The authors aim to incorporate educational reflection techniques in an addiction psychiatry postg... more The authors aim to incorporate educational reflection techniques in an addiction psychiatry postgraduate core rotation in order to increase critical self-awareness of attitudes, values, and beliefs related to working with people with substance use and other addictive disorders. Reflection discussion times, reflection journaling, and mandatory end-of-rotation reflection papers were embedded into a core addiction psychiatry postgraduate training block. Qualitative analysis of 28 reflection papers was performed to determine key factors and constructs that impacted on the development of attitudes and professionalism. A number of constructs emerged that demonstrated the attitudes, beliefs, stereotypes, and stigmas students have regarding addictive disorders. Some constructs also highlighted that students felt much more comfortable dealing with addictive disorders after the training and would treat individuals with these conditions in a more effective manner. Reflection techniques were endorsed as extremely valuable by students, especially in the development of professional attitudes that will help clinicians effectively engage and provide appropriate care for individuals suffering from addictive disorders. The authors suggest that reflective practices be used more extensively in psychiatric training in order to build and establish reflexive self-awareness as a core professional competence essential to work effectively in clinical practice, especially in the most demanding contexts.
Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, Nov 27, 2006
Abstract Gamblers Anonymous (GA) seems to have undergone noteworthy changes over the last ten to ... more Abstract Gamblers Anonymous (GA) seems to have undergone noteworthy changes over the last ten to twenty years in both Canada and the US. A recent qualitative, ethnographic study involving interviews (15 male, 8 female) with GA members and observations of 42 ...
Very little is known about gender differences in psychoactive substance use among gamblers. In th... more Very little is known about gender differences in psychoactive substance use among gamblers. In this study, 200 individuals seeking treatment for problem gambling were assessed with respect to lifetime and current use and abuse of licit and illicit substances. As a group, they were found to have experience with psychoactive substances exceeding that reported for the general population. There were no gender differences in patterns of illicit drugs; however, the women gamblers reported greater experience with psychiatric medications over the lifetime and during the treatment and follow-up periods.
●● The diagnosis of pathological gambling first appeared in the third edition of the American Psy... more ●● The diagnosis of pathological gambling first appeared in the third edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in 1980, and appears again in DSM-IV (APA, 1994). Although the DSM-IV categorizes pathological gambling as an impulse-control disorder not elsewhere categorized, the criteria specified for diagnosing this disorder are somewhat similar to those for alcohol and substance dependence
Most texts that discuss ways to identify, assess and treat concurrent disorders concen-trate on m... more Most texts that discuss ways to identify, assess and treat concurrent disorders concen-trate on methods, techniques, tools and instruments. The interpersonal dimensions of working in this area are given, at best, a passing nod. This is understandable: co-occurring substance use and mental health problems are complex and diverse, with patterns of illness and recovery that are dynamic and elusive. To be as helpful as possi-ble, the counsellor needs many resources to understand the client’s problems. When clients present with complex problems and histories, the clinician’s first consideration tends to be, “What tools will help me screen for substance use and mental health problems and, then, assess comprehensively?” However, if one is preoccupied with technique, it is easy to forget that the funda-mental task for the counsellor is to work with the client and the other people who can play an important role in producing healthy outcomes. This chapter addresses the role of the client–coun...
Substance use - and abuse - has existed in virtually all cultures throughout human history. Canad... more Substance use - and abuse - has existed in virtually all cultures throughout human history. Canada is no exception to this. But what may come as a surprise are the rates and the substances themselves that are most liable to abuse in this country. A recent study estimates that the cost of substance abuse is equivalent to $1,267 for every man, woman, and child in Canada in terms of lost productivity, health care, and law enforcement. And this does not include the personal cost. It is an issue worth considering. In an accessible and engaging style, this short book presents the latest research, survey, and interview data on substance abuse, taking into account Canada's regional differences and demography. It describes the models used by experts to explain substance abuse and addiction, and evaluates the various social policy, psychological, and medical solutions. Students and interested general readers alike will learn a great deal about how experts have come to understand the compl...
Whereas the proportion of older adults who experience gambling problems appears relatively small,... more Whereas the proportion of older adults who experience gambling problems appears relatively small, factors such as cognitive changes with age, social isolation and maintaining fixed incomes can make older adults particularly susceptible to gambling problems, increasing the severity of the consequences they may experience. Relatively few resources are available that are directed specifically to older adults with gambling problems. This report identifies, based on the knowledge and evidence currently available, Best Practices for treating gambling problems among older adults intended for practitioners, patients, families, policy makers and others concerned with this population. A team of gambling researchers and experienced clinicians first identified overarching conceptual frameworks to guide the work. The researchers then shaped a set of Best Practices that was reviewed by a working group developing Best Practices for preventing gambling problems among older adults. Based on their fe...
The authors aim to incorporate educational reflection techniques in an addiction psychiatry postg... more The authors aim to incorporate educational reflection techniques in an addiction psychiatry postgraduate core rotation in order to increase critical self-awareness of attitudes, values, and beliefs related to working with people with substance use and other addictive disorders. Reflection discussion times, reflection journaling, and mandatory end-of-rotation reflection papers were embedded into a core addiction psychiatry postgraduate training block. Qualitative analysis of 28 reflection papers was performed to determine key factors and constructs that impacted on the development of attitudes and professionalism. A number of constructs emerged that demonstrated the attitudes, beliefs, stereotypes, and stigmas students have regarding addictive disorders. Some constructs also highlighted that students felt much more comfortable dealing with addictive disorders after the training and would treat individuals with these conditions in a more effective manner. Reflection techniques were endorsed as extremely valuable by students, especially in the development of professional attitudes that will help clinicians effectively engage and provide appropriate care for individuals suffering from addictive disorders. The authors suggest that reflective practices be used more extensively in psychiatric training in order to build and establish reflexive self-awareness as a core professional competence essential to work effectively in clinical practice, especially in the most demanding contexts.
Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, Nov 27, 2006
Abstract Gamblers Anonymous (GA) seems to have undergone noteworthy changes over the last ten to ... more Abstract Gamblers Anonymous (GA) seems to have undergone noteworthy changes over the last ten to twenty years in both Canada and the US. A recent qualitative, ethnographic study involving interviews (15 male, 8 female) with GA members and observations of 42 ...
Very little is known about gender differences in psychoactive substance use among gamblers. In th... more Very little is known about gender differences in psychoactive substance use among gamblers. In this study, 200 individuals seeking treatment for problem gambling were assessed with respect to lifetime and current use and abuse of licit and illicit substances. As a group, they were found to have experience with psychoactive substances exceeding that reported for the general population. There were no gender differences in patterns of illicit drugs; however, the women gamblers reported greater experience with psychiatric medications over the lifetime and during the treatment and follow-up periods.
●● The diagnosis of pathological gambling first appeared in the third edition of the American Psy... more ●● The diagnosis of pathological gambling first appeared in the third edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in 1980, and appears again in DSM-IV (APA, 1994). Although the DSM-IV categorizes pathological gambling as an impulse-control disorder not elsewhere categorized, the criteria specified for diagnosing this disorder are somewhat similar to those for alcohol and substance dependence
Most texts that discuss ways to identify, assess and treat concurrent disorders concen-trate on m... more Most texts that discuss ways to identify, assess and treat concurrent disorders concen-trate on methods, techniques, tools and instruments. The interpersonal dimensions of working in this area are given, at best, a passing nod. This is understandable: co-occurring substance use and mental health problems are complex and diverse, with patterns of illness and recovery that are dynamic and elusive. To be as helpful as possi-ble, the counsellor needs many resources to understand the client’s problems. When clients present with complex problems and histories, the clinician’s first consideration tends to be, “What tools will help me screen for substance use and mental health problems and, then, assess comprehensively?” However, if one is preoccupied with technique, it is easy to forget that the funda-mental task for the counsellor is to work with the client and the other people who can play an important role in producing healthy outcomes. This chapter addresses the role of the client–coun...
Substance use - and abuse - has existed in virtually all cultures throughout human history. Canad... more Substance use - and abuse - has existed in virtually all cultures throughout human history. Canada is no exception to this. But what may come as a surprise are the rates and the substances themselves that are most liable to abuse in this country. A recent study estimates that the cost of substance abuse is equivalent to $1,267 for every man, woman, and child in Canada in terms of lost productivity, health care, and law enforcement. And this does not include the personal cost. It is an issue worth considering. In an accessible and engaging style, this short book presents the latest research, survey, and interview data on substance abuse, taking into account Canada's regional differences and demography. It describes the models used by experts to explain substance abuse and addiction, and evaluates the various social policy, psychological, and medical solutions. Students and interested general readers alike will learn a great deal about how experts have come to understand the compl...
Whereas the proportion of older adults who experience gambling problems appears relatively small,... more Whereas the proportion of older adults who experience gambling problems appears relatively small, factors such as cognitive changes with age, social isolation and maintaining fixed incomes can make older adults particularly susceptible to gambling problems, increasing the severity of the consequences they may experience. Relatively few resources are available that are directed specifically to older adults with gambling problems. This report identifies, based on the knowledge and evidence currently available, Best Practices for treating gambling problems among older adults intended for practitioners, patients, families, policy makers and others concerned with this population. A team of gambling researchers and experienced clinicians first identified overarching conceptual frameworks to guide the work. The researchers then shaped a set of Best Practices that was reviewed by a working group developing Best Practices for preventing gambling problems among older adults. Based on their fe...
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