Evaluation of a brief harm reduction intervention to reduce celebratory drinking among college students

Author(s):  
Christine Arazan ◽  
Michael T. Costelloe ◽  
Mark T. Willingham
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-206
Author(s):  
Jordan Parsons ◽  
Chelsea Cox

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possibility of using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV harm reduction intervention in prisons. PrEP is primarily discussed in relation to men who have sex with men (MSM), meaning other high-risk populations, such as prisoners, are often side-lined. The authors wanted to consider how it could prove beneficial beyond the MSM community. Design/methodology/approach First, the authors discuss whether the common objections to existing HIV harm reduction interventions in prisons, such as needle exchanges, are applicable to PrEP. The authors then apply common objections to the provision of PrEP in the general population to the provision of PrEP in a prison context in order to assess their strength. Finally, the authors discuss what the authors anticipate to be a key objection to PrEP in prisons: post-incarceration access. Findings The authors argue that both sets of common objections considered are easily refuted in the case of PrEP in prisons. The unique setting and nature of the intervention are such that it is without immediately apparent flaws. In addressing post-incarceration access, the authors suggest that a longitudinal consideration of a prisoner’s HIV risk undermines the objection. Originality/value This discussion is of importance due to the significantly heightened risk of HIV infection prisoners are subject to. Not only do effective HIV prevention interventions in prisons contribute to fair access to health for incarcerated individuals, but also to the wider fight against HIV. The authors demonstrate that PrEP has potential as a new approach and call for further research in this area.


Author(s):  
Joan Trujols Albet ◽  
Joan Guàrdia-Olmos ◽  
Ioseba Iraugui ◽  
José Pérez de los Cobos

 Resum. Els tractaments de manteniment amb metadona (TMM) són un autèntic tractament psicofarmacològic de la dependència d’heroïna i, a la vegada, un element indispensable de les polítiques i les intervencions de reducció de danys. L’efectivitat dels TMM ha estat avaluada, gairebé de manera exclusiva, mitjançant la utilització d’indicadors anomenats durs. Intentant anar més enllà d’aquest enfocament tradicional, hem portat a terme, durant els darrers 10 anys, diversos estudis emprírics i assaigs teòrics que s’emmarquen dins d’un objectiu global de generar coneixement al voltant de  –i amb– la perspectiva de la persona en TMM. En aquest article, resumim de manera selectiva les troballes més rellevants d’aquesta línia de recerca per discutir després algunes de les seves principals implicacions. Finalment, abordem alguns dels reptes  –i suggerim alguns dels canvis necessaris– per a una avaluació dels TMM realment centrada en el pacient.Summary. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is both a specific psychopharmacological treatment of heroin dependence and a core harm-reduction intervention. Over the last 10 years we have been working to break the mould of the traditional focus on the so-called hard indicators of MMT effectiveness, pursuing instead a line of research that makes room for the consideration of the perspectives of methadone-maintained patients, resulting in several empirical and theoretical papers. Firstly, this commentary briefly and selectively summarizes some key findings from five of these papers. It then discusses the main implications of these findings. Finally, it addresses some of the challenges involved in conducting a genuinely patient-centred evaluation of MMT, along with some of the changes that would be required to accomplish this.


2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 3-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hallie R. Jordan ◽  
Margo C. Villarosa-Hurlocker ◽  
Asia L. Ashley ◽  
Michael B. Madson

There is increasing evidence that mental health problems may attenuate the relationship between protective behavioral strategies (PBS) and alcohol outcomes. However, psychological distress may also affect these relationships. Further, it appears that different types of PBS have differential relationships with alcohol outcomes. The current study examined the degree to which psychological distress moderated the associations PBS subtypes had with hazardous drinking and alcohol-related negative consequences. Participants were 632 traditional-age undergraduate students ( M = 20.04, standard deviation = 1.48) who had consumed alcohol within the past 30 days and completed online self-report measures designed to assess PBS use, level of psychological distress, hazardous drinking patterns, and alcohol-related negative consequences. Serious harm reduction PBS were associated with less hazardous drinking and less alcohol-related negative consequences, and these associations were strengthened for those experiencing greater psychological distress. Controlled consumption PBS were associated with less hazardous drinking, but this association was not moderated by psychological distress. These findings highlight the potential benefit of teaching serious harm reduction PBS to college students experiencing elevated levels of psychological distress.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-177
Author(s):  
Marcus Day

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present evidence of the therapeutic value of cannabis as a harm reduction intervention with people who smoke crack cocaine. Design/methodology/approach A desk study of published peer-reviewed material supporting the use of cannabis as therapeutic in mitigating some of the harms associated with crack cocaine smoking. Findings The use of cannabis as a harm reduction strategy for crack cocaine use has been commented on in the scientific literature since the 1980s. The officially scheduling of cannabis as having no medicinal value hampered further study despite the reporting of positive findings and numerous calls for more research. Practical implications There are currently no approved pharmaceutical substitutions for crack cocaine. Cannabis has shown itself effective in mitigating harms for 30–40 per cent of people. Cannabis is inexpensive and readily available and should be allowed for those people who want to use it. Originality/value Poly drug use is often framed in a negative context. In this paper, the author shows that with cannabis and crack, the poly drug use is actually a valid harm reduction strategy.


2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam B. Butler ◽  
Desiree Spencer ◽  
Kama Dodge

There is little empirical evidence linking academic demands or rigor to alcohol consumption by college students. In a 3-week daily study of fulltime college students at a public, residential campus in the United States, both current day and next day's academic demands were negatively related to alcohol consumption, and these relationships were mediated by daily academic effort. Academic demands on the previous day were not related to alcohol consumption, indicating that students do not engage in compensatory or celebratory drinking when demands end. The results suggest that enhancing academic expectations and rigor may be an appropriate intervention target to reduce student drinking.


2010 ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
Ursula Whiteside ◽  
Jessica M. Cronce ◽  
Eric R. Pedersen ◽  
Mary E. Larimer

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