Motivational Approach by phone for family member of drug user: A case study

A entrevista motivacional, intervenção colaborativa que estimula as razões à mudança, pode ser utilizada para ajudar os familiares de usuários de drogas a conduzir transformações na sua interação com o usuário. Os familiares podem desenvolver estratégias mal-adaptativas para manejarem esse problema, conhecido como codependência. Assim, os familiares necessitam receber intervenção, pois podem adoecer diante dos conflitos decorrentes dessa interação. Objetivou-se apresentar um modelo de intervenção breve motivacional por telefone para familiar de usuário. Realizou-se um estudo de caso em um serviço de telemedicina. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: protocolo de atendimento ao familiar, escalas Contemplation Ladder e Holyoake Codependency Index. Betânia, 46 anos, ligou para buscar ajuda para o seu marido usuário de álcool e crack. Após 6 meses, Betânia conseguiu perceber suas necessidades pessoais e as consequências de sua mudança na dinâmica da dependência química. A esposa do usuário reduziu a codependência e modificou comportamentos permissivos. Os serviços de telemedicina e as intervenções breves motivacionais podem promover mudanças comportamentais em familiares que necessitam de atenção e cuidados de saúde de uma forma acessível e abrangente.Palavras-chave: codependência, entrevista motivacional, telefone.Motivational interviewing, a collaborative intervention that stimulates the reasons to change, can be used to help family members of drug users to drive transformation in their interaction with the user. Families of drug users may develop maladaptive strategies for managing this problem, which is known as codependency. Thus, family members need to receive intervention, as they may get sick due to the conflicts arising from this interaction. The goal was to present a model of brief motivational intervention by telephone to the user’s family. We conducted a case study of a telemedicine service. The instruments used were: family attendance protocol, Contemplation Ladder and Holyoake Codependency Index. Bethany, 46 years, called to get help for her husband, an alcohol and crack user. After 6 months, Bethany was able to realize her personal needs and the consequences of her change in the dynamics of addiction. The user’s wife reduced codependency and modified permissive behavior. Telemedicine services and brief motivational interventions can promote behavioral changes in families that need attention and care in an accessible and comprehensive way.Key words: codependency, motivational interviewing, telephone

Uso de substâncias psicoativas, alterações vocais e qualidade de vida em usuários de drogas lícitas e ilícitas

OBJETIVOS:investigar a qualidade de vida e voz, além das principais alterações perceptivo-auditivas e as medidas acústicas jitter, shimmer e Glottal Noise Excitation em usuários de substâncias psicoativas lícitas e/ou ilícitas que buscaram um centro de tratamento para dependência química.MÉTODOS:estudo transversal. Os participantes responderam aos questionários de Mensuração de Qualidade de Vida em Voze World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Bref. Além disso foi realizado, um registro vocal da vogal /a/ e de uma contagem de números de 1 a 20. Os registros vocais foram avaliados por meio da escala GRBAS-I (G - grau global da disfonia, R - rugosidade, B - soprosidade, A - astenia, S - tensão) e a análise acústica (jitter, shimmer, Glottal noise excitation) pelo software VoxMetria.RESULTADOS:avaliaram-se 29 protocolos e registros de voz; na amostra, 19 (65,5%) eram homens; a idade média da amostra foi de 37,8 anos. Os escores de ambos os questionários não apresentaram diferenças entre os usuários de drogas lícitas e os de drogas ilícitas. Na análise perceptiva por meio da GRBAS-I, eles mostraram predominância de alterações discretas e moderadas nos itens grau geral da disfonia, rugosidade e instabilidade para usuárias de drogas ilícitas. A medida acústica jitter e o shimmerestavam alterados para homens e mulheres, e o desvio padrão da frequência fundamental também estava alterado.CONCLUSÃO:alterações de qualidade de vida e voz foram identificadas em ambos os usuários. A maioria dos usuários apresentou alterações nas medidas de jittere shimmer.Usuários de drogas ilícitas apresentaram mais alterações de Glottal Noise Excitation e desvio padrão da frequência fundamental

The effect of intra-nucleus accumbens administration of allopregnanolone on δ and γ2 GABAA receptor subunit mRNA expression in the hippocampus and on depressive-like and grooming behaviors in rats

AbstractAlterations in GABAA receptor expression have been associated with the allopregnanolone (3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one; 3α,5α-THP) antidepressant-like effect in rats. The present study aimed to verify the effect of bilateral, intra-nucleus accumbens core (intra-AcbC) administration of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone on behaviors in the forced swim and grooming microstructure tests and in the δ and γ2 GABAA receptor subunit mRNA expression in right and left hippocampus of rats. The results of this study showed that bilateral, intra-AcbC allopregnanolone administration (5μg/rat) presented antidepressant‐like activity in the forced swim test concomitant with an increase in climbing. Allopregnanolone at doses of 1.25 and 5μg/rat also decreased the percentage of correct transitions in the grooming microstructure test. Both δ and γ2 GABAA subunit expressions increased in the rat hippocampus after allopregnanolone intra-AcbC treatment. Our findings point to asymmetrical GABAA receptor expression changes in the hippocampus of animals treated with allopregnanolone. Further investigation should evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of allopregnanolone not only in other directly infused regions but also with respect to changes in other brain areas of the limbic system to understand allopregnanolone's mechanism of action

Telephone counseling for young Brazilian cocaine and/or crack users. Who are these users?

Objective: To describe the users’ drug abuse characteristics, problematic behaviors associated with addiction, the motivation of teenagers and young adults to quit cocaine and/or crack abuse, and then compare these characteristics. Methods: A cross-section study was conducted with 2390 cocaine/crack users (teenagers from 14 to 19 years of age, and young adults from 20 to 24 years of age); 1471 were young adults and 919 were teenagers who had called a phone counseling service between January 2006 and December 2013. Semi-structured interviews were performed via phone calls. The questionnaires included sociodemographic information; assessment of the characteristics of cocaine/crack abuse; assessment of the problematic behaviors; also, the Contemplation Ladder was used to evaluate the stages of readiness to cease substance abuse. Results: Participants reported using cocaine (48.2%), crack and other smoking forms (36.7%) and combined consumption of both drugs (15%). Young adults were more prone to using crack or crack associated with cocaine (OR = 1.9; CI 95% = 1.05–1.57) and they were exposed to substance abuse for longer than two years (OR = 3.45; CI 95% = 2.84–4.18), when compared to teenagers. On the other hand, they showed higher readiness to quit. Conclusion: Data shows important differences in drug abuse characteristics, problematic behaviors and motivation to cease substance abuse between teenager and young adult cocaine and/or crack users. Behaviors displayed by young adults involve greater physical, mental and social health damages. These findings reinforce the importance of public policy to act on prevention and promoting health, to increase protection factors among teenagers and lower risks and losses during adult life. Resumo: Objetivo: Descrever as características de consumo, comportamentos problemáticos associados ao uso e motivação para cessar o consumo entre adolescentes e jovens usuários de cocaína e/ou crack e comparar essas características. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo transversal, com 2.390 usuários de cocaína/crack (adolescentes: 14 – 19 anos e jovens: 20 – 24 anos) sendo 1471 jovens e 919 adolescentes, que ligaram para um serviço de aconselhamento telefônico entre janeiro de 2006 e dezembro de 2013. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas por telefone. Os questionários incluíram informações sociodemográficas; avaliação das características do consumo de cocaína/crack; avaliação dos comportamentos problemáticos e escala de Contemplação Ladder para avaliar os estágios de motivação. Resultados: Os participantes relataram uso de cocaína (48,2%), crack e outras formas fumadas (36,7%) e uso associado de ambas as formas (15%). Os jovens faziam maior uso de crack ou crack associado à cocaína (OR = 1,19; IC 95% = 1,05-1,57) e estavam expostos ao uso da droga havia mais de 2 anos (OR=3,45; IC 95% = 2,84-4,18) quando comparados aos adolescentes. Por outro lado, mostraram-se mais motivados para cessar o consumo. Conclusão: Os dados mostraram haver importantes diferenças nas características de consumo, comportamentos problemáticos e motivação para cessar o consumo entre adolescentes e jovens usuários de cocaína e/ou crack. Os jovens apresentaram comportamentos que envolvem maiores prejuízos para a saúde física, mental e aspectos sociais. Esses achados reforçam a importância de ações de políticas públicas de prevenção e promoção de saúde para aumentar os fatores de proteção entre os adolescentes e reduzir riscos e prejuízos para a vida adulta. Keywords: Telephone counseling, Drug addiction, Youth, Teenagers, Cocaine, Crack, Palavras-chave: Aconselhamento telefônico, Dependência química, Jovens, Adolescentes, Cocaína, Crac

Brazilian immigrant fathers\u27 perspectives on child\u27s eating and feeding practices: A qualitative study conducted in the United States

Objectives: Brazilians comprise a rapidly growing immigrant Latino group in the USA, yet little research has focused on health issues affecting Brazilian children in immigrant families. As increasing evidence is documenting fathers\u27 influential role in their children\u27s eating behaviours and ultimately weight status, the current study sought to explore the Brazilian immigrant fathers\u27 perspectives and practices related to child\u27s feeding practices and their preschool-aged children\u27s eating. Design: Qualitative study using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted in Portuguese by native Brazilian research staff using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed thematically using a hybrid approach that incorporated deductive and inductive analytical approaches. Setting: Massachusetts. Participants: Twenty-one Brazilian immigrant fathers who had at least one child aged 2-5 years. Results: Results revealed fathers\u27 awareness of the importance of healthy eating for their children, their influence as role models and their involvement in feeding routines of their preschool-aged children. Moreover, fathers were receptive to participating in family interventions to promote their children\u27s healthy eating. Nearly all fathers reported wanting to learn more and to do \u27what\u27s right\u27 for their children. Conclusions: The current study provides new information about Brazilian immigrant fathers\u27 views about factors influencing their children\u27s healthy eating behaviours and paternal feeding practices. Future research should quantify fathers\u27 feeding styles and practices and solicit fathers\u27 input in the design of culturally appropriate family interventions targeting the home environment of preschool-aged children of Brazilian immigrant families

Telephone counseling for young Brazilian cocaine and/or crack users. Who are these users?

Objective: To describe the users’ drug abuse characteristics, problematic behaviors associated with addiction, the motivation of teenagers and young adults to quit cocaine and/or crack abuse, and then compare these characteristics. Methods: A cross‐section study was conducted with 2390 cocaine/crack users (teenagers from 14 to 19 years of age, and young adults from 20 to 24 years of age); 1471 were young adults and 919 were teenagers who had called a phone counseling service between January 2006 and December 2013. Semi‐structured interviews were performed via phone calls. The questionnaires included sociodemographic information; assessment of the characteristics of cocaine/crack abuse; assessment of the problematic behaviors; also, the Contemplation Ladder was used to evaluate the stages of readiness to cease substance abuse. Results: Participants reported using cocaine (48.2%), crack and other smoking forms (36.7%) and combined consumption of both drugs (15%). Young adults were more prone to using crack or crack associated with cocaine (OR = 1.9; CI 95% = 1.05–1.57) and they were exposed to substance abuse for longer than two years (OR = 3.45; CI 95% = 2.84–4.18), when compared to teenagers. On the other hand, they showed higher readiness to quit. Conclusion: Data shows important differences in drug abuse characteristics, problematic behaviors and motivation to cease substance abuse between teenager and young adult cocaine and/or crack users. Behaviors displayed by young adults involve greater physical, mental and social health damages. These findings reinforce the importance of public policy to act on prevention and promoting health, to increase protection factors among teenagers and lower risks and losses during adult life. Resumo: Objetivo: Descrever as características de consumo, comportamentos problemáticos associados ao uso e motivação para cessar o consumo entre adolescentes e jovens usuários de cocaína e/ou crack e comparar essas características. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo transversal, com 2.390 usuários de cocaína/crack (adolescentes: 14 – 19 anos e jovens: 20 – 24 24 anos) sendo 1471 jovens e 919 adolescentes, que ligaram para um serviço de aconselhamento telefônico entre janeiro de 2006 e dezembro de 2013. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas por telefone. Os questionários incluíram informações sociodemográficas; avaliação das características do consumo de cocaína/crack; avaliação dos comportamentos problemáticos e escala de Contemplação Ladder para avaliar os estágios de motivação. Resultados: Os participantes relataram uso de cocaína (48,2%), crack e outras formas fumadas (36,7%) e uso associado de ambas as formas (15%). Os jovens faziam maior uso de crack ou crack associado à cocaína (OR = 1,19; IC 95% = 1,05‐1,57) e estavam expostos ao uso da droga havia mais de 2 anos (OR = 3,45; IC 95% = 2,84‐4,18) quando comparados aos adolescentes. Por outro lado, mostraram‐se mais motivados para cessar o consumo. Conclusão: Os dados mostraram haver importantes diferenças nas características de consumo, comportamentos problemáticos e motivação para cessar o consumo entre adolescentes e jovens usuários de cocaína e/ou crack. Os jovens apresentaram comportamentos que envolvem maiores prejuízos para a saúde física, mental e aspectos sociais. Esses achados reforçam a importância de ações de políticas públicas de prevenção e promoção de saúde para aumentar os fatores de proteção entre os adolescentes e reduzir riscos e prejuízos para a vida adulta. Keywords: Telephone counseling, Drug addiction, Youth, Teenagers, Cocaine, Crack, Palavras‐chave: Aconselhamento telefônico, Dependência química, Jovens, Adolescentes, Cocaína, Crac