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Zusammenfassung Einleitung Die Alkoholabhängigkeit ist eine chronisch-rezidivierende Abhängigkeitserkrankung. Für verschiedene Behandlungsformen konnte eine positive Wirksamkeit auf den Verlauf der Erkrankung nachgewiesen werden. Die subjektive Sicht der Patienten auf ihre Erkrankung und die angebotenen Behandlungen ist bislang noch wenig untersucht. Methoden 30 Patienten mit einer Alkoholabhängigkeitserkrankung (n = 20 Psychiatrische Klinik, n = 10 Suchtberatung) wurden gefragt, wie sie in der Vergangenheit mit dem Alkoholproblem umgegangen sind. Die Interviews wurden aufgezeichnet, transkribiert und anhand aktueller qualitativer Auswertungsmethoden analysiert. Ergebnisse Die Aussagen der Patienten konnten drei Kategorien zugeordnet werden. Die Alkoholabstinenz, die Suchtbehandlungen und das soziale Umfeld wurden mehrheitlich positiv beschrieben. Allerdings zeigten die meisten Patienten sowohl positive als auch negative Aussagen in diesen Bereichen. Diskussion Die gegensätzlichen Aussagen zeigen ein Spannungsfeld auf, das die Ambivalenz der alkoholabhängigen Patienten in relevanten Bereichen demonstriert. Diese Ambivalenz kann wichtig für die Therapie und den Verlauf der Erkrankung sein.

Background/Aims: Opioid dependence is a severe disease which is associated with a high risk of relapse, even in cases of successful withdrawal therapy. Studies have shown alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in opioid-dependent patients, such as decreased testosterone serum levels in affected males. Sex hormones and the steroid 5-alpha-reductase 2 (SRD5A2) V89L polymorphism are associated with craving during alcohol withdrawal, but little is known about their impact on symptomatology of opioid dependence. Methods: In this study, we analyzed 2 independent male cohorts of opioid-dependent patients for possible alterations in testosterone serum levels compared to non-opioid-dependent controls. In one of the cohorts, we additionally investigated associations of testosterone serum levels and 3 SRD5A2 polymorphisms with symptoms of opioid dependence, measured by the Heroin Craving Questionnaire (HCQ). Results: In the patient groups, we found significantly decreased testosterone serum levels compared to the control groups. Furthermore, we found significant associations of both the testosterone serum levels and the SRD5A2 V89L polymorphism with opioid craving assessed by the HCQ. Conclusion: Our data show a possible role of testosterone metabolism in opioid dependence, which may be relevant for the establishment of future treatment strategies.

Background and AimsSexual dysfunctions (SDs) show a marked impact on a person’s general wellbeing. Several risk-factors like physical and mental illnesses as well as alcohol and tobacco use have to date been identified to contribute to the occurrence of SDs. The impact of opioid-agonist treatment (OAT) on SDs remains unclear, with some studies demonstrating an improvement after methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) initiation. However, no studies on the prevalence and predictors of SDs in heroin-assisted treatment (HAT) exist to date.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with patients from a MMT center (n = 57) and a center specializing in HAT (n = 47). A control group of patients with mild transient illnesses (n = 67) was recruited from a general practitioner (GP). The International Index of Erectile Function, the Female Sexual Function Index, as well as measurements for psychological distress, depressive state, nicotine dependence, and high-risk alcohol use were employed. Patients also completed a self-designed questionnaire on help-seeking behavior regarding sexual health. Mann-Whitney-U tests and chi-square tests were performed for group comparisons and binary logistic regression models were calculated.ResultsTwenty-five percent of the GP sample (n = 17), 70.2% (n = 40) of the MMT sample, and 57.4% (n = 27) of the HAT sample suffered from SDs at the time of study conduction. OAT patients differed significantly from GP patients in depressive state, high-risk alcohol use, nicotine dependence, and psychological distress. Age, depressive state, and opioid dependence predicted the occurrence of SDs in the total sample. No differences between OAT and GP patients were found regarding help-seeking behavior.DiscussionAge, depressive state, and opioid dependence predicted the occurrence of SDs in the total sample. It remains unclear whether SDs are caused by opioid intake itself or result from other substance-use related lifestyle factors, that were not controlled for in this study. A lack of help-seeking behavior was observed in our sample, underlining the importance of clinicians proactively inquiring about the sexual health of their patients.ConclusionThe high prevalence of SDs observed in MMT does not differ from the prevalence in HAT. Clinicians should actively inquire about their patients’ sexual health in GP and OAT centers alike.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund In Europa gab es in den letzten 15 Jahren mehrere Schädlichkeits-Vergleiche bezüglich der Einnahme von psychotropen Substanzen durch Suchtexperten. Eine einzige Einschätzung liegt bezüglich des potenziellen Nutzens vor. Non-Opioiderge Analgetika (NOA), wie Gabapentinoide und NSARs, die zunehmend Gegenstand von Missbrauchsberichten sind, wurden bei solchen Rankings bisher nicht berücksichtigt. Ebenso existiert bisher keine multisubstanzbezogene Einschätzung darüber, ob sich die Beurteilung der Schädlichkeit einer illegalen Rauschdroge nach Änderung des Rechtsstatus in Deutschland ebenfalls ändern könnte. Studienziel und Methodik Anhand eines Fragebogens wurden 33 psychoaktive Substanzen inklusive Analgetika im Hinblick auf ihre gesundheitliche und soziale Schädlichkeit sowie potenzielle Nützlichkeit für den Konsumenten und deren Umgebung / Gesellschaft („andere“) von 101 erfahrenen Suchtmedizinern (Kohorte 1) bewertet. Zudem untersuchte diese Kohorte, ob sich die Schädlichkeitsbeurteilung einer illegalen Substanz bei eventueller Legalisierung ändert. Um die durchschnittliche Gesamtschädlichkeit (Gesamtrisiko) einer Substanz zu erhalten, wurde in einer zweiten Erhebung (Kohorte 2, 36 erfahrene Suchtmediziner) die prozentuale Beteiligung einer jeden Dimension an der Gesamtschädlichkeit bestimmt. Schließlich wurden die durchschnittliche Nutzen- und Gesamtrisikoeinschätzungen aufeinander bezogen. Ergebnisse Verordnungsfähigen psychoaktiven Substanzen wie Analgetika, NOAs (inklusive Gabapentinoiden) und opioidergen Substitutionsmitteln wurde ein günstiges Nutzen-Schadens-Profil attestiert. Jeweils im Mittelfeld der Schädlichkeits- wie der Nützlichkeitsbeurteilung befanden sich Cannabis und Ketamin. Alkohol und Nikotin wurden wie die meisten illegalen Rauschdrogen unter den schädlichen und am wenigsten nützlichen psychoaktiven Substanzen eingeordnet, wobei Alkohol durchschnittlich schädlicher, aber auch nützlicher als Nikotin beurteilt wurde. Bei potenzieller Legalisierung wurde die Gesamtschädlichkeit der traditionellen illegalen Drogen Metamphetamin, Kokain, Heroin und Cannabis als signifikant vermindert beurteilt. Dies beruhte hauptsächlich auf unter diesen virtuellen Bedingungen günstigerer Beurteilung der Schäden für andere. Schlussfolgerung Verordnungsfähigen Substanzen inklusive opioidergen und nicht-opioidergen Analgetika sowie opioidergen Substitutionsmitteln wurde ein günstiges Nutzen-Schadens-Profil zugordnet. Ein diesbezüglich ungünstiges Profil erhielten Alkohol, Nikotin sowie traditionelle Drogen, mit Ausnahme von Cannabis und Ketamin. Die Gesamtschädlichkeit traditioneller Drogen würde sich mit virtueller genereller Legalisierung verringern, hauptsächlich durch Abnahme der Schäden für andere.

We present the case of a 35-year-old woman in heroin-assisted treatment (HAT) expressing the wish for the transition to oral opioid agonist treatment. After failed attempts to change to oral diacetylmorphine and slow-release oral morphine, respectively, she was induced on overlapping buprenorphine (BUP) treatment with the Bernese method. Gradual dose increases to BUP 48 mg per day did not result in attenuation of subjective effects of IV diacetylmorphine (DAM) 190 mg. Instead, the patient showed increased sedation. BUP was then reduced to 32 mg per day. After the gradual reduction of IV DAM, she reinitiated illicit substance use. IV DAM was again raised to an effective dose leading to stabilization and reduction of illicit substance use. BUP was subsequently reduced to 8 mg per day. This combination was continued as the patient felt comfortable and reported less early morning withdrawal than with exclusive DAM treatment. We discuss possible underlying mechanisms and explanations as well as clinical implications.

Obwohl der chronische Konsum einzelner Substanzen wie z.B. Alkohol und Sedativa, sowie zunehmend auch Opioide, im Alter ein grosses Problem mit erheblichen Folgeschäden für die Betroffenen darstellt, ist den entsprechenden Störungsbildern bisher wenig Beachtung geschenkt worden. Die vorliegenden Empfehlungen sind unter der Federführung der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Alterspsychiatrie- und Psychotherapie (SGAP) in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Schweizer Berufsverband für Pflegefachpersonal (SBK) und der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Suchtmedizin (SSAM) entstanden, mit dem Ziel, den aktuellen Stand des Wissens über die Abhängigkeitserkrankungen im Alter sowie über die Möglichkeiten der Diagnostik und Therapie zusammenzufassen und den interprofessionellen, klinischen Teams zur Verfügung zu stellen. Sie sollen helfen, die Prävention und Frühdiagnostik zu stärken, und stellen bewusst die Psychotherapie und pflegerischen Interventionsmöglichkeiten in den Vordergrund., Although the chronic consumption of alcohol and sedatives, and increasingly opioids, represents a major problem in old age with consequential damage for those affected, little attention has been paid to the substance abuse disorders in old age. The aim of the present recommendations, a collaboration work of the Swiss Society for Geriatric Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (SGAP), Swiss Nurses Association (SBK) and Swiss Society of Addiction Medicine (SSAM), is to summarize the current state of knowledge in prevention, diagnostics and therapy of substance abuse disorders in old age for an interprofessional clinical team. They are intended to help strengthen prevention and early diagnosis, and consciously emphasize psychotherapy and nursing intervention options., La consommation chronique à l’âge avancé de substances comme l’alcool et les sédativfs, et plus récemment d’opioïdes, représente un important problème avec des conséquences à court et à long terme. Malgré cela, peu d’attention a été accordée aux troubles associés à la consommation de ces produits. Les présentes recommandations ont été formulées par la Société Suisse de Psychiatrie et Psychothérapie de la Personne Agée (SPPA) en collaboration avec l’Association suisse des infirmières et infirmiers (ASI) et la Société Suisse de Médedine de l’Addicition (SSMA). Elles ont comme objectif de mettre à la disposition des intervenants des connaissances au sujet des troubles addictifs à l’âge avancé et les options préventives, diagnostiques et thérapeutiques. Elles sont sensées renforcer la prévention et le dépistage précoce et mettent en avant les interventions psychothérapeutiques et les soins.

Background and Aims: While a number of studies have reported on individuals who exercise excessively, and feel unable to stop despite negative consequences, there is still insufficient evidence to categorize exercise as an addictive disorder. The aim of this meta-review is to summarize the published articles and to compile a list of symptoms reported in the qualitative literature in conjunction with excessive exercise. This list is compared with the DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder, and initial diagnostic criteria for exercise addiction are suggested.Methods: The databases MEDLINE, Web of Science and PsycInfo were searched for qualitative studies or case reports, in which excessive exercise was the main focus. All symptoms reported in conjunction with excessive exercise were extracted from each study and documented. Symptoms were also compared to the diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder.Results: Seventeen studies were included in the review, yielding 56 distinct symptoms. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool showed that the majority of the studies were of acceptable quality. Exercise-related symptoms corresponded with seven of the nine DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder. The ten suggested criteria for exercise addiction are: increasing volume, negative affect, inability to reduce, preoccupation, exercise as coping, continuation despite illness/injury, minimization, jeopardized relationships, continuation despite recognizing consequences, guilt when exercise is missed.Discussion: Our results suggest that excessive exercise may constitute a behavioral addiction, based on the criteria of the DSM-5.Conclusions: Subsequent studies should aim to systematically classify symptoms of excessive exercise; in addition, it should be noted that basic questionnaires may be need to be supplemented with detailed clinical examinations.

Background: Over the past 15 years, comparative assessments of psychoactive substance harms to both users and others have been compiled by addiction experts. None of these rankings however have included synthetic cannabinoids or non-opioid prescription analgesics (NOAs, e.g., gabapentinoids) despite evidence of increasing recreational use. We present here an updated assessment by German addiction medicine experts, considering changing Western consumption trends–including those of NOAs.Methods: In an initial survey, 101 German addiction medicine physicians evaluated both physical and psychosocial harms (in 5 dimensions) of 33 psychoactive substances including opioids and NOAs, to both users and others. In a second survey, 36 addiction medicine physicians estimated the relative weight of each health and social harm dimension to determine the overall harm rank of an individual substance. We compared our ranking with the most recent European assessment from 2014.Results: Illicit drugs such as methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and also alcohol were judged particularly harmful, and new psychoactive drugs (cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids) were ranked among the most harmful substances. Cannabis was ranked in the midrange, on par with benzodiazepines and ketamine—somewhat more favorable compared to the last European survey. Prescribed drugs including opioids (in contrast to the USA, Canada, and Australia) were judged less harmful. NOAs were at the bottom end of the ranking.Conclusion: In Germany, alcohol and illicit drugs (including new psychoactive substances) continue to rank among the most harmful addictive substances in contrast to prescribed agents including opioid analgesics and NOAs. Current laws are incongruent with these harm rankings. This study is the first of its kind to include comparative harm rankings of several novel abused substances, both licit/prescribed and illicit.

Clinical research has demonstrated the efficacy of injectable opioid treatment for long-term, treatment-refractory opioid-dependent patients. It has been hypothesized that compulsive drug use is particularly associated with neuroplasticity changes in the networks corresponding to withdrawal/negative affect and preoccupation/anticipation rather than binge/intoxication. However, as yet, no study has investigated the effect of long-term opioid treatment on key regions within these networks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess brain volumes changes during long-term (approximately 9 years) injectable opioid agonist treatment with diacetylmorphine (DAM) in 22 patients with opioid use disorder. Voxel-based morphometry was applied to detect volumetric changes within the networks of binge/intoxication (ventral/dorsal striatum, globus pallidus and thalamus), withdrawal/negative affect (amygdala and ventral striatum) and preoccupation/anticipation (hippocampus, orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex). The relationships between significant volume changes and features of opioid use disorder were tested using Pearson correlation. Long-term opioid agonist treatment was associated with the enlargement of the right caudate nucleus, which was related to the duration of opioid use disorder. In contrast, reduced volume in the right amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex and orbitofrontal cortex were found that were related to opioid dose, onset of opioid consumption and state anxiety. These findings suggest that long-term opioid agonist treatment is related to structural changes in key brain regions underlying binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect and preoccupation/anticipation, suggesting sustained interaction between these systems.

Zusammenfassung. In der medizinischen Grundversorgung werden sexuelle Funktionsstörungen meistens nur ungenügend erfasst. Gleichzeitig sind diese Störungen relativ verbreitet und bleiben auch häufig unbehandelt. Diese Studie untersuchte die sexuellen Funktionsstörungen und deren Beeinflussung durch den Lebensstil bei Patienten einer Hausarztpraxis (HP). Methodik: Eine Stichprobe von Patienten einer HP wurde mittels validierter Fragebogen zu ihrer Sexualität, ihrer psychosozialen Situation und ihrem Lebensstil befragt. Resultate: Die Stichprobe umfasste 30 Frauen und 37 Männer. Von ihnen haben ca. zwei Drittel noch nie mit einem Arzt über ihr Sexualleben gesprochen und mehr als vier Fünftel wurden auch noch nie von ärztlicher Seite darauf angesprochen. Bei 75 % der Stichprobe fanden sich keine Hinweise auf sexuelle Funktionsstörungen. Männer mit auf sexuelle Funktionsstörungen hinweisenden Fragebogenwerten wiesen eine signifikant höhere psychische Belastung auf als jene mit unauffälligen Werten. Schlussfolgerung: Trotz einer unauffälligen Anamnese bezüglich Risikofaktoren von sexuellen Funktionsstörungen fanden sich in der untersuchten Stichprobe bei rund einem Viertel Hinweise für sexuelle Funktionsstörungen. Eine unauffällige Anamnese in den Bereichen Alkohol-/Tabakkonsum und Depressivität macht eine gezielte Befragung nach sexuellen Funktionsstörungen nicht überflüssig. Speziell bei Männern sollte eine akute psychische Belastung ein ausreichender Anlass sein, das Thema Sexualität anzusprechen und bei Bedarf zu vertiefen.

Aims: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant comorbidity in substance use disorders (SUDs). While most studies have addressed trauma/PTSD in abstinent patients, little is known about trauma/PTSD in early detoxification treatment. The current study therefore addresses the systematic evaluation of trauma/PTSD in early inpatient detoxification. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was accomplished in three German-speaking clinics (n = 134) specialized in inpatient detoxification and motivation treatment. All measures are based on self-report using trauma-specific questionnaires and measures for general psychopathological burden. Results: Participation rate was 60.1% and patients did not show clinically obvious psychological distress during or after assessment. DSM-IV traumatic events were reported by 66.4%. Of the total sample, 38.1% screened positive for PTSD, and 14.9% screened positive for subsyndromal PTSD. PTSD patients reported significantly more childhood adversities and significantly higher scores in depression and ­general psychopathology compared to subsyndromal PTSD and SUD-only patients. Conclusions: Early and systematic evaluation of PTSD in SUD inpatient detoxification treatment is largely safe and yields important information for individual treatment. The high PTSD-rate and the high symptom load in SUD patients during inpatient detoxification treatment highlight the need for a more stringent address of trauma/PTSD in early SUD treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Exposure to traumatic events is common among patients with substance use disorders (SUD). In patients with non-substance-related disorders, especially with gambling disorders (GD) and internet addiction (IA), traumatic childhood experiences have not been investigated extensively. The objective of this study was to compare trauma histories in patients with GD and IA to patients with heroin dependence. METHODS Cross-sectional surveys including the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) and clinical data among 107 participants; 59 patients with non-substance-related disorders (GD [n = 39]; IA [n = 20]) were compared to 28 patients prescribed injectable heroin for opioid dependence in heroin-assisted treatment (HAT) and to a healthy control group (HC) (n = 20). RESULTS The findings revealed a high prevalence of trauma exposure in all three clinical groups, with 74.4% of patients with GD, 80.0% of patients with IA, and 93.0% of patients in HAT compared to 40% in HC. All three groups (GD, IA, HAT) reported significantly higher levels of "emotional neglect" compared to HC. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE The results provide clinically relevant information suggesting that the burden of childhood traumatic experiences may be as common in patients with GD and IA as in patients with heroin dependence. These findings could pose an important starting-point for treatment. (Am J Addict 2017;26:215-220).

Open doors in psychiatry have been a subject of controversy in recent years. While some studies postulate the clinical necessity of closed doors, others challenge the theoretical advantages of this setting, mention numerous drawbacks of closed wards, and focus on the advantages of open-door settings. With regard to patients diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUD), other standards may apply. Very little research has been done on this topic. Some studies adopted a consumer perspective (i.e. asking involved parties about their experience of the door status). To the authors' knowledge, no study has so far addressed the ideal setting for the treatment of SUD. With our data from the opening of a specialized SUD ward, we take one step to closing this knowledge gap. Applying a qualitative design, we asked patients and health care professionals (HCP) to report changes following the opening of the ward. The results are mainly in line with the literature on the general psychiatric population. The newly introduced open-door setting was mostly perceived as positive, but some disadvantages were mentioned (e.g. less protection of patients, less control over who enters/leaves the ward, the theoretically increased risk of patients absconding). Moreover, HCP (but not patients) mentioned potentially increased substance use on the ward as an additional disadvantage that could arise. Opening a previously closed ward was generally perceived as a positive and progressive decision. These findings support the trend towards an overall open-door policy in psychiatry.

Background: Online or internet gaming disorder (IGD) is currently not recognized as a mental disorder in the actual Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), although it is an emerging disease. Non-substance-related addictions often have similarities with substance addictions. It is therefore important to have a good understanding of the client but also to have a good endurance. Due to the rise of e-sports, there is an anticipated and therefore possible trend to have many more patients with a non-substance addiction. There are many parallels, for instance tolerance, withdrawal and social problems, resulting from an increasing investment of time spent on the internet. Case presentation: To reduce possible inhibition in treating a patient with IGD, we present a case of a 19-year-old adolescent man who exhibited IGD and showed social problems associated with his addiction. Conclusions: This paper shows the importance and the effects of treating a non-substance addiction with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). After having successfully coped with an addiction, several shifts in addiction were often reported. In this case, no shifts were reported. The absence of such shifts makes our case a distinct and unique case. This is not a multimorbidity case, and that is the reason why we think this is an excellent example to show what we achieved, how we achieved it, and what we could establish. Of course, additional research and manuals are urgently needed.

Sexual Dysfunction in Primary Health Care Abstract. In primary health care, sexual dysfunctions are usually only insufficiently recorded. At the same time, these disorders are relatively common and often remain untreated. This study investigated sexual dysfunction and how it is influenced by lifestyle in patients in a general practitioner's practice (HP).A sample of HP patients was asked about their sexuality, psychosocial situation and lifestyle, using validated questionnaires.The sample consisted of 30 women and 37 men. Of these, about two thirds have never spoken to a physician about their sex life and more than four fifths have never been asked about it by a phyisican. In 75 % of the sample there was no evidence of sexual dysfunction. Men with questionnaire values indicating sexual dysfunction showed significantly higher psychological stress than those with inconspicuous values.Despite an inconspicuous anamnesis regarding risk factors of sexual dysfunction, about a quarter of the sample found evidence of sexual dysfunction. An inconspicuous anamnesis in the areas of alcohol/tobacco consumption and depression does not make a targeted questioning about sexual dysfunction superfluous. Particularly for men, acute psychological stress should be a sufficient reason to address the topic of sexuality and to deepen it if necessary.Zusammenfassung. In der medizinischen Grundversorgung werden sexuelle Funktionsstörungen meistens nur ungenügend erfasst. Gleichzeitig sind diese Störungen relativ verbreitet und bleiben auch häufig unbehandelt. Diese Studie untersuchte die sexuellen Funktionsstörungen und deren Beeinflussung durch den Lebensstil bei Patienten einer Hausarztpraxis (HP). Methodik: Eine Stichprobe von Patienten einer HP wurde mittels validierter Fragebogen zu ihrer Sexualität, ihrer psychosozialen Situation und ihrem Lebensstil befragt. Resultate: Die Stichprobe umfasste 30 Frauen und 37 Männer. Von ihnen haben ca. zwei Drittel noch nie mit einem Arzt über ihr Sexualleben gesprochen und mehr als vier Fünftel wurden auch noch nie von ärztlicher Seite darauf angesprochen. Bei 75 % der Stichprobe fanden sich keine Hinweise auf sexuelle Funktionsstörungen. Männer mit auf sexuelle Funktionsstörungen hinweisenden Fragebogenwerten wiesen eine signifikant höhere psychische Belastung auf als jene mit unauffälligen Werten. Schlussfolgerung: Trotz einer unauffälligen Anamnese bezüglich Risikofaktoren von sexuellen Funktionsstörungen fanden sich in der untersuchten Stichprobe bei rund einem Viertel Hinweise für sexuelle Funktionsstörungen. Eine unauffällige Anamnese in den Bereichen Alkohol-/Tabakkonsum und Depressivität macht eine gezielte Befragung nach sexuellen Funktionsstörungen nicht überflüssig. Speziell bei Männern sollte eine akute psychische Belastung ein ausreichender Anlass sein, das Thema Sexualität anzusprechen und bei Bedarf zu vertiefen.

Zusammenfassung Ziel: Die Alkoholabhängigkeit ist eine schwere psychische Erkrankung. Trotz evidenzbasierter Therapien nehmen nur wenige Patienten eine suchtspezifische Behandlung in Anspruch. Über die subjektive Seite der Alkoholabhängigkeit ist wenig bekannt. Methoden: 30 alkoholabhängige Menschen wurden in einem explorativen, qualitativ-induktiven Studiendesign gefragt, wie sie ihre Erkrankung erleben und wie sie sich eine gute Behandlung vorstellen. Ergebnisse: Die Antworten konnten auf einem Kontinuum zwischen den Idealtypen „Struktur“ und „Freiraum“ eingeteilt werden. Neben konkreten Wünschen an eine Therapie wurden allgemeine Haltungs- und Beziehungsaspekte genannt. Schlussfolgerung: Die Befragten äußerten sich divergent hinsichtlich des Umgangs mit der Erkrankung und ihrer Bedürfnisse an die Behandlung. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Bedeutung einer individualisierten Therapie der Alkoholabhängigkeit. Klinische Relevanz: Vertieftes Verständnis für Patienten, die entweder „Struktur“ oder „Freiraum“ brauchen, könnte vermehrt zu einer bedarfsorientierten Behandlung der Alkoholabhängigkeit führen und die Zufriedenheit mit der Behandlung sowie deren Erfolge verbessern.

It is unclear whether post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and reports of traumatic childhood experiences decline during substance withdrawal. A convenience sample of 34 inpatients of the Psychiatric University Clinics in Basel was recruited and general psychopathological and trauma-related symptoms were assessed with the Brief Symptom Checklist, Post-Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire in the 1st and 3rd week of substance use treatment. The average age of the sample was 41.9 (SD = 9.1) years, and 26.5% were female. Hyperarousal (Mt1 = 4.51 versus Mt2 = 3.61; z = -2.38, p = .017) and avoidance symptoms (Mt1 = 6.24 versus Mt2 = 4.27; z = -2.59, p = .010) declined significantly, but re-experiencing symptoms (Mt1 = 4.00 versus Mt2 = 3.45; z = -.50, p = .617) did not. Post-traumatic stress disorder assessment, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-4th edition criteria, remained constant for 28 of 34 patients. Likewise, self-reported childhood trauma experiences decreased, yet the number of elevated subscale scores remained stable. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms are not adequately treated by substance withdrawal alone. Trauma-specific diagnostics can be initiated with sufficient quality as early as the first week of withdrawal treatment.

Aims: The present study examined the association between pre-treatment drinking and smoking parameters and plasma testosterone levels before and after alcohol withdrawal. Methods: A total of 51 alcohol-dependent men and 43 age-matched healthy men were investigated. In alcoholics, free testosterone in plasma was measured on the day of admission, after detoxification and after 6 weeks of sobriety. Results: While the testosterone level of alcoholic men did not differ from healthy controls at the onset of withdrawal, it was significantly higher for the alcoholics after 6 weeks of sobriety than for the healthy controls. Higher alcohol consumption and higher tobacco use before detoxification led to higher levels of testosterone concentration before and after withdrawal. Conclusions: The effect of alcohol and tobacco is cumulative, with higher levels of alcohol and tobacco consumption being associated with higher levels of testosterone before and after alcohol withdrawal.

Aims: Alcohol dependent patients in withdrawal display a wide spectrum of neurological and neuropsychological symptoms that complicate diagnosis. We report the case of a 53-year-old male alcoholic with disorientation, ataxia and nystagmus in alcohol withdrawal probably due not to initial supposed Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) but rather due to multiple cerebral metastases of a non-small cell cancer of the lung. Results: The findings illustrate the importance of initially maintaining a tentative attitude toward causation of symptoms and the role of brain imaging in formulating an accurate diagnosis. ( Received 27 February 2006; first review notified 9 March 2006; in revised form 15 June 2006; accepted 15 June 2006)

Background Cocaine has become one of the drugs of most concern in Switzerland, being associated with a wide range of medical, psychiatric and social problems. Available treatment options for cocaine dependence are rare. The study sought to compare combined prize-based contingency management (prizeCM) plus cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to CBT alone in cocaine-dependent patients. Methods Sixty cocaine-dependent patients participated in a randomized, controlled trial with two treatment conditions. The participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG; n = 29), who received CBT combined with prizeCM, or to the control group (CG; n = 31), who received CBT only during 24 weeks. The primary outcome measures were retention, at least 3 consecutive weeks of cocaine abstinence, the maximum number of consecutive weeks of abstinence and proportions of cocaine-free urine samples during the entire 24-week and at 6-month follow-up. Results Sixty-three percent of the participants completed the study protocol. Participants in both groups significantly reduced cocaine use over time. Overall, no difference in cocaine-free urine screens was found across the two treatment groups, except at weeks 8, 9, 10, 17 and 21 in favor of the EG. Conclusions The addition of prizeCM to CBT seems to enhance treatment effects, especially in the early treatment period, supporting results from previous studies. Both the combined intervention and CBT alone, led to significant reductions in cocaine use during treatment and these effects were sustained at 6-month follow-up. These findings underline the importance in implementing CM and CBT interventions as treatment options for cocaine dependence in the European context.

The compulsion to seek and use heroin is frequently driven by stress and craving during drug-cue exposure. Although previous neuroimaging studies have indicated that craving is mediated by increased prefrontal cortex activity, it remains unknown how heroin administration modulates the prefrontal cortex response. This study examines the acute effects of heroin on brain function in heroin-maintained patients. Using a crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 27 heroin-maintained patients performed functional magnetic resonance imaging 20 minutes after the administration of heroin or placebo (saline) while drug-related and neutral stimuli were presented. Images were processed and analysed with statistical parametric mapping. Plasma concentrations of heroin and its main metabolites were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Region of interest analyses showed a drug-related cue-associated blood-oxygen-level-dependent activation in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in heroin-dependent patients during both treatment conditions (heroin and placebo). This activation of the OFC was significantly higher after heroin than after placebo administration. These findings may indicate the importance of OFC activity for impulse control and decision-making after regular heroin administration and may emphasize the benefit of the heroin-assisted treatment in heroin dependence.

Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, SwitzerlandBackground: Euphoria has been described in heroin‐dependentindividuals after heroin administration. However, affective distur-bances and disorders are common in heroin dependence. The presentstudy examined the acute effects of heroin on emotions in heroin‐dependent patients.Methods: This randomized controlled crossover trial included 28heroin‐dependent patients (67.9% male, n ¼ 19) in stable heroin‐assisted treatment and 20 healthy controls. The patients wereadministered heroin or saline (placebo), the controls were adminis-tered saline. Data measuring mood, affects and heroin craving (BDI,AMRS, STAI, STAXI, and HCQ) were assessed before and60 minutes after substance injection.Results: Before substance injection, heroin‐dependent patientsshowed significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression thanhealthycontrols(p < .0001).Heroinadministration—butnotplaceboadministration—was associated with a significant decrease in allnegative emotions, including craving, and a significant increase inemotional well‐being (p < .0001), irrespective of perceived intoxi-cation and sedation. After the experiment, the patients did not differfromhealthycontrolsintheiremotions,oncetheyhadreceivedheroin.Conclusions: Heroin dampens craving, negative emotions, andincreases positive emotions. These findings indicate that heroinregulates emotions and underscore the clinical benefit of opioidsubstitution treatment for heroin‐dependent patients. (Am J Addict2013;XX:1–7)

Exposure to traumatic events is common among patients with substance use disorders (SUD). In patients with non-substance-related disorders, especially with gambling disorders (GD) and internet addiction (IA), traumatic childhood experiences have not been investigated extensively. The objective of this study was to compare trauma histories in patients with GD and IA to patients with heroin dependence.Cross-sectional surveys including the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) and clinical data among 107 participants; 59 patients with non-substance-related disorders (GD [n = 39]; IA [n = 20]) were compared to 28 patients prescribed injectable heroin for opioid dependence in heroin-assisted treatment (HAT) and to a healthy control group (HC) (n = 20).The findings revealed a high prevalence of trauma exposure in all three clinical groups, with 74.4% of patients with GD, 80.0% of patients with IA, and 93.0% of patients in HAT compared to 40% in HC. All three groups (GD, IA, HAT) reported significantly higher levels of "emotional neglect" compared to HC.The results provide clinically relevant information suggesting that the burden of childhood traumatic experiences may be as common in patients with GD and IA as in patients with heroin dependence. These findings could pose an important starting-point for treatment. (Am J Addict 2017;26:215-220).

Objective: Substance use treatment is often performed inside locked wards. We investigate the effects of adopting a policy of open-door treatment for a substance use treatment and dual diagnosis ward. Methods: This is a prospective open-label study investigating 3-month study periods before opening (P1), immediately after (P2), and 1 year after the first period (P3). Data on committed patients, coercion (seclusion, forced medication, absconding events with subsequent police search), violence, and substance use was collected daily. We applied generalised estimating equation models. Results: The mean daily number of patients with ongoing commitment changed from 2.64 (P1) to 2.12 (P2) to 0.96 (P3), corresponding to a reduction of relative risk (RR) for having an ongoing commitment by 20% in P2 (RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.66-0.98) and 67% in P3 (RR 0.33; 95% CI 0.25-0.42). The mean daily number of coercive events was 0.29, 0.13, and 0.05, corresponding to a risk for undergoing coercive measures reduced by 56% (RR 0.44; 95% CI 0.22-0.90) and 85% (RR 0.15; 95% CI 0.05-0.45). Substance use, violence or ward atmosphere did not differ significantly. Conclusions: Our results support findings from general psychiatric wards of reduced coercion after adopting a primarily open-door policy. However, coercive events were rare during all periods. The widespread practice of restricting the freedom of inpatients with substance use disorders by locking ward doors is highly questionable.

Background Among alcohol-dependent subjects tobacco smoking is very common and causes a variety of health risks. Therefore, it is necessary to reach this high-risk population early with appropriate smoking interventions. Methods Smokers in alcohol detoxification treatment were offered to participate in a smoking cessation study. A total of 103 patients was enrolled and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EG) receiving a cognitive behavioral smoking cessation treatment (CBT) or the control group (CG) receiving autogenic training. Smoking outcomes were measured by self-report and carbon monoxide levels, directly after intervention and 6 months later, where additionally alcohol outcomes were recorded. Results There were no differences in smoking quit rates directly after intervention. However, patients in the EG were significantly more likely to reduce their daily cigarette use compared to CG ( p = .046). Sub-group analyses revealed that heavy smokers (FTND score ≥ 7) seemed to profit most in the EG regarding cigarette reduction. After 6 months, these positive effects had leveled out. No evidence was found that smoking cessation might jeopardize alcohol outcomes. Conclusions Results suggest that alcohol-dependent smokers are interested in smoking interventions even during alcohol detoxification. CBT is promising in short-term smoking outcomes and in the approach of harm reduction, however, long-term effects are desirable. These findings underline the feasibility and the importance to provide smoking cessation interventions to patients in alcohol detoxification treatments.

Violent behaviour under the influence of alcohol is a long-known phenomenon and causes great suffering in affected persons and enormous costs for society. While earlier studies considered alcohol-associated violence primarily to be due to alcohol's disinhibiting effects, recent scientific studies show a complex interaction of various bio-psycho-social factors. Including recent study results, the following review presents current data on the epidemiology of alcohol-associated violence, discusses possible contributing factors and causes, and possible resulting therapeutic implications. Based on these results, populations at risk such as binge drinkers, young adults and individuals with substance use disorders and comorbid psychiatric disorders can be identified, who often display a high burden of problems and therefore need a close network of medical, psychiatric and social services.

Objectives. Proteomic technologies based on mass spectrometry are increasingly used as a valuable tool in clinical research allowing high-throughput protein and peptide profi ling to be undertaken. Whilst previous research has focussed the application of this novel technology on the study of patients with disorders compared to comparable individuals from the healthy population, this current study seeks to determine the effect of successful treatment for alcoholism on the serum protein profi le obtained. Methods. Serum samples were collected from patients after initial treatment for alcohol abuse and also 6 months after treatment. The serum samples were prepared for analysis using reverse phase magnetic bead fractionation and the resulting peptides analysed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-fl ight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry. Results. Whilst the majority of the peptides detected by this approach exhibited constant levels between the two time points, three peptides were elevated at the 6-month time point compared to the initial sampling. Conclusions. Whilst disorders with very clear biological causes (such as cancer) exhibit signifi cantly different peptide profi les, psychiatric disorders such as alcohol addiction which are multifactorial show less obvious changes. Despite this the two groups of samples could statistically be distinguished by certain peptides expression levels.

Research suggests that alpha-synuclein (SNCA) and NACP-Rep1, a polymorphic complex microsatellite repeat ~10 kb upstream of the SNCA gene translational start, may be involved in substance-use behaviors and craving. This study was the first to examine the effects of diacetylmorphine (DAM) on peripheral SNCA protein expression along with craving in opiate-dependent patients and to compare their NACP-Rep1 allele lengths with those of healthy controls. Using an experimental design, opiate-dependent patients on injectable heroin maintenance were investigated at four time points, twice pre- and post-injection of DAM. SNCA protein levels of 30 DAM-maintained patients were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Participant-rated effects were assessed in 42 patients by Tiffany's Heroin Craving Questionnaire (HCQ), Gossop's Short Opiate Withdrawal Scale and Visual Analogs. NACP-Rep1 alleles of 42 patients and 101 controls were analyzed. One-way repeated-measures ANOVAs provided significant overall effects for SNCA protein content (P = 0.028), craving (P

Heroin dependence (HD) is a chronic relapsing brain disorder characterized by a compulsion to seek and use heroin. Stress is seen as a key factor for heroin use. Methadone maintenance and the prescription of pharmaceutical heroin [diacetylmorphine (DAM)] are established treatments for HD in several countries. The present study examined whether DAM-maintained patients and methadone-maintained patients differ from healthy controls in startle reflex and cortisol levels. Fifty-seven participants, 19 of each group matched for age, sex and smoking status, completed a startle session which included the presentation of 24 bursts of white noise while eye-blink responses to startling noises were recorded. Salivary cortisol was collected three times after awakening, before, during and after the startle session. DAM was administered before the experiment, while methadone was administered afterwards. Both heroin-dependent patient groups exhibited significantly smaller startle responses than healthy controls (P < 0.05). Whereas the cortisol levels after awakening did not differ across the three groups, the experimental cortisol levels were significantly lower in DAM-maintained patients, who received their opioid before the experiment, than in methadone-maintained patients and healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Opioid maintenance treatment for HD is associated with reduced startle responses. Acute DAM administration may suppress cortisol levels, and DAM maintenance treatment may represent an effective alternative to methadone in stress-sensitive, heroin-dependent patients.

Risk factors for osteoporosis are prevalent in chronic heroin users who often start using opiates in their late teens. This study was the first to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in relatively young heroin-dependent patients on injectable heroin maintenance.

Many methadone patients and untreated heroin users have an ambivalent attitude toward methadone maintenance. This may be a result of the widespread belief that methadone produces various side effects not found with heroin. This study compared the symptom complaints of patients on oral methadone maintenance (MMT) with those of patients prescribed injectable heroin (IHT). A convenience sample of 117 (63 MMT, 54 IHT) patients was recruited from two maintenance clinics. With the use of a self-completion questionnaire, patients were interviewed about a range of symptoms they had experienced and which, in their view, were due to maintenance substance immediately after the last 10 opioid administrations, during the previous week and previous year. The complaints of the two groups overlapped considerably with only few significant differences; these appeared related to the route of administration. IHT patients reported a larger number of complications experienced immediately after administration than MMT patients (p = .007). From the patients' view, methadone does not produce many more or side effects very different from heroin and thus seems at least as tolerable as heroin for maintenance treatment.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct ethanol metabolite, and has recently attracted attention as biomarker of ethanol intake. The aims of the current study are: (1) to characterize the normalization time of PEth in larger samples than previously conducted; (2) to elucidate potential gender differences; and (3) to report the correlation of PEth with other biomarkers and self-reported alcohol consumption. Fifty-seven alcohol-dependent patients (ICD 10 F 10.25; 9 females, 48 males) entering medical detoxification at three study sites were enrolled. The study sample was comprised of 48 males and 9 females, with mean age 43.5. Mean gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was 209.61 U/l, average mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was 97.35 fl, mean carbohydrate deficient transferrin (%CDT) was 8.68, and mean total ethanol intake in the last 7 days was 1653 g. PEth was measured in heparinized whole blood with a high-pressure liquid chromatography method, while GGT, MCV and %CDT were measured using routine methods. PEth levels at day 1 of detoxification ranged between 0.63 and 26.95 micromol/l (6.22 mean, 4.70 median, SD 4.97). There were no false negatives at day 1. Sensitivities for the other biomarkers were 40.4% for MCV, 73.1% for GGT and 69.2% for %CDT, respectively. No gender differences were found for PEth levels at any time point. Our data suggest that PEth is (1) a suitable intermediate term marker of ethanol intake in both sexes; and (2) sensitivity is extraordinary high in alcohol dependent patients. The results add further evidence to the data that suggest that PEth has potential as a candidate for a sensitive and specific biomarker, which reflects longer-lasting intake of higher amounts of alcohol and seemingly has the above mentioned certain advantages over traditional biomarkers.

Alcohol dependence is a heavy burden on patients, their families, and society. Epidemiological studies indicate that alcohol dependence will affect many individuals at some time in their lives, with men affected more frequently than women. Since alcohol-dependent patients often exhibit a lack of social skills and suffer from interpersonal problems, the aim of this study is to elucidate whether men and women experience the same interpersonal problems. Eighty-five alcohol-dependent patients (48 men; 37 women) after detoxification and 62 healthy controls (35 men; 27 women) were recruited. Interpersonal problems were measured with the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-64). Additionally, alcohol-dependent patients were interviewed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and were subtyped according to Lesch’s Alcohol Typology (LAT). There were no significant gender differences in the AUDIT and LAT between alcohol-dependent men and women. Interpersonal problems of alcohol-dependent men differed significantly in one out of eight dimensions from controls; alcohol-dependent men perceive themselves as colder than male controls. Alcohol-dependent women differed in four out of eight interpersonal dimensions from female controls. Alcohol-dependent women rated themselves as significantly more vindictive, more introverted, more overly accommodating and more intrusive than female controls. Results suggest that alcohol-dependent men and women suffer from different interpersonal problems and furthermore alcohol-dependent women perceive more interpersonal problems, whereas the severity of alcohol dependence did not differ between the groups. Our findings indicate that alcohol-dependent women may profit more from a gender-specific treatment approach aimed at improving treatment outcome than alcohol-dependent men.

Störungen durch psychotrope Substanzen umfassen im engeren Sinn die akute Intoxikation, den schädlichen Gebrauch, die Abhängigkeit sowie die Entzugssyndrome. Im erweiterten Sinn können komorbide psychische Störungen sowie somatische Folgeschäden auftreten. In der Akutbehandlung erfolgen zunächst die Entgiftung und der Entzug psychotroper Substanzen, anschließend dienen die medikamentöse Rückfallprophylaxe oder eine Substitutionsbehandlung zur Stabilisierung bei bestehender Abhängigkeitserkrankung. Die Pharmakotherapie ist neben den psychosozialen Therapien ein entscheidender Grundpfeiler in der Behandlung der Abhängigkeitserkrankungen und Entzugssyndrome. In dieser Übersicht werden evidenzbasierte medikamentöse Behandlungsstrategien der häufigsten substanzbezogenen Störungsbilder anhand aktueller Leitlinien beschrieben und diskutiert. Für die Alkoholabhängigkeit werden langwirksame Benzodiazepine oder Clomethiazol im Entzug sowie Acamprosat und Naltrexon für die Rückfallprophylaxe empfohlen. Für die Cannabisabhängigkeit existieren bisher noch keine etablierten pharmakotherapeutischen Konzepte zur Rückfallsprophylaxe. Für die Kokainabhängigkeit besteht die grösste Evidenz im Entzug für antriebssteigernde trizyklische Antidepressiva. Auch für die Kokainabhängigkeit gibt es derzeit noch keine ausreichend gesicherte Evidenz für eine Rückfallprophylaxe. Stimmungsstabilisierer wie Topiramat und Tiagabin sowie Disulfiram stellen hier Behandlungsalternativen dar. Gesichert ist die Gabe von Methylphenidat für die Kokainabhängigkeit bei komorbider Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung. Für die Opioidabhängigkeit stellt die Substitutionsbehandlung mit Methadon oder Buprenorphin die Therapie der ersten Wahl dar. Für die Tabakabhängigkeit kann die Nikotinersatztherapie für den Entzug und die medikamentöse Behandlung mit Bupropion oder Vareniclin als Rückfallprophylaxe empfohlen werden.

Hintergrund: Negative Stimmung und unwiderstehliches Verlangen sind als Auslöser des Erstkonsums einer psychotropen Substanz nach einer abstinenten Phase vielfach nachgewiesen worden. Über die Auslöser des Konsums bei Personen mit Ad-libitum-Konsum ist bisher wenig bekannt. Die vorliegende Untersuchung hatte zum Ziel, (1) den Einfluss negativer Stimmung auf die Menge des Ad-libitum-Zigarettenkonsums sowie (2) die mediierende Rolle des Verlangens in diesem Zusammenhang zu untersuchen. Patienten und Methoden: An einer opioidabhängigen Verfügbarkeitsstichprobe (N = 29) wurden mittels elektronischer Tagebücher 1 Woche lang 4-mal täglich zu individuell festgelegten Zeitpunkten Daten zu Stimmung, Verlangen und Menge des Zigarettenkonsums gewonnen und mittels «Linear Mixed Models» analysiert. Ergebnisse: Negative Stimmung 10 min vor dem Konsum sowie zum vorangegangenen Messzeitpunkt erwiesen sich als signifikante Prädiktoren der Anzahl konsumierter Zigaretten (p < 0,05). Der Einfluss des Verlangens 30 min vor dem Konsum auf die Konsummenge verfehlte knapp die statistische Signifikanz (p = 0,09). Der Vergleich des direkten Effekts negativer Stimmung auf die konsumierte Menge mit dem indirekten Effekt mediiert über das Verlangen zeigte, dass negative Stimmung ausreichte, um eine Zunahme der Konsummenge zu bewirken, ohne dass das Erleben von Verlangen eine notwendige Bedingung darstellte. Schlussfolgerung: Die Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, aktuelle negative Stimmung als einen von Verlangen unabhängigen Auslöser des Nikotinkonsums zu berücksichtigen. Summary The Relationship between Mood, Craving and Nicotine Consumption in the Daily Life of Opioid Addicted Patients Background: Negative mood and craving have often been demonstrated as triggers of the initial reuse of a psychoactive substance after an abstinent period. Little is known about triggers of ad libitum consumption. The aims of the present study were 2-fold: (1) to analyze the influence of negative mood on the amount of the ad libitum cigarette consumption, and (2) to clarify the role of craving as a mediator in this relationship. Patients and Methods: Mood, craving, and the amount of cigarette consumption were assessed in an opioid-addicted convenience sample (N = 29) using electronic diaries. Data were collected during 1 week, 4 times per day at fixed, individually set time points and analyzed using linear mixed models. Results: Increased negative mood ratings at 10 min before consumption and at the preceding measurement point were related to increased cigarette consumption (p < 0.05). The influence of craving 30 min before consumption on the amount of cigarettes consumed just missed statistical significance (p = 0.09). The comparison of the direct effect of negative mood on the amount of consumption with the indirect effect mediated through craving showed that negative mood alone increased the amount of consumption, even without experienced craving. Conclusion: Findings support the notion that current negative mood can trigger cigarette consumption even without craving.

Background: Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid gut-brain peptide, mainly secreted by the gastric mucosa. Its effects are linked to energy homeostasis and particularly seem to increase hunger and food intake. In recent years, studies suggested that appetite-regulating peptides, such as ghrelin play a relevant role in alcoholism. Since data published to date on the potential role of ghrelin as state and/or trait marker in alcoholism and the association with craving are controversial, we aimed at further elucidating these aspects. Patients and Methods: One-hundred nine alcohol-dependent abstinent patients after withdrawal (27 f, 82 m), (ICD 10 F 10.25) and 45 healthy volunteers (12 f, 33 m) were included. Laboratory testing (Ghrelin RIA 90, Mediagnost Inc., Germany) was performed and several craving scales [Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale, Alcohol Urge Questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)] were applied at the beginning and at the end of the 3-week rehabilitation program. Results: (1) Ghrelin levels are significantly higher in female alcohol-dependent patients as compared to controls, not, however, in men alcoholics. (2) In several statistical subanalyses, an association of craving and ghrelin was found. The results, however, remain heterogeneous. Conclusion: The data suggest gender-dependent ghrelin levels in alcohol-dependent patients. We therefore conclude, that it might be useful to perform statistical analyses gender-specific. With regard to a potential correlation of ghrelin and craving the results seem to depend on gender, duration of the abstinence period and the instrument used.

Evidence is growing that appetite regulating peptides such as leptin and ghrelin, but also other hormones including prolactin are altered in alcoholism. The brain pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) system which has important mediating roles in alcohol intake also has important functions in prolactin regulation and energy homeostasis. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated to be functionally integrated with leptin regulation. The satiety factor leptin seems to be counteracted by the gut-derived peptide ghrelin which increases hunger and food intake. Consequently, the POMC system may have a role in integrating regulation of alcohol effects and these seemingly disparate regulatory systems. The goal of this mini-review is to discuss the results of some recent investigations of the potential interactions of these systems with acute and chronic alcohol responses.

Objectives: To compare markers of alcohol consumption. Design and methods: Measurement of urinary ethyl glucuronide, 5-hydroxytryptophol, 5-hydroxytryptophol glucuronide, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in 10 patients during alcohol withdrawal. Results: 5-Hydroxytryptophol glucuronide was measured by ELISA with good analytical precision, its diagnostic specificity and sensitivity was better than that of 5-hydroxytryptophol and its correlation was closer to ethyl glucuronide than to 5-hydroxytryptophol. Conclusion: Determination of 5-hydroxytryptophol glucuronide by ELISA offers promising results in detection of previous alcohol consumption.

Heroin addiction is a severe relapsing brain disorder associated with impaired cognitive control, including deficits in attention allocation. The thalamus has a high density of opiate receptors and is critically involved in orchestrating cortical activity during cognitive control. However, there have been no studies on how acute heroin treatment modulates thalamic activity. In a cross‐over, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled study, 29 heroin‐maintained outpatients were studied after heroin and placebo administration, while 20 healthy controls were included for the placebo condition only. Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to analyze functional integration of the thalamus by three different resting state analysis techniques. Thalamocortical functional connectivity (FC) was analyzed by seed‐based correlation, while intrinsic thalamic oscillation was assessed by analysis of regional homogeneity (ReHo) and the fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF). Relative to the placebo treatment and healthy controls, acute heroin administration reduced thalamocortical FC to cortical regions, including the frontal cortex, while the reductions in FC to the mediofrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and frontal pole were positively correlated with the plasma level of morphine, the main psychoactive metabolite of heroin. Furthermore, heroin treatment was associated with increased thalamic ReHo and fALFF values, whereas fALFF following heroin exposure correlated negatively with scores of attentional control. The heroin‐associated increase in fALFF was mainly dominated by slow‐4 (0.027–0.073 Hz) oscillations. Our findings show that there are acute effects of heroin within the thalamocortical system and may shed new light on the role of the thalamus in cognitive control in heroin addiction. Future research is needed to determine the underlying physiological mechanisms and their role in heroin addiction. Hum Brain Mapp 36:5287–5300, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aims: Self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are widely recommended for aftercare of alcohol- dependent persons, even though scientific knowledge of its effectiveness is inconsistent. The aim of the present analysis was to elucidate whether persons attending AA groups regularly after detoxification have lower relapse rates within 1 year, compared to persons without self-help group attendance. Methods: Data for the present analysis were derived from the placebo-group of a multi-centre study in Germany (Wiesbeck et al., 2001). Patients were free to choose either self-help group attendance (N = 50) or no support (N = 28). Results: After 1-month of follow-up, there was a lower relapse rate in patients attending a self-help group as compared to the control group, a difference, however, that leveled off during the following months. Moreover, relapse rates did not differ significantly at any point of time between both groups. Levels of social functioning improved in both groups over 1 year. Conclusions: The present study was unable to show an advantage of self-help group attendance in reducing relapses compared to the control group.

Ziel: Ziel ist die Erstellung einer S2-Leitlinie (nach AMWF 2001) für die Postakutbehandlung alkoholbezogener Störungen. Methode: Systematische Literaturrecherche, Expertenbewertung und Konsensuskonferenzen. Ergebnis: Postakute Behandlungen bestehen in Maßnahmen zur Entwöhnung von Alkohol, d. h. zum Erhalt, der Verbesserung oder der Wiederherstellung der Funktions- und Leistungsfähigkeit des chronisch Alkoholkranken in Alltag und Beruf. Suchtspezifische Maßnahmen und allgemeine Methoden (z. B. Psychotherapie, Ergo-/Arbeitstherapie) werden nach Evidenzklassen (nach SIGN 1999) und Empfehlungsstärken (nach APA 1995) bewertet dargestellt und im Rahmen integrierter Programme als Sequenzbehandlungen empfohlen. Schlussfolgerung: Diese evidenzbasierte Leitlinie kann dem praktisch Tätigen in Klinik und Praxis im medizinischen, psycho- und soziotherapeutischen Bereich als Orientierung dienen und dazu beitragen, die Langzeitbehandlung der Alkoholabhängigen auf eine allgemeine empirische Grundlage zu stellen.

Background Ethyl sulphate (EtS), a direct ethanol metabolite, appears to offer potential as a biomarker for recent alcohol consumption. Although its window of assessment is similar to that of ethyl glucuronide (EtG), there are differences between the two markers in their pathways for formation and degradation. Aims (a) To assess the excretion of EtS compared to EtG and ethanol in drinking experiments with healthy volunteers, and (b) to elucidate the possibility of using the two metabolites for monitoring abstinence in substance use disorder patients during rehabilitation treatment. Design, setting, participants (a) Nine drinking experiments were performed by six healthy volunteers (two females, four males), with a mean age of 34.1 years (20–62), average oral intake of 0.2 g/kg ethanol (0.1–0.61), and having 74 spot urine samples. (b) Thirty-six substance abuse patients (mean age 41.9 years, 20–59; 22 males, 14 females) in a rehabilitation programme after withdrawal, producing 98 urine samples. Ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulphate were measured using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using d5-EtG and d5-EtS, respectively, as an internal standard. Findings (a) Volunteers: EtG and EtS were detectable for up to 36 hours and reached the limits of determination in urine at 20.6 hours and 21.2 hours (median), respectively, after ethanol intake. EtG-100 (standardized to a creatinine of 100 mg/dl) reached its maximum level at 2.8 hours and EtS-100 at 2.1 hours (median) after the beginning of the experiment. Of the ethanol ingested, 0.022% was excreted as EtS in one volunteer. Eight samples were positive for EtS only and six for EtG only. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients of 0.84 (P