Published by Haight Ashbury Publications
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Table of Contents
Volume 42, Number 1
March 2010 |
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Migration and Illicit Drug Use Among Two Types of Male
Migrants in Shanghai, China
—Frank
Y. Wong, Ph.D.; N. He, M.D., Ph.D.; Z. J. Huang, M.B.B.S.,
Ph.D., M.P.H.; D. Young, B.S.; C. O’Conor; Y.Y. Ding,
M.D.; C. Fu, M.D. & S. Arayasirikul, M.S.P.H., C.H.E.S. |
Increased Drug Use and STI Risk with Injection Drug Use
Among HIV-Seronegative Heterosexual Methamphetamine Users
— W. Susan Cheng, Ph.D.; Richard S. Garfein, Ph.D.;
Shirley J. Semple, Ph.D.; Steffanie A. Strathdee, Ph.D.;
James K. Zians, Ph.D. & Thomas L. Patterson, Ph.D. |
Sex
Differences in the Effects of Marijuana on Simulated Driving
Performance
— Beth M. Anderson, Ph.D.; Matthew Rizzo, M.D.; Robert I.
Block, Ph.D.; Godfrey D. Pearlson, M.D. & Daniel S. O’Leary,
Ph.D. |
Gender Differences in Psychiatric Symptomatology in
Adolescents Attending a Community Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Program
—
Osamede Edokpolo, M.D.; Philip James, M.Sc; Caitriona
Kearns, B.Sc.; Ann Campbell, R.N. & Dr. Bobby P. Smyth, M.B.
M.R.C.Psych. |
The Association between Psychopathology and Substance Use in
Young People: A Review of the Literature
—
Amina Saban, M.A. & Alan J. Flisher, F.C.Psych.(S.A.), Ph.D. |
How
do Residents of Recovery Houses Experience Confrontation
between Entry and 12-Month Follow-Up?
—
Douglas L. Polcin, Ed.D.; Gantt P. Galloway, Pharm.D.; Jason
Bond, Ph.D.; Rachael Korcha, M.A. & Thomas K. Greenfield,
Ph.D. |
Young
Adult Ecstasy Users Who Forego Necessary Medical Care:A
Fairly Common Occurrence with Important Health Implications
—
Kirk W. Elifson, Ph.D.; Hugh Klein, Ph.D. & Claire E. Sterk,
Ph.D. |
Increasing Prenatal Care and Healthy Behaviors in Pregnant
Substance Users
—
Frankie Kropp, M.S.; Theresa Winhusen, Ph.D.; Daniel Lewis,
B.A.;Diane Hague, M.S.S.W. & Eugene Somoza, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
SHORT
COMMUNICATIONS |
A
Pilot Study of Seeking Safety Therapy with OEF/OIF Veterans
—
Sonya B.
Norman, Ph.D.; Kendall C. Wilkins, Ph.D.; Susan F. Tapert,
Ph.D.;Ariel J. Lang, Ph.D. & Lisa M. Najavits, Ph.D. |
Differential Substance Abuse Patterns Distribute According
To Gender In Heroin Addicts
—
Icro Maremmani, M.D.; Canoniero Stefania, M.D.; Matteo
Pacini, M.D. ; Angelo G.I. Maremmani, M.D.; Marina Carlini,
M.D.; Francesca Golia, M.D.; Joseph Deltito, M.D. & Liliana
Dell’Osso, M.D. |
COVER
ART
—
Lava Spirit III by Jacquelyn Paull (www.spiritcat.com) |
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ABSTRACTS |
|
Migration and Illicit Drug Use Among Two Types of Male
Migrants in Shanghai, China
—Frank
Y. Wong, Ph.D.; N. He, M.D., Ph.D.; Z. J. Huang, M.B.B.S.,
Ph.D., M.P.H.; D. Young, B.S.; C. O’Conor; Y.Y. Ding,
M.D.; C. Fu, M.D. & S. Arayasirikul, M.S.P.H., C.H.E.S. |
Abstract—Large-scale
internal migrations within China have led to speculation of
increased drug use, but with little empirical evidence.
This cross-sectional
study examines the association between migration
characteristics and illicit drug use in 100 general male
migrants and 239 “money boys” (i.e., male migrants engaging
in same-sex transactional sex) in Shanghai, China. Only
three general male migrants reported any drug use. Among
money boys, lifetime illicit drug use was 12%;
Ecstasy and methamphetamine appeared to be the most popular
drugs. In addition, depression prevalence was very high
among both types of male migrants. Depression was associated
with lifetime soft- and hard-drug use,
while earning a higher income was associated
with lifetime soft-drug use. These findings provide the
first set of quantitative evidence of illicit drug use among
Chinese male migrants. Although illicit drug use among male
migrants is low compared to Western countries, its
resurgence after 30 years of drug control gives cause for
concern. |
Keywords—
Chinese, drug use, male migrants, money boys, Shanghai
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|
Increased Drug Use and STI Risk with Injection Drug Use
Among HIV-Seronegative Heterosexual Methamphetamine Users
— W. Susan Cheng, Ph.D.; Richard S. Garfein, Ph.D.;
Shirley J. Semple, Ph.D.; Steffanie A. Strathdee, Ph.D.;
James K. Zians, Ph.D. & Thomas L. Patterson, Ph.D.
|
Abstract—Methamphetamine
(MA) use has been found to be associated with increased risk
of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) among men
having sex with men, but it is unknown whether those who
inject MA are at greater risk for these infections than
those who administer MA by other routes. Furthermore,
comparable data from heterosexual MA users are lacking. We
investigated whether the HIV and STI risks of male and
female heterosexual MA users who inject MA differ from those
of comparable users who do not inject. Between 2001
and 2005, we interviewed 452 HIV-negative men and women aged
18 and older who had recently used MA and engaged in
unprotected sex. Their mean age was 36.6 years; 68% were
male; ethnicity was 49.4% Caucasian, 26.8% African-American,
and 12.8% Hispanic. Logistic regression identified factors
associated with injecting MA. Compared to non-IDU, IDU were
more likely to: be Caucasian; be homeless; have used MA for
a longer period and used more grams of MA in the last 30
days; have a history of felony conviction; and report a
recent STI. HIV and STI prevention interventions should be
tailored according to MA users’ method of administration.
|
Keywords—depression,
injection drug use, methamphetamine, motivations, polydrug,
sexually transmitted infections |
|
Sex
Differences in the Effects of Marijuana on Simulated Driving
Performance
— Beth M. Anderson, Ph.D.; Matthew Rizzo, M.D.; Robert I.
Block, Ph.D.; Godfrey D. Pearlson, M.D. & Daniel S. O’Leary,
Ph.D. |
Abstract—In
the United States, one in six teenagers has driven under the
influence of marijuana. Driving under the influence of
marijuana and alcohol is equally prevalent, despite the fact
that marijuana use is less common than alcohol use. Much of
the research examining the effects of marijuana on driving
performance was conducted in the 1970s and led to equivocal
findings. During that time, few studies included women and
driving simulators were rudimentary. Further, the potency of
marijuana commonly used recreationally has increased. This
study examined sex differences in the acute effects of
marijuana on driving performance using a realistic,
validated driving simulator. Eighty-five subjects (n = 50
males, 35 females) participated in this between-subjects,
double-blind, placebo controlled study. In addition to an
uneventful, baseline segment of driving, participants were
challenged with collision avoidance and distracted driving
scenarios. Under the influence of marijuana, participants
decreased their speed and failed to show expected practice
effects during a distracted drive. No differences were found
during the baseline driving segment or collision avoidance
scenarios. No differences attributable to sex were observed.
This study enhances the current literature by identifying
distracted driving and the integration of prior experience
as particularly problematic under the influence of
marijuana. |
Keywords—acute
effects, cannabis, cognition, driving, marijuana |
|
Gender Differences in Psychiatric Symptomatology in
Adolescents Attending a Community Drug and Alcohol Treatment
Program
—
Osamede Edokpolo, M.D.; Philip James, M.Sc; Caitriona
Kearns, B.Sc.; Ann Campbell, R.N. & Dr. Bobby P. Smyth, M.B.
M.R.C.Psych. |
Abstract—This study
examines mental health symptoms in a cohort of adolescents
with substance use disorder (SUD), and attempts to determine
if mental health symptoms differed by gender. We
retrospectively looked at the Beck’s Youth Inventory Second
Edition (BYI-II) scores of 88 clients attending a community
drug and alcohol treatment service in Dublin, Ireland that
were completed at intake as part of their assessment. The
raw and T-scores of the male patients were compared against
their female counterparts and both against their age- and
gender-matched normative population. Participants were 65
boys and 23 girls with a mean age of 16.2 years.
Polysubstance use was the norm. As a group, the girls had
higher T scores than the boys in all the domains of the BYI-II,
and these were statistically significant. Sixty (68%) of the
participants had a psychological problem which was moderate
or severe in at least one of the five domains. This study
found that SUD girls differ from their male counterparts in
having both more internalizing and externalizing psychiatric
problems. We also note that comorbid psychological problems
are not universal. Thus we should avoid a “one size fits
all” approach to treatment such as delivering universal
self-esteem enhancement interventions to all adolescents
with SUD. |
Keywords—adolescents,
Becks Youth Inventory-II, gender differences, substance use
disorder |
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The Association between Psychopathology and Substance Use in
Young People: A Review of the Literature
—
Amina Saban, M.A. & Alan J. Flisher, F.C.Psych.(S.A.), Ph.D. |
Abstract—This
article reviews the recent literature on the association
between psychopathology and substance use in young people.
An electronic literature search, using PSYCINFO/PSYCLIT and
PUBMED/MEDLINE, yielded 93 English-language articles for the
period 1990-2008. Of these articles, 89 (95.7%)
reported studies conducted in developed countries, 57
(61.3%) had community or population samples, 38 (40.9%) had
sample sizes ranging from 500 to 2000 subjects, and 33
(36.7%) had sample sizes of between 50 and 500. The most
commonly-used assessment tool (n = 29, 31.2%) was the
Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Evidence exists for
associations between depression and cigarette smoking,
between anxiety and cigarette smoking, and between anxiety
and alcohol use. The strength of the associations is
increased with greater frequency and quantity of substance
use, and is influenced by the nature of the psychopathology,
the specific substances of use, and demographic factors
such
as gender, age or developmental stage.
The need for more longitudinal studies on community
populations, and increased access to funds and resources for
researchers in developing countries is highlighted. |
Keywords—comorbidity,
psychopathology, substance use, young people |
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How
do Residents of Recovery Houses Experience Confrontation
between Entry and 12-Month Follow-Up?
— Douglas L. Polcin, Ed.D.; Gantt P. Galloway, Pharm.D.;
Jason Bond, Ph.D.; Rachael Korcha, M.A. & Thomas K.
Greenfield, Ph.D. |
Abstract—The
role of confrontation in recovery has been vigorously
debated. Proponents suggest confrontation can break down
denial and increase motivation. Critics point to counseling
studies showing confrontation harms the therapeutic alliance
and increases resistance. Frequently missing in these
debates is an operational definition of confrontation that
can be reliably measured. The Alcohol and Drug Confrontation
Scale (ADCS) is a new 72-item measure that defines
confrontation as “warnings about potential harm” that might
result from substance use (e.g., arrests, loss of job, loss
of relationships, etc.). Previous psychometric work
indicated the ADCS had acceptable reliability and validity
when administered to 323 individuals entering recovery
houses. Confrontation from different sources (e.g., family,
friends and professionals) was generally experienced as
supportive and helpful. The goals of the current study were
twofold: (1) to see if the psychometric properties of the
ADCS among the same sample were maintained at six and 12
month follow-up, and (2) to see if experiences and
perceptions of confrontation changed over time. Despite
minor variations in the factor structure between baseline
and follow-up, the ADCS generally maintained good
reliability and validity. At follow-up, the amount of
confrontation participants received declined, but it
continued to be generally experienced as supportive and
helpful. |
Keywords—confrontation,
recovery, residential treatment, social support |
|
Young
Adult Ecstasy Users Who Forego Necessary Medical Care: A
Fairly Common Occurrence with Important Health Implications
—
Kirk W. Elifson, Ph.D.; Hugh Klein, Ph.D. & Claire E. Sterk,
Ph.D. |
Abstract—This
study examine the practice of foregoing necessary medical
care in a population of young adult Ecstasy users. The
objectives are to (1) investigate how the failure to receive
needed medical care is related to drug-related outcomes, and
(2) identify factors that are associated with receiving
versus foregoing needed medical care. Face-to-face,
computer-assisted, structured interviews were conducted with
283 active young adult Ecstasy users in Atlanta, Georgia
between August 2002 and October 2007. Study participants
were recruited using a targeted sampling approach. Results
indicated that almost one-third of the young adult Ecstasy
users interviewed did not receive the medical care that they
needed during the preceding year. Foregoing such care was
associated with a variety of adverse drug-related outcomes,
including experiencing a greater number of negative effects
from using Ecstasy, experiencing a larger number of drug
dependency symptoms, a greater likelihood of ever having
binged on Ecstasy, and a greater likelihood of being
classified as a “high end” polydrug abuser. Several factors
were found to be associated with a greater tendency not to
receive the medical care they needed, including race (not
being African American), educational attainment (having
completed at least high school), self-identification as
belonging to the lowest socioeconomic status grouping, low
self-esteem, and having experienced sexual abuse during
one’s formative years. |
Keywords—drug
use, Ecstasy use, health care, medical care, young adults |
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Increasing Prenatal Care and Healthy Behaviors in Pregnant
Substance Users
—
Frankie Kropp, M.S.; Theresa Winhusen, Ph.D.; Daniel Lewis,
B.A.; Diane Hague, M.S.S.W. & Eugene Somoza, M.D., Ph.D. |
Abstract—Evidence
suggests that prenatal care, healthy behaviors such as
exercise and nutrition, and general stress level are
associated with fetal and maternal health but there is a
relative dearth of research on interventions to improve
these factors in pregnant substance users. Two hundred
pregnant substance users entering outpatient substance abuse
treatment were randomized to receive either three individual
sessions of Motivational Enhancement Therapy for pregnant
substance users (MET-PS) or the first three individual
sessions normally provided by the program. The present study
evaluated the relative efficacy of MET-PS, compared to
treatment as usual, on modifiable healthy behaviors and the
impact of treatment when the groups were pooled. The results
suggest that MET-PS was not more effective than treatment as
usual in improving modifiable healthy behaviors. When the
treatment groups were pooled, the results suggest that there
were significant increases in prenatal care utilization and
prenatal/multi-vitamin and water consumption, and a
significant decrease in stress. Limitations and
recommendations for further research are discussed. |
Keywords—healthy
behaviors, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, pregnant,
prenatal care, substance abuse |
|
SHORT
COMMUNICATIONS |
A
Pilot Study of Seeking Safety Therapy with OEF/OIF Veterans
—
Sonya B.
Norman, Ph.D.; Kendall C. Wilkins, Ph.D.; Susan F. Tapert,
Ph.D.; Ariel J. Lang, Ph.D. & Lisa M. Najavits, Ph.D. |
Abstract—PTSD
and substance use disorder (SUD) are highly prevalent among
veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan (Operation
Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom; OEF/OIF). Seeking
Safety (SS) is a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy for
co-occurring PTSD/SUD. This pilot study with fourteen male
OEF/OIF veterans suggests that SS may help to reduce alcohol
use, PTSD, and depression in some participants at clinically
significant levels, even when providing less than half of
the full model. We emphasize several SS features as
especially helpful: the case management component to help
engage clients in further mental health and SUD care,
offering PTSD as an entry point, and emphasis on community
resources. Issues particular to veterans include
reintegration to civilian life and supporting their
connection with other veterans. |
Keywords—OEF/OIF,
PTSD, psychotherapy, substance abuse |
|
Differential Substance Abuse Patterns Distribute According
To Gender In Heroin Addicts
—
Icro Maremmani, M.D.; Canoniero Stefania, M.D.; Matteo
Pacini, M.D. ; Angelo G.I. Maremmani, M.D.; Marina Carlini,
M.D.; Francesca Golia, M.D.; Joseph Deltito, M.D. & Liliana
Dell’Osso, M.D. |
Abstract—This
study attempts to analyse potential gender differences among
a group of heroin addicts seeking treatment at a
university-based medical centre. The central modality of
treatment at this centre is the use of methadone
maintenance. Among those patients entering this program
there seems to be an emerging pattern of males who tend to
use heroin as their opiate of choice, and are more likely to
combine it with cannabis, while females are more likely to
use to street methadone, with adjunctive use of ketamine,
benzodiazepines, hypnotic drugs and/or amphetamines. Women
are at higher risk of abusing opioids through a pathway of
initial prescription painkiller use, and later to resort to
street methadone to cope with prescription pain killer
addiction. This latter pattern seems to result in an
increased risk for fatal accidental overdoses. The use of
these longer-acting agents in women may be influenced by
psychosocial and hormonal factors. |
Keywords—gender
differences, heroin addiction, pain killers, polyabuse,
prescription |
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March 2010
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