'Z-trip'? A Comprehensive Overview and a Case-series of Zolpidem Misuse.

Although believed safer compared to short-acting benzodiazepines (BZD), in the past few years a growing concern has developed relating to the abuse of Z-drugs, and specifically of zolpidem. Here we aim to review the evidence for the misuse of zolpidem and describe several related cases collected in Italy. A comprehensive overview is here carried by using several databases, and by combining the search strategy of free text terms and exploding a range of MESH headings relating to the topics of Zolpidem and Abuse and/or Misuse as follows: (([Title/Abstract]) AND ([Title/Abstract]) OR ([Title/Abstract])), without time and/or language restrictions.

The Changing Landscape of Alcohol Use and Alcohol Use Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Perspectives of Early Career Professionals in 16 Countries.

: Alcohol use is a major risk factor for infectious disease and reduction of harms associated with alcohol consumption are essential during times of humanitarian crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. As a network of early career professionals working in the area of addiction medicine, we provide our views with regards to national actions related to reducing alcohol-related harm and providing care for people with alcohol use disorder during COVID-19. We believe that COVID-19 related measures have affected alcohol consumption in the majority of countries represented in this commentary.

Psychopathological Features of Bipolar Depression: Italian Validation of the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (I-BDRS).

Aim of the study was the validation of the Bipolar Disorder Rating Scale (BDRS) in an Italian population. Secondary aim was the evaluation of differences between unipolar and bipolar depression and between bipolar I and II depressed patients. 125 Bipolar Disorder and 60 Major Depressive Disorder patients were administered an Italian translation of the BDRS (I-BDRS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R).

Impulsivity, alexithymia and dissociation among pathological gamblers in different therapeutic settings: A multisample comparison study.

Since many psychopathological traits seem to be related to Gambling Disorder (GD), impulsivity, alexithymia and dissociation could play a central role in gambling behaviors, particularly in pathological gambling. We test this hypothesis in four distinct samples of gamblers, three undergoing different types of treatments and a control group. The study sample consists of 204 subjects (males 87.

Psychopathological features in a sample of substance-abusing individuals with criminal history: Towards a definition of a personality prototype of an 'Addict with Criminal Conduct'.

Background: The relationship between substance use disorders and criminal activity is strong, and one that is not easily resolved in the criminal justice system. A better understanding of personality traits among substance misusers who commit offences could support better treatment efforts.

Aims: The aim of this study is to explore associations between the psychopathology of people addicted to substances who have also committed crimes.

Adult separation anxiety and TCI-R personality dimensions in patients with anxiety, alcohol use, and gambling: a preliminary report.

Background: Nowadays, adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD) is an established diagnostic category but is little investigated in subjects with addictive behaviours.

Objective: To assess the presence of ASAD among patients with addictive disorders in comparison with anxiety patients and measure the personality correlates in all these groups.

Methods: 103 outpatients, meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for anxiety disorders (38 patients), alcohol dependence (30 patients), or pathological gambling (35 patients), were assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for Separation Anxiety Symptoms (SCI-SAS) and the Adult Separation Anxiety Checklist (ASA-27) for separation anxiety and by the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R) for personality characteristics.

Affective temperaments and psychopathological dimensions of personality in bipolar and cyclothymic patients.

The aims of the study were: (1) to study possible associations between temperament, personality dimensions, and psychopathological variables in a clinical sample of euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and cyclothymia; and (2) to assess how Cloninger's temperament and personality dimensions were associated with affective temperaments. Participants, consisting of 60 patients with BD (type I or II) and cyclothymia in the euthymic phase, completed Akiskal's Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A), and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory-revised version (TCI-R). The diagnostic groups differed in past hospitalization, for age at onset of the disorder, and on two affective temperaments: the TEMPS-A Hyperthymia, and the TEMPS-A Irritability.

[Separation anxiety disorder: evidence of literature and clinical implications].

Since the mid-90s several studies have proven the existence of an Adult form of the Separation Anxiety Disorder (ASAD) not yet nosologically recognized by the international psychiatric classification systems (DSM and ICD). An increasing amount of evidence showed that the separation anxiety disorder may arise at any age, not always in continuation with the correspondent childhood disorder. So, a revision of the diagnostic criteria for this disorder is brought into question, as the onset is currently limited before 18 years of age.

Bipolar disorder: "pure" versus mixed depression over a 1-year follow-up.

Objectives: To compare two samples of Bipolar (BD) patients presenting "pure" (D) and mixed (Mx) depression to assess any difference in terms of clinical outcome, social functioning and quality of life during a 1-year follow-up.

Methods: A total of 114 depressed outpatients (HDRS > 13) were included. "Pure" depressed (D, n = 76) were divided from "mixed" depressed (Mx, n = 38) by the number of concomitant manic symptoms.

Factors associated with the course of symptoms in bipolar disorder during a 1-year follow-up: depression vs. sub-threshold mixed state.

Background: Mixed mood states, even in their sub-threshold forms, may significantly affect the course and outcome of bipolar disorder (BD).

Aim: To compare two samples of BD patients presenting a major depressive episode and a sub-threshold mixed state in terms of global functioning, clinical outcome, social adjustment and quality of life during a 1-year follow-up.

Methods: The sample was composed by 90 subjects (Group 1, D) clinically diagnosed with a major depressive episode and 41 patients (Group 2, Mx) for a sub-threshold mixed state.

Description and validation of a questionnaire for the detection of meteoropathy and meteorosensitivity: the METEO-Q.

Background: There is a growing interest for the effects of weather changes on both healthy and psychiatric individuals. This study aims to validate a short questionnaire (METEO-Q) for the detection of meteoropathy and meteorosensitivity.

Methods: The METEO-Q was administered to 1099 (528 men, 571 women) healthy subjects.

Sexual behavior in women with bipolar disorder.

Introduction: There is a lack of studies regarding sexuality and sexual behavior in women with bipolar disorder. The aim of this study is to investigate sexual behavior in women affected by bipolar disorder in order to stimulate interest and debate in this area of care.

Methods: Sixty women (30 BD I and 30 BD II) consent to participate in the study and were included in the sample.

Behavioural addictions in bipolar disorder patients: role of impulsivity and personality dimensions.

Background: Behavioural addictions (BAs) can be understood as disorders characterized by repetitive occurrence of impulsive and uncontrolled behaviours. Very few studies have investigated their association with mood disorders. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of the main behavioural addictions in a sample of bipolar outpatients in euthymic phase or stabilised by medications and to investigate the role of impulsivity and temperamental and character dimensions.

Pregabalin, tiapride and lorazepam in alcohol withdrawal syndrome: a multi-centre, randomized, single-blind comparison trial.

Introduction: The aim of this trial was to compare lorazepam with non-benzodiazepine medications such as pregabalin and tiapride in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). These drugs were chosen for their inhibitorial effects on the hypersecretion of neurotransmitters usually observed in AWS. Craving reduction and improvement of psychiatric symptoms were the secondary end-points.