No abstract

In this high-risk population of heavy drinkers, the prevalence of pancreatitis is at least 3%. Our study provides preliminary data regarding potential cofactors for pancreatitis in heavy drinkers.

Cocaine abusers (N = 42) from an inpatient drug rehabilitation program were interviewed regarding combined use of cocaine with alcohol or cigarettes. Concurrent use of alcohol and cocaine was reported by 37 patients and concurrent use of cigarettes and cocaine by 41 patients. All but two concurrent users reported simultaneous use of alcohol or cigarettes with cocaine. Increased cocaine effect was perceived by 43% of simultaneous alcohol users compared with 15% of simultaneous cigarette users. Patients experienced decreased craving for cocaine and alcohol during treatment, but craving for cigarettes remained essentially unchanged.

In a 2-week intervention to reduce cigarette smoking among outpatients in treatment for cocaine addiction, 20 subjects were randomly assigned to a contingent group, receiving monetary vouchers for breath samples with carbon monoxide (CO) levels of 8 ppm or less, or to a noncontingent group, receiving vouchers regardless of CO level. Subjects wore either nicotine or placebo patches in a randomized crossover design. Contingent subjects had significantly lower CO levels and met the 8 ppm target significantly more often than did noncontingent subjects; however, number of cigarettes reported smoked did not differ between groups. Use of nicotine patches resulted in CO levels significantly lower than did use of placebo patches, but levels still exceeded 8 ppm regardless of type of patch. Because contingent reward helped cocaine-dependent smokers achieve nonsmoking CO targets, behavioral antismoking interventions merit continued study in similar populations.