Domestic and external violence, parental neglect, and social sanctions among crack users: A cross-sectional study exploring the role of gender.

Background: Substance Use Disorders are often associated with significant levels of domestic and external violence registered among abusers. This investigation aimed to evaluate the Domestic Violence Involvement (DVI) and related gender differences among Crack Cocaine Users in Brazil.

Methods: For this purpose, a secondary data analysis of a multicenter cross-sectional study involving 780 Crack Cocaine Users from 6 Brazilian capitals was performed.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine as an adjuvant treatment for alcohol use disorder.

Objective: We aimed to assess the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), as an adjuvant treatment, on treatment adherence (primary outcome), in peripheral biomarkers and clinical improvement (secondary outcomes) in alcohol use disorders (AUD) patients.

Methods: A 9-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) was conducted on 53 (n=25 NAC, n=28 placebo) inpatients with AUD. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, and hepatic parameters were analyzed in three-time moments.

Recommendations for effective collaboration and capacity building in epidemiological studies on the effect of alcohol and drug use on traffic safety in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: Alcohol or drug impairment is a major risk factor for road traffic crashes, and studies on this issue are essential to provide evidence-based data for policymakers. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such studies are often conducted in partnership with one or more organizations in high-income countries (HICs). The aim of this article is to provide recommendations for improving project planning and decision-making processes in epidemiological studies on alcohol, drug and traffic safety in LMICs involving HICs.

Substance use and type of Road Traffic Injury in Mexico City.

Limited data are available in Mexico on the prevalence of alcohol and drug use and the possible differences in their effects on types of road traffic injury (RTI), such as those involving pedestrians, drivers or passengers of motorcycles or other motor vehicles, and the association between substance use and driving behaviors, for preventive purposes. The sample comprised 433 adult RTI patients, admitted to the emergency department (ED) of a public hospital in Mexico City (January to April 2022). Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was measured using a breath tester, and six types of drugs (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, and methamphetamine) were assessed using a saliva screen test.

Proposing an integrative, dynamic and transdiagnostic model for addictions: dysregulation phenomena of the three main modes of the predostatic mind.

Several theories have been proposed to explain the complex diagnostic aspects related to addiction disorders and their development. Recent frameworks tend to focus on dimensional perspectives of symptoms rather than categorical systems, since substance use disorders are frequently comorbid with other psychiatric and especially personality disorders. However, useful transdiagnostic models that could integrate clinical evaluation derived from neuroscientific theories are lacking.

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.

Serum BDNF levels increase during early drug withdrawal in alcohol and crack cocaine addiction.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in several drug-induced brain neuroadaptations. The impact of withdrawal from substances that have different neurological mechanisms on BDNF levels is unclear. Our goal was to compare serum BDNF levels in inpatients with alcohol or crack cocaine use disorders during the early withdrawal period, and to evaluate the association with substance-related outcomes.

Assessment of cognitive functioning using the Mini Mental State Examination in men with Alcohol and Crack Cocaine Use Disorder.

Introduction: Consumption of substances has been associated with cognitive impairment. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) is an easy-to-apply screening tool used to assess cognitive functions.

Objectives: To evaluate the cognitive performance of individuals with alcohol (AUD) and/or crack cocaine use disorder (CUD) and polysubstance use using the MMSE and to investigate the impact of substance use profile and the moderation effect of educational level on MMSE performance.

Gender differences in progression to crack-cocaine use and the role of sexual and physical violence.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether progression from first drug use to crack-cocaine use differs according to gender, and whether the report of sexual or physical violence impacts the time of progression.

Methods: We interviewed 896 crack-cocaine users (548 men; 348 women) from addiction treatment units. Cox regression models evaluated the time of progression from first drug use to crack use.

Increase in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels during early withdrawal in severe alcohol users.

Introduction: Changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been linked to the neuroadaptative consequences of chronic alcohol use and associated with disease severity and prognosis. Few studies have evaluated the influence of drug withdrawal and clinical and sociodemographic data on BDNF levels in severe alcohol users.

Objectives: Our goals were (1) to evaluate variation in BDNF levels during alcohol withdrawal and, (2) to assess the influence of putative confounding factors on BDNF levels.

Clinical vulnerability for severity and mortality by COVID-19 among users of alcohol and other substances.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency. Individuals with substance use disorder have a higher risk of infection and may suffer from more severe forms of the disease. Our goal is to investigate the prevalence of risk factors for COVID-19 severity in individuals with different substance use and explore whether specific types of substance are potentially associated with more clinical risk factors which could increase morbimortality in this population.

Anger and substance abuse: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate levels of anger among substance users compared to non-user controls and to analyze the possible association between anger and psychoactive substance use (PSU).

Methods: The procedures of this review followed the Meta-Analyzes of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIREME, PsycINFO) were searched.

High rates of incarceration due to drug trafficking in the last decade in southern Brazil.

Introduction Drug-related crimes, especially drug trafficking, account for a large part of incarcerations not only in Brazil, but also worldwide. It is not clear whether the change in the drug law has contributed to the increase in the number of drug trafficking prisoners. Few studies have investigated gender differences and the growth of drug trafficking offenses in the Brazilian southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on substance use: Implications for prevention and treatment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought major challenges to healthcare systems and public health policies globally, as it requires novel treatment and prevention strategies to adapt for the impact of the pandemic. Individuals with substance user disorders (SUD) are at risk population for contamination due to multiple factors-attributable to their clinical, psychological and psychosocial conditions. Moreover, social and economic changes caused by the pandemic, along with the traditional difficulties regarding treatment access and adherence-will certainly worsen during this period, therefore aggravate their condition.

Increased cortisol levels are associated with low treatment retention in crack cocaine users.

Background: Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis has been associated with craving and early relapse among individuals with substance use disorders. However, no association has been postulated regarding treatment retention and prognosis in crack cocaine users.

Objective: Our aim was to investigate the association between morning salivary cortisol levels and treatment retention in crack cocaine users.

Effects of childhood trauma on BDNF and TBARS during crack-cocaine withdrawal.

Objective: To evaluate the association between childhood trauma (CT) and serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) during crack-cocaine withdrawal.

Method: Thirty-three male crack-cocaine users were recruited at admission to a public addiction treatment unit. Serum BDNF and TBARS levels were evaluated at intake and discharge.

Crack users and violence. What is the relationship between trauma, antisocial personality disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder?

Title: Crack users and violence. What is the relationship between trauma, antisocial personality disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder?

Background: Crack use is frequently related to severe social and psychiatric conditions including Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Social vulnerabilities increase the frequency of traumatic exposure.

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.

User experience and operational feasibility of four point-of-collection oral fluid drug-testing devices according to Brazilian traffic agents.

Objective: Traffic fatalities in Brazil still rank among the highest worldwide, with an overall rate of 23.4 deaths/100,000 inhabitants/year. Although alcohol and drug use play an important role in traffic accidents, national data about their relative influence are scarce.