bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A multi‐dimensional analysis of cue‐elicited craving in heavy smokers and tobacco chippers
Authors: Sayette Michael A. , Martin Christopher S. , Wertz Joan M. , Shiffman Saul , Perrott Michael A. 
Published: March 2003

Aims. This research examined the performance of a broad range of measures posited to relate to smoking craving.

Design. Heavy smokers and tobacco chippers, who were either deprived of smoking or not for 7 hours, were exposed to both smoking (a lit cigarette) and control cues.

Participants. Smokers not currently interested in trying to quit smoking (

n = 127) were recruited. Heavy smokers (

n = 67) averaged smoking at least 21 cigarettes/day and tobacco chippers (

n = 60) averaged 1‐5 cigarettes on at least 2 days/week.

Measurements. Measures included urge rating scales and magnitude estimations, a rating of affective valence, a behavioral choice task that assessed perceived reinforcement value of smoking, several smoking‐related judgement tasks and a measure of cognitive resource allocation.

Findings. Results indicated that both deprivation state and smoker type tended to affect responses across these measurement domains.

Conclusions. Findings support the use of several novel measures of craving‐related processes in smokers.
Mortality among problem drug users in Rome: an 18‐year follow‐up study, 1980–97
Authors: Bargagli A. M. , Sperati A. , Davoli M. , Forastiere F. , Perucci C. A. 
Published: March 2003

Aim. To analyse overall and cause‐specific mortality among problem drug users (PDUs) attending treatment centres in Rome and to evaluate differences in mortality between genders.

Methods. A cohort of 11 432 PDUs entering treatment in Rome between 1980 and 1995 was enrolled and followed‐up as of May 31, 1997. Directly standardized mortality rates and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Results. The study population included mainly males (82%), heroin users (92%) and had a mean age of 26.6 (SD 5.9) at enrolment. At the end of the study period 1734 deaths were observed. Overall mortality rates began to increase in 1985‐86 and decreased slightly afterwards. AIDS mortality peaked in 1991‐92 (13.2/1000) and fell in the following years. A slight decrease in overdose mortality also occurred after 1989‐90. Mortality for causes other than AIDS and overdose remained high and relatively steady for the whole study period. Women showed higher mortality rates for AIDS but lower mortality rates for overdose than males. Overall mortality risk among drug addicts was about 15 times higher compared to the general population of the same age among men, and 38 times higher among women.

Conclusions. AIDS mortality among drug addicts began to decrease earlier than expected; the decrease was particularly significant in the period 1993‐94 for both sexes. Afterwards a continuous but slight decrease was observed among males only. Even though overdose mortality has also decreased slightly in recent years, we still observe high mortality levels for both overdose and all other causes. These findings suggest that interventions directed specifically towards the reduction of baseline mortality are still needed.
Helping the female partners of men abusing alcohol: a comparison of three treatments
Authors: Halford W. Kim , Price John , Kelly Adrian B. , Bouma Ruth , Young Ross McD. 
Published: March 2003

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of three approaches to assisting the female partners of male problem drinkers with the stress imposed by the male's drinking.

Design. Participants were assigned randomly via random number tables to one of three treatment conditions: supportive counselling, stress management or alcohol‐focused couples therapy.

Setting. The intervention took place at the Behaviour Research and Therapy Centre (BRTC), The University of Queensland. This research and training centre offers outpatient psychology services to the community.

Participants. Sixty‐one married women whose husbands drank heavily. Participants reported protracted alcohol problems, severe impact of alcohol on social functioning and severe marital distress.

Measurement. The women's stress, alcohol consumption by the male, and relationship functioning were assessed at pre‐ and post‐treatment and at 6‐month follow‐up.

Interventions. All three treatments involved 15 1‐hour sessions with the woman. In the alcohol‐focused couple therapy, attempts were made to engage the man in these sessions.

Results. Contrary to our predictions, there were few differences between the treatments. All three treatments were associated with reductions in the women's reported stress, with trends for somewhat greater reduction in the women's stress in the stress management and alcohol‐focused couples therapy conditions than for supportive counselling. None of the treatments produced clinically significant reductions in men's drinking or relationship distress.

Conclusion. The treatments ease stresses and burden but do not improve drinking or relationships. Limited power in the design restricted the capacity to detect differential treatment effects.
Alcohol use, drug use and alcohol‐related problems among men who have sex with men: the Urban Men's Health Study
Authors: Stall Ron , Paul Jay P. , Greenwood Greg , Pollack Lance M. , Bein Edward , Crosby G. Michael , Mills Thomas C. , Binson Diane , Coates Thomas J. , Catania Joseph A. 
Published: March 2003

Aims. To measure the prevalence and independent associations of heavy and problematic use of alcohol and recreational drugs among a household‐based sample of urban MSM (men who have sex with men).

Design. Cross‐sectional survey.

Participants. Men who identified as being gay or bisexual or who reported sex with another man in the prior 5 years were included in this analysis (

n = 2172).

Setting. A probability telephone sample of MSM was taken within Zip Codes of four large American cities (Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco) estimated to have total concentrations of at least 4% of all households with one resident MSM.

Measurements. Standard measures of alcohol use, problems associated with alcohol use, and recreational drug use were administered by trained telephone interviewers.

Findings. Both recreational drug (52%) and alcohol use (85%) were highly prevalent among urban MSM, while current levels of multiple drug use (18%), three or more alcohol‐related problems (12%), frequent drug use (19%) and heavy‐frequent alcohol use (8%) were not uncommon. The associations of heavy and/or problematic substance use are complex, with independent multivariate associations found at the levels of demographics, adverse early life circumstances, current mental health status, social and sexual practices and connection to gay male culture.

Conclusions. The complex pattern of associations with heavy and/or problematic substance use among urban MSM suggests that heavy and/or problematic substance use is grounded in multiple levels: the individual, the interpersonal and the socio‐cultural.
Alcohol, cannabis and tobacco use among Australians: a comparison of their associations with other drug use and use disorders, affective and anxiety disorders, and psychosis
Authors: Degenhardt Louisa , Hall Wayne , Lynskey Michael 
Published: March 2003

Aim. To compare relationships between alcohol, cannabis and tobacco and indicators of mental health problems in the general population.

Method. A survey of a nationally representative sample of 10 641 Australian adults (the National Survey of Mental Health and Well‐Being (NSMHWB)) provided data on alcohol, cannabis and tobacco use and mental health (DSM‐IV anxiety disorders, affective disorders, other substance use disorders and screening positively for psychosis).

Findings. Alcohol showed a "J‐shaped" relationship with DSM‐IV affective and anxiety disorders: alcohol users had lower rates of these problems than non‐users of alcohol, while those meeting criteria for alcohol dependence had the highest rates. Tobacco and cannabis use were both associated with increased rates of all mental health problems examined. However, after controlling for demographics, neuroticism and other drug use, cannabis was not associated with anxiety or affective disorders. Alcohol dependence and tobacco use remained associated with both of these indicators of mental health. All three types of drug use were associated with higher rates of other substance use problems, with cannabis having the strongest association.

Conclusions. The use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis are associated with different patterns of co‐morbidity in the general population.
Gender differences in syringe exchange program use in Oslo, Norway
Authors: Miller Maureen , Eskild Anne , Mella Inge , Moi Harald , Magnus Per 
Published: March 2003

Aims. To examine gender differences in syringe exchange program (SEP) use, particularly frequent SEP use, within and across survey years.

Design. Three consecutive, anonymous cross‐sectional surveys.

Setting. The SEP in Oslo, Norway.

Participants. Two hundred and eighty‐eight, 449 and 523 SEP participants interviewed during comparable 1‐week periods in 1992, 1994 and 1997, respectively.

Measurements. Brief structured questionnaires assessed SEP use, HIV risk behaviors and self‐reported HIV status. Chi square statistics,

t‐tests and analysis of variance were used to identify gender differences; logistic regression was used to identify independent correlates of frequent SEP use.

Findings. Women reported injecting more frequently than men, but neither reported more frequent SEP use nor acquiring more syringes during an exchange. Although syringe sharing decreased significantly over time, in 1997, 51% of SEP participants continued to share. HIV prevalence remained low (3‐5%) over time. After controlling for gender, age and HIV risk factors, frequent SEP use was significantly correlated with frequent injection for both women (OR = 1.4) and men (OR = 1.5). A lack of income or benefits independently increased the likelihood of being a frequent SEP user (OR = 3.0), while having shared a syringe at last injection independently decreased this likelihood (OR = 0.5).

Conclusions. Gender was not associated with frequent SEP use; rather, the single most important correlate of frequent SEP use was injection frequency. Women's need for sterile syringes may not be fully addressed, despite the existence of a well‐established and well‐utilized SEP.
Cannabis‐induced Koro in Americans
Authors: Earleywine Mitchell 
Published: March 2003

Aims. Koro, an acute panic reaction related to the perception of penile retraction, was once considered limited to specific cultures. The disorder has appeared as part of a panic response to cannabis, but only in citizens of India. This study looked for cannabis‐induced Koro in Americans.

Design. Given the relative rarity of cannabis‐induced Koro, this work focused on individual case studies.

Participants. Over 70 men responded by phone to report negative reactions to cannabis. Three of them (Caucasians aged 22‐26 with years of experience with cannabis) spontaneously mentioned experiencing symptoms of Koro after smoking marijuana.

Findings. All three cases occurred after participants had heard about cannabis‐induced Koro and used the drug in a novel setting or atypical way. Two of the men had body dysmorphia, which may have contributed to symptoms. All three decreased their cannabis consumption after the Koro experience.

Conclusions. Koro, particularly cannabis‐induced Koro, is not limited to Eastern cultures. Several factors may interact to create symptoms. These include previous knowledge of cannabis‐induced Koro, the use of marijuana in a way that might heighten a panic reaction, and poor body image. In addition, these cases confirm previous work that shows that negative reactions to drugs can attenuate their use.
Predictors of hepatitis B and C infection in injecting drug users both in and out of drug treatment
Authors: Cook Penny A. , McVeigh Jim , Syed Qutub , Mutton Ken , Bellis Mark A. 
Published: March 2003

Aims. To assess prevalence of, and behavioural risk factors for, hepatitis B and C in drug users both in and out of contact with drugs services.

Design. Cross‐sectional survey of hepatitis B and C prevalence using blood samples and self‐completed risk factor questionnaires.

Participants. Three hundred and sixty injecting drug users (IDUs) in treatment for their drug use, attending syringe exchange schemes (SES), and not in contact with any services in Wirral and Manchester between 1997 and 1999, for whom test results were available for 334 (hepatitis B) and 341 (hepatitis C).

Findings. Hepatitis B prevalence differed between groups, from 19% of those not in contact to 41% of those presenting to request a test (

p = 0.040). Prevalence of hepatitis C ranged from 48% (SES) to 62% among those presenting for a test (

p = 0.233). After multivariate adjustment, hepatitis B was predicted by prison stays (

p = 0.030) and injecting for longer (

p = 0.003). For hepatitis C, length of injecting career (

p = 0.036), having been to prison (

p = 0.034), having injected more than one drug type (

p < 0.001) and being female (

p = 0.037) predicted infection. Overall, 38% had shared some form of injecting equipment in the previous 4 weeks. People recently starting injecting were more likely to share, and sharing was more likely to occur when injecting with only one other user rather than in larger groups. Those who had previously presented for a hepatitis C test, regardless of the result, were less likely to have recently shared injecting equipment.

Conclusions. Behaviours associated with transmission of hepatitis B and C are common among IDUs. In particular, sharing of injecting equipment was more likely in small groups and in those recently beginning injecting. More broadly, chaotic drug use and time in prison were also risk factors for hepatitis infections. When assessing prevalence of hepatitis B and C, our results suggest that figures cannot be extrapolated from those in service contact to those in the wider drug‐using population.
Patterns of recent drug use among a sample of Australian detainees
Authors: Makkai Toni 
Published: March 2003

Aims. To ascertain the prevalence of recent drug use among police detainees.

Data. Data were gathered over a 1‐year period in 1999 from detainees in four Australian police stations. Measures analysed include: (a) urinalysis results for cannabis, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine and opiates; (b) socio‐economic and demographic backgrounds of detainees; and (c) arrest history and imprisonment.

Setting. Bankstown and Parramatta police stations, Sydney, East Perth Lockup, Perth and Southport Watchhouse, Southport, Australia.

Participants. 1408 adult males detained by police were approached. Eighty‐four per cent agreed to complete an interview and 70% provided a urine specimen.

Findings. Cannabis was most likely to be detected, followed by opiates, benzodiazepines, and then amphetamines. Very little cocaine was detected. Around three‐quarters tested positive to at least one drug and around one‐third tested positive to multiple drug use. Significant predictors for recent drug use were age, reported involvement in illegal activities and prior arrest and imprisonment. Those who tested positive to opiates were more likely to be charged with property offences while those who tested positive to cannabis were more likely to be charged with a drug offence.

Conclusions. To monitor effectively patterns of drug use among at‐risk populations such as detainees data collections grounded at the local level are necessary.
Three decision‐making tasks in cocaine‐dependent patients: do they measure the same construct?
Authors: Monterosso John , Ehrman Ronald , Napier Kimberly L. , O'Brien Charles P. , Childress Anna Rose 
Published: March 2003

Aims. Substance‐abusing populations perform poorly on decision‐making tasks related to delay and risk. These tasks include: (1) the Delay Discounting Procedure (DDP), in which choices are made between smaller‐sooner and later‐larger rewards, (2) the Gambling Task (GT), in which choices are made between alternatives varying in pay‐off and punishment, and (3) the Rogers Decision‐Making Task (RDMT) in which subjects choose between higher or lower probability gambles. We examine the interrelationship among these tasks.

Design. A test battery was created which included the DDP, GT and RDMT, as well as measures of impulsivity, intellectual functioning and drug use.

Setting. Subjects completed the test battery at an outpatient center, prior to beginning 12 weeks of treatment.

Participants. Thirty‐two treatment‐seeking cocaine dependent individuals (primarily African‐American males) participated.

Findings. Performance on the GT was significantly correlated with performance on the DDP (

r = 0.37;

p = 0.04). Reaction times on the RDMT correlated with performance on the GT (

r = 0.36,

p = 0.04) and DDP (

r = 0.33,

p = 0.07), but actual choices on the RDMT did not (

p > 0.9 for both). While no significant relationships were observed between task performance and impulsivity, IQ estimate was positively correlated with both the GT (

r = 0.44,

p = 0.01) and RDMT (

r = 0.41,

p = 0.021). Split half reliability data indicated higher reliability when using only data from the latter half of the GT (

r = 0.92 vs.

r = 0.80).

Conclusions. These data offer preliminary evidence of overlap in the decision‐making functioning tapped by these tasks. Possible implications for drug‐taking behavior are discussed.
Attrition prevention with individuals awaiting publicly funded drug treatment
Authors: Donovan Dennis M. , Rosengren David B. , Downey Lois , Cox Gary B. , Sloan Kevin L. 
Published: March 2003

Aims. To evaluate the effectiveness of a motivational intervention to reduce attrition from a waiting list for substance abusers seeking publicly funded treatment.

Design. Randomized clinical trial comparing an "attrition prevention" condition to standard care while awaiting treatment admission.

Setting. A centralized substance abuse assessment and referral center in Seattle, Washington.

Participants. Substance abusers (n = 654) eligible for publicly funded drug abuse treatment.

Measurements. Alcohol and drug use, substance‐related negative consequences, areas in need of help, perceived need for help, emotional status, readiness to change, reasons for seeking and perceived barriers to entering treatment.

Findings. Overall, approximately 70% of clients entered treatment, and of these approximately 70% completed their assigned treatment. Those who entered treatment showed significant reductions in substance use and improved psychosocial function at a short‐term 3‐month follow‐up. However, the attrition prevention intervention had no differential effect on treatment entry, completion or outcome compared to the standard waiting list. Further, there were no differences across therapists on these outcome measures.

Conclusions. A motivational attrition prevention intervention did not enhance treatment entry, completion or outcome among treatment‐seeking substance abusers. It is suggested that alternative strategies, such as contingency management and case management, may help facilitate treatment entry for individuals seeking publicly funded treatment.
Cue exposure with coping skills training and communication skills training for alcohol dependence: 6‐ and 12‐month outcomes
Authors: Rohsenow Damaris J. , Monti Peter M. , Rubonis Anthony V. , Gulliver Suzy B. , Colby Suzanne M. , Binkoff Jody A. , Abrams David B. 
Published: March 2003

Aims. Cue exposure treatment (CET) has shown promise in preliminary studies with alcoholics, and Communication Skills Training (CST) has been found beneficial, especially in intensive treatment programs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of CET and CST in a larger controlled study when both were added to intensive treatment programs.

Design and interventions. A 2 × 2 design investigated the effects of CET with urge coping skills training compared to a meditation‐relaxation control, and CST compared to an education control when all were added to intensive treatment programs for alcoholics.

Setting. The sites were the inpatient or partial hospital substance abuse treatment programs at a private psychiatric hospital, a state‐funded residential facility and a VA medical center.

Participants. Patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence without active psychosis were eligible.

Measurements. Participants were assessed for quantity and frequency of drinking, alcohol cue‐reactivity, responses to high risk simulations and urge specific coping skills.

Findings. Of 100 treated patients, 86% provided 6‐month and 84% provided 12‐month follow‐up data. Patients who received either CET or CST had fewer heavy drinking days in the first 6 months than control patients. In the second 6 months, CET continued to result in fewer heavy drinking days among lapsers and interacted with CST to decrease quantity of alcohol consumed. CST resulted in fewer alcohol‐related problems reported at 12 months. CET resulted in greater reductions in urge to drink in a measure of simulated high‐risk situations. CET also resulted in greater reports of use of coping strategies during the follow‐up, and many of the urge‐specific strategies taught in CET were associated with reduced drinking.

Conclusions. Both CET and CST continue to show promise as elements of comprehensive alcohol treatment programs. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Pilot randomized controlled study of dexamphetamine substitution for amphetamine dependence
Authors: Shearer James , Wodak Alex , Mattick Richard P. , Van Beek Ingrid , Lewis John , Hall Wayne , Dolan Kate 
Published: March 2003

Aims.
To test the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomized controlled trial of dexamphetamine substitution for amphetamine dependent people and provide preliminary data.

Design. An open, two‐group pre‐post randomized controlled trial.

Participants. Forty‐one long‐term, dependent amphetamine users seeking treatment.

Intervention. Twenty subjects were offered weekly counselling. Twenty‐one subjects were, in addition, prescribed up to 60 mg dexamphetamine daily.

Measurements. Immunoassay and mass spectrometric urinalysis techniques were used to identify the presence of amphetamine and methylamphetamine in urine. The Opiate Treatment Index and Severity of Dependence Scale were used to collect pre‐ and post‐self‐report data. Subjects were screened using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.

Findings. Reduced street amphetamine use and amphetamine dependence was observed both in subjects prescribed dexamphetamine and subjects receiving counselling only. Treatment subjects appeared more likely to attend counselling.

Conclusions. A definitive randomized controlled trial of dexamphetamine substitution using the techniques and instruments piloted in this study is feasible. Users appeared to be attracted and retained in substitution treatment. The intervention also appeared to be acceptable to clinicians.