Problematic Drug Use Research Articles

Prevalence of problematic drug use in Martinique in 2006: The NEMO study

ObjectivesSubstance use disorders are of worldwide public health interest. Local estimates of problematic drug use provide useful indicators to regional public health agencies in developing prevention and treatment programs. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of problematic drug use in Martinique. MethodsThe capture-recapture method was applied to a multisource data collection (eight specialized drug and two law enforcement sources) to provide an estimate of drug use (opiates, cocaine hydrochloride, crack (cocaine base), stimulants and/or hallucinogens). Data collection was organized over a period of six consecutive months (September 2005 to March 2006) and concerned all persons residing in Martinique longer than three months and who had consumed at least one of the studied drugs in the month prior to the study. ResultsWe identified 287 cases (86% male; mean age 36.1±9.6 years), 98% of whom had used crack. Comorbid use of illicit drugs other than alcohol and cannabis was 4%. Our study showed that patients with problematic drug use in Martinique is estimated to be 1.936 [95% CI: 964,2907] in a total population of 380.863 (INSEE, 1999). Prevalence rates were 5.0 per thousand among the global population and 7.7 per thousand in the adult population aged 15–64 years. ConclusionsOur study is the first to provide relevant data on the extent of problematic drug use in Martinique for health policies and decision-makers.

Associations and mediating factors between adverse childhood experiences and substance use behaviours in early adulthood: A population-based longitudinal study

BackgroundResearch has demonstrated positive associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and substance use behaviours in young adults. However, many of these are based on cross-sectional data. The pathway between ACEs and substance misuse among emerging adults is also not fully understood and few studies have investigated potential mediating factors. MethodsWe analysed data from the Child Cohort of the Growing Up in Ireland study, a nationally representative longitudinal sample of children recruited at 9 years of age (n = 4,729). Logistic regression was used to examine individual and cumulative ACE exposure relationships with substance use at age 20 years. Mediation analyses were used to assess whether parental and peer relationships and school engagement mediate ACE history associations with substance use behaviours. ResultsACE exposure relationships with current cannabis use, other illicit drug use and problematic drug use were observed. In particular, young adults who had experienced 2 ACEs or 3 + ACEs had an approximate two-fold (OR=1.80, 95 % CI: 1.29, 2.51) and approximate three-fold (OR=2.94, 95 % CI: 2.06, 4.19) increased odds of problematic drug use, respectively, when compared to participants who had experienced no ACEs during the study period. Mediation analyses suggested that parent and peer attachment and liking school partially mediate relationships between ACEs and substance use behaviours. ConclusionsChildren who have experienced ACEs are at higher risk of future substance use and problematic drug use. In supporting these children, identified mediators such as interpersonal relationships and school engagement may help guide selection of prevention interventions.

‘That Kind of Role Models it!’ Dynamics of Intergenerational Reinforcement and Disruption of Stigma Towards People Who Use Drugs

Background Stigma towards people who use drugs (PWUD) is a dangerous phenomenon with far-reaching effects. Research shows that parents play a powerful role in the shaping of their children's views of people with mental illness, but no similar research exists to investigate the shaping of views towards PWUD. This qualitative study explores dynamics of intergenerational reinforcement and disruption of stigma towards PWUD. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with eight people split equally into two categories: 1) Participant-children: people between 18 and 30 and 2) Participant-parents: people of any age with experience as a parent of a child. Participants had some experience of using drugs or alcohol, but this was not a criterion for selection. Interviews elucidated the influence of parents’ views, opinions, narratives, discussions, and disclosures on views towards PWUD. Interviews included questions about stigma and its intergenerational development. Grounded theory was used to analyze the data. Results Three major themes in theory development were elicited for their role in the reinforcement and disruption of stigma towards PWUD: 1) conflation of drug use with other stigmatized characteristics; 2) the telling of stories around problematic drug use; and 3) the use of secrecy or disclosure of personal drug use. Conclusion The results of the study provide an understanding of the dynamics of stigma reinforcement and disruption. Each of the actions described in the themes can work towards either reinforcing or disrupting stigma.

Fortalezas del carácter en el tratamiento de los trastornos por consumo de sustancias psicoactivas

Addiction is a complex health condition, the treatment is not simple, it requires an approach from multiple scientific perspectives, psychological intervention from a positive approach has gained relevance due to the impact that strengths of character have on recovery of various pathologies including problematic use of drugs.

Sex workers' professional agency, quality of life, and problematic substance use in Finland.

Sex workers suffer considerable marginalization that limits their choices and exposes them to various types of harm. Hence, it is important to examine sex workers' professional agency and its association with quality of life. In the current study, we investigated professional agency, quality of life, and problematic substance use among sex workers in Finland. Using an online survey, we collected data from 136 sex workers contacted through Finnish sex work organizations and social media platforms. We conducted correlational analyses between the study variables and linear regression analyses with professional agency as the independent variable and quality of life and problematic alcohol and drug use as dependent variables. As expected, in the regression analyses, professional agency was strongly positively associated with quality of life (β = 0.86, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with problematic alcohol (β = -0.38, p = 0.002) and drug (β = -0.69, p < 0.001) use. Professional agency explained as much as 73% of the variance in quality of life. Most sex workers rated their quality of life as either good or very good. Our results underscore the importance of professional agency to sex workers' well-being, explaining a substantial proportion of the variance in quality of life. Promoting agency should therefore be at the heart of sex work policymaking. However, as most of the respondents were Finnish-born cis women, our results might not generalize to foreign-born, male, and gender diverse sex workers. Future studies should prioritize reaching these populations to ensure broader representativeness.

The treatment of drug abuse in juvenile offenders: an analysis in the Spanish population

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the variables influencing the efficacy of different approaches to addressing the problem of drug use among juvenile offenders. A longitudinal study was conducted with 79 adolescent internees at the Teresa de Calcuta CEMJ (Centro de Ejecución de Medidas Judiciales) in Madrid. Therapeutic interventions were conducted with adolescents with severe drug-related problems. For data analysis, binary logistic regression analysis was used. Therapeutic success after a three-month follow-up period was 53.2%. The regression analysis correctly classified 86.1% of the cases, effectively predicting 85.7% of therapeutic success and 86.5% of therapeutic failure. The analysis identified 4 predictive factors: the number of criminal charges resulting in internment, number of minor infractions committed during detention, prior consumption of ecstasy and risk factors in personality and/or behavioural issues. The results suggest that judicial and therapeutic interventions should be based on the chronicity of delinquency and other individual personality traits.

Sexual Identity Continuity and Change in a U.S. National Probability Sample of Sexual Minority Adults: Associations With Mental Health and Problematic Substance Use.

Sexual minority disparities in behavioral health (e.g., mental health and substance use) are well-established. However, sexual identity is dynamic, and changes are common across the life course (e.g., identifying with a monosexual [lesbian or gay] label and later with a plurisexual [queer, pansexual, etc.] label). This study assessed whether behavioral health risks coincide with sexual identity change among sexual minority people. Associations in a 3-year U.S. national probability sample of sexual minority adults were assessed between sexual minority identity change (consistently monosexual [N=400; 44.3% weighted], consistently plurisexual [N=239; 46.7% weighted], monosexual to plurisexual [N=19; 4.2% weighted], and plurisexual to monosexual [N=25; 4.8% weighted]) and five behavioral health indicators (psychological distress, social well-being, number of poor mental health days in the past month, problematic alcohol use, and problematic use of other drugs), controlling for demographic characteristics and baseline behavioral health. Among female participants, monosexual-to-plurisexual identity change (vs. consistently monosexual identity) was associated with greater psychological distress (B=3.41, SE=1.13), lower social well-being (B=-0.61, SE=0.25), and more days of poor mental health in the past month (B=0.69 [Bexp=1.99], SE=0.23). Among male participants, plurisexual-to-monosexual identity change (vs. consistently plurisexual identity) was associated with lower social well-being (B=-0.56, SE=0.25), and identity change (regardless of type) was generally associated with increased problematic use of alcohol and other drugs. Sexual identity change is an important consideration for sexual minority behavioral health research, with changes (vs. consistency) in identity being an important risk factor for compromised behavioral health. Prevention and treatment interventions may need to tailor messaging to sexual minority men and women differently.

Drug addiction and acquired immune deficiency syndrome

It is inevitable today, speaking of AIDS, not to reopen a series of social, health and ethical-moral issues that we know as negative features of the current models of advanced society. The problem of drug use and abuse together with the radical changes that have taken place in sexual mores in recent decades make this pathology, today still without a precise therapeutic solution, the sounding board of issues that strain the social balances of modern Western societies.

Application of Optimal Control on Mathematical Model of Drug Distribution with Education and Criminal Law Aspect

Drugs are substances that, when used, can impact the body, particularly the central nervous system/brain. Prolonged drug use can lead to various disorders affecting physical, psychological, and social functioning. Generally, drug use cases occur among teenagers due to a lack of education and low literacy levels about the dangers of drug. In this study, control efforts by modeling the problem of drug use will be studied. In this study, modeling the problem of drug users with control efforts will be studied. There were additional controls for preventing drug abuse through school education, contact prevention through security and healthy living campaigns, and the procedures to report all drug abuse activities. The Pontryagin Minimum Principle is used to shows that the optimal controls influence the level of drug user distribution.

Using Passive and Active Data to Predict Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Cannabis Use in Recently Discharged UK Veterans: A Protocol for the MAVERICK Feasibility Study.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a growing concern amongst UK veterans. Co-occurrence of problematic cannabis use, and PTSD is associated with greater PTSD symptom severity, decreased likelihood of cannabis use cessation, worse clinical outcomes, and increased societal burden. Despite increased screening efforts among veterans, there are no effective strategies for predicting risk for PTSD and problematic drug use escalation before these conditions develop, worsen, or become chronic. This feasibility study employs a 4-week (28 day) longitudinal design (daily data collection), multiple passive data collection features via a bespoke study smartphone app called MAVERICK, and active data collection via wearable technology to predict clinically meaningful escalations in cannabis use and PTSD symptoms in UK veterans. Questionnaire data will be collected between 06:00 and 10:00 each day. Passive data will be collected continuously in the background. The study will begin recruitment in June 2023 and will require 18 months to complete. Study results are expected to be published in January 2024. This trial will provide information on the feasibility and utility of a smartphone app (MAVERICK) to collect both active and passive data to predict PTSD symptoms and cannabis use in a UK veteran population. If the smartphone app is deemed feasible and acceptable to users, it has the potential to provide an effective measurement tool to mitigate risk of PTSD and problematic cannabis use among veterans.

Police officer knowledge of and attitudes to opioid overdose and naloxone administration: an evaluation of police training in Scotland

ABSTRACT In the context of escalating drug-related deaths, during 2021 Police Scotland implemented a pilot project incorporating naloxone training to test the carriage and administration of naloxone by officers. The current paper presents data from the evaluation of this pilot exploring knowledge of, and attitudes to, opioid overdose and naloxone administration. Police officers completed a three-stage survey which included a modified Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale (OOKS) and Opioid Overdose Attitudes Scales (OOAS). In total, 167 police officers completed the survey before taking part in the training; 144 completed a post-training survey; and 88 completed a follow-up survey. Training improved officers’ knowledge and attitudes about drug overdose and naloxone administration. The OOKS mean total score improved from 35.8 pre-training to 37.6 at follow-up (‘small-medium’ effect size; Cohen’s d = 0.42). The OOAS mean total score improved from 87.8 pre-training to 100.7 at follow-up (‘large’ effect size; Cohen’s d = 1.05). Training was also reported to facilitate the acceptability of naloxone administration as part of a police officer’s role. However, over a third of officers questioned the relevance of the training to their role. There was evidence that some officers held stigmatising attitudes towards people who use drugs (PWUD). Future training should address officers’ knowledge of problem drug use and stigmatising attitudes towards PWUD, and train and support officers to respond to the emergent public health role of policing. The findings of this evaluation informed the decision of the Chief Constable of Police Scotland to mandate that all Police Scotland Officers routinely carry naloxone from August 2022.

Comparing the healthy development of youth Australian Rules Footballers across talent development and community settings

ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare talent development athletes to community-level athletes in Australian Rules Football across various markers of healthy youth development.MethodsSurvey data were collected from 363 youth athletes (126...

Model of structural equations on the perception of aspects of school life and substance consumption as predictors of problem behavior in adolescents.

Problematic behavior and drug use are behaviors of social concern, especially in adolescence. There are school factors that can contribute to their development or prevent them. The objective was to establish explanatory models of the relationship between various school variables with the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis; determining its direct and/or indirect relationship with problematic behaviors. The study was cross-sectional with a sample of 346 students (Main Age=14.81; 54% women) from secondary education. Structural Equation Model (SEM) were carried to analyze the relationship between the dimensions of the Scale of perception of aspects of school life and alcohol, tobacco and cannabis consume with the presence of Problematic Behavior. Problem behavior was predicted by alcohol, tobacco and cannabis consume, and binge drinking. Different aspects of school life differentially predicted problem behavior and drug use. Sense of challenge was observed as having a reciprocal predictive relationship with problem behavior. Perception of oneself at school predicts both alcohol and tobacco use; while the value given to school predicts binge drinking. These findings suggests that, when addressing problem behavior and drug use that affect minors in school and have repercussions on class dynamics and academic outcomes, we should not focus exclusively on these problem areas, but rather take a more integrated approach that includes modifying different school-related aspects that act as risk factors for these types of problems.

Holistic health and social care outreach for people experiencing homelessness with recent non-fatal overdose in Glasgow, Scotland: the Pharmacist and third sector Homeless charity worker Outreach Engagement Non-medical Independent prescriber Rx (PHOENIx) pilot randomised controlled trial

ObjectivesTo examine randomised controlled trial (RCT) progression criteria including emergency department (ED) attendance and non-fatal overdose, from a holistic, integrated health and social care outreach intervention (PHOENIx), for people experiencing...

The Influence of Whatsapp Social Media, Parental Supervision, and Youth and Adolescent Lifestyles on Drug and Addictive Substance Use in Manado City

The problem of drug use is one of the problems often experienced by young people and adolescents. In fact, if you see the potential of the younger generation is the hope of the Nation, because youth and adolescents are the successors of the ideals and struggles of the Nation. This study aims to: 1). Want to know the influence between WhatSapp social media on the use of Drugs and Addictive Substances in Manado City, 2). Want to know the Influence between Parental Supervision on the use of Drugs and Addictive Substances in Manado City, 3). Want to know the Influence between Youth and Adolescent Lifestyles on the use of Drugs and Addictive Substances in Manado City, 4). Want to know the influence between WhatSapp Social Media Use, supervision of people and lifestyles of youth and adolescents against the use of drugs and addictive substances in Manado City. The method used in this study is a quantitative method while the data analysis technique is carried out with the help of SPSS 26 of 2023. From the results of this study proves that: 1). There is a significant influence between the use of WhattShapp social media with the use of Drugs and Addictive Substances. 2). There is a significant effect between parental supervision and drug use and addictive substances, 3). There is a significant influence between lifestyle and drug use and addictive substances, 4). Together, there is an influence between WhattShapp Social Media Use, parental supervision and lifestyle on Drug and Addictive Substance Use.

Depression is associated with poor self-reported adherence to antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV attending an HIV clinic in the UK: results from a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Contemporary evidence is needed to assess whether the prevalence of depression remains high among people living with HIV in the United Kingdom despite recent efforts to improve patients’ mental health, and if depression is negatively associated with individuals’ adherence to antiretroviral therapy. In a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional clinic-based survey of alcohol consumption and associated health behaviour among people living with HIV in London, of the 221 respondents, 106 (48%) had poor self-reported adherence to antiretroviral therapy (CASE Index) and 69 (31%) screened positive for depression (PHQ-9). Poor self-reported adherence to ART was 72% higher among participants who screened positive for depression in comparison with participants who screened negative. Respondents who were younger, unemployed, and reported problematic drug use were more likely to screen positive for depression. Screening and management of depression as a part of routine HIV care may support adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Prevalence of alcohol and drug use and their impact on adherence among hospitalised TB patients in South Africa.

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the use of alcohol and drugs and the potential impact on adherence to medication for tuberculosis. Adult patients admitted to specialised tuberculosis hospitals in South Africa were assessed for drug use, alcohol use and adherence to tuberculosis medication. A total of 175 patients participated in the study; 32% reported harmful alcohol use, and 44% reported problematic use of drugs. Participants who used drugs were four times as likely (OR = 4.11, 95% CI (1.89, 8.91)) and those using alcohol were twice as likely (OR = 2.06, 95% CI (1.02, 5.08)) to be nonadherent to medication for tuberculosis. Prevalence of harmful/hazardous use of alcohol and other drugs was high and significantly correlated with poorer medication adherence. Routine screening for and treatment of substance use in patients on treatment for tuberculosis and ongoing monitoring of adherence to medication is recommended.

Inverclyde Cares: compassionate and resilience communities in the face of multiple disadvantage

Inverclyde is a small local authority in the West of Scotland. There are less than 80,000 people in Inverclyde, and it is home to the most deprived areas of Scotland and the third highest drug deaths in the country. Inverclyde has significant deprivation, generational unemployment, child poverty and problematic drug and alcohol use. In recent years, the undercurrent of these multiple disadvantages has been compounded by the uncertainty and challenges of both a global pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. However, Inverclyde has the first recognised Compassionate Community in Scotland. Compassionate Inverclyde is a social movement underpinned by the values of compassion, helpfulness and neighbourliness. It is ordinary people helping ordinary people with extraordinary results. The juxtaposition between this radical kindness and the severe and multiple disadvantages has led to a new social movement called Inverclyde Cares. Building on the work of Compassionate Inverclyde, Inverclyde Cares recognises the importance of social connections and the role communities, voluntary organisations, the public sector and private businesses have in supporting one another. If supported and nurtured, these inter-dependencies can create communities that offer opportunities for those who are lonely, vulnerable or forgotten to feel valued and included. Inverclyde Cares is an all-system approach to address local social challenges with kindness and compassion.&#x0D; The 4 workstreams within Inverclyde Cares include bereavement, Covid remembrance, kindness and stigma. Inverclyde Cares recognises that bereavement is a universal experience. The Programme Lead has supported organisations across Inverclyde to explore how to support staff after a loved one dies, from compassionate policies and procedures to kindness within the language they use with each other. Several organisations have developed bereavement charters and have been awarded the national bereavement charter mark. Similarly, Inverclyde Cares recognises the loss felt throughout our community during the Covid-19 pandemic. Working in partnership with Greenspace Scotland, an artist has been commissioned to consult with the community to capture experiences during the pandemic and gather ideas for a meaningful lasting memorial. &#x0D; Kindness is at the heart of Inverclyde Cares. The Inverclyde Kindness Awards acknowledge the kind actions that happen in every corner of Inverclyde every day, both by individuals and organisations. Along with this, the Programme Lead is supporting organisations to develop a Kindness Charter. Like the bereavement charter, this gives organisations an opportunity to explore how they can demonstrate kindness and the changes they pledge to make, both within their own staff teams and with external partners and communities. Likewise, there is no place for stigma in a caring and compassionate community. So far, there have been 3 Challenge Stigma events, which have explored what lies at the core of all stigma and the importance of positive language. These events have provided an opportunity for third sector organisations, public and independent partners, and communities to sit together as equals to discuss how to address stigma in Inverclyde. We are a group of people, using our collective experience to explore how to work together to solve a problem in our community, because community problems require community solutions.

Implications of intimate partner physical violence and substance misuse for parenting

AbstractApproximately 35%–45% of young married adults engage in intimate partner violence (IPV), and it is possible to reliably distinguish between general IPV and clinically significant IPV in a manner accepted both by DSM‐V &amp; ICD‐11. IPV and alcohol misuse have been associated in many research designs, and experts now argue that alcohol misuse causes IPV. While less research exists on other substances like marijuana, there is clearly a moderate association between marijuana use and IPV, and that association appears to be dose‐dependent. Both IPV and substance use disorders (SUD), especially alcohol misuse, have been associated with a host of both internalizing and externalizing problems of children and adolescents. Research on the co‐morbid effects of IPV and substance misuse is relatively new but there are documented cumulative effects of IPV, problematic alcohol use, problematic drug use, and depressive symptoms on aggressive and neglectful parental disciplinary practices. Fortunately, research on the effects of both alcohol misuse and IPV shows that while both can have deleterious effects on children, the majority of children exposed to either IPV or alcohol misuse do not grow up to have diagnoses of emotional or behavioral problems. Support from one parent, a teacher, or extended family members, as well as the ability to maintain family rituals, serve as protective factors for children. Recommendations are made regarding reviews of assessment of IPV and substance misuse as well as a guide for conceptualizing and completing forensic evaluations involving IPV and substance misuse.

The Dangers of Drugs and Strategies to Overcome Them at MTs Sunan Giri, Triwung Kidul Village, Kademangan District, Probolinggo

In Indonesia, the problem of drug use is currently quite worrying. Probolinggo's experience of the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency is not much different from other big cities. Currently there are many kinds of juvenile delinquency, such as tardiness, speeding, drug use, premarital sex, brawls between teenagers, and others. Every year, many parties, including the public and private sectors, as well as individuals and institutions, undertake mitigation efforts. However, given the current situation, drug use in society continues to pose a threat to Indonesia's younger generation. In order to protect the future of the Indonesian nation, the Indonesian people must not give up in their efforts to eradicate and control drug trafficking. However, this journal needs to step up their efforts to stop juvenile crime. Based on this, we, the implementing team, are trying to prevent drugs in the community and provide understanding to the children of MTS Sunan Giri in Triwung Kidul Village, Kademangan District, Probolinggo City. This activity was attended by grade 9 students as well as staff members and the teacher council participated in this activity.