Association between alcohol and crack: Prevalence, effects, associated factors and experiences of combined use.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with the effect of alcohol on crack cocaine use and to analyze experiences related to combined use. Materials and methods: sequential mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) research, carried out between August 2014 and August 2015 with people who use crack. In the quantitative approach, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,062 participants.

[The use of "virado" as a harm reduction strategy among crack users in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil].

The aim of the study is to discuss the use of crack in the form of "virado" as a harm reduction strategy in Pernambuco, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach in which semi-structured interviews were conducted regarding aspects related to the culture of crack use with 39 crack users between March and August 2016. Participants were recruited using saturation criteria and data were analyzed through content analysis.

Crack cocaine and dreams: the view of users.

This paper aims to describe the dream content of crack cocaine users as per their view and analyze its interference in the drug withdrawal process. This is a qualitative research with 21 crack cocaine users. Consuming crack cocaine during the dream meant a proof of failure or compensatory pleasure or warning of potential relapse; not consuming the crack cocaine meant the emergence of withdrawal symptoms or the success at overcoming drug dependence.

Is Ayahuasca an Option for the Treatment of Crack Cocaine Dependence?

The low efficacy of crack cocaine addiction treatment available in Brazil has led Brazilian users to find alternatives to reduce drug consumption or even to reach abstinence. One of them is the use of entheogenic substances, like ayahuasca, an infusion obtained from two native plant species from the Amazon. The present report aimed to understand how crack cocaine users recover from drug addiction by consuming ayahuasca tea in a religious context.

Is there a crack epidemic among students in Brazil?: comments on media and public health issues.

In the past year, the Brazilian Federal Government and society have reported and acted on a crack use epidemic, which has been exacerbated by the media. This study hypothesized that crack use has not increased at the rate suggested by the Brazilian media. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2010 using a multistage probabilistic representative sample of Brazilian middle and high school students in the country's 27 state capitals.

[The role of information as a preventive drug measure among youth at risk].

Illicit drug consumption among youngsters is a public health concern that requires attention. However, little research has highlighted the importance of "drug information availability" among protection factors. The objective of the study is to identify, from the point of view of youngsters at risk, what factors could prevent them to try illicit drugs, focusing on the importance of "drug information availability".

Crack, AIDS, and women in São Paulo, Brazil.

Brazil is currently experiencing a growing number of newly recorded cases of HIV infection among women, with transmission mainly occurring by sex. This increase may be associated with the development of sexually risky behavior among female crack users who, according to informal reports, prostitute themselves for drugs or for money to be used for buying drugs. Since epidemiologic studies have not yet addressed this phenomenon, the aim of this study was to investigate this in depth using a qualitative ethnographic approach.

[The role of information as a preventive measure to the drug use among young people at risk].

Illicit drug consumption among youngsters is a public health concern that requires attention. However, little research has highlighted the importance of "drug information availability" among protection factors. The aim of this article is to identify, from the point of view of youngsters at risk, what factors could prevent them to try illicit drugs, focusing on the importance of "drug information availability".

Crack cocaine use in Barcelona: a reason of worry.

In Spain, crack cocaine use is silently increasing. In Barcelona, an intentional sample was selected to describe the general characteristics of this consumption. Participants were submitted to an interview and data were analyzed through qualitative research procedures.

Random sample survey on the prevalence of smoking in the major cities of Brazil.

Objective: To provide access to the results of a randomized cross-sectional study conducted by the Brazilian Center for Information on Psychotropic Drugs in 2001.

Methods: This survey involved a random sample of individuals ranging from 12 to 65 years of age and residing in the 107 largest cities (over 200,000 inhabitants) in Brazil, which represented 27.7% of the Brazilian population, estimated to be 169,799,170 inhabitants at the time.

Neuropsychological assessment of current and past crack cocaine users.

Background: Cognitive changes due to crack cocaine consumption remain unclear.

Methods: For clarification, 55 subjects were assigned to three groups: control group, crack cocaine current users, and ex-users. Participants were submitted to Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and tasks evaluating executive functioning and verbal memory.

[Characterization of the crack cocaine culture in the city of São Paulo: a controlled pattern of use].

Objective: To characterize the situation regarding crack cocaine use in the city of São Paulo, along with the sociodemographic profile of its users.

Methodological Procedures: Qualitative ethnographic study carried out with an intentional sample of crack cocaine users (n=45) and former users (n=17). The participants were recruited by means of the chain sampling method and they underwent a semi-structured interview guided by a questionnaire, in 2004 and 2005.

Religiosity as a protective factor against the use of drugs.

Although many studies have suggested that risk and protective factors are related to the use of drugs, their role has not been given due importance. More attention to protective factors could make them a fundamental tool in prevention programs. Since low socioeconomic level and adolescence are known as risk factors, the aim of this study was to identify which factors would prevent Brazilian adolescents from low-income families from using drugs.

[Religious intervention and recovery from drug addiction].

Objective: To analyze the role of emerging religious interventions in the recovery from drug addiction.

Methodological Procedures: An exploratory qualitative study carried out in the city of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, in 2004 and 2005. In-depth interviews were held with 85 former drug users who had turned to non-medical religious resources for the treatment of their drug addiction and who were free from drugs for at least six months.

From the first drug to crack: the sequence of drugs taken in a group of users in the city of São Paulo.

To identify a progression in drug use and influencing factors among crack users, a qualitative methodology was used for a more in-depth investigation, taking into consideration the view that the interviewee has of the problem. A long duration and a semi-structured interview was used; a purposeful sampling was outlined and a criterion sampling was achieved. Thirty-one crack users or ex-users were interviewed in order to reach theoretical saturation.

[Main reasons for non-use of illicit drugs by young population exposed to risk situations].

Objective: Although there are many studies on risk factors for drug use, little has been known about the reasons that prevent people away from drug use. The aim of this study was to identify the reasons that would prevent low-income youngsters against psychotropic drug experimentation and use, even when living in a drug dealing environment.

Methods: A qualitative study was carried out in an intentional sample selected according to a set of criteria.

Trihexyphenidyl (Artane): a Brazilian study of its abuse.

In Brazil, the medicinal misuse of trihexyphenidyl (Artane) has been observed among several segments of society. The present study was conducted in the city of São Paulo during 2002 to characterize this abuse. A sample of 21 users and 16 ex-users was interviewed using qualitative methodology; the subjects were single, unemployed, male polydrug users, who used trihexyphenidyl in order to attain states of mental alterations, mainly hallucinations and deliriums.

The pharmacovigilance of psychoactive medications in Brazil.

Objective: The present study aimed to analyze 219 notifications of suspected adverse reactions (AR) produced by psychoactive medicaments (ARPM), notified by Brazilian psychiatrists, during a 3-month period (April 1999 up to September 2001).

Method: A notifying card for adverse reactions possibly produced by psychoactive medications was quarterly sent to all psychiatrists affiliated to the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry. Once each notification, dully filled in, was received, the possible adverse reaction was analyzed in order to verify the causality.

First household survey on drug abuse in São Paulo, Brazil, 1999: principal findings.

Context: In order to establish prevention programs regarding psychotropic drug use that are adapted to specific populations it is, first of all, important to have data on the realities of such consumption. Single data points are not enough for drawing up a profile of society in relation to drugs.

Objective: The aim of this household survey was to determine the incidence of illegal drug, alcohol, tobacco and psychotropic medication use, and thus the number of persons dependent on drugs, alcohol and nicotine, and to evaluate their perception regarding how easy it is to obtain psychotropic drugs.

[Progression on drug use and its intervening factors among crack users].

Objective: To establish a progression on drug use and its intervening factors among crack users.

Methods: A qualitative methodology was applied for an in-depth investigation, taking into consideration the interviewees' viewpoint of the problem. Long interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire were conducted.