Strawman argument characterises critique of Kamin blocking effect.

This commentary focuses on the robustness of the Kamin blocking effect (KBE) that Maes et al., based upon 15 failures to replicate, have questioned. This challenge to KBE robustness has not gone unaddressed.

Salivary cortisol: a predictor of convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol?

Aims: To examine the relationship between salivary cortisol and frequency of past driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) convictions.

Methods: A total of 104 males with previous DUI convictions (from one to eight) and mean age of 44.7 years were assessed on measures characterizing repeat DUI offenders, including sociodemographic information, alcohol use behaviours, biological indices of the organic consequences of chronic abuse, negative consequences of excessive drinking, past DUI conviction history, impulse control, and antisocial behaviour tendencies.

Randomization in a substance abuse treatment study: participants who consent vs those who do not.

Objective: A mixed research design study compared patients who consented to treatment randomization with patients who opted for usual care.

Methods: Patients in substance abuse rehabilitation who consented to randomization (that is, consenting group [CG]) were compared with those unwilling to undergo randomization (that is, nonconsenting group [NG]) but who, nevertheless, underwent the experimental assessment sessions, which spanned from intake to 6-month follow-up.

Results: Patients in the CG exhibited a longer history of drug abuse, less occupational stability at intake, and following intensive treatment, tended not to do as well in terms of recovery, compared with those in the NG.

Matching substance abuse aftercare treatments to client characteristics.

This study investigated matching client attributes to different aftercare treatments. A naturalistic sample of adults entering substance abuse treatment was randomized into either Structured Relapse Prevention (RP, n=61) or a 12-Step Facilitation (TSF, n=72) aftercare program. Four patient attributes were matched to treatment: age, gender, substance abuse profile, and psychological status.

Process and outcome changes with relapse prevention versus 12-Step aftercare programs for substance abusers.

Aims: Presumptive support was sought for mechanisms of action whereby two conceptually distinct aftercare programs, relapse prevention (RP) and 12-Step facilitation (TSF), impact upon substance abusers.

Patients And Design: Adults who had just completed intensive treatment were assigned randomly to either RP (n=61) or TSF (n=70) aftercare programs.

Setting: Three residential treatment facilities.