Biomedical subjects

M Gossop

Publications and source records attributed to M Gossop.

149 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Route of cocaine administration: patterns of use and problems among a Brazilian sample.

Route of administration has important implications for the understanding of drug addiction and related-problems. This cross-sectional study investigates patterns of consumption and cocaine-related problems among snorting and crack cocaine users in São Paulo and outlines changes in route of cocaine administration in Brazil between 1980-1997. Crack cocaine users had more social and health problems and higher involvement in crime than intranasal users. These problems, compounded by the larger doses being used and their greater involvement in prostitution, place crack cocaine users at higher risk from HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases as well as other physical risks.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Health care professionals referred for treatment of alcohol and drug problems.

This study reports on 62 health care professionals referred to a specialist drug and alcohol treatment service. Most patients used more than one type of substance. Health problems were common, but were seldom reasons for referral. Self-referral was infrequent. Referral was often subsequent to intoxication at work or persistent absenteeism. Just over half of admissions completed treatment. Multiple drug use was a poor prognostic indicator with fewer multiple drug users engaging with, or completing, treatment.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of lofexidine in alcohol withdrawal: lofexidine is not a useful adjunct to chlordiazepoxide.

Lofexidine is an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist which has proved useful in opiate withdrawal and which, through its attenuation of noradrenergic activity, might be a valuable adjunct in the management of alcohol withdrawal. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness and patient retention with adjunctive lofexidine versus placebo in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal under chlordiazepoxide cover. This was done in a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial with 72 alcohol-dependent adults referred and admitted for in-patient alcohol detoxification. The adjunctive lofexidine group experienced significantly more severe withdrawal symptoms, greater hypotensive problems, more adverse effects, and no better rates of retention in treatment. Lofexidine provides no discernible benefit as an adjunctive medication (to chlordiazepoxide) in alcohol detoxification and, on the basis of our study, appears to be contra-indicated.

Alcoholism↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Heterosexual vaginal and anal intercourse amongst London heroin and cocaine users.

A community-derived sample of 392 heroin users and 145 cocaine users were interviewed about their drug use and sexual behaviour, with (optional) collection of saliva specimen for linked anonymous HIV/HBV testing. The heroin sample was stratified (50/50) across current treatment and non-treatment status. For cocaine users 80% were not in current contact with any treatment. Overall levels of sexual activity were several times higher than reported in recent national surveys. Last-year prevalence of heterosexual anal intercourse was 23% and 20% for heroin-using males and females respectively (last-month figures--12% and 10%); and 23% and 15% for cocaine-using males and females respectively (last-month figures--7% and 9%). Two-thirds of subjects rarely or never used condoms during heterosexual anal intercourse. For females, receptive anal intercourse was positively related to a history of sex-for-money activity, high scores of severity of dependence, and injecting as a current route of use.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment outcomes of stimulant misusers: one year follow-up results from the national treatment outcome research study (NTORS).

There are substantial gaps in knowledge about treatment outcomes for stimulant misuse. This paper investigates patterns of stimulant use and outcomes of stimulant misusers one year after starting treatment at 54 agencies within United Kingdom national services. In a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of 1,075 drug misusers, 637 were current users of stimulant drugs at intake to treatment. Most of the clients were multiple drug users. Stimulants were the main problem drug for 13% of the sample. The two most frequently used drugs were crack cocaine and amphetamine sulphate. The most frequently reported pattern of stimulant use was among heroin dependent clients who also used stimulants. The clients for whom stimulants were the main problem drug were most likely to approach residential rehabilitation programs for treatment. Overall, the stimulant users showed satisfactory outcomes with marked reductions in substance use and other problem behaviors at follow-up. Many clients with stimulant misuse problems were able to achieve substantial improvements after treatment within existing services.

Adult↗