BACKGROUND Several factors influence the beginning and maintenance of substance use. The purpose of this study was to examine as well as to compare 'self-regulation' in both substance dependent and non-substance dependent individuals. METHOD In a cross-sectional study 228 (118 substance dependent and 110 with no history of using substance) participants aged 16-55 were recruited. All of the pa...

Very little attention has been paid to the invisible epidemic of substance misuse among older people in the UK. This article looks at the prevalence of substance misuse in the people over the age of 60. The reasons for difficulty in diagnosing substance misuse are explored and ways to improve diagnostic ability are discussed. Substance misuse leads to severe physical and psychiatric morbidity t...

The objective of this study was to describe a 12-year (1997-2008) observation of substance-related incidents occurring at rave parties in the Netherlands, including length of visits to first-aid stations, substances used, and severity of the incidents. During rave parties, specifically trained medical and paramedical personnel staffed first aid stations. Visitors were diagnosed and treated, and...

In the present study, we explored the prevalence of new psychoactive substance use by people admitted into an Australian acute public mental health facility specializing in comorbid mental health and substance use. These substances have since been banned from retail outlets, but the pattern of uptake and reasons people use them is informative in terms of motivations and the management of substa...

BACKGROUND Orbitofrontal cortex dysfunctions have been frequently documented in people with substance use disorders. The exact role of this cortical region, however, remains unspecified. AIMS To assess the functionality of the orbitofrontal cortex in people with substance use disorders. METHOD Reports of studies using behavioural decision-making tasks and/or neuroimaging techniques to inves...

Worldwide, more than 30 million people spend time in prison every year.1 The USA incarcerates 25% of these people and one in 31 Americans is currently under correctional control, either in jail, prison, or on probation or parole.2 Most prisoners will eventually be released, and the 2 weeks after release have been shown to be associated with a substantial increase in mortality, especially from o...