Substance Abuse

"This case illustrates the need to conduct a complete medication history, including substance abuse and dietary supplements, in elderly patients. Consultant pharmacists with knowledge of alcohol and substance abuse and the influence of this abuse on a patient's drug regimen can make improved quality-of-life recommendations for appropriate dosage adjustments as needed." (Abstract freely available; full text requires a subscription))

Considers potential effect on patients from treaters with substance abuse issues and how these effects might be mitigated. (Abstract freely available; full text requires purchase or a subscription.)

"tests the specific hypothesis that the 9R/9R genotype in the VNTR of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) exerts a general protective effect against a spectrum of risky behaviors in comparison to the 10R/9R and 10R/10R genotypes, drawing on three-time repeated measures of risky behaviors in adolescence and young adulthood on about 822 non-Hispanic white males from the Add Health study .... demonstrates how legal/social contexts can enhance or reduce a genetic effect on risky behaviors"

The August 2010 issue of AFP features a special section on street drugs, including considerations of treatment in primary health care and mental health issues.

From the abstract: "This article reviews the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndromes in the intensive care unit as well as the literature on the optimal pharmacologic strategies for treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndromes in the critically ill."

"The authors examined admissions of persons 55 years and older (n = 918,955) from the Treatment Episode Data Set (1998-2006). Total admissions with a primary drug problem with alcohol have remained relatively stable over this time. Admissions for problems with a primary drug other than alcohol have shown a steady and substantial increase. "

A textbook published in 2010 by six English authors, many affiliated with the National Health Service (NHS). Summary is freely available; other chapters require subscription or purchase. Topics include CBT techniques, theories of addiction, working with emotions, motivating change, etc.

A project at George Mason University just released its final report (September 2010). Web page also features appendices and a literature review.

Laura Simon-Sulzer discusses her research on addiction in the miiitary and how efforts to alleviate problems have met with bureaucratic resistance.

Data from treatment admissions recorded in 2007 show a higher rate of American Indian males admitted

A report from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Bill Wilson's original manuscript for the "Big Book," Alcoholics Anonymous basic text, will be released next week. The original shows more intense religious language which was objected to and edited by many of the original AA members.

News story focuses on a freshman seeking transfer to a "wellness dormitory" to escape excessive drinking by her peers. Other colleges' attempts to curb student binge drinking and suggest alternatives profiled, a disturbing report of 7 UConn students being transported to a hospital over a weekend, and organizations such as Choose Responsibility are included in the profile.

The 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's survey on drug use shows a substantial increase in the use of illegal drugs for the time period,.