J.R. Fernández-Hermida

Effectiveness of a Therapeutic Community Treatment in Spain: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study

In this paper, the effectiveness of the treatment program developed by Proyecto Hombre (‘Project Mankind’) in Asturias, Spain, is evaluated. In a long-term follow-up (range from 73 days to 8 years) with a sample of 249 subjects, the results obtained by subjects completing the treatment (194) were compared with pre-treatment results and with those of the group that dropped out (55). The measurements used were relapses in illegal drugs, alcohol, changes in family situation, educational level, employment, criminal involvement and state of health. External validation of self-report measures given in the questionnaire was carried out. Findings support the effectiveness of the treatment in all measures and the validity of self-report items. Relapse rate in ‘treatment-completed’ group was 10.3%, whilst in the non-completers group it reached 63.6% (significant difference, p < 0.001). Relapses of non-completers were more severe, occurred sooner after leaving the program (they stayed abstinent for shorter periods) and lasted longer than those of subjects completing the treatment.

Motivation for change and barriers to treatment among young cannabis users.

Background/Aims: Despite cannabis use among adolescents has shown to be related to psychosocial and mental health problems, the demand from adolescents for professional help is very low, and determinants of motivation for change among nonclinical populations remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess motivation for change among young cannabis users and to identify determinants of intention to change and self-change, as well as perceived barriers to seeking professional help. Methods: 261 cannabis users aged 16–21 participated in a computerized survey in Spain. Results: Data from this cross-sectional study indicated that few users intend to stop taking the drug. Determining factors of intention to change were the following: having more drug-related problems, paranoid symptomatology and greater concern about the consequences of use. Self-change was facilitated by lower use of cannabis, and could be hindered by tobacco smoking and cannabis dependence. Lack of awareness of the problems and the desire to solve one’s problems alone constitute the main barriers to seeking professional help. Conclusions: Adolescent cannabis users show low motivation for change though experiencing more problems associated with its use emerges as a determinant of increased motivation. Several barriers impede this motivation from turning into treatment demand.

Cross-National Study on Factors That Influence Parents' Knowledge about Their Children's Alcohol Use

Previous research has shown that parents underestimate their childrens substance use. The aim of the present work was to analyze parental estimation of their childrens use of alcohol in five countries from northern, central, and southern Europe, and to explore the variables that influenced this perceptual bias. The sample comprised 1181 parent-children dyads living in Sweden, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Portugal. In accordance with the findings of previous studies, we found high parental underestimation of substance use, which was greater for more frequent alcohol use or the use of illegal drugs. This underestimation appears to be subject to some degree of sociocultural influence, and is also influenced by the severity of the childrens use.