Reduce Substance Abuse Research Articles

Pelatihan Apoteker Cilik dan DaGuSiBu bagi Siswa SDN Losari di Singosari, Kabupaten Malang

The purpose of this service activity is to introducing medicine from early age in order to introduce pharmacists and medicine to elementary school students. The lack of knowledge about medicines in the community begins with the provision of knowledge from an early age to elementary school students because they will later become adolescents and reduce drug abuse in the community as frequently happens to high school students or college students. The method of these activities is carried out by means of online learning using several platforms, including: class whatsapp group, google form, and youtube link. Before being given the material, a pretest and posttest was admitted at the beginning and end of the activity. There are two materials provided, first, introducing Pharmacist Profession and education for DaGuSiBu. The participants of this activity were elementary students of grade 4,5 and 6 SDN Losari. In addition, this service is expected to motivate students to have awareness and be able to supervise other classmates for practicing medicines properly.The results was found that the students received education related to the Pharmacist Profession and understood about DaGuSiBu (properly get, use, save, and throw away the medicines) with the results of the average pretest and posttest scores about Pharmacist of 7.08 and 7.23 respectively, meanwhile DaGuSiBu education was 6.20 for pretest and postest 7.18. So it can be concluded that there was increasing points in knowledge after being given education.

Behavioral and Mental Health outcomes from an RCT of a Youth Entrepreneurship Intervention among Native American Adolescents

Abstract Purpose This study reports the impact of an entrepreneurship education intervention designed and evaluated specifically for its impact on substance use, suicide and violence-related outcomes among Native American adolescents. Methods This randomized controlled trial included N = 394 Native Americans ages 13–16. Participants were randomly assigned 2:1 (n = 267:127) to the Arrowhead Business Group intervention versus a control condition. Logistic mixed effects regression models examined within group and between group differences in trajectory from baseline to 24 months follow-up. Results Fewer intervention vs. control participants used marijuana at 6-, 12- and 24-months post-intervention (19.6% vs. 28.0%, p = 0.032; 20.4% vs. 31.8%, p = 0.01; and 24.1% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.047). All violence-related measures (suicide attempts, carrying a weapon, missing school because felt unsafe, fighting, and fighting at school) statistically significantly declined between baseline and 24 months for both groups. Positive between group differences favoring intervention participants were observed at 6-months for missing school because felt unsafe, and at 24-months for fighting at school. While alcohol use increased for both groups over time, control participants experienced a two-fold higher increase in binge alcohol use than intervention participants (control: 7.1–16.7% vs. intervention: 8.1–13.0%). Conclusions This is the first report in the US literature of a youth entrepreneurship intervention designed and evaluated to promote behavioral and mental health outcomes. It shows promise for reducing substance abuse and violence toward self and others, the largest health disparities for Native American youth.

The Social Harms Outweigh the Benefits: A Study of Compulsory Income Management in Greater Shepparton and Playford

ABSTRACT Welfare conditionality, where income support payments are tied to prescribed activities or alternatively good behaviour, has intensified in recent years. The toughest form of conditional welfare is arguably compulsory income management (IM), which involves the quarantining of between 50 and 90 per cent of a participant’s benefit payment for spending on food, rent, and other essential items in order to reduce substance abuse, and enhance socially responsible behaviour particularly around the care of children. This qualitative study examines the views of IM participants and community stakeholders in the BasicsCard sites of Greater Shepparton and Playford. Findings are presented regarding practical experiences of IM, including financial management; the socio-emotional impacts of IM; and whether IM has addressed key program objectives. It is concluded that the social harms of IM outweigh any perceived benefits and may particularly disadvantage already vulnerable groups such as women and Indigenous Australians. IMPLICATIONS Compulsory IM contains significant hidden harms, including social stigma and shame, and does not seem to be an effective means of addressing chronic social problems. A voluntary targeted IM scheme may have more utility, particularly if allied with a suite of complementary holistic support services.

Awareness of Drug Abuse Among Dental College Students

Drug abuse has been a serious medical concern worldwide. Given mortality, substance misuse is still liable for serious illness and also the marketing of illegal substances has a significant effect on the community. This study was conducted to determine the awareness of drug abuse amongst dental college students. A cross-sectional survey was done with a self-administered questionnaire comprising of ten questions pertaining to the awareness about drug abuse. The samples chosen for the study were 100 dental undergraduate students. The responses were collected and analysed.82% of the respondents were aware of the dangerous effects of drug abuse .68% said drug abuse is because of stress,8% said because of peer pressure and 20% said because of family problems and 4% said because of pleasure seeking .76 % feel deaddiction therapy can reduce drug abuse. 5% of the respondents have used some kind of drugs, .85% said they are aware of health risks associated with drug abuse. There is a high level of awareness among dental students regarding the abuse of drugs and associated health risks. However, more intense and wider community outreach programs should be initiated to spread awareness about drug abuse among the general public and the student community.

Clients Perception towards Helpfulness of Rehabilitation Centres in Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery in Uasin Gishu, Kenya

Drug and substance abuse are a global threat that causes serious ramifications on people's health, security, economic and cultural welfare. Rehabilitation of persons with Drug and substance abuse is a big challenge both to the individual, their families and the society at large. Every year in Kenya misuse of drugs costs the country lots of money and sometimes the misuse has led to deaths. Due to the impact of abuse of substances on individual’s health and the socio-economic consequences, there are several efforts towards alleviating or reducing drug abuse in Kenya. This study sought to clients’ perception towards helpfulness of rehabilitation centres in drug and substance abuse prevention and recovery in Uasin Gishu, Kenya. A cross –sectional survey design based on a sample drawn from locations of rehabilitation centers that cut across the Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study was carried out using simple random sampling to get 205 respondents was chosen from each of the two strata i.e. rehabilitees and staff members. Data from the research instruments were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists. Analysis output included; Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages). The findings of the research showed that majority of the rehabilitees were doubtful about the success of the rehabilitation centres to treat them. Meanwhile majority of the staff members were also doubtful about the willingness of any rehabilitees to be rehabilitated within the centre. The results of the study also showed that, majority of the rehabilitees were doubtful about the success of the rehabilitation centres to treat them. Additionally, majority of the staff members were also doubtful about the willingness of any rehabilitees to be rehabilitated within the centre. Findings as attested by the management and rehabilitees showed that majority of the rehabilitees were positive that detoxification was successful although they were less than half of the entire respondents; this was followed by rehabilitees who believed that the detoxification was not successful. The number of rehabilitees who attested that the process was very successful were about 10% while those who attested that the process was satisfactory were 20%. This study is believed to provide database on management of drug and substance abuse that will be useful to the community-based organizations, Nongovernmental Organizations, United Nations Drug Control Programme, National Institute on Drug Abuse and Drug and Substance Abuse Prevention Programs (UNDCP), NACADA and the Kenyan policy makers.

Correlates of sedentary behaviour among Bhutanese adolescents: Findings from the 2016 Global School-based health survey

Abstract Background Sedentary behaviour is shown to be associated with cardiometabolic health including obesity, and mental health. This study examined the factors associated with sedentary behaviour among Bhutanese adolescents. Methods The nationally-representative dataset of the Bhutan Global School-based Health Survey conducted in 2016 was analysed in this study. Multiple logistic regression using the backward elimination approach was performed to identify the factors associated with sedentariness. The analysis accounted for the complex survey design of the national survey. Results The weighted prevalence of sedentary behaviour among Bhutanese adolescents was 29.12%. The multivariable analysis showed that higher grades, being a day student, consumption of soft drinks and fast foods, substance use, feeling lonely and suicidal behaviour were associated with higher odds of sedentary behaviour. Short duration of sleep was associated with reduced odds of sedentariness, whereas longer duration with increased odds. In the girls’ sample, higher grade, student type, fast food intake, physical activity, longer sleep duration, substance use, and suicidal thought were the factors predicting sedentariness. Among boys, higher grade, soft drink and fast food consumption, physical activity, short sleep duration, smoking and drug use, and loneliness were the significant factors. Conclusions The results suggest plausible gender differences in the factors influencing sedentariness among adolescents of Bhutan. Gender-specific policies such as those aimed to reduce substance abuse, increase access to mental health services, and promote healthy lifestyles and behaviours are needed to reduce the adverse impacts of sedentary behaviour. Interventions targeting students in higher grades and day students may yield larger gains.

Resurgence of punishment-suppressed cocaine seeking in rats.

Alternative reinforcement-based treatments are among the most effective for reducing substance abuse. However, relapse often occurs when alternative reinforcement ends. Relapse following the loss of alternative reinforcement is called resurgence. An animal model has been used to study basic factors that may ultimately reduce resurgence but uses drug unavailability (i.e., extinction) to reduce drug seeking. In humans, drug abstinence is thought to be a product of aversive consequences associated with drug use rather than extinction. This discrepancy is important because the environmental and neurobiological factors involved in relapse may differ between punished and extinguished behavior. Experiment 1 evaluated resurgence of previously punished cocaine seeking. In Phase 1, rats earned cocaine for pressing levers. In Phase 2, cocaine remained available, but lever pressing also produced mild foot shocks while an alternative response produced food pellets for 1 group but not for another group. In Phase 3, alternative reinforcement and punishment were removed and resurgence of cocaine seeking occurred only in rats previously exposed to alternative reinforcement. In Experiment 2, resurgence was evaluated similarly, except that consequences of cocaine seeking (i.e., punishment and cocaine) remained available during Phase 3. Resurgence did not occur in either group during Experiment 2. The animal models of resurgence developed herein could increase translational utility and improve examination of the environmental and neurobiological factors underlying resurgence of drug seeking. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Analytical findings in used syringes from a syringe exchange program

BackgroundSince it's first implementatation in 1984, Syringe Exchange Programs (SEP) are a critical component of harm reduction interventions among people who inject drugs.. The aim of this work was to use a scientific analytical approach to obtain drug use information through the analysis of the content of used syringes. Methods357 syringes were collected in New York City and submitted to qualitative analysis. Screening analysis was performed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and confirmatory analysis by liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF). ResultsOf the 357 syringes analyzed, 275 (77.0%) were positive for one or more substances. The most common drug of abuse identified was heroin/related substances (72.0%), followed by cocaine/related substance (34.9%), fentanyl/related substance (13.5%), methamphetamine/related substance (7.6%) and furanylfentanyl (3.6%). Quinine/quinidine (18.5%) was the most common cutting agent detected, followed by levamisole (12.0%), caffeine (11.6%), lidocaine (11.6%), and phenacetin (6.9%). ConclusionAnalysis of samples collected from a drug street scenario allows the identification of new substances being injected and provides information to harm reduction programs to identify strategies to reduce drug abuse.

Cannabis Use Among Aboriginal Youth in the Non-Aboriginal Child Protection Services System

The social, cultural and political contexts of vulnerability need to be considered in defining, understanding, and reducing substance abuse among maltreated youth with an Aboriginal background (MacNeil, 2008; Tatz, 1999). Aboriginal cultures tend to incorporate an ideology of collectivism that manifests in shared childrearing responsibilities within aboriginal families and communities (e.g., Dilworth-Anderson & Marshall, 1996). As such, Aboriginal children may identify with multiple and equally important attachment figures, and be more accepting of multiple caring adult guardians who can direct them away from risky behaviour (Christensen & Manson, 2001). We examined the relationship between cannabis use and reported identification with a caseworker among youth-identified Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal adolescents randomly drawn from the active caseload of a large urban non-Aboriginal Child Protection Services (CPS) system. While an Aboriginal-specific child welfare agency exists in this catchment area, youth need to be identified as Aboriginal to be involved in that system and some youth with Aboriginal heritage inevitably end up in non-Aboriginal CPS agencies. There were no significant differences in rates of maltreatment, trauma symptomatology, or overall cannabis use between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth in this study. However, Aboriginal youth who reported a more negative (i.e., low) identification with their caseworker were five times more likely to use cannabis in the past 12 months compared to Aboriginal youth who reported a more positive (i.e., medium-high) identification with their caseworker. These results suggest that having a moderate-to-high positive identification with caseworker may be a protective factor in regard to abstinence from cannabis use among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth in the non-Aboriginal CPS system.

Aplikasi Pengenalan Jenis Narkoba Berbasis Android Pada Badan Narkotika Nasional Kota Pagar Alam

Based on observations at the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Pagar Alam it was found that increased drug abuse among adolescents and their lack of understanding of the dangers posed when consuming drugs. To reduce drug abuse, BNN promotes information on the types of drugs, their impact and prevention of abuse. However, the socialization process incurred considerable costs, was less effective and the lack of interest in the participants to read the brochure because it was monotonous. This research resulted in the introduction of an Android-based type of drug application on BNN Pagar Alam. The system development method is the SDLC method with the waterfall model. With this application can provide information about the types of drugs and how to prevent them.

Beta‐caryophyllene, a Volatile Phytocannabinoid, Attenuates Cocaine Self‐administration and Relapse in Rats

Cocaine abuse continues to be a serious health problem worldwide. Despite intense research, there is still no FDA‐approved medication to treat cocaine use disorder. The recent search for effective therapeutics has been focused on the endocannabinoid system because of its critical role in the neurobiology of drug addiction. In the last decade, there has been a growing interest in beta‐caryophyllene (BCP), a volatile phytocannabinoid present in high proportions in cannabis and large number of spice and food plants including black pepper, thyme and cloves. This dietary additive that has a CB2 receptor (CB2R) agonist profile, has shown to produce promising therapeutic effects for multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. Surprisingly, the therapeutic potential of BCP in the treatment of drug abuse and addiction has not been explored. Here, using gold standard animal models of drug abuse, we systematically evaluated the potential utility of BCP against cocaine‐related behaviors in rodents and its mechanisms of action. In a series of experiments we found that BCP attenuated cocaine‐enhanced electrical brain‐stimulation reward and optogenetic intracranial self‐stimulation driven by activation of dopamine (DA) neurons in DAT‐cre mice, both outcomes indicating reduced reward. Intriguingly, when administered systemically or orally, BCP attenuated cocaine self‐administration in rats, suggesting an ability to reduce drug abuse. BCP also reduced drug‐primed reinstatement of cocaine seeking and cocaine conditioned place preference, indicative of its preventative effects against relapse. When BCP was substituted for cocaine, rats ceased responding, suggesting BCP has low liability abuse. In regards to the receptor mechanisms, our pharmacological approach (along with our transgenic approach utilizing with CB1, CB2, GPR55 knockout mice) indicates that BCP produces attenuating effects on cocaine self‐administration that are mediated by non‐cannabinoid receptors. We are now exploring the involvement of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 cation channels (TRPV1) in BCP action against cocaine. Our findings suggest that BCP shows exceptional promise as a therapeutic candidate in the treatment of cocaine use disorder. Importantly, given its good oral bioavailability and the advantage of being an already FDA‐approved non‐toxic dietary additive, BCP is a valuable candidate for drug repurposing programs in translational medicine.

How do drug courts work?

This presentation investigates the factors enhancing the success of drug courts through an empirical evaluation of drug court?s effects on desistance, focusing on three key criminological theories: deterrence theory, procedural justice theory, and life-course theory. Using a quasi-experimental sample of 1781 individuals across 23 courts and 6 comparison jurisdictions in 8 states, the presentation employs multiple structural equation modeling and path analysis to determine and contrast the effects of official supervision and sanctions, procedural justice, and substance abuse treatment on drug court participants and their efficacy in reducing substance abuse. The paper uses principal component analysis to indicate the most critical factors that facilitate compliance from drug court participants; this approach is intended to link criminological theory to practice, as well as to offer guidance on where efforts should be concentrated in the design of public policy.

Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs: Predictors of Treatment Effectiveness

Although there is extensive literature on the processes and outcomes of drug and alcohol dependence treatments, little is known about specific predictors of treatment effectiveness. The present study aims to identify the predictors of abstinence in outpatient drug and alcohol dependence treatments, as well as the predictors of treatment effectiveness, according to a biopsychosocial approach. The study followed a cross-sectional research design. Participants (n = 290) were recruited from an outpatient treatment of the Intervention Division in Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies (DICAD), in the northern region of Portugal. A convenience sample was used. Data was collected using questionnaires administered at the facilities of the DICAD, in a private, quiet room. Results indicate that predictors of abstinence were involvement in treatment, psychopathology symptoms, and treatment program (i.e., outpatient drug vs alcohol dependence treatments). The full model of logistic regression analysis was significantly reliable (χ2(3) = 33.93, p < 0.001), with 72.5% successfully predicted for the non-substance abuse group and a 53.1% accurate prediction rate for the substance abuse group. The predictors of treatment effectiveness, according to a biopsychosocial approach, were social support and the treatment program. The full model was significantly reliable (χ2(2) = 68.28, p < 0.001), with 33.0% successfully predicted for the treatment effectiveness group and a 91.1% accurate prediction rate for the non-treatment effectiveness group. Results suggest that interventions need to focus not only on reducing substance abuse, but also on decreasing psychopathology and promoting therapeutic involvement, acting as predictors of abstinence. Furthermore, interventions must focus on promoting social support and the treatment program, acting as predictors of treatment effectiveness, according to a biopsychosocial approach.

Role of Rehabilitation Center to Reduce Drug Abuse in Reference to Birendranagar Valley

The substance that changes the physical, psychological and emotional function of individual is called drug. Any one may abuse drug to feel good, forget stress, and avoid reality. Drug abuse or substance abuse means using a drug for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the brain.&#x0D; A place where people of drug addiction are treated is called rehabilitation Centre. The core objective of this study is to find out the roles of rehabilitation center to reduce drug using habit of drug abusers who are undergoing for treatment in rehabilitation center. Mixed research method was used to analyze the data from 40 male respondents of Benevolence Rehabilitation Center, Surkhet. Birendranagar valley of Nepal. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Frequency table was used to analyze the quantitative data. Roles and services of rehabilitation center had covered the different activities practices in rehabilitation center. It had covered the counseling, vocational training, meditation, realization programme, job opportunity, acceptance, programme, sympathy.

Strategies for Family Engagement in Evidence-Based Programmes: A Meta-Synthesis of Systematic Reviews from a Social Casework Approach

This paper explores the role of social work practice in youth risk prevention through evidence-based interventions, such as the Strengthening Families Programme. It begins by analysing the aetiology of social work practice in prevention and the theories that aim to explain social work practice as one of the most important disciplines for meeting the skill development requirements of risk prevention. Research has shown that evidence-based interventions applied at the family level can delay the onset of substance use. Various studies have backed working with these kinds of systems to ensure the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing substance abuse; however, family participation has also been shown to be one of the disadvantages of this kind of intervention. For this reason, the main goal of the present research is to identify the most effective strategies for engaging families in the context of social casework. We present a meta-synthesis of two systematic exploratory reviews of scholarly articles concerning family involvement, adherence, and findings that lead to achieving coupling. We discuss the family factors that social workers should consider in order to ensure that different members of family systems commit to building supportive relationships.

Let It Snow: Psychosocial Factors and Previous Substance Abuse Associated With Cocaine Use Among Bisexual Adults

While a disproportionately large percentage of sexual minorities engage in illicit drug use, little research has specifically examined factors related to cocaine use among bisexual men and women. The present study sought to identify the potential association between affective/emotive states and previous substance use and lifetime cocaine use among a national sample of bisexual men and women. A secondary analysis of the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was conducted among 1,989 adults aged older than 18 years in the United States who identified as bisexual. One in five (20.5%) reported lifetime cocaine use. Significant factors included age, previous use of illicit substances, and feeling low/tired nearly every day. Feeling worthless was associated with a lower likelihood of lifetime cocaine use. Recommendations (e.g., focus groups, behavioral maintenance programs) for health professionals aimed at reducing substance abuse rates among sexual minority individuals are highlighted.

Reducing substance abuse in patients receiving prescription opioids for chronic non-cancer pain: a quality improvement and patient safety study in a primary care setting

ABSTRACTBackground: Chronic non-cancer pain is a common cause of primary care physicians’ office visits.Objective: To determine the impact of adopting screening and monitoring measures in primary care settings on the illicit substance use behavior of patients receiving opioid analgesic prescriptions.Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of data on patients who were prescribed opioid analgesics for chronic non-cancer pain between 2014 and 2017 Q1 (i.e., first quarter of 2017). Study participants were patients who sought medical care at our academic primary care clinic practice that is part of an internal medicine residency program. Participants were adults (>18 years) who were considered eligible for opioid analgesics for chronic non-cancer pain.Interventions: (1) Rolling out of the chronic non-cancer pain management policy to clinic staff; (2) pain medication contracts with patients; (3) random urine drug screen (UDS) testing performed on patients during their clinic visits; 4) a didactics curriculum for internal medicine residents to highlight the key elements in utilizing and interpreting UDS results; (5) adding alerts to the electronic medical record that notifies clinic staff of discrepancy between patients’ prescribed medications and UDS findings, as well as for quick identification of patients who had violated a stipulation of the contract; (6) mandatory regular utilization of Michigan State’s online prescription monitoring records; and (7) employment of an on-site behavioral specialist for patients with mental illness or at risk of drug abuse.Main outcomes and measures: The main endpoint was the percentage of illicit drug use detected per year.Results: A total of 8096 UDS samples were collected over the study period. Mean (SD) participant age was 52 (SD 12) and 51% were male. Urine samples which had at least one illicit substance constituted 41% of the samples in 2014 prior to intervention. We found a significant decrease in the percentage of illicit substances after initiation of the intervention to 37% in 2015, 19% in 2016, and 12% in 2017Q1 (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Adopting a system-wide screening and monitoring measures in a primary care setting can significantly reduce the amount of illicit drug use among patients receiving an opioid prescription for non-cancer pain. This has important implications for patient safety and the current opioid epidemic in the USA. Further studies are needed to evaluate similar interventions in other settings such as a pain clinic.

Abuse of prescribed psychoactive drugs

Objective: The abuse of psychoactive drugs and addiction to them have been a growing problem in the world. Article 188/6 of the Turkish Criminal Code numbered 5237 states ‘The provisions of this article shall apply to any substance whose production is subject to the approval of official authorities or whose sales is subject to the prescription issued by the authorized physician, and to other substances causes a narcotic or stimulant effect. However, the imposed penalty can be reduced to half.’ and warrants a penalty, indicating that such drugs will be considered in the context of ‘narcotic drugs’ in case of an abuse. The aim of this study was to investigate the types and frequency of psychoactive drug abuse cases which reflected to the judicial authorities in Turkey. Methods: The files that have been examined by the 5th Specialization Committee of the Turkish Council of Forensic Medicine between January 01st 2012 and January 01st 2019, within the scope of Article 188/6 of the Turkish Criminal Code numbered 5237, were reviewed in this study. The files were evaluated in respect to the distribution of the abused drugs, other narcotic substances detected with these drugs, drug forms and quantities. Results: A total of 1710 reports were examined in the study. The most frequently abused drug group was benzodiazepines, and the most frequently abused members were clonazepam, diazepam and alprazolam. Pregabalin, gabapentin, buprenorphine and quetiapine were the other drugs that took the first place in terms of abuse frequency. The most common narcotic substances detected with drugs were cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids and methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Buprenorphine and pregabalin were the most seized drugs at the crime scenes and on the suspects. Gabapentin was the one encountered most in the biological samples. Discussion: In the light of the data obtained, it can be said that the abused drug profiles may change over time and these changes may be affected by foreign currents. In order to reduce drug abuse, strict follow-up of psychoactive drug prescriptions, attention of the clinicians to the indications, dosage and usage of the drugs that may be abused, a detailed medical investigation of the patients’ medical histories, briefing of the patients about the drugs with the potential for addiction, increasing the penalties on the persons who possess such drugs by prescription and then sell them on the streets, and detection and monitoring of the toxicity and death data related to psychoactive drugs are essential in fighting against drugs on a scientific basis.

Association between alcohol screening and brief intervention during routine check-ups and alcohol consumption among adults living in California

BackgroundAlcohol consumption accounts for 1 in 10 deaths among U.S. adults and cost upwards of $200 billion each year due to productivity loss. Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (aSBIRT) was developed as a treatment approach for use in primary care to identify and reduce substance abuse. Although aSBIRT has proven to be successful, implementation rates remain low. MethodsUsing population level representative data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) conducted in California, this study utilizes logistic regression to analyze the association between self-reported drinking levels and screening and brief intervention practices during routine check-ups. ResultsThe results demonstrated that the more an individual drank, the lower the odds of receiving aSBIRT during a routine check-up. Men had reduced odds of receiving intervention compared to women (odds ratio [OR], 2.21; confidence interval [CI], 1.68–2.90, p < 0.01) and diabetics had reduced odds of receiving intervention compared to non-diabetics (OR, 0.66; CI, 0.45–0.97, p = 0.3). Finally, those with lower income had reduced odds of intervention compared to those with higher income (OR, 1.84; CI, 1.33–2.56, p < 0.01). Among those who were at risk for alcohol abuse (83%) the intervention was only administered to 39%, and men had reduced odds of receiving intervention. ConclusionPhysicians perform alcohol screenings, but do not follow up the screening with intervention. Attention should be focused on delivering intervention to those identified as at risk for alcohol abuse through standard screening tools, specifically to men, diabetics, and lower income groups.This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

The Clinical Value, Principle, and Basic Practical Technique of Mindfulness Intervention.

SummaryMindfulness intervention is a psychotherapy based on the Buddhist practice of meditation, combining the theories and methodology of contemporary psychology. The empirical research in recent years has indicated that mindfulness intervention yields favorable results including reduction of depression relapse, alleviation of the symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduction of substance abuse, relief of pain, blood pressure management, enhancement of immunity, and improvement of sleep. Currently, mindfulness therapy has become the mainstream of psychotherapy in the realm of European and American psychotherapy. The fields of psychology and psychotherapy in China have also begun to introduce mindfulness intervention in recent years. However, there is a lack of relevant practice and research in the field of clinical mental health. This article will briefly introduce the concept of mindfulness, the basic mechanism of the intervention, and the basic skills and guidelines in clinical practice.