Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by severe cyclical nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain relieved by compulsive hot water bathing in the setting of chronic cannabinoid use. This article reviews the characteristics, proposed pathophysiology, treatment modalities, and role of nurses caring for patients with CHS.

["Schizophrenia versus cannabis", a novel psychoeducational workshop designed with patients]. / "Schizophrénie versus cannabis", un atelier psychoéducatif inédit conçu avec des patients.

A therapeutic workshop involving patients with schizophrenia and consumers of cannabis was created within the Lavallois adult psychiatry department. The collaboration between two nurses and a psychologist enabled new working tools to be designed and implemented with a pilot group of four patients, informed and aware of their condition, and admitting their use of cannabis. This article provides an initial assessment of this rewarding scheme.

WHERE THERE'S SMOKE: UNCOVERING THE BENEFITS OF A NON-RESIDENTIAL CANNABIS WITHDRAWAL.

Drug and alcohol dependence continues to ignite the interest of the media. The 'epidemic' of methamphetamine use, the controversy of private residential rehabs and the burden of substance use on the healthcare system are prominent in the news and across social media.

[Outpatient cannabis withdrawal programme]. / Sevrage ambulatoire du cannabis.

Cannabis is the most consumed illicit substance in France, and its use can lead to dependency. Lille university hospital, le Pari association, offers patients wanting to stop using cannabis a support therapy based on positive feedback led by nurses, as well as symptomatic treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders.

[Pathological gambling and addiction to cannabis: common psychosocial profile?]. / Jeu pathologique et addiction au cannabis profil psychosocial commun?

Addiction can involve substances (heroin, cannabis, cocaine) or be characterised by behaviour (pathological gambling, addiction to sport, etc.). The question is to establish whether or not there is a specific personality profile (character, temperament) and emotional functioning (anxiety, depression, alexithymia) in subjects presenting addictive behaviour with and without substance use. To find some answers, a team from Sainte-Marguerite General Hospital in Marseille carried out a study comparing a group of cannabis addicts and a group of pathological gamblers.

Retrospective review of trends in assaults and seclusion at an acute psychiatric ward over a 5-year period.

In developing countries such as South Africa, not much is known about the prevalence of assaults and seclusion occurring in mental health wards over time. Here, we describe a 5-year trend in assaults and seclusions, stratified by gender, at Stikland Hospital, South Africa. A retrospective review of clinical records of patients admitted to the acute psychiatric admission wards at Stikland and involved in assault and secluded was undertaken between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2010. Data on the number of patient and staff assaults as well as seclusions, gender, age, marital status, level of education, level of income, duration of hospital admission and primary psychiatric diagnosis were collected. Significantly (P < 0.01) more men than women engaged in patient assaults, while significantly (P < 0.01) more men were secluded than women. On a monthly basis, the number of gender-stratified patient assaults and seclusions significantly increased (P < 0.01) throughout the study period. In conclusion, we show here that gender had a significant effect on both patient assault and seclusion numbers, which increased towards the end of the study period. Monitoring of these events is therefore important to continuously improve quality of care.

Update on marijuana.

Marijuana, the illicit drug most widely used by adolescents, is not a benign substance. Inhalation of marijuana smoke is more harmful than tobacco smoke; cannabis smoke delivers 50% to 70% more carcinogens. Other physiological effects include decreased immune function, higher rates of cardiac arrhythmias, and documented cases of cerebellar infarction. Mood and cognitive effects of marijuana include exacerbation of depression and anxiety (including panic attacks), as well as memory problems that may persist for a month after last use. Cannabis abuse is a risk factor for psychosis in genetically predisposed people and may lead to a worse outcome of schizophrenia. The cumulative respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental health risks of marijuana are significant and should be emphasized by nurses who work with adolescents.

Health risk behavior of youth in foster care.

PROBLEM: Many adolescent health problems are predominantly caused by risk behavior. Foster adolescents have disproportionately poor health; therefore, identification of risk behavior is critical. METHOD: Data from a larger study were analyzed to investigate the health risk behavior of 56 youth in foster care using the Child Health and Illness Profile-Adolescent Edition. FINDINGS: Data indicated that youth in foster care had some increased risk behavior when compared with a normative adolescent population. Younger adolescents and those in relative placement had less risky behavior. Risk behavior was increased for youth in foster care when they were in group homes, had experienced a parental death, or had a history of physical or emotional abuse or attempted suicide. CONCLUSIONS: These results point to areas of strength and vulnerability for youth in foster care and suggest areas for clinicians and caregivers of these adolescents to focus interventions towards harm reduction and enhancement of resiliency.

Cánnabis

La Cannabis Sativa también llamada "cáñamo europeo" crece en zonas tropicales y templadas y contiene gran cantidad de alcaloides psicoactivos. El principio activo más importante es el delta-9-tetrahidrocannabinol, THC; pero contiene más de 60 componentes reconocidos como cannabioides (AU)

Illicit drugs and anesthesia.

Substance abuse is the nation's number one health problem. With illicit drug use so prevalent, the anesthesia care team undoubtedly sees more people under the influence of illicit drugs. Cocaine, heroin, and marijuana are the drugs that are commonly used. Cocaine acts as an intense stimulant, heroin has profound sedative effects, and marijuana may cause various respiratory problems. Many times when drug users present for anesthesia, they will not admit to using illicit drugs, leaving the anesthetist to treat complications intraoperatively. This article discusses the history, street practices, pharmacodynamics, and anesthetic management of people using cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. This knowledge of how to treat patients abusing drugs will undoubtedly improve anesthetic outcomes. There are many illicit drugs used by people that anesthetists do not see frequently in the care of their patients, but the anesthetist should be aware of the common street drugs in use.