Author's Reply to COMMENTARY ON "Adolescent Work Values and Drug Use in Adulthood: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study".

Background: This is the author's reply to the COMMENTARY on our study "Adolescent Work Values and Drug Use in Adulthood: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study" (Takano et al., Substance Use and Misuse 2021; 65 (10): 1483-1492), which pointed out that racial/ethnic groups, adolescent resilience (ability to cope with steess, etc.), and educational attainment might influence the association between adolescent work values and drug use in adulthood as mediate or moderate factors. Method: We conducted additional subgroup logistic regression analyses stratified by racial/ethnic groups (white or other) and educational attainment (less than high school, vocational level, or more than bachelor). Unfortutanely, we did not find any variable related to resilience in the data used in our study. Results: Unfortunately, we could not test the association between adolescent work values and drug use in adulthood by these subgroups due to the small sample size. The prevalence of drug use tended to be lower in the group with higher level of educational attainment, as expected. Conclusion: We could not investigate the possible modetiations and moderations that the authors of the Commentary proposed using the data. However, all these possibilities are plausible and future research on these topics would be promising.

Dental characteristics associated with methamphetamine use: analysis using forensic autopsy data.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding the oral conditions in nonelderly methamphetamine users, such as the presence of dental caries and periodontitis. We aimed the oral conditions between methamphetamine users and non-users stratified by age groups. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, computed tomography images were obtained from 3,338 decedents at two forensic medicine departments in Japan. Decedents aged > 20 or ≤ 64 years were included in the study and categorised into methamphetamine-detected (MA) and undetected (control) groups based on toxicological examinations. Decedents in the MA and control groups were matched for age and sex in a 1:4 ratio. The matched pairs were further categorised into young adults (20-44 years) and middle-aged adults (45-64 years). Oral characteristics, including the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index; periodontitis; distributional patterns of each tooth condition; and occlusal status, were compared between the MA and control groups for each age category. Among 3,338 decedents, 37 young and 55 middle-aged adults in the MA group were matched with 148 and 220 adults in the control group, respectively. RESULTS: In the young adult group, methamphetamine use was significantly associated with higher DMFT index (mean [standard deviation], 14.2 [7.6] vs 11.0 [6.1]; p = 0.007), smaller number of filled teeth (2.8 [2.9] vs 5.3 [4.0]; p = 0.001), higher proportion of periodontitis (39.0% vs 6.8%; p < 0.001), and lower proportion of occlusal support (54.1% vs 81.1%; p = 0.001). Young adult methamphetamine users tended to have untreated decayed canines and molars and missing molars. These findings were similar to those in middle-aged adults except the tendency to have missing maxillary incisors. CONCLUSIONS: Nonelderly methamphetamine users had distinctive oral characteristics that may help screen for methamphetamine abuse through dental examinations.

Adolescent Work Values and Drug Use in Adulthood: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Personal values have been considered as a predictor of drug use. Methods: We examined the association between work values in adolescence and drug use in adulthood using 23-year longitudinal data from the Youth Development Study. Results: Partial extrinsic and intrinsic work values predicted cannabis use in the past year after adjusting for sociodemographic variables and alcohol and tobacco use at baseline. A part of intrinsic work values was negatively associated with illicit drug use in the past year. Conclusions: The present study suggested that some personal values might influence future drug use. Investigating the association between personal values and subsequent drug use through personal value theory and self-determination theory could help to understand risk and preventive factors in drug use.

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the INSPIRE measure of staff support for personal recovery in community mental health service users in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Supporting personal recovery in people with mental health difficulties is central to mental health services. This study aimed to develop the Japanese version of INSPIRE and Brief INSPIRE measure of staff support for personal recovery and to evaluate its reliability and validity. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted from October to December 2015. The authors asked users to participate in the survey of 14 community mental health services in the Kanto region of Japan. The service users completed self-administered questionnaires that include the Japanese version of INSPIRE, the Recovery Assessment Scale, the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, the patient version of the Scale to Assess Therapeutic Relationship in Community Mental Health care and the Short Form Health Survey. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and test-retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and weighted kappa. Convergent validity was examined by assessing correlation with other scales. Factor validity was evaluated by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with generalized least-squares mean and oblimin rotation. In addition, confirmatory factor analysis was used to check the fitness of the factor structure models derived from the EFA. RESULTS: A total of 195 out of 212 users gave written informed consent and participated in the study. Data from 190 respondents were analyzed (response rate 89.6%). INSPIRE, Brief INSPIRE, and the subscales all showed Cronbach's alpha coefficient over 0.78. ICC and weighted kappa derived more than 0.92 for subscales and Brief INSPIRE. These numerical values indicated good reliability. The convergent validity of Brief INSPIRE and the subscales was significantly positively correlated with the other scales. Different from the previous study, the factor structure was extracted using EFA. Both factor structures were checked by CFA, but the degree of fitness index was not good in either. Therefore, the factor analysis did not show goodness of fit. CONCLUSIONS: This study found the Japanese version of INSPIRE and Brief INSPIRE to be reliable and valid for use among community mental health service users in Japan.

Effects of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) intervention on improving depressive symptoms and work-related outcomes among nurses in Japan: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a major problem among nurses; hence, it is important to develop a primary prevention strategy to manage depression among nurses. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) study aims to investigate the effects of a newly developed internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program on depressive symptoms, measured at baseline and three- and six-month follow-ups, among nurses in Japan. METHODS: Nurses working at three university hospitals, one public hospital, and twelve private hospitals who meet inclusion criteria will be recruited and randomized either to the intervention group or the control group (planned N = 525 for each group). The newly developed iCBT program for nurses consists of six modules, which cover different components of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); transactional stress model (in module 1), self-monitoring skills (in module 2), behavioral activation skills (in module 3), cognitive restructuring skills (in modules 4 and 5), relaxation skills (in module 5), and problem-solving skills (in module 6). Participants in the intervention group will be asked to read these modules within 9 weeks. The primary outcome will be depressive symptoms as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) at baseline, three-, and six-month follow-ups. DISCUSSION: The greatest strength of this study is that it is the first RCT to test the effectiveness of the iCBT program in improving depressive symptoms among nurses. A major limitation is that all measurements, including major depressive episodes, are self-reported and may be affected by situational factors at work and participants' perceptions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network clinical trials registry (UMIN-CTR; ID = UMIN000033521 ) (Date of registration: August 1, 2018).

Increased Expression of 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase in Spinal Astrocytes During Disease Progression in a Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset, progressive, and fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by selective loss of motor neurons. Both ALS model mice and patients with sporadic ALS have increased levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Furthermore, the protein levels of microsomal PGE synthase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, which catalyze PGE2 biosynthesis, are significantly increased in the spinal cord of ALS model mice. However, it is unclear whether PGE2 metabolism in the spinal cord is altered. In the present study, we investigated the protein level of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), a key enzyme in prostaglandin metabolism, in ALS model mice at three different disease stages. Western blotting revealed that the 15-PGDH level was significantly increased in the lumbar spinal cord at the symptomatic stage and end stage. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that 15-PGDH immunoreactivity was localized in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes at the end stage. In contrast, 15-PGDH immunoreactivity was not identified in NeuN-positive large cells showing the typical morphology of motor neurons in the anterior horn. Unlike 15-PGDH, the level of PGE2 in the spinal cord was increased only at the end stage. These results suggest that the significant increase of PGE2 at the end stage of ALS in this mouse model is attributable to an imbalance of the synthetic pathway and 15-PGDH-dependent scavenging system for PGE2, and that this drives the pathogenetic mechanism responsible for transition from the symptomatic stage.

Predictive accuracy of the Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20 for violence in forensic psychiatric wards in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Most structured assessment tools for assessing risk of violence were developed in Western countries, and evidence for their effectiveness is not well established in Asian countries. AIMS: Our aim was to examine the predictive accuracy of the Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20 (HCR-20) for violence in forensic mental health inpatient units in Japan. METHODS: A retrospective record study was conducted with a complete 2008-2013 cohort of forensic psychiatric inpatients at the National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo. Forensic psychiatrists were trained in use of the HCR-20 and asked to complete it as part of their admission assessment. The completed forms were then retained by the researchers and not used in clinical practice; for this, clinicians relied solely on national legally required guidelines. Violent outcomes were determined at 3 and 6 months after the assessment. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to calculate the predictive accuracy of the HCR-20 for violence. RESULTS: Area under the curve analyses suggested that the HCR-20 total score is a good predictor of violence in this cohort, with the clinical and risk sub-scales showing good predictive accuracy, but the historical sub-scale not doing so. Area under the curve figures were similar at 3 months and at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with studies previously conducted in Western countries. This suggests that the HCR-20 is an effective tool for supporting risk of violence assessment in Japanese forensic psychiatric wards. Its widespread use in clinical practice could enhance safety and would certainly promote transparency in risk-related decision-making. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Web-based cognitive behavioral relapse prevention program with tailored feedback for people with methamphetamine and other drug use problems: protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Despite the effectiveness of psychosocial programs for recovery from drug use problems, there have been challenges in implementation of treatment. Internet-based and computerized approaches have been known to be effective in treatment dissemination. The study purpose is to assess the effects of a web-based psychosocial relapse prevention program with a multicenter randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Recruitment began in January 2015 for outpatient participants diagnosed with drug abuse or dependence who have used a primary abused drug in the past year at psychiatric hospitals and a clinic. Participants are randomized either to a web-based relapse prevention program or a self-monitoring group. The intervention is a web-based relapse prevention program named "e-SMARPP" that consists of six relapse prevention program modules with tailored feedback from health care professionals and 8 weeks of self-monitoring. The content is adapted from a face-to-face relapse prevention program which is based on cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement. The primary outcomes are relapse risk assessed by the Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (baseline, 2-, 5- and 8-month) and the longest duration of consecutive abstinent days from primary abused drug during the intervention. Secondary outcomes will include motivation to change, self-efficacy for drug use and craving, abstinent days in the past 28 or 56 days, quality of life, sense of coherence, cost of substance use, medical cost, retention of treatment and use of self-help group. Completion, usability and satisfaction of the program will be also assessed to explore feasibility. This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of The University of Tokyo and each recruiting hospital and clinic. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this study is the first clinical trial to assess the effects of a web-based therapeutic program for drug users in Japan. If successful, this program is a promising approach for drug user treatment in Japan, where the stigma toward drug users is strong. The results are also useful for researchers who want to know about programs for various substances, including methamphetamine. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network clinical trial registry: UMIN000016075 (Date of registration: January 5, 2015).

Recent changes in the clinical features of patients with new psychoactive-substances-related disorders in Japan: Comparison of the Nationwide Mental Hospital Surveys on Drug-related Psychiatric Disorders undertaken in 2012 and 2014.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine changes in the psychosocial backgrounds and clinical features of patients with psychiatric disorders associated with new psychoactive substances (NPS) between 2012 and 2014 in Japan. METHODS: Clinical features of patients with NPS-related disorders were compared using data from the Nationwide Mental Hospital Surveys on Drug-related Psychiatric Disorders undertaken in 2012 and 2014. NPS patients were compared with a control group comprising patients with methamphetamine-related disorders, using data from the same period. RESULTS: In NPS patients, changes were observed in the following three areas between 2012 and 2014: (i) a decrease in the number of employed patients; (ii) an increase in the ratio of patients diagnosed with dependence syndrome; and (iii) a decrease in the ratio of patients diagnosed with psychotic disorder. In methamphetamine patients, only one change was observed: protective custody or arrest record relating to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the number of patients dependent upon NPS, and those exhibiting social dysfunction, increased between 2012 and 2014. There is a need to focus future measures against NPS dependence: not only on stopping the supply of drugs, but also on reducing the demand for them.

The potential of e-Health for treatment and prevention for drug dependence process of development and revision of web-based relapse prevention program "e-SMARPP".

e-Health is the use of information and communication technologies for health, such as in patient-treatment programs, education for health care professionals, and monitoring public health. Web-/Internet-based programs, mobile applications, and wearable devices have been developed and adapted to various diseases and are now increasingly used to promote individual self-care of health. In the field of addiction, there has been a gap between potential treatment needs and available treatment services, and as such, it is necessary to develop new treatments that- are flexible and accessible. The authors developed a web-based relapse prevention program prototype dalled -"e-SMARPP" for drug users in Japan and assessed usability. Qualitative comments from pilot study participants were assessed in detail.-The authors found areas for improvement based on participant comments and revised e-SMARPP. The main areas identified for improvement included: 1) simplify video content regarding prelease prevention sessions, 2) refine the self-monitoring calendar to monitor various health-related conditions, and 3) revise glitches that occurred when used with a smartphone. In developing an e-health program, it is important to consider commeits from targeted users to make the program user-friendly and effective.

[Efficacy of the Serigaya Methamphetamine Relapse Prevention Program (SMARPP): for patients with drug use disorder: A study on factors influencing 1-year follow-up outcomes].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Serigaya Methamphetamine Relapse Prevention Program (SMARPP), which is the workbook-based group therapy for individuals with drug dependence, through investigating 1-year follow-up outcomes. METHOD AND SUBJECTS: The sample was drawn from 231 outpatients diagnosed as DSM-IV substance use disorder, who had firstly consulted the drug dependence clinic of the Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry between September 2009 and June 2013. Of the 231 potential subjects, 79 had participated in SMARPP at least once, and finally 37 who had continued contact this clinic for more than 1 year after due-day of finishing the first SMARPP course were determined as the subjects. We collected the outcome information retrospectively based on clinical records. RESULT: At the 1-year follow-up point, 67.6% of the subjects had continued abstinent at least for a month, and 60% of them had continued full-abstinent for more than 1 year. One of the factors which influenced their abstinence was "having no experience of using new psychoactive substances" (p = 0.029). As for 70.3% of subjects, drug-use frequency decreased and the only factor for their improvement was "participating in SMARPP many times" (p = 0.040). Of the subjects, 23 patients corresponded to methamphetamine use disorder, and 65.2% of them had continued abstinent at least for a month at the 1-year follow-up point. Additionally, 60% of them had continued full-abstinent for more than 1 year. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated possible effectiveness of SMARPP for patients with drug use disorder, especially methamphetamine-use-disorder. The factors of abstinence or decrease of drug-use frequency may be to participate in SMARPP many times, not to abuse "not illegal" drugs such as new psychoactive substances or hypnotics/anxiolytics and to continue treatment for more than 1 year after due-day of finishing the program.

A Study of Therapeutic Attitudes Towards Working With Drug Abusers: Reliability and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire.

Positive therapeutic attitudes from healthcare professionals are important when providing medical services. The Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire (DDPPQ) measures healthcare professionals' attitudes towards working with drug abusers. We developed a Japanese version (J-DDPPQ) and examined its reliability and validity among Japanese nurses. The J-DDPPQ showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.92). Using exploratory factor analysis, the five-factor structure was found to be identical to the original structure. Construct validity was supported by significant positive correlations with experience working with drug abusers, a high level of knowledge and skills, receiving education and training, and optimistic perception about people with drug dependence. The results show that the J-DDPPQ has acceptable reliability and validity and will contribute to investigating the effect of education and training on drug abuse.

[Investigating actual conditions to clarify issues accompanying SMARPP].

UNLABELLED: Serigaya Methamphetamine Relapse Prevention Program (SMARPP) is an effective treatment program for drug-dependent patients that has been introduced by many psychiatric institutions. To conduct SMARPP effectively, the issues accompanying this program need to be clarified. Recently, an investigation was conducted on the healthcare/medical institutions that introduced this program and the results are reported in this study. SUBJECTS: Of healthcare/medical institutions that have introduced SMARPP as of June 2012, 35 were selected as subjects. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Responses were collected from 26 institutions. Responses were also collected from 165 healthcare professionals who have conducted SMARPP at the 26 institutions. About 35% of the institutions were not medical institutions specializing in treatment of drug dependence. Of the healthcare professionals who have conducted the program, 26.7% (n = 44) completed a SMARPP training course; with most of them having no opportunity to participate in a training course before conducting it. Forty-three percent of them (n = 71) conducted the program once a week. The staff in charge of SMARPP reported participants' troublesome words and actions that they confronted. There were 60 cases in which the staff found it difficult to answer the participant's question, 91 cases in which they found it difficult to respond to the participant's behavior, and 98 cases in which they found it difficult to lead the meeting. Most of these words and actions seemed to reflect .'resistance' that was recognized in the course of treatment of drug dependence/alcoholism. The 'resistance' can be categorized into the following two types: 'resistance' to staying away from drug/alcohol which is also called 'suction talk' and 'resistance' reflecting 'discord' in the treatment relationship. Because physicians and psychologists were generally in charge of meetings, they frequently found it difficult to cope with troublesome situations. More healthcare professionals with the experience of treatment of drug dependence/alcoholism recognized difficulty in coping with them. This is probably because, unlike the conventional treatment for dependence emphasizing guiding or educational aspect, SMARPP is an intervention focusing on raising awareness. As a method of intervention for the participants in SMARPP, the intervention that does not control patients' 'resistance,' characteristic of motivational interviewing, seems to be effective.

[A review about new approaches using the Internet and computer technology for people with drug use disorder].

PURPOSE: Over the past two decades, computerized and Internet-based interventions for the treatment of various health problems, including substance abuse, have been developed and used to resolve treatment-related issues. The purpose of this study is to review selected studies that conducted computerized and Internet-based psychosocial interventions for people with drug-use problems. METHODS: We used a PubMed search to identify relevant studies to our review based on the following inclusion criteria: 1) the study participants were drug users; 2) the Internet or computer technologies were used for the interventions; 3) the study used psychosocial interventions; and 4) meta-analysis and randomized controlled trial (RCT). In total, 12 studies (meta-analysis = 1, RCT = 11) were identified and included in this review. The RCTs extracted in this study were not included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS: The meta-analysis showed that studies targeting people with alcohol and/or drug-use disorders (n = 11) had a small effect size (d = 0.24). However, the effect size was considered heterogeneous. Most of the reviewed RCTs assessed either drug use or abstinence as primary outcome using such methods as self-report and urine test, and showed that intervention groups exhibited greater improvement in the drug use condition than the control groups. The effect sizes (d) ranged from 0.19 to 0.54. One study revealed that a computerized intervention was more cost effective if it was added to treatment as usual. Various interventions were designed to use behavioral therapy approaches, e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, as well as face-to-face interventions. Treatment retention, adverse events, relationship with therapists and engagement in the treatment were assessed as secondary outcomes. These outcomes were equivalent or more effective for the intervention groups compared with the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Computerized and Internet-based psychosocial interventions for drug users have a small to medium effect on the reduction of drug use but are highly cost effectiveness. These types of interventions can contribute to the improvement of treatment environments where treatment resources are very limited or where there is a stigma attached to drug users, as is often the case in Japan.

Clinical features of patients with designer-drug-related disorder in Japan: a comparison with patients with methamphetamine- and hypnotic/anxiolytic-related disorders.

AIM: The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical features of designer-drug-abusing patients through comparisons with methamphetamine-abusing patients and hypnotics/anxiolytics-abusing patients. METHODS: Information on 126 designer-drug-abusing patients, 138 methamphetamine-abusing patients, and 87 hypnotics/anxiolytics-abusing patients was extracted from the 2012 database of 'The Nationwide Mental Hospital Survey on Drug-related Psychiatric Disorders' and the clinical variables of designer-drug-abusing patients compared with those of the other two groups. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis indicated the following significant differences between designer-drug-abusing patients and the other two types of patients: designer-drug-abusing patients were younger, included more men, had higher education and fewer relationships with antisocial groups, and included more patients meeting ICD-10 F1 sub-classification categories of 'Harmful use' and 'Psychotic disorders' than methamphetamine-abusing patients. Compared with hypnotics/anxiolytics-abusing patients, designer-drug-abusing patients were younger, included more men and more patients meeting criteria for 'Psychotic disorders', and more frequently cited 'peer pressure', 'unable to refuse', and 'seeking stimulation' as reasons for using the drug. CONCLUSION: The advent of designer drugs has created a new class of drug abuse, and abuse of designer drugs may carry a strong psychosis-inducing risk, exceeding that of methamphetamine.

[Improvement in the therapeutic attitudes of health care professionals who offer cognitive behavioral therapy towards substance abusers].

AIM: Therapeutic attitudes of health care professionals toward people with substance abuse are predictors of better health care. This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine changes in therapeutic attitudes of health care professionals who offered the Serigaya Methamphetamine Relapse Prevention Program (SMARPP). The SMARPP was developed based on the Matrix Model in Japan and is a new cognitive behavioral therapy for drug abusers. METHODS: We compared therapeutic attitudes toward drug and alcohol abusers at baseline and a 6-month follow-up between health care professionals who provided the SMARPP to patients (the SMARPP group, n = 38) during the follow-up and professionals who did not (control group, n = 67). These health care professionals worked at the same workplace. Therapeutic attitudes were measured using scores of the Drug and Drug Problems Perception Questionnaire (DDPPQ) and the Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perception Questionnaire (AAPPQ). We conducted repeated two-way analysis of covariance of the scores with group and time as factors. We calculated the effect sizes of mean differences between the groups at the follow-up survey. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between group and time (p < 0.05). The average scores of the DDPPQ and the AAPPQ in the SMARPP group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The effect sizes (Cohen's d) of the four subscales in the DDPPQ ranged from 0.37 to 0.55, and the effect size of the one subscale in the AAPPQ was 0.21. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic attitudes of staff who offer the SMARPP are improved, especially regarding attitudes toward people with drug abuse. Professionals who offer the SMARPP may acquire knowledge and skills to deal with drug problems and have increased satisfaction and confidence in their work.

[Response to treatment of patients abusing the "dappou drug" who participated in a group relapse prevention program: a comparison with patients abusing methamphetamine].

In this study, we compared the efficacy of a group relapse prevention program using the cognitive behavioral therapy-based workbook, Serigaya Methamphetamine Relapse Prevention Program (SMARPP), between patients abusing the so-called "dappou drugs" (designer drug in Japan, and those abusing methamphetamine (MAP). Both groups participated in the SMARPP at the Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry. Results showed that, no significant differences were found in the rates of participation in the program or self-reported frequency of drug or alcohol use between the patients abusing "dappou drugs" or MAP. However, patients using "dappou drugs" reported no significant increase in their confidence in their ability to resist the temptation to use drugs on the self- report drug abuse scales after the SMARPP intervention, while patients abusing MAP reported a significant positive difference in their ability to resist temptation. In addition, insight into substance abuse problems and motivation to participate in further treatment slightly declined in those using "dappou drugs," while there was a significant increase reported by the patients using MAP. These results suggested that the SMARPP might not be as effective for patients abusing "dappou drugs" as for those abusing MAP. The development of a relapse prevention program specifically designed for patients abusing "dappou drugs" is required.

Risk and protective factors for early dropout from telephone monitoring for individuals with drug convictions in community mental health centers in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals involved with the criminal justice system face challenges in receiving and maintaining substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and support. Although telephone monitoring (TM) could reduce these barriers, data on TM for community-dwelling individuals involved with the criminal justice system and research on individuals who drop out of TM are scarce. We examined the factors associated with dropping out early from the Voice Bridges Project, which provides TM for individuals on probation for drug-related convictions through community mental health centers in Japan. METHODS: Participants (n = 546) were individuals aged ≥20 years with methamphetamine-related convictions who were on probation. Univariate analyses examine the associations between one-year follow-up status and baseline variables, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses identify the risk and protective factors associated with dropping out. Stratified analyses report results based on sex and halfway-house residency. RESULTS: The one-year dropout rate was 43.6 % (n = 238). Multivariate analysis identified two risk factors for dropping out-halfway-house residency and suicide attempts in the past year, and two protective factors-higher education and the current use of SUD services. Sex-stratified analyses showed that halfway-house residency was a risk factor for both men and women. Attempted suicide was a risk factor for women. Conversely, higher education and current use of SUD services were protective factors for men. CONCLUSIONS: Our results identify unique risk factors for women, such as a recent history of suicide attempts, and distinctive protective factors for men, including higher education and current use of SUD services, emphasizing the importance of sex-specific approaches. Furthermore, the study reveals that irrespective of sex, vulnerable individuals, such as halfway-house residents, are at a higher risk of dropping out from TM.

Development and validation of Tagalog versions of the Drug Abuse Screening Test-20 (DAST-20) and Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (SRRS) for drug users in the Philippines.

Methamphetamine use is becoming a major social issue in the Philippines, and this has been attracting international interest. Understanding the characteristics of drug users and the severity of their drug use is an urgent requirement for promoting effective treatment and support; however, in the Philippines, a lack of screening and assessment tools with confirmed reliability and validity is a major obstacle in this regard. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop Tagalog versions of the Drug Abuse Screening Test-20 (DAST-20), a drug-abuse screening tool used worldwide, and the Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (SRRS), a tool for quantitatively evaluating relapse among stimulant users, and to confirm their validity and reliability. Participants were 305 patients admitted to the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (TRC) operated by the Philippines Department of Health for treatment for methamphetamine use. Sufficient internal consistency for the DAST-20 was confirmed, with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.81. Concerning validity, receiver-operating-characteristic analysis, featuring diagnoses from independent doctors, returned an acceptable area-under-curve value of 0.62. Sufficient internal consistency was also confirmed for the SRRS, with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.89. Correlation analysis of subjective drug craving (measured using a visual analog scale) and the SRRS revealed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.19, p < 0.001), confirming a certain level of validity. The Tagalog versions of the DAST-20 and SRRS developed in this study were confirmed to be reliable and valid. These scales could be effective for use in clinical settings and for research purposes.

Sociodemographic profiles and determinants of relapse risks among people with substance use disorders in the Philippines: A survey in community and residential care settings.

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine use is a major social and health issue in the Philippines. Former president Rodrigo Duterte prioritized combating illicit drugs, and the government launched an anti-drug campaign. People with substance use disorders (SUD) receive treatment and care in the community or residential treatment at Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers (TRCs) established by the Department of Health. However, since the content and quality of service are not sufficient, there is an urgent need for improvement. To this end, it is necessary to understand demographic characteristics, the severity of drug use, and treatment needs of this population. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire survey of people with SUD in the community (n=308) and all TRC patients (n=1770) to obtain their demographic profiles. We also used the Drug Abuse Screening Test-20 (DAST-20) and the Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (SRRS). RESULTS: Based on DAST-20 scores, the severity of dependence was not well-matched to the care provided; 12.4% of the community sample was in the severe or substantial categories and 14.2% of the TRC sample was in the low category. The TRC sample had a significantly higher relapse risk than the community sample, which was associated with a lower educational attainment level and comorbid alcohol dependence. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to use standardized psychometric tools to match treatment with the severity of drug dependence. In addition, a wide variety of medical and social services need to be provided based on consideration of treatment needs to improve the well-being of this population.