Pharmacological treatment of youth substance use disorders.

While the majority of youth who experiment with alcohol and drugs do not develop problematic levels of use, 5% of adolescents and 15% of young adults meet criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD). Pharmacotherapy, in combination with behavioral interventions, has the potential to increase the likelihood of successful treatment for youth struggling with SUD; however, the literature in this area is limited. To date, there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for adolescent SUD, other than buprenorphine, which has been approved down to 16 years of age for opioid use disorder. Despite alcohol and cannabis being the most commonly used substances during adolescence, only three medications have been tested among this demographic, and only two have warranted further study (i.e., naltrexone for alcohol and -acetylcysteine for cannabis use disorder). Although less common in adolescents and young adults, the most promising pharmacological findings for this age group are for opioid (buprenorphine) and tobacco (bupropion and varenicline) use disorders. In addition, despite the recent marked increases in electronic nicotine delivery systems (i.e., vaping) among youth, treatment strategies are still in their infancy and no recommendation exists for how to promote cessation for youth vaping. Current findings are limited by: small, demographically homogeneous samples; few trials, including a substantial number of youth younger than 18; low retention; medication adherence rates; and minimal information on effective dosing levels and long-term outcomes. Overall, pharmacotherapy may be a potentially effective strategy to increase treatment effects; however, more rigorous research trials are warranted before FDA approval would be granted for any of the potential adjunctive medications in this age group

Nivel académico de los alumnos ingresantes a la carrera de psicología y su incidencia en el desempeño del primer, segundo año y tercer año. Informe de avance.

El Proyecto se orienta a conocer el nivel académico y el perfil de los alumnos ingresantes a la carrera de Psicología del año 2006; determinar la capacidad de redacción y comprensión de textos en las Jornadas de Ingreso a la Facultad y el seguimiento y evaluación del rendimiento de los mismos en los dos primeros años de la carrera.Objetivo: Explorar cuáles son los conocimientos y herramientas con que ingresan los alumnos a la carrera de Psicología y la incidencia sobre su rendimiento académico.Metodología: Primera etapa: Encuestas aplicadas a los alumnos en la Jornada de ingreso 2006. Muestra: 588 personas. 2ª etapa: Grupos focales, participación en talleres de capacitación en metodología de estudio en la Educación Superior y cuestionario enviado por correo electrónico. Muestra: 135 personas. 3º etapa: cinco grupos focales con alumnos 2006 cursantes o no del cuarto año.Conclusiones preliminares: Las dificultades en metodología de estudio y comprensión lectora afecta el rendimiento del estudiante e incide directamente en la deserción universitaria. Es considerable y de alta incidencia en el rendimiento de los estudiantes la exposición oral en los exámenes, por causas emocionales - afectivas que se suman a sus dificultades para avanzar en la carrera.Propuestas: Continuar el seguimiento de los alumnos ingreso 2006. Intensificar el ofrecimiento de los talleres de metodología de estudio. Ofrecer nuevos talleres de formación como el de preparación de exámenes orales. Participar en las actividades del Programa articulación escuela media - universidad para ampliar la discusión docente-alumno en esta temática

Religion, Spirituality, and Ethics in Psychiatric Practice

The interface of religion, spirituality, and psychiatric practice has long been of interest to the ethical psychiatrist. Some prominent early psychotherapists had a strained relationship with religion and spirituality. They posited that religion and spirituality were forms of mental illness, which discouraged the discussion of these values during treatment despite the fact that many patients subscribed to a religious or spiritual viewpoint. Contrarily, others supported a harmonious relationship with religion and spirituality and served as trailblazers for the incorporation of religion and spirituality into psychiatric treatment.As the field of psychiatry continues to evolve, additional dimensions of the relationship between religion, spirituality, and psychiatric practice must be explored. Today, many modern psychiatrists appreciate the importance of incorporating religion and spirituality into treatment, but questions such as whether it is ethical to practice psychiatry from a particular religious or spiritual viewpoint or for psychiatrists to advertise that they subscribe to a particular religion or spirituality and to engage in religious or spiritual practices with their patients remain nuanced and complex. In this resource document, the authors put forth and examine the ramifications of a bio-psycho-social-religious/spiritual model for psychological development and functioning, with this fourth dimension shifting the focus from symptom reduction alone to include other aspects of human flourishing such as resilience, meaning-making, and hope