Transgenerational Cycle of Traumatization and HIV Risk Exposure among Crack Users.

The aim of this manuscript is to understand the impact of childhood sexual abuse on the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) exposure. and parental neglect in crack cocaine users, considering the role of gender. This study is a secondary database analysis of a sample from a multicenter cross-sectional study with 715 crack cocaine users receiving outpatient treatment in public mental health networks in six Brazilian capitals.

Re-traumatization Cycle: Sexual Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Club Drug Users.

Club drug users are high risk and vulnerable population for adverse drug-related consequences and sexual risk behaviors. Few investigations have addressed the possible interrelationship between early trauma and PTSD among young club drug using populations. Exposure to traumatic experiences - especially in childhood, has been linked to risk behaviors exposure and substance use disorder.

Depression, anxiety, hopelessness and quality of life in users of cocaine/crack in outpatient treatment.

Objective:: To identify symptoms of anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness in patients in outpatient treatment for substance dependency and to test for correlations with various aspects of their quality of life.

Methods:: A cross-sectional study of a sample of 25 men in recuperation from substance dependency, selected by convenience. We assessed symptoms of depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), hopelessness (Beck Hopelessness Scale), and quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument-Abbreviated version [WHOQOL-Bref]), and also analyzed sociodemographic profile, substance abuse, and family history.

Oxidative stress and BDNF as possible markers for the severity of crack cocaine use in early withdrawal.

Rationale: An important goal of addiction research is to discover neurobiological markers that could predict the severity of addiction and help to determine appropriate treatment. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) are being related to cerebral plasticity and impairment caused by substance abuse.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate alteration of TBARS and BDNF levels among crack cocaine users during early drug withdrawal and its relationship to severity of drug use.

Increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in early crack cocaine withdrawal.

Recent reports suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) could be a biomarker for relapse, drug craving and withdrawal severity. In particular, elevated BDNF levels among former cocaine users have been associated with higher rates of relapse in 90 d. However, no data are available on BDNF levels at baseline and during crack cocaine withdrawal.