Influence of Time in Treatment and Follow-Up Duration on Methadone Treatment Outcomes

Data for 422 methadone treatment clients in the National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study (NTIES) were analyzed. Clients maintained continuously in methadone treatment for longer than 12 months and clients who leftbetween 3–12 months were compared with clients treated for less than 3 months. Additionally, clients treated for 3–12 months who had short follow-up periods (6-month average) were compared with 3–12-month clients with long follow-up periods (11-month average). Positive treatment outcomes includinglower drug use, reduced risk of viral infectionand sexually transmitted disease (through needle sharing and multiple sex partners), and less criminality wereassociated with both longer duration treatment and shorter follow-up periods. The findings suggested that continuous methadone treatment of 12 or more months is optimal, whereas stays of less than3 months may be ineffective. Furthermore, stays of 3–12 months are likelyto be beneficial over a relatively short time span, for example 6 months.     

Clients in Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Treatment Experiencesand Outcomes

This report presents an analysis of National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study data describing the characteristics and treatment experiences of clients entering treatment for alcohol problems. Three client groups were contrasted—those entering treatment for alcohol only, for alcohol plus other drugs, or for other drugs only. Clients using alcohol only were more often white, male, and currently employed. Alcohol only clients were treated predominantly in outpatient settings. Alcohol only clients were frequently referred to treatment by the criminal justice system, and less often self-referred. In all 3 study groups, employment, general health, and mental health outcomes were improved following treatment. Illicit drug use increased marginally for the alcohol only group following treatment. No significant posttreatment reductions in reports of total abstinencefrom alcohol were found for any of the groups. Findings are discussed as they relate to research, treatment practice, and policyareas.     

Treatment Populations,Services, and Outcomes for Cocaine and Crack-Cocaine Dependence

This paper analyzes demographic and other pretreatment characteristics, measures of treatment services received, and treatment outcomes of participantsin the National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study (NTIES), a large-scale longitudinal study of substance abuse treatment (D. R. Gerstein et al., 1997; R. A. Johnson & D. R. Gerstein, 2000). The focus here is those treated primarily for cocaine powder or crack-cocaine dependence, compared with those in treatment for other substances, particularly heroin. Crack-dependent users tend to be female and black, older than primary marijuana or alcohol users but younger than those in treatment for heroin. Primary cocaine powder or crack users are likely to have entered treatment under pressure from the criminal justice system. After treatment there are substantial reductions in use of cocaine powder and crack, especially among participants with fewer prior treatment episodes and lower pretreatment intensity of use. Longer duration and intensity of treatment result in greater reductions in cocaine and crack use.     

Knowledge and Attitudes About Later Life Sexuality: What Clinicians Need To Know About Helping the Elderly

In the family therapy field we have often overlooked the elderly and in particular addressing sexual concerns within the context of couples therapy with the elderly (Van Amburg, Barber, & Zimmerman, 1996). The projected life-span of the elderly has increased due to improvements in medical technology and due to a better quality of life which promotes longevity. Included in this paper are the specific age-related physical, emotional, and sexual changes common in later life as well as a clinical case vignette of an elderly couple presenting with a sexual issue. Current sexuality education programs for the elderly are reviewed as well as clinical implications for therapists who treat the elderly.     

糖尿病足诊疗与预防进展

糖尿病足是糖尿病的严重并发症,血管狭窄闭塞、神经病变和感染是主要的临床表现,本文主要从糖尿病足的定义、病因、病理生理、临床表现、检测方法、分级及治疗和预防进展方面进行总结。糖尿病足的诊治是个系统工程,单一的方法难以治愈,且治疗效果欠佳,故我们在临床上以预防为主,早期诊断,早期治疗。     

辩证思维在头颈肿瘤诊治过程中的应用

辩证思维贯穿于整个临床诊疗过程中,每位医师在做出临床决策时,均自觉或不自觉地遵循着该原理。在头颈肿瘤的临床实践中,也应始终遵循辩证思维,使哲学思维和科学思维密切结合。合理、正确地运用辩证思维方法有助于深入认识头颈肿瘤疾病的发生、发展及演变过程,从而采取合理、有效的治疗措施。     

乳腺癌保乳手术的哲学思考

保乳手术基于乳腺癌是一种全身疾病的认识,符合医学发展的方向并最大程度地满足了患者对形体美的追求,保乳手术是早期乳腺癌手术的发展趋势,保乳治疗是多种疗法序贯应用的综合治疗。乳腺外科医师应及时转变治疗观念,以更大的责任心给予乳腺癌患者最好的治疗和更多的人文关爱。     

妇产科学临床诊疗中的思维

从辩证思维方式在妇产科学临床诊疗中的运用入手,通过多个临床诊疗的实例,说明哲学与医学的共通性。哲学辨证思维的开阔思维方式,可以使妇产科学的临床诊疗活动更加全面和完善,使临床诊断更加精准,制定的治疗方案更加合理,从而尽可能地减少医疗纠纷。     

重症溃疡性结肠炎药物治疗的进展与困惑

目前临床上对重症溃疡性结肠炎患者的治疗多采用糖皮质激素、免疫抑制剂、生物制剂和抗生素等,使病情得到缓解。然而,这些药物的长期疗效、副作用等需要进一步临床观察,根据病情合理选择有效药物治疗。