Coping with Addiction: A Case Study Exploring the Needs of Struggling Substance Abuse Addicts

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the current State Targeted Response (STR) Program in a Midwest recovery program that addressed increases in opioid abuse and barriers to recovery. The study sought to answer how substance abuse counselors detected and addressed potential barriers, if any, to addiction recovery; whether substance abuse counselors sought any need for improvements within the STR to reduce relapse; how counselors addressed the social aspects of addiction; whether counselors addressed the factors influencing addiction relapse; and whether counselors collected feedback from clients concerning their perception of the effectiveness of treatment in preventing addiction relapse. The theoretical framework of this research study was social cognitive theory, and the research methodology for the proposed study was the qualitative approach and a case study design. The researcher used the following data collection instruments: interview protocol, focus group protocol, secondary data collection form, and an audio tape. Six participants (six participants participated in one-on-one interviews and four of the six participants participated in focus group discussion) completed the study at an out-patient clinic in an urban city in the Midwest. Six themes emerged from the analysis: (1) assessments, (2) addressing barriers, (3) suggestions for improvement, (4) addressing social aspects, (5) addiction relapse, and (6) program effectiveness in preventing relapse. The study concluded with several recommendations for future research, such as studying programs in urban and rural areas and inclusion of client evaluation in the analysis

Reporting on Vital Agricultural News in Ireland – a Comparison between Mainstream Print Media and the Farming Press

The purpose of this paper is to compare the reporting of vital agricultural news between the mainstream print media and the farming press in Ireland. To achieve this, this study examined coverage of a recent and significant agricultural news event by mainstream Irish newspapers and the Irish farming press. Taking the 2018–2019 Irish beef sector crisis as the case study for examination, researchers conducted a comparative content analysis of the most widely circulated mainstream national newspapers’ (n = 5) and farming newspapers’ (n = 2) coverage of the story over a 14-month period. We analyzed the timing, frequency, and placing of some 294 articles published to communicate issues regarding the beef crisis at three specific stages—before the national farmer protests, during the farmer protests, and after the farmer protests. We found mainstream newspapers to be significantly slower to start reporting on the Irish beef sector crisis of 2018–2019 compared to the country’s farming newspapers—although national print media coverage of the event increased as the crisis escalated. This early underreporting of the event by mainstream newspapers is compelling considering the importance of the agri-food sector, and beef farming in particular, to Ireland’s economy. Building on existing international, but very limited Irish, research on agricultural journalism, we concluded that farming newspapers are more in touch with the critical issues affecting Irish farmers while mainstream newspapers appeared slower to cover a vital agricultural issue of public importance

Issues that Mature Workers Face in the Work Place

Technology is rapidly changing; mature workers often cannot compete with their younger counterparts if they are not willing to stay ahead of the technological learning curve. Doing this will keep them competitive in the job market and will provide endless opportunities when faced with the possibility of job loss due to downsizing and other factors. Unfortunately, employers believe that mature workers are more of liability than an asset compared to the younger workers and that older workers are not as current as younger workers. Further, many people in organizations believe that younger managers are better problem solvers than mature workers (Coy, 2005). This study will discuss the various issues that mature workers face and how they deal with transitioning into a world of technological changes. The study demonstrated that mature workers will constantly have to deal with many issues that are not facts. Even though these issues will continue to be difficult to solve, as long as mature workers continue to stay active and are willing to learn new things, organizations will be able to solve the issues and improve the workplace for all, including mature workers

The Potential of Blended Learning in Agricultural Education of Ireland

peer-reviewedThe management of agricultural education faces on-going challenges to deliver current and effective materials in an approach that takes advantage of developments in education technology. In this article the use of blended learning was compared with the traditional approach for the instruction of theoretical materials in agricultural education. This study used a pre-test, post-test experimental design with agricultural college students. All students were taught using either a traditional or blended methodology. They were subsequently assessed to determine their level of knowledge. Two key findings from this study were highlighted: Firstly, regardless of their age profile all learners achieved significantly better exam results following blended teaching for theoretical material. Secondly, academically weaker students performed significantly better following the blended method of delivery. Key implications arising from this research indicate that the use of the blended method of delivery can increase students acquisition of knowledge for learners of all ages; blended learning can bring text heavy materials to life and makes them more interactive and less mundane; the learning experience and learning outcomes for academically weaker students are improved through the blended learning environment

Optimization of capillary SFC-MS for the determination of additives in polymers

A standard direct introduction capillary interface is used for the SFC-MS analysis of polymer additives. The system is optimized with respect to the position of the restrictor, probe tip temperature, and ion source temperature. El-like charge-exchange spectra are obtained. Cl using ammonia as the reagent gas is used for the quantitative analysis of a real world sample. The experimental capillary SFC-MS spectra obtained show a good similarity with those recorded using the direct insertion probe. The influence of the experimental conditions on the mass spectra obtained is evaluated statistically

Computer Therapy for the Anxiety and Depressive Disorders Is Effective, Acceptable and Practical Health Care: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Depression and anxiety disorders are common and treatable with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), but access to this therapy is limited. Objective: Review evidence that computerized CBT for the anxiety and depressive disorders is acceptable to patients and effective in the short and longer term. Method: Systematic reviews and data bases were searched for randomized controlled trials of computerized cognitive behavior therapy versus a treatment or control condition in people who met diagnostic criteria for major depression, panic disorder, social phobia or generalized anxiety disorder. Number randomized, superiority of treatment versus control (Hedges g) on primary outcome measure, risk of bias, length of follow up, patient adherence and satisfaction were extracted. Principal Findings: 22 studies of comparisons with a control group were identified. The mean effect size superiority was 0.88 (NNT 2.13), and the benefit was evident across all four disorders. Improvement from computerized CBT was maintained for a median of 26 weeks follow-up. Acceptability, as indicated by adherence and satisfaction, was good. Research probity was good and bias risk low. Effect sizes were non-significantly higher in comparisons with waitlist than with active treatment control conditions. Five studies comparing computerized CBT with traditional face-to-face CBT were identified, and both modes of treatment appeared equally beneficial. Conclusions: Computerized CBT for anxiety and depressive disorders, especially via the internet, has the capacity to provide effective acceptable and practical health care for those who might otherwise remain untreated.10 page(s