1/219. Reflections on volatile substance dependency treatment. negotiating the boundary between inner and outer reality.A brief review of the causal and treatment literature relating to volatile substance dependency suggests the interaction between individual and system requires careful attention and understanding. A model is tentatively and provisionally adumbrated to help clarify the main factors involved from a dynamic biopsychosocial perspective. Ego boundary disturbances emerge from and reciprocally influence behaviour and social interactions. These disturbances can be avoided temporarily, although inevitably deepened in the long-term, by substance dependence. Two case examples, selected because they differ in many respects, including relative treatment effectiveness, illustrate this integrative perspective. The discussion focuses on explaining the differing outcomes in terms of the extent to which the inner-outer boundary is open to modification and how far it can be successfully negotiated and clarified. A major factor in differentiating between inside and outside is thought to be causal perceptions or "attributions." Successful differentiation tends to facilitate change, as opposed to reinforcing maladaptive homeostasis. Key issues for therapists overlap with addictions treatment in general, including emotional blocks or barriers in patients, difficulty engaging systems in a strategic manner, and countertransference problems. It is argued that these difficulties in therapy might respond to integrative psychotherapeutic responses, provided the differences in perspective are sufficiently understood.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = attention (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/219. Acute pseudohepatitis in a chronic substance abuser secondary to occult seat belt injury.Causes of a massive elevation in serum aminotransferases (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) in the substance-abusing patient include viral hepatitis and drug hepatotoxicity. A patient chronically addicted to injection heroin and cocaine presented to the emergency room in a confused state and was admitted to a medical ward with an AST of 4120 U/L, ALT 3820 U/L and right upper quadrant discomfort. Investigations for viral and hepatotoxic causes for the liver dysfunction revealed only hepatitis c seropositivity. A computed tomogram of the abdomen, however, revealed a significant contusion to the right lobe of the liver consistent with traumatic injury. A motor vehicle accident, in which the patient was wearing a seat belt, and which had occurred a few days before admission and had been thought to be minor, was the cause of the liver dysfunction. Significant blunt abdominal traumatic injuries are usually managed exclusively by surgical trauma units. This case underlines the need for medical specialists to be aware of hepatic contusion injuries and to have a high index of suspicion when investigating unexplained hepatocellular dysfunction in chronic substance abusers who have been in motor vehicle accidents.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.58247839865555keywords = dysfunction (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/219. Surrender to win: how adolescent drug and alcohol users change their lives.Adolescent drug and alcohol addiction is a serious problem in the united states. However, some addicted adolescents do quit drinking and using drugs. This paper offers a phenomenological analysis of seven young adults who managed to surrender their addictions and, for anywhere from five to fifteen years, construct sober identities. The participants came from highly dysfunctional homes, began substance use as children, and were polydrug users. A series of catastrophic life events led them to alcoholics anonymous, where they were exposed to self-reflective prayer, a cadre of recovering adolescents and, in particular, adults who offered detached nurturing. This provided the support they needed to confront their addictions through the Twelve Steps of alcoholics anonymous.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.19415946621852keywords = dysfunction (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/219. Medical treatment of the adolescent drug abuser. An opportunity for rehabilitative intervention.Illnesses related to both the pharmacologic properties of abused substances and their methods of administration often bring the teenager to medical attention and may provide sufficient motivation for the adolescent to seek help beyond the acute problem. Successful treatment of an overdose reaction, an abstinence syndrome, or any other medical complication of drug abuse may give the physician a unique opportunity to begine further evalution for future care.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = attention (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/219. A multiple group psychotherapy approach to adolescents with psychiatric and substance abuse comorbidity.Multiple group psychotherapy was employed as the primary treatment modality in a day-treatment program as an innovative multifaceted approach to treating adolescents comorbid for psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses. The concurrent educational program included a high school on site. The groups included Substance Abuse Group, which promoted the 12-step model; health Group; psychotherapy Group; Leisure time Group; Self-awareness Group; and Multiple family Group. The effect of the multiple groups was to provide a variety of experiences focusing on varied aspects of normal and dysfunctional adolescent development. Together the combination of groups served to strengthen the participants' cohesiveness, communicating skills, and hopefulness.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.19415946621852keywords = dysfunction (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/219. Subacute onset of oculogyric crises and generalized dystonia following intranasal administration of heroin.A case is reported of a patient who experienced sudden onset of severe respiratory failure, shock and coma after first-time intranasal heroin abuse. During the following days full consciousness was restored, revealing persistent oculogyric crises, axial retropulsive dystonia and ataxia. Initially computer tomography (CT) scans of the brain were normal and cerebral spinal fluid examination showed a slight elevation of lactate. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain demonstrated diffuse bilateral subcortical white matter hyperintensities, with sparing of the U-fibers, symmetric bilateral hyperintensities of the globus pallidum and very hyperintensive subcortical foci in the right hemisphere. Differential diagnostic assessment, treatment, clinical and MRI course of a 6-month follow-up are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.22144987685632keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/219. death due to inhalation of ethyl chloride.A 30-year-old white male was found dead in a locked apartment with a rag held loosely in his mouth. Four cans (3 empty, 1 partially empty) containing ethyl chloride and labeled as VCR head cleaner were found next to the body. phenylpropanolamine and low therapeutic levels of diazepam (64 microg/L) and nordiazepam (126 microg/L) were detected during toxicological analysis. An unidentified peak was observed when performing ethanol analysis by headspace gas chromatography. The peak was identified as ethyl chloride and the concentrations in the blood, urine, vitreous, brain, and lungs of the deceased were 423 mg/L, 35 mg/L, 12 mg/L, 858 mg/kg, and 86 mg/kg, respectively. The results were compared with previously reported levels of ethyl chloride in blood and vitreous and, based on a literature search, we believe that this is the first report of ethyl chloride levels in tissue.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.11072493842816keywords = brain (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/219. Cerebellar dysfunction in chronic toluene abuse: beneficial response to amantadine hydrochloride.CASE REPORT: A 21-year-old man who had sniffed toluene since the age of 13 presented with a 4-year history of progressive cerebellar dysfunction and visual deterioration. The patient's condition did not improve despite 5 months of abstinence. magnetic resonance imaging revealed cerebral atrophy and hypointensity signals in the white matter and bilaterally in the globus pallidus, thalamus, red nucleus, and substantia nigra. amantadine hydrochloride therapy (100 mg/d, then 200 mg/d) resulted in dramatic improvement of his cerebellar and visual symptoms.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.97079733109258keywords = dysfunction (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/219. munchausen syndrome presenting acutely in the emergency department.munchausen syndrome is a rare psychiatric disorder in which patients purposely harm themselves to gain medical attention. These patients may present to unsuspecting emergency department (ED) staff members with life-threatening signs and symptoms. We report a case of munchausen syndrome in which a young man with ties to the medical community and a history of substance abuse presented to our ED with refractory hypoglycemia and a dilated right pupil. The patient required large amounts of dextrose, endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, and admission to the intensive care unit. Further investigation revealed that he had purposely injected himself with a large dose of insulin and instilled atropine drops in his right eye for the purpose of seeking hospitalization. The history, details, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis are discussed in the context of this case.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = attention (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/219. Sexual assault under benzodiazepine submission in a paris suburb.Sexual assaults under benzodiazepine submission have been described, since use of benzodiazepine enables non consensual sexual activity but rarely fully reported. An accurate evaluation of the phenomenon has seemed interesting. Files of 23 adult males and females examined at the Emergency Forensic Unit of an University teaching Hospital near paris were reviewed. All the victims had complained from sexual assault under drug submission, in the years 1996 and 1997. A complete examination for sexual assault was realised linked to clinical examination of drug intoxication. Every victim of rape under drug submission was sampled for urine screening (mean delay of 17.5 h after sexual assault) and blood alcohol level quantification. urine was screened for benzodiazepines, cocaine, opiates and cannabinoids with qualitative immunochromatographic test. Traumatic lesions of sexual penetration were retrieved in 10 victims and sperm in 5. Clinical signs of benzodiazepine intoxication were retrieved in 12 out of 23 victims. urine benzodiazepine screening was positive, over the cut-off values (300 ng/mL)when sampled less than 20 h after the facts. In 6 out of 23 victims, drugs of abuse and alcohol were associated to benzodiazepines. A reinforced attention can be brought to the rape under drug submission including the need of a proper examination and samplings shortly after the alleged facts to ascertain the diagnosis and to help the victim facing the Justice inquiry.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = attention (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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