Onset Of Substance Abuse Research Articles

Psychiatric Diagnoses of Treatment-Seeking Cocaine Abusers

In a sample of 298 cocaine abusers seeking inpatient (n = 149) or outpatient (n = 149) treatment, rates of psychiatric disorders were determined by means of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Research Diagnostic Criteria. Overall, 55.7% met current and 73.5% met lifetime criteria for a psychiatric disorder other than a substance use disorder. In common with previous reports from clinical samples of cocaine abusers, these overall rates were largely accounted for by major depression, minor bipolar conditions (eg, hypomania, cyclothymic personality), anxiety disorders, antisocial personality, and history of childhood attention deficit disorder. Affective disorders and alcoholism usually followed the onset of drug abuse, while anxiety disorders, antisocial personality, and attention deficit disorder typically preceded drug abuse.

Relative effectiveness of comprehensive community programming for drug abuse prevention with high-risk and low-risk adolescents.

This article reviews major risk factors for cigarette smoking, alcohol, and other drug abuse and promising community-based approaches to primary prevention. In a longitudinal experimental study, 8 representative Kansas City communities were assigned randomly to program (school, parent, mass media, and community organization) and control (mass media and community organization only) conditions. Programs were delivered at either 6th or 7th grade, and panels were followed through Grade 9 or 10. The primary findings were (a) significant reductions at 3 years in tobacco and marijuana use and (b) equivalent reductions for youth at different levels of risk. This study provides evidence that a comprehensive community program-based approach can prevent the onset of substance abuse and that the benefits are experienced equally by youth at high and low risk.

Relative effectiveness of comprehensive community programming for drug abuse prevention with high-risk and low-risk adolescents.

This article reviews major risk factors for cigarette smoking, alcohol, and other drug abuse and promising community-based approaches to primary prevention. In a longitudinal experimental study, 8 representative Kansas City communities were assigned randomly to program (school, parent, mass media, and community organization) and control (mass media and community organization only) conditions. Programs were delivered at either 6th or 7th grade, and panels were followed through Grade 9 or 10. The primary findings were (a) significant reductions at 3 years in tobacco and marijuana use and (b) equivalent reductions for youth at different levels of risk. This study provides evidence that a comprehensive community program-based approach can prevent the onset of substance abuse and that the benefits are experienced equally by youth at high and low risk.

Psychopathy, aggression, and family history in male veteran substance abuse patients: A factor analytic study

Forty-one male patients consecutively admitted to an inpatient VA substance abuse program completed the Psychopathic States Inventory, the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, and the WAIS. Multiple significant intercorrelations between scale scores were noted, prompting a factor analysis to identify constructs to explain these correlations. Four orthogonal factors were isolated: Factor I — impulsivity/narcissism/sociopathy; Factor II — assaultive aggression; Factor III — irritative aggression; Factor IV — IQ. Patient factor scores were distributed independent from family history of alcohol or other substance abuse among first-degree relatives. Family history status did not discriminate onset of substance abuse, ’pure‘ alcohol abuse versus mixed substance abuse, educational attainment, or socioeconomic status. These factors may have further utility in investigating the relationship between psychopathy, aggression, and substance abuse.

Attrition Bias in a Cohort Study of Substance Abuse Onset and Prevention

Attrition Bias in a Cohort Study of Substance Abuse Onset and Prevention

Substance Abuse : Causal Factors and Treatment

This paper utilizes observations and statistics from the case histories from Banyan House, a residential drug treatment program, in an attempt to expose the differences between the myths held as facts by the public and the real parameters and causes of the development of substance abuse by the individual. It includes a description of the treatment approach as it arises out of the perceived development of a substance abusing young adult. It brings to focus the family and parenting situations which appear to be precursors of substance abuse and suggests the possibility of identifying “high risk” individuals prior to the onset of substance abuse. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of the community accepting responsibility to find ways of providing help to parents and their children.

Age of onset of drug abuse in psychiatric inpatients.

This study investigated the relationship between age of onset of drug use and patterns of ensuing drug abuse for white, middle-class psychiatric patients, ranging in age from 15 to 25 years. The results for male patients show that the earlier the onset of drug use (ages 12 to 14), the greater the likelihood of becoming heavily involved with a variety of drugs, excepting heroin. Males who start using drugs after age 14 tend to become more involved with heroin use. For female patients, the earlier the age of onset of drug use, the more likely they are to become involved in all drugs, including heroin. Furthermore, for younger females (ages 12 to 14), drug use and promiscuity were both seen as manifestations of emotionally unstable, antisocial behavior.