Addiction Rehab: Egocentric Social Network Analysis of Pathological Gambling.
Egocentric Social Network Analysis of Pathological Gambling.
Filed under: Addiction Rehab
Addiction. 2012 Oct 16;
Meisel MK, Clifton AD, Mackillop J, Miller JD, Campbell WK, Goodie AS
AIMS.: To apply social network analysis (SNA) to investigate whether frequency and severity of gambling problems were associated with different network characteristics among friends, family, and co-workers. is an innovative way to look at relationships among individuals; the current study was the first to our knowledge to apply SNA to gambling behaviors. DESIGN.: Egocentric social network analysis was used to formally characterize the relationships between social network characteristics and gambling pathology. SETTING.: Laboratory-based questionnaire and interview administration. PARTICIPANTS.: Forty frequent gamblers (22 non-pathological gamblers, 18 pathological gamblers) were recruited from the community. FINDINGS.: The SNA revealed significant social network compositional differences between the two groups: pathological gamblers (PGs) had more gamblers, smokers, and drinkers in their social networks than did nonpathological gamblers (NPGs). PGs had more individuals in their network with whom they personally gambled, smoked, and drank with than those with who were NPG. Network ties were closer to individuals in their networks who gambled, smoked, and drank more frequently. Associations between gambling severity and structural network characteristics were not significant. CONCLUSIONS.: Pathological gambling is associated with compositional but not structural differences in social networks. Pathological gamblers differ from non-pathological gamblers in the number of gamblers, smokers, and drinkers in their social networks. Homophily within the networks also indicates that gamblers tend to be closer with other gamblers. This homophily may serve to reinforce addictive behaviors, and may suggest avenues for future study or intervention.
HubMed – addiction
Efficacy combined with specified ingredients: A new direction for empirically-supported addiction treatment.
Filed under: Addiction Rehab
Addiction. 2012 Oct 16;
Magill M, Longabaugh R
AIMS.: With the increased need for sanctioning behavioral addiction treatments to guide key stakeholders, focus has shifted to developing and applying criteria for establishing empirically-supported treatments (EST). Among the many criteria offered, demonstration of incremental efficacy over a placebo or comparison in at least two independent randomized clinical trials (RCT) has been the gold standard. While necessary, the present EST criteria are not sufficient. The present work: (1) argues for empirically supported specificity in behavioral addiction treatment, (2) explores the limitations of empirical support for EST efficacy without evidence of specificity, and (3) discusses implications and recommendations for ultimately raising the bar for status as an EST. METHODS.: The authors review relevant literature on ESTs, evidence-based practice, and clinical trial design in the addictions and related disciplines. RESULTS.: We clarify that the additional bar of specificity does not denote uniqueness in causal processes and we argue that specificity should not be inferred only via the nature of the experimental contrast. Rather, a treatment has specificity if its active ingredients are identified and empirically validated as predictors of subsequent treatment-related outcomes. Within this new definition, there are implications for clinical research and other key stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS.: A heightened centrality of empirically-supported addiction treatment ingredients moving forward will advance clinical knowledge and evaluation methodology at a far greater pace.
HubMed – addiction
Subtypes of Disordered Gamblers: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).
Filed under: Addiction Rehab
Addiction. 2012 Oct 16;
Nower L, Martins SS, Lin KH, Blanco C
AIMS: To derive empirical subtypes of problem gamblers based on etiological and clinical characteristics described in the Pathways Model, using data from a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults. DESIGN & MEASUREMENT: Data were collected from structured diagnostic face-to-face interviews using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule DSM-IV version IV (AUDADIS-IV). SETTING: The study utilized data from U.S. National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). PARTICIPANTS: All disordered gambling participants (N = 581) from a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of civilian non-institutionalized adults aged 18 years or older. FINDINGS: Latent class analyses indicated the best-fitting model was a three-class solution. Those in the largest class (Class 1: 51%, n=295) reported the lowest overall levels of psychopathology including gambling problem severity and mood disorders. In contrast, respondents in Class 2 ( 20%, n=117) had a high probability of endorsing past-year substance use disorders, moderate probabilities of having parents with alcohol/drug problems and of having a personality disorder, and the highest probability for past-year mood disorders. Respondents in Class 3 (29%, n=169) had the highest probabilities of personality and prior-to-past year mood disorders, substance use disorders, separation/divorce, drinking-related physical fights, and parents with alcohol/drug problems and/or a history of ASPD. CONCLUSIONS: Three subtypes of disordered gamblers can be identified, roughly corresponding to the sub-types of the Pathways Model, ranging from a subgroup with low levels of gambling severity and psychopathology to one with high levels of gambling problem severity and comorbid psychiatric disorders.
HubMed – addiction
Past major depression and smoking cessation outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis update.
Filed under: Addiction Rehab
Addiction. 2012 Oct 16;
Hitsman B, Papandonatos GD, McChargue DE, Demott A, Herrera MJ, Spring B, Borrelli B, Niaura R
AIMS: To update our prior meta-analysis that showed past major depression (MD+) to be unrelated to smoking cessation outcome [Hitsman et al. J Consult Clin Psychol 2003; 71:657-63]. METHODS: Eligible trials included 14 from our original review and 28 identified through an updated systematic review (2000-2009). We coded for assessment of past MD, exclusion for recent MD episode (MDE; ?6 months versus no exclusion), duration/modality of cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT; face-to-face versus self-help), and other factors. To minimize influence of experimental treatments that may selectively benefit MD+ smokers, we analyzed placebo/lowest intensity control arms only. Study-specific odds ratios (ORs) for the effect of past MD on short-term (?3 months) and long-term (?6 months) abstinence were estimated and combined using random effects. Two-way interaction models of past MD with study methodology and treatment factors were used to evaluate hypothesized moderators of the past MD-abstinence association. RESULTS: MD+ smokers had 17% lower odds of short-term abstinence (n=35, OR=0.83, 95% CI=0.72-0.95, p=0.009) and 19% lower odds of long-term abstinence (n=38, OR=0.81, 95% CI=0.67-0.97, p=0.023) than MD- smokers after excluding the sole study of varenicline because of its antidepressant properties. The association between past MD and abstinence was affected by methodological (recent MDE exclusion, type of MD assessment) and treatment (CBT modality) factors. CONCLUSIONS: Past major depression has a modest adverse effect on abstinence during and after smoking cessation treatment. An increased focus on the identification of effective treatments or treatment adaptations that eliminate this disparity in smoking cessation for MD+ smokers is needed.
HubMed – addiction
Graphic imagery is not sufficient for increased attention to cigarette warnings: The role of text captions.
Filed under: Addiction Rehab
Addiction. 2012 Oct 16;
Brown KG, Reidy JG, Weighall AR, Arden MA
AIMS: The present study aims to assess the extent to which attention to UK cigarette warnings is attributable to the graphic nature of the content. DESIGN: A visual dot probe task was utilised, with the warnings serving as critical stimuli that were manipulated for the presence of graphic versus neutral image content, and the accompanying text caption. This mixed design yielded image content (graphic v neutrally matched images) and presence (versus absence) of text caption as within subjects variables and smoking status as a between participants variable. SETTING: The experiment took place within the laboratories of a UK university. PARTICIPANTS: 86 psychology undergraduates (51% Smokers, 69% female), predominantly of Caucasian ethnicity took part. MEASUREMENTS: Reaction times towards probes replacing graphic images relative to probes replacing neutral images were utilised to create an index of attentional bias. FINDINGS: Bias scores (M = 10.20 ± 2.56) highlighted that the graphic image content of the warnings elicited attentional biases (relative to neutral images) for smokers. This only occurred in the presence of an accompanying text caption however, t (43) = 3.950, p <.001, as opposed to when no caption was present, t (43) =.029, p =.977. Non-smokers showed no biases in both instances. CONCLUSIONS: Graphic imagery on cigarette packets increases attentional capture, but only when accompanied by a text message about health risks. HubMed – addiction
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