Validity Issues in Using the Millon-II with Substance Abusers

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Russell Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Substance Abusers ◽  
Neuropsychological Functioning ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Motor Functioning ◽  
Personality Functioning ◽  
Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
History Of ◽  
Or History

This study addressed the use of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (Millon-II) in assessing 73 substance abusers. The influence of neuropsychological functioning on personality functioning is discussed and evaluated. Reported history of substance abuse did not significantly relate to measures of neuropsychological or personality functioning. Of the sample, 16.9% produced invalid Millon-II scores; invalidity was not significantly related to demographic characteristics or history of substance abuse. Millon-II profile validity was related to verbal and perceptual-motor functioning. Some neuropsychological variables significantly predicted Millon-II scale scores but with little consistency.

Delayed recognition memory span in HIV-1 infection

1995 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 575-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen M. Martin ◽  
David L. Pitrak ◽  
Kenneth J. Pursell ◽  
Kathleen M. Mullane ◽  
Richard M. Novak
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Substance Abusers ◽  
Memory Span ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Basal Ganglia Disease ◽  
History Of ◽  
Delayed Recognition ◽  
Hiv Seropositive

AbstractWe administered a spatial version of the Delayed Recognition Span Test (DRST), a working memory task performed abnormally by patients with basal ganglia disease, to a group of 96 HIV-seropositive and 83 seronegative subjects with a high prevalence of substance abuse. For comparison purposes, we also administered the Symbol-Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and the Trail Making Test (TMT), measures which detect HIV-related mental slowing efficiently in gay men but are nonspecifically impaired in subjects with a history of substance abuse. As predicted, scores on the TMT and the SDMT did not discriminate the groups, but HIV-seropositive subjects had significantly shorter spatial spans (p < .007) and DRST total scores (p < .005). These effects could not be attributed to differences in age, education, estimated intelligence, or psychological distress, because the groups were well matched on these variables. The DRST is a promising measure of HIV-related cognitive dysfunction in substance abusers, who are often nonspecifically impaired on psychomotor tasks. These preliminary data also indicate that working memory function should be studied further in HIV-seropositive subjects. (JINS, 1995, 1, 575–580.)

scholarly journals The SISAP: A New Screening Instrument for Identifying Potential Opioid Abusers in the Management of Chronic Nonmalignant Pain Within General Medical Practice

1996 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert B Coambs ◽  
Josée L Jarry ◽  
Anusha C Santhiapillai ◽  
Rixi V Abrahamsohn ◽  
Cristina M Atance
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Substance Abusers ◽  
Opioid Analgesics ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Screening Instrument ◽  
Prior History ◽  
History Of

BACKGROUND:Many physicians are overly cautious about prescribing opioids for chronic pain because of fears of iatrogenic addiction. However, in patients with chronic pain, addiction to opioid analgesics is exceedingly rare when there is no prior history of alcohol or drug abuse.OBJECTIVE:To validate an instrument that separates possible opioid abusers from those who are at low risk.DESIGN/METHODS:The Screening Instrument for Substance Abuse Potential (SISAP) was designed to identify individuals with a possible substance abuse history quickly and accurately. It is based on the National Alcohol and Drug Use Survey (n=9915). Using the first half of the sample (n=4967), two previously validated alcohol use items were combined with three illicit drug use items. These five questions identified those with a history of alcohol and/or illicit drug use.RESULTS:Using the second half of the sample (n=4948), the validation procedure showed that the five combined items correctly classified 91% of substance abusers and had a low rate of false negatives.DISCUSSION:The SISAP is brief and resistant to misrepresentation or falsification. The SISAP is expected to improve pain management by facilitating focus on the appropriate use of opioid analgesics and therapeutic outcomes in the majority of patients who are not at risk of opioid abuse, while carefully monitoring those who may be at greater risk.

scholarly journals Neuropsychological Functioning in Prisoners with and Without Self-Injurious Behaviors

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 1103-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret S. Andover ◽  
Heather T. Schatten ◽  
Donna M. Crossman ◽  
Peter J. Donovick
Keyword(s):  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Neuropsychological Functioning ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Motor Functioning ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
History Of ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Male Prisoners

Neuropsychological functioning has not yet been investigated among prisoners who engage in self-injurious behaviors, specifically attempted suicide and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). The purpose of this study was to investigate neuropsychological functioning in prisoners with and without histories of NSSI and attempted suicide. The sample consisted of 173 male prisoners referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Of participants, 56% reported a history of self-injury. Performance on the neuropsychological domains of intelligence, memory, attention, motor functioning, and executive functioning was assessed. No group differences were found among those with NSSI, with NSSI and suicide attempts, and with no history of deliberate self-harm, although functioning was poor in all domains. Implications of the high prevalence of self-injury in this prison sample, as well as implications of impaired functioning on the treatment of self-injurious behaviors, are discussed.

scholarly journals Is it possible to change the psychopathic traits of substance abusers treated in faith-based therapeutic communities - does the length of treatment matter?

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 869-874
Author(s):  
Vojislava Bugarski-Ignjatovic ◽  
Vanja Vajagic ◽  
Zeljka Nikolasevic
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Antisocial Behavior ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Substance Abusers ◽  
Psychopathic Traits ◽  
Therapeutic Communities ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
History Of ◽  
One Year

Background/Aim. Faith-based therapeutic communities (FBTCs) have been increasingly employed as a modality in the treatment of substance abuse. Their program influences behavioral, psychological, cognitive and social changes among their beneficiaries. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the duration of treatment in a FBTC may contribute to changes in the traits that make the four Hare?s psychopathy dimensions ? Antisocial behavior, Lifestyle, Interpersonal relationships, and Psychopathic affect. Another aim was to assess whether abusers on treatment in a FBTC have more pronounced psychopathic traits compared with subjects with no history of substance abuse. Methods. The study included 59 male subjects, of an average age of 29 years, and of different educational levels, who were divided into three groups: substance abusers who had spent one year in the FBTC; substance abusers who had successfully completed a two-year program in the FBTC; and healthy controls with no history of substance abuse. The Psychopathy Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ) was employed to assess the four Hare?s dimensions of psychopathy. Results. There were statistically significant differences among the groups on the Antisocial Behavior dimension. For this dimension, there were differences among nonabusers and both groups of substance abusers, with nonabusers achieving the lowest average scores. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups of substance abusers in any of the studied dimensions. Conclusion. The longer, two-year treatment in the FBTC did not contribute to changes of the psychopathic traits more than the one-year treatment. In addition, subjects with history of substance abuse undergoing treatment in the FBTC had more pronounced psychopathic traits compared with non-abusers.

Comparison of Millon Personality Profiles of Chronic Residential Substance Abusers and a General Outpatient Population

1992 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond J. Yeager ◽  
Peter John Resweber ◽  
Raymond DiGiuseppe ◽  
Russell Leaf
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Substance Abusers ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Personality Profiles ◽  
Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory ◽  
Alcohol And Drug Abuse

Several theories and studies have suggested that particular personality disorders or psychiatric symptoms should be associated with substance abuse. The current study was done to clarify these relationships by comparing scale profiles on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory obtained by 144 inpatient residentially treated substance-abuse clients and 1000 general clinical outpatient clients in psychotherapy. A surprisingly large number of significant differences were noted. Substance-abuse clients displayed relative elevations on scales for Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Hypomania, Antisocialism, Narcissism, Schizoidism, Paranoia, Psychotic Thinking, and Psychotic Delusions. General clinical outpatients showed relative elevations on Anxiety, Somatoform, Dysthymia, Borderline, and Compulsive scales. Some possible meanings of these findings were explored and suggestions for research given.

scholarly journals Predicting frequency of suicide attempts of adolescent outpatients at Weskoppies Hospital using clinical and demographic characteristics

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Fine ◽  
H C Alison ◽  
D Van der Westhuizen ◽  
C Krüger
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Alcohol Abuse ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Adolescent Suicide ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Antisocial Behaviour ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
History Of

<p>The prevention of suicide, particularly adolescent suicide, remains one of the biggest challenges in psychiatry.</p><p><strong>Objectives. </strong>To ascertain: (i) clinical and demographic characteristics; and (ii) possible associations between these characteristics and suicide attempt frequency in a selected patient group at Weskoppies Hospital over 4 months.</p><p><strong>Methods.</strong> Fifty adolescent outpatients aged between 13 and 17 years with a history of one or more suicide attempts were interviewed to obtain demographic and clinical features. Chi square and Fisher’s exact tests assessed associations between these features and suicide attempt frequency. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results.</strong> Of the subjects, 79% were aged between 15 and 17 years; they were predominantly female (62%) and Caucasian (83%). Mainstream and special education schools were equally represented. Three-quarters had reached grades 8 - 10, and 14% lived with both biological parents, 33% in places of safety and 37% with one divorced parent. The minority of caregivers had a history of alcohol abuse and other substance use. Twenty-nine per cent of the subjects had attempted suicide on more than 10 occasions and 23% had made a single attempt. The most common methods were wounding (74%), tablet overdose (34%) and hanging (20%). Psychiatric diagnoses included major depressive disorder (64%), bipolar disorder (38%), alcohol abuse (18%) and other substance abuse (24%). Familial features included depression, substance abuse, antisocial behaviour and suicide. Familial suicidal behaviour included suicide attempts by parents (85%), siblings (36%), aunts and uncles (31%) and cousins (44%). Physical and sexual abuse was reported in 52% of families. Conclusion. Many findings and profiles of other studies were confirmed and point to school and home environments, family psychopathology and psychiatric diagnoses as factors associated with adolescent suicide attempts. Associations between the frequency of suicide attempts and the demographic and clinical characteristics were statistically inconclusive.</p>

Substance abuse is associated with a higher risk of suicide

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 21-21
Author(s):  
D. de la Vega Sánchez ◽  
P. Artieda Urrutia ◽  
J. Gómez Arnau ◽  
M.R. Gómez Soler ◽  
A. Regidor Bonafont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Drug Overdose ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Substance Abusers ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
List Type ◽  
Related Disorder ◽  
Suicidal Attempts ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
History Of

IntroductionSuicide is a major and preventable public health problem. Risk factors may vary with age, gender, or ethnic group, being substance abuse one of the most frequent.ObjectivesTo investigate the relation of substance related disorder and suicide attempt.MethodsReview of the suicidal attempts of patients with personal history of substance related disorder attended during the year 2010.ResultsWe identified 85 cases.Alcohol (64″3%) and cocaine (47″7%) were the two most identified substances. Cannabis (17″2%) and heroin (23″06%) were less consumed. Benzodiacepines abuse was very frequent among the patients attended (38″2%).Previous attempts were found in 43″8% of the patients.Drug overdose was the most commonly method used (98″4%), especially with benzodiacepines and antidepressants, but non psychiatric drugs were also frequent. Substance overdosage or intoxication was the second most frequent method used (23%), and poisoning the third (9%). Most of times these methods were presented with concomitant drug overdose.Defenestration threats were very rare (2″34%), and always associated with hospitalization request by the patient.We did find significant differences when studying triggers (family, partnership, economical or others) compared with non substance abusers suicidal attempts.Conclusions- Chronic substance misuse and acute substance abuse is associated with a higher risk of suicide, what may be explained by the disinhibiting effects of psychoactive substances.- As benzodiazepine misuse is associated with suicide, special care must be taken when prescribing to at risk patients such as substance abusers

scholarly journals Drink, Drugs and Disability: An Introduction to the Controversy

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 9-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon R. Hunt ◽  
Jim Baumohl
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Federal Government ◽  
Drug Addiction ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Substance Abusers ◽  
Supplemental Security Income ◽  
Medical Assistance ◽  
History Of ◽  
Legal Barriers

This paper reviews the history of the drug addiction and alcoholism (DA&A) program within Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the controversies that dogged the years before its termination in 1996. The DA&A program began in 1972, and for reasons understood early on, it was susceptible to rapid growth and discrediting scandal. Through the mid-1980s, the program remained very small, mainly because of a conservative judicial climate that limited the grounds for claiming substance abuse as a disabling impairment. Once the legal barriers were breached, SSI became an attractive welfare alternative for impoverished substance abusers and for local governments seeking to shift welfare and medical assistance costs to the federal government. By the early 1990s, program growth was extraordinary, and oversight bodies deemed the program “out of control.” This was compounded by highly publicized misuse of funds by beneficiaries. Seen as an instance of state-induced harm, the program became an early target of the conservative welfare reformers who took control of Congress after the 1994 elections.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document