Screening of drug use in a teenage Brazilian sample using the Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI)

The Brazilian translation of the Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI) was applied to 213 Brazilian teenagers who were classified according to their alcohol and/or drug dependence level (DSM-III-R) as: 71 nondrug users (Group 1), 71 with light/moderate dependence (Group 2) and 71 with severe dependence (Group 3). the DUSI was applied and the absolute density in each of 10 areas was calculated. the three groups presented statistically significant differences (p < .001) in the substance use area, with the following values (medians +/- interquartile range): Group 1: 0 +/- 7; Group 2: 20 +/- 33 and Group 3: 80 +/- 33. the groups also presented significant differences in behavior pattern, social competency, family system, work adjustment. peer relationships and leisure/recreation. Other differences detected among the groups indicated an important relationship between drug use and school delay. A good Spearman rank correlation (0.86, p < .0001) was observed between Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) diagnosis and DUSI, indicating that this instrument can be useful in the screening of substance use among Brazilian teenagers. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Drug use by Brazilian students: associations with family, psychosocial, health, demographic and behavioral characteristics

Aims in the last few years epidemiological studies in Brazil have detected significant increases in the use and abuse of psychoactive drugs by adolescents: however. there is it paucity of data on the factors associated with this use.Objectives To assess the prevalence of drug use by students from public schools in a Brazilian city and to evaluate the influence of age. school achievement, family, psychosocial, health, demographic and behavioural characteristics on regular drug use.Design This cross-sectional study was conducted using a representative sample of 6417 students attending public schools in the City of Barueri, Brazil and included adolescents from the 5th grade of elementary school to the 3rd year of high school. the Brazilian version of the Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI-R) was administered in the classroom by trained educational advisers without teachers being present.Findings prevalence rates for the previous month were: alcohol: 48%, tobacco: 22.5%. cannabis: 14%. inhalants/solvents: 5%, cocaine: 3%, tranquillizers: 0.5%. amphetamines: 0.9%, anabolic steroids: 0.1% and ecstasy: 0.9%. With the exceptions of tranquillizers and amphetamines, the older students reported significantly higher frequencies and amounts of drug use than the younger ones. Boys reported a significantly higher consumption of alcohol. cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy than girls, as well as higher percentages of frequent/heavy use. Logistic regression analysis detected that poor school achievement a poor or bad relationship with those with whom they live. studying in the evening period, presence of antisocial behaviour, family problems and friends who use drugs were factors significantly associated with drug use.Conclusions the findings suggest that preventive programmes should be more comprehensive in scope, rather than focusing only on information about the negative consequences of drug use.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Comparison of individual and group cognitive-behavioral therapy for alcohol and/or drug-dependent patients

Aims and design. A randomized clinical trial was performed to evaluate the influence of two formats of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (individual vs. group) in the treatment of alcohol and/or drug dependent patients. Setting. Public outpatient drug dependence service. Participants. One hundred and fifty-five alcohol and/or drug-dependent patients. Intervention. the patients were randomly assigned to individual (n = 77) or group (n = 78) treatment formats. the treatment was developed into two phases: acquisition (eight sessions) and maintenance (nine sessions), distributed over an 8-month period. Measurements. Alcohol and drug use, severity of dependence, and alcohol- and drug-related problems were evaluated at pre-treatment and 15 months after admission to treatment. Findings. At follow-up evaluation both groups of patients presented similar levels of drug consumption, dependence and associated problems. Although group-treated patients reported slightly higher levels of alcohol consumption (both at baseline and follow-up) differences between the formats disappear if baseline levels are included as covariates. Compliance with treatment and a measure of drug severity were predictors of success for the drug dependents. the number of sessions attended and high GGT levels at admission were positively correlated with success for the alcohol dependents. Conclusions. the two modalities presented similar outcomes and, as the group format could present a better cost-benefit ratio, it may be used without decreasing compliance with treatment or treatment effectiveness.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04024002 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Are reasons for the first use of drugs and family circumstances predictors of future use patterns?

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the level of drug dependence in adolescents can be predicted by any of the following factors: the reasons to which the first use or non-use of drugs is attributed, living arrangements, economic situation, family history of alcohol use, or school delay. 213 Brazilian adolescents were classified according to DSM-III-R criteria as: 71 non-drug-dependent users (Group 1), 71 lightly/moderately dependent users (Group 2), and 71 severely dependent users (Group 3). Logistic regression identified the following predictors of current drug use patterns: low economic level, school delay, living only with the mother, having a poor/bad family relationship, and influence of friends, pleasure seeking, or curiosity as reasons for initial drug use. Among Groups I and 2, never felt like trying, fear of dying from an overdose, and religious reasons were the main reasons for not using other drugs. School delay and troubled family relationships were important predictors of current drug dependence, and pleasure seeking was a prominent reason for initial drug use. This suggests that drug use prevention should not simply focus on reducing drug availability but also on helping young people to develop good family/peer relationships and finding healthy ways to enjoy themselves. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Behavioral sensitization to ethanol is increased by energy drink administration

UNIFESP, Dept Psychobiol, São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, Dept Psychobiol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Effects of identification and usefulness of the Lie Scale of the Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI-R) in the assessment of adolescent drug use

Objectives: the main objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of subject identification versus anonymity on adolescents' drug use assessment using the Drug Use Screening Inventory-R and to assess the usefulness of the Lie Scale of that instrument.Methods: Six hundred and fifty-five Brazilian students (5th to 11th graders) from a public school of São Paulo participated in the study. One third of them were instructed to put their names on the questionnaire, one third answered it anonymously and the remaining ones were partially identified according to a code list that was kept by one student who represented his classmates. the answers of the identified groups of students were compared with those from the anonymous group. According to their scores in the Lie Scale, the students were divided into two groups: low and high score groups.Results and conclusions: No significant differences were found among anonymous, identified and partially identified groups regarding alcohol or drug consumption report, or in the density of problems in all drug use screening inventory (DUSI) areas. Regarding the Lie Scale, the high score group reported lower alcohol or drug consumption and fewer alcohol or drug related problems in all DUSI areas when compared to the low score group. the results suggest that identification or anonymity does not affect the students' answers to the DUSI and point out the usefulness of the Lie Scale of DUSI-R. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Pontif Catholic Univ São Paulo, PUC SP, Dept Dev Psychol, BR-05014001 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Psychiatric comorbidity among alcohol dependents.

UNIFESP, MLOS Dept Psychobiol, São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, MLOS Dept Psychobiol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

AMYGDALOID KINDLING and KINDLED SEIZURES in RATS RECEIVING CHRONIC ETHANOL ADMINISTRATION

ESCOLA PAULISTA MED SCH,DISCIPLINA NEUROL EXPTL,BR-04023 São Paulo,BRAZILESCOLA PAULISTA MED SCH,DEPT PSICOBIOL,BR-04023 São Paulo,BRAZILESCOLA PAULISTA MED SCH,DISCIPLINA NEUROL EXPTL,BR-04023 São Paulo,BRAZILESCOLA PAULISTA MED SCH,DEPT PSICOBIOL,BR-04023 São Paulo,BRAZILWeb of Scienc