Introduction: A range of factors including individual, socio-cognitive, political and those relating to geographical location provide important contexts for understanding influences on drinking behaviour. The relationship between these factors is an area that has been under-researched, so too are comparisons between the drinking behaviour of people in different cultural contexts. This is important when national rates of average alcohol suggest that lessons can be learned from countries with relatively low levels of alcohol consumption. The research reported in this thesis provides an in-depth exploratory analysis of individuals’ experiences of drinking in Italy and England, and investigates a range of motivations to drink alcohol, including, motives to drink, alcohol outcome expectancies and factors which promote drinking in moderation or abstention. Methods and participants: This research adopted a mixed methods design comprised of two studies. In the first study, a qualitative approach was adopted to explore the experience of n=24 social drinkers based in Italy and England. The second study used a quantitative approach and involved an overall total of n=403 (inclusive of abstainers) participants in Italy and England, who were asked to complete a battery of questionnaires to assess alcohol intake and a range of measures related to drinking behaviour. Findings: National differences were demonstrated for Italian and English respondents. Key findings were that English respondents were more likely to associate drinking with positive outcome expectancies, and were more likely to see drinking as a means of coping. Findings for the Italian sample suggested that drinking was linked to positive perceived parental attitude, self-perception / monitoring expectancies, and conformity; all these factors appeared to reduce levels of alcohol intake. Abstention and limiting factors suggested that ‘indifference towards’ alcohol was important for Italian abstainers when compared to limiters and to heavier drinkers. Additionally, outcomes for English abstainers suggested that indifference towards alcohol, family constraint, and religious constraint, were deciding factors that play a part in an individuals’ decision not to drink alcohol. Conclusion: The differences between the drinking patterns of Italian and English drinkers is complex and context specific. However, emerging from this research are key areas for informing policy which seek to promote levels and patterns of safe drinking. Following findings on the relationship between the “drinking to cope” motive and rising unitary intake in the English sample, it is suggested that further lines of research could explore using mindfulness techniques to enhance coping strategies in people who drink excessively.

There is a distinction between physiological and psychological aspects of addiction. Both of which are important for the development and maintenance of substance abuse. Within psychological aspects of addiction, attention and learning may play integral roles in substance abuse behaviour. This thesis explores how an environment seems to become increasingly occupied by substance-related stimuli, as a result of substance use (Chapter 5). It is demonstrated how such stimuli are able to initially attract attention (Chapter 2.6) and such attentional biases are difficult to inhibit (Chapter 2). Such attentional biases appear to be robust behaviours which are not overly affected by craving and outcome expectancies (Chapter 3). Moreover, it is discussed how attentional biases may be associated with automaticity development (Chapter 6). This research is performed using a dyslexic population, as dyslexia has been hypothesised as an impairment in automaticity development. Therefore a population potentially impaired in automaticity development may demonstrate different patterns of substance-related attentional bias, compared to control participants (Chapter 6.6). This means that a deeper understanding of how automaticity develops for some stimuli rather than others may be beneficial for the study of substance abuse (Chapter 7). Finally, it is suggested how substance abuse interventions may benefit from closer consideration of the attentional and learning aspects of addiction (Chapter 8).

The research study aimed to identify the factors contributing to premature termination of treatment for addiction. The study took the form of a differential research design based on archival data and sought to establish patient-related predictors of treatment adherence and premature drop-out. One independent variable and 14 dependent variables were chosen. The data comprised a variety of characteristics which predispose certain addicts seeking treatment to drop out of the treatment programme before completion. The most significant finding was that a history of general abuse of medication has a negative influence on treatment outcome. The limitations of the study are discussed and recommendations are made regarding further research on the topic. / Dr. J.T.R. Beuster

This study contributes to the INC theory by adding the stage of prevention to the parent-child relationships' timeline. Ten parents (six mothers and four fathers) were interviewed, and a memory enhancing timeline calendar was used to encourage parents to recall and talk about when they were trying to prevent substance (ab)use. Prevention strategies were coded on the basis of Inconsistent Nurturing as Control (INC) theory. Nurturing strategies consisted of 1.) Promoting open discussions, 2.) Monitoring behavior and activities in respectful ways, and 3.) Presenting a model for responsible use. Punishing strategies consisted of 1.) Reinforcing discipline and rules, 2.) Forcing discussions, 3.) Reprimanding perceived deviant behavior. Results demonstrated that a prevention stage exists in the parent-child relationship in the context of adolescent substance (ab)use, and parents used both nurturing and control strategies for prevention.

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magister Educationis in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education, University of Zululand, South Africa, 2011. / Substance use is on the increase among the youth in South Africa. Traditional concern about the youth (as the future of South Africa), and the portrayals in the media of severe drug and alcohol use among the country‟s youth have contributed to the need for research into this issue. Drugs and alcohol also have a close link to crime. The aim of this study is to investigate and report the prevalence of substance use and the need for intervention among male youth offenders at the Pollsmoor Youth Centre, in the Western Cape Province. The research has attempted to create an understanding of male youth drug abusers‟ attitudes towards intervention and rehabilitation programmes and also the Correctional Service‟s role in managing substance abuse. A survey research methodology using questionnaires has been employed. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The sample population consisted of the sentenced male youth offenders at the Pollsmoor Youth Centre. The results of the survey indicated that “Tik” (methamphetamines or crystal meths) was the most popular substance of choice in this sample. Tik was 23 % more popular than its nearest rival, cannabis. Tobacco was the most widely used drug owing to it being legal and obtainable at the Centre‟s shops. The majority of male youth offenders (74 %) believed that an intervention programme was necessary as part of their rehabilitation. The findings indicated that a department or unit needs to be established to handle the increasing drug abuse problem. The unit should identify substance abusers on admittance and place them on a rehabilitation programme. If necessary this programme should continue in their community after release from the correctional centre.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology & Special Needs Education at the University of Zululand, [2015] / Substance abuse is one of the major challenges experienced in our schools. If learners abuse substances/drugs, they do not learn and ultimately they fail or drop out of school. The researcher undertook a study on this challenge which reviewed research findings on substance abuse in South Africa. The study was aimed at finding out why learners abuse drugs, if there is any relationship between poor academic performance, school drop out and substance abuse. A quantitative study using semi structured interviews, focus groups and questionnaires as data gathering techniques focused on six learners that were referred to Education District offices for the substances abuse problem. These learners were selected from six secondary schools in the Nquthu area. Parents and educators of these six learners also participated in the study. The findings of the study showed that substance abuse negatively impacts effective professional practice that is teaching and learning. The study concludes with recommendations to educate learners on substance abuse prevention in schools and how to assist learners that are already abusing drugs.

No description available.

Mortality reports show that most overdose deaths include more than one substance. In addition, there is a gap in the literature that discusses risk factors for polysubstance use. The objective of this study was to explore what factors relate to the likelihood of engaging in polysubstance use, defined as using more than one substance. Specifically, the goal was to evaluate predictors of simultaneous (i.e., the use of alcohol and another substance at the same time in the past six months) polysubstance use and concurrent (i.e., the use of any two substances in the past six months) polysubstance use, vs. no substance use and single substance use combined. Data were obtained from the 2021 CARA Orange County Residents Survey conducted by the Orange County Drug Free Office. Seven hundred thirty-five participants aged 18 years and older were asked about their drug use, risk perceptions of polysubstance use, sensation seeking, ACE scoring, and protective measures used while using drugs and alcohol. SPSS was used to conduct bivariate and logistic regression analysis to predict simultaneous and concurrent polysubstance use from demographic factors, sensation seeking, ACE scores, number of sexual partners, and incapacitated sexual assault. Bivariate and logistic regression analysis demonstrate that neither simultaneous nor concurrent polysubstance use were associated with most demographic factors. Number of sexual partners was positively associated with both simultaneous and concurrent polysubstance use; however, incapacitated sexual assault was not related to either type of polysubstance use. High sensation-seeking and high ACE scores were significantly associated with simultaneous and concurrent use. This research supported the hypothesis that higher sensation seeking and ACE scores were associated with a greater likelihood of engaging in both concurrent and simultaneous polysubstance use. Future research is needed to further explore the frequency and problems associated with polysubstance use. This study sets the groundwork to analyze psychosocial risk factors for polysubstance use.

Focusing on policy consultation, my dissertation consults on the current US addiction epidemic and aims to answer, "What is our disposition to addiction?" Borrowing and clarifying Ulmer's MEmorial method, as established in his text Electronic Monuments, the dissertation combines the ancient Greek practice of theoria, Deleuzian theory, and psychogeographic counter-mapping methods to trace ways in which ideological apparatuses construct addiction. The aim of the dissertation is to reveal an abject value by constructing MEmorials which provide space for individuals to mourn loss and see their relation to that loss. Through mourning, individuals strengthen their ties to other community members and new policy can be made possible. Currently there is not an AIDS-like quilt for the victims of the addiction epidemic; therefore, the dissertation proposes the construction of a physical and electronic MEmorial to addiction. By conducting a psychogeography, a method directly tied to logic and reasoning appropriate to electracy, I traced the abject value of desire as it is constructed through the assemblages that construct the values of the Bradenton, FL community. The psychogeography revealed a categorical image "DE" which I traced through the ideological state apparatuses working their effects on Bradenton, FL. The image also connects to Bradenton, FL to the larger National War on Drugs through the star emblem of John Wayne. Concluding from the method, I argue to create a MEmorial to addiction at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum to reveal the horror of our communal desires and call for national drug policy reform.

No description available.