Habitual versus affective motivations in obsessive-compulsive disorder and alcohol use disorder.

Objective: To (1) confirm whether the Habit, Reward, and Fear Scale is able to generate a 3-factor solution in a population of obsessive-compulsive disorder and alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients; (2) compare these clinical groups in their habit, reward, and fear motivations; and (3) investigate whether homogenous subgroups can be identified to resolve heterogeneity within and across disorders based on the motivations driving ritualistic and drinking behaviors.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-four obsessive-compulsive disorder (n = 76) or AUD (n = 58) patients were assessed with a battery of scales including the Habit, Reward, and Fear Scale, the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, the Alcohol Dependence Scale, the Behavioral Inhibition/Activation System Scale, and the Urgency, (lack of ) Premeditation, (lack of ) Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, and Positive Urgency Impulsive Behavior Scale.

Results: A 3-factor solution reflecting habit, reward, and fear subscores explained 56.

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.

Patterns, determinants and barriers of health and social service utilization among young urban crack users in Brazil.

Background: Crack use is prevalent across the Americas, and specifically among marginalized urban street drug users in Brazil. Crack users commonly feature multiple physical and mental health problems, while low rates of and distinct barriers to help service use have been observed in these populations. This study examined profiles and determinants of social and health service utilization, and unmet service needs, in a two-city sample of young (18-24 years), marginalized crack users in Brazil.

Key drug use, health and socio-economic characteristics of young crack users in two Brazilian cities.

Background: Crack use constitutes a major problem in cities across Brazil. While existing data suggest that crack use is generally concentrated among disenfranchised young people with extensive health problems and crime involvement, extensive data gaps exist. To address this issue, this study aimed to assess key characteristics of young crack users in two Brazilian cities.