scholarly journals Commentary on: New guidelines for prescribing injectable heroin in opiate addiction

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 128-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eilish Gilvarry

Until recently, the UK led the addiction field worldwide as the only country to prescribe diamorphine for the treatment of opiate drug dependence. However, the approach was inconsistent, with development conducted in a haphazard and arbitrary manner (Audit Commission, 2002), with variation in criteria, individualistic approaches and many doctors ‘inheriting’ patients on these long-term prescriptions from other doctors. There were relatively few restrictions once the doctor had been granted a licence by the Home Office.

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Luty

Few treatments are more controversial than the prescribing of injectable heroin (diamorphine) to heroin addicts. This practice is still banned in the USA and Australia, despite the serious drug problems in those countries. At present any UK doctor can prescribe injectable methadone for the treatment of heroin addiction; however, the prescribing of heroin requires a special licence from the Home Office. The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse is the statutory body currently responsible for advising purchasers (local drug action teams) in regard to specialist services for addictions. They have recently commissioned and published guidelines for the prescription of injectables in opiate addiction (National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, 2003). This follows the report of a Government committee, which stated:‘If diamorphine treatment could be offered to all problematic users who do not successfully access other treatments, we believe it could play a useful part in managing the social problems generated by this group of people’ (House of Commons Home Affairs Committee, 2003).


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Philip Martin

The vulnerability of migrants of Roma heritage[1] to insecure, low status, (and sometimes exploitative), employment conditions in the UK has been highlighted by various studies (e.g. Poole & Adamson 2008;, Martin et al 2017, Tileaga et al. 2019). Such patterns of employment have frequently been identified as ‘precarious labour’ across the European Union (e.g. Apostolova et al 2014; Vincze, 2015).Following the 2016 Referendum vote to leave the EU[2], the UK government indicated that providing evidence of consistent, regular working histories would form the basis of applications by EU migrants seeking to remain in the country long-term. (Home Office, 2018, 2020). In doing so, it made evidence of legal, paid employment central to future legitimacy in the country, but those struggling to produce such information face potentially precarious futures (Migration Observatory, 2018). Studies have suggested that, given the specific disadvantages faced by Roma migrants in the UK, the aftermath of ‘Brexit’[3] posed enhanced risks an intensification of the precarity they already experienced.Drawing on interviews conducted in two different locations in 2019, this paper adds experiential detail to their specific experiences of precarious work, located in the ‘no man’s land’ between the 2016 vote and final departure, due at the end of 2020. It assesses the implications for their continued residence, with particular reference to the status of EU migrants post Brexit and the proposed requirements for remaining in the UK. However, it argues that for Roma in the UK, Brexit represents a contemporary, but expanded example of labour precarity, encompassing not only work, but family and future, hopes and aspirations.[1] ‘Migrants of Roma heritage’ is used to recognise the diversity (national, cultural, educational, and linguistic among others) present across the communities who identify as Roma and to avoid the ethnicity based essentialising criticised by many scholars.[2] The 2016 Referendum on EU membership offered UK voters a single question ‘Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union? The 51.6% majority who chose to leave are colloquially referred to as the ‘Leave Vote’, and the process of leaving as ‘Brexit’  [Britain/British-exit][3] ‘Brexit’ is here used to denote the process from the Referendum campaign, through the negotiations, towards final departure.


Author(s):  
Feryad A. Hussain

Radicalisation to violent action is not just a problem in foreign lands. Research has identified numerous politico–psychosocial factors to explain why young people from the UK are now joining terrorist groups such as ISIS. Our understanding has been expanded by the accounts of “returnees” who have subsequently either self-deradicalised or joined a government deradicalisation programme in the role of an Intervention Provider (IP). These individuals are now key to the deradicalisation programme. This article presents the reflections of a clinical psychologist who worked within a social healthcare team managing psychosocial issues related to radicalisation, in conjunction with an allocated IP. The project involved individuals from the Muslim community and, as such, issues discussed are specific to this group. It is acknowledged that the process in general is universally applicable to all groups though specifics may vary (under Trust agreement, details may not be discussed). This article also aims to share basic information on the current Home Office deradicalisation programme and raises questions about the current intervention. It also offers reflections on how the work of IPs may be facilitated and supported by clinical/counselling psychologists and psychotherapists.


Author(s):  
Т.П. Ветлугина ◽  
Е.В. Матафонова ◽  
Н.А. Бохан ◽  
В.Б. Никитина ◽  
А.И. Мандель ◽  
...  

Цель исследования: изучение динамики показателей иммунитета и уровня кортизола у больных опийной наркоманией в процессе терапии синдрома отмены. Методика. В исследование включено 136 больных опийной наркоманией (инъекции экстракта опия) с сформировавшейся физической зависимостью. Пациенты получали в стационаре стандартную терапию с полной отменой наркотика. Исследование проводилось на следующих этапах: при поступлении в стационар (опийный абстинентный синдром - ОАС); на 5-7-е сут. терапии (переход в постабстинентное состояние - ПАС); на 25-28-е сут. лечения (становление терапевтической ремиссии - СТР). Лабораторные методы включали определение количества лимфоцитов с рецепторами CD3, CD4, CD8, СD16, с рецепторами к дофамину (D-RFC); содержание иммуноглобулинов М, G, А, уровня кортизола и циркулирующих иммунных комплексов (ЦИК) в сыворотке крови. Результаты. Основной иммуноэндокринный паттерн на всех этапах терапии синдрома отмены характеризуется дефицитом субпопуляций Т-лимфоцитов CD3, CD4, СD8; увеличением числа лимфоцитов с рецепторами к дофамину (D-RFC); активацией гуморальных факторов иммунитета (IgM, IgG, ЦИК); высокой концентрацией кортизола. На этапе ОАС и ПАС эти изменения были наиболее выражены; на 25-28-е сут. лечения отмечена позитивная динамика Т-лимфоцитов СD3 и цитотоксических Т-лимфоцитов (СD8); хелперы/индукторы CD4 оставались устойчиво сниженными; D-RFC лимфоциты, параметры гуморального иммунитета и концентрация кортизола - повышенными. Длительный срок наркотизации при употреблении высоких доз наркотика связан с большей выраженностью нарушений. Заключение. Установленная дизрегуляция параметров иммуноэндокринной системы у больных опийной наркоманией на всех этапах терапии синдрома отмены в наблюдаемые сроки (25-28 сут.) свидетельствует о неустойчивости достигнутой терапевтической ремиссии и необходимости проведения дальнейших реабилитационных мероприятий. The purpose: investigate changes in immunity parameters and cortisol level in subjects with opiate addiction during the treatment of opiate withdrawal syndrome. Methods. The study enrolled 136 subjects with opiate addiction with physical dependence receiving injections of opium extract. Patients received conventional therapy with complete opiate withdrawal. The study was performed at the following stages: at admission to the hospital (acute withdrawal syndrome (AWS); on days 5-7 of therapy (transition into post-withdrawal state - PWS); on days 25-28 of therapy (formation of therapeutic remission - FTR). Laboratory methods included determination count of lymphocytes with receptors CD3, CD4, CD8, СD16, with receptors to dopamine (D-RFC); the serum levels of IgМ, IgG, IgА, cortisol, circulating immune complexes (CIC). Results. The principal immunoendocrine pattern for all stages of withdrawal syndrome therapy is characterized in comparison to the reference normal values quantitative deficit of CD3, CD4, СD8 Т-lymphocyte subpopulations, increased count of lymphocytes with receptors to dopamine, activation of humoral immunity factors (IgM, IgG, CIC), high cortisol level. At AWS and PAS stages such changes are most pronounced; on days 25-28 of therapy positive changes in cytotoxic Т-lymphocytes (СD8) and Т-lymphocytes СD3 was revealed. CD4 count remained steadily reduced, count of lymphocytes with receptors to dopamine and cortisol level were elevated. Clinical and immunological analysis demonstrated that consumption of high opiate doses, long-term narcotization are associated with higher intensity of disorders detected. Conclusion. Dysregulation of immunoendocrine parameters was revealed in subjects with opiate addiction at all stages of withdrawal syndrome therapy within the term observed evidencing instability of therapeutic remission achieved and necessity in further rehabilitation events.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Budzynski-Seymour ◽  
James Steele ◽  
Michelle Jones

Physical activity (PA) is considered essential to overall health yet it is consistently reported that children are failing to meet the recommended levels. Due to the bidirectional relationship between affective states and PA, affective responses are a potential predictor to long term engagement. Since late March 2020 the UK government enforced ‘lockdown’ measures to help control the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19); however, this has impacted children’s PA. Using online resources at home to support PA is now common. The primary aim of this research was to investigate the use of the Change4Life 10-minute Shake Ups to support PA by examining the effects of Disney branding upon children’s (n=32) post activity affective responses and perceived exertion. The secondary was to investigate the effect of the lockdown on PA habits. Children had similar positive affective responses and perceived effort to activities; however, branding was considered to be a key contributing factor based upon qualitative feedback from parents. Children’s PA levels dropped slightly since ‘lockdown’ was imposed; though online resources have been utilised to support PA. The use of immersive elements such as characters and narrative in PA sessions, as well as utilising online resources during ‘lockdown’ appear potentially promising for future research.


Author(s):  
Paul Brooker ◽  
Margaret Hayward

The Armani high-fashion example illustrates the importance of adaptive rational methods in his founding and developing of an iconic high-fashion firm. Armani adapted stylistically to fashion’s new times in the 1970–80s by creating a new style catering for the career woman. His stylistic adaptation is compared with that of another famous Italian fashion designer, Versace, who instead modernized haute couture fashion and created a succession of glamourous styles. Both leaders exploited the same opportunity but in different ways. The third section compares these leaders’ legacies in the 1990s–2000s and assesses from a long-term perspective how capably they had used adaptive rational methods. The final section shifts the focus from fashion to the cosmetics industry and from Italy to the UK. Anita Roddick used adaptive rational methods to establish The Body Shop corporation in the 1970s–80s. However, she then abandoned rational methods with dire results for her corporation in the 1990s.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Hutchinson ◽  
Paul Ellison ◽  
Andrew Levy ◽  
David Marchant

Objective Concussion is a common injury in ice hockey, and previous research suggests some misconceptions and unsafe attitudes amongst players. The purpose of this study was to assess sport concussion knowledge, attitudes and the effect of sport concussion history in UK-based male ice hockey players across three levels of competition: professional, semi-professional and amateur. Methods Sixty-one participants across a number of UK ice hockey teams completed the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey and reviewed a series of statements to assess knowledge (concussion knowledge index), attitudes (concussion attitude index) and misconceptions of concussion. Results Level of competition and concussion history had no significant effect on concussion knowledge index or concussion attitude index. A positive significant relationship exists between playing experience and concussion knowledge index and concussion attitude index. Statements identified common misconceptions and areas of accurate knowledge regarding concussion symptoms suggesting that male ice hockey players have a higher level knowledge compared to a sample of the UK general public. Playing experience was associated with increased knowledge and increasingly safe attitudes towards concussion. Conclusion Despite knowledge relating to loss of consciousness and correct management of symptoms being generally accurate, there are worryingly unsafe attitudes regarding aspects of concussion. Such attitudes may well pose significant threats to players’ safety and long-term health.


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