Aspects Of Drug Abuse Research Articles

Elective course “Pharmaceutical aspects of substance abuse and drug addiction” as part of the process of forming a systemic thinking pharmacist

Annotation. The formation of non-standard thinking and holistic vision in higher education students is achieved through the use of interdisciplinary integration of basic subjects with elective courses as more professionally oriented. The aim of the work is to optimize the teaching of a new course “Pharmaceutical aspects of substance abuse and drug addiction” (“PASAandDA”), which is offered to students of the 3rd year of the Faculty of Pharmacy and is a generalization for previous basic and additional disciplines of biological direction with modern information and communication technologies. The following methods were used: sociological survey, statistical processing of the obtained results, analysis of scientific sources on the subject of work. The survey was conducted twice anonymously on a self-developed questionnaire, which was developed according to the methodology of the Center for Applied Research, in Microsoft Forms Office 365. Generalization and processing of research materials in observation groups were conducted using statistical and comparative methods according to each category. The survey involved 123 people (43 men, 80 women), divided into two groups: students of the 3rd year of the Faculty of Pharmacy, who studied “PASAandDA” (observation group – 39 people) and people from their circle of friends who were not familiar with this course (control – 84 people). All obtained data were statistically processed using built-in modules Microsoft Forms and software package “Microsoft Office Excel” taking into account the Student’s parametric t-test to assess the obtained statistical significance of intergroup differences. The following results were obtained: the question, which was formulated in such a way that based on the answers, it was possible to obtain the numerical value of worldviews on the socialization of addicted to psychoactive drugs (PD), 21% of respondents who studied the discipline (reliability m= ±6.52), and from the number of respondents who did not study “PASAandDA” – 38% (m= ±5.3), p<0.05 (95%). 17% (m= ±6.01) and 4% (m= ±2.14), p<0.05 (95%) were denied. Considering the above results, we can conclude that among the respondents who did not study “PASAandDA”, statistically significantly more consider drug addiction to be less threatening to the individual and his return to society. Finally, the analysis of factual data makes it possible to state that the study of the elective course “PASAandDA”, in accordance with the implemented optimizations, statistically significantly reduced the number of potential consumers of psychoactive drugs among applicants, which is undeniable practical significance of this discipline.

Prevalence and Psychological Factors Associated with Substance Abuse Among Drivers at Assiut City

Abstract Background: Drug abuse in Egypt, is the most dangerous problem threaten the young adults and worry the government. One of the most essential groups for drug abusers are those dealing with the transportation and driving on the road because substance abuse increases the possibility of death after road accidents. The Aim: Explore percentage of drug abuse between minibus drivers, investigate psychological aspects of substance abuse among drivers and determine the predicting factors for the risky driving behavior. Study design: Adescriptive design was used. Setting: The study was conducted in Assiut city. Subjects: Total coverage of 300 minibus drivers. Tools: four tools were used in this study; they are Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), Coping style Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale (DASS) in addition to socioeconomic scale. The Results: The age group ranged 18- 62 years old. 74.7% of studied sample were drug abusers for more than one substance, 58.5% unable to cope with life stressors and 24.6% of them have extremely severe level of depression. There was positive correlation between drug abuse and the socioeconomic level, depression, anxiety and stress and there was a negative correlation between coping and drug abuse. Conclusion: About three-quarters of the participated drivers were drug abusers which increase with high socioeconomic level. Substance abuse associated with depression, anxiety, stress, inability to cope with life stressors. Recommendation: Health education program about the hazards of drug abuse should be designed for drivers; substance-screening test should be added for all drivers applying driving license.

A study to assess the effectiveness of video teaching programmme on knowledge and attitude of substance abuse among adolescent boys in a selected school at Coimbatore

Substance abuse is the overindulgence and dependence on addictive substances such as alcohol, tobacco and drugs. It is one of the major areas of concern during adolescent is substance abuse. The main focus of the study was to evaluate the level of knowledge and attitude among adolescent boys of substance abuse. The conceptual framework developed for the study was based on Pender’s Health Promotion Model. The data was collected by using structured questionnaire and rating scale for knowledge and attitude in various aspects of substance abuse. Post test was conducted on seventh day by using the same questionnaire and attitude rating scale to find the effectiveness of video teaching on substance abuse. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used for comparison and association of pretest and post test video teaching of substance abuse.

Socio-psychological and cultural aspects of substance abuse: a study done at Swami Vivekananda Drug Deaddiction Centre, Government Medical College, Amritsar

Background: The problem of substance abuse has spread to almost every part of the globe surmounting almost all barriers of race, caste, religion, sex and educational status. The interaction of various cultural, psychological, social, variables like stress, peer pressure, unemployment, early age of initiation results in the development of substance abuse. It is important to address these factors so that severity of relapses can be reduced and quality of life is improved. Aims and objectives were to study the role of cultural and socio-psychological factors in substance abuse.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Study population consisted of substance abusers enrolled at Swami Vivekananda Drug Deaddiction Centre. Study took place at Swami Vivekananda Drug Deaddiction Centre attached to the Government Medical College, Amritsar, from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2015. Sample size consisted of 400 males. The collected data was entered in Microsoft excel sheets and analysed using Epi Info version 7.Results: Mean age was 28.5 years, 64% were high and intermediate pass, 47% belonged to lower middle class, 23% were unemployed, 61% married, 83% of the respondents belonged to Sikh religion, 76% were introduced to drugs by their friends, significant association was found between problem of thinking and communication and drug addiction , 62% showed escapism to problems of life.Conclusions: Findings confirm that socio-psychological and cultural factors including peer pressure, availability of drugs, unemployment are powerful stimuli for substance abuse and sits relapse, hence it is important to highlight these issues.

Potential of Glial Cell Modulators in the Management of Substance Use Disorders.

The pervasive and devastating nature of substance use disorders underlies the need for the continued development of novel pharmacotherapies. We now know that glia play a much greater role in neuronal processes than once believed. The various types of glial cells (e.g., astrocytes, microglial, oligodendrocytes) participate in numerous functions that are crucial to healthy central nervous system function. Drugs of abuse have been shown to interact with glia in ways that directly contribute to the pharmacodynamic effects responsible for their abuse potential. Through their effect upon glia, drugs of abuse also alter brain function resulting in behavioral changes associated with substance use disorders. Therefore, drug-induced changes in glia and inflammation within the central nervous system (neuroinflammation) have been investigated to treat various aspects of drug abuse and dependence. This article presents a brief overview of the effects of each of the major classes of addictive drugs on glia. Next, the paper reviews the pre-clinical and clinical studies assessing the effects that glial modulators have on abuse-related behavioral effects, such as pleasure, withdrawal, and motivation. There is a strong body of pre-clinical literature demonstrating the general effectiveness of several glia-modulating drugs in models of reward and relapse. Clinical studies have also yielded promising results, though not as robust. There is still much to disentangle regarding the integration between addictive drugs and glial cells. Improved understanding of the relationship between glia and the pathophysiology of drug abuse should allow for more precise exploration in the development and testing of glial-directed treatments for substance use disorders.

Heterogeneous dopamine signals support distinct features of motivated actions: implications for learning and addiction.

Despite decades of research, investigations into effective neural and pharmacological therapies for many drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, have produced no FDA-approved approaches. This difficulty derives from the complexity of substance use disorders, which encompass a variety of behavioral, psychological, and neural circuit-based changes that occur as a result of repeated experience with the drug. Dopamine signaling has been demonstrated to play a key role in several aspects of drug abuse—from mediating its reinforcing properties and drug-seeking to triggering relapse—while also mediating a number of important aspects of normal (nondrug related) motivated behaviors and actions. Real-time recording methods such as in vivo voltammetry, electrophysiology, and calcium imaging demonstrate that the signaling properties of dopamine for motivationally relevant stimuli are highly dynamic and spatiotemporally circumscribed within afferent target regions. In this review, we identify the origins and functional consequences of heterogeneous dopamine release in the limbic system, and how these properties are persistently altered in the drug-experienced brain. We propose that these spatiotemporally parallel dopaminergic signals are simultaneously available to the animal, but that these circuits are impaired following prolonged drug experience by disrupting the location and content of dopamine signals in afferent target regions. These findings are discussed in the context of relapse and pathways to discovering new treatments for addiction disorders.

Substance abuse and crime: considerations for a comprehensive forensic assessment.

There is a strong link between drug use and crime, but this relationship is complex. Drug use does not necessarily lead to an increase in crimes, such as theft, rape or assault, even among regular users or addicts. However, in cases of individuals who consume drugs excessively and commit crimes, both factors are linked. Poverty, personality disorders, social and cultural variables, relationships with other users and previous incarceration or drug use are all factors. These issues play an important role in understanding the risk of crime and drug use. Most addicts should be held liable for most criminal behaviour motivated by addiction, but that addiction can, in some cases, affect one's capacity for self-control over one's actions. This paper examines the current response of the Spanish Criminal Justice System to various aspects of drug abuse, focusing on court decisions related with the nature and enforcement of drug laws. It also addresses aspects of criminal responsibility for drug abuse and drug-related crimes and suggests legislation on drugs, sentencing alternatives for drug offenses, and drug treatment options. Expert evidence plays a crucial role in this area in the court.

Shine bright: considerations on the use of fluorescent substrates in living monoaminergic neurons in vitro.

The biogenic monoamines dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) are major neuromodulators in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). DA containing neurons are found in i) the mesolimbic system in which cell bodies in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) project axons into the amygdala, cortex, hippocampus and the nucleus accumbens; and ii) the nigrostriatal system in which cell bodies located in the substantia nigra pars compacta send their axons into the dorsolateral parts of the striatum (Bjorklund and Dunnett, 2007). The central noradrenergic neurons are concentrated in distinct brainstem nuclei with the locus coeruleus (LC) being the most prominent nucleus which projects a diffusely arborizing axonal network to most areas of the CNS (Szabadi, 2013). Serotonergic neurons are located in the raphe nuclei in the brain stem with widespread efferent axonal trajectories with a high number of collateral arborizations into many brain regions such as cortical areas, the hippocampus, the basal ganglia and the spinal cord (Sur et al., 1996a, b). Malfunctions of the three monoaminergic systems are associated with different psychiatric and neurological diseases such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain, sleep disorders, schizophrenia, various aspects of drug abuse, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking Vis-A-Vis Human Life – A Review

Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking Vis-A-Vis Human Life – A Review Use of drug is as old as age of human. Drugs as medicine are meant to help sick people, but in drug abuse, people use drugs to alter their brain function in harmful and dangerous ways. Drug abuse is now become an emerging health hazard for the common man who is living in the country with population blast. Drug abuse means any use of drugs that causes physical, psychological, legal or social harm to the user or to others who are affected by the drug user’s behavior. India has a long and prosperous history of cultivation, production and use of drugs, particularly traditional and age old use of locally produced plant based natural drugs like opium and cannabis. In present article, historical aspect of drug abuse, current trends in drug abuse and illicit trafficking, risk factors of drug abuse and involvement of youth, preventive measures to be used had been discussed.

PL9 * EMERGING EPIDEMIC OF HEPATITIS C INFECTION IN YOUNG INJECTORS

Substance abuse and co-occurring infections of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and associated morbidity and mortality are among the most significant health problems that world faces today. An estimated 153–300 million people abuse illegal drugs regularly worldwide and globally around 16 million people inject drugs. In addition, an estimated 170–200 million people are living with viral hepatitis C infection. Injection drug use is a major vector in acquisition and transmission of HCV infection. Up to 60% IDUs may be infected with HCV infection, while up to 90% of IDUs infected with HIV are also co-infected with HCV infection. Among IDUs worldwide, the incidence and prevalence of HCV infection is 50–90% and 10–30%/year, respectively. HCV infection is a serious blood-borne infection that causes liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. If untreated, up to 10% of HCV infected people may die from liver cancer each year. In 2007, more people died from HCV-associated complications than from those of HIV/AIDS. In an emerging epidemic, recent reports in the US have reported increases in HCV infection among young, 18–25 year old, non-urban IDUs in most US states. Increases in incident HCV infections among young injectors who've recently transitioned from oral opioid abuse present an important public health challenge requiring a comprehensive, community-based response. This plenary lecture will discuss various aspects of substance abuse, HCV infection in young adults that have transitioned from oral prescription drug use to injecting drugs and leading to acquisition and transmission of HCV infection causing morbidity and mortality. It will also present the most current medical interventions for HCV infection and new research being funded by NIDA/NIH.

Substance abuse in older adults

In respect of demographic change, the number of older patients with substance abuse and addiction is on the raise. In this review we present important clinical and therapeutic aspects of substance abuse and addiction in the elderly and focus on alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioids. Daily and risky alcohol consumption is common among older people. They also have an increased risk getting alcohol-related complications. For early detection, laboratory parameters and questionnaires such as the AUDIT-C are suitable. Therapeutically brief interventions have been proved successful. Also, abuse of benzodiazepines, especially low-dose addiction, is widespread among older persons, although often overlooked, and patients often do not recognize their addiction. The physician has to know the correct indication, adequate dosage and pharmacological interactions. A slow-dose reduction is recommended in case of addiction. Thanks to opioid substitution therapy, patients with an opioidaddiction can reach a higher age. Age influences the effects of the substitute, which may require an adjustment of the dosage. Treatment of elderly patients should be based on their needs and resources and is usually very effective.

Role of glutamate transporter 1 in the attenuation of alcohol intake.

Role of glutamate transporter 1 in the attenuation of alcohol intake.

NIDA Dedicated to Unlocking All Aspects of Drug Abuse

NIDA Dedicated to Unlocking All Aspects of Drug Abuse

10.5937/specedreh13-6523 = Primary school students' knowledge of different aspects of drug abuse: Implications for planning educational prevention programs

The assumption regarding the effectiveness of educational prevention programs as inevitable segments of social policy in the domain of drug abuse prevention in school population is based on the compatibility of the information presented during educational lectures and the students' actual knowledge of drug abuse problem. Qualitative research was conducted with the aim to determine the scope of primary school children's knowledge of different aspects of drug abuse, and with the aim to draw conclusions about the structure and content of educational prevention programs which could be applied to primary school children with regard to general principles of prevention program planning based on previous test results. The data was collected from groups of participants by applying the discussion technique. The sample consisted of 640 eighth grade students from nine Belgrade primary schools. Research results, obtained by summarizing and analyzing the statements, indicate that the participants are very well informed on the types, effects, consequences and causes of drug abuse, but know little about laws and services they could contact for help. Apart from that, certain misconceptions regarding drug abuse are widespread in the population of the assessed students. Practical implications for planning educational programs of drug abuse prevention in primary school students were determined from the obtained research results with regard to the principle of prevention programs effectiveness.

Abuse of psychoactive substances among adolescent

Substance abuse by the adolescent is one of the serious problems of modern society. In addition to putting the lives of the young in danger, substance abuse among the adolescent population affects the entire society and threatens to cause permanent instability of the society. Substance abuse is tied with numerous risks and problems. Besides the negative health effects, it comes together with numerous risky behaviors and the exposure to danger. Due to such circumstances, there exists a need to react and create a prevention program. Numerous researches are aimed at studying the aspects of substance abuse in adolescence and arriving at results that will help suppress this significant problem. Most commonly examined are individual and psychological factors, interpersonal factors, influence of society and its components, various social and biological factors. It has been determined that the pursuit of sensations, social confrontation, direct aggressiveness, poor school performance and lower level of parental care influence use of drugs and alcohol. It is necessary to examine all consequences that result from substance abuse, as well as the scale and reach of abuse effects. This holds for effects concerning psychosomatic health, behavior, interpersonal relationships, and social functioning. Substance abuse among adolescent population is a global problem, regardless of the development stage of a certain society, its characteristics, culture, economic factors, education system and other aspects. By comparing data from various studies from around the world, this work aims to clarify the aspects of substance abuse among adolescents and provide a new insight into this complex problem.

Cocaine Withdrawal Causes Delayed Dysregulation of Stress Genes in the Hippocampus

Relapse, even following an extended period of withdrawal, is a major challenge in substance abuse management. Delayed neurobiological effects of the drug during prolonged withdrawal likely contribute to sustained vulnerability to relapse. Stress is a major trigger of relapse, and the hippocampus regulates the magnitude and duration of stress responses. Recent work has implicated hippocampal plasticity in various aspects of substance abuse. We asked whether changes in stress regulatory mechanisms in the hippocampus may participate in the neuroadaptations that occur during prolonged withdrawal. We therefore examined changes in the rat stress system during the course of withdrawal from extended daily access (5-hours) of cocaine self-administration, an animal model of addiction. Tissue was collected at 1, 14 and 28 days of withdrawal. Plasma corticosterone levels were determined and corticosteroid receptors (GR, MR, MR/GR mRNA ratios) and expression of other stress-related molecules (HSP90AA1 and HSP90AB1 mRNA) were measured in hippocampal subfields using in situ hybridization. Results showed a delayed emergence of dysregulation of stress genes in the posterior hippocampus following 28 days of cocaine withdrawal. This included increased GR mRNA in DG and CA3, increased MR and HSP90AA1 mRNA in DG, and decreased MR/GR mRNA ratio in DG and CA1. Corticosterone levels progressively decreased during the course of withdrawal, were normalized following 28 days of withdrawal, and were correlated negatively with GR and positively with MR/GR mRNA ratio in DG. These results suggest a role for the posterior hippocampus in the neuroadaptations that occur during prolonged withdrawal, and point to a signaling partner of GR, HSP90AA1, as a novel dysregulated target during cocaine withdrawal. These delayed neurobiological effects of extended cocaine exposure likely contribute to sustained vulnerability to relapse.

Advancing Interpersonal Therapy for Substance Use Disorders

Background and aims: Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for substance use disorders has received little research attention over the past two decades, despite a suggested adaptation for substance use treatment. This article explores the potential reasons for the limited attention and suggests further adaptations that have the potential to increase the usefulness of IPT in treating substance use. The goal of this exploration is to renew interest in the use of IPT for substance use disorders and spark research to assess this type of intervention. Materials and methods: First, the published literature on the use of IPT for treating substance abuse is reviewed. Subsequently, substance use research commenting on the relational aspects of substance abuse is examined and used in order to develop and support suggested adaptations to IPT for substance abuse treatment. Results: Suggested adaptations include incorporating relational elements from motivational interviewing, focusing on the importance of developing meaningful roles in society, encouraging social bonding with non-users, and using the therapeutic relationship to develop the capacity to self-soothe. Conclusions and Scientific Significance: It is expected that the suggested adaptations for IPT will enable IPT treatment to be more effective. Scientific evaluation of IPT for substance abuse is encouraged with the adoption of these proposed adaptations.

A Psychometric Study of the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test—Extended in a Norwegian Sample

Motivation is a widely used concept in substance use treatment, and is commonly seen as a premise for change during treatment. Different measures of motivation have been suggested. A relatively new instrument is the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test-Extended (DUDIT-E), developed in Sweden. This instrument has recently been introduced in Norway. The present study examined the Motivational Index of the Norwegian version of the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test-Extended (DUDIT-E). We tested whether the three-factor model ("Positive aspects of substance abuse"; "Negative aspects of substance abuse"; and "Treatment readiness") suggested by previous studies could be replicated in a sample of Norwegian inpatients. Responses to the DUDIT-E were obtained from 105 patients admitted to inpatient substance abuse treatment in Northern Norway. Exploratory common factor analyses were used to compare the factor structure from the current sample with the Swedish sample of mainly detoxification patients and prison inmates. The current sample did not include prison inmates, and it consisted of more women than the Swedish sample. The samples did not differ according to age or substance dependency. The analyses suggested that six primary factors was the most efficient way of combining the item scores, and not 11 as in the Swedish sample. A second-order factor analysis found best support for a two-factor solution, and hence, did not replicate the previously suggested three-factor model either. Several regression analyses comparing the efficiency of the different ways of combining the DUDIT scores in primary or secondary factor scores indicated that the model involving six sum scores had best merit and should be explored further.

Realistic Depictions of Mental Illness Win Awards for Films, TV Shows

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Community NewsFull AccessRealistic Depictions of Mental Illness Win Awards for Films, TV ShowsEve BenderEve BenderSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:15 Jul 2011https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.46.14.psychnews_46_14_4_2AbstractPopular TV series such as "Mad Men," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Rescue Me" were recognized for raising viewers' awareness about mental health and substance abuse at the 15th annual PRISM Awards ceremony, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles in April. Major motion pictures earning plaudits this year included "Black Swan" and "The Fighter."The PRISM Awards are presented annually to honor actors, motion pictures, television shows, and music that accurately portray various aspects of substance abuse and other mental health issues, including treatment and recovery. The Entertainment Industries Council collaborates with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the FX television network to hold the awards ceremony each year. "Tonight we honor and highlight the highest level of commitment to depicting true human emotion, struggle, bravery, and resilience in the face of mental illness and substance abuse," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela Hyde, J.D., at the ceremony. "It is encouraging to see more and more productions portray the triumph of treatment and recovery with accuracy and sensitivity." Winners this year included Fox Searchlight Pictures' "Black Swan," which received the top award in the Feature Film–Mental Health Category, and Paramount Pictures' "The Fighter" in the Feature Film–Substance Use category. In the television categories, AMC's "Mad Men" was awarded in the Drama Series Episode–Substance Use category; "Grey's Anatomy" for Drama Series Episode–Mental Health; "Nurse Jackie" and "Rescue Me" for Drama Series Multi–Episode Storyline–Substance Use; "Parenthood" for Drama Series Multi–Episode Storyline–Mental Health; and "Drop Dead Diva" for Comedy Series Episode. Claire Danes earned a PRISM Award for her portrayal of Temple Grandin in an HBO biopic about a scientist with autism who injects humanity into the livestock industry through her facility designs.Photo courtesy of Entertainment Industries Council Inc.Individual performance winners included Peter Krause, Monica Potter, and Max Burkholder for "Parenthood"; KaDee Strickland for "Private Practice;" Tony Denison for "The Closer"; Aaron Paul for "Breaking Bad"; Halle Berry for "Frankie & Alice"; Toni Collette for "United States of Tara"; and Claire Danes for "Temple Grandin." Honorees are selected by an 80-person committee of entertainment-industry professionals and experts from the fields of medicine, mental health, and addictions. More information about the PRISM Awards, including a complete list of award winners, is posted at <www.prismawards.com/>. ISSUES NewArchived

Knowledge of Substance Abuse Among High School Students in Jordan

The purpose a descriptive design was employed using a self-administrated questionnaire to collect the data from 400 high school students. A multistage, random sample was generated in selecting schools from the educational directorate located in a large urban city located in the north of Jordan. This city district contains 23 public secondary schools and serves 56.8% of the adolescents in the entire province. The results revealed the following: Students of both sexes were knowledgeable about aspects of substance abuse, including its harmful effects on the body and society and reported that even occasional or frequent use of cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs was extremely harmful. A majority of the students perceived substance abuse as a problem, although the older students were more acutely aware than the younger group. However, the results revealed that the students lack in-depth knowledge of substance abuse. In addition, the adolescents consistently refer to Islamic principles forbidding use of intoxicants but mistakenly presume that mosques are sources for assistance regarding substance abuse. Policy makers, health workers, and religious leaders must collaborate to build structured educational programs and readily accessible, evidence-based treatment programs for adolescents. Given that young people constitute the majority of the Jordanian population and that drug trafficking is prevalent in the region, the implications of prevention programs are critical to maintaining gains in public health outcomes as well as economic progress and development in Jordan.