bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The black box of the therapeutic community for addiction clarified by means of mentalisation theory: A participant observation study
Authors: Debaere V. , Vanheule S. 
Published: May 2011

Drug free Therapeutic Communities (TC’s) for addiction developed outside the medical and mental health care. Although these programs have proven to be effective, the why and how of the treatment process stays misunderstood. This ‘Black Box of the TC's’ threatens their continued existence and has led to a call for qualitative research.To investigate the treatment process, the first author fully immersed herself in the Belgian TC ‘Trempoline’ for 3 weeks. The full participation strongly affected research possibilities: record equipment was taken away and the exigent day’s schedule left few moments to note.Paradoxically, such frustrating experience proved to be an integral part of the treatment process. The data-set was analyzed with thematic analysis.This resulted in a model consisting of 5 main themes which clarifies how the TC-program (themes 2 and 4) influences its residents (themes 1, 3, 5) (see figure 1).The frustrating but at the same time holding environment reactivates the residents’ drowned emotional life. By applying symbolization-tools they learn to deal with the increasing tension in a mentalised way instead of acting out their discontent.We conclude that a TC tackles the disruptive affect-regulation in people suffering from addiction by triggering and developing their mentalisation process.
Comorbidity of substance use disorder and schizophrenia and mood disorders
Authors: Delafariban M. 
Published: May 2011

Individuals with a severe mental illness and substance use disorders tend to have medical and social problems and those who have either disorder alone. Nevertheless, little attention has been paid to the discovery of effective methods of modifying substance use in the mentally ill.The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of substance use in schizophrenia and mood disorders.Methods & materialsIn a cross-sectional descriptive study, patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia(n = 30) and mood disorder (n = 30) randomly selected in two psychiatric hospital in Shiraz, Iran, and a control group (30) randomly selected in normal population without history of psychiatric disorders; completed questionnaire for substance use.ResultsResults showed %40 of patients with schizophrenia, %36.6 of subjects with mood disorders and % 36.6 of control group had substance use disorder.ConclusionThese data suggest that schizophrenia and mood disorders can lead to substance use disorders. Also, in our study high rate of substance use in control group is an alarm. Since substance is caused by and can cause psychiatric disorders and substance use can effect various aspects of social life.
Alcohol misuse in a population of suicide attempters
Authors: Delavenne H. , Got B. , Garcia F.D. , Baguet A. , Thibaut F. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionAlcohol misuse could be a treatable risk factor for suicidal behaviour, which is seldom approached in the emergency room.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of alcohol misuse in an interventional follow up program of patients immediately after a suicidal attempt.MethodsTransversal study based on a post hoc analyse of a controlled randomized study done. Epidemiological data and the impact of alcohol misuse were evaluated in relation to suicidal relapse, in compliance for the treatment and in the evolution of Beck’s scores of depression. The study took place in the Rouen University Hospital and lasted for 2 years.ResultsA total of 228 patients, 50 (22.2%) men and 173 (78.8%) women were included. The group with alcohol misuse was composed of 31 (13.9%) patients, and the group without alcohol misuse was composed of 192 (86.9%) patients. The group with alcohol misuse had a lower employment level (n = 16, 51.6%) versus (n = 54, 28.1%) p = 0.009 and was older (mean age 41+/−12 years) than the group without alcohol misuse (mean age 31+/−13 years), p = 0.05. The group with alcohol misuse was composed of 15 (48.4%) of men, compared to 35 (18.2%) of men in the group without alcohol misuse, p = 0.0005. No statistical differences were found for evolution of the depression’s score obtained with the Beck’s scale, nor for the compliance, nor for the suicidal relapse.ConclusionOur conclusions are limited by age and sex difference among alcoholic and non alcoholic groups.
Mephenesin dependence: A case series
Authors: Djezzar S. , Vorspan F. , Chataigner D. , Burin E. , Garnier R. , Lépine J.-P. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionMephenesin is a central muscle relaxant, acting through a depression of the activity of some neurones in the caudate nucleus. It was proposed as a potential treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in the 50s. This over the counter medicine is now mainly prescribed to treat spasticity or as an adjunctive treatment of painful muscle spasm. We know little about this substance except that side effects are venous thrombosis, haemolysis or cutaneous intolerance. Yet, no case of abuse or dependence has been reported.AimsTo report a series of 5 clinical cases in patients who developed abuse or dependence to mephenesin.MethodsWe performed a systematic search in data bases of both Paris addictovigilance and poison centres from 1999 to 2010. Clinical details were obtained from clinicians when possible. A literature search was also performed to describe mephenesin mechanisms of actions that could be implied.ResultsThree (3) women et 2 men aged 35 to 52 years (m : 43.6) were identified as abusing mephenesin, among which 4 patients had a full DSM IV criteria of dependence. All had a previous history of abuse or substance dependence (alcohol, heroin, codeine, ketamine…).The average mephenesin daily intake was 13 g (9 to 24 g) when the maximum recommended dosage is 3 gr/d. In one case, a withdrawal syndrome was observed (tremor, aggressiveness).ConclusionMephenesin may be abused by patients with previous risk factors, especially a personal history of alcohol dependence.
Spice plants induced psychosis-case presentation
Authors: Nagy H. , Buftea L. , Domokos L. , Mihai A. 
Published: May 2011

Spice shops, selling ethnobotanical plants like Salvia divinorum, Mitragina speciosa, Amanita muscaria and others, have become very numerous in Romania, first of all because they are legal, second of all because more and more young people are tempted to experiment new sensations. These plants can cause different psychiatric illnesses and associating theme with alcohol or drugs can also be fatal.Our objective was to present the case of a 25 year old male patient consulted at emergency service, and admitted in our department, presenting psychomotor agitation, anxiety and the specific elements of a psychotic episode, delusions and hallucinations, after smoking a cigarette with sage and night-shade.The symptomatology remitted rapidly, after approximately 12 hours, revealing the complications of psychoactive substance use.ConclusionsThis case shows the importance of knowledge of psychiatrists concerning the psychoactive substances of ethnobotanical plants, because of their legality and easy procuration possibility. We consider that the role of psychiatrists in mediatizing the side effects of these plants is very important.
Recovery of cortical functioning in abstinent alcohol dependent patients? Prefrontal brain oxygenation during verbal fluency at different phases during withdrawal
Authors: Dresler T. , Schecklmann M. , Ernst L.H. , Pohla C. , Warrings B. , Fischer M. , Polak T. , Fallgatter A.J. 
Published: May 2011

Introduction/objectivesNeurotoxic effects of alcohol consumption are well-known. There is plenty of literature on frontal lobe impairment on the behavioral and structural brain imaging level. However, only few functional imaging studies investigated altered neural patterns and even less abstinence-related neural recovery. Here, we investigated if frontal lobe activity tends to normalize in patients that remain successfully abstinent.MethodsIn a cross-sectional design three patient groups (acute withdrawal, detoxified, abstinent) and healthy controls (each n = 20) performed a phonological and semantical verbal fluency task (VFT) while brain activity was measured with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).ResultsFirst, for the phonological condition patients in the acute withdrawal phase and also detoxified patients showed less fluency-related frontal lobe activation compared to controls despite equal performance. Second, significant linear trend effects from withdrawal patients over detoxified and abstinent patients up to healthy controls indicated more normal activation patterns in the abstinent group that did not differ from the controls. In the detoxified group brain activation increased with time since detoxification.ConclusionsOur results support the assumption of an increase in frontal brain activity from alcohol dependency over abstinence up to normal functioning. Longitudinal studies are needed to further elucidate recovery processes in alcohol dependency.
Drug-abusing offenders with co-morbid mental disorders:gender differences in problem severity, treatment participation, and recidivism
Authors: Du J. , Zhao M. , Hser Y.-I. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionIndividuals with co-occurring disorders have higher levels of psychological distress and poorer psychosocial functioning, as compared with individuals with substance dependence only. Studies identified substance abuse as a risk factor, which increases the likelihood that an individual with mental disorders may become violent.ObjectivesTo examine the gender differences in drug-related problems and predictors of recidivism among a sample of 1,444 offenders with co-morbid drug abuse and mental disorders participating in California's Proposition 36.MethodsCharacteristics and problem severity in multiple key life areas were assessed at intake using Addiction Severity Index, and drug treatment participation, mental health diagnoses and arrests were based on official records.ResultsWomen demonstrated greater problem severity than men in family relationships, health, psychological health, and sexual and physical abuse history. Men on the other hand had greater criminal history, high rates of attention disorder, and psychotic disorder. Logistic regression analyses showing that for the combined sample, male, young age, cocaine use (relative to methamphetamine), drug abuse severity, methadone treatment, arrest history and fewer prior treatment history were associated with higher recidivism at 12-month follow-up; lower education, cocaine use, and arrest history were related to women's recidivism, while young age, outpatient treatment, and arrest history were predictors of men's recidivism.ConclusionsAlthough the specific type of mental disorder did not seem to be predictive of recidivism, the high rates of mental health disorder and arrest of this population is problematic. Intervention strategies taking into consideration gender-specific problems and needs can improve outcomes for both.
Education in drug addicts (Yasouj-Iran): A cross-sectional study
Authors: Fararouei M. , Shirazi K.K. , Abasi A. , Estakhrian Haghighi R. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionDrug addiction is one of the most common social disorders in Iran. It is estimated that about 2 million Iranian are addicted and the number is rising.AimsThis study is done to investigate the educational history and its related issues of addicted participants.MethodsParticipants are a convenience sample of 71 drug addicted males who came to one of the 17 addiction treatment centers in Yasouj- Iran. Data were collected via a self administered questionnaire.ResultsPatients were all male, age from 19 to 50 years old. Only 1.4% (one patient) was illiterate, and 10.1% had university degrees. 59.9% did not started (1.4%) or finished (58.5%) their national compulsory educational program. Addiction was reported as the main reason for withdrawing from school (19.6%). More than 73% of the participants had educational difficulties (e.g. failed subject) and 74% used to be aggressive during their study period. More than 46% were under 18 years old (33.3% under 16) when they used drugs for the first time. School was the place of the first use of drug for 6.1% of the participants.DiscussionEducational issues seem to be a common problem for the drug addicted participants. This is due to either addiction itself or educational problems can be considered as indicators for later attempt for using drugs or more precisely addiction. It would be reasonable to do further work to find out more specific educational difficulties which can predict later risk for addiction.
Playing violent games, internet café visits and degree of daily schedule disruption predict internet addiction in a sample of greek young internet café users
Authors: Frangos C.C. , Fragkos K.C. , Piperopoulou A.N. 
Published: May 2011

AimTo estimate the percentage and risk factors of Internet addiction (IA) at Greek Internet cafés.MethodsWe used a questionnaire including questions on demographics, Internet use duration, Internet applications and sites visited, degree of Internet use influence on daily schedule and social relations, psychosocial characteristics of users and Young's IA Test (48 items overall). Our randomly selected sample included Internet café users in Athens and other big Greek cities. The sample size was 686 people (74%/26% M/F) and 12%, 70% and 18% were between 7–14, 15–25 and 26–45 years old respectively.ResultsCronbach's alpha ranged from 0.79 to 0.90 for all 6 sections of our questionnaire. The prevalence of IA among Internet café visitors was 20.8% (16.0% men, 4.8% women). IA was significantly associated to Internet use duration per day, Internet Café visits number per week, number of hours playing at Internet cafés per visit, duration playing violent games (e.g. Counter-Strike, Quake, Assassin), duration visiting Facebook and MySpace, and degree of Internet use influence on daily schedule, social relations and psychological attitudes (p < 0.01). Binary logistic regression showed that significant predictive factors of IA were the length of time playing violent games [ORCounter-Strike = 23.6 (95% CI 1.2 − 40.1); ORAssassin = 10.9 (95% CI 1.5 − 43.2)], visiting Facebook [OR = 41.9 (95% CI 19.7 − 87.5)], and deterioration of social relations (p = 0.009).ConclusionIA is frequent in Internet cafés, possibly due to an online gaming addiction affecting multiple aspects of a person's life.
Psychologic predictors and epidemiology of internet addiction among university students in greece
Authors: Frangos C.C. , Fragkos K.C. 
Published: May 2011

AimTo present the epidemiology and psychological predictors of Internet Addiction (IA) among Greek University students.MethodsThis random sample consisted of 3545 students, drawn from 24 higher education institutions (1618/1927 M/F, mean age 20.12 ± 2.4 years). The survey was conducted in the 4 Greek cities: Athens, Preveza, Thessaloniki and Amfissa.ResultsThe prevalence rates of IA according to Young's Test in the four cities were: Athens (17.5%), Preveza (15.9%), Thessaloniki (19.3%), Amfissa (16.3%). There was a statistically significant association between location and IA (χ2 = 28.251, df = 3, p < 0.001), gender and IA for males and females (p < 0.001). We performed a t-test with the dependent variable S = sum of scores in the psychological features of loneliness, feeling abandoned, disappointed, aimless in life, and with low self-esteem; the grouping variable was IA. Results showed that the variable S was much lower for the non-addicted than for addicted students (t = 19.329, p < 0.005, df = 3085). Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of psychological characteristics on the likelihood that respondents would be Internet Addicted. The model was statistically significant χ2(10, N = 3085) = 316.3, p < 0.001. The model classified correctly 85.1% of the cases. The strongest predictors of IA were the following: Loneliness (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.67-2.71), feeling abandoned (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.2-2.1), low self-esteem (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.4-2.1) and fear of losing their job (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.01-1.7).ConclusionLoneliness, helplessness, low self-esteem and fear of unemployment are the strongest predictors of IA among Greek university students.
Physical health monitoring among an injecting drug using population
Authors: George M. , Gupta R. , Parashar N.R. , Ravi P. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionInjecting drug users experience higher rates of death and poorer health than their non-injecting peers.Accurate assessment of drug users physical health needs forms an essential precursor to treatment.AimsTo determine the completeness of documentation and accuracy of medical evaluation for a sample of injecting drug users.To establish the detection rate of medical co morbidity in injecting drug using patients.Methods20 injecting drug users were randomly selected from the computer database The case notes of each of these patients were then checked for any physical health documentation and the quality of the documentation.The medical databases of the acute hospital were then checked to identify if these patients have presented there and the medical conditions with which they have presented.The patients were then asked during their outpatient appointment about their physical health condition and the last time they have been checked by the GP.Results80% of the patients had some health related information’s documented in the notes. However when these were compared with the history from the patients during the follow up OP appointments and medical notes, only 20% of the notes had good quality health documentation. 60% was found to meet standards.50% of the patients had an acute hospital presentation with drug related complication. Of these 20% was in the previous 1 year. In terms of GP contact, 25% had seen the GP within the last 6 months and another 40% within the previous 1 year
Treasure paranoia and met - Amphetamine abuse
Authors: Ghaffarinejad A. 
Published: May 2011

Using metAmphetamine is going to be speared among young people in recent decade in our region.Cases of metAmphetamine induced psychosis are frequently admitted in our psychiatric hospital in Kerman city (Located in south - east of Iran). Hallucinations and paranoid delusions are well - known symptoms of met - psychosis.In this report we presented a 35 years old man with history of regular usage of drug in the past one year. He had persecutory delusions.His paranoid symptoms were interesting from a point of view. He bought a second - hand car, one year prior to his illness’ and at the same time, he started using met - amphetamines, gradually he found small pieces of gold and diamonds in the car. He could find them anywhere in the car, so he had searched the car completely several times during nights. He collected a small box filled with severed small stones, glasses and other garbage and called them treasure, and claimed former owners of the car were following him and want to recapture the car, take the treasure and harm him. Paranoid symptoms are common in met - abuse but this type could be considered as a variant In this type patient had painful sensation of paranoid delusion, and in the same time he enjoied the feeling of being reach.
Medication use in a dual pathology program: Observational study
Authors: Grau L. , Daigre C. , Miquel L. , Barral C. , Gonzalvo B. , Fuste G. , Esteve O. , Rodriguez-Cintas L. , Martinez N. , Roncero C. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionPolyfarmacy is frequent in patients with dual diagnosis.AimsTo quantify the number and describe the treatments prescribed in a cohort of outpatients with dual diagnosis.Material and methodsA descriptive and transversal study was performed. Patients with dual diagnosis treated at an Outpatient Drug Treatment Center from January 2005 to December 2009 were included. Data from demographic, clinical and therapeutical variables were gathered once. The instruments used for the diagnosis were EuropASI y SCID-I. The number and type of prescript drugs were related with protocol variables.ResultsThe study sample included 80 patients (71,6% men, average age 37,2 ± 9). Psychotic disorders (46.8%) and cocaine dependence/abuse (34.6%) were the most frequent comorbid psychiatric illnesses found. 40.8% of patients were polydrug users. The mean of prescript drugs was 3,06 ± 1,4 and only 14% of patients were on monotherapy. The frequency of drugs prescribed was: 68,4% antidepressant, 63,3% antipsychotic, 55,7% antiepileptic and 36,7% anxiolytic drugs. Older patients ( > 45years) took a major number of prescripted drugs (3,88 ± 1,1). Patients with psychotic disorders took the 43.9% of drugs prescripted (p = 0,042). Patients with benzodiazepine abuse took higher number of prescription drugs (5 ± 1,4;p = 0,003) compared with patients with other dependence or abuse.ConclusionsPatients with dual diagnosis take high quantity of drugs. Older patients, diagnosis of psychosis and benzodiacepine abuse were related with polydrug prescription. Quantification of medication is recommended for treatment optimisation and avoiding yatrogenic.
P01-44-The e-mail as a potential therapeutic tool in patients with alcohol dependence: The patient's perspective
Authors: Ortega L. , Robles N. , Matrai S. , Gual A. 
Published: May 2011

IntroductionThe use of Internet-based communication tools has spread to multiple areas of life. E-mail is a fast and easy tool that can be used by the health care system to facilitate doctor-patient communication.ObjectivesTo assess the use and value of the e-mail for communication between physician and patient, from patients’ perspective.AimsTo evaluate the use of e-mail as a potential therapeutic tool in patients with alcohol dependence.MethodsThe sample included patients who reported to have an e-mail account at their first visit in Alcohol Unit (n = 44 of 238 patients seen during one year). 23 patients were given the contact e-mail of the Alcohol Unit, and were instructed to contact their physician, if needed, by e-mail. The rest of the sample (n = 21) could contact their physician only by phone. Six months later, the whole sample received an electronic survey measuring their satisfaction of the communication with the physician.Results57% patients who received the contact e-mail of the Alcohol Unit answered the survey (n = 13). Of those, 54% used e-mail to contact their physician. 71% found e-mail easy-to-use; 86% reported being satisfied with e-mail communication.ConclusionsE-mail contact with physician was considered useful by most patients, although they report using also other contact methods, such as phone call.