This paper reports the findings of a study investigating the smoking behaviours of a community-based psychiatric population. Using a qualitative, grounded theory approach, the four diagnostic categories of schizophrenia, bi-polar affective disorder, depression, and personality disorder were studied (24 interviews in total) in order to identify similarities and differences in smoking behaviours and perceptions of […]
Abstract Topics: Substance Abuse
The epidemiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a public health view.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood. However, basic information about how the prevalence of ADHD varies by race/ethnicity, sex, age, and socio-economic status remains poorly described. One reason is that difficulties in the diagnosis of ADHD have translated into difficulties developing an adequate case definition for epidemiologic studies. Diagnosis depends […]
Substance use, substance abuse, and LD among adolescents with a childhood history of ADHD.
A clinic-referred sample of 109 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was followed into adolescence for the ascertainment of alcohol and other drug use and abuse. Learning disability (reading or math) in childhood was examined as a predictor of adolescent substance use and substance use disorder for alcohol and marijuana. No statistically significant group differences for […]
Risk factors for adolescent substance abuse.
Reviews research on risk factors for adolescent substance use disorders (SUD) and discusses possible relationships between SUDs and learning disabilities (LD). Individual level factors (genetic, biologic, other familial, and psychiatric) emerge as very important in the risk equation, as well as the interaction between individual risk and environmental conditions. Commonalities between SUD risk and LD […]
Risk and resilience for substance abuse among adolescents and adults with LD.
Substance abuse is a major problem affecting the health and well-being of many people in our society. Although anecdotal evidence concerning linkages between learning disabilities (LD) and substance abuse has been common, this association is not well documented or understood. This article reviews the current research on substance abuse for adolescents and adults with LD, […]
The long-term treatment outcomes of depression and anxiety comorbid with substance abuse.
The impact of the comorbidity of psychiatric disorder and substance abuse on treatment outcomes was estimated using data from a longitudinal survey of 1,920 individuals who were followed nearly 15 years. Individuals with anxiety or depression symptoms at baseline generally experienced increased distress at follow-up; those who received mental health treatment experienced decreased distress at […]
Impact of substance abuse on the course and treatment of bipolar disorder.
Objective: The objectives of this article are to review the prevalence, natural history, pathophysiology, and treatment of comorbid bipolar disorder with alcoholism and other psychoactive substance use disorders (PSUDs). Methods: All identified bibliographies through a literature search of all Medline files and bibliographies of selected articles focusing on the prevalence, natural history, course, prognosis, inter-relationship, […]