Thesis (MA(Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 81-86).

M.A. (Psychology) / It is generally accepted that the management and treatment of individuals addicted to chemical substances or drugs entail challenges for the professions involved in drug contexts. In this dissertation a number of therapeutic systems in drug contexts are explored in aim of the treatment of people with drug addiction. In the literature survey it is indicated that the manner in which therapeutic intervensions are operationalized in drug treatment practices, are influenced by the organization's theoretical-philosophical orientation with regard to therapeutic treatment modes. This aspect is examined in the study on the basis of a critical discussion of the perspectives of the medical model and an alternative model, namely the adaptive model, concerning the therapeutic management of people addicted to drugs. It is further established from the literature that people with drug addiction problems are often treated within the boundaries of a therapeutic community and that various therapeutic interventions, namely individual psychotherapy, family therapy and group therapy, are also implemented in this therapeutic context. The present study specifically concentrates on an alternative approach concerning the therapeutic modes of treatment for individuals with drug addiction. One such an approach, as discussed in this study, entails that therapeutic approaches regarding people addicted to drugs, progress from a causal-theoretical manner of defining these people (for instance the view that individuals addicted to drugs have a progressive disease and that they are unable to take responsibility for their behaviour) to an approach based on the principles of interactional therapy and motivational milieu therapy {for instance the idea that such individuals have the ability to conduct their interpersonal relationships

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a partial D₂-like dopamine agonist (i.e. terguride) would block the induction or expression of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in pre-weanling rats. The ability of terguride to induce behavioral sensitization was also examined, as partial D₂-like agonists have agonistic actions in cases of low dopaminergic tone.

The purpose of this study was to uncover the methadone counseling process among recovering and non-recovering chemical dependency counselors by examining the concepts and techniques utilized throughout the counseling process. This study examined whether the recovery status of a counselor affected the counselor's theoretical addiction model and the concepts and techniques that were utilized throughout the counseling process.

Background: Prescription drug abuse is a major public health concern in the United States, associated with dramatic increases in morbidity and mortality over the past two decades. In recent years, disposal of unwanted, unused, and expired medications has been a pillar of national prevention efforts. Acknowledging increased policy and advocacy emphasis on improving prescription drug disposal behaviors of consumers, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impacts of a targeted promotional campaign on participation in community-based drug take back events (TBE) in NE Tennessee. Methods: Between October 2013 and October 2017, 45 drug take-back events were held in 5 municipalities across NE Tennessee. A region-wide, promotional campaign including direct to consumer advertising (television, print, radio, etc) initiated spring 2014. Two methods of data collection were implemented: 1) donor surveys; and 2) drug donation weights (pounds) and dosage units collected. Controlled substance (CS) donations with identifiable dispensing dates were used to calculate donors’ possession time in months. One-way ANOVA, paired t-tests, and chi-square procedures were utilized to assess trends in donation weights, time to donation, and donor characteristics across the study period. Results: Total Disposal donations increased by 2.35 times (CS 2.61 times) from baseline after the initial promotional campaign. A total of 2300 CS donations were collected, with a spike in total pounds collected observed in spring of 2014 following initial marketing interventions. Donor possession time hdecreased by approximately one year during the length of the study (62.01 to 50.5 months). More than 1500 donor surveys were administered during the study. Half of all participants reported hearing about TBE through television promotions. Participants at urban events were 52.6% more likely than rural participants to hear about the event through newspaper promotion. Conclusion: Collaborative marketing across a TBE concentrated region increases CS disposal weight and decreases donor possession time.

MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

Background: Interpersonal communication is inherent in a majority of strategies seeking to engage prescriber and pharmacist health care professionals (HCPs) in the reduction and prevention of prescription drug abuse (PDA). However, research on HCP PDA communication behavioral engagement and factors that influence it is limited. Objectives This study quantitatively examined communication behaviors and trait-level communication metrics, and qualitatively described prescription drug abuse-related communication perceptions and behaviors among primary care prescribers and community pharmacists. Methods: Five focus groups (N = 35) were conducted within the Appalachian Research Network (AppNET), a rural primary care practice-based research network (PBRN) in South Central Appalachia between February and October, 2014. Focus groups were structured around the administration of three previously validated trait-level communication survey instruments, and one instrument developed by the investigators to gauge HCP prescription drug abuse communication engagement and perceived communication importance. Using a grounded theory approach, focus group themes were inductively derived and coded independently by study investigators. Member-checking interviews were conducted to validate derived themes. Results: Respondents' trait-level communication self-perceptions indicated low communication apprehension, high self-perceived communication competence, and average willingness to communicate as compared to instrument specific criteria and norms. Significant variation in HCP communication behavior engagement was noted specific to PDA. Two overarching themes were noted for HCP-patient communication: 1) influencers of HCP communication and prescribing/dispensing behaviors, and 2) communication behaviors. Multiple sub-themes were identified within each theme. Similarities were noted in perceptions and behaviors across both prescribers and pharmacists. Conclusions: Despite the perceived importance of engaging in PDA communication, HCPs reported that prescription drug abuse communication is uncomfortable, variable, multifactorial, and often avoided. The themes that emerged from this analysis support the utility of communication science and health behavior theories to better understand and improve PDA communication behaviors of both prescribers and pharmacists, and thereby improve engagement in PDA prevention and treatment.

Despite decades of research on amphetamine derivatives, a class of compounds sharing a structural foundation with amphetamine, crucial gaps remain in our understanding of these drugs in a variety of animal species and humans. This dissertation addresses three of these gaps through a multi-level approach involving studies in both humans and mice. Specifically, it focuses on investigating the lack of information regarding: 1) repeated dosing of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in humans, 2) methamphetamine/alcohol combinations in humans and 3) methamphetamine/oxycodone combinations in mice. Study 1 involved administering three consecutive doses of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine to human volunteers at 12- and 24-hour intervals while physiological, behavioral, and subjective measures were collected. Study 2 reanalyzed Kirkpatrick and colleagues (2012a) data to evaluate repeated administrations of methamphetamine and alcohol. The reanalysis focused on quantifying the physiological and subjective effect differences between the first and second administrations, which occurred at a 12-hour interval on the same day, an aspect not previously analyzed or reported by the original authors. Study 3 utilized well-established animal models such as Conditioned Place Preference, Open Field Test, and Novel Object Recognition to evaluate the reward-like and aversive effects of methamphetamine and oxycodone combinations in mice. Study 1 was the first to quantify the effects of multiple 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine doses administered over a 36-hour period of time. Initially, acute 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine produced dose-dependent increases in peak heart rate, blood pressure, and more positive than negative subjective effects. However, by the third dose, many of these effects dissipated, heart rate was no longer elevated, and residual mood effects were minor. Overall, the data do not support the general perception that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine produces dangerous cardiovascular and residual mood effects in humans following repeated administration. The results of Study 2, again a first in the field, discovered that contrary to expectations, heart rate increases produced by the methamphetamine/alcohol combination were not further increased with repeated dosing, but rather attenuated. In fact, methamphetamine offset alcohol-induced intoxication, even after repeated administration. Study 3 revealed that combining methamphetamine and oxycodone in mice increased reward as measured by Conditioned Place Preference, but not more than either drug alone. However, methamphetamine lengthened the duration of Conditioned Place Preference for the lower oxycodone dose and offset the oxycodone-induced disruptions in novel object recognition performance. One crucial cross-species observation was that methamphetamine mitigated adverse effects such as alcohol-related intoxication and oxycodone cognitive disruption, even after repeated administration. While seemingly beneficial, this observation raises concerns that individuals who combine these drugs may be at risk of underestimating their overall degree of impairment, potentially leading to hazardous activities like driving while intoxicated or engaging in risky behaviors. Sharing this insight is crucial to encourage informed, responsible behavior and safeguard public safety. In conclusion, these studies have significantly enhanced our understanding of two frequently used amphetamine derivatives and their interactions with two commonly used psychoactive drugs—oxycodone and alcohol. Most importantly, we strongly advocate for robust empirical experimentation to counteract misinformation related to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and methamphetamine. These endeavors are crucial for developing more precise assessments of the risks and benefits associated with these substances, and for improving drug policies and optimizing public health interventions.