Cannabidiol for the treatment of crack-cocaine craving: an exploratory double-blind study

Objective: To assess the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) in the management of crack-cocaine craving and the treatment of frequent withdrawal symptoms. Methods: Thirty-one men with a diagnosis of crack-cocaine dependence were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. We applied neuropsychological tests and assessed craving intensity, anxiety and depression symptoms, and substance use patterns at baseline and at the end of the trial. The participants were treated with CBD 300 mg/day or placebo for 10 days. During this period, we used a technique to induce craving and assessed the intensity of symptoms before and after the induction procedure. Results: Craving levels reduced significantly over the 10 days of the trial, although no differences were found between the CBD and placebo groups. Craving induction was successful in both groups, with no significant differences between them. Indicators of anxiety, depression, and sleep alterations before and after treatment also did not differ across groups. Conclusion: Under the conditions of this trial, CBD was unable to interfere with symptoms of crack-cocaine withdrawal. Further studies with larger outpatient samples involving different doses and treatment periods would be desirable and timely to elucidate the potential of CBD to induce reductions in crack-cocaine self-administration.

Estresse percebido e o uso de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas entre universitários / Stress and the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in undergraduates

Avaliar a consumo de drogas em uma população de universitários e verificar as associações com estresse percebido foi o objetivo desta pesquisa. A metodologia utilizada foi de pesquisa descritiva com uma população de 373 universitários. A coleta dos dados se deu de forma online; os participantes responderam ao TCLE, o questionário sociodemográfico, o instrumento para mensurar estresse (escala de Estresse Percebido - EP-10) e consumo abusivo de droga (ASSIST). Para verificar a associação entre o uso abusivo de drogas e a variável estudada foi utilizado o modelo de regressão logística com a significância de p<0,05. A regressão logística revelou associação significativa entre uso de tabaco, ter religião e morar com os pais. Para o consumo de álcool e outras drogas a regressão logística apresentou associação com alto estresse. Concluímos que quanto mais os universitários são expostos a fatores de risco, como estresse, maiores as probabilidades para o consumo de drogas.

Current study analyzes drug consumption in undergraduates and verifies the association with stress. Methodology involves descriptive research in 373 undergraduates. Data were collected online and participants responded to TCLE, sociodemographic questionnaire, stress measuring tool (Perceived Stress Scale ­ EP-10) and illicit drug consumption. Logistic regression at 0.05% significance was employed to assess the association between abuse drugs and the variable under analysis. Logistic regression revealed significant association between tobacco usage, religion and living with parents. In the case of alcohol consumption and other drugs, logistic regression provided association with high stress. The more undergraduates are exposed to risk factors, such as stress, the more their possibilities in drug consumption.

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): an updated systematic review of psychometric properties

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is an instrument used to screen for alcohol-related problems. It has been increasingly used in many different countries in both the original English-language version and its many translated versions. Because of the need for screening instruments of faster administration, shortened versions of the AUDIT have also been developed. This study was aimed at expanding the work by Berner and colleagues (2007) in an attempt to answer some remaining questions as well as to identify and evaluate studies on the validation of modified versions of the AUDIT, which have not been previously analyzed. In order to do so, we identified indexed articles published between 2002 and 2009 related to the psychometric qualities of the AUDIT by matching the keywords: alcohol, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and AUDIT. We found 47 articles that evaluated the AUDIT in different countries and in diverse health and community contexts, involving adolescent, adult, and elderly samples. The studies confirmed the validity and efficiency of the AUDIT in the identification of harmful use, abuse, and dependence of alcohol, both in the original version and in modified ones. The possibility of using brief and efficient versions is of great value, since certain health contexts demand faster assessment. The results also showed that the reduced versions have satisfactory psychometric qualities, sometimes with sensitivity values higher than those of the AUDIT itself. The studies analyzed confirm the efficiency of the AUDIT both in its original, reduced, and language-adapted versions in different contexts and cultures.