bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Underestimation of Recalled Alcohol Intake in Relation to Actual Consumption
Authors: Poikolainen Kari
Published: January 2006

Drinking of 58 males was observed for six evening hours in simulated restaurant surroundings. Interviews on alcohol consumption were carried out the next day (in two cases two days) after the drinking session. Recalled mean number of drinks was ten drinks, the actual mean intake 11 drinks. Degree of underestimation in recall was positively associated with the actual amount imbibed. On the average, heavy consumers underestimated their intake by 12 per cent and light consumers by four percent.
Methadone Withdrawal Regime for Heroin Misusers: short‐term outcome and effect of parental involvement
Authors: MENON P. , EVANS R. , MADDEN J. S.
Published: January 2006

Fifty young outpatient attenders at a regional drug dependence service were traced between 6 and 12 months after entering treatment. All had been physically dependent on heroin and received outpatient detoxification by a 14‐day methadone withdrawal regime. The initial 25 patients were offered individual counselling and the remainder were counselled together with their parents. Forty‐three subjects were interviewed (23 without and 20 with parental involvement in therapy). Abstinence was confirmed by urine testing on nine patients interviewed outside prison. Parental involvement made no difference to outcome in respect of abstinence and other changes in heroin usage, or to criminal activity. Heroin smokers were no more likely than injectors to abstain or decrease heroin use. It is likely that abstinence and decreased heroin consumption were spontaneous changes unrelated to therapeutic intervention.
Normal Drinking in a Recovered Alcohol Addict
Authors: EDWARDS G. , BROWN D. , DUCKITT A. , OPPENHEIMER E. , SHEEHAN M. , TAYLOR C.
Published: January 2006

Within the context of a longitudinal study of 99 men with drinking problems, we present a detailed case analysis of one subject whom we have now followed up by interview and record‐search for 16 years, and who has considerably ameliorated his drinking behaviour. Our intention is to explore the value of the single‐case approach as complementary to more formal research methods. It is argued that analysis of the single case can be of value in sharpening awareness of the complexity and the evolutionary nature of the processes of ‘career and natural history’. Some research issues to which this case seems to point are identified and listed. Both psychodynamic and learning theory concepts are applicable, and changes in physical reaction to alcohol need to be considered. The idea of a graded dependence syndrome has more heuristic value than such categorical entities as ‘addict’ or ‘non‐addict’. Processes and influences which ‘stabilize’ or ‘destabilize’ drinking behaviour should be identified.
Prescribing Chlormethiazole Reducing Regimes in an Emergency Clinic
Authors: DRUMMOND L. M. , CHALMERS L.
Published: January 2006

A series of 26 patients who presented to an emergency clinic complaining of drinking problems were studied during a 1 month period. Despite 10 different doctors assessing and prescribing for these patients, both a clinical assessment of severity of dependence and the dose of medication prescribed correlated highly with an independent rating scale (SADQ). Only five patients, however, completed treatment in the emergency clinic and subsequently attended an outpatient appointment. There were no predictors of outcome.
The Identification of Alcohol‐related Problems by General Practitioners
Authors: CLEMENT SUE
Published: January 2006

The role of the GP in the identification and management of people with alcohol‐related problems has been the focus of much attention in recent years. Little research however has focussed on which factors are important in facilitating the identification process. It is suggested here that the attitudes of GP's are related to the number of alcohol‐related problems which they identify. Many of the attitudes related to identification are also related to the amount of education GP's have received about alcohol and alcohol‐related problems. Two additional factors shown to be related to identification are the degree of support experienced by the GP when working with drinkers and the expectation that working with patients with alcohol‐related problems will be rewarding. The implications of these findings for increasing GP's identification of patients with alcohol‐related problems are discussed.
Alcohol Consumption and the Preventive Paradox★
Authors: KREITMAN NORMAN
Published: January 2006

Drinkers in the general population who exceed the ‘safe limits’ advocated by various experts are undoubtedly at high risk of alcohol‐related harm, yet they contribute only a minority to the total numbers of alcohol casualties, This relationship, the so‐called ‘preventive paradox’ was explored in some detail using different criteria for ‘safe limits’ for total consumption, for frequency of drinking and for maximal daily consumption: two population surveys and a study of special groups noted for high intake were used. The results were in general mutually corroborative, even when different criteria for harm were employed. Certain methodological problems attendant on such analyses were explored. Finally it was shown that the gains from the universal adoption of the conventional ‘safe limits’ within a population would be matched by an across‐the‐board per capita reduction to about 70% of current intake. The implication was briefly reviewed.
Evidence for a Drug Dependence Syndrome Among Narcotic Users
Authors: SKINNER HARVEY A. , GOLDBERG ADELE E.
Published: January 2006

Recent developments in international classifications of alcohol and drug‐related problems have stressed the distinction between a dependence syndrome and various drug‐related disabilities. Although considerable research has supported the concept of an alcohol dependence syndrome, little empirical work has been conducted to date with other psychoactive substances. The present study evaluated whether a dependence syndrome could be identified among a clinical sample of 105 narcotic users who had completed the drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST). A factor analysis of the 20 DAST items revealed a dependence factor characterized by an inability to slop drug use, problems in getting through the week without drugs, and withdrawal symptoms when drug use stopped. In addition, four other factors were identified reflecting social problems, medical problems, polydrug abuse and previous treatment. The dependence factor was most strongly correlated with recent use (past 60 days) of narcotics, and was not correlated with age, sex or social status.
Drugs and Alcohol: the psychiatrist as expert witness in court
Authors: D'ORBÁN P. T.
Published: January 2006

Expert psychiatric testimony is allowed only when some form of abnormal mental state is under consideration. Intoxication with drugs or alcohol is not in itself regarded as mental abnormality and is no defence to a criminal charge, unless there is evidence that they have produced a mental disorder. Intoxication may also be a defence to crimes of ‘specific intent’ if the accused because of his intoxication did not have the requisite intent.

This paper reviews the extent to which drug or alcohol related mental disorders can qualify under the present legal formulae governing the special defences of insanity, diminished responsibility and provocation, and discusses the illogical state of the law on intoxication affecting intent. Legal reforms recommended by the Butler Committee would resolve some of the present conflicts between psychiatry and the law and would enable psychiatrists to confine their testimony to the mental state of the accused rather than forcing them to conform to legal formulae which use concepts that are not within the framework of medicine.
Helping Agents' Attitudes Towards Alcohol‐related Problems: situations vacant? A test and elaboration of a model
Authors: LIGHTFOOT PETER J. C. , ORFORD JIM
Published: January 2006

An elaboration of Cartwright's (1980) model explaining agents' negative attitudes to responding to alcohol‐related problems (ARPs) is presented. Rather than Role Support, Experience, Education and Self‐esteem per se being seen as the main variables with effect on therapeutic attitude, it is argued that the effects of these factors are best viewed as contingent upon situational influences operating within agents' occupational contexts. An attempt was made to isolate some of these influences by comparing the work situations of 24 Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs) and 24 Social Workers. Correlational data suggested that an index of Situational Constraint, although it was not independent of Role Support and Experience, could reliably predict levels of attitudes towards ARPs. It was found that CPNs expressed significantly more positive therapeutic attitudes towards drinkers than either ‘long‐term’ generic, or medical, Social Workers, but were also working under less Situational Constraint. It is concluded that social workers do not attain such deep levels of involvement in ARPs as CPNs owing to their more constraining work environments. They are, therefore, less open to ARP educational events and are less likely to develop role support contacts. Recommendations for future role support provision and training programmes are briefly outlined.
Methods to Assess Alcohol Consumption in 68‐year‐old Men: results from the population study‘Men born in 1914’Malmö, Sweden
Authors: ISACSSON S‐O. , HANSON B. S. , JANZON L. , LINDELL S‐E. , STEEN B.
Published: January 2006

All men born in even months in 1914 (n=621) and living in the city of Malmö (230,000 inhabitants), Sweden were invited in 1982 to participate in a combined population study and health examination. Five hundred (80%) participated in the study. Two different methods were used to assess daily consumption of alcohol in grams: (1) questionnaire, (2) interview. Information on possible alcohol abuse was obtained by four different methods: (1) MAST‐score, (2) temperance board registration, (3) alcohol clinic registration, (4) gamma‐GT. No single method could identify heavy drinkers or alcohol abusers. For epidemiological purposes questionnaire methods will give good information on alcohol consumption. The value of gamma‐GT determination as a screening instrument of liver damage caused by alcohol in this age group is questionable.
Use and Misuse of the Concept of Craving by Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Researchers
Authors: KOZLOWSKI LYNN T. , WILKINSON D. ADRIAN
Published: January 2006

‘Craving’ is found in common usage as well as technical jargon. In ordinary use, the term refers to strong desire or intense longing. Recently the meaning of the technical term ‘craving’ has been stretched to include all dispositions of dependent persons to use the addictive substance. Some researchers have further extended the term to include dispositions to avoid the substance. We argue that the mismatch between the current technical use of ‘craving’ and its use in ordinary language is problematic and misleading in many cases. Examination of the literature on ‘craving’ reveals that the entity has been conceptualized in a variety of ways, each with implications for suitable research techniques. Whatever the model of ‘craving’, we urge scientists to be circumspect in their use of such a loaded term and to use it only for ‘strong desires’ to take drugs. To do otherwise can lead authors to make more of their findings than mould be supported by a more cautious use of words.
Drinking Place Selection Factors Among Drunk Drivers
Authors: SNOW RONALD W. , ANDERSON BRADLEY J.
Published: January 2006

The present study examined the stated reasons for selecting drinking places among convicted drunken drivers (N=7,149). Six drinking place selection factors were identified: entertainment, ambience, facilities, friendship, avoidance, and service. Relationships between these factors and the sociodemographic characteristics and drinking locations of the respondents were examined to determine why different subgroups of drunk drivers make trips to specific types of drinking places. Younger drunk drivers were more likely than others to report that they select drinking places for entertainment, facilities, and avoidance. Entertainment and friendship were especially important reasons for selecting drinking places among unmarried respondents. Drinking‐related trip‐making to bars or lounges appeared to be influenced by the desire for entertainment, friendship, and facilities; while service and ambience were related to the frequency of drinking in restaurants, and avoidance was related to the frequency of drinking in automobiles and parking lots.
An Evaluation of a Single Drink‐Driving Treatment Programme
Authors: FOON ANNE E.
Published: January 2006

The criminal records of individuals who were eligible to attend a drink‐driver treatment programme were obtained for the period 1978–1983. The programme was aimed at changing attitudes toward drinking and driving, rather than directly altering the drinking behaviour of participants. Of those eligible to attend (N= 381), 62% completed the course while 38% did not attend any sessions or failed to complete the programme. Significant differences between these groups were not obtained for any pre‐test measures, while differences were obtained between groups on the total number of crimes after treatment and the number of traffic‐related violations at post‐test, but not for any other outcome measure. Attendance at the course was not found to be related to subsequent decreases in drink‐driving offences. A possible explanation of this result is that the focus of educational treatments are too broad to achieve specific behaviour change for multiple drink‐driver offenders. Several factors made interpretation difficult; in particular, the absence of a control or comparison treatment group. Some suggestions for overcoming this and other related methodological problems in drink‐driving research, are given.
Alcohol‐related Problems Amongst Selected Hospital Patients and the Cost Incurred in Their Care
Authors: SCHEFFLER ANDREAS , FAWCETT ANNE , PUSHKIN JON , ZAHIR KAYVAN , MORGAN MARSHA Y.
Published: January 2006

A retrospective comparison of the number of specified alcohol‐related discharges deaths from non‐psychiatric hospitals using Hospital Inpatient Enquiry and Hospital Activity Analysis dam for the North East Thames Region for 1982 indicated a discrepancy of 25% in principal diagnoses between these two official data sources. When second, third and fourth diagnostic categories for the same conditions were included, the magnitude of the discrepancy increased substantially. In the North East Thames Region 2,404 discharges/deaths in which alcohol played some role would not have been identified if only principal diagnoses had been examined. In 1983, 447 alcohol‐related discharges/deaths were recorded in Hospital Activity Analysis data from four District Health Authorities in the North East Thames Region which were estimated to have incurred a cost of £401,370. A further 349 discharges/deaths were recorded in which an alcohol‐related problems appeared in a subsidiary diagnostic category and these were estimated to have incurred a cost of £285,018. When facilities for direct surveying are not available. Hospital Activity Analysis data provider more detailed information than Hospital Inpatient Enquiry: data und should be used in preference for collecting information on disease prevalence and costings. Simple standardised computer programmers could be designed to allow for easier access to, and retrieval of information from, this data source.
Patterns of Drinking in a Small Development Town in Israel
Authors: ANTONOVSKY HELEN , HANKIN YAACOV , STONE DAVID
Published: January 2006

The two central questions investigated in this study were the extent of alcohol consumption among the adult population in a small development town in Israel and the relationship between heavy drinking (daily drinking) and feelings of distress in four areas of life–economic, social, personal, and health.

The findings indicated that the percentage of daily drinkers (8%) in [his population is higher than that found in a national survey of the adult urban Jewish population in Israel (2%).

Two ‘deviant’ groups of drinkers were identified–daily drinkers and weekly drinkers (those who reported drinking 2‐3 times per week). These two groups drink on non‐ritual and non‐ceremonial occasions. Daily drinkers frequently drink alone, drink several drinks at a time, and continue to drink without realizing how much. Daily drinkers tended to have strong feelings of powerlessness and a weak sense of coherence, and tended to be socially isolated.

Drinking heavily is an infrequent response in the social context of the Israeli development town. No direct relationship was found between amount or kind of distress and extent of alcohol consumption. Those who do drink heavily, however, tend to be suffering from personal and social distress.
Group Treatment of Benzodiazepine Dependence
Authors: HIGGITT ANNA , GOLOMBOK SUSAN , FONAGY PETER , LADER MALCOLM
Published: January 2006

Sixteen patients referred for withdrawal from their chronic benzodiazepine usage were treated over a 28‐week period using a primarily cognitive approach in a group or on an individual basis using telephone contact. The withdrawal regime was individually tailored for each patient according to the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. Anxiety management and cognitive restructuring techniques were used to help patients relabel their withdrawal symptoms as cues for the implementation of coping strategies. Patients in both groups were successful in reducing their intake over the treatment period but patients treated in the group showed lower attrition rates and better long‐term outcome. Withdrawal symptoms, anxiety and depression improved alongside the reduction in drug intake and improvements were maintained at a 3 month and 1 year follow‐up.
Outcome of Alcoholism: the structure of patient attributions as to what causes change
Authors: EDWARDS GRIFFITH , BROWN DAVID , DUCKITT ANNI , OPPENHEIMER EDNA , SHEEHAN MARGARET , TAYLOR COLIN
Published: January 2006

Various strands of the research literature which have bearing on the concept of attribution for change in drinking behaviour are reviewed. The reasons which subjects give for amelioration in their drinking are likely to reflect a mixture of the way in which change is being subjectively construed together with report on the influences and processes which may objectively contribute to change. We present data on such attributions as given by 66 alcoholics on whom we have detailed 10‐year information on multiple aspects of outcome and who also completed a 70‐item Attributions Inventory. A factor analysis of the Attributions data reveals two factors which have been labelled respectively ‘Active’ and ‘Responsive’, and it is suggested that this may be a more appropriate analytical framework than the single dimension of Internal/External locus of control. The relationship between Attribution factors on the one hand and Outcome components and clusters on the other, is explored.‘Active’ Attribution is significantly and positively related to better ‘High Dependence’ Outcome, whereas ‘Responsive’ Attribution relates significantly and positively to better ‘Low Dependence’ outcome. Potential theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
Public Control of Alcohol: licensing trusts in New Zealand
Authors: STEWART LIZ , CASSWELL SALLY
Published: January 2006

Public control of the availability of alcohol has been introduced in various forms in a number of countries, particularly where there has been a strong temperance movement. In these circumstances, public control has sometimes been promoted as an alternative to the possible introduction of national prohibition. This paper briefly summarizes the chronological events leading up to the introduction of licensing trusts in the 1940s as a form of local community control in various areas of New Zealand. Licensing trusts, the promotion of which was partly a reaction against the poor business practices of the liquor trade, quickly gained such popularity amongst the population that many local communities voted in favour of trust control whenever an opportunity to do so arose. The paper also examines the continued viability of the trusts as part of the alcohol trading scene in New Zealand in the 1980s, under social circumstances vastly different to the 1940s when trusts were first established. The dissolution of the Carlisle scheme in the United Kingdom, is briefly compared with the possible future of the New Zealand licensing trusts. It is concluded that the trust concept may have considerable potential for community participation in the reduction of alcohol problems, but liberalization of non‐trust alcohol outlets in licensing trust areas may limit the effectiveness of this role.
Chasing, Arousal and Sensation Seeking in Off‐course Gamblers
Authors: DICKERSON MARK , HINCHY JOHN , FABRE JOHN
Published: January 2006

Off‐course belling agency customers (N = 172) were assessed by a brief structured interview and by a questionnaire that included; the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS Form V), a short form of the State portion of the State‐Trait Anxiety questionnaire designed to assess subjective reports of levels of arousal after betting but prior to the race result, a question assessing the frequency of chasing and questions about other aspects of betting behaviour. Contrary to the hypothesis of Zuckerman (1979) the results showed that male bettors as a group were significantly lower on SSS scores than existing population norms. Despite the restricted range of these scores weak but significant relationships were shown between SSS subscales and level of involvement in betting. Chasing was shown to be a central feature of a group of out‐of‐control betting behaviours. Sensation Seeking scores were positively correlated with level of involvement and the relationship found between the Boredom Susceptibility subscale and arousal was tentatively highlighted as an individual difference that would predispose a person to greater loss of control and possible problematic levels of gambling.
Type 1 and Type 2 Alcoholics (Cloninger & Bohman) have Different Patterns of Successful Long‐term Adjustment
Authors: NORDSTROM GÖRAN , BERGLUND MATS
Published: January 2006

Fifty‐five socially well adjusted male alcoholics and 29 male alcoholics with a disability pension, all having a life‐time diagnosis of alcohol dependence (DSM‐III), were personally followed up 2 decades after their first admission to hospital. Among the socially well adjusted subjects, type 1 and type 2 alcoholics, as defined by Cloninger et al., 13 differed significantly concerning drinking patterns at the follow‐up with a higher frequency of stable sporadic abuse (‘atypical abuse’) and a lower frequency of abstinence and social drinking in the type 2 alcoholics (p<.01). The stability of improvement and the psycho‐social functioning at the follow‐up did not differ between atypical abusers, social drinkers and abstainers.
Serum Activity of Gamma‐glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) in Relation to Estimated Alcohol Consumption and Questionnaires in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome
Authors: BELL HELGE , STEENSLAND HEIDI
Published: January 2006

Estimated total ethanol consumption in the month and in the 12 months before admission was examined in 232 patients (197males and 35females) with a mean age of 43.8years (range 20‐70). AH were admitted to a clinic for alcoholics and had a mean drinking history of 13 years (range 1‐42 years). The mean consumption was 50.1 litres pure ethanol per year and 6.5 litres in the month before admission. The Brief Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (Brief MAST) and CAGE questionnaires detected every patient (100%) with a mean score of 2LS points (range 9‐30) and 3.8 points (range 2–4), respectively. Seventy‐one percent had increased activity of gamma‐glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) above our cut‐off values (males 50 U/l and females 40 U/l). A statistically significant association was found between GGT and the estimated annual alcohol consumption (r=0.28, p<.001). Although serum GGT is a sensitive marker in alcoholism, the GGT does not predict the amount of alcohol consumed. Although the patients were a highly selected group, we conclude that the questionnaires of Brief MAST and CAGE seem to be more sensitive than the serum values of GGT.
Serum Gamma‐glutamyltransferase: an epidemiological indicator of alcohol consumption?
Authors: GJERDE H. , AMUNDSEN A. , SKOG O.‐J. , MØRLAND J. , AASLAND O. G.
Published: January 2006

Relations between the alcohol consumption of a population and the prevalence of elevated serum gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) were studied. Based on empirical data on the prevalance of elevated GGT within different alcohol consumption intervals and the Ledermann theory, relations between mean alcohol consumption of a population and GGT were deduced. Data from other studies were used to verify the relations. The results indicated that the percentage of subjects with elevated GGT in a selected population might be used to gain information about the alcohol consumption of the population.
Bolivia and Cocaine: a developing country's dilemmas
Authors: HEALY KEVIN
Published: January 2006

This article reviews the plight of Bolivia, Latin America's poorest country, and a major production center for the coca leaf and cocaine. Amidst Bolivia's worst economic crisis of the century, the illicit cocaine business during the 1980s has generated much needed foreign exchange along with income and employment for tens of thousands of poor farmers and traders. These economic benefits have been accompanied by a long list of social ills ranging from corruption and drug abuse to decreasing food production and superfluous consumption. Solutions to the drug related problems present Bolivia with a difficult dilemma between economic survival and societal well‐being. Moreover, effective opposition to coca leaf eradication programs comes from well organized peasant unions tied closely to the national labor movement. Genuine developmental solutions must provide attractive prices for alternate crops via preferential export markets in the U.S. and Western Europe.
Attempted Referral as Intervention for Problem Drinking in the General Hospital
Authors: ELVY G. A. , WELLS J. E. , BAIRD K. A.
Published: January 2006

Baseline data were collected on 263 general hospital patients screened as problem drinkers, who were randomly allocated to one of two groups. In one group an attempt was made to refer patients for treatment while no action was taken for the other. Both groups were followed up at 12 and 18 months. At 12 months the referred group had improved significantly more than the control group in terms of self‐reported alcohol problems, personal happiness, period since last drinking and work performance. However, these effects had diminished at 18 months, largely because of improvements in the control group after the 12‐months follow‐up, which appeared to function as an intervention. These results suggest that intervention following screening is of benefit, and that such a strategy could usefully be incorporated into normal hospital routine.
Book Reviews
Authors: GOSSOP MICHAEL
Published: January 2006

Books Reviewed in this Article:

A Nice Girl Like Me: a story of the seventies ROSIE BOYCOTT

Falling Towards England: unreliable memoirs II CLIVE JAMES

Alcohol and the Brain Development JAMES R. WEST, Ph. D.(Ed.)

Alcohol and the Brain Chronic Effects RALPH TARTER & DAVID VAN THIEL

Treating Addictive Behaviors Processes of Change WILLIAM E. MILLER & NICK HEATHER (Eds)

Drugs in Perspective MARTIN PLANT

Dealing With Drugs ANNAS DIXON
HIV Infection in Intravenous Drug Users: a follow–up study indicating changes in risk‐taking behaviour
Authors: ROBERTSON J. R. , SKIDMORE C. A. , ROBERTS J. J. K.
Published: January 2006

The present study attempts to quantify behavioural change in a group of intravenous drug misusers over a period of a year from pre–AIDS awareness to post‐Governmental intervention. In 1986 49 known intravenous heroin users were questioned closely about their needle sharing and sexual behaviour. Beginning 6 months later a follow‐up involving 80% of the original group took place and all subjects were re‐interviewed. Significant changes emerged without exception in all aspects of drug use and sexual behaviour, and were most obvious in drug users infected with HIV. Non‐infected drug users displayed a less extreme range of behaviours in both the first part of the study and the follow‐up and may partly explain why they have remained uninfected.
Data Note—13. Alcohol Policy and the British Government Bureaucracy
Authors: HARRISON LARRY , TETHER PHILIP
Published: January 2006

The Data Note series is edited by David Robinson, ESRC Addiction Research Centre, University of Hull, Hull HU6, 7RX, to whom all comments and suggestions for future notes should be sent.
Cannabis and Cognitive Functions: a re‐evaluation study
Authors: MENDHIRATTA SARBJIT S. , VARMA VIJOY K. , DANG RAVINDER , MALHOTRA ANIL K. , DAS KAROBI , NEHRA RITU
Published: January 2006

Out of 25 each of long‐term, heavy bhang (marihuana) ingestors, 25 charas (hashish) smokers and 25 matched non‐user controls earlier studied and reported by us, 11 bhang users, 19 charas smokers and 15 controls could be re‐studied after a lapse of 9‐10 years. All the users had continued the use during the intervening years. Tests of intelligence, memory and perceptuomotor tasks earlier administered to the subjects were repeated. This showed a significant additional deterioration in case of the users on a number of psychological measures, i.e. on digit span, speed and accuracy tests, reaction time and Bender visuomotor gestalt test. The deterioration in the cannabis users was significantly greater than in the case of the non‐users controls. The study thus further corroborates our earlier findings of impairment of cognitive functions associated with long‐term, heavy cannabis use.
The CAGE Questionnaire and Psychological Health
Authors: SCHOFIELD A.
Published: January 2006

Of 331 admissions to the wards of a general hospital 4.8% were diagnosed alcoholic using the CAGE questionnaire with the usual cut‐off point of 2/3. Using a cut‐off point of 1/2 on the CAGE there were found to be significantly more cases of anxiety and depression among the male CAGE 2, 3 and 4 scores as a group than among the CAGE 0 and 1 scorers taken as a group. Those who admitted to early morning drinking were more likely to present as cases of anxiety and/or depression than those who did not. Lowering the CAGE cut‐off point to 1/2 would increase the diagnosed prevalence of alcoholism or problem drinking in this population to 9%. The order of frequency in which the questions of the CAGE were answered is used to delineate the development of deleterious alcohol consumption.
Bias due to Non‐response in a Dutch Survey on Alcohol Consumption
Authors: LEMMENS P. H. H. M. , TAN E. S. , KNIBBE R. A.
Published: January 2006

Increasing non‐response rates force survey researchers to focus on the danger of biased results. In this study two methods were used to determine whether a non‐response rate of 31% in a survey of drinking habits in the Netherlands seriously affects estimates of alcohol consumption. Firstly, several indices of mean consumption were corrected for differences in response probabilities of the distinguished substrata. Secondly, data from a follow‐up among non‐respondents were used to study differences in consumption between the response and non‐response stratum. Both methods led to the general conclusion that the effect of non‐response on estimates of consumption for the entire population appears to be small. Among female non‐respondents, a higher proportion of abstainers and a lower average consumption was found. Although occasional heavy alcohol use in the previous 6 months was more frequent among male non‐respondents than among male respondents, the reverse was true for frequent, weekly heavy use.
Drug and Substance Use Among 3,333 London Adolescents
Authors: SWADI HARITH
Published: January 2006

A confidential and anonymous self‐report survey among 3,333 adolescents was carried out in six state comprehensive schools in London. It enquired, among many other variables, about the frequency of current use of cigarettes, alcohol, solvents and other illegal drugs. The results showed that one in five 11–16 year olds have tried solvents or drugs, one in twelve are repeated users and one in twenty have tried ‘hard drugs’. Two‐thirds have ever used alcohol, one in nine can be described as frequent and possibly heavy drinkers, and one in five smoke cigarettes regularly. Smoking is more prevalent and more frequent among girls, while repeated use of drugs (including solvents) as well as alcohol shows no sex differences. The frequency of use of individual substances shows no significant sex differences except for solvents and cocaine where girls predominate.
Testosterone in Chronic Alcoholic Men
Authors: IRWIN MICHAEL , DREYFUS EVE , BAIRD STEVE , SMITH TOM L. , SCHUCKIT MARC
Published: January 2006

Reduced testosterone levels in chronic alcoholic men may be associated with the age, alcohol consumption history, severity of liver injury, and nutritional status of these patients. In this study, total testosterone levels were measured in 163 alcoholic men upon admission to an alcohol treatment program (ATP) and at 3 months follow‐up. Values of testosterone below the clinical normal range were found in over 17% of the subjects, a finding significantly predicted by age, alcohol consumption and liver injury tests. Follow‐up at 3 months further demonstrated that abnormally low testosterone values significantly increased in men who remained abstinent as compared to those who continued to drink.
HIV Transmission Risk Behaviour of Clients Attending Syringe‐exchange Schemes in England and Scotland
Authors: STIMSON GERRY V. , DONOGHOE MARTIN , ALLDRITT LINDSEY , DOLAN KATE
Published: January 2006

British government strategy for the prevention of HIV transmission in injecting drug users includes experimental syringe‐exchange schemes for the provision of sterile injecting equipment to drug injectors who are unable or unwilling to stop injecting. This paper reports on the HIV risk behaviour of clients interviewed during the first year of the schemes. Most clients had accurate knowledge of the risk of infection from sharing syringes but few considered themselves to be at risk of HIV infection, 36% reported sharing needles and syringes at and shortly after intake. Most clients were sexually active and many had partners who did not inject drugs. The two main reasons for attendance were scarcity of injecting equipment and worry about AIDS. A majority of clients reported that they had already made changes in their injecting practices because of AIDS, and some reported changes in sexual behaviour. The study highlights the scale and nature of the task of helping drug injectors to charge their behaviour.
Social Marketing in the Alcohol Policy Arena ★
Authors: MURRAY GLEN G. , DOUGLAS RONALD R.
Published: January 2006

This article examines a strategy for implementing alcohol policies at the community level through social marketing considerations. With the discussion surrounding the implementation of alcohol control policies intensifying, practitioners will find this information useful in developing ways to effectively place the issue on legislators’ agenda, involve desired target groups and mobilize public support.
Prevalence of Heroin Misuse in Oxford City
Authors: PEVELER ROBERT C. , GREEN ROSALIND , MANDELBROTE BERTRAM M.
Published: January 2006

It is generally believed that the prevalence of drug misuse, and especially of opioid misuse, is increasing. The prevalence of heroin misuse in Oxford City was estimated accurately in 1969 using a detailed multi‐agency enumeration method, and it was therefore possible to repeat this procedure to obtain an estimate of the current prevalence, and hence a longitudinal view of the problem. In one year 246 heroin users were identified, giving an overall 12‐month period prevalence rate of 3.7 per thousand in the age range 15–49 years. This finding suggests that the prevalence of heroin misuse in Oxford City is little different from that of 1969.
Regional Diversity in United States Drinking Practices
Authors: HILTON MICHAEL E.
Published: January 2006

Recent studies have noted significant regional changes in American patterns of alcohol use. The present paper discusses regional differences in drinking patterns, problems, attitudes, and contexts as these have emerged along with the ‘wettening’ of the previously drier Southern and Mountain states. Data come from a 1984 national survey. Results indicate the persistence of regional differences in abstention rates and in apparent consumption levels when calculated on a per‐drinker basis. The higher per‐drinker apparent consumption levels in the historically drier regions are accompanied by higher levels of problems in the categories of belligerence, accidents, and trouble‐with‐the‐police. These differences in problem rates, however, are apparent only among men, indicating an interplay between gender and region. Attitude measures do not show notable regional differences, which indicates unresolved tensions, in the drier regions, between relatively high (per drinker) consumption and relatively conservative drinking attitudes. Contextual evidence indicates that the limitation of public drinking opportunities in the drier regions is accompanied by more drinking in the home.
Estimating Alcohol‐related Absenteeism in New Zealand
Authors: CASSWELL SALLY , GILMORE LYNNETTE , ASHTON TONI
Published: January 2006

Absence from work has often been regarded as a major contributor to the economic costs imposed by alcohol use. Utilising general population Survey data, this study used a variety of methods to identify those days of reported absence which were likely to be alcohol related. No clear relationship was found between heavy drinking and overall absenteeism. However, regardless of the way in which alcohol‐related absenteeism was assessed there was a higher probability of occurrence among those classified as heavy drinkers. This suggests that there are clear differences between heavy and non‐heavy drinkers in relation to only certain kinds of absenteeism.
The Concurrent Use of Alcohol, Cigarettes and Caffeine in British Benzodiazepine Users as Measured by a General Population Survey
Authors: DUNBAR G. C. , MORGAN D. D. V. , PERERA K. M. H.
Published: January 2006

A 1985 general population survey was conducted by Gallup in Great Britain. Subjects (4,148) were questioned about their use of benzodiazepines of whom 1,284 were also questioned about their alcohol, cigarette and caffeine consumption. Data were examined to find possible multiple substance misuse. No strong evidence could be found. People taking benozodiazepines at the time of the survey consumed significantly less alcohol than non‐users or past users. Cigarette consumption was found to be increased in current and past benzodiazepine users. Subgroups of benzodiazepine users, defined as‘high users’,‘dosage escalators’or‘chronic users’were also examined. Again no strong evidence of multiple substance misuse could be found. However, high users and dosage escalators did smoke more than others. Concurrent misuse of benzodiazepines and other legally available psychoactive substances is not common in the general population.
What Can Long‐term Follow‐up Teach us About Relapse and Prevention of Relapse in Addiction?
Authors: VAILLANT GEORGE E.
Published: January 2006

This article reviews the treatment history of 100 hospital‐treated heroin addicts and 100 hospital‐treated alcohol‐dependent individuals. The two cohorts were prospectively followed for 20 and 12 years respectively and factors related to relapse and freedom from relapse were sought. Premorbid social stability, especially stable employment history, proved a more effective predictor of long‐term outcome than the severity or chronicity of addiction. Inpatient treatment exerted little effect on long‐term course. For both samples, encountering one or more of the following‐community compulsory supervision, a substitute dependence, new relationships, and inspirational group membership‐appeared associated with freedom from relapse. The challenge of preventing relapse in diabetes is offered as a useful analogy for preventing relapse in the addictions.
A Volatile Time for British Drug Policies: commentary on the Editorial by Alan Glanz
Authors: STIMSON GERRY V. , DONOGHOE MARTIN , DOLAN KATE , ALLDRITT LINDSEY
Published: January 2006

The following commentary is in response to the Editorial ‘Drug Misuse and AIDS Prevention. Policy on the Right Track’ by Alan Glanz—British Journal of Addiction Vol. 83, pp. 1237‐1239 (preceding article in this issue).
Genetic Polymorphism of the Alcohol Metabolising Enzymes as a Basis for Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: GRANT DAVID A. W.
Published: January 2006

There are five separate genes for alcohol dehydrogenase in man. Three of these genes code for isoenzymes which have the correct catalytic properties to suggest that they are predominantly involved in alcohol metabolism in the liver. These are the so‐called class I genes. Two of the class I genes also contain alleles which are expressed with variable frequency by different ethnic groups. This genetic polymorphism is reflected in some enzyme phenotypes which have a greater reactivity toward ethanol than others. Thus genetic and biochemical diversity both within and between different populations may be the basis for the unique individual response to alcohol and vulnerability to alcoholism. There are four separate genes for aldehyde dehydrogenase in man. Only two of the isoenzymes are likely to metabolize acetaldehyde in the liver. An inherited deficiency in one of these isoenzymes is the cause of acute alcohol sensitivity symptoms (the flushing response) in Orientals. The aversive reactions to alcohol in individuals with this deficiency may be a deterrent to alcoholism.
Perception of Risk of HIV Infection by Injecting Drug Users and Effects on Medical Clinic Attendance
Authors: COLEMAN ROSIE M. , CURTIS DAVID , FEINMANN CHARLOTTE
Published: January 2006

One hundred and sixty two injecting drug users attending two London clinics were asked if they thought that they were at risk from HIV infection. Thirty‐one thought it was likely that they had been exposed to HIV, and these subjects had injected drugs for longer, were more likely to have shared needles and syringes in the last year, to have used dealer's equipment and to have shared with someone from abroad. They also had more male sexual partners and were more likely to have resorted to prostitution. There was no evidence that perception of risk influenced subjects in their intention to attend a medical clinic, and subjects who attended the medical clinic did not differ significantly from others attending the drug dependency unit.
Distribution of Risk Behaviour for HIV Infection Amongst Intravenous Drug Users
Authors: COLEMAN ROSIE M. , CURTIS DAVID
Published: January 2006

One hundred and sixty‐two intravenous drug users attending two London clinics were questioned about their sexual and equipment‐sharing behaviour. Four individiuals accounted between them for 90% of all sexual contacts, and 39 individuals accounted for 90% of all equipment‐sharing contacts. Individuals with multiple sexual contacts were more likely to have multiple equipment‐sharing contacts. It is suggested that the concentration of high risk behaviour in only a few subjects may contribute to the low overall levels of HIV infection among drug users in London.
Long‐term Evaluation of Controlled Smoking as a Treatment Outcome
Authors: HILL DAVID , WEISS DAVID J. , WALKER DONNA L. , JOLLEY DAMIEN
Published: January 2006

Smoking abstinence rates and mean daily cigarette consumption were observed in 1326 participants in a group cessation program before, immediately after, and one year after treatment. At the end of treatment 62% of the‘treatment successes’were abstinent. A further 18% were smoking 1–9 cigarettes per day and were termed ‘controlled smokers’. The mean reductions in cigarettes smoked per day from pre‐treatment baseline to the one‐year follow‐up were compared for immediate post‐treatment consumption groups. The long‐term reduction of controlled smokers was less than the treatment successes, but was not different from those smoking larger quantities at the end of treatment. The fact that the long‐term reduction of controlled smokers was no greater than others suggests that controlled smoking is not useful, either as a treatment goal or outcome.
Alcoholic Hallucinosis: a psychiatric enigma–1. The Development of an Idea
Authors: GLASS ILANA B.
Published: January 2006

This paper outlines the evolution of ideas on the topic of alcoholic hallucinosis. From 1847 to 1987 numerous descriptive case‐histories appeared in the literature. Analysis of these demonstrates that there were some phenomenological features of the illness about which authors were agreed. These were the acute onset of the illness, the predominance of auditory hallucinations and a history of heavy drinking. Protagonists of the delirium tremens school of thought drew attention to the slight clouding of consciousness, the presence of the physical symptoms which may accompany an acute confusional state and the possibility of other kinds of hallucinations. Those who favoured the idea that it was a schizophrenic‐like illness emphasized the chronicity, the predominance of auditory hallucinations and clear consciousness. Enlightening as these case‐histories were, it was impossible to conclude the debate on these unsystematic observations alone.
Psychology and Brief Interventions
Authors: HEATHER NICK
Published: January 2006

In this article, a discussion of the definition and description of brief interventions is followed by broad reviews of their effectiveness in the cigarette smoking and alcohol fields. It is then argued that brief interventions should not be justified only in terms of early intervention; that there is at present insufficient evidence to warrant the abandonment of conventional outpatient treatment for clinic attenders; and that the relative contribution of motivational and active behaviour‐change components of brief interventions is an important area for research.
Drug Use by Prostitutes in Sydney
Authors: ROSS PHILPOT C. , HARCOURT CHRISTINE L. , EDWARDS JANICE M.
Published: January 2006

We report a comparative study of drug consumption by 277 female prostitutes and 95 women who had never worked as prostitutes, attending the Sydney STD Centre in 1985 and 1987. Marijuana was the drug most often used by prostitutes and non‐prostitutes, followed by sleeping pills, amphetamines, cocaine and heroin. About 12% in both groups used intravenous drugs but prostitutes were significantly more likely to share needles and syringes. Prostitutes were also more likely to smoke cigarettes than non‐prostitutes, and young prostitutes smoked significantly more heavily than other women in the study. Although fewer prostitutes than non‐prostitutes drank alcohol, those who did drink were more likely to do so at a harmful level. We conclude that where differences in drug consumption exist between prostitutes and non‐prostitutes, they are mainly work related.
The Influence of Advertising on Tobacco Consumption: a reply to Boddewyn
Authors: CHETWYND JANE , BRODIE RODERICK J. , HARRISON ROBIN
Published: January 2006

This paper presents a rejoinder to Boddewyn's critique of our earlier work. We show that many of his concerns are unfounded or have been addressed in our subsequent work. Our original conclusion that cigarette advertising has a significant effect on aggregate consumption remains unchanged. We concede that the analysis could be improved by a fuller data set and appeal to the tobacco industry to open their data for independent analysis.