Early treatment time course of depressive symptoms in opiate addicts

Article Abstract:

Opiate addicts have been found to have a high rate of psychiatric symptoms in addition to their addiction. They have been diagnosed frequently with antisocial personality disorders, alcoholism, and major depression, with depression being found in about half of the subjects studied. Little is known, however, about the causes and courses of the psychiatric disorders and how to treat them in light of the addiction. In a methadone maintenance program, 58 clients who stayed with the program for at least four weeks were studied. In addition to supplying demographic information, clients were asked to fill out the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess depressive symptoms on the day of admission and weekly thereafter, in addition to the standard evaluations such as urine tests that are performed on all clients in the program. It was found that depressive symptoms decreased significantly from the first administration of the BDI (at admission) to the second administration one week later. Scores from the second administration were consistent with scores on subsequent administrations. In view of the change in scores from week one to week two, and the consistency in scores from weeks two through four, it is recommended that assessment of depression be done at least one week after admission to a methadone maintenance program to ensure an accurate measurement of the client's psychiatric status. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Cases, Diagnosis, Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Drug abuse treatment, Drug addicts, Drug abusers

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A hierarchical model of opiate addiction: failures of self-regulation as a central aspect of substance abuse

Article Abstract:

Previous research on opiate addiction is examined in light of a hierarchical model of psychological self-organization. The hierarchical model describes five modes of psychological and psychobiological functioning. Previous research and theories of opiate addiction are classified according to which modes they emphasize. Failure of self-regulation is defined as a specific vulnerability in the first three modes of the hierarchy. A test was administered to opiate addicts in order to test the predictive and explanatory power of the hierarchical model. Addicts were indeed found to have greater problems with self-regulation than normal people. The implications for severity of illness, psychotherapy techniques, and future research are discussed in terms of this new hierarchical model.

Analysis, Compulsive behavior

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Alcohol and substance abuse among schizophrenic patients presenting to an emergency psychiatric service

Article Abstract:

Drug and alcohol abuse were assessed in 53 schizophrenic patients who came to the attention of an emergency psychiatric service. Forty-seven percent of the patients were lifelong alcohol abusers. There was a strong correlation between alcohol abuse and abuse of other drugs. After alcohol, marijuana was the most commonly abused drug. It is possible that the apparent connection between substance abuse and schizophrenia is simply due to larger numbers of substance-abusing schizophrenics seeking emergency psychiatric attention.

Case studies, Drug use, Schizophrenia, Alcoholics, Schizophrenics

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