The problem of cigarette smoking among those who are recovering from alcohol dependence is becoming more apparent as chemical dependency units (CDUs) are beginning to restrict smoking for clients and staff and more actively encourage nicotine abstinence. To date, little is known about effective smoking cessation techniques for people with a history of alcohol problems. To obtain new data, a survey of personal experiences with smoking cessation and professional recommendations about nicotine dependence was administered to 124 recovering treatment professionals in CDUs in rural Nebraska. Among the 99 staff with a history of smoking, 81 (80%) had tried to quit smoking and 38 were former smokers at the time of the survey. Quitting "cold turkey" was the most popular smoking cessation method. Reliance on AA principles was second. The results suggest that recovering staff can successfully quit smoking by applying their professional practice guidelines for alcohol treatment to their personal problems with tobacco.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Trace element levels in human alcoholic brain.

Copper, magnesium, zinc and manganese levels in the temporal cortex of human alcoholic and control brains were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry using both the flame and graphite furnace. All of the 21 alcoholics were male with a mean age of 54.1 years; the 19 male controls had a mean age of 60.2 years. The only statistically significant change in ion levels was an increase in manganese concentration (expressed both as microgram/g wet weight and ng/mg protein) in the alcoholic group when compared to the control group. Five of the alcoholics had malignancies, while 16 of the controls had systemic malignancies. Covariance analysis showed there was no effect of age on the level of manganese in the temporal cortex.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dissemination and implementation of Put Prevention into Family Practice.

INTRODUCTION: The Put Prevention into Practice (PPIP) program was developed and disseminated to address patient, clinician, and office barriers that result in less than optimal delivery of preventive services in the United States. METHODS: To study the dissemination of PPIP by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), pre- and post-dissemination surveys of knowledge about PPIP and purchase order data were obtained from the AAFP. In addition, a mail questionnaire was sent to a random sample of purchasers to study their use of PPIP. RESULTS: After two years of active promotion, 27% of AAFP members had heard about PPIP, and PPIP components were purchased by 2,004 individuals during its inital dissemination. Flow sheets, health guides, exam room wall charts, and the Clinician's Handbook of Preventive Services were the PPIP items most frequently purchased and used. Excluding the Clinician's Handbook of Preventive Services, 58% of purchasers used one or more parts of the kit with an average of less than four items used per purchaser. CONCLUSIONS: Initial dissemination and implementation of PPIP among family physicians was limited; continued promotion will likely improve dissemination of PPIP. However, this study, and others suggest that the simple availability of a kit of materials is not sufficient to enhance the delivery of preventive services as envisioned by clinicians or policy makers. Additional strategies for dissemination and implementation of preventive services will be required, such as providing external consultation services to practices, incorporation of preventive services into HMO organizations, and training of residents in strategies for change in their future practices.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗