Sleep related beliefs and their association with alcohol relapse following residential alcohol detoxification treatment.

Background: Alcohol dependence is known to impact upon sleep, and poor sleep has been shown to affect relapse rates following treatment for alcohol dependence.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sleep problems and relapse in dependent drinkers in an inpatient setting. This was done by studying sleep related cognitions in individuals undergoing medically assisted alcohol withdrawal.

Rates of undiagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in London drug and alcohol detoxification units.

Background: ADHD is a common childhood onset mental health disorder that persists into adulthood in two-thirds of cases. One of the most prevalent and impairing comorbidities of ADHD in adults are substance use disorders. We estimate rates of ADHD in patients with substance abuse disorders and delineate impairment in the co-morbid group.

Does active referral by a doctor or 12-Step peer improve 12-Step meeting attendance? Results from a pilot randomised control trial.

Background: Active engagement in 12-Step self-help groups (SHG) is associated with improvements in substance use outcomes during and after treatment, yet levels of participation in SHG meetings in the U.K. remain low.

Long-term misuse of zopiclone in an alcohol dependent woman with a history of anorexia nervosa: a case report.

Introduction: The Z-drugs, zaleplon, zopiclone and zolpidem, are short-acting hypnotics which act at the same receptor as the benzodiazepines, but seemingly without the potential for misuse and the development of dependence of the older benzodiazepines. However, with increased prescribing of Z-drugs, reports of misuse and possible dependence began to appear in the literature, particularly in people with a history of substance misuse and comorbid psychiatric illness. Here we report the case of a woman with a history of chronic zopiclone use and anorexia nervosa, admitted for alcohol detoxification.

Illicit drug use as a predictor of smoking cessation treatment outcome.

Introduction: Evidence from cross-sectional survey data suggests a negative association between illicit drug use and smoking cessation. In a prospective clinical cohort, we examined whether illicit drug users were less successful than other smokers when making an attempt to stop smoking.

Methods: A total of 100 smokers attending a tobacco dependence clinic were studied.