The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse
-
Substance use is overrepresented in dental clinics that provide affordable care and dental clinics provide potential access to opioid analgesics. Research is needed to better understand prescription opioid misuse in this population. ⋯ Within this sample from a dental clinic, nonmedical use of prescription pain medications was more common than in the general population. This suggests that dental clinics may be an appropriate setting for provider education and patient-based intervention strategies to reduce nonmedical use of pain medications.
-
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse · Jul 2014
Higher frequency of C.3435 of the ABCB1 gene in patients with tramadol dependence disorder.
Polymorphic variation at the ABCB1 gene has been shown to affect the pharmacodynamics and kinetics of various drugs. ⋯ The high frequency of ABCB1 gene T allele present at the polymorphic site 3435 could provide a protective mechanism from tramadol dependence disorder. Further study, using a larger sample, would be useful in further evaluating the possible role of ABCB1 gene polymorphisms.
-
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse · Jul 2014
Policy designs for cannabis legalization: starting with the eight Ps.
The cannabis policy landscape is changing rapidly. In November 2012 voters in Colorado and Washington State passed ballot initiatives to remove the prohibition on the commercial production, distribution, and possession of cannabis. ⋯ Indeed, whether or not cannabis legalization is net positive or negative for public health and public safety largely depends on regulatory decisions and how they are implemented. This essay presents eight of these design choices which all conveniently begin with the letter "P": production, profit motive, promotion, prevention, potency, purity, price, and permanency.
-
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse · May 2014
Stigma predicts residential treatment length for substance use disorder.
Stigma has been suggested as a possible contributor to the high rates of treatment attrition in substance-dependent individuals, but no published empirical studies have examined this association. ⋯ These results are consistent with other findings suggesting that people with higher self-stigma may have a lowered sense of self-efficacy and heightened fear of being stigmatized and therefore retreat into more protected settings such as residential treatment, potentially resulting in higher treatment costs. Specialized clinical interventions may be necessary to help participants cope with reduced self-efficacy and fear of being stigmatized.
-
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse · Mar 2014
Outcomes for older trauma patients in the emergency department screening positive for alcohol, cocaine, or marijuana use.
Substance use among older adults is an increasing concern, with the prevalence of substance use in older populations expected to double in the next decade. Drug and alcohol use is associated with trauma risk and outcomes, but little is known about the specific risk for older trauma patients. ⋯ Among older trauma patients, this study shows significant associations with multiple trauma outcomes, including one between elevated ethanol concentrations and improved outcomes. Future research into the causes of these findings could inform the care of older trauma patients and aid in prevention of injuries.