Assessment of the mode of anger expression in alcohol dependent male inpatients.

AIMS: To assess the relationships between trait anger (T-Anger) and anger expression styles and emotional states-suicide probability, depression, state and trait anxiety and self-esteem--in alcohol-dependent inpatients. METHODS: The patients included in this study were 142 male inpatients with alcohol dependence according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria. The Suicide Probability Scale, the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scales, and the T-Anger and Anger Expressions Scales were used for the assessment of the emotional states of the patients. Pearson correlation, analysis of variance and linear regression were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between suicide probability, depression, state and the trait anxiety, and the T-Anger and all of the anger expression subscales. The presence of high probability for suicide was related to a high level of T-Anger, Anger-out and Anger-in. Finally, a low level of hopelessness was associated with a high level of T-Anger, and a high level of the trait anxiety was associated with a low level of the Anger Control (AEX-Con). CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that suicide probability, hopelessness and trait anxiety predict T-Anger levels and anger expression styles. Therefore, anxiety, hopelessness and suicide probability must be considered as risk for anger and anger expressions in alcohol-dependent patients. Furthermore, alcohol treatment programmes should attach importance to anger management and AEX-Con training.

Investigation of alcohol use disorders in a group of driving-while-intoxicated offenders.

This preliminary study was carried out to investigate alcohol use disorders and personality profiles in a group of driving-while-intoxicated offenders. Thirty nine volunteer offenders were assessed by CAGE, while 21 of them were assessed by SCID-I Alcohol and Drug Use Disorders module and 14 drivers completed MMPI test. According to CAGE scores, 11 was found to have an indication of alcohol problem and 7 had clinically significant alcohol use disorder. Within 21 drivers, 4 had a DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol abuse. Independent of their diagnosis, MMPI profiles revealed the psychopathic personality characteristics which might explain drinking while driving as a risky behaviour in this group. These results suggest that, besides legal applications, referring offenders to associated centers, in order to be evaluated and informed about alcohol use disorders, would be an important step in the prevention of recurrent alcohol impaired driving as well as alcohol related incidents.

Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the Addiction Severity Index in Male Alcohol Dependents.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Turkish translation of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) in 115 male alcohol-dependent patients. METHOD: The reliability of the instrument was assessed by measuring test-retest, interrater and internal reliabilities. In the validity analysis, the correlation coefficients between corresponding severity ratings and composite scores of each subscale and concurrent validity were assessed. Moreover, the discriminant validity and concurrent validity scores were calculated. RESULTS: The test-retest reliability of the ASI scores ranged from .79 to .91. The interrater reliability assigned by three raters was high (.74 to .99). Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency was .85 for all scales, and it varied between .64 and .77 for the subscales. The Beck Depression Inventory moderately correlated with the Psychatric status, and the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale correlated with the Alcohol and Drug Use subscales of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). The correlation coefficient was .91 for the alcohol use subscale. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study suggest that the Turkish version of the ASI could be used as a reliable and valid instrument in alcohol-dependent patients.

Ways of problem solving as predictors of relapse in alcohol dependent male inpatients.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to identify how remitters and relapsers view their everyday problem solving strategies. METHOD: A total of 128 male alcohol dependent male inpatients who were hospitalized at the Ankara University Psychiatry Clinic, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Unit were recruited for the study. Subjects demographic status and alcohol use histories were assessed by a self-report questionnaire. Also, patients were evaluated with The Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory (CSI), The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI-I-II), and The Problem Solving Inventory (PSI). Patients were followed for six months with monthly intervals after hospital discharge. Drinking status was assessed in terms of abstinence and relapse. Data were assessed with Student t-test, and univariate and multivariate analyses. In the logistic regression analysis, age, marital status, employment status and PSI subscores were taken as the independent variables and drinking state at the end of six months as the dependent variable. RESULTS: There were significant differences in reflective and avoidant styles, and monitoring style of problem solving between abstainers and relapses. It was found that subjects who perceived their problem solving style as less avoidant and less reflective were at greater risk to relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrated that active engagement in problem solving like utilizing avoidant and reflective styles of problem solving enhances abstinence. In treatment, expanding the behavior repertoire and increasing the variety of ways of problem solving ways that can be utilized in daily life should be one of the major goals of the treatment program.

Alcoholic case of central pontine myelinolysis with mainly cerebellar signs.

The etiology of central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is usually related to rapid correction of hyponatremia and alcoholism. Here a case with CPM predominated by cerebellar signs is described, and the neuropsychological assessment of the case is presented as well. Blood biochemistry revealed a normal sodium level and neuropsychological examination revealed impairment in attention and concentration, reduced immediate memory span, and impaired delayed recall. Further studies are needed to discover whether these neuropsychological signs are specific for CPM or due to alcoholism in general.