Young Drug Abusers Research Articles

Work is Not Enough: A Quasi-Experimental Study of a Vocational Training Programme for Young Drug and Alcohol Abusers

One hundred forty-one young substance abusers who participated in a vocational training programme were followed up with personal interviews five years later. Forty-six per cent completed one of three different vocational training careers for a minimum of three months. This group had a higher total work activity during the last three years before follow-up than those who dropped out of the programme. There was also a high positive correlation between this later work activity and reduction in substance abuse. This finding offers confirmation of the theory underlying vocational training. Work in the secondary labour market in itself was not found to be sufficient as a remedy to reduce substance abuse. Vocational training, however, may help clients develop the social skills they need on the secondary labour market.

The Female Drug Abuser: Has She a Shorter Way Out?

Findings concerning the background and drug careers of male abusers, who numerically dominate the illict drug scene, have often been interpreted as also valid for females. This paper focuses attention on the following problems: Do females who take up drug abuse have different backgrounds than drug abusing males? Do their backgrounds differ more from non-abusing female controls than male backgrounds differ from male controls? Are females more severely affected by their abuse than males when they seek treatment? Is the prognosis for female drug abusers different than it is for males? 100 young drug abusers (68 males and 32 females) registered in a treatment program in a general mental hospital were interviewed at registration and personally followed up 1.9 and 4.7 years after treatment. The patients backgrounds and situations at follow-up are compared with a group of controls of the same age, sex and area ofresidence.

Course and outcome of drug abuse and medical and social conditions in selected young drug abusers.

The course and outcome of drug abuse and medical and social conditions were investigated by following--in some aspects for up to 10 years--selected groups of young drug abusers who had had contact with health care and social welfare authorities in Gothenburg at the end of the 1960's. The follow-up was carried out by studying different registers and through interviews. The abusers were compared with a control group matched in terms of sex, age and daily sickness allowance. Abuse of cannabis predominated (2:1) over heavier drugs (primarily central stimulants i.v.) in the out-patient materials, while the reverse was the case in the in-patient material. About 40% of the drug users were interviewed and judged to be representative of their groups. After 4-6 years, 36-49% of the males and 23-48% of the females in the different materials were found registered as drug abusers; 22-38% of the men and 11-19% of the women were found after 8-10 years. According to the interviews, drug abuse persisted in 56-71% of the men and 26-60% of the women after 4-6 years and in 44-69% of the men and 13-36% of the women after 7-9 years. Abuse of cannabis persisted more often than abuse of heavier drugs, and had a lower mortality. Between 40 and 55% of drug abuse in the out-patient material, as well as among males in the social welfare material, was hidden during the follow-up period. The hidden abuse involved primarily cannabis; abuse of heavier drugs was generally known to the health care or social welfare authorities. Repeated or lengthy sick leave was more common than in the control group. In-patient adult psychiatric treatment was common among those in the health care material, although 40% of those in the social welfare material had also received such treatment. A diagnosis of drug abuse clearly predominated. Treatment of hepatitis was noted for 30-40%. More than 90% of drug abusers were registered with the social welfare authorities compared with less than half of the controls. Possession of driving licence was less common and the males had less often completed basic military training. The majority of those not registered for drug abuse after 4-6 years were employed or studying, and had considerably less need for social welfare and sick leave than those who were registered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Seven year follow-up of 300 young drug abusers.

300 young morphine addicts in Copenhagen were personally followed up 7 years after their first referral for treatment. The tracking rate was 93.7%. Of the original population, approximately 2% died yearly, i.e. 16%. Each year 5-6% ceased drug abuse, and in 1980, 39% were characterized as being socially well adjusted. In all, 20% remained heavy drug users, though some had changed to other drugs.

Self-help groups for parents of young drug and alcohol abusers.

A national movement of parent self-help groups has recently emerged to combat drug abuse in children and adolescents. This innovative modality addresses a major mental health problem in an area where manpower shortages are anticipated. On the basis of self-report data from 135 parent group members, the drug and behavior problems of their children were evaluated. Improvement was reported in the community at large but more frequently in the children of members. The parent groups differed notably in structure and activities; nonetheless, the underlying psychology of membership, i.e., the shared attitudes and social cohesiveness of the members, facilitated the achieving of common goals.

Street drugs yield primate Parkinson's model

The tragic mistake of several young drug abusers has led scientists at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to develop a unique animal model of Parkinson's disease. The animals are rhesus monkeys, and their parkinsonism is produced with 1-methyl4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a byproduct of the synthesis of a meperidine (Demerol) analogue, MPPP. The story began in November 1976, when a 23-year-old chemistry graduate student became severely rigid, mute, weak, and tremorous. He had injected himself during the course of several days with doses of a sloppy homemade batch of MPPP. He was admitted to the psychiatric ward of a general hospital with an initial diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia but later was successfully treated with anti-parkinson medications and referred to NIMH for further evaluation. While receiving treatment for his parkinsonian symptoms, the student persisted in abusing drugs and finally died of an overdose in September 1978. Autopsy revealed severe loss of

Repeat follow-up Studies of 100 Young Norwegian Drug Abusers

From 1971 to 1974, 100 young drug abusers were registered in a treatment program of a general mental hospital. Following treatment, the patients were personally interviewed by the author in 1975 and 1977. The aim of the project has been to study the adequacy of conventional psychiatric treatment of young drug abusers. Subgroups of patients with different developmental profiles in the observational period are analyzed. The reliability of one follow-up is tested against another follow-up approximately 3 years later.

Short and Long Term Adverse Reactions in Young Drug Abusers

A total of 100 young drug abusers registered in a treatment program were examined clinically during therapy and personally followed-up 3 and 6 years later. At the time of first contact, 69% had previously experienced flashbacks. It was found that not only users of psychedelic drugs, but also users of ephedrine, organic solvents and antihistaminic drugs reported “bad trip” experiences and flashbacks. Few physical adverse reactions were observed. At the end of the period, 40% of the males and 21% of the females still were bothered by flashbacks, but none of these had shown signs of a lasting psychotic symptomatology. Clinical examination revealed no lasting physical damage due to the abuse of drugs. Up to the time of last follow-up, 4 persons, all males, had died.

Differential Treatment of Young Abusers: A Quasi-Experimental Study of a “Therapeutic Community” in a Psychiatric Hospital

A total of 160 young drug abusers who voluntarily applied for admittance at ward Lien, Dikemark Hospital is Oslo, were personally followed during treatment and 2–9 years (M 5–6) afterwards. The study population was divided into four groups: three (N 29, 27, 44) were treated in different programs at Lien, while the fourth (N 60) consists of a sample of the applicants who were not admitted. The psychedelic using group made the greatest progess during a program consisting of supportive and limit-setting milieu therapy combined with systematic individual and family therapy. The opiate and central nervous system stimulant using group had the best results during and after participation in an intensive, confrontative, therapeutic community using special intake procedures, spontaneous marathonlike groups, and systematic individual and family therapy.

Unconventional Treatment Models for Young Drug Abusers in Scandinavia

The problem of drug abusing youths has, in addition to strengthening ordinary treatment systems, also inspired a multitude of unconventional programs. These are found in different settings both within and outside the health systems. This paper presents the theoretical premises associated with these unconventional projects and describes the different types found in Scandinavia. A close analysis of three of the most important projects, selected from Denmark, Sweden and Norway, is presented. Preliminary research results are presented from these studies. Finally the paper evaluates the projects, their purposes and objectives, and attempts to forecast future developments.

A Survey of Scandinavian follow-up Studies of Young Drug Abusers

A Survey of Scandinavian follow-up Studies of Young Drug Abusers

Young Drug Abusers and Non-abusers: A Comparison

Young Drug Abusers and Non-abusers: A Comparison

Reliability and stability of the Comrey Personality Scales in a clinical setting.

Examined split-half reliabilities, retest reliabilities, and stability of the Comrey Personality Scales (CPS) (Comrey, 1970) for a Navy sample of 200 young drug abusers tested at the beginning and end of rehabilitation in a no-feedback, compulsory participation setting. The pre-rehabilitation split-half reliabilities for the eight personality scales ranged from .73 to .94, with an average of .85, and ranged from .74 to .91, with an average of .83, on the post-rehabilitation administration. Retest reliabilities for the eight scales were between .39 and .64, with an average of .52. Post-rehabilitation means were significantly higher on four of the eight scales, and one scale mean was significantly lower. It is concluded that the CPS is appropriate in a clinical setting in which test participation is compulsory and test feedback is not made available to the respondents.

Covert forms of child abuse: a preliminary study.

Child abuse has generally been recognized only in its more obvious physical manifestations. The possibility of less obvious though serious forms of abuse is considered by offering a more expansive definition of child abuse, which includes a category that the investigators term “covert abuse.” The question is raised as to whether or not these more subtle forms of abuse result in a negative developmental outcome in the child. To answer this question, the investigators hypothesized that in the histories of young adult drug abusers, a high incidence of covert abuse would be found. To test this hypothesis, a self-report questionnaire was designed and administered to the 57 male and female residents (mean age of 20.2 years) in two facilities of a nationally based drug treatment program in the United States. As expected, it was found that the population reported a consistently high incidence of family disruption during childhood. A statistically significant relationship was demonstrated between hard-core drug abuse in the subjects and a lack of parental demonstrativeness toward each other. Results of the study suggest that overt forms of abuse are not the only types of abuse that may be developmentally destructive to a child; covert forms of abuse are possible contributors to a negative developmental outcome as well.

No-Red-Tape Counseling for Clients Alienated From Traditional Services

Since 1969 the Walk-In counseling Center in Minneapolis has offered free, no-red-tape counseling to individuals and families alienated from traditional services. All counseling is provided by teams of mental health professionals who volunteer their services. The emphasis is on crisis and short-term counseling with a maximum of ten sessions. The center was established mainly to serve young drug abusers, but the clientele has diversified to include individuaLs of all ages and socioeconomic groups. The center also conducts an active consultation and education program with more than 200 community groups a year.

Flashbacks: a personal follow-up.

During the period 1971-1973, it was found that 53 out of 91 young drug abusers in a psychiatric hospital had experienced flashbacks. This applied to as many as 50 out of the 65 patients who had used LSD, but also to abusers of organic solvents and cannabis. As many as 38% of the patients were found to be severely incapacitated by their flashbacks. On a personal follow-up 1 1/2-4 years after the first therapeutic contact, 35 patients were still troubled by flashbacks. On the whole reactions were less intense than at the time of the first contact. No relation between the flashbacks and protracted psychotic development could be established. The overall clinical and social course was worse for patients with flashbacks than for the rest of the population. Patients still bothered by flashbacks used drugs and alcohol as sedatives to a greater extent than the rest.

Young Drug Abusers: 350 Patients Interviewed at Admission and Followed Up Three Years Later

Medical Journal of AustraliaVolume 2, Issue 4 p. 149-149 BOOK REVIEW Young Drug Abusers: 350 Patients Interviewed at Admission and Followed Up Three Years Later First published: 01 July 1975 https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1975.tb95201.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume2, Issue4July 1975Pages 149-149 RelatedInformation

Book Review: Young Drug Abusers: 350 Patients Interviewed at Admission and Followed up Three Years Later

Book Review: Young Drug Abusers: 350 Patients Interviewed at Admission and Followed up Three Years Later

Special Problems of Free Clinics Serving Minority Communities

Black clinics face special problems in “getting themselves together.” Black and minority clinics tend to be less oriented towards serving the needs of the young drug abuser and are much more concerned with meeting the basic health needs of a particular minority community. The author presents points on the establishment of a clinic, the initial planning meetings, the role and interaction of the black and white professions and para‐professionals and how they work out their differences and come together towards a common goal, the financial problems and how to raise funds through concerts, radio, TV, and health fairs.

We Mainline Dreams: The Odyssey House Story, by Judianne Densen-Gerber, J.D., M.D. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1973, 421 pp., $9.95

This is a highly personal, autobiographical book which has been written in the first person by a "ghost" and realistically describes some of the difficulties in starting a program for the rehabilitation of young drug abusers. Often absorbing, sometimes moving and dramatic, and sometimes overblown and repetitious, this book documents Densen-Gerber's own growth and maturation as a participant as well as her experience in founding Odyssey House. Densen-Gerber and former residents of Odyssey House describe their life and work together in a series of autobiographical sketches interwoven through the book.