Thesis (DPsych (Counselling Psychology)) - Swinburne University of Technology, 2007. / Submitted as partial requirement for Doctorate of Psychology (Counselling), Swinburne University of Technology - 2007. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 194-225).

Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2008. / Title from file title page. James Emshoff, committee chair; Gabriel Kuperminc, Marci Culley, committee members. Electronic text (79 p.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed June 9, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 45-68).

Thesis (M.A.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-72).

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Chinese Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Psychiatry, Johannesburg, September 2013 / Objective: Anecdotal evidence suggests that substance use is a significant problem among psychiatric patients admitted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of substance use, the type of substance used and the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with substance use among a group of psychiatric inpatients. Method: This study was a retrospective record review of all patients admitted to the psychiatric wards at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital between the periods of July and December 2008. Results: Substance use was 4.8 (95% CI:2.7-8.4) times more likely among male subjects (p<0.001), 4.1 times (95%CI: 1.8-9.3) more likely in subjects aged 18-30 years compared to older patients (p=0.001), 3 times (95% CI: 1.2-7.4) more likely in subjects who were single (p=0.001), 1.9 (95% CI:1.4-2.7) times more likely in subjects who did not have children (p<0.001), and 1.5 (95% CI:1.2-2.1) times more likely in subjects with a psychotic disorder (p=0.004) compared to those with a mood disorder. Mood and psychotic disorders were compared and only the past psychiatric history was found to be significantly associated with psychotic disorders. Conclusion: Male gender was found to be significantly associated with substance use. Alcohol and cannabis were the most common substances used and polysubstance use also was a common occurrence. These findings have implications for preventative measures, psychiatric practice and specialized care for dual diagnosis patients.

This research report will engage in the debate surrounding decriminalization of drug use and whether it is a possible solution to the problem of drug use in South Africa. This is a question becoming more prevalent in global discussions regarding drug policy and its efficacy. It is held in the report that when evaluating policy two aspects must be addressed; namely the philosophical justification for the policy and the efficacy of the policy. Regarding criminalization it is found that policy may be justified by the public harm principle but that it does not effectively achieve the purpose of preventing and decreasing drug use and associated burdens. Thus, it is argued that prohibition is a constitutional limitation, but does not necessarily achieve its purpose in the least repressive or most effective way. Finally it is suggested that the solution to the drug problem will be one which addresses the background, particularly socio-economic, to drug use. Decriminalization has the theoretical potential to address this context but further empirical research is required in order to establish evidential grounds for continued discussion.

No description available.

Therapeutic communities provide structure, support and a safe living environment for individuals attempting to recover from addiction. Using peer influence, counseling, education, self-help groups, and case management, they assist residents in conforming to social norms and developing effective coping mechanisms while remaining drug-free. Prior studies have consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of these programs. But, why are they effective for some and not others? This study explored the residents1 backgrounds and the methods employed by them to assimilate into the therapeutic community, the recovering community, and then society at large. The data confirmed my suspicion that the women's ability to conform to social norms and develop effective coping mechanisms was dependent upon the level of attachment to prosocial others they attained while in a therapeutic community. The rules and requirements of Flower House are designed to promote prosocial attachments and conformity to social norms. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 15 past and present residents of Flower House, a therapeutic community for substance-abusing women and their children. These women volunteered to participate.

Few studies have examined the social process of drug abuse recovery. To determine how recovering addicts use reference agents, such as reference groups and/or reference others, to achieve and maintain sobriety within the context of the Narcotics Anonymous (NA) support group experience, this study examines how Newcomers learn the norms and values associated with NA, how Newcomers become integrated into the NA group and internalize acceptable recovery behaviors, and how Newcomers transition to becoming Oldtimers. In this study, participant observation and in-depth, semi-structured interviewing (N = 13) based upon convenience sampling were employed. This study elicited six stages of social referencing that Newcomers experience during the process of becoming recovering addicts.