Substance Abuse Research Articles

Prevention of Parkinson's disease: from risk factors to early interventions.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by progressively worsening motor dysfunction. Currently, available therapies merely alleviate symptoms, and there are no cures. Consequently, some researchers have now shifted their attention to identifying the modifiable risk factors of PD, with the intention of possibly implementing early interventions to prevent the development of PD. Four primary risk factors for PD are discussed including environmental factors (pesticides and heavy metals), lifestyle (physical activity and dietary intake), drug abuse, and individual comorbidities. Additionally, clinical biomarkers, neuroimaging, biochemical biomarkers, and genetic biomarkers could also help to detect prodromal PD. This review compiled available evidence that illustrates the relationship between modifiable risk factors, biomarkers, and PD. In summary, we raise the distinct possibility of preventing PD via early interventions of the modifiable risk factors and early diagnosis.

A Review of Current Research on Traditional Medicines for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal and Biliary Disorders

Abstract: Gastrointestinal (GI) and biliary disorders are the most commonly known health issues for people in the present time as a consequence of modern lifestyle, eating habits, stress, and many other conditions. The usage of traditional substances has been phased out over time, resulting in an increase in the occurrence of numerous diseases and a decrease in immunity. Therefore, in the current scenario, traditional medicine is increasingly being used to treat and manage diseases worldwide. Traditional medical systems of India, China, and Africa are the most frequently used today. Indian medicinal system includes the Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems of medicine. Ayurveda is the most antique system of medicine, which relies on the usage of plant-based formulations. Herbal medicines are used nowadays by up to half of the world's population. Phytomedicines isolated from plants contain a wide variety of bioactive components that can have both negative and positive effects. Many herbal plants, such as Acacia, Aloe, Carum, Rose, Funnel, etc., are proven to be effective as phytomedicines that are effective for the cure of gastrointestinal and biliary problems. The available pharmacological therapeutic drugs often have efficacy but are associated with many adverse effects. To minimize the adverse effects, the use of phytomedicines can be the best possible alternative. In this study, a review of some of the most frequently used traditional herbal medicine isolates with their proven pharmacological activity and novel drug delivery systems for the proper delivery of isolates is presented. Moreover, currently available herbal-marketed formulations are also highlighted.

Addiction in breastfeeding mothers: a bibliometric analysis

ABSTRACT Background Babies of mothers who are addicted during breastfeeding may be deprived of the most valuable nutrient, breast milk. This study was conducted to demonstrate the addiction characteristics of breastfeeding mothers from a bibliometric perspective. We believe that the results will guide health professionals about breastfeeding in addicted mothers. Methods The research was carried out using publications identified in the Web of Science database. The database used during the study was searched in December 2022. Bibliometric analysis was performed with a total of 139 studies. Results The publication dates were between 1991–2022, and the mean age of publication was 7.37. Regarding the countries of the top 10 most active first authors on addiction and breastfeeding, more than half (53.9%) were from the United States. Studies discussed the subject of “breastfeeding” mostly together with “pregnancy” and “neonatal abstinence syndrome.” In addition, “substance abuse, alcoholism and cannabis” oriented the field, and “smoking” was a more developed but isolated theme. “Toxicology, qualitative study, longitudinal study, adolescence, weaning” were isolated or emerging topics. Conclusion Considering these results, we can suggest working in cooperation with leading researchers in the field, increasing the number of publications worldwide, and conducting studies on smoking in breastfeeding mothers.

Increases in drug-related infant mortality in the United States.

We explored temporal trends in drug-related infant deaths in the United States (U.S.) from 2018 to 2022. We used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER). A total of 295 drug-involved infant deaths were identified from 2018 to 2022 (provisional mortality data for year 2022) based on the underlying cause of death. In the U.S. from 2018 to 2022, there was a significant 2.2-fold increase in drug-involved infant mortality. The observed increases were higher in non-Hispanic White and Black infants. The findings show that drug-involved infant deaths were more likely to occur in the postneonatal period, defined as ages 28-364days (81.4 %) compared to the neonatal period. The most prevalent underlying causes of death included assault (homicide) by drugs, medicaments and biological substances (35.6 %) followed by poisoning dueto exposure to narcotics and psychodysleptics (hallucinogens) (15.6 %). The most common multiple causes of drug-involved infant deaths were psychostimulants with abuse potential of synthetic narcotics. Drug-related infant mortality has increased significantly from 2018 to 2022. These increases are particularly evident among White and Black infants and occurred predominantly in the postneonatal period. These findings require more research but also indicate the need to address drug-involved infant deaths as preventable clinical and public health issues. Effective strategies to reduce drug-involved infant deaths will require preventing and treating maternal substance use disorders, enhancing prenatal care access, and addressing broader social and behavioral risk factors among vulnerable maternal and infant populations.

Identification of N-pyrrolidino protonitazene in powders sold as heroin and associated with overdose clusters in Dublin and Cork, Ireland.

Synthetic opioids have been associated globally with adverse effects in drug users. The nitazene group of drugs is a relatively new addition to the synthetic opioid class emerging in Europe in 2019. Some nitazenes have been shown to be more potent than fentanyl. Overdose clusters in heroin users in Dublin (57 cases) and Cork (20 cases), Ireland, in November and December 2023, respectively, prompted a rapid response from a number of Irish laboratories to identify the substance(s) of concern. Light brown (tan) powders were obtained from cases associated with overdoses, and the results from these analyses by collaboration of four laboratories are reported here. The samples were found to contain N-pyrrolidino protonitazene (protonitazepyne), caffeine, paracetamol, benzoic acid and mannitol.

Drug users coming to European emergency departments: general basic approach and recommendations for safe discharge.

Drug users coming to European emergency departments: general basic approach and recommendations for safe discharge.

Prevalence and causes of substance abuse among Egyptian university students

Substance abuse is a global challenge with dangerous effects on health, wealth and security of nations, and individuals’ mental and physical health. This study was done to identify the prevalence and risk factor of drug abuse among university students and evaluate drug abuse use according to its type and problems encountered. Cross sectional study using self-administrated questionnaire conducted for one month in the academic year 2022-2023 to 600 university students at Beni-Suef University from grade 1 to grade 6 and postgraduates. The survey included all faculties in the university. Screening tests for drug abuse in the urine samples were performed by dipsticks and confirmed by auto-analyzer device. Most of the students were male (68.3%), their mean age was 22.05 ± 2.25 year. 58.3% of them were from urban, 84.7 % of them were single, with monthly pocket money 1205.73 ± 1260.02 Egyptian pounds while the mean of family income 5515.50 ± 9210.39. The urine samples were collected and analyzed by drug screening strips, 75.4% of the samples were negative and 24.6% were positive. Auto analyzer confirmed 31.8% of positive cases by drug screening strips and the most common drug was confirmed was combined drug abuse (59.6%). High significance relation of addiction with the mean age of the cases (P value=0.0001), males’ gender (P value=0.0001), high monthly pocket money (P value=0.0001), lower father and mother education (P value =0.0001). The problems faced by addicts were oppose the orders (51.4%), usual liar (48.6%), struggle with parents (44.6%), and psychiatric problems (33.8%) especially unstable psychological state. The most common cause of substance intake in the positive group was adolescent curiosity (56.8%) followed by be happy (48.6%) and active (40.5%). Most of the students were male (68.3%), their mean age was 22.05 ± 2.25 year. 25.7% had a history of substance abuse, the most common substance abuse was THC (34%). Age of students, single, higher family income and father occupation were the most predicted risk factors to substance abuse.

Oral administration of coenzyme Q10 ameliorates memory impairment induced by nicotine-ethanol abstinence through restoration of biochemical changes in male rat hippocampal tissues

Substance abuse among adolescents has become a growing issue throughout the world. The significance of research on this life period is based on the occurrence of neurobiological changes in adolescent brain which makes the individual more susceptible for risk-taking and impulsive behaviors. Alcohol and nicotine are among the most available drugs of abuse in adolescents. Prolonged consumption of nicotine and alcohol leads to drug dependence and withdrawal which induce various dysfunctions such as memory loss. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is known to improve learning and memory deficits induced by various pathological conditions such as Diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease. In the present study we investigated whether CoQ10 treatment ameliorates memory loss following a nicotine-ethanol abstinence. Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were done in male Wistar rats undergone nicotine-ethanol abstinence and the effect of CoQ10 was assessed on at behavioral and biochemical levels. Results indicated that nicotine-ethanol abstinence induces memory dysfunction which is associated with increased oxidative and inflammatory response, reduced cholinergic and neurotrophic function plus elevated Amyloid-B levels in hippocampi. CoQ10 treatment prevented memory deficits and biochemical alterations. Interestingly, this ameliorative effect of CoQ10 was found to be dose-dependent in most experiments and almost equipotential to that of bupropion and naloxone co-administration. CoQ10 treatment could effectively improve memory defects induced by nicotine-ethanol consumption through attenuation of oxidative damage, inflammation, amyloid-B level and enhancement of cholinergic and neurotrophic drive. Further studies are required to assess the unknown side effects and high dose tolerability of the drug in human subjects.

Effect of Recycled Concrete Aggregate Addition on the Asphalt Mixtures Performance: ITZ Area, Microstructure, and Chemical Analysis Perspectives

The importance of environmental consciousness and sustainability is increasing among transportation governing bodies worldwide. Many government bodies are concerned with maximizing the usage of recycled substances in road construction. Therefore, assessing the effect of recycled materials consumption is essential, mainly when designing new ‘green’ pavement types. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of different treatments on improving the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) of coarse recycled concrete aggregate (CRCA) and its application in asphalt mixes. Such an aim is accomplished by enhancing its physical and mechanical characteristics, as well as its microstructure. The surface morphology, chemical composition, and intermix phases of the ITZ area and calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) compounds for CRCA were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDAX), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The performance of asphalt mixtures that included treated and untreated CRCA was also examined using different tests. It was found that heat treatment is an effective technique for enhancing the ITZ. However, cracks were seen in the mortar of CRCA when exposed to high temperatures (500 °C), which adversely affects the characteristics of the mortar. Acid treatment appeared to be an effective approach for improving the ITZ area. Nevertheless, the treatment that used acetic acid, a weak acid, was more effective than HCl acid, a strong acid. The outcomes revealed that the ITZ microstructure is significantly enhanced under different treatment types; however, microstructure improvements mainly included increased surface homogeneity and CSH compounds and a reduced Ca/Si ratio. It was also found that the asphalt mixtures with different proportions of untreated CRCA exhibited enhanced resistance to rutting. Furthermore, their tensile strength ratio (TSR) values were above the minimal level requirements. Moreover, the asphalt mixture with 30% CRCA, which was treated with various treatment methods, demonstrated a significant improvement in the mixtures’ mechanical properties; therefore, its application is highly successful and an environmentally friendly solution.

Long-term Health Outcomes of New Persistent Opioid Use After Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery.

New persistent opioid use (NPOU) after surgery has been identified as a common complication. This study sought to assess the long-term health outcomes among patients who experienced NPOU after gastrointestinal (GI) cancer surgery. Patients who underwent surgery for hepato-pancreato-biliary and colorectal cancer between 2007 and 2019 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked database. Mixed-effect multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the risk of mortality and hospital visits related to falls, respiratory events, or pain symptoms. Among 15,456 patients who underwent GI cancer surgery, 967(6.6%) experienced NPOU. Notably, the patients at risk for the development of NPOU were those with a history of substance abuse (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.84), moderate social vulnerability (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.06-1.50), an advanced disease stage (OR, 4.42; 95% CI, 3.51-5.82), or perioperative opioid use (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 2.59-3.63. After control for competing risk factors, patients who experienced NPOU were more likely to visit a hospital for falls, respiratory events, or pain symptoms (OR, 1.45, 95% CI 1.18-1.78). Moreover, patients who experienced NPOU had a greater risk of death at 1year (hazard ratio [HR], 2.15; 95% CI, 1.74-2.66). Approximately 1 in 15 patients experienced NPOU after GI cancer surgery. NPOU was associated with an increased risk of subsequent hospital visits and higher mortality. Targeted interventions for individuals at higher risk for NPOU after surgery should be used to help mitigate the harmful effects of NPOU.

Buprenorphine Prescribing and Challenges Faced Among National Health Service Corps Clinicians

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) expansion in fiscal year (FY) 2019 intended to improve access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) by adding more clinicians who could prescribe buprenorphine. However, some clinicians still face barriers to prescribing, which may vary between rural and nonrural areas. To examine the growth in buprenorphine prescribing by NHSC clinicians for Medicaid beneficiaries during the NHSC LRP expansion and describe the challenges to prescribing that persist in rural and nonrural areas. This cross-sectional study analyzed preexpansion and postexpansion Medicaid claims data to evaluate the percentage of prescriptions of buprenorphine filled during FY 2017 through 2021. This study also analyzed challenges and barriers to prescribing MOUD between rural and urban areas, using results from annual surveys conducted with NHSC clinicians and sites from FY 2019 through FY 2021. Prescribing of buprenorphine by NHSC clinicians. The main outcomes were the percentage and number of Medicaid beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD) who filled a prescription for buprenorphine before and after the LRP expansion and the challenges NHSC clinicians and sites faced in providing substance use disorder and OUD services. Survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. During FYs 2017 through 2021, 7828 NHSC clinicians prescribed buprenorphine (standard LRP: mean [SD] age, 38.1 [8.4] years and 4807 females [78.9%]; expansion LRPs: mean [SD] age, 39.4 [8.1] years and 1307 females [75.0%]). A total of 3297 NHSC clinicians and 4732 NHSC sites responded to at least 1 survey question to the 3 surveys. The overall percentage of Medicaid beneficiaries with OUD who filled a prescription for buprenorphine during the first 2.5 years post expansion increased significantly from 18.9% before to 43.7% after expansion (an increase of 123 422 beneficiaries; P < .001). The percentage more than doubled among beneficiaries living in areas with a high Social Vulnerability Index score (from 17.0% to 36.7%; an increase of 31 964) and among beneficiaries living in rural areas (from 20.8% to 55.7%; an increase of 45 523). However, 773 of 2140 clinicians (36.1%; 95% CI, 33.6%-38.6%) reported a lack of mental health services to complement medication for OUD treatment, and 290 of 1032 clinicians (28.1%; 95% CI, 24.7%-31.7%) reported that they did not prescribe buprenorphine due to a lack of supervision, mentorship, or peer consultation. These findings suggest that although the X-waiver requirement has been removed and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration guidelines encourage all eligible clinicians to screen and offer patients with OUD buprenorphine, as permissible by state law, more trained health care workers and improved care coordination for counseling and referral services are needed to support comprehensive OUD treatment.

Unveiling Complexity: Factors Influencing Women’s Involvement in Crime

This research explores various elements that impact and shape women’s the participation of women in criminal activities. Despite the traditional perception that it is men who mainly commit crimes, in recent years, the active role of women in various legal acts has been increasingly recognized. This paper aims to unfold the complex web of influences that shape women’s pathways to criminal behavior, focusing on both individual and social factors. The study focuses on examining socio-economic factors that have a central influence on women’s involvement in crime. Economic inequalities, limited job opportunities and financial struggles often push women into illegal activities to survive or strengthen their economic influences. Additionally, the paper focusses on the effects of educational background, employment status, and income level on women’s susceptibility to criminal temptations, emphasizing the relationship between economic stability and criminal involvement. Moving towards economic dimensions, this study also examines the psychological factors that contribute to women’s participation in crime. Psychological vulnerabilities resulting from trauma, abuse, mental health disorders and substance abuse create pathways to crime. The research paper also examines the impact of adverse childhood experiences, mental health challenges, and criminal trajectories, shedding light on the co-relation between psychological well-being and criminal propensities. Further, familial and social influences are explored to unfold their role in shaping women’s criminal trajectories. Family dysfunction, exposure to criminal role models, and peer pressure can significantly influence an individual’s likelihood of being engaged in criminal activities. This study explores the complexities of family structures, social networks and community environments and highlights their profound influence on the development of women’s perceptions, choices and behaviors related to crime. Moreover, this study also analyzes legal and systematic factors and emphasizes how institutional biases, discriminatory practices and inadequate support systems influence women’s involvement in crime. The paper critically assesses the role of criminal justice systems, law enforcement practices, and access to legal resources in preventing or promoting women’s criminal behavior. Through a combined analysis of these various factors affecting women’s criminality, the study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the reasons that affect the women’s involvement in criminal activities. By elucidating these complex factors, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders, can develop more targeted interventions, support systems and policies that address the root causes women’s criminal behavior and reduce the risks associated with their involvement in crime.

Drug Abuse and Implications on Students Learning: A Conceptual Review Emphasized on Sokoto, Nigeria

Drug abuse is a worldwide issue threatening almost all aspects of human life. The aim of this paper is to consider a review of concepts of drug abuse and effects on academic/education of learners with a particular emphasis on Sokoto. Drug is a substance that alters the body. Many people administer drugs just for euphoria without proper justification, a condition that is dubbed as drug abuse. Drug abuse is spurred by peers, curiosity, family, accessibility, work, stress and relations. However, effects of drug abuse are multifold, on a major part drug abuse affect health and onward cause poor learning. Most importantly, rehabilitation, religious, law implications, and other policies need to be embraced to deal with drug abuse. The following themes were engaged: drug and drug abuse concepts, classification, common drugs, cause, effects, prevention, etc.

Exploring the link between intelligence and drug abuse among juvenile felons in India

ABSTRACT Children involved in the juvenile justice system are more likely to struggle with substance abuse and intellectual disabilities. Substance abuse is a major public health concern among young individuals globally, including juvenile felons. This study examines the relationships and factors that influence juvenile felons’ substance abuse, intelligence, and delinquent behaviour. This study applies a descriptive cross-sectional survey design using a purposive sampling technique. The participants included 163 male juveniles from Tamil Nadu, India. The psychological measures used for the study were the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) scale, the Standard Progressive Matrices, and the Australian Self-reported Delinquency Scale. According to the study’s findings, intelligence does not have a significant impact on juvenile felons’ delinquent behaviour. Furthermore, the study identified repeated offences and runaway behaviour as factors that increase the risk of substance abuse. Juvenile felons’ substance abuse significantly influences and predicts their delinquent behaviour.

Onto the Next Generation: Exploring the Impact of Mother’s Experiences of Child Abuse and Commercial Sex Industry Involvement on Child Custody Outcomes

ABSTRACT Women and girls remain substantially overrepresented in the commercial sex industry. While a number of outcomes have been linked to childhood abuse and involvement with the commercial sex industry, there exists a gap in understanding the unique impact of child abuse on child custody outcomes among adult women involved in the commercial sex industry. Drawing from data collected from 107 case files of adult women with a history of commercial sex industry involvement, the aim of the current study was to understand the link between child abuse history, commercial sex industry involvement, and child custody outcomes. Results indicated that among women who reported a history of child sex trafficking, 91.7% reported having endured child abuse. Further, 82.4% of women reported that their children were not under their custody. Dysfunctional family dynamics, substance abuse, and economic and structural barriers endured by these women are explored further, and intergenerational continuity of such traumagenic precarities is considered as a prolonged implication of such issues. Through a trauma-informed perspective, implications for prevention and intervention are discussed.

A Qualitative Exploration on Risk and Protective Factors of Substance Use Among Black Adolescent Girls

ABSTRACT Objective While Black adolescent girls use drugs at much lower rates than White and Hispanic girls, Black adolescent girls often have worse health outcomes due to drug use. This study seeks to highlight the voices of Black adolescent girls in order to understand their unique risk factors for substance use and misuse. Methods Utilizing the intersectionality and ecological systems theoretical frameworks, the research team conducted twelve focus groups among a sample of Black adolescent girls (N = 62) between the ages of 13–18 (M = 15.6 years SD = 1.50). Results Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the participant narratives. Four main themes arose: 1) stereotypes of Black adolescent girls; 2) the role of the physical and social environment (feeling unsafe in neighborhoods where they reside); 3) using drugs as a coping mechanism; 4) input on prevention programming for girls with a sub-theme involving family as a protective factor. Discussion Study findings deepen our qualitative understanding of risk and protective factors for substance use among Black adolescent girls. These findings provide insight on girls’ lived experiences for researchers and intervention development to create and implement substance abuse prevention programs that are race- and gender-specific for Black adolescent girls.

Transcranial direct current stimulation in the treatment of alcohol, tobacco and opioid use disorder in clinical studies

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising research tool to address substance abuse, including alcohol, tobacco, opioid, and drug use disorders. The present literature review compared previous studies conducted with various current intensities, application regions, durations of stimulations, and different region targets of the brain. Studies based on the analyses conducted after tDCS administration in substance use disorder were promising for the use of tDCS as adjunctive therapy to reduce visible psychological and neurological symptoms of the addiction. Therefore, we aimed to provide an insight into the current state of research on tDCS as a therapeutic intervention in substance use disorders, identify gaps in the literature, and emphasize future investigation areas. Ultimately, the review sought to contribute to the understanding of the role of tDCS in addressing the complex challenges posed by substance use disorder, and its potential as a complementary or adjunctive treatment modality in addiction care. The present study identified that the left dlPFC and brain regions were effective targets for 1 mA and 2 mA tDCS current density in tobacco/nicotine use disorder. Also, the left dlPFC and 2 mA current density were identified as effective targets for tDCS in alcohol use disorder. Furthermore, left dlPFC and 2 mA current density were identified as effective targets for tDCS in opioid use disorder. Additionally, the right/left dlPFC, orbital frontal cortex, thalamus, and 2 mA current density were identified as effective targets for tDCS in other drug or substance use disorders. Animal studies demonstrated that tDCS was promising in reducing neuropathic pain, modulating neuropeptide Y activity, and reducing the redevelopment of ethanol consumption in animal models. However, further research is required to fully understand the optimal tDCS application parameters.

Legal restrictions are a specific method of legal regulation

The analysis of scientific sources provides grounds to assert that legal regulation is the regulation of social relations carried out through law and the entire set of legal means. The concept of «regulation» (from Latin regulo - rule) implies organization, adjustment, and bringing something into conformity with something else. In our view, to regulate means to define the behavior of individuals and their collectives, to direct their functioning and development, to provide certain limits, and to organize them purposefully. Alongside this, some scholars relate the term «regulation» solely to law as a system of norms and some other specific legal phenomena (legal relations, acts of law implementation). They disagree with the existing understanding of the regulation of social relations as the rigid and authoritative norming by the state and law, as, in their opinion, the category of «regulation» is not synonymous with coercion, rigid, and authoritative prescription. The legal norm establishes only a model of relations in which social interests must be correlated with the interests of society members, and alongside this, law widely uses such means of influencing people’s behavior as stimulation, encouragement, granting rights, etc. It is argued that to transition to the definition of legal regulation, it is necessary to refer to the theory of law, which provides explanations for the concepts of «legal influence» and «legal regulation». Legal influence is considered a broader concept, as it includes the normative-organizational influence on social relations not only through a system of special legal means (those that directly regulate these relations - legal norms, legal relations, acts of implementation and application of law), but also through other legal phenomena – legal consciousness, legal culture, legal principles, law-making process, etc. A proposed definition states that legal regulation is the authoritative influence on social relations carried out by the state through all legal means for the purpose of their organization, establishment, protection, and development. Besides such (regulatory) influence, law also exerts a spiritual-ideological influence on individual and social consciousness (both in the process of legal regulation and beyond). «Restrictions» and «prohibitions» as legal categories have been analyzed. The etymology of the words «restriction» and «prohibition,» their relationship to each other and to adjacent and synonymous concepts, have been explored, and an original interpretation of the content and essence of these concepts has been proposed. A number of features characterizing restrictions and prohibitions as legal categories have been identified (defined in normative legal acts; established to prevent potential abuses of law; associated with a «narrowing» of an individual’s legal status; presuppose a specific model of behavior, specifically restrictions entail active behavior, meaning to do only what is defined within limits; prohibitions entail passive behavior, meaning to refrain from doing prohibited actions; they perform a protective function in social relations; non-compliance with them is accompanied by a negative response from the state. The concept, characteristics, classification, and a systematic analysis of restrictions and prohibitions as means of legal regulation have been defined. Based on the analysis of dictionary, reference, encyclopedic literature, as well as specialized legal sources, the article formulates original definitions of «restriction». The specificity of these particular restrictions and prohibitions lies in their special area of application (they apply to individuals when exercising their powers within the civil service); they apply to specific subjects (directly to individuals who have the legal status of civil servants); their application is determined by a special purpose; they are characterized by specific, comprehensive normative legal regulation; their application is ensured by state coercion. Distinctive features inherent to restrictions and prohibitions in the field of legal regulation have been identified: individual character; preventive nature; limiting aspect; coercive nature; the presence of a special subject; connection to professional activity; relation to delict norms, and their essence has been explained. The normative basis for defining and applying restrictions and prohibitions as means of legal regulation has been characterized (substantive legislation, procedural legislation, sub-legislative normative legal acts). A classification of restrictions and prohibitions has been conducted, and it is proposed to conditionally divide them into three groups (personal, property, and mixed).

The Impact of Role Models and Mentors on the Mental and Physical Wellbeing of Sexual and Gender Minorities

Sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) experience a higher mental health burden compared to their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts. Role models and mentors are important for wellbeing and development; however, little evidence exists exploring their impact on SGM people. This systematic scoping review identifies their association with mental and physical wellbeing. Eight databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, ERIC, Science Citation Index, Scopus, EPub and PsychInfo) were searched for eligible publications from 2000 to 2022. Two researchers identified studies, extracted data, completed quality appraisals using CASP checklists, and grouped data into outcomes relating to role model impact. From 501 citations, 12 studies (n = 1468 SGM people aged 15–63 years) were included. Positive role models and mentors encouraged identity acceptance through destigmatisation and positive affirmation, increased SGMs’ psychological wellbeing through improved psychological safety and self-confidence and improved their sexual health knowledge. Potential role models and mentors displaying negative behaviours could cause stigmatisation, as well as reduce identity acceptance and psychological safety. Information regarding the perceived influence of role models and mentors on substance abuse and other physical health outcomes was limited. SGMs report greater benefits from relationships with others of shared minority status, providing incentives to match mentees with role models and mentors who share or empathise with their experiences of marginalization.

Assessing the Access and Affordability of Mental Healthcare Services for Adolescents in the United States

Adolescent mental health is a worsening crisis in the United States. Adding to the problem is the ability of parents and caregivers to find timely and affordable mental healthcare services for this population, one that is vulnerable to suicide, substance abuse and other devastating outcomes due to mental health issues. This research project evaluates the access and affordability of outpatient mental healthcare services for adolescents in the U.S., as well as possible causes and solutions for identified mental healthcare delivery issues. An anonymous survey developed by the author was distributed and completed specifically by parents and caregivers in the U.S., who have sought mental healthcare services for adolescents between 10-19 years of age. Survey results indicate that there are indeed problems within the insurance and medical professional industry with regard to parity between timely and affordable access to mental healthcare services compared to services for physical medical healthcare for adolescents. This causes additional stress for parents and caregivers seeking critical help for their children, while the child’s mental health status declines during this time. One could argue that ethically, access to mental healthcare should not be any more difficult or costly to families than access to physical medical healthcare.