Psychophysiological and Psychosocial Profile of Patients Attending Drug Addiction Centers

Drug treatment centres provide the highest level of rehab services for patients diagnosed with drug addictions. Most inpatient drug rehab programs focus on medical detox and mental health interventions. However, how to optimize the later remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to examine the psychophysiological and psychosocial profile of patients attending drug addiction centres in comparation with the general population. A total of 105 inpatient drug rehab patients and 50 participants from the general population were compared based on standardized psychophysiological and psychosocial measures. Results of this study suggest that patients attending drug addiction centers differ from general population in several different psychophysiological and psychosocial factors. Patients reported significantly lower levels of physical activity and increased sympathetic responsiveness, and significantly higher levels in loneliness, psychologically inflexibility and neuroticism. The results of this study highlight the importance of address healthy lifestyle behaviors such as sport practice and psychological variables such as loneliness, psychological (in)flexibility and neuroticism to improve current programs aim to prevent or reduce problematic drug consumptions.

Danish Drug Policy: Between Repression and Harm Reduction

The development of drug policy in Denmark has moved from a relatively liberal position to a stricter policy. The 2020s is marked by both criminalization and harm reduction and the development can be characterized as following a dual track where people with a problematic drug use are being cared for.

A qualitative study investigating the association between social exclusion, stigma and long term problem drug use in a New Zealand town

<p>Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between problematic drug use (PDU) and social exclusion and stigma in a deindustrialised New Zealand town (DNZT). The purpose of this research is to capture the perceptions; experiences and life course journey of individuals with long term problematic drug use (IPDUs) and contribute new knowledge and understanding of this lived experience. Method: A review of national and international literature related to the phenomena of social exclusion, stigmatisation and problematic drug use was conducted to theoretically inform the study. The small-scale study employed a qualitative approach that involved a non-probability sample that met the criteria for long-term problematic drug use. This allowed respondents to share their perceptions and experiences of social exclusion, stigma and PDU in their own words and by their own frames of reference. The researcher occupied a position of insider. Following transcription of the interviews a six stage thematic analysis was conducted on the data. Findings: The downward social and psychological trajectory of this respondent group began before the respondents encountered long-term unemployment and before the onset of problematic drug use, initiated at an early age by common experiences of trauma, exclusion and damaged home environments. For this cohort it appears problematic drug use may have become a coping mechanism or relief from the reverberating impact of stigma, exclusion and marginalisation. Conclusion: The cohort interviewed show significant experiences of stigma, trauma and a disrupted life journey. These experiences became considerably exacerbated by problematic drug use and it appears most of the respondents have internalised and embraced a permanent status as ‘addicts’ with limited expectation of change. Respondents spoke of being ‘parked’ on methadone in respect of their drug problem and excluded from employment. This research suggests there is a need to look beyond the presented problem of addiction and its apparent solution of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and explore a more holistic strength-based approach that addresses issues of inequality, social care and discrimination.</p>

A qualitative study investigating the association between social exclusion, stigma and long term problem drug use in a New Zealand town

<p>Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between problematic drug use (PDU) and social exclusion and stigma in a deindustrialised New Zealand town (DNZT). The purpose of this research is to capture the perceptions; experiences and life course journey of individuals with long term problematic drug use (IPDUs) and contribute new knowledge and understanding of this lived experience. Method: A review of national and international literature related to the phenomena of social exclusion, stigmatisation and problematic drug use was conducted to theoretically inform the study. The small-scale study employed a qualitative approach that involved a non-probability sample that met the criteria for long-term problematic drug use. This allowed respondents to share their perceptions and experiences of social exclusion, stigma and PDU in their own words and by their own frames of reference. The researcher occupied a position of insider. Following transcription of the interviews a six stage thematic analysis was conducted on the data. Findings: The downward social and psychological trajectory of this respondent group began before the respondents encountered long-term unemployment and before the onset of problematic drug use, initiated at an early age by common experiences of trauma, exclusion and damaged home environments. For this cohort it appears problematic drug use may have become a coping mechanism or relief from the reverberating impact of stigma, exclusion and marginalisation. Conclusion: The cohort interviewed show significant experiences of stigma, trauma and a disrupted life journey. These experiences became considerably exacerbated by problematic drug use and it appears most of the respondents have internalised and embraced a permanent status as ‘addicts’ with limited expectation of change. Respondents spoke of being ‘parked’ on methadone in respect of their drug problem and excluded from employment. This research suggests there is a need to look beyond the presented problem of addiction and its apparent solution of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and explore a more holistic strength-based approach that addresses issues of inequality, social care and discrimination.</p>

Problematic Drug Use Among Outpatients With Schizophrenia and Related Psychoses

Background: Problematic drug use is common among psychiatric patients and is linked with poorer course and outcomes of illness. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of problematic drug use, and to explore its sociodemographic correlates and associations with health behaviors and outcomes among outpatients with schizophrenia and related psychoses in Singapore.Methods: Data from 397 individuals who were aged 21–65 years and were seeking treatment for schizophrenia and related psychoses in the outpatient clinics of a tertiary psychiatric hospital were analyzed. The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) was used to assess problematic drug use. Information on sociodemographics, smoking status, alcohol use, symptoms severity and quality of life were collected. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to explore correlates and associations of problematic drug use.Results: The prevalence of problematic drug use was 5.8% (n = 23) in the sample, and 10.6% (n = 42) of the participants reported having problematic drug use and/or problematic alcohol use. More males than females reported having problematic drug use (p = 0.021), and also problematic drug and/or alcohol use (p = 0.004). Significant associations were observed between problematic drug use and smokers with nicotine dependence, and with physical health domain of quality of life. Individuals with greater symptom severity were approximately twice as likely to have problematic drug use and/or alcohol use.Conclusion: While the prevalence of problematic drug use in this sample population is relatively lower compared to other countries, there is a considerable number who might be at risk. Routine screening and close monitoring of drug use is recommended as part of psychiatric assessment, particularly among males and patients with nicotine dependence.

Improving Curcumin Bioavailability: Current Strategies and Future Perspectives

Curcumin possesses a plethora of interesting pharmacological effects. Unfortunately, it is also characterized by problematic drug delivery and scarce bioavailability, representing the main problem related to the use of this compound. Poor absorption, fast metabolism, and rapid systemic clearance are the most important factors contributing to low curcumin levels in plasma and tissues. Accordingly, to overcome these issues, numerous strategies have been proposed and are investigated in this article. Due to advances in the drug delivery field, we describe here the most promising strategies for increasing curcumin bioavailability, including the use of adjuvant, complexed/encapsulated curcumin, specific curcumin formulations, and curcumin nanoparticles. We analyze current strategies, already available in the market, and the most advanced technologies that can offer a future perspective for effective curcumin formulations. We focus the attention on the effectiveness of curcumin-based formulations in clinical trials, providing a comprehensive summary. Clinical trial results, employing various delivery methods for curcumin, showed that improved bioavailability corresponds to increased therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, advances in the field of nanoparticles hold great promise for developing curcumin-based complexes as effective therapeutic agents. Summarizing, suitable delivery methods for this polyphenol will ensure the possibility of using curcumin-derived formulations in clinical practice as preventive and disease-modifying therapeutics.

Rewarding Subjective Effects of the NMDAR Antagonist Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) Are Moderated by Impulsivity and Depressive Symptoms in Healthy Volunteers

Background Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an anesthetic gas with both therapeutic and abuse potential. Because N2O is an NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, its effects are expected to resemble those of the prototypical NMDAR antagonist, ketamine. In this study, we examined the subjective rewarding effects of N2O using measures previously employed in studies of ketamine. We also tested for moderation of these effects by bipolar phenotype, depressive symptoms, and impulsivity. Methods Healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to either 50% N2O (n = 40) or medical air (n = 40). Self-reported rewarding (liking and wanting), and alcohol-like effects were assessed pre-, peri- and post inhalation. Results Effect sizes for the various rewarding/alcohol-like effects of N2O were generally similar to those reported in studies of moderate-dose ketamine. Impulsivity moderated the subjective reinforcing (liking) effects of inhaled gas, while depressive symptoms moderated motivational (wanting [more]) effects. However, depression and impulsivity had opposite directional influences, such that higher impulsivity was associated with higher N2O liking, and higher depression, with lower N2O wanting. Conclusion To the extent that static (versus longitudinal) subjective rewarding effects are a reliable indicator of future problematic drug use, our findings suggests that impulsivity and depression may predispose and protect, respectively, against N2O abuse. Future studies should examine if these moderators are relevant for other NMDAR antagonists, including ketamine, and novel ketamine-like therapeutic and recreational drugs. Similarities between moderate-dose N2O and moderate-dose ketamine in the intensity of certain subjective effects suggest that N2O may, at least to some extent, serve as substitute for ketamine as a safe and easily implemented experimental tool for probing reward-related NMDAR function and dysfunction in humans.