[Protect children from computers and computers from children]. / Chrante deti pred pocítaci a pocítace pred detmi.

Immoderate computer related behavior brings about many physical and psychological problems, especially in children and adolescents. We mention some of these risks, and describe family based prevention.

[Addictive diseases and finances--relevant relationships]. / Návykové nemoci a peníze--dulezité souvislosti.

Alcohol, other addictive substances and gambling are economically clearly disadvantageous. The financial losses caused by addictive problems should be more compensated by taxation. There are also compelling health reasons for higher taxation. Uncontrolled and accessible financial resources and also poverty represent the risk factors especially for adolescents. Poverty also limits the affordability of psychotherapeutic and medical services for the large segments of population. Material and financial aspects often motivate people to seek treatment for their addictive problems. We also mention the fact that the treatment and especially prevention are economically profitable for individuals, families and societies.

[Family based prevention--relevant information for parents]. / Co by meli vedet rodice o prevenci.

Czech children and adolescents are at risk of substance related problems more than the majority of their European peers. We review some possibilities how to prevent alcohol and drug related problems in family and how to cope with these problems. The availability of alcohol and illegal drugs in the Czech Republic considerably increased in past 20 years and this topic is thus very important.

[What is spirituality and how it helps]. / Co je to spiritualita a cemu prospívá.

In 2006 we reviewed the medical aspects of spirituality in this journal (1). Since the end of 2006 till March 27th 2009 the number of papers dealing with spirituality in the database of U. S. National Library of Medicine increased from 2805 to 3948. We present brief updated review what spirituality is, what its medical consequences are and how it can be developed.

[Winners over addictions (9 types)]. / Vítezové nad závislostmi--devet typu.

These types of "winners" describe their predominant constructive motivations to overcome addiction. Among 161 patients, the preference for these types was: 1. Long runners (100), 2. Sober realists, 3. Self-supporting abstainers, 4. Regardful abstainers, 5. Prudent optimists, 6. Enthusiasts 7. Heroes, 8. Mystics, 9 Simple abstainers. We use this list during psychotherapy as the tool to increase the motivation, and to encourage and stimulate hope. We also related these types to exercises to stimulate active learning and compensate for long sitting during psychotherapy.

[Treatment of marijuana dependence]. / Lécba závislosti na kanabinoidech.

Marijuana abuse and dependence are common a further increase can be expected in the Czech Republic. Brief intervention is used. It includes motivation enhancement, counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, self-help tools, life-style modification and some kind of family therapy. Similar methods are used in more intensive therapy. The management of psychiatric complications is also mentioned.

[Pathological gambling--a pilot study of treatment effects]. / Efektivita lécby patologického hrácství--pilotní studie.

We describe the changes during the treatment of pathological gambling. 47 outpatients undergoing group psychotherapy participated in this uncontrolled study. Considerable improvements of their financial situation, relationships, sleep quality, concentration and productivity were observed.

[Help for wives whose husbands abuse alcohol]. / Pomoc manzelkám muzu závislých na alkoholu.

People often ask for help and/or advice to cope with their alcohol abusing spouses refusing treatment. Alcohol consumption in the Czech Republic is high that is why all general practitioners, family therapists and crisis interventionists should be able to respond accordingly. The chapter about the effects of alcohol on family was included in our original self-help manual (Nespor, 2006). The strategies how to deal with alcohol abusing husbands and alcohol abusing wives are similar. Alcohol abusing wives cause less violence but their health and children are at even greater risk compared with men.

["First aid" for addictive diseases]. / "První pomoc" pro lidi s návykovými nemocemi.

All clinicians should perform routinely brief intervention for addictive problems. We prepared free online self-help manuals for the patients with alcohol, drugs and gambling related problems. The considerably more simplified version of these manuals is presented here.

[Hostility as the risk factor for many health problems and its management]. / Hostilita jako rizikový faktor rady onemocnení a moznosti jejího ovlivnení.

Hostility (negative beliefs about and attitudes toward others, including cynicism and mistrust) is related to the increased risk of many health problems, including addictive and cardiovascular diseases. Some possibilities how to decrease hostility and to communicate with hostile people are reviewed. Confrontation should be avoided. The prevalence of hostility among people with cardiovascular and addictive diseases may be higher than in the general population.

[Incidence of delirium tremens in the Czech Republic: a rapid increase]. / Delirium tremens v Ceske republice: strmý vzestup.

From 1995 to 2005 the number of patients with delirium tremens increased 1.57 times in the Czech Republic. Greater increase took place among women (almost twice in 2005 compared with 1995). These data are related to the increasing per capita alcohol consumption till 2003, and they show that effective prevention (e.g. higher taxation of alcohol), early intervention and appropriate treatment of alcohol dependence are important. The self-help manual for problem drinkers can be downloaded free of charge from.

[Spirituality in medicine and addictive diseases]. / Spiritualita v medicíne a u návykových nemocí.

Some relevant studies dealing with spirituality in the prevention and treatment of addictive diseases are summarized. Lower prevalence of daily smoking was ascertained also in Czech population. Health workers should pay appropriate attention to spiritual needs of their patients. Spirituality also alleviates professional stress in helping professions. A case report illustrating the importance of spirituality in treatment of alcohol dependence is included. Spirituality in addicted persons is often rather inconspicuous and covert.

[Improving self-control in substance dependent persons and pathological gamblers--a pilot study]. / Jak zlepsit sebeovládání u závislých na alkoholu a jiných látkách a u patologických hrácu?--Pilotní studie.

BACKGROUND: Impaired self-control is an important symptom of addictive diseases. The average number of factors improving self-control among 117 men dependent on alcohol, other substances and pathological gamblers was 5.55 (SD=3.5). METHODS AND RESULTS: We classified strategies how to improve self-control into following groups (their ordering reflects the frequency of their use in our sample): 1. The help of others (professional treatment, self-help groups, and family), 2. Distraction and similar techniques, 3. The use of motivation, 4. Life-style changes including appropriate rest, 5. Physical activity, sports, physical work, 6. The use of environments, 7. Mastering of social and other relevant skills, 8. Relaxation based approaches, 9. Techniques working with improved self-awareness, 10. Pharmacotherapy, 11. Acknowledgement of an addictive disease and abstinence, 12. Disrupting risky behavioral patterns. CONCLUSIONS: To improve of self-control in addictive diseases simple techniques are appropriate because of temporarily impaired cognitive functions during craving. Frequent repetition are also important.

[What is new in the prevention of damage caused by alcohol, tobacco and other substances in children and adolescents]. / Co nového v prevenci skod pusobených alkoholem, tabákem a jinými látkami u deti a dospívajících.

Research consistently confirms the efficacy of interactive programmes based on acquiring relevant social and other life skills such as decision making or relaxation skills. The participation of parent is helpful. In the same time it is also important to decrease availability of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and gambling for children and adolescents.

[Risk of alcohol abuse in adolescence]. / Jaká rizika s sebou prinásí alkohol u detí a dospívajících.

The adverse effects of alcohol in adolescence and some possibilities to prevent them are summarized. The most important ways how to prevent alcohol related problems in adolescence include higher taxation, age limits for purchasing alcoholic beverages, sufficient parental supervision and family based prevention, interactive school based programs and brief intervention.

[Abuse of buprenorphine becomes a problem of the Czech Republic]. / Zneuzívání buprenorfinu se stává v Ceské republice problémem.

Buprenorphine (Subutex) is according to epidemiological data and clinical experience abused on a large scale in the Czech Republic and for some drug dependent persons it becomes a principal intravenously applied drug. This problem can be resolved by more appropriate training of physicians who prescribe the drug and especially by the introduction of the combination buprenorphine and naloxone (Suboxone) which is not abused intravenously. The registration of Suboxone in the Czech Republic was not initiated by the manufactures so far.

[Psychotropic effects of physical activity]. / Psychotropní ucrinky telesné aktivity.

Physical activity can improve mental health. Positive effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety are mentioned. Moreover physical activity increases resistance against memory loss during aging. Physical activity also improves quality and life satisfaction in all age group; this fact was confirmed also in Czech children. Physical activity should be sufficient, but not excessive, and it should be combined with pharmacotherapy in severe and long-term depression. The kind of physical activity depends on the preferences and possibilities of patients; walking, yoga, swimming, etc. are usually appropriate.

[Treatment and prevention of alcohol-related problems and evidence based medicine]. / Lécba a prevence poruch pusobených alkoholem a medicína zalozená na dukazech.

Some principles of evidence based medicine are mentioned. Effective strategies of prevention and treatment of alcohol related problems include among others higher taxation of alcohol, prevention of driving while intoxicated, the training of relevant social skills in school children, brief intervention, the use of naltrexone and acamprosate, participation in Alcoholics Anonymous and family therapy.

[How many pathological gamblers are in the Czech Republic?]. / Kolik je v Ceské Republice patologických hrácu?

The number of pathological gamblers in the Czech Republic is not known. Every 10th male adolescent 18-year-old gambles once a month or more often. The number of slot machines in the Czech Republic is 1 per 200 of residents. Considering the prevalence of pathological gambling in other countries, we estimate that the prevalence of pathological gambling in the Czech Republic is probably not lower than 0.5-1% of population. Many more people are affected indirectly (family members and the victims of gambling related crimes). Effective prevention should both decrease availability and the demand.