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The purpose of this project was to identify the relationships between various fitness parameters such as upper body muscular endurance, upper and lower body strength, flexibility, body composition and performance on an ability test (AT) that included simulated firefighting tasks. A second intent was to create a regression model that would predict firefighter performance on the test. Thirty-eight experienced firefighters performed the AT and underwent assessments for the fitness parameters. Multiple regression analyses indicated that variation in the fitness parameters explained a significant, F(6, 36) = 6.31, p less than 0.001, proportion (55%) of the variation observed in the AT. The results demonstrated that upper muscular strength and endurance as well as low body composition were significantly related (p less than 0.01) to better performances on the simulated firefighting tasks. Variables such as low back and hamstring flexibility, upper and lower body strength, and body composition may contribute significantly to the model's predictive power. (Contains 7 tables.)

Retention in outpatient drug-free treatment is poor, with many clients terminating prior to receiving therapeutic benefit. This randomized clinical trial compared the impact on retention and drug use of an individual role induction session conducted at intake with the standard group orientation offered at the clinic. Results of interim analyses indicated that participants assigned to role induction (n = 180) were retained for more days, more likely to attend at least one postorientation session, and more satisfied with the treatment program than were those assigned to standard treatment (n = 87). Preliminary results suggest that role induction is a brief technique that shows promise for retaining clients through the critical first 3 months of treatment.

The high cost of incarceration and a genera/confidence in the effectiveness of drug abuse treatment have led many states to adopt community-based drug abuse treatment as part of, or as an alternative to, incarceration. Community re-entry and aftercare have therefore received increasing attention from both practitioners and researchers. This article examines possibilities for encouraging change in both adult and juvenile justice treatment. Four issues are highlighted: (1) relapse and aftercare, (2) co-occurring disorder, (3) juvenile justice programming, and (4) womenis treatment. The success of U. S. drug treatment policy depends on a capacity to resolve these and related issues.

This study examined whether Motivational Interviewing (MI), found effective with voluntary entrants to drug treatment, would improve intrinsic motivation and treatment retention among drug court probationers. Probationers were randomly assigned to receive either a two-session MI intervention or a two-session Drug Education (DE) intervention preceding drug-free outpatient counseling. Participants who received MI (n = 72) did not differ from participants who received DE (n = 68) nor from participants who did not attend either MI or DE sessions (n = 56) on changes in motivation during the first month of treatment or in treatment retention. Baseline motivation was inversely related to time in treatment; however, motivation after one month of treatment, and change in motivation from baseline to one month, were independently and positively related to treatment retention. KEYWORDS drug-free outpatient treatment, motivation, motivational interviewing, treatment retention

Byline: Nenad Sarapa, MD (Daiichi Sankyo Pharma Development, Edison, New Jersey, nsarapa@prdus.jnj.com); Justin L. Mortara, PhD (Mortara Instrument, Milwaukee, Wisconsin); Barry D. Brown (Mortara Instrument, Milwaukee, Wisconsin); Lamberto Isola, MS [...]

This article explores the epidemiology of co-occurring disorders (CODs) with an emphasis on the implications of study findings for the functioning and potential of substance abuse treatment. Severity of disorder is discussed as an issue that may have particular significance for the selection of specialized as opposed to traditional substance abuse treatment forms. Exploration is made, as well, of the resources currently available to substance abuse treatment, especially the human resources available, and the implications of resource availability for undertaking initiatives specific to COD. Findings from standard and enhanced treatment for comorbid individuals are examined in an effort to clarify areas of need for specialized and typical treatment personnel. Issues are raised for consideration by the clinical research and treatment provider communities in terms of assessment and diagnosis, manpower and training, and response to the challenge of relapse in this population. Keywords: Epidemiology; Co-occurring disorder; Manpower and training; Substance abuse treatment; Aftercare

This study examined correlates of high (HCA) and low (LCA) cognitive ability among substance dependent individuals who participated in an ongoing study of early engagement strategies. Participants (55% male; 98% African American), were administered the ASI, Shipley Institute of Living Scale, Beck Hopelessness scale, and TCU Motivation Scales at intake. Analyses were limited to 416 participants whose IQs fell within the upper and lower thirds of the sample. HCA participants reported more prior treatment episodes and longer durations of voluntary abstinence than LCA participants. There were no differences in retention, although HCA participants expressed significantly greater motivation and hopefulness at intake than LCA participants. Results indicate that clients with higher cognitive ability may present with a greater capacity to engage in treatment than individuals with lower cognitive ability. Keywords: Cognitive ability, motivation, engagement, cognitive behavioral therapy, outpatient treatment, INTRODUCTION Poor psychological functioning may negatively impact treatment engagement and outcomes of treatment-seeking substance dependent individuals. One aspect of psychological functioning among substance dependent clients, that of cooccurring mental health [...]

A measure assessing client views of the community supports available to them was developed and tested with entrants to outpatient drug free treatment. Items for a Community Assessment Inventory (CAI) fell into four areas of potential social support for treatment entry and engagement: (1) partner and/or family with whom living; (2) family living outside the home; (3) friends; and (4) the community itself. Based on 241 study participants, it was found that internal consistency alphas for the four scales ranged between .79 and .88. Both total CAI score and individual scales assessing support from friends and from partner/spouse were found capable of predicting treatment readiness as assessed using the TCU Motivation Scale. Evidence of construct validity was suggested by differences in CAI total score between participants reporting and not repotting involvement in discussions with others regarding crime and regarding drugs. Findings are also provided regarding leisure time activities and social relations of treatment entrants. Keywords: Community supports; Treatment engagement; Treatment entry; Motivation; Leisure activities

A series of low-angle radar measurements were conducted over a large wave pool capable of producing a wide range of scaled sea conditions. The X-band (8-12 GHz) measurements were performed for 1[degrees], 3[degrees], and 5[degrees] look down angles (LDAs) for the HH and VV polarizations. The roughened water simulated a one-dimensional 1/10th-scale Pierson-Moskowitz surface at sea states 0, 3, and 5. The wave profiles were detailed using both ultrasonic point detectors and a laser sheeting technique capable of measuring a cross section of the sea. The compiled data represent the first forward-scattering measurement 1) preformed under a variety of controlled conditions for low grazing angles and 2) with detail profiling of the wave structure syncronized with the radar. Presented are the experimental setup with calibration methodology, measurement conditions, and selected radio-frequency forward-scattering (HH polarization) results for the 5[degrees] LDA for sea state 0, 3, and 5 sea conditions. Index Terms--Electromagnetic scattering by rough surfaces, sea surface electromagnetic scattering.

Patient attributions for their own long-term recovery were obtained in a 5-year followup of 432 admissions to 18 outpatient methadone treatment programs. Subjects were classified into two groups--recovering and non-recovering--strictly defined and based on both biological and self-report measures of no opioid or cocaine use, less than daily use of alcohol, and no arrests or illegal activity during the year prior to interview. The 28% who were in recovery at Year 5 reported that they had relied primarily upon personal motivation, treatment experiences, religion/spirituality, family, and their job/career. Particular value was placed on the support from family and close friends, indicating the importance of stronger efforts to develop social networks for support of drug-free functioning, especially among patients who lack these resources of need them strengthened. More information is available on the Internet at www.ibr.tcu.edu. Keywords: Recovery; Opioids; Addiction; Methadone treatment; Treatment outcomes