Families of substance abusers may develop maladaptive strategies, such as codependency, to address drug-related problems. It is important for families to receive specialist treatment in order to contribute to the recovery process. The Tele-intervention Model and Monitoring of Families of Drug Users (TMMFDU), based on motivational interviewing and stages of change, aims to encourage the family to change the codependents' behaviors. A randomized clinical trial was carried out to verify the change in codependent behavior after intervention with 6 months of follow-up. Three hundred and twenty-five families with high or low codependency scores were randomized into the intervention group (n = 163) or the usual treatment (UT) (n = 162). After 6 months of follow-up, the family members of the TMMFDU group were twice as likely to modify their codependency behavior when compared to the UT group (OR 2.08 CI 95% 1.18-3.65). TMMFDU proved to be effective in changing codependent behaviors among compliant family members of drug users.

Family functioning and health issues associated with codependency in families of drug usersFuncionamento familiar e questões de saúde associados com codependência em familiares de usuários de drogas

Avaliação de mudanças na dependência da nicotina, motivação e sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em fumantes no processo inicial de redução ou cessação do tabagismo: estudo de seguimento de curto prazo Assessment of changes in nicotine dependence, motivation, and symptoms of anxiety and depression among smokers in the initial process of smoking reduction or cessation: a short-term follow-up study Abstract Introduction: The first days of a quit attempt represent an important challenge to long-term abstinence, especially because of the changes that take place over this period. Objective: To examine whether smokers who have recently changed their smoking behavior show changes in the intensity of nicotine dependence, motivational stage, or symptoms of anxiety and depression relative to smokers without recent changes in smoking behavior. Methods: Smokers attending a support group for smoking cessation in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, were invited to participate. The program consisted of four weekly sessions. Smokers answered questionnaires covering intensity of nicotine dependence, stage of motivation, and symptoms of anxiety and depression at baseline and in the fourth week. Urine was collected at both time points, tested for cotinine concentration, and used to determine the final status of smokers. Results: Of the 54 smokers included in the study, 20 (37%) stopped smoking or decreased tobacco use. Both smokers who stopped or reduced tobacco use and those who did not change their behavior presented a decrease in nicotine dependence scores (p = 0.001). Conversely, only the smokers who changed behavior presented an increase in scores in the maintenance stage (p < 0.001). Conclusion: When modifying tobacco use, smokers face a difficult process, marked by several changes. A better understanding of these changes and their implications for treatment are discussed.

ResumenAbstract original adicciones vol. xx, nº x · 2020Objetivo: Las características heterogéneas de familiares afectados (FA) de familiares con abuso de sustancias (FAS) han sido objeto de pocos estudios. Este estudio revisó la ocurrencia y los correlatos de FA con uno o más familiares con problemas de abuso de sustancias. Materiales y Métodos: Análisis secundario de un estudio transversal sobre las características de FA en Brasil (N = 3157). Valoramos los niveles de los FA de estrés, presión, afrontamiento y esperanza. Exploramos los factores asociados con los FA que tenían otros familiares con abuso de sustancias (otros-FAS) mediante regresiones logísticas ordinales. Resultados: El 61,6% de la muestra (1945/3157) informó de la ocurrencia de otros-FAS. De estos, el 47% (904/1945) informó que los otros-FAS eran familiares directos del FAS (cónyuge/pareja/hijos/ hermanos). La probabilidad de ocurrencia de otros-FAS estaba relacionada con que el FAS fuese mujer, de bajo nivel socioeconómico (NSE), con una edad entre los 35-44 años, fuese la madre o esposa/ novia/prometida del FAS, obtuviese una puntuación más alta en impacto familiar, síntomas psicológicos y físicos, evitamiento como mecanismo de afrontamiento, y que tuviese un FAS mayor. Conclusión: Información sobre las características de los FA es clave para entender cómo puede manifestarse la experiencia de daños asociados con el problema del familiar. Nuestros hallazgos aportan datos que pueden ser útiles para desarrollar intervenciones con el objetivo de reducir los daños sufridos por los FA. Palabras clave: Familiares afectados; Familiar con abuso de sustancias; Características; Presiones. Purpose: The heterogenic characteristics of affected family members (AFMs) of substance misusing relative (SMR) remain understudied. This study examined the occurrence and correlates of AFMs having more than one relative with substance use problems. Material and Methods: A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study on the characteristics of affected family members in Brazil was performed (N= 3157). Levels of AFM stress, strain, coping and hopefulness were assessed. Factors associated with AFMs having other substance misusing relatives (other-SMRs) were explored using univariate logistic regressions. Results: The occurrence of having other-SMR was reported by 61.6% of the sample (1945/3157). Of this, 47% (904/1945) reported that the other-SMR was a member of the SMR's immediate family (spouse/partner/children/siblings). The likelihood of having other-SMRs was related to the AFM being female, from a low socioeconomic background, between the age of 35-44 years older, being SMR's mother or wife/girlfriend/fiancée, scoring higher on family member impact, psychological and physical symptoms, withdrawal coping and to have an older SMR. Conclusion: Information about the characteristics of AFMs is key to understanding how the experience of harm associated with the relative's problem might manifest. Our findings offer information that could be used when developing interventions...

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