Substance Abuse Treatment

A prospective study of mortality up to eight years after starting treatment for alcohol and drug problems in Stockholm County: 2000–2008

by Jessica Storbjörk

Storbjörk, J & Ullman S. A prospective study of mortality up to eight years after starting treatment for alcohol and drug problems in Stockholm County: 2000–2008. Addiction Research & Theory

Epub ahead of printing 18 January 2012.
doi:10.3109/16066359.2011.651518

Background and aim: Research indicates an association between substance use and premature death and that misuse of... more Background and aim: Research indicates an association between substance use and premature death and that misuse of illicit drugs is more closely linked to mortality than alcohol misuse. Given that these studies often are based on homogeneous treatment populations, we sought to analyse long-term mortality among both alcohol and drug misusers in a representative treatment system sample by examining: (1) excess death ratios (SMR, standardised mortality ratio) in comparison with the general population and (2) risk factors for mortality within the sample.
Method: Prospective study (N = 1659; 28% women) interviewed when starting treatment in Stockholm County, 2000–2002, and followed-up with regard to mortality up to 8 years after baseline. Analyses were based on death certificates and intake interview data (demographics, social situation/support, ICD-10 alcohol/drug dependence, treatment experiences). The strength of the study is the prospective design, that we have been able to link mortality to interview data, and to reach a heterogeneous treatment population.
Results: (1) SMR was 5.7 (no sex difference). (2) Logistic regression showed that being older, male, retired and having reported living with a substance misuser were identified as risk factors for mortality within the sample. Housing organised by authorities and no dependence on alcohol/drugs were protective factors. The mortality risk did not differ between alcohol and drug-dependent cases. Neither was homelessness, living situation (3 years) nor education predictive of mortality.
Conclusions: No difference regarding mortality risk between treated alcohol and drug-dependent patients in Sweden is found when controlling for age.



Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/16066359.2011.651518

“Understand my side, my situation, and my story:” Insights into the service needs among substance-abusing homeless mothers

by Gizem Erdem

Dashora, P., Slesnick, N., & Erdem, G. (accepted manuscript). “Understand my side, my situation, and my story:” Insights into the service needs among substance-abusing homeless mothers. Journal of Community Psychology.

ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYMENT, STIGMA, AND PROLONGED ABSTINENCE IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT CLIENTS

by Wayne Mackey

A Comprehensive Assessment of the DWI-Education and Intervention Programs Administered by the Hays County Adult Probation Programs Department

by Texas State PA Applied Research Projects

Flores, Rey, "A Comprehensive Assessment of the DWI-Education and Intervention Programs Administered by the Hays County Adult Probation Programs Department" (2003). Applied Research Projects, Texas State University-San Marcos. Paper 33.
http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/33

This paper provides a description of the DWI Education Program and DWI Intervention Program administered by the Hays... more This paper provides a description of the DWI Education Program and DWI Intervention Program administered by the Hays County Adult Probation Programs Department. A case study is conducted to determine whether these programs impact DWI probationers’ attitudes and behaviors after successful completion. An evaluation and assessment of these programs proceeds in three different phases. First, the DWI Education Program is evaluated and compared to the ideal characteristics found in the literature. Second, the DWI Education Program’s pre-test/post-test system is evaluated to determine its effectiveness in terms of educating DWI probationers who successfully completed the program. Finally, the DWI Intervention Program is evaluated to determine whether it has an impact on the recidivism rate for DWI probationers who successfully completed the program.

Substance Treatment in the Juvenile Probation Population: An Assessment of the Current Practices of Williamson County Juvenile Probation

by Texas State PA Applied Research Projects

Miller, Kevin W., "Substance Treatment in the Juvenile Probation Population: An Assessment of the Current Practices of Williamson County Juvenile Probation" (2008). Applied Research Projects, Texas State University-San Marcos. Paper 277.
http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/277

Purpose: The first purpose of this study is to describe the practical ideal characteristics of an effective substance... more Purpose: The first purpose of this study is to describe the practical ideal characteristics of an effective substance treatment program for juvenile probation departments based on a review of the literature. The second purpose is to conduct a case study and assess the current practices of Williamson County Juvenile Services. Finally, this study will present recommendations to assist juvenile probation departments in Texas by more effectively supervising youth who have an ideation toward drug use. Methodology: The methodologies used in this case study of Williamson County Juvenile Services include structured interviews, document analysis, and archival data analysis. Document analysis was conducted by reviewing the County’s policy and procedure manual, department pamphlets, and pamphlets from organizations which offer services to families who have children supervised by the probation department. Archival data used included case plans, chronological notes, probation orders, and deferred agreements. Results: Overall, Williamson County adheres to the practical ideal model for juvenile probation departments. Programs, however, could be improved by offering additional services in counseling, defining current offerings more clearly, and developing policies that specify which services are offered to juveniles under supervision.

Intervention for homeless, substance abusing mothers: Findings from a non-randomized pilot.

by Gizem Erdem

Slesnick, N. & Erdem, G. (in press). Intervention for homeless, substance abusing mothers: Findings from a non-randomized pilot. Behavioral Medicine.

The interactive effects of antisocial personality disorder and court-mandated status on substance abuse treatment dropout

by Marsha Sargeant

Authors: Stacey B. Daughters, (Ph.D.)4, Brooke A. Stipelman, (M.A.), Marsha N. Sargeant, (B.A.), Randi Schuster, (B.A.), Marina A. Bornovalova, (M.A.), C.W. Lejuez, (Ph.D.)

The present study sought to examine the interactive effects of court-mandated (CM) treatment and antisocial... more The present study sought to examine the interactive effects of court-mandated (CM) treatment and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) on treatment dropout among 236 inner-city male substance users receiving residential substance abuse treatment. Of the 236 participants, 39.4% (n = 93) met criteria for ASPD and 72.5% (n = 171) were mandated to treatment through a pretrial release-to-treatment program. Results indicated a significant interaction between ASPD and CM status, such that patients with ASPD who were voluntarily receiving treatment were significantly more likely to drop out of treatment than each of the other groups. Subsequent discrete time survival analyses to predict days until dropout, using Cox proportional hazards regression, indicated similar findings, with patients with ASPD who were voluntarily receiving treatment completing fewer days of treatment than each of the other groups. These findings suggest the effectiveness of the court system in retaining patients with ASPD, as well as the role of ASPD in predicting treatment dropout for individuals who are in treatment voluntarily. Implications, including the potential value of the early implementation of specialized interventions aimed at improving
adherence for patients with ASPD who are receiving treatment voluntarily, are discussed.

A Review of Services and Interventions for Runaway and Homeless Youth: Moving Forward

by Gizem Erdem

Slesnick, N., Dashora, P., Letcher, A., Erdem, G., & Serovich, J. (2009). A review of services and interventions for runaway and homeless youth: Moving forward. Children and Youth Services Review, 31, 732–742.

Predictors of treatment attendance among adolescent substance abusing runaways: a comparison of family and individual therapy modalities

by Gizem Erdem

Slesnick, N., Erdem, G., Collins, J., Bantchevska, D., & Katafiasz, H. (2011). Predictors of treatment attendance among adolescent substance abusing runaways: A comparison of family and individual therapy modalities. Journal of Family Therapy, 33(1), 66–84.

Radical Reductions: Neurophysiology, Politics and Personhood in Russian Addiction Medicine

by Eugene Raikhel

Chapter 10 of Critical Neuroscience: A Handbook of the Social and Cultural Contexts of Neuroscience. Edited by Suparna Choudhury and Jan Slaby. 2012. Wiley-Blackwell.

Unique roles of antisocial personality disorder and psychopathic traits in distress tolerance.

by Marsha Sargeant

Published in Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Authors: Sargeant MN, Daughters SB, Curtin JJ, Schuster R, Lejuez CW

Previous research indicates that individuals with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) evidence low distress... more Previous research indicates that individuals with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) evidence low distress tolerance, which signifies impaired ability to persist in goal-directed behavior during an aversive situation, and is associated with a variety of poor interpersonal and drug use outcomes. Based on theory and research indicating that psychopathic traits are associated with hypo-reactivity in emotional responding, a unique hypothesis emerges where psychopathic traits should have the opposite effect of ASPD and be related to high levels of distress tolerance. In a sample of 107 substance-dependent patients in an inner-city substance use residential treatment facility, this hypothesis was supported. ASPD was related to lower distress tolerance, while psychopathic traits were related to higher distress tolerance, with each contributing unique variance. Findings are discussed in relation to different presentations of distress tolerance as a function of psychopathic traits among those with an ASPD diagnosis.

Arkansas Comprehensive Substance Abuse Treatment Program: Process Evaluation of the Modified Therapeutic Community (Tucker Unit).

by Al Patenaude

Patenaude, Allan L., and Deborah Laufersweiller-Dwyer. 2003. Arkansas Comprehensive Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Technical Report - Process Evaluation of the Modified Therapeutic Community (Tucker Unit). U.S. Department of Justice Grant # 199IJCXK015.

Ibogaine: A Novel Anti-Addictive Compound A Comprehensive Literature Review

by Jonathan Freedlander

ENABLING DEPENDENT DRUG USERS: A COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL ASSESSMENT

by Julian Buchanan

Buchanan J (1991) ‘Enabling Dependent Drug Users - A Cognitive Behavioural Assessment.’ Practice Vol 5 No.1, 1991 BASW, London P34-46

if you like this paper there are more drugs articles by Julian Buchanan you can download for free from:
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Any feedback or comments do email me: julian.buchanan@vuw.ac.nz

Based upon six years social work practice with dependent drug users in Merseyside, the author introduces the broad... more Based upon six years social work practice with dependent drug users in Merseyside, the author introduces the broad principles of a cognitive behavioural approach, and then integrates this theoretical understanding to a highly specific area of practice, - assessing dependent drug users. Assessment is discussed in detail and using examples the article provides a much needed model of good practice. The approach is based upon a risk reduction philosophy and is underpinned by cognitive behavioural principles. The article offers a comprehensive outline from which a practitioner could follow and conduct an assessment. Importantly, the process seeks to empower clients, redressing the balance by returning to them responsibility for their future, thus enabling them to set their own targets and plans without coercion from the worker.

This paper briefly outlines the emergence of cognitive behavioural therapy from within behaviourist theory and then, using examples, relates it to dependent behaviour. Based upon six years social work practice with dependent drug users, the paper provides a detailed framework of an established cognitive behavioural assessment which has been developed and refined through practice.

Tackling Problem Drug Use: A New Conceptual Framework

by Julian Buchanan

Journal of Social Work in Mental Health (The Haworth Social Work Practice Press, an imprint of The Haworth Press, Inc.) Vol. 2, No. 2/3, 2004, pp. 117-138;

Successful ‘recovery’ from long-term problem drug use has depended largely upon understanding and tackling the... more Successful ‘recovery’ from long-term problem drug use has depended largely upon understanding and tackling the physiological and psychological nature of drug dependence; however, drawing upon research and practice in Liverpool, England, the author questions whether this discourse is sufficient given the changing nature, context and attitudes towards drug consumption in the twenty-first century. This article emphasises the importance of incorporating structural and social factors. Drawing upon qualitative data from three separate studies, the author illustrates how stigmatisation, marginalisation, and social exclusion are significant debilitating components that have tended to be overlooked. This paper contributes new insights into the damaging impact of political rhetoric and structural discrimination that has placed many long-term drug users vulnerable to relapse. In response to these findings the author offers a new conceptual framework for practice that incorporates and pro-motes an understanding of the social nature and context of long-term drug dependence.

Understanding and engaging with problematic substance use

by Julian Buchanan

Later published as: Buchanan, J. (2008) Understanding and engaging with problematic substance use. Green, S., Lancaster, E., & Feasey, S. (Eds.), Addressing Offending Behaviour Context, practice and values (chapter 14). Devon: Willan.

This chapter will introduce the reader to the complex issue of substance use. The term substance use rather than drug... more This chapter will introduce the reader to the complex issue of substance use. The term substance use rather than drug use includes all legal substances such as alcohol, tobacco, prescribed substances such as benzodiazepines and anti-depressants, solvents such as aerosols and glue, and the more commonly known illicit substances such as crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis. The knowledge and value base underpinning policy and practice in this area is not without with confusion, conflict and contradiction. These tensions will be highlighted throughout the chapter. In keeping with the focus of the book on addressing offending the primary focus of the chapter will be to examine substance use which is more commonly associated with legal consequences to the individual and or others. The chapter will explore the changing patterns of substance use over recent decades, types of substance use, the legal context, the nature of ‘addiction’, the links with crime, before finally exploring what can be done to help problem substance users