SAj Blog Archives - Page 73 of 87

The Authors’ Own Words: Molly users versus nonusers in a sample of college alcohol drinkers: Differences in substance-related harms and sensation seeking

Oct 19, 2016 by AMERSA

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Molly users versus nonusers in a sample of college alcohol drinkers: Differences in substance-related harms and sensation seeking
Ashley N. Linden-Carmichael, Amy L. Stamates, Brynn E. Sheehan, and Cathy Lau-Barraco
Substance Abuse Vol. 37 , Iss. 3,2016

Molly is a form of MDMA that is perceived by some users to be more “pure” and possibly less harmful than other forms of MDMA. To the best of our knowledge, our study was the first to examine prevalence, risks, and personality characteristics associated with Molly use in a college sample. Our findings suggest that 12% of students sampled have used Molly. In addition, Molly users report higher levels of sensation seeking, and Molly use is uniquely related to greater risk for substance-related harms. These findings demonstrate a need for correcting possible misperceptions about Molly in addition to educating users on the potential for experiencing harm.

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Our newly released issue is now online —> July-September 2016.
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The Authors’ Own Words: Alcohol screening scores and the risk of intensive care unit admission and hospital readmission

Oct 18, 2016 by AMERSA

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Alcohol screening scores and the risk of intensive care unit admission and hospital readmission
Brendan J. Clark, Anna D. Rubinsky, P. Michael Ho, David H. Au, Laura J. Chavez, Marc Moss, and Katharine A. Bradley
Substance Abuse Vol. 37 , Iss. 3,2016

This work builds on a body of literature that demonstrates that patients with severe alcohol misuse overuse emergent healthcare services. Additionally, alcohol misuse predisposes to or worsens the severity of several illnesses commonly cared for in an intensive care unit including sepsis/septic shock, the acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute respiratory failure, and nosocomial infection. The end result is that alcohol misuse, particularly severe alcohol misuse, is common in patients admitted to an ICU. In this manuscript, we confirm that alcohol misuse increases the risk of being admitted to an ICU. We further demonstrate an increased risk of hospital readmission. Although there are numerous potential explanations for the increased morbidity in ICU survivors with alcohol misuse, one potential explanation is ongoing heavy alcohol consumption. Our current healthcare system is poorly positioned to bridge patients from a life-threatening illness into alcohol treatment. This work highlights the need to further understand the unique barriers to alcohol treatment for ICU survivors as one approach to break the “vicious cycle” described in this manuscript.

The Authors’ Own Words: Evaluation of overdose prevention trainings in New York City: Knowledge and self-efficacy among participants 12 months after training

Sep 30, 2016 by AMERSA

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Evaluation of overdose prevention trainings in New York City: Knowledge and self-efficacy among participants 12 months after training
Lara Maldjian, Anne Siegler, and Hillary V. Kunins
Substance Abuse Vol. 37 , Iss. 3,2016

This is the first study in the United States to look systematically at knowledge and self-efficacy among opioid overdose prevention trainees twelve months after training. This study shows that knowledge of the two most important overdose response actions (giving naloxone and calling 911), as well as feelings of self-efficacy, are high among training recipients, but that greater efforts should be made by trainers to reinforce knowledge of all recommended overdose response actions. Our results also suggest that trainings conducted indoors are associated with greater levels of knowledge; while we acknowledge that indoor trainings are not always feasible and recognize the importance of street-based outreach, outdoor trainings should strive to be as comprehensive as indoor trainings. This study reaffirms that individuals who attend overdose prevention trainings at registered NYC opioid overdose prevention programs have the requisite knowledge and confidence to respond to overdose in their communities twelve months after being trained, and are key responders in reducing mortality due to overdose.

The Authors’ Own Words: BSAFER: A Web-based intervention for drug use and intimate partner violence demonstrates feasibility and acceptability among women in the emergency department

Sep 29, 2016 by AMERSA

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

BSAFER: A Web-based intervention for drug use and intimate partner violence demonstrates feasibility and acceptability among women in the emergency department
Esther K. Choo, Caron Zlotnick, David R. Strong, Daniel D. Squires, Chantal Tapé, and Michael J. Mello
Substance Abuse Vol. 37 , Iss. 3,2016

This pilot study established the feasibility and acceptability of a novel Web-based brief intervention targeting women with substance use disorders and intimate partner violence (IPV) presenting to the emergency care setting.

The Authors’ Own Words: Perceptions of alcohol use by friends compared to peers: Associations with middle adolescents’ own use

Sep 23, 2016 by AMERSA

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

Perceptions of alcohol use by friends compared to peers: Associations with middle adolescents’ own use
Jonathon J. Beckmeyer and Elizabeth H. Weybright
Substance Abuse Vol. 37 , Iss. 3,2016

Based on our results, we believe that social norming approaches to alcohol prevention may be more impactful by targeting beliefs about alcohol use among friends rather than focusing on the broader peer group. It may also be beneficial to use adolescents’ perceptions of alcohol use by friends to identify those who may be at greater risk current for future alcohol use. Finally, efforts to prevent or reduce adolescent drinking may also want to reduce opportunities for alcohol use with friends.