Open Access
Violent behaviours in drug addiction: differential profiles of drug-addicted patients with and without violence problems
(SAGE Publications, 2012) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the prevalence of violent behaviours in patients who are addicted to drugs. A sample of 252 addicted patients (203 male and 49 female) who sought outpatient treatment was assessed. Information on violent behaviours, socio-demographic factors, consumption factors (assessed by the EuropAsi), psychopathological factors (assessed by SCL-90-R) and personality variables (assessed by MCMI-II) was collected. Drug-addicted patients who were associated with violent behaviours were compared on all variables to patients who were not associated with violent behaviours. The rate of drug-addicted patients with violent behaviours in this sample was 39.68% (n=100). There were significant differences between the numbers of patients who did and did not demonstrate violence on some variables. Patients with violence problems were younger than those without violence problems and were more likely to report having been a victim of abuse. Moreover, they were significantly more likely to have experienced an overdose and showed a significantly higher score on several EuropAsi, SCL-90-R and MCMI-II variables. According to these results, patients with violence control problems present with both a more severe addiction and several comorbid problems. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Differential profiles of drug-addicted patients according to gender and the perpetration of intimate partner violence
(Elsevier, 2015) Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the differential profiles of drug-addicted patients according to gender and the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). Methods: The study assessed a sample of 127 drug-addicted patients (84 male and 43 female) who sought treatment. Information about socio-demographic and consumption characteristics, IPV, psychopathological symptoms, personality characteristics and maladjustment variables was obtained. Four groups were created according to gender and the presence or absence of the perpetration of IPV: a) men with IPV (n = 41), b) women with IPV (n = 29), c) men without IPV (n = 43), and d) women without IPV (n = 14). The four groups were compared in terms of all of studied variables. Results: There were significant differences between the groups in the severity of the addiction and personality characteristics. In general, the drug-addicted patients with associated IPV perpetration exhibited greater scores for nearly all of the studied variables, independent of gender. Moreover, the differences among groups were more strongly related to perpetration of IPV than to the gender of the patients. Conclusions: According to the results obtained, treatment programs for drug addiction are a suitable context for identifying the presence of IPV, but IPV is typically unnoticed in addiction treatment programs. The implications of these results for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Addiction treatment dropout: exploring patients’ characteristics
(Wiley, 2012) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
This study explored the characteristics associated with treatment dropout in substance dependence patients. A sample of 122 addicted patients (84 treatment completers and 38 treatment dropouts) who sought outpatient treatment was assessed to collect information on socio-demographic, consumption (assessed by EuropAsi), psychopathological (assessed by SCL-90-R) and personality variables (assessed by MCMI-II). Completers and dropouts were compared on all studied variables. According to the results, dropouts scored significantly higher on the EuropAsi variables measuring employment/support, alcohol consumption and family/social problems, as well as on the schizotypal scale of MCMI-II. Because most of significant differences were found in EuropAsi variables, three clusters analyses (2, 3 and 4 groups) based on EuropAsi mean scores were carried out to determine clinically relevant information predicting dropout. The most relevant results were obtained when four groups were used. Comparisons between the four groups derived from cluster analysis showed statistically significant differences in the rate of dropout, with one group exhibiting the highest dropout rate. The distinctive characteristics of the group with highest dropout rate included the presence of an increased labour problem combined with high alcohol consumption. Furthermore, this group had the highest scores on three scales of the MCMI-II: phobic, dependent and schizotypal. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Profile of addicted patients who re-enter treatment programmes
(Taylor & Francis, 2014) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, 359/2012
Objective. This study explored the differential profile of addicted patients who re-enter treatment programmes. Method. A sample of 252 addicted patients (203 male and 49 female) who sought outpatient treatment was assessed. Data regarding socio-demographic factors, drug consumption factors (assessed using the EuropAsi), psychopathological factors (assessed using the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised [SCL-90-R]), and personality variables (assessed using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory II [MCMI-II]) were collected. Results. 65.9% (n=166) of drug-addicted patients were re-admitted into treatment programmes. All of the variables for which we collected data were compared between these treatment repeaters and patients who were admitted for the first time. Significant differences between the two groups of patients were found for some of the variables that we examined. Treatment repeaters were generally older and had a poorer employment situation than first-time admits. Treatment repeaters were also more likely to report poly-consumption and to have sought treatment for alcohol abuse. Moreover, some of the scores for several EuropAsi, SCL-90-R, and MCMI-II variables were statistically significantly different from those of the first-time admits. Conclusions. According to these results, patients who re-enter treatment programmes often present with more severe addiction problems. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Gender differences in treatment progress of drug-addicted patients
(Taylor & Francis, 2017) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Azanza Álvarez, Paula; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
This study explored the differences in treatment progress between men and women who were addicted to drugs. The differential rate of completion of/dropout from treatment in men and women with substance dependence was established. Moreover, comparisons between completers and dropouts, accounting for gender, were carried out for several variables related to treatment progress and clinical profile. A sample of 183 addicted patients (96 male and 87 female) who sought outpatient treatment between 2002 and 2006 was assessed. Information on socio-demographic, consumption and associated characteristics was collected. A detailed tracking of each patient's progress was maintained for a minimum period of eight years to assess treatment progression. The treatment dropout rate in the whole sample was 38.8%, with statistically significant differences between women (47.1%) and men (31.3%). Women who dropped out of treatment presented a more severe profile in most of the psychopathologic variables than women who completed it. Moreover, women who dropped out from treatment presented a more severe profile than men who dropped out. According to these results, drug-addicted women showed worse therapeutic progress than men with similar histories. Thus, women must be provided with additional targeted intervention to promote better treatment outcomes.
Open Access
Diferencias en variables de personalidad en sujetos adictos a drogas con y sin conductas violentas contra la pareja
(UNED, 2012) Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
Este estudio explora las diferencias en características de personalidad de pacientes en tratamiento por adicción a drogas, comparando aquellos que han presentado conductas violentas contra la pareja con aquellos que no. Participaron 125 sujetos en tratamiento en los programas de la Fundación Proyecto Hombre Navarra. Fueron evaluadas variables sociodemográficas y de consumo de sustancias (EuropASI), las conductas violentas contra la pareja(CTS-2), la respuesta interpersonal (IRI), la manifestación de la ira (STAXI), la impulsividad (BIS) y el grado de afectación por el consumo (Escala de Inadaptación). El 33.6% de los sujetos presentó conductas violentas contra su pareja en el pasado. El grupo con conductas violentas contra la pareja presentó puntuaciones significativamente más altas en los niveles de ira-estado y de ira-rasgo, así como en los niveles de impulsividad (motora y global). Dicho grupo tuvo una mayor prevalencia de mujeres que de hombres. No existieron diferencias en el resto de variables.
Open Access
Prevalence and differential profile of patients with drug addiction problems who commit intimate partner violence
(Wiley, 2015) Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
Background and objectives: The objectives of this study were, first, to explore the prevalence of aggressors with lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) among patients in the Proyecto Hombre of Navarra (Spain) addiction treatment programme; and second, to know the specific and differential characteristics of patients presenting IPV as aggressors. Methods: A sample of 162 patients (119 men and 43 women) was assessed. Data on socio-demographic and substance consumption characteristics, IPV variables, psychopathological symptoms, and personality variables were obtained. The profiles of patients in addiction treatment with and without a history of violence towards their partners were compared. Results: The results showed that 33.6% of people in treatment for addiction had committed violence against their partners. This prevalence was significantly higher (X2 = 15.6, p < .001) in women (63.3%) than in men (24.2%). In the 98.4% of the cases the IPV was bidirectional. Patients with a history of IPV perpetration showed greater severity in substance consumption variables, psychopathological symptoms, and personality traits. Gender, the family scale on the European version of the Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI), and the aggressive-sadistic scale on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III) were the main variables related to the presence of IPV as aggressors. Discussion and conclusions: There was a differential profile in patients with IPV perpetration, showing more psychopathological and personality symptoms. Moreover, in this study being a woman was one of the main predictors of committing IPV.
Open Access
Differences between alcoholics and cocaine addicts seeking treatment
(Cambridge University Press, 2015) López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the characteristics of a representative sample of patients who were addicted to either alcohol or cocaine, comparing the profiles of both types of drug users. Methods: A sample of 234 addicted patients (109 alcoholics and 125 cocaine addicts) who sought outpatient treatment in a Spanish clinical centre was assessed. Data on socio-demographic, consumption, psychopathological and maladjustment characteristics were collected using the European Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI), the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II). Results: Demographically, differences were observed with regard to age (alcoholics were older than cocaine addicts), employment (the alcoholic group had more labour problems) and family consequences (worse in alcoholics). The EuropASI results showed statistically significant differences in addiction severity, with alcoholics showing a greater severity than cocaine addicts. In terms of psychopathology, alcoholics presented more associated symptomatology than cocaine addicts. Conclusions: According to these results, patients with alcohol dependence have a different profile from patients with cocaine dependence, resulting in different repercussions for important areas of their lives. These differences should be taken into account when standard treatments for addiction are implemented.
Open Access
Criminological profile of patients in addiction treatment = Perfil criminológico en pacientes adictos en tratamiento
(Sociedad Científica Española de Estudios sobre el Alcohol, el Alcoholismo y las otras Toxicomanías, 2013) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Cacho Fernández, Raúl; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, 359/2012
En este estudio se lleva a cabo un análisis de la prevalencia de conductas delictivas en pacientes adictos en tratamiento. Para ello se cuenta con una muestra de 252 pacientes adictos (203 hombres y 49 mujeres) que acudieron en busca de tratamiento ambulatorio a un centro especializado. En la evaluación se recogió información sobre las conductas delictivas, las características sociodemográficas, las variables de consumo (evaluadas con el EuropASI), la sintomatología psicopatológica (evaluada con el SCL-90-R) y las variables de personalidad (evaluada con el MCMI-II). Los pacientes que presentaban conductas delictivas fueron comparados con los que no las presentaban en todas las variables estudiadas. La tasa de pacientes adictos implicados en actos delictivos fue del 60,3% (n = 150). Las conductas delictivas se relacionaban principalmente con delitos de conducción, seguido por delitos de tráfico de drogas. Se observaron diferencias significativas entre los pacientes con y sin conductas delictivas. Los pacientes con actos delictivos eran principalmente hombres y solteros. Además, era más probable que presentaran policonsumo de sustancias. Asimismo, se observaron diferencias significativas en varias variables del EuropASI, SCL-90-R y MCMI-II. Con arreglo a estos resultados, los pacientes con conductas delictivas asociadas presentaban una mayor gravedad en su adicción. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la práctica clínica y la investigación futura.
Open Access
Psychological, physical and sexual abuse in addicted patients who undergo treatment
(SAGE Publications, 2015) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the prevalence of a history as victims of abuse among patients who sought outpatient treatment for drug addiction. A sample of 252 addicted patients was assessed. Information was collected on the patients’ lifetime history of abuse (psychological, physical and/or sexual abuse), socio-demographic factors, consumption factors, psychopathological factors and personality variables. Drug-addicted patients who present a lifelong history of abuse were compared with patients who were not abused. Of the total sample, 46% of the patients (n = 115) who were addicted to drugs had been victims of abuse. There was a statistically significant difference between the victimisation rates of men (37.8%) and women (79.6%). Moreover, for some variables, significant differences were observed between patients who had been abused and those who had not. Compared with patients who had not been abused, the addicted patients with a history of victimisation scored significantly higher on several EuropASI, MCMI-II and maladjustment variables but not on the SCL-90-R. The current results indicate that patients who present a lifelong history of abuse exhibit both a more severe addiction than patients who were not abused and several comorbidities. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.