Background:Alcohol and opiates are among the most addictive substances posing significant public health problems due to the biopsychosocial impact that they have on individuals. Research shows that majority of abstinent alcohol and/or opioid dependence subjects relapse within 1 year. It has also been estimated that 26–36 million people worldwide abuse opiates, with exceptionally high-relapse rates. The purpose of this study was to compare the sociodemographic factors and correlates relapse in alcohol dependence and opioid dependence.Methodology:This research uses a cross-sectional comparative study design with a sample size of 60 drawn from a population of clinically diagnosed patients of alcohol dependence (n = 30) or opioid dependence (n = 30) and seeking treatment for relapse. In addition to collecting sociodemographic data, other factors such as craving, affect, self-efficacy, and expressed emotions were measured using standardized instruments including brief substance craving scale, Bradburn affect balance scale, drug avoidance and self-efficacy scale and family emotional involvement, and conflict scale. The data were statistically analyzed.Results:Disparity in sociodemographic factors was seen in both the groups with opioid group being more likely to be single, unemployed, belonging to lower socioeconomic status, and having a criminal record (P = 0.025). Among factors associated with relapse, the opioid group scored significantly higher on craving, perceived criticism (P = 0.0001), and lower on self-efficacy (P = 0.016). Most common reason cited for relapse in both the groups was desire for positive mood.Conclusion:This study highlights the role of social determinants in drug dependence and relapse. Relapse was found to be a complex multifactorial phenomenon. Despite differences in presentation, somewhat similar relapse mechanisms were seen in both groups.
Context:There is a paucity of published telepsychiatry results in India.Aims:This study was conducted to assess the feasibility of asynchronous telepsychiatry and to study the referral patterns.Settings and Design:This study was conducted in the telemedicine unit of a tertiary care center and design was retrospective analysis of 94 cases, which were diagnosed and treated by telepsychiatry.Materials and Methods:All 94 patients who were referred between January 2007 and August 2013 for telepsychiatry consultations were retrospectively analyzed to assess the referral pattern and feasibility.Statistical Analysis Used:Comparisons between demographic parameters and psychiatric diagnosis was done using Chi-square test.Results:In 89 out of 94 (95%) patients it was possible to make a definitive diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment only on the basis of data received from the primary care physician by telepsychiatry. This indicates the feasibility of telepsychiatry. The most common problems for which referrals were made included schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders and substance related disorders.Conclusions:This study demonstrates the feasibility of Asynchronous telepsychiatry. Additional Indian studies should be conducted to build the evidence base for the best use of asynchronous telepsychiatry.
Background: Alcohol use disorder is a common and challenging problem in India. In various studies the prevalence of co-morbid psychopathologies ranges from 15-70% including depression & anxiety disorders. Coping mechanisms of individual play vital role in case of developing alcohol dependence and various psychopathologies. A complex interaction of psychopathologies, coping skills, and alcohol use can influence the outcome of alcohol dependence. This study was undertaken with the aim of studying coping mechanism along with anxiety, depressive symptoms and their correlation in patients of alcohol dependence.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in a tertiary government hospital. Institutional ethics committee approval obtained. 152 patients with the diagnosis of alcohol dependence (DSM IV TR) were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria, out of which 60 patients were enrolled after taking written informed consent. Following scales were used for the study, mechanisms of coping scale (MOCS), Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A), Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS).Results: 32 patients had HAM-A score >17 suggestive of anxiety, similarly 40 patients had MADRS score >7 indicating depression. Problem focussed coping mechanism such as problem solving is associated with better outcome in terms of lesser anxiety and later age of first drink as well as developing dependence. Passivity, which is an emotion focussed coping mechanism, is associated with earlier first drink and higher depression score in patient suggesting poor outcome.Conclusions: Coping skills training should be incorporated in abstinence focused programs. Co-morbid psychopathologies like anxiety and depression are common in alcohol dependence individuals and thus, screening for these symptoms is essential for early interventions and better outcomes.
Psychiatry and crime are linked in certain ways. On one hand, we have criminal offenders with serious psychopathology; and on the other hand, we have psychiatric patients who may commit criminal offences during the influence of a psychiatric disorder. The psychiatrist in practice has to come in contact with the criminal justice system at some point of time in his career. Forensic psychiatry under whose realm these issues reside is a branch yet underdeveloped in India. The present paper reviews the inter-relationship between crime and psychiatry and the factors involved therein.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.