bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alcohol consumption increases attractiveness ratings of opposite‐sex faces: a possible third route to risky sex
Authors: Jones Barry T. , Jones Ben C. , Thomas Andy P. , Piper Jessica 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAims  To measure the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on males’ and females’ attractiveness ratings of unfamiliar male and female faces.Participants  Eighty undergraduate volunteers were used in each of three experiments.Design  Participants’ ratings on a 1–7 scale was the dependent variable. A three‐factor mixed design was used. For experiments 1 and 2: one within‐factor, sex‐of‐face to be rated (male/female); two between‐factors, sex‐of‐rater (male/female) and alcohol status of rater (0 UK units/1–6 UK units). For experiment 3, the two levels of sex‐of‐face were replaced by two levels of a non‐face object. In experiment 1, the faces were rated for attractiveness; in experiment 2, the faces were rated for distinctiveness and in experiment 3, the non‐face objects were rated for attractiveness.Setting  Quiet, prepared corners of bars and licensed eating areas on a civic university campus.Method  For each experiment, 118 full‐colour photographic images were presented randomly on a laptop computer screen, each remaining until a rating response was made.Findings  There was a significant alcohol consumption enhancement effect only for attractiveness ratings of opposite‐sex faces in experiment 1. This indicates that the opposite‐sex enhancement effect is not due simply to alcohol consumption causing the use of higher points of ratings scales, in general.Conclusion  Since Agocha & Cooper have shown that the likelihood of intentions to engage in risky sex increases as the facial attractiveness of the potential sexual partner increases, through the opposite‐sex enhancement effect we identify a new possible link between risky sex and alcohol consumption.
The role of genes in tobacco smoking during adolescence and young adulthood: a multivariate behaviour genetic investigation
Authors: White Victoria M. , Hopper John L. , Wearing Alexander J. , Hill David J. 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAims  To incorporate a psychosocial model of tobacco smoking into a behaviour genetic design to examine genetic and environmental influences on variation in smoking involvement.Design  Longitudinal twin study.Setting and participants  Twins initially aged between 13 and 18 years and registered with the Australian Twin Registry were surveyed three times between 1988 and 1996. A total of 414 pairs of identical and same‐sex fraternal twin pairs participated in all three surveys, aged between 20 and 25 at wave 3. Biometric modelling estimated the influence of genetic and environmental factors in determining variation in smoking at each wave, both before and after adjusting for perceived smoking behaviours of peers and parents.Measurements  Twins answered a questionnaire on their own smoking status and reported on the use of tobacco by parents and friends as they perceived it, at each survey wave.Findings  At all three surveys, current smokers were more likely to have parents who smoked and to have smokers among their peers. Genes and environmental factors, both common and unique, contributed to variation in smoking behaviours. However, after controlling for the smoking behaviours of peers and parents, the role of genes in determining variation in smoking involvement was reduced by 100% at wave 1 and by 30% at wave 2. Friends’ smoking reduced the magnitude of the common environment variance by 11%, 30% and 40% at waves 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Parents’ smoking behaviours explained part of the common environment. Biometric modelling of the covariation between smoking involvement and peer smoking suggested that genes might influence smoking involvement at wave 1 by influencing choice of peers.Conclusion  Environmental factors play the greatest role in determining variation in tobacco smoking among adolescents and young adults. Among adolescents, genes may influence variation in smoking behaviours indirectly by influencing choice of peers. However, genes seem to have a direct influence on variations in the smoking behaviours of young adults.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the Benzodiazepine Craving Questionnaire
Authors: Mol A. J. J. , Voshaar R. C. Oude , Gorgels W. J. M. J. , Breteler M. H. M. , Van Balkom A. J. L. M. , Van De Lisdonk E. H. , Van Der Ven A. H. G. S. , Zitman F. G. 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAim  To assess the scalability, reliability and validity of a newly constructed self‐report questionnaire on craving for benzodiazepines (BZs), the Benzodiazepine Craving Questionnaire (BCQ).Setting and participants  The BCQ was administered once to a sample of 113 long‐term and 80 former long‐term general practice BZ users participating in a large BZ reduction trial in general practice.Measurements  (1) Unidimensionality of the BCQ was tested by means of the Rasch model. (2) The Rasch‐homogeneous BCQ items were assessed for subject and item discriminability. (3) Discriminative and construct validity were assessed.Findings  The BCQ met the requirements for Rasch homogeneity, i.e. BZ craving as assessed by the scale can be regarded as a unidimensional construct. Subject and item discriminability were good. Construct validity was modest. Highest significant associations were found with POMS depression (Kendall's tau‐c = 0.15) and Dutch Shortened MMPI negativism (Kendall's tau‐c = 0.14). Discriminative validity was satisfactory. Highest discriminative power was found for a subset of eight items (Mann–Whitney U Z = − 3.6, P = 0.000). The first signs of craving are represented by the acknowledgement of expectations of positive outcome, whereas high craving is characterized by direct intention to use.Conclusions  The BCQ proved to be a reliable and psychometrically sound self‐report instrument to assess BZ craving in a general practice sample of long‐term BZ users.
Four‐year follow‐up of smoke exposure, attitudes and smoking behaviour following enactment of Finland's national smoke‐free work‐place law
Authors: Heloma Antero , Jaakkola Maritta S. 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAims  This study evaluated the possible impact of national smoke‐free work‐place legislation on employee exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), employee smoking habits and attitudes on work‐place smoking regulations.Design  Repeated cross‐sectional questionnaire surveys and indoor air nicotine measurements were carried out before, and 1 and 3 years after the law had come into effect.Setting  Industrial, service sector and office work‐places from the Helsinki metropolitan area, Finland.Participants  A total of 880, 940 and 659 employees (response rates 70%, 75% and 75%) in eight work‐places selected from a register kept by the Uusimaa Regional Institute of Occupational Health to represent various sectors of public and private work‐places.Measurements  Reported exposure to ETS, smoking habits, attitudes on smoking at work and measurements of indoor air nicotine concentration.Findings  Employee exposure to ETS for at least 1 hour daily decreased steadily during the 4‐year follow‐up, from 51% in 1994 to 17% in 1995 and 12% in 1998. Respondents’ daily smoking prevalence and tobacco consumption diminished 1 year after the enforcement of legislation from 30% to 25%, and remained at 25% in the last survey 3 years later. Long‐term reduction in smoking was confined to men. Both smokers’ and non‐smokers’ attitudes shifted gradually towards favouring a total ban on smoking at work. Median indoor airborne nicotine concentrations decreased from 0.9 µg/m3 in 1994–95 to 0.1 µg/m3 in 1995–96 and 1998.Conclusions  This is the first follow‐up study on a nationally implemented smoke‐free work‐place law. We found that such legislation is associated with steadily reducing ETS exposure at work, particularly at work‐places, where the voluntary smoking regulations have failed to reduce exposure. The implementation of the law also seemed to encourage smokers to accept a non‐smoking work‐place as the norm.
Health service utilization and benzodiazepine use among heroin users: findings from the Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS)
Authors: Darke Shane , Ross Joanne , Teesson Maree , Lynskey Michael 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAims  To determine levels of health service utilization among heroin users, the types of prescription drugs obtained by heroin users and the contribution of benzodiazepine use in health service utilization and prescribed drug use.Design  Cross‐sectional survey.Setting  Sydney, Australia.Participants  A total of 615 current heroin users recruited for the Australian Treatment Outcome Study (ATOS).Findings  Sixty per cent of subjects had consulted a general practitioner (GP) and 7% a specialist in the preceding month. An ambulance had attended 11% of subjects in the preceding month. Forty‐eight per cent of subjects had prescriptions dispensed for medication in the preceding month. Thirty‐nine per cent of participants had prescriptions dispensed for psychotropic medications, representing 80% of all prescriptions. Twenty per cent of subjects had prescriptions dispensed for non‐psychotropic medications (20% of prescriptions). The most commonly prescribed drugs were benzodiazepines (59% of prescriptions), which had been obtained by 30% of subjects. Benzodiazepine users had more GP and psychiatrist visits, were more likely to have had an ambulance attendance and had significantly more dispensed prescriptions.Conclusions  There were high levels of health utilization among heroin users. Prescription drug use was common, and dominated by psychotropic drugs. Benzodiazepine use was a dominant factor in the use of services and in prescriptions dispensed. Despite increased awareness of the harms associated with benzodiazepines, they continue to be prescribed widely to heroin users.
Post‐Vietnam heroin use and injection by returning US veterans: clues to preventing injection today
Authors: Robins Lee N. , Slobodyan Sergey 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAims  To seek clues in the Vietnam study of 30 years ago that might shed light on which previous users of heroin are at special risk of relapsing and, among relapsers, to identify those likely to begin or return to injecting heroin.Design  To analyse information in military records and in two interviews given in the first 3 years after return from Vietnam to find predictors of post‐Vietnam injection by soldiers who had used heroin while in Vietnam in 1970–71.Participants  A total of 374 Vietnam veterans who had used heroin while in Vietnam and had been interviewed twice since their return from Vietnam.Measurements  Post‐Vietnam heroin injection was determined in either of two post‐Vietnam interviews. Possible predictors came from interviews and military records and describe pre‐Service and in‐Vietnam status and behavior. Included are region of residence, race, antisocial behavior, type and level of drug use and association with illicit drug users. Possible post‐Vietnam correlates of heroin injection were no job or school enrollment, alcohol problems, depression, absent or transient marriage, association with illicit drug users and other Vietnam veterans.Findings  Only a minority of those who used heroin in Vietnam had ever injected it there. Most smoked or snorted it. After their return, most of the men who had used heroin in Vietnam used it very occasionally or not at all. Among those who did use heroin more than five times after their return, most had tried injecting it. Significant predictors of post‐Vietnam injection included living on the east or west coast, deviant behavior both before and in Vietnam, opiate use before Vietnam, serious involvement with heroin in Vietnam, use of non‐opiate drugs before and in Vietnam, and associating with drug users before Service. The variables that increased significantly the probability of injection among men who relapsed to heroin use after return to the United States were living on the east or west coast and having a history of using non‐opiate illegal drugs before they entered Service. Blacks who returned to heroin use after return were less likely to inject than were non‐blacks.Conclusions  These results suggest that a high‐risk group for intervention to prevent future injection would consist of people with a history of past heroin use who are currently either in remission or using without injection and who reside on either coast, have a history of antisocial behavior and have used a variety of illicit drugs other than heroin.
Ether: a forgotten addiction
Authors: Krenz Sonia , Zimmermann Grégoire , Kolly Stéphane , Zullino Daniele Fabio 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAmong abused inhalants, ether has recently received little attention. The case of a patient suffering from ether dependence is reported. Whereas several features of DSM‐IV dependence were fulfilled, no physical withdrawal signs were observed.
Needle sharing among southern Thai drug injectors
Authors: Perngmark Pajongsil , Celentano David D. , Kawichai Surinda 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAim  To examine factors associated with needle sharing among injecting drug users (IDU) in southern Thailand.Design  Using a cross‐sectional survey, 272 active IDU were interviewed about their socio‐economic background, needle sharing and drug use patterns at six drug‐treatment clinics in southern Thailand.Findings  Ninety‐one per cent of IDU gave a past history of ever sharing injecting equipment: of these, 23% currently injected but did not share and 68% still shared. Only 5% of participants knew that bleaching needles could reduce HIV transmission risks. Recent needle sharing was correlated with number of IDU friends (OR 12.23; CI, 5.24–28.51), engaging in illegal jobs (OR 2.74; CI, 1.13–6.67), being unable to use new needles at all times (OR 2.89; CI, 1.17–7.14) and believing that cleaning contaminated shared needles with at least plain water could reduce HIV transmission (OR 3.32; CI, 1.16–6.68).Conclusions  Our data suggest that AIDS prevention efforts should focus on approaches to reduce needle sharing. Needle exchange programs, HIV counseling and testing and bleach distribution may reduce levels of needle‐sharing risks.
Pilot randomized double blind placebo‐controlled study of dexamphetamine for cocaine dependence
Authors: Shearer James , Wodak Alex , Van Beek Ingrid , Mattick Richard P. , Lewis John 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAims  To establish the feasibility of conducting a placebo‐controlled clinical trial of dexamphetamine replacement therapy for cocaine dependence and to obtain preliminary data.Design  Double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled trial.Participants  Thirty cocaine‐dependent injecting drug users.Intervention  Subjects were assigned randomly to receive 60 mg/day dexamphetamine (n = 16) or placebo (n = 14) for 14 weeks.Measurements  Immunoassay and mass spectrometric techniques were used to identify cocaine metabolites in urine. Subjects were screened using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and DSM‐IV. The Opiate Treatment Index, Brief Symptom Inventory, Severity of Dependence Scale and visual analogue craving scales were used to collect pre‐ and post‐self‐report data.Findings  Treatment retention was equivalent between groups; however, outcomes favoured the treatment group with no improvements observed in the placebo control group. The proportion of cocaine‐positive urine samples detected in the treatment group declined from 94% to 56% compared to no change in the placebo group (79% positive). While the improvements were not significant between groups, within‐group analysis revealed that the treatment group reduced self‐reported cocaine use (P = 0.02), reduced criminal activity (P = 0.04), reduced cravings (P < 0.01) and reduced severity of cocaine dependence (P < 0.01) with no within‐group improvements found in the placebo group.Conclusions  A definitive evaluation of the utility of dexamphetamine in the management of cocaine dependence is feasible and warranted.
The Italian Association on Addiction Psychiatry (SIPDip), formerly The Italian Association on Abuse and Addictive Behaviours
Authors: Carrà Giuseppe , Clerici Massimo 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTThe Italian Association on Addiction Psychiatry (SIPDip) is a special section of the Italian Psychiatric Association (SIP). It started, under the name of the Italian Association on Abuse and Addictive Behaviours (SICAD), in 1989 from the awareness that the addiction field had been starved of a psychiatrists’ contribution since 1975. SIPDip aims to improve and implement study, clinical, research and educational topics about substance abuse and addictive behaviours. The National Board composition aims to provide an equal distribution of psychiatrists working in psychiatric and addiction facilities inside the National Health System, and private non‐profit agencies. All psychiatrists and members of the Italian Psychiatric Association can become SIPDip ordinary members, while other health professionals working in psychiatric and addiction fields can become associate members. SIPDip has its National Congress every second year. In 2001 it promoted a network called the National Council of Addiction Disorders. It is recognized officially by the Drug Policy National Department and was created under the direct authority of the Prime Minister. In this, SIPDip is particularly involved in review groups relating to ethical issues, substitutive therapies and dual diagnosis. Furthermore, it organized the first Consensus Conference on Dual Diagnosis, under the sponsorship of the Italian Psychiatric Association. This was held in June 2003 to implement relevant national guidelines. The SIPDip main topics that will be addressed in the near future are: psychiatric comorbidity in substance related disorders; intervention efficacy assessment; and special populations and novel addictions. The National Board meeting on 15 December 2002 decided to submit to the General Assembly in April 2003, a motion to modify the Association's byelaws and to rename the organization ‘The Italian Association of Addiction Psychiatry’.
Most smokeless tobacco use is not a causal gateway to cigarettes: using order of product use to evaluate causation in a national US sample
Authors: Kozlowski Lynn T. , O'Connor Richard J. , Quinio Edwards Beth , Flaherty Brian P. 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAims To evaluate non‐causal and causal patterns of smokeless tobacco (SLT) and cigarette use; to assess the prevalence of ‘non‐gateway’ and possible ‘gateway’ patterns of SLT use.Design and setting Data from the Cancer Control Supplement to the 1987 National Health Interview Survey, a representative survey of non‐institutionalized adults in the United States. From reported age at first use, participants were categorized by type and sequence of tobacco product use. SUDAAN 8.0.1 was used for statistical analyses.Participants Males aged 18–34 (n = 3454), weighted to provide estimates of the US population. A subsample of males aged 23–34 (n = 2614) was analyzed to minimize the possibility of future product switching.Measurements Smoking status, smokeless tobacco (snuff, chewing tobacco, both) use status, age at regular use of cigarettes, age at first use of smokeless tobacco.Findings Of those 23–34‐year‐olds who had ever used SLT with or without cigarettes, 77.2% (95% CI: 71.3, 83.3) were classifiable as non‐gateway users in that 35.0% (95% CI: 29.9, 40.1) had only used SLT and 42.2% (95% CI: 36.8, 47.7) had used cigarettes first. Cigarette use in younger cohorts was less common, despite increased SLT use. Those who used cigarettes before moist snuff were 2.1 times more likely to have quit smoking (95% CI 1.21,6.39) than cigarette‐only users.Conclusions The large majority of SLT users are non‐gateway users. Causal gateway effects should be of minor concern for policy. SLT may be more likely to prevent smoking than cause it.
Intravenous drug users and broken needles—a hidden risk?
Authors: Norfolk Guy A. , Gray Selena F. 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAims  To determine the frequency with which intravenous drug users (IDUs) experience broken needles during their injecting careers.Design  Cross‐sectional survey.Participants  Seventy intravenous drug users held in police custody in Bristol between May and September 2002.Measurements  Self‐reported history of experience of broken needles.Findings  Fourteen (20%, 95% CI 11–29%) had experienced a needle breaking while injecting. The total number of broken needles was 23, of which 14 (61%) were recovered, four by surgical intervention, and the remainder as a result of direct action by the individual. Of the 23 broken needles, nine (39%) were reported to be fresh needles, whereas the remainder were being re‐used.Conclusions  IDUs may well experience, directly or indirectly, incidents involving broken needles during the course of their injecting careers. Given the potential for embolization and the risk of subsequent complications when this occurs, we recommend that harm minimization guidance should include advice about this potential hazard and the need for early action to retrieve broken needles.
Intentionally reduced smoking among untreated general population smokers: prevalence, stability, prediction of smoking behaviour change and differences between subjects choosing either reduction or abstinence
Authors: Meyer Christian , Rumpf Hans‐Jürgen , Schumann Anja , Hapke Ulfert , John Ulrich 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTAims  To compare data from the general population on intentionally reduced smoking and smoking cessation.Design  Longitudinal observation study.Setting  Northern German region.Subjects  Randomly sampled residents aged 18–64 (T1; n = 4075, response rate 70%). Daily cigarette smokers (n = 1520) were followed up after 30 (T2; n = 913) and 36 months (T3; n = 786).Measures  Self‐reported smoking‐related and socioeconomic variables. Participants were explicitly asked for reduction attempts (reducing cigarettes per day) and maintenance of reduction, which was defined independently of consumption measures.Findings  Between T1 and T2, reduction attempts (39%) were more frequent than quit attempts (33%), and according to self‐report, reduction was more likely to be maintained for up to 12 months. Smokers maintaining reduction for up to 6 months had reduced their consumption at T3 by 34% compared with T2. Between T1 and T2, the occurrence of both a reduction and a quit attempt was most frequent (22%), followed by subjects exclusively trying to reduce (17%) and subjects exclusively trying to quit (4%). Subjects who exclusively tried to reduce had a significantly increased probability of further reduction attempts at T3 (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 2.0–10.1), while the probability of quit attempts was equal compared with subjects not attempting to reduce or quit (OR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.3–3.2). DSM‐IV nicotine dependence was less common in subjects who exclusively tried to reduce. Other smoking‐related and socioeconomic variables did not predict whether individuals attempted to reduce or attempted to quit.Conclusions  A considerable proportion of general population smokers attempt to reduce, and are able to maintain reduction of, cigarette consumption over time. Reduction attempts did not reduce the probability of a subsequent cessation attempt.