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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.04.006 Byline: Jason P. Connor (a), Ross McD. Young (b), Bruce R. Lawford (c), John B. Saunders (d), Terry L. Ritchie (e), Ernest P. Noble (e) Keywords: DRD2 gene; Comorbidity; Alcohol and nicotine dependence Abstract: Cigarette smoking in those who are alcohol dependent is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The A1 allele of the D.sub.2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) gene has been independently associated with alcohol and nicotine dependence. Whether this polymorphism is associated with nicotine dependence in those who are also alcohol dependent has not been investigated. Subjects were 84 (61 males; 23 females) Caucasian DSM IV diagnosed nicotine- and alcohol-dependent subjects sampled from consecutive admissions to a hospital alcohol detoxification ward. Data were obtained through standardised measures of nicotine and alcohol consumption and dependence severity. A1.sup.+ allelic (A1/A1 or A1/A2 genotype) compared to A1.sup.- allelic (A2/A2 genotype only) patients were characterised by higher levels of alcohol and cigarette consumption. A1.sup.+ allelic patients reported greater alcohol dependence severity, but not nicotine dependence severity. When the combined nicotine and alcohol dose was examined, A1.sup.+ allelic patients consumed significantly more of these drugs than their A1.sup.- allelic counterparts. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane 4102, Australia (b) Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Carseldine, Brisbane 4034, Australia (c) Hospital Alcohol and Drug Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane 4029, Australia (d) Department of Psychiatry, The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane 4029, Australia (e) Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA

Objective: Dysphoria and depression have been cited as side effects of the opioid antagonist naltrexone. We aimed to assess whether depressive symptoms are a clinically relevant side effect in a [...]

A study involving 380 participants in five heroin detoxification trials whose data were pooled to enable direct comparison of five detoxification trials in the Australian National Evaluation of Pharmacotherapies for Opioid Dependence (NEPOD) project is detailed. The participants with more previous detoxification attempts were more likely to enter postdetoxification treatment.

Objective: The Temptation and Restraint Inventory (TRI) is commonly used to measure drinking restraint in relation to problem drinking behavior. However, as yet the TRI has not been validated in a clinical group with alcohol dependence. Method: Male (n = 111) and female (n = 57) inpatients with DSM-IV diagnosed alcohol dependence completed the TRI and measures of problem drinking severity, including the Alcohol Dependence Scale and the quantity, frequency and week total of alcohol consumed. Results: The factor structure of the TRI was replicated in the alcohol dependent sample. Cognitive Emotional Preoccupation (CEP), one of the two higher order factors of the TRI, demonstrated sound predictive power toward all dependence severity indices. The other higher order factor, Cognitive Behavioral Control (CBC), was related to frequency of drinking. There was limited support for the CEP/CBC interactional model of drinking restraint. Conclusions: Although the construct validity of the TRI was sound, the measure appears more useful in understanding the development, maintenance and severity of alcohol-related problems in nondependent drinkers. The TRI may show promise in detecting either continuous drinking or heavy episodic type dependent drinkers. (J. Stud. Alcohol 65: 250-254, 2004), DRINKING RESTRAINT has received considerable attention as a potential indicator of problem drinking behavior. Drinking restraint according to Collins (1993) involves a cognitive and behavioral preoccupation with alcohol, demonstrated by [...]

Objective: The potential of general practitioners (GPs) to reduce the prevalence of alcohol-related problems via alcohol intervention contrasts sharply with actual practice. One explanation for GPs' limited involvement in alcohol intervention is that they have had inadequate training or continuing medical education (CME) on alcohol-related issues. This study examined GPs' experience of alcohol-related CME and its possible relationship with attitudes and practice behavior regarding alcohol-related problems. Method: A questionnaire-based survey was returned by 2,139 GPs from 13 countries across Western and Eastern Europe, North America and Australasia. Diagnostic and management skills were assessed by responses to standardized case vignettes. Results: The survey response rate was 54%. Approximately one third of GPs (32%) reported receiving no alcohol-related CME, while 8% could not remember whether or not they had received any such training or education. Of the remaining GPs (n = 1,217), 23% reported less than 4 hours (low levels) and 37% reported 4 or more hours (high levels) of alcohol-related CME. GPs who reported higher levels of alcohol-related CME were more likely to obtain information about alcohol, were more prepared to counsel problem drinkers and managed more patients for alcohol issues than did colleagues reporting lower levels of CME. Those with greater CME experience were also more confident about their ability to alleviate alcohol-related problems and reported more appropriate management strategies than did GPs with less CME experience. Conclusions: Greater exposure to alcohol-related CME appears to result in better diagnosis and more appropriate management of alcohol-related problems by GPs. Whether this is directly due to the CME itself or because GPs with greater interest in alcohol issues seek out such experience cannot be ascertained from the current study and requires further investigation. (J. Stud. Alcohol 62:621-627, 2001), ********** EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION is a major cause of health and social problems and loss of economic productivity worldwide (Anderson et al., 1993). Indeed, alcohol-related problems have achieved international prominence [...]

Researchers in Australia conducted a study to measure change in attitudes among staff members working in public methadone programs after the program was changed from abstinence to harm-minimization. The study found that a statistically significant reduction in support for abstinence had occurred. However, no change in punishing illicit drug use or their knowledge of the risks and benefits were found.