1/27. Iatrogenic drug dependence--a problem in intensive care? Case study and literature review.Use of sedative and analgesic pharmacological agents is a widespread practice in intensive care units (ICUs). Mainly, this involves opioid and benzodiazepine analogues, both known to induce dependence/tolerance states. This paper is based on a clinical scenario in which a patient treated with these agents developed problems when they had been discontinued, and exploration of the extent of such problems generally. The problems range across a wide range of domains and may include physical discomfort, difficulty weaning from respiratory assistance and the drugs, and the problems of short- and long-term psychological distress. Although there may be a recognition that these drugs can typically cause dependence problems, little emphasis has traditionally been given to assessing these problems in ICUs. Yet the ICU may be an area where these drugs are used in high volumes. The recognition, physiology, management and prevention of iatrogenic drug dependence/tolerance in critical care environments is elucidated, with reference to relevant literature.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/27. hallucinations and delusions. 2: A dual diagnosis case study.This article, the second of two parts, describes how evidence-based psychological interventions were used to help a client suffering from treatment-resistant delusions and substance misuse, allied to a chaotic lifestyle, that had previously presented a substantial challenge to services. The first part (Vol 8(15): 998-1002) Investigated how the neurobiological, social and environmental factors involved in the course and treatment of schizophrenia have helped to establish a pathway to recovery or remission that does not involve pharmacological therapy alone.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/27. portraits of change: case studies from an elder-specific addiction program.The authors describe two case histories of patients served by the GET SMART program that provide a glimpse of typical client substance abuse histories and their remarkable journeys of change. An age-specific outpatient program for older veterans with illicit drug and alcohol dependence, the GET SMART program uses individualized and group treatment interventions in an environment of collaboration, respect, and hope. The program employs the stages of change framework and a clinical framework that includes cognitive-behavioral and motivational interviewing approaches.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/27. Addiction as an attachment disorder: implications for group therapy.This article presents a perspective on addiction that not only substantiates why group therapy is the treatment of choice for addiction, but also integrates diverse perspectives from 12-step abstinence-based models, self psychology, and attachment theory into a complementary integrative formula. Attachment theory, self psychology, and affect regulation theory characterize addiction as an attachment disorder induced by a person's misguided attempt at self-repair because of deficits in psychic structure. Vulnerability of the self is the consequence of developmental failures and early environmental deprivation leading to ineffective attachment styles. Substance abuse, as a reparative attempt, only exacerbates that condition because of physical dependence and further deterioration of existing physiological and psychological structures. Prolonged stress on existing structures leads to exaggerated difficulty in the regulation of affect, which leads to inadequate modulation of appropriate behavior and self-care and increased character pathology.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/27. Pearls and pitfalls in the approach to patients with neurotoxic syndromes.neurotoxins are an important cause of neurologic disorders. A vast number of potentially neurotoxic compounds exist, including prescription drugs, illicit substances, and exposures through the workplace, residence, hobbies, and the environment. Effects of neurotoxins can mimic neurologic illnesses; therefore, it is important to consider neurotoxins in the differential diagnosis of any patient with neurological dysfunction. Paramount to the diagnosis of a possible neurotoxic syndrome is establishing causation. This can be done by a systematic approach utilizing principles in epidemiology and applying them to the individual patient. This approach is discussed in the following article in an attempt to bring structure to solving problems in a complex area of medicine.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/27. Electrocardiographic manifestations of hypothermia.hypothermia is generally defined as a core body temperature less than 35 degrees C (95 degrees F). hypothermia is one of the most common environmental emergencies encountered by emergency physicians. Although the diagnosis will usually be evident after an initial check of vital signs, the diagnosis can sometimes be missed because of overreliance on normal or near-normal oral or tympanic thermometer readings. The classic and well-known electrocardiographic (ECG) manifestations of hypothermia include the presence of J (Osborn) waves, interval (PR, QRS, QT) prolongation, and atrial and ventricular dysrhythmias. There are also some less known (ECG) findings associated with hypothermia. For example, hypothermia can produce ECG signs that simulate those of acute myocardial ischemia or myocardial infarction. hypothermia can also blunt the expected ECG findings associated with hyperkalemia. A thorough knowledge of these findings is important for prompt diagnosis and treatment of hypothermia. Six cases are presented that show these important ECG manifestations of hypothermia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/27. Limb-body wall complex: a case series.OBJECTIVE: Limb-body wall complex (LBWC) is a rare fetal polymalformation of uncertain etiology, but it has been regarded as sporadic in nature with a low recurrence risk. We review a case series in light of recent evidence about possible genetic and environmental associations. methods: All abortions or births coded as limb-body wall defect or fetal acrania/exencephaly or with unclassified polymalformation between January 1996 and January 2001 were audited. RESULTS: During the 5-year period there were 33,286 live births in our region. Eleven cases met the criteria of LBWC giving an incidence of 0.33/1000 live births. In 50%, 50% and 30% of women a history of cigarette, alcohol and marijuana use, respectively, was noted. Furthermore, 40% of the women had a history of a previous infant with a congenital anomaly. One patient delivered two consecutive male infants with LBWC. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst the majority of cases of LBWC are sporadic, some women may have an underlying genetic predisposition. It may be prudent to advise against the use of alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs and to offer an ultrasound scan in a tertiary referral center in a subsequent pregnancy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/27. cocaine addiction: relationship to seasonal affective disorder.We report a 25 year-old patient with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and cocaine abuse who experienced cyclical fluctuations in cocaine craving which were concomitant with seasonal alterations in mood. The temporal association of both disorders in this patient suggests that they may share a common underlying pathophysiology. Since disturbances in circadian rhythms and pineal melatonin functions may in part underlie the pathophysiology of SAD and the psychomimetic effects of cocaine are mediated in part through the pineal gland, we propose that dysfunction of circadian rhythms and pineal melatonin functions may partly mediate the association of SAD with cocaine abuse. This hypothesis may have potential clinical and therapeutic implications for a subgroup of cocaine abusers with SAD since light therapy, which is efficacious in the therapy of SAD, may also prove to be beneficial in reducing cocaine addiction. Furthermore, the report illustrates the need for investigations of environmental cues for cocaine abuse with specific attention given to the effects of light on circadian mood changes.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/27. methamphetamine abuse: a perfect storm of complications.Previously restricted primarily to hawaii and california, methamphetamine abuse has reached epidemic proportions throughout the united states during the past decade, specifically in rural and semirural areas. Particular characteristics of methamphetamine production and use create conditions for a "perfect storm" of medical and social complications. Unlike imported recreational drugs such as heroin and cocaine, methamphetamine can be manufactured locally from commonly available household ingredients according to simple recipes readily available on the internet. methamphetamine users and producers are frequently one and the same, resulting in both physical and environmental consequences. Users experience emergent, acute, subacute, and chronic injuries to neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, dental, and other systems. Producers can sustain life-threatening injuries in the frequent fires and explosions that result when volatile chemicals are combined. Partners and children of producers, as well as unsuspecting first responders to a crisis, are exposed to toxic by-products of methamphetamine manufacture that contaminate the places that serve simultaneously as "lab" and home. From the vantage point of a local emergency department, this article reviews the range of medical and social consequences that radiate from a single hypothetical methamphetamine-associated incident.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/27. culture and social class as intervening variables in relapse prevention with chemically dependent women.Craving and relapse are complex, poorly understood phenomena. A distinctive and baffling characteristic of the disease of chemical dependency is the continuing impulse to use alcohol and/or other drugs, even after lengthy periods of sobriety. This article discusses relapse prevention, focusing on public-sector chemically dependent women. Relapse among these women must be seen in the total context of their lives. poverty and social disorganization do not directly cause relapse, but problems related to daily life under such conditions represent significant risk factors. The Eagleville Hospital treatment model and relapse prevention programs are described, and it is noted that public-sector women typically present with problems related to being raised in addicted households, residing in drug-saturated inner-city environments, deficits in child-rearing skills, destructive (often abusive) relationships with men, social interactions involving other substance abusers, few (if any) work skills, minimal educational achievement, low self-esteem, and poor self-image. A case study illustrates the course of treatment and relapse prevention efforts with a typical public-sector chemically dependent woman.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = environment (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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