From divination to madness: features of acute intoxication with Salvia use

Salvia divinorum is a psychoactive botanical plant that is increasingly used for the 'legal' highs that it can produce. It is readily available for purchase on the Internet, and most abusers are unaware of the toxicity and abuse potential associated with its use. As the use of novel compounds among abusers is not uncommon, physicians need to increase their awareness and recognition of these new substances. Herein, we report a case of an acute presentation of Salvia intoxication.

Addiction in Singapore: changing patterns and evolving challenges

Data from recent studies have shown an increase in substance use and addictive behaviours in Singapore. However, training and services still lag behind this trend, which means the provision of adequate treatment is lacking in spite of good evidence that treatment approaches for addiction disorders are effective. There is a need to train more manpower for this purpose, especially in primary healthcare. Another challenge is to ramp up services as quickly as possible to manage the growing number of addicts. Research should also focus on special populations, while public health education and national policies can be improved, particularly to curb binge drinking. We need to be open to the use of harm-reduction therapies and substitution treatments, as addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder with significant health and psychosocial morbidity.

Monthly take-home methadone maintenance regime for elderly opium-dependent users in Singapore

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Research suggests that methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) effectively reduces opiate dependence and related health and social problems. However, few studies have examined its effectiveness among the elderly. This study examined a monthly MMT regime for elderly opium addicts attending the National Addictions Management Service, Singapore.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>This study used a cross-sectional design and comprised 40 patients attending the addiction service and 40 caregivers who monitored methadone consumption (mostly patients' sons and daughters). Participants completed a semi-structured interview comprising measures of opiate craving and withdrawal, physical and psychological health. Objective measures were urine drug screens and blood tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Participants who averaged 74.8 years old had been using opium for around 44 years and had been in MMT for an average of 35 months. The maintenance dose of methadone was 9.2 mg/day. At interview, no opiate usage (other than methadone) was detected in urine screens; however, clinical records indicated that 6 had tested positive during the previous 6 months of MMT. No major withdrawal symptoms, side effects, or incidents of diversion were reported. Quality-of-life scores were in the normal range and satisfaction with the treatment regime was expressed by caregivers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Whilst MMT is the predominant pharmacotherapy for opiate dependence for users of all ages elsewhere, our study group constitutes a unique population that differs markedly from younger opiate users who will eventually grow old. In Singapore, MMT appears to be an effective treatment for stable, elderly opium-dependent patients where families are fully engaged in the treatment regime.</p>

Socio-demographic profile and psychiatric comorbidity of subjects with pathological gambling

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Pathological gambling is defined as the failure to resist the impulse to gamble despite disruption to personal, family and vocational life. It appears to be highly comorbid with psychiatric disorders. This study aims to describe the socio-demographic profile and comorbidity of 40 pathological gamblers compared to controls.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Questionnaires were administered to 40 cases (90% male, mean age = 38.3, SD = 10.0) scoring 5 or more in the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and verified to be pathological gamblers based on DSM-IV criteria and 40 age-and-gender-matched controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Study results showed that the prevalence of lifetime DSM-IV diagnoses were significantly different between cases and controls (chi(2) = 16.4, P <0.001), with 67.5% of the cases and 22.5% of the controls meeting the criteria, respectively. Eighty percent of the cases had at least one personality disorder compared to 45% in the control (chi(2) = 10.5, P <0.005). The common lifetime disorders observed in the cases were substance abuse disorder and anxiety while common personality disorders were obsessive-compulsive, avoidant and paranoid.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study highlights the high rates of comorbidity in a largely Chinese sample in an Asian setting and the importance of assessing pathological gamblers for comorbidities.</p>

Prevalence and correlates of excessive Internet use among youth in Singapore

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>There has been an explosive growth of Internet usage worldwide and this is expected to continue with its use becoming an integral part of everyday life. The Internet provides tremendous educational benefits; however, excessive Internet use can lead to negative outcomes such as poor school performance and social isolation.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>The survey consisted of a 69-item, anonymous, self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Data collected included demographic data, academic performance, social support and general wellbeing as well as questions pertaining to Internet use. For the purposes of our study, we defined Internet use of more than 5 hours a day as "excessive use".</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 2735 adolescents who took part in the study, 1349 (49.3%) were male and 1383 (50.6%) were female. The mean age of the adolescents was 13.9 years [standard deviation (SD), 1.0]. A quarter of the adolescents surveyed (25%) reported that they did not access the Internet everyday, while 17.1% of adolescents reported using it for more than 5 hours every day. Excessive Internet use was associated with (i) no rules of Internet use at home (x2 = 313.1, P <0.001 ), (ii) less likelihood of having confidants (x2 = 15.8, P = 0.003), (iii) feelings of sadness or depression (x2 = 49.6, P <0.001) and (iv) perceived poorer grade/school work (x2 = 226.1, P <0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The high figures of excessive Internet use (17.1%) reported in our study is not equivalent to Internet addiction as no diagnostic instruments were used. However, school counsellors and teachers need to be made aware of the prevalence of and problematic behaviours associated with excessive Internet use. Training and resources should also be made available to parents and caregivers so that they can play a greater role in setting boundaries and detecting early warning signs.</p>

Demographic and clinical features of 150 pathological gamblers referred to a community addictions programme

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Pathological gambling has been defined as a persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behaviour that disrupts personal, family and work life. The present study reports on the sociodemographic features, gambling activity, comorbidity and legal problems in a sample of 150 pathological gamblers who sought treatment from the Community Addiction Management Programme (CAMP), Singapore over a 4-year period from 2002 to 2006.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Data were collected on 150 consecutive subjects who sought treatment at CAMP. Patients were administered a semi-structured interview to elicit demographic data, age of onset, family history, onset games and types of games ever played, largest debt incurred due to gambling, triggers, illegal activities and suicidal attempts by their counsellor. Patients were then assessed by the clinicians to establish the primary and comorbid diagnoses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age of the subjects was 42.5 [standard deviation (SD) 10.2] years. The majority of them were males (87.3%) and of Chinese origin (97.3%). The most common comorbid disorders were mood disorders (n = 22, 14.7%), substance abuse (n = 11, 7.3%) and alcohol abuse or dependence (n = 7, 4.7%). Sixteen (10.7%) subjects had a history of suicidal attempts which had been precipitated by gambling-related issues.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Pathological gambling in our subjects appears to be associated with significant comorbidity and financial problems. These are the preliminary findings and further research is needed regarding the phenomenology, profile, course and response to treatment of pathological gambling disorders.</p>

Concomitant use of midazolam and buprenorphine and its implications among drug users in Singapore

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of benzodiazepine (BZD) abuse among intravenous opioid users in Singapore.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Eligibility criteria for inclusion in this study were all intravenous buprenorphine abusers, who presented to the Community Addictions Management Programme (CAMP) over a 1-year period from February 2005 to January 2006. One hundred and twenty subjects, who consented to the study, completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and underwent blood test for blood-borne viral infections.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The age of the 120 subjects ranged from 20 to 64 years, with a mean age of 39.0 (SD 8.0) years. The majority of the participants were male (90.0%); 48.3% were Chinese. Ninety-eight (81.7%) patients were using BZDs concomitantly. Midazolam was the most commonly used BZD. Buprenorphine abusers who were concomitantly using BZDs were significantly younger and reported an earlier age of onset of illicit drug abuse as compared to those not using BZDs. Those abusing BZDs were more likely to share syringes (x 2 = 5.8, P = 0.02), and were more likely to be seropositive for hepatitis C virus (x 2 = 4.3, P = 0.04).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study highlights the extreme caution that needs to be exercised in prescribing BZDs to all patients in general and patients with injecting drug use or histories of drug abuse in particular. At a public health level, general practitioners (GPs) who prescribe buprenorphine should have compulsory training which highlights the potential dangers of abuse and concomitant abuse of BZDs.</p>

Socio-demographic profile and help-seeking behaviour of buprenorphine abusers in Singapore

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved buprenorphine or Subutex for the treatment of opiate dependence in October 2002. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist of the mu-opioid receptor; although initial animal research suggested a low abuse potential for buprenorphine, it was subsequently shown to have an abuse potential similar to that of morphine or hydromorphone. The objectives of this study were to establish the sociodemographic profile and help-seeking behaviour of buprenorphine abusers attending the deaddiction treatment clinics of the Community Addictions Management Programme.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty subjects, all buprenorphine abusers fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for opiate dependence, who consented to the study, completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age of those participating in the study was 39.2 [standard deviation (SD) 8.0] years. The majority of the participants were male (90%), 52.5% were currently employed and 98% had at least primary education. A family history of drug abuse was reported by 27% of the subjects. Illicit drug abuse occurred at an early age with mean age of onset of illicit drug abuse being 16.9 (SD 4.8) years with gateway drugs like marijuana and glue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is vital for our medical profession to be aware of the trend in the local population to move from the abuse of illicit substances, to the abuse of prescriptive medications. It makes it necessary to increase the understanding of addictions both amongst our practising medical fraternity, and amongst those training to enter the profession. At the hospital level, it necessitates a higher level of vigilance among our emergency room physicians and those treating infectious diseases.</p>