• Knowles Kilgore posted an update 1 week, 4 days ago

    Co-occurrence of depression and a substance use disorder (SUD) in patients who present dual diagnoses has been long recognized as an important consideration in clinical practice. This review synthesizes the evidence of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for comorbid depressive disorders and SUDs while providing clinical recommendations about the best interventions to address these patients. The best evidence from randomized controlled trials was used to evaluate treatment options. The strength of recommendations was described using the GRADE approach. Our results suggest that 1) In patients with depression and alcohol consumption, the administration of non-selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants instead of SSRI is recommended for improvement of depressive symptoms (strong recommendation). Neither SSRI (strong recommendation) nor non-SSRI (weak recommendation) antidepressants are recommended for reduction in alcohol consumption. 2) In patients with depression and cannabis use, the use of venlafaxine is not recommended (weak recommendation). 3) In patients with depression and cocaine consumption, the use of SSRI antidepressants for improving depressive symptoms (weak recommendation) or to reduce cocaine use is not recommended (strong recommendation). The use of non-SSRI antidepressants is only recommended for improving depressive symptoms (strong recommendation). 4) The administration of bupropion to reduce nicotine consumption is not recommended (strong recommendation). 5) Regarding psychological treatment, in patients with depression and co-occurring alcohol disorder, both pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy have positive effects on internalizing symptoms and in reducing alcohol consumption (weak recommendation). Our review suggests the need for more research in this area and for larger, multisite, randomized studies to provide more definite evidence.Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the world, especially among young people. This study is relevant to policy makers because it expands the knowledge regarding drug use in vulnerable youth, allowing health authorities to reduce marijuana consumption via educational, family, and governmental strategies and policies. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of frequent marijuana consumption and its associated factors in young people before admission to juvenile detention centers in Peru. The data was taken from the 2016 National Population Census of the Youth Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Centers in Peru. The final sample was made up of 1,848 people with ages between 14 and 22 years old, with a median age of 17 (95.6% males). BTK inhibitor The variable frequent marijuana consumption was defined as the use of marijuana at least once a week, prior to entering the center. The main factors associated with frequent marijuana use were male sex, running away from home before the age of 15, physical abuse during childhood, having a family member who consumed alcohol or drugs frequently, and the presence of criminal gangs in the housing area. Additionally, it was found that living with parents up to a specific critical age decreases the probability of frequent use of marijuana in young people. These results could aid the development of strategies and public policies that help prevent the consumption of marijuana and other drugs from an early age.The present study investigates the concentration of Delta (9)-tetrahidrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) in 60 samples of cannabis resin acquired on the streets of Madrid region and its potential danger to consumers’ health. Additionally, we study the possible correlation between the potency of samples and their organoleptic characteristics. The analysis of cannabinoids was carried out using a high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC-UV). To classify samples, a strength scale based on THC content was established. THC content in 76.7% of the samples was higher than 15%. This potency allows these samples to be classified as Schedule I or drugs with “unacceptable risk” for human health. THC content in 36.7% of the samples was 28.8% on average, which means very high potency. The mean CBD content was 5%, while the correlation between the CBD/THC ratio and potency was negative. The mean content of CBN was 1.74% and the CBN/THC ratio also showed a negative correlation in respect to potency. When investigating the possible correlation between sample potency and organoleptic characteristics, those samples which simultaneously presented sticky texture, high elasticity and light brown colour had very high potency, with an average THC content of 28.7%. Our study shows that the THC content of most of the cannabis that can be purchased in Madrid region is over 15% and poses a health hazard. Additionally, we demonstrate for the first time that only those samples with very high potency can be directly associated with certain organoleptic characteristics.Due to the increase in gambling, gambling disorders have become a major social problem of importance for public health, affecting both adults and adolescents. The main objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of the Galician population who spent money on gambling in the last year and the prevalence of people with, or at risk of, gambling disorder. Data was obtained from a cross-sectional survey carried out in 2017 by the Galician Information System on Risk Behaviors (SICRI). The SICRI conducts annual telephone surveys of Galician residents who were at least 16 years of age, with the sample equidistributed over a 12-month period. A total of 7,841 participants were selected using stratified random sampling. In order to estimate the prevalence of gambling disorder or at-risk gambling, The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) questionnaire by Lesieur and Blume was applied. The prevalence of gambling and having or being at risk of gambling disorder was estimated and regression models were adjusted to identify variables associated with gambling disorder or being at risk. Of the Galician population aged 16 years and older, 58.1% (95% CI 57.0-59.2) spent money on gambling in the 12 months previous to this study, with the highest prevalence of gambling found in men (64.6% vs. 52.2%) in all age groups. The prevalence of gambling disorder or at-risk gambling at the population level is 1.6% (95% CI 1.3-1.9), and is higher among men and younger gamblers. The prevalence obtained signals to gambling as a major public health concern, with young males being at greater risk of developing a gambling problem.