Effect of an Online Intervention on Nursing Students' Alcohol Consumption and Social Support.

OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to evaluate the impact of custom-developed software on nursing students' alcohol consumption and perception of social support. METHOD: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 88 students in the early years of nursing courses at a Brazilian public university. The members of the intervention group (n = 40) participated in a lecture delivered by a nurse and used online software developed based on cognitive behavioral techniques and social skills training. The members of the control group (n = 48) participated only in the lecture. Data on alcohol consumption profiles and social support characteristics were collected. Descriptive statistics, an analysis of variance test, and the Dunnett's test were utilized for data analysis. RESULTS: Alcohol consumption decreased in both groups without significant differences between them. However, in terms of frequency of use, binge drinking, and the number of drinks consumed, a significant decrease occurred among participants in the intervention group. Regarding social support, both groups showed an increase in satisfaction with support and a decrease in the number of supporters. This reduction was less pronounced in the intervention group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: This investigation presents relevant results that suggest the potential of using online technologies as supplemental materials for promoting students' mental health.

Distance from a cultural model of substance use risk, internalization, and self-stigma in urban Brazil.

Introduction: A cognitive theory of culture as socially distributed cultural models has proven useful in research. Cultural models exist in two forms: the model shared by individuals in a social group, and individual versions of that model modified by personal experience. In previous research we documented a shared cultural model of substance use risk among a general population sample in urban Brazil. Here we examine how this model is distributed among persons under treatment for substance use/misuse and the implications for perceived and self-stigma. Methods: A convenience sample of 133 persons under treatment rated the influence of risk factors for substance use/misuse. The configuration of those ratings and the cultural distance of persons under treatment from the general population model were calculated. Degree of stigma perceived in the wider society and degree of self-stigma were also assessed. Results: Persons under treatment aggregate risk factors to a greater extent than the general population. Using a cultural distance metric, the more distant persons under treatment are from the general population model, the lower their self-stigma regarding substance use. Discussion: Some individuals under treatment separate their understanding of substance use/misuse from shared perspectives in the wider society, which in turn reduces self-stigma. These findings add an additional perspective on the relationship of culture and the individual.

Use of psychoactive substances in women in outpatient treatment.

OBJECTIVE: to characterize the sociodemographic and psychiatric profile of women users of psychoactive substances in treatment for drug addiction. METHOD: descriptive study of quantitative approach performed with women attended at a Psychosocial Care Center for Users of Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAPS ad) from the interior of São Paulo State. RESULTS: the sample consisted of 349 adult women, single, low educational level and unemployed, users of alcohol, cocaine, crack and tranquillizers. Among the consequences of use include withdrawal syndrome, overdose, depressive and suicidal symptoms. Most were referred for treatment by the family or health services. Almost 20% of these women had previously started treatments. CONCLUSION: The results suggest marked morbidity and high levels of psychosocial vulnerability, which require thorough investigation at the patient's admission, as well as damage associated with use, withdrawal symptoms and depressive symptoms.

Use of psychoactive substances in women in outpatient treatment / Uso de sustancias en mujeres en tratamiento ambulatorio / Uso de substâncias psicoativas em mulheres em tratamento ambulatorial

ABSTRACT Objective: to characterize the sociodemographic and psychiatric profile of women users of psychoactive substances in treatment for drug addiction. Method: descriptive study of quantitative approach performed with women attended at a Psychosocial Care Center for Users of Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAPS ad) from the interior of São Paulo State. Results: the sample consisted of 349 adult women, single, low educational level and unemployed, users of alcohol, cocaine, crack and tranquillizers. Among the consequences of use include withdrawal syndrome, overdose, depressive and suicidal symptoms. Most were referred for treatment by the family or health services. Almost 20% of these women had previously started treatments. Conclusion: The results suggest marked morbidity and high levels of psychosocial vulnerability, which require thorough investigation at the patient's admission, as well as damage associated with use, withdrawal symptoms and depressive symptoms.

RESUMEN Objetivo: caracterizar el perfil sociodemográfico y psiquiátrico de mujeres usuarias de sustancias psicoactivas en tratamiento para la dependencia química. Método: estudio descriptivo de abordaje cuantitativo realizado con mujeres atendidas en un Centro de Atención Psicosocial para Usuarios de Alcohol y otras Drogas (CAPS ad) del interior paulista. Resultados: la muestra fue de 349 mujeres adultas, solteras, baja escolaridad y desempleadas, usuarias de alcohol, cocaína, crack y tranquilizantes. Entre las consecuencias del uso incluyen el síndrome de abstinencia, sobredosis, síntomas depresivos y suicidas. La mayoría fueron encaminadas para el tratamiento por la familia o los servicios de salud. Casi el 20% de estas mujeres ya habían iniciado tratamientos anteriormente. Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren acentuada morbilidad y altos niveles de vulnerabilidad psicosocial, que requieren una investigación minuciosa en la admisión de la usuaria, además de daños asociados al uso, síntomas de abstinencia y síntomas depressivos.

RESUMO Objetivo: caracterizar o perfil sociodemográficos e psiquiátrico de mulheres usuárias de substâncias psicoativas em tratamento para dependência química. Método: estudo descritivo de abordagem quantitativa realizado com mulheres atendidas em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para Usuários de Álcool e outras Drogas (CAPS ad) do interior paulista. Resultados: a amostra foi de 349 mulheres adultas, solteiras, baixa escolaridade e desempregadas, usuárias de álcool, cocaína, crack e tranquilizantes. Entre as consequências do uso incluem a síndrome de abstinência, overdose, sintomas depressivos e suicidas. A maioria foi encaminhada para o tratamento pela família ou serviços de saúde. Quase 20% dessas mulheres já havia iniciado tratamentos anteriormente. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem acentuada morbidade e elevados níveis de vulnerabilidade psicossocial, que requerem investigação minuciosa na admissão da usuária, além de danos associados ao uso, sintomas de abstinência e sintomas depressivos.

Consumo de álcool no padrão binge e suas consequências em usuários de drogas em tratamento / Binge drinking and its consequences for drug users under treatment

O objetivo foi avaliar o uso de álcool no padrão binge e suas consequências em usuários de drogas. Estudo descritivo, de abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido com 140 indivíduos de um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial ­ Álcool e Drogas. Foram aplicados: um formulário de informações sociodemográficas, a escala de gravidade de dependência de álcool e escala de severidade do uso de drogas. A amostra caracterizou-se por serem adultos do sexo masculino (76,4%), solteiros (77,1%), de cor negra/parda, com baixo nível de escolaridade (57,1%) e religião católica (55,8%). Eram usuários de crack (38,6%), de múltiplas drogas (32,1%) e de cocaína(29,3%), a maioria (80,7%) fez uso de álcool no padrão bingee apresentou níveis severos de dependência alcoólica (93,8%). Ameaça, agressividade e brigas foram evidenciadas na amostra. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de oferecer estratégias interventivas mais intensivas para controle do uso de álcool nesse segmento vulnerável da população, visando minimizar danos.

The objective was to evaluate binge drinking and its consequences in drug users. A quantitative approach, descriptive study developed with 140 subjects of a Psychosocial Care Center ­ Alcohol and Drugs. A socio-demographic information, severity of alcohol dependence scale and severity of drug use scale were applied. The sample was characterized by adult male (76.4%), single (77.1%), non Caucasian (54.3%), low level of education (57.1%) and Catholic (55.8%). Theywere crack users (38.6%), polydrug users (32.1%) and cocaine users (29.3%), the majority (80.7%) consisted of binge drinking users who had severe levels of alcohol dependence (93.8%). Threatening, aggression and fighting were observed in the sample. The results indicate the need to provide more intensive interventional strategies to control alcohol consumption in this vulnerable segment of population in order to minimize injuries.