ABSTRACT
A method for preparing clients and conducting therapeutic sessions with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is described, with emphasis on the need for careful attention to the mental set of therapists and clients and the setting of the session. The therapists' belief was that MDMA inhibited the fear response to a perceived emotional threat, allowing the client to place the emotional sequelae of past experiences into a more realistic perspective in their current emotional lives and relationships. Clients were carefully screened and prepared until they had a clear purpose for the session, including a willingness to experience and to learn from anything that might happen. Sympathomimetic effects of MDMA determined the medical contraindications, and clients with histories of serious functional psychiatric impairments were excluded. Total doses of 75-150 mg, plus 50 mg if requested later, were administered, followed by clients lying down and listening to music with eyeshades and headphones during the peak MDMA effect. Screening and follow-up questionnaires were utilized. Two case histories are presented: a man achieving relief of pain from multiple myeloma, and a woman finding relief from problems as the daughter of Holocaust survivors. Use of consciousness-altering drugs in other contexts is discussed.
Subject(s)
Hallucinogens/therapeutic use , N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine/therapeutic use , Psychotherapy/methods , Adult , Aged , Bone Neoplasms/complications , Depressive Disorder/drug therapy , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Multiple Myeloma/complications , Pain, Intractable/psychology , Pain, Intractable/therapySubject(s)
3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine/pharmacology , Amphetamines/pharmacology , 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine/adverse effects , 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine/analogs & derivatives , Attitude , Communication , Emotions/drug effects , Female , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Male , N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine , Occupations , Substance-Related DisordersSubject(s)
Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Leadership , Curriculum , Humans , Models, Psychological , United StatesABSTRACT
A study was conducted in Macon County, Alabama (east-central) during the mosquito breeding seasons of 1978 and 1979 to determine the potential vector(s) of Dirofilaria immitis. Live mosquitoes were collected with CO2-baited, miniature light traps, and small hand aspirators. These mosquitoes were subsequently dissected to determine whether immature stages of the heartworm were present. Specific communities were selected based on their having at least 4 known cases of D immitis infection present in the local dog population. All positive collections were made between the months of May and September. Of 326 Anopheles punctipennis females dissected, 34 were positive, and of 84 Aedes vexans 6 were positive for infective (L3) larvae. Of 520 Culex quinquefasciatus females tested, 14 contained 2nd-stage larvae only. Immature stages of D immitis were collected during most of the mosquito breeding season. Data collected during the survey indicate that An punctipennis and to a lesser extent, Ae vexans are probably the principal vectors of D immitis in Macon County, Ala.
