those apparently content with low doses. The following correlated to some degree with actually taking higher doses: being male, young, drinking largish amounts of caffeine, having had a past problem with alcohol, being unemployed, having had problems at home in childhood, and scoring highly on the psychoticism scale of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), on hysteria in the Crown Crisp Experiential Index (CCEI), and depression in the Anxiety Depression Inventory (ADI).
Khat: Scientific knowledge and policy issues
Authors: KALIX PETER
Published: January 2006

The chewing of khat leaves is common in certain countries of East Africa and the Arabian peninsula, and some khat users are subject to psychic dependence on this stimulant. Recently, important progress has been made in understanding the pharmacological basis for the effects of khat. It is now known that the CNS stimulation is mainly due to the presence of the alkaloid cathinone in the leaves, and the results of various in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that this substance must be considered a ‘natural amphetamine’.

The consumption of khat has strongly increased in recent years, and the drug has also made its appearance in Great Britain. In view of these developments, the socio‐economic and health aspects of the khat habit are discussed together with the political issues that they imply.
Alcohol Use Among Khat (Catha) Chewers in Kenya
Authors: OMOLO O. E. , DHADPHALE MANOHAR
Published: January 2006

Among one hundred randomly selected outpatients at the Meru District Hospital in Kenya, 29 (28 men and 1 woman) were Khat chewers. Six of these were ‘heavy’ and 23 ‘moderate’ users. Twenty out of 29 Khat chewers also used alcohol heavily. Consequences of this joint misuse of two potentially addictive drugs are discussed.
Effect on Juvenile Crime of Lowering the Drinking Age in Three Australian States
Authors: SMITH D. IAN , BURVILL PETER W.
Published: January 2006

Lowering of the legal minimum drinking age to 18 years in two Australian States significantly increased male juvenile crime by 20–25%. In the case of a third State the limited data available yielded similar results. Particularly as the above increases were over and above those for between‐State control groups of the same age, and older control groups within the same State, the findings appeared to be valid. For the females the results varied from State to State. From the view point of preventing alcohol‐related juvenile crime, a 20 or 21 year legal minimum drinking age is preferable to an 18‐year‐old limit.
Alcoholism in Narcotic Addicts with Antisocial Personality
Authors: LEWIS COLLINS E. , HALIKAS JAMES A. , MORSE CAROLYN , RIMMER JOHN D.
Published: January 2006

This siudy examines the lifetime prevalence of alcoholism in antisocial personality (ASP) men selected for narcotic addiction and in ASP men not selected for narcotic addition. The ASP men selected for narcotic addiction had a lower prevalence of alcoholism than their counterparts not selected for narcotic addiction. Methodological and neuropharmacological explanations for these results are discussed. That narcotic use may interfere with the development of alcoholism in a high risk population correlates with the neurochemical interactions of ethanol and opiates in the central nervous system.
Ophthalmic Naloxone Elicits Abstinence in Opioid‐dependent Subjects
Authors: SANCHEZ‐RAMOS J. R. , SENAY EDWARD C.
Published: January 2006

Ophthalmic instillation of naloxone into the conjunctival sac of one eye can elicit bilateral mydriasis in volunteers maintained on daily methadone. Unlike previous reports, signs of a generalized withdrawal syndrome were recorded. Anisocoria was noted in one of the patients but both pupils were dilated relative to baseline. The conclusion drawn was that the ophthalmic naloxone test can elicit a generalized withdrawal syndrome and should not be used routinely to detect the presence of opiate dependence.
Problem‐Behavior Theory, Psychosocial Development, and Adolescent Problem Drinking
Authors: JESSOR RICHARD
Published: January 2006

Problem‐Behavior Theory is a social‐psychological framework which helps to explain the nature and development of alcohol abuse, drug misuse and other problem behaviors. The aims of this paper are to present a brief overview of the theory, to review some of the research that has been generated and to appraise the usefulness of the theory when applied to drinking and problem drinking among young people.
Uncontrollable Events and Alcohol Drinking
Authors: VOLPICELLI JOSEPH R.
Published: January 2006

This paper presents a new model of alcohol drinking based on the observation that alcohol drinking often occurs following uncontrollable events. The psychological concepts of compensatory opponent process systems and learned helplessness give new insights into the biobehavioral response of organisms to environmental events and how these events can affect alcohol drinking. Finally by integrating these behavioral data with biochemical data which demonstrate that alcohol stimulates endorphin activity, it is proposed that organisms drink alcohol to reduce deficiencies in endorphin activity.
British Drug Policies in the 1980s: a preliminary analysis and suggestions for research
Authors: STIMSON GERRY V.
Published: January 2006

First, this paper attempts an assessment of recent developments in British drug policies. In the 1980s British drug policies are in a state of transformation in which it appears that medicine is being displaced from a central role, and being replaced by a more extensive and diffuse response involving a broader range of agencies and ideas about drug problems. A more active role is being played by central government, the debate on drugs is becoming politicized, and there is a new emphasis on law enforcement, and legal and penal control. It is now questionable whether the British approach to drug problems is as distinctive as it once was. Given that research on contemporary drug policy is negligible, the second task of this paper is to identify a number of areas and issues worthy of policy analysis.
Training in Controlled Drinking for Early‐stage Problem Drinkers
Authors: SKUTLE ARVID , BERG GEIR
Published: January 2006

Forty‐eight early‐stage problem drinkers were recruited through a newspaper announcement and randomly assigned to one of four outpatient treatment groups: (1) Bibliotherapy‐ Behavioral Self‐Control Training (BSCT), (2) BSCT‐therapist directed, (3) Training in Coping Skills and (4) a combination of BSCT and Coping Skill Training. The weekly alcohol consumption in all groups decreased significantly from intake to 3, 6 and 12 month follow‐up. There were no significant differences among the groups. At the same time the number of life problems decreased significantly. The majority of the clients reduced their alcohol consumption during the assessment period, before treatment started. The absence of a non‐treatment control group means that we cannot be sure about the reasons for this early change. Theoretical implications of these results are discussed.
When a Placebo is not a Placebo: the value of effect size measures in assessing the validity of deception used in the balanced placebo design
Authors: COLE JON A. , BURKHART BARRY R.
Published: January 2006

Although the use of the balanced placebo design has been invaluable in untangling alcohol's pharmacological and expectancy effects, only recently has the validity of the design been evaluated. The critical importance of checking the effectiveness of the expectancy manipulation has been singled out as a key methodological issue in assessing the validity of the balanced placebo design. It has been suggested by other researchers that a variety of credibility checks be used for this purpose. In this article it is recommended that a measure of effect size, such as omega squared, be utilized for each of the credibility checks as a measure of the strength of the experimental manipulation. The value of this information is illustrated by presentation of the data from a study utilizing the balanced placebo design.
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal: outcome in 50 patients
Authors: ASHTON HEATHER
Published: January 2006

Clinical outcome was assessed in SO consecutive patients who completed a course of supervized benzodiazepine withdrawal following referral to a Clinical Pharmacology Unit. The patients had been taking prescribed benzodiazepines regularly for 1–22 years and all wished to stop. On presentation, all had many symptoms which they attributed to benzodiazepines. The outcome 10 months to 3.S years later was judged as excellent (fully recovered) in 48%, good (much better) in 22%, moderate (better) in 16% and poor (no better) in 6%. One patient failed to withdraw and three relapsed onto benzodiazepine use after withdrawal. Younger age was significantly associated with a favourable outcome, but outcome was not related to duration or dosage of benzodiazepines, type of benzodiazepine, rate of withdrawal, symptom severity, psychiatric history, marital status, or sex.
A Study of Voluntary Drug Agencies: their roles in the treatment and rehabilitation field*
Authors: ETTORRE BETSY
Published: January 2006

As the first in a series reporting on DAIGE (Drug Agencies Information Gathering Exercise), this paper looks at voluntary agencies direct service provision, the extent of partnership with other agencies and service areas where gaps exist. The paper offers a detailed description of agencies work in relation to clients, while providing a clear idea of agencies degree of success in meeting their clients special needs both ‘drug’ and ‘non‐drug’. The overall position voluntary agencies have in the network of treatment and rehabilitation services for problem drug takers is illustrated through specific discussions of the specialist role, the assessment and onward referral role and the innovator and campaigning role.
Exercise Dependence
Authors: DE COVERLEY VEALE D. M. W.
Published: January 2006

Exercise can become a compulsive behaviour and harmful to an individual. This review proposes diagnostic criteria for ‘exercise dependence’ to facilitate recognition in Sports clinics and further research. The importance of diagnosing exercise dependence lies in the prevention of morbidity and rarely mortality if exercise is continued in the presence of illness or injury. There is insufficient evidence to postulate opioid peptides as a physiological basis of dependence. A distinction is made between a primary form of exercise dependence and that which is secondary to an eating disorder.
Research Laboratories of the Finnish State Alcohol Company, Alko Ltd (Biomedical Department)
Authors: KIIANMAA KALERVO
Published: January 2006

The Finnish State Alcohol Company, Alko Ltd, is a state alcohol monopoly, i.e. it has the responsibility for both the alcohol trade and the alcohol policy in Finland. The Biomedical Department of Alko is one of the first laboratories in the world specialising in basic research on the biological and medical effects of alcohol. This research is connected to the company's role in alcohol policy, and its purpose is to obtain reliable information in the prevention and treatment of alcohol‐related health problems that can be used, in collaboration with the Information Department, for public education. The Biomedical Department has an active program of cooperation internationally, with ISBRA and various laboratories around the world in the alcohol field, and, locally, with several Finnish universities, e.g. providing training opportunities, for their undergraduate and graduate students.
Trends in Alcohol Consumption and Deaths from Diseases
Authors: SKOG OLE‐JØRGEN
Published: January 2006

Male excess mortality, particularly from diseases, has increased quite dramatically since World War II. In this article the impact of increasing alcohol consumption on male excess mortality from diseases in Norway is studied. Modem statistical tools for analysing temporal data are used to test if the highly correlated trends in the two Variables are spurious or signal a significant causal relationship. It is concluded that although increasing alcohol consumption has had significant effects on mortality rates in a restricted class of alcohol‐related diseases, its effect on general mortality appears to have been marginal and not statistically significant.
The Development of an Opiate Withdrawal Scale (OWS)
Authors: BRADLEY BRENDAN P. , GOSSOP MICHAEL , PHILLIPS GRANIA T. , LEGARDA JUAN J.
Published: January 2006

Withdrawal symptoms are feared by many addicts and, according to behavioural models, provide negative reinforcement for continued drug taking. Furthermore, conditioning models emphasize the role of conditioned withdrawal in precipitating relapse. A satisfactory scale for measuring withdrawal symptoms would aid the evaluation of these models and it would provide practical benefits in allowing more precise and economical use of drugs during drug withdrawal procedures. The development of such a scale, the OWS, is described. A principal components analysis showed that a single factor (severity) adequately accounted for the results. The scale has good discriminative efficiency in showing clear differences between withdrawal and post‐withdrawal phases of treatment. It also discriminates clearly between those undergoing withdrawal and controls. Concurrent validity is shown by agreement with observers' ratings of withdrawal severity at high levels of severity. At lower levels, the OWS appears to be more sensitive than observers' ratings.
Seeking Help for Drinking Problems from a Community‐based Voluntary Agency. Patterns of compliance amongst men and women
Authors: ALLAN CAROLE
Published: January 2006

A consecutive series of Problem drinkers (n = 112) attending a community‐based voluntary agency were followed up over a 6‐month period, in order to measure their compliance with treatment. This was assessed by recording time in treatment, number of sessions attended and method of leaving the agency. Particular attention was focussed on source of referral, and women's use of services in a facility which provided female counsellors for women in a non‐stigmatized setting.

In common with many other treatment agencies attrition rates were high. This was especially true for self‐referrals. However, those coming through the usual referral channels attended more frequently. Clients attending from the Courts, hostels and from employers attained the highest rates of compliance. Women were poorly represented amongst these coercive type referrals, perhaps explaining their lower rates of attendance.
Drug Addiction in the Federal Republic of Germany: problems and responses
Authors: WILLE ROLF
Published: January 2006

Drug addiction started to become a serious problem in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) around 1970. The number of heavy users of illicit drugs, predominantly young people and mainly opiate dependants, increased continually up to the years 1979–80 to an estimated 50,000 people. Since then it has stayed at that plateau. Today there is a strong trend towards polydrug abuse including legal drugs and alcohol. The abuse of cocaine shows an increase, especially among first users of ‘hard’ illicit drugs. At present the most threatening problem is the development of the disease Aids: at least a third of those intravenous drug abusers who underwent the test are HIV positive. The treatment system for drug abusers is predominantly psychosocially orientated and does not include substitute (methadone) programmes. Today there are 580 out‐patient and 154 residential drug treatment centres in the FRG. Outcome evaluation studies of the current treatment approach show that about 25 to 35% of the drug addicts are abstaining. The new Narcotics Law of 1982 with its outstanding principle of ‘therapy instead of punishment’ still causes considerable problems in practice. The experience that treatment programmes alone cannot solve the drug problem has led to a large extension of drug abuse prevention during the last years. However, without changes in the organization of research and more participation and research orientation of practitioners we cannot expect marked progress.
An Evaluation of Three Treatment Programmes for Alcoholism: an experimental study with 6‐and 18‐month follow‐ups
Authors: CHAPMAN PHILIPPA L. HOWDEN , HUYGENS INGRID
Published: January 2006

The comparative effects of alcoholism treatment programmes were examined by randomly assigning 113 male and female detoxified alcoholics to either: a 6‐week inpatient programme, a 6‐week outpatient programme or a single confrontational interview. On a variety of outcome measures, that included both levels of drinking and general functioning taken 6 and 18 months after intake, no treatment appeared to be consistently more effective than another. Furthermore, those who stayed in treatment did not show significantly more long‐term improvement than those who refused or dropped out of treatment.

Abstinent subjects felt more often than drinkers that they had achieved the goals they had set themselves and by the final follow‐up there were many positive differences in apparent lifestyle.

Although individual drinking patterns were unstable, on average, almost half the subjects located had either abstained or were drinking moderately. Patient and treatment variables combined explained up to 57% of the variance in amount drunk after treatment, with patient variables providing the strongest associations.
Methadone and Public Policy
Authors: SENAY EDWARD
Published: January 2006

This paper is written for the public health official of a city, state, county, municipality or other political entity faced with a heroin addiction problem which calls for a policy response. It identifies countries, cities or states which have a substantial experience with methadone. In some instances. New York City, for example, this experience spans more than 20 years and in others a much shorter period of time1. The paper also describes the current dilemmas in the field and the new significance and urgency given to the problem of heroin addiction treatment by the spread of AIDS2. The aim of the paper is to give the reader a profile of what can be accomplished with methadone and what problems one may expect. Finally, it refers the reader to the considerable literature on the clinical use of methadone in maintenance and detoxification.
Comparison of Some Dietary Habits of Smokers and Non‐smokers
Authors: WHICHELOW MARGARET J. , GOLDING J. F. , TREASURE E. P.
Published: January 2006

Some aspects of the dietary habits of smokers and non‐smokers have been compared in a random sample of 9003 British adults. Comparisons were made of those consuming breakfast with those not taking breakfast, of those usually eating ‘brown’ with those usually eating white bread, of those ‘frequently’ with those ‘infrequently’ eating fresh fruit and of those ‘frequently’ with those ‘infrequently’ eating fried foods. Smokers were less likely to eat breakfast (p<0.001), ‘brown’ bread (p<0.001), and fresh fruit ‘frequently’ (p<0.001) and more likely to consume fried foods ‘frequently’ (p<0.001). Smoking remained a highly significant predictor of dietary habits even after the effects of social class, age and sex had been accounted for. Dietary habits were related to the amount smoked with the heavy smokers (more than 15 cigarettes per day) less likely than the light smokers to eat breakfast or ‘brown’ bread and consume fresh fruit ‘frequently’ or fried foods ‘infrequently’.
Impact of Cigarette Advertising on Aggregate Demand for Cigarettes in New Zealand
Authors: CHETWYND JANE , COOPE PAT , BRODIE RODERICK J. , WELLS ELISABETH
Published: January 2006

The relationship between cigarette consumption and cigarette advertising was studied over the period 1973 to 1985. The data on cigarette consumption were drawn from government statistics. Expenditure on cigarette advertising included only that on print media advertising. Both quarterly and annual time series were examined and two different models were estimated. Results from the quarterly analysis suggested that advertising did effect overall consumption, with an elasticity of +0.07. The carry‐over effect of advertising lasted for approximately four quarters. Analysis of the annual series produced few meaningful results suggesting that use of the longer time period may mask significant relationships.
Parkinsonism and Dyskinesias during Ethanol Withdrawal
Authors: NEIMAN J. , BORG S. , WAHLUND L‐O.
Published: January 2006

A 55‐year‐old alcoholic man developed transient Parkinsonism, followed by facial dyskinesias shortly after ethanol withdrawal. It is suggested that ethanol‐induced lipid peroxidation in the nigrostriatal area might contribute to the development of these complications.
Depressive Affect in School‐aged Children of Alcoholics
Authors: ROLF JON E. , JOHNSON JEANNETTE L. , ISRAEL ELIZABETH , BALDWIN JULIE , CHANDRA ANJANI
Published: January 2006

This paper presents evidence documenting risks for affective problems and disorders among minor children of alcoholics. Subjects studied were 98 youths from alcoholic‐headed and control families participating in a risk for alcoholism research project (Johnson & Rolf, see next paper in this issue). Depressive affect questionnaires were completed by the mothers of the youths as well as the youths themselves. ANOVA's and ANCOVA's (co‐varying for age) indicated significant group differences on both maternal and youth ratings with more affective problems shown for the offspring of alcoholics. Outliers with extreme depressive affect scores occurred most frequently for the youths in the high risk for alcoholism group. Findings are discussed with regard to risk group membership, gender, source of information, and the data's implications for further analyses as well as for the design of future studies.
Co‐ordinating Drugs Research in Britain
Authors: BERRIDGE VIRGINIA
Published: January 2006

In 1986 three government agencies and two research councils put £50,000 towards an exploratory study of research into illicit drugs. The Home Office, Department of Health, Scottish Home and Health Department, Medical Research Council and Economic and Social Research Council funded an exercise designed to point to where more research was needed and to propose a practical programme. In June 1987, the funding partners decided not to fund a co‐ordinated programme of research. I was consultant scientific secretary on this aborted Drug Addiction Research Initiative. This article will survey what the initiative was; its findings and proposals for future development; and the problems inherent in this type of exercise, in particular for illicit drugs. I am grateful to the members of the Initiative funding consortium for allowing me to express my views and to draw on the report which was prepared; the views expressed here are, of course, my own.
An Experimental Investigation of the Influence of Aftercare on Alcoholic Relapse
Authors: MCLATCHIE BRIAN H. , LOMP KENNETH G. E.
Published: January 2006

One hundred and fifty‐five subjects who had completed a 4‐week residential treatment programme for alcoholism were assigned to one of three aftercare groups: (1) mandatory aftercare in which subjects were contracted to attend four aftercare sessions during the initial 3 months following discharge; (2) voluntary aftercare in which aftercare participation was entirely at the clients' discretion; and (3) no aftercare in which clients were dissuaded from attending aftercare until their fourth month following discharge from inpatient treatment. No differences between groups were found with respect to relapse rate, satisfaction with lifestyle and trait anxiety. In addition, subjects who did not attend aftercare at the treatment centre were not found to make greater use of alternate sources of aftercare (i.e. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), physicians and other treatment resources). Despite the fact that aftercare participation was not found to be related to outcome, an apparent demand for aftercare was evidenced. In that regard, 66% of the subjects in the Voluntary Group requested aftercare.

It is suggested that the results of this study are consistent with the body of literature which contends that there is no advantage to extended therapy in the treatment of alcoholism. Furthermore, the possibility is raised that previous research efforts that have found a positive relationship between aftercare and outcome may have been confounded ty the issue of ‘patient compliance’ with the terms of treatment. That is, subjects who comply with the terms of treatment tend towards better outcomes irrespective of whether the terms of treatment call for aftercare or not. In conclusion, the authors recommend greater individualized aftercare planning for alcoholics and suggest a greater emphasis on ‘processing relapses’.
Clonidine in Heroin Withdrawal Syndrome: a controlled study in India
Authors: GUPTA A. K. , JHA B. K.
Published: January 2006

The efficacy of clonidine in controlling heroin withdrawal symptoms has been compared to that of a chlordiazepoxide and chlorpromazine combination in 120 male Indian patients in a single blind controlled design. Rhinorrhoea, nausea, vomitting, diarrhoea, confusion, disorientation and delirium were observed to occur significantly less often in patients receiving clonidine. Only 6.67%patients on clonidine developed severe hypotension. Clonidine was observed to be relatively safe and effective as a single drug for inpatients in the detoxification programme as compared to tranquillizers alone. The therapeutic effects and side effects observed were similar to those reported in European and American studies.
Book Reviews
Authors: GOSSOP MICHAEL
Published: January 2006

Books Reviewed in this Article:

Epidemiological Studies on the Relationship between a Decline in Alcohol Consumption, Social factors and Alcohol‐Related Disabilities in Stockholm County and the Whole of Sweden ANDERS ROMELSJØ

And the Band Played On: politics, people and the AIDS epidemic RANDY SHILTS

Alcohol and the Cell EMANUEL RUBIN (Ed.)

Drug Dependence and Emotional Behaviour: Neurophysiological and Neurochemical Approaches A. V. VALDMAN (Ed.)

The Benzodiazepines in Current Clinical Practice H. FREEMAN & Y. RUE (Eds)

Maier's Cocaine Addiction [Der Kokaiaismus] Translated and Edited by ORIANA JOSSEAU KALANT

Kids, Drugs and Crime CHERYL CARPENTER, BARRY GLASSNER, BRUCE D. JOHNSON & JULIA LOUGHLIN

Kick it! Stop smoking in 5 days JUDY PERLMUTTER

The Easy Way to Stop Smoking ALLEN CARR
Trends in the Use and Misuse of Alcohol and Other Psychoactive Drugs in the United Kingdom: some perplexing connections
Authors: PLANT MARTIN A. , PECK DAVID F. , DUFFY JOHN C.
Published: January 2006

Some of the initial results are presented of a continuing study. This is designed to review the patterns of association between the use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs, together with indicators of health, crime, social and economic trends. It is suggested that conventional correlational analysis is of little value in indicating the ‘real’ connection between variables measured on the basis of time series data. The use of ‘differencing’ and time lag correlations are briefly examined but it is concluded that some relationships remain very difficult to determine.
Reactions to Drug Education: a comparison of two videos produced for schools
Authors: EISER CHRISTINE , EISER J. RICHARD , PRITCHARD MARY
Published: January 2006

A total of 518 pupils (aged 14 years), drawn from seven comprehensive schools and who had had no previous drugs education were divided into three groups. The first group was shown a video which was an entertaining story about how some teenagers became involved with drugs. The second group was shown a video which was more didactic and informational. The third group saw no video. All three groups then completed a questionnaire about knowledge and attitudes to drugs. Those who viewed the didactic video were more knowledgeable, while those who viewed the entertaining video endorsed statements expressing more negative attitudes.
Delinquency and Regular Solvent Abuse: an unfavourable combination?
Authors: JACOBS ALLAN M. , GHODSE A. HAMID
Published: January 2006

Forty‐seven consecutive admissions of male adolescent delinquents to the secure unit of a regional assessment centre were assessed using 2 self‐report questionnaires (Great Ormond Street (GOS) Mood Questionnaire and General Health 28‐item (GHQ‐28) Questionnaire), and a semi‐structured interview schedule covering the following areas–demographic data, family characteristics, educational history, solvent abuse data, criminal history and other drug use.

Twenty of the 47 delinquents were regular solvent abusers. The solvent‐abusing delinquents differed significantly from those that did not abuse solvents in that more of them were depressed, their age at first arrest was younger and more misused certain drugs.

Many from both groups had a history of adverse environmental circumstances (e.g. family, educational, social class) with a tendency for the regular solvent‐abusing delinquents to be worse off.

The possible interactions and relevance of all of these factors and findings are discussed, and it is concluded that delinquents who regularly abuse solvents might comprise an especially vulnerable group.
Trends in Prinking Problems and Attitudes in the United States: 1979–1984
Authors: HILTON MICHAEL E.
Published: January 2006

Changes in the prevalence of drinking problems and in attitudes toward the acceptibility of drinking are examined using U.S. general population survey data from 1979 and 1984. Increases in the prevalence of dependence were found for men but not for women. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of drinking‐related consequences for either sex. Attitudes have changed, becoming less permissive toward alcohol use. This change is concentrated among younger respondents. Results are interpreted with reference to competing theoretical expectations, one holding that problem and attitude levels rise and fall in direct response to changes in aggregate consumption and the other positing a somewhat more complex dialectic of interactions between levels of consumption, problems, and attitudes.
Association of Transient Ischaemic Attack in Alcohol Withdrawal with Changes in Haemostasis
Authors: NEIMAN JACK
Published: January 2006

A 48‐year‐old male alcoholic developed a transient ischaemic attack shortly after alcohol withdrawal. The attack occurred simultaneously with an increase in platelet aggregability to ADP and thromboxane B2 formation. It is suggested that the changes in these haemostatic parameters might contribute to the development of transient ischaemic attacks in alcoholics.
Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Authors: TABAKOFF BORIS , PETERSEN ROBERT C.
Published: January 2006

The goals of the NIAAA Intramural Research Program are to understand the mechanisms by which alcohol produces intoxication, addiction, and damage to vital body organs and to develop clinical tools for prevention and treatment of those biochemical and behavioral anomalies. The unique combination of clinical and basic research facilities that is available to the Intramural Program allows these goals to be approached through a co‐ordinated interaction between clinical observations and basic laboratory findings.
International Trade and Availability of Alcoholic Beverages in Developing Countries
Authors: KORTTEINEN TIMO
Published: January 2006

Recent developments in world alcohol availability show a clear trend. Per capita consumption of alcohol shows a rapid increase in some of the developing countries while consumption levels in developed countries have remained stable. It is often implied that a major factor underlying the increased consumption in developing countries is increased imports from developed countries. This conception is challenged by analysing previously unused statistical data. In the light of the analysis, indigenous alcohol production is by far the major source of all alcohol consumed in developing countries.
Alcohol Drinking Patterns and Work Areas: epidemiological study of factory and rural workers in Florence, Italy
Authors: ALLAMANI ALLAMAN , CIPRIANI FRANCESCO , INNOCENTI STEFANO , LOMUTO CANIO , MARCHI MARCO , MORETTINI ANTONIO
Published: January 2006

Two epidemiological studies have been recently carried out in Florence and the surrounding area in Italy, to lest a hypothesis that work conditions affect alcohol drinking patterns. This hypothesis is based both on available health statistics and on a previous epidemiological study carried out in the same area in the late 1970's. Two hundred and fourteen factory employees and 184 agricultural workers were interviewed using a questionnaire that addresses socio‐demographic characteristics, psychological and social aspects, and alcohol drinking patterns. The main results include: average per capita per day anhydrous alcohol consumption is 34.9g among factory employees, and 87.9 among agricultural workers. Wine is the most common alcoholic beverage, and it is drunk essentially together with other people. In the factory, workmen drink significantly more than clerks. There is a drinking culture that is more rooted in the country than in urban areas. No other significant relationship was found between drinking pattern and work features.
The Nature of Alcoholism: opinions of Canadian alcohol intervention workers
Authors: ISRAELSTAM S. , SYKORA K.
Published: January 2006

Pour hundred and ninety‐four intervention workers indicated their level of agreement with seven concepts describing alcoholism: a disease; a moral weakness; a genetic disposition; a multi‐faceted syndrome; a physiological weakness; an allergy and learned behaviour. ‘Multi‐faceted syndrome’ was the most agreed upon one, followed by ‘disease”. ‘Moral weakness’ was the concept least agreed with.
A Fascinating Area of Research. Commenting on a previous editorial by Clive G. Harper
Authors: CARLEN PETER L.
Published: January 2006

The following commentary is in response to the Editorial “Brain Damage and Alcohol Abuse” by Clive G. Harper‐British Journal of Addiction Vol. 83, pp. 613–615 (June 1988).
Drinkers at Risk in Western Australia
Authors: BLAZE‐TEMPLE DEBRA G. , BINNS COLIN W. , RADALJ TONY , PHILLIPS MICHAEL
Published: January 2006

In December 1986 the Australian federal government's National Health and Medical Research Council adopted new, conservative guidelines for the responsible consumption of alcohol (up to 2 drinks per day for non‐pregnant adult females and up to 4 drinks per day for adult males), but these have yet to be applied to Australian adult self‐reported alcohol consumption survey data to determine the percentage of the population at risk. Data from a 1986 probability survey of 1,187 Western Australian adults were used to determine the percentage of the state's current drinkers who were at risk (that is, above the responsible level) in relation to three methods: (1) the number of drinking days; (2) the maximum number of drinks consumed on any one day, and (3) the total number of drinks consumed in 1 week based on answers to a 7‐day retrospective alcohol consumption diary. The percentage of the sample at risk for each of the three methods of determining risk was extremely high as analysed by sex and age subgroups. Reported alcohol consumption would have to decrease by 41% if, hypothetically, all drinkers were to drink within responsible levels. It was concluded that attempts should be made to reduce overall alcohol consumption in the state (and indeed the nation) and that due to the demographic profiles of the individuals at risk simultaneously in relation to all three methods of defining risk, that health messages designed to reduce consumption should be targeted at the population as a whole.
Characteristics and Help‐seeking Patterns of Attenders at a Community‐based Voluntary Agency and an Alcohol and Drug Treatment Unit
Authors: ALLAN CAROLE A.
Published: January 2006

The assumption that clients using community‐based facilities in the form of Councils on Alcohol have less serious alcohol problems uncomplicated by the physical, social and psychological difficulties found in those attending Alcohol Treatment Units was not confirmed. One of the most striking findings were the similarities, rather than the differences between the two samples. Both groups had attenders who were heavily dependent on alcohol and were experiencing a wide range of problems. Attenders at both agencies, women as well as men, had help seeking patterns similar to those described for other populations which were discontinuous and uncoordinated and featured multiple contacts and simultaneous use of different services. The need for co‐ordination was discussed in the light of the improved outcome which can be expected given appropriate matching of clients to treatment. Some suggestions as to how this might be achieved were discussed.
Lephetamine Abuse and Dependence: clinical effects and withdrawal syndrome
Authors: JANIRI L. , MANNELLI P. , PIRRONGELLI C. , LO MONACO M. , TEMPESTA E.
Published: January 2006

Lephetamine (L‐SPA) is a compound with central analgesic and anti‐inflammatory action, recently reported to be abused in Italy. In this study, cases of L‐SPA abuse were recorded.

The survey included 15 patients who were assessed for effects caused by using L‐SPA and induced by withdrawal. Moreover L‐SPA was administered to 15 volunteers. L‐SPA displayed effects partly similar to opiates and its withdrawal caused both subjective and objective symptoms. It is concluded that L‐SPA exhibits abuse liability and dependence potential of a certain degree.
Studies of Alpha‐2‐Adrenoceptor Function in Abstinent Alcoholics
Authors: GLUE PAUL , DOUGLAS SELLMAN J. , GARY NICHOLLS M. , ABBOTT ROBYN , JOYCE PETER R. , NUTT DAVID J.
Published: January 2006

Hormonal, haemodynamic and subjective psychological responses to the intravenous infusion of clonidine were investigated in nine male alcoholics who had been abstinent for 5 weeks, and were compared with those of nine healthy controls. The growth hormone response to clonidine was significantly blunted in the abstinent alcoholics. Both baseline cortisol levels and the clonidine‐induced cortisol decrease were significantly greater in the alcoholics than in controls. Blood pressure, pulse rate and psychological responses to clonidine were similar in both groups. These results indicate that some aspects of alpha‐2‐adrenoceptor sensitivity are persistently abnormal in alcoholics at least 5 weeks into abstinence.
Personality and Substance Use Among Adolescents: a longitudinal study
Authors: TEICHMAN MEIR , BARNEA ZIPORA , RAVAV GIORA
Published: January 2006

The following hypotheses have been tested: (a) sensation seeking, A–State and Trait and Depressive Mood should positively affect the initiation and continuation of adolescent substance use: and (b) Following Zuckerman's conclusion with regard to the relationships between sensation seeking and drug use, and Khantzian's ‘self medication hypothesis’, different patterns of relationships between personality variables and substance use should be found: Whereas sensation seeking will be associated with substance use regardless of the specific psychopharmacological properties of a given substance, anxiety and depressive mood will be primarily associated with the use of depressants. One thousand nine hundred adolescents, 14–19 years old, were tested twice, 12 months apart, for alcohol and drug use. The major findings were as follows: (a) Sensation seeking was found to affect substance use among adolescents more than State and Trait Anxiety, and Depressive Mood; (b) Sensation seeking differentiated among abstainers, beginners, and users of all substances. A different pattern of relationship between State‐Trait Anxiety, and Depressive Moods and substance use was found. These personality variables appeared to differentiate only among those subjects who used depressants; (c) It is also evident that previous experimentation with drugs significantly affect current–use. The implications of these findings for interventions among adolescents are discussed.