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Query: UMLS:C0278080 (physical dependence)
 1,658 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

This research was carried out in the shantytowns of the capital city of Costa Rica. Magnitude and main features of alcohol and drug use among the population aged 15 up were studied. The sample was composed by 469 people interviewed: The instruments used were questionnaires and interview forms. Field observation was also practiced. The results pointed out a 14% of the population as having alcohol problems (9% heavy drinking, 5% physical dependence on alcohol). Furthermore an 8% was regularly using different drugs, such as marijuana, solvents, common plants psychoactively effective, etc. Frequent intake of medicaments without any therapeutic aim was also high. From a point of view focusing on the individuals and the assistance, the problem has a better prognosis when social and community treatment is considered. When seen from the collectivity and prevention perspective the problem surpasses the health sphere and demands the attention of several social and economical complex factors. This is the only way to set up a prevention program well organized, systematical and with possibilities of success. Finally, it is stated that the development of new studies on the ecology of the problem will precisely permit the working out of a preventive-assisting program especially directed to the groups specifically affected or menaced by alcohol and drugs.
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PMID:[Drug dependence in poverty. Its prevalence in Costa Rica]. 653 79

Research in the area of problem drinking has traditionally relied on quantitative methodologies which view the problem from the researcher's perspective. The purpose of this hermeneutic-phenomenological study was to describe and understand the problem drinker's lived experience of suffering using a philosophy and research approach which preserves the uniqueness of the experience from the sufferer's point of view. The method involved conducting in-depth interviews with a sample of six problem drinkers. Interviews were analysed using an interpretive process, which aimed at generating a deeper understanding of the topic by facilitating a fusion of the world views of both participant and researcher. A reflexive journal recorded the involvement of the self of the researcher throughout the research process. Suffering was viewed as a spiralling vicious circle of physical, psychological, social and spiritual distress. Symptoms of physical dependence, shame and guilt emerged strongly as being both sequelae of heavy drinking and cues to further drinking bouts. Evoking memories of previous suffering through telling one's story was found to be an empowering and motivating force. The results have relevance to specialist and generic workers, who are urged to pay greater attention to the social, psychological and spiritual care of problem drinkers.
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PMID:The problem drinker's lived experience of suffering: an exploration using hermeneutic phenomenology. 951 27

Approximately 50% of college students report a heavy drinking episode in the past 2 weeks. This pattern of heavy episodic drinking places them at risk for experiencing alcohol-related problems. In addition, important ethnic differences exist between European American and African American college students in terms of drinking. European American college students report consuming more alcohol than African American college students, but little research exists on the differences in types and rates of problems. The current study sought to examine the differences in problems among 451 African American and European American college students using a comprehensive measure of alcohol-related problems. The effect of gender was also examined as research has found consistent gender differences in drinking. European American students experienced more problems overall and greater levels of social/interpersonal problems and risky behaviors even after controlling for drinking level. In addition, women reported significantly greater levels of problems in all domains except physical dependence, risky behaviors, and self-perception when drinking was controlled for.
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PMID:Alcohol-related consequences in African American and European American college students. 2267 96