RESUMEN
The authors describe the initial cohort of participants in the GET SMART program, an age-specific, outpatient program for older veterans with substance abuse problems. Chief among the program's services is a relapse-prevention intervention consisting of 16 weekly group sessions using cognitive-behavioral (CB) and self-management approaches. Group sessions begin with analysis of substance use behavior to determine high-risk situations for alcohol or drug use, followed by a series of modules to teach coping skills for coping with social pressure, being at home and alone, feelings of depression and loneliness, anxiety and tension, anger and frustration, cues for substance use, urges (self-statements), and slips or relapses. Of the first 110 admissions, more than one-third were homeless, which is indicative of the severity of psychosocial distress of the patients, and more than one-third used illicit drugs. A total of 49 patients completed CB treatment groups and 61 dropped out of treatment. At 6-month follow-up, program completers demonstrated much higher rates of abstinence compared to noncompleters. The results suggest that CB approaches work well with older veterans with significant medical, social, and drug use problems.
Asunto(s)
Terapia Cognitivo-Conductual/métodos , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/terapia , Adaptación Psicológica , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Atención Ambulatoria , Estudios de Cohortes , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores de Riesgo , Prevención Secundaria , Estados Unidos , Veteranos/psicologíaRESUMEN
The authors describe two case histories of patients served by the GET SMART program that provide a glimpse of typical client substance abuse histories and their remarkable journeys of change. An age-specific outpatient program for older veterans with illicit drug and alcohol dependence, the GET SMART program uses individualized and group treatment interventions in an environment of collaboration, respect, and hope. The program employs the stages of change framework and a clinical framework that includes cognitive-behavioral and motivational interviewing approaches.
Asunto(s)
Terapia Cognitivo-Conductual/métodos , Promoción de la Salud , Servicios de Salud Mental/normas , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/terapia , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Atención Ambulatoria , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
Total DNA from Marek's disease virus (MDV)-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts was transfected into freshly plated secondary chicken embryo fibroblasts using calcium phosphate-mediated transfection. Transfection frequencies were dose-dependent and non-linear. The maximum transfection frequencies of nine MDV DNA preparations using 8-25 micrograms total DNA ranged from 45 to 898 plaques per calcium phosphate/DNA precipitate. Approximately 100-200 plaques per 60-mm tissue-culture dish using 1-5 micrograms total DNA from MDV-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts were typically obtained. Transfection was most efficient when the pH of the HEPES buffer was 7.0, no additional carrier DNA was added to the precipitates, and the cultures were exposed for 3 minutes to 15% buffered glycerol 4 hours after the addition of the calcium phosphate/DNA precipitates.