Background:Alcohol and opiates are among the most addictive substances posing significant public health problems due to the biopsychosocial impact that they have on individuals. Research shows that majority of abstinent alcohol and/or opioid dependence subjects relapse within 1 year. It has also been estimated that 26–36 million people worldwide abuse opiates, with exceptionally high-relapse rates. The purpose of this study was to compare the sociodemographic factors and correlates relapse in alcohol dependence and opioid dependence.Methodology:This research uses a cross-sectional comparative study design with a sample size of 60 drawn from a population of clinically diagnosed patients of alcohol dependence (n = 30) or opioid dependence (n = 30) and seeking treatment for relapse. In addition to collecting sociodemographic data, other factors such as craving, affect, self-efficacy, and expressed emotions were measured using standardized instruments including brief substance craving scale, Bradburn affect balance scale, drug avoidance and self-efficacy scale and family emotional involvement, and conflict scale. The data were statistically analyzed.Results:Disparity in sociodemographic factors was seen in both the groups with opioid group being more likely to be single, unemployed, belonging to lower socioeconomic status, and having a criminal record (P = 0.025). Among factors associated with relapse, the opioid group scored significantly higher on craving, perceived criticism (P = 0.0001), and lower on self-efficacy (P = 0.016). Most common reason cited for relapse in both the groups was desire for positive mood.Conclusion:This study highlights the role of social determinants in drug dependence and relapse. Relapse was found to be a complex multifactorial phenomenon. Despite differences in presentation, somewhat similar relapse mechanisms were seen in both groups.

Objectives: Advances in electronics, the Internet and telecommunication have pushed the field of health care to embrace information technology (IT). However, the purposeful use of technology is relatively new to the field of health promotion. The primary objective of this paper is to review various applications of health IT, with a focus on its use in health promotion and its evolving impact on the healthcare system in the USA. It also emphasises on the potential benefits of introducing different applications of health IT in health care and health education. Methods: A detailed review and synthesis of recent literature in the area of health IT was conducted to reflect and describe the recent trends related to health promotion influenced by IT in the USA. Results: This review reveals that despite initial reluctance, health providers and patients are accepting and even crediting health IT for providing patients with resources to educate themselves on their health status and actively participate in their health care by enabling them easy access to health information. Conclusion: Health-related IT can facilitate a paradigm shift from a system-centred disease prevention model of care to a more patient-centred health promotion approach. Furthermore, like most other changes in health care, health IT is facing its share of challenges, yet evolving to be one of the fastest growing trends in the US healthcare system.

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The certification course can improve knowledge and facilitate perceptual change on dementia. Implementing this program as a novel regional initiative has robust potential in ensuring continuing workforce development in health care settings challenged with ever-changing people living with dementia needs and high staff turnover.