Publications (69)42.67 Total impact
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Article: Prevención familiar del consumo de drogas: el programa «Familias que funcionan»
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ABSTRACT: «Familias que Funcionan» es un programa de prevención familiar del consumo de drogas, fruto de la adaptación a España del prestigioso programa norteamericano «Strengthening Families Program 10- 14». El programa se aplicó en cuatro Institutos de Enseñanza Secundaria de Asturias con una muestra de 380 alumnos de 1º y 2º de ESO. Se presenta en este artículo la evaluación de tal aplicación tras dos años de seguimiento, referidos a su eficacia en la reducción del consumo de drogas entre adolescentes y a sus efectos sobre ciertos factores de riesgo familiares. Los resultados muestran que el programa «Familias que Funcionan» es eficaz para reducir el incremento en el consumo de drogas adolescente a partir de la asistencia a 7 sesiones, tanto en el seguimiento a un año (t= -2,73; p<,05) como a dos años (t= -4,58; p<,005) y para reducir algunos de los factores de riesgo familiares.Psicothema, ISSN 0214-9915, Vol. 21, Nº. 1, 2009, pags. 45-50. 04/2013; -
Article: Gender Differences in Early Alcohol and Tobacco Use as a Risk Factor in Spanish Adolescents.
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ABSTRACT: The sample is made up of 1,190 adolescents (52.8% boys; mean age = 16.81) from 37 random schools in the urban and rural areas of Asturias (northern Spain). The survey was conducted in 2008, assessing the use and patterns of use of alcohol and other drugs, age at onset of use, and psychosocial consequences. Items from the ESPAD and FRIDA questionnaires were employed. Univariate analyses and binary logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine the different predictive value for boys and girls of early-onset alcohol and tobacco use. The study's limitations and implications are noted.Substance Use & Misuse 03/2013; · 1.10 Impact Factor -
Article: What predicts retention on an in-prison drug treatment program?
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ABSTRACT: The effectiveness of treatments for substance use disorders is strongly related to retention, since early dropout from treatment is associated with greater likelihood of relapse. The purpose of this prospective, ex post facto study is to analyze the effect of individual variables on retention in a treatment program carried out in a prison drug-free unit. The Addiction Severity Index, motivation and personality profile of fifty inmates were assessed on entry to the prison. Inmates were monitored for a year to identify length of stay. Results: Motivation variables at intake play a vital role in the prediction of retention in a prison drug-free unit; scores on the Aggressive-Sadistic and Narcissistic scales are also strong predictors of treatment retention.The Spanish journal of psychology 11/2012; 15(3):1349-60. · 0.74 Impact Factor -
Article: Psychosocial predictors of relapse in cocaine-dependent patients in treatment.
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ABSTRACT: Relapses in cocaine abusers in treatment are an important problem. The majority of patients are incapable of sustaining abstinence over any length of time. To identify the factors associated to relapses risk in the cocaine use can be an optimal choice to improve the treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to analyze relapse-risk factors in cocaine-dependent patients on treatment. Participants were 102 patients who had begun outpatient treatment at a public health center in Spain. Some functional areas and cocaine use are evaluated for a period of six months. A structural equations model was used to identify possible predictive variables. The results show that social-family environment and economic-employment situation were associated with greater risk of relapse. Likewise, the social-family environment was related to severity of addiction. It is concluded that the incorporation of family intervention strategies and vocational/employment counseling may help to reduce relapse rates in cocaine addicts receiving treatment.The Spanish journal of psychology 07/2012; 15(2):748-55. · 0.74 Impact Factor -
Article: Screening of cannabis-related problems among youth: the CPQ-A-S and CAST questionnaires.
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ABSTRACT: Cannabis use among young people is a significant problem, making particularly necessary validated screening instruments that permit secondary prevention. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the psychometric properties of the CAST and CPQ-A-S questionnaires, two screening instruments specifically addressing the youth population. Information was obtained on sociodemographics, frequency of substance use, psychopathological symptoms and cannabis-use problems, and the CPQ-A-S and CAST were applied, as well as an infrequency scale for discarding responses made randomly. The sample was made up of 144 young people aged 16 to 20 that had used cannabis in the last month, of which 71.5% were boys. Mean age of the sample was 17.38 years (SD = 1.16). The results show that from the psychometric point of view both the CAST and the CPQ-A-S are good screening instruments. The CAST is shorter and presents slightly better internal consistency than the CPQ-A-S. Both instruments show high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of young people dependent on cannabis according to the DSM IV-TR criteria. The CPQ-A-S appears to show greater capacity for detecting psychopathological distress associated with use. Both questionnaires yield significant odds ratios as predictors of frequent cannabis use and of the DSM IV-TR abuse and dependence criteria. In general, the CPQ-A-S emerges as a better predictor than the CAST.Substance Abuse Treatment Prevention and Policy 04/2012; 7(1):13. · 1.16 Impact Factor -
Article: Validation of smoking-related virtual environments for cue exposure therapy.
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ABSTRACT: Craving is considered one of the main factors responsible for relapse after smoking cessation. Cue exposure therapy (CET) consists of controlled and repeated exposure to drug-related stimuli in order to extinguish associated responses. The main objective of this study was to assess the validity of 7 virtual reality environments for producing craving in smokers that can be used within the CET paradigm. Forty-six smokers and 44 never-smokers were exposed to 7 complex virtual environments with smoking-related cues that reproduce typical situations in which people smoke, and to a neutral virtual environment without smoking cues. Self-reported subjective craving and psychophysiological measures were recorded during the exposure. All virtual environments with smoking-related cues were able to generate subjective craving in smokers, while no increase was observed for the neutral environment. The most sensitive psychophysiological variable to craving increases was heart rate. The findings provide evidence of the utility of virtual reality for simulating real situations capable of eliciting craving. We also discuss how CET for smoking cessation can be improved through these virtual tools.Addictive behaviors 02/2012; 37(6):703-8. · 2.25 Impact Factor -
Article: [Spanish adaptation and validation of The Adolescent-Cannabis Problems Questionnaire (CPQ-A)].
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ABSTRACT: Cannabis is a widely used substance among adolescents and young adults, but demand for help and treatment from this age group continues to be low. It is therefore essential to develop instruments especially designed for the early detection of problems associated with cannabis use in this population. The purpose of this work is to adapt and validate the CPQ-A (Adolescent Cannabis Problems Questionnaire) for its use as a screening instrument in Spanish population. The sample was made up of 144 young people (71.5% male) aged 16 to 20 (M = 17.12; SD = 1.17) who had used cannabis in the last month and were on some kind of study or training course at various educational institutions in Asturias (a region in northern Spain). Factor analysis of the CPQ-A in this sample provides evidence of a unidimensional structure, with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.86 for the questionnaire. The evidence also shows that the instrument's convergent validity is good. The CPQ-A score permits discrimination between moderate and excessive cannabis users over the last month, is positively related to score on the CAST (Cannabis Abuse Screening Test), and presents adequate sensitivity and specificity for identifying cases of cannabis abuse and dependence according to the DSM IV-TR criteria. It is also sensitive to young people's degree of concern about cannabis use and the psychopathological effects associated with it. In accordance with the results obtained, the CPQ-A can be considered a useful screening tool for young cannabis users with problems.Adicciones 01/2012; 24(1):41-9. · 0.80 Impact Factor -
Article: Virtual reality for smoking cessation: a case report.
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ABSTRACT: This study presents a case report describing the use of Virtual Stop Smoking (VSS) program. The VSS includes a multicomponent behavioural approach and a Virtual Reality graded exposure technique. The subject was a 22-year-old female who smoked 20 cigarettes per day. Six weekly 90-minute sessions were conducted once a week over a 6-week period. Measures of efficacy included the number of cigarettes smoked, breath carbon monoxide levels, and self-reported subjective craving. The results obtained supported the efficacy of VSS for smoking cessation.Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2012; 181:292-6. -
Article: Adding voucher-based incentives to community reinforcement approach improves outcomes during treatment for cocaine dependence.
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ABSTRACT: This study compares the efficacy of the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) with and without an incentive program for cocaine-dependent patients in Spain. A total of 58 patients were randomly assigned to the CRA or CRA plus vouchers condition. In the CRA plus vouchers group, mean percentage of cocaine-negative samples was 97.07%, versus 79.76% in the no-voucher group. Those treated in the CRA plus vouchers condition also achieved greater improvements in psychosocial functioning than those treated in the CRA condition. The present results show that treatment outcome is better if incentives are delivered contingent upon the submission of cocaine-free urine specimens.American Journal on Addictions 09/2011; 20(5):456-61. · 1.74 Impact Factor -
Article: Cannabis and mental health.
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ABSTRACT: Cannabis is currently the most widely consumed illegal drug in both Europe and the United States. Cannabis dependence criteria are defined by the principal diagnostic manuals (DSM-IV and ICD-10), but not cannabis withdrawal syndrome, although cannabis withdrawal produces certain significant symptoms that are beginning to be typified by research. While not all cannabis users present mental health problems, recent reviews point to a greater risk of various mental disorders in cannabis users. The risks are associated with younger age at first use, greater frequency of use or certain personal predispositions. Research has revealed not only alterations in both the psychotic and affective spectra, but also cognitive deterioration and associations between cannabis use and antisocial behavior, use of other illegal drugs and other health risks. Although contaminating factors and the difficulty of accurately assessing the extent and history of cannabis use represent considerable obstacles to progress in this research field, studies carried out in recent years have contributed conclusive findings on the potential risks of cannabis use. The present article reviews the main scientific findings and conclusions with respect to the association between cannabis use and mental health.Actas espanolas de psiquiatria 05/2011; 39(3):180-90. · 0.59 Impact Factor -
Article: Identifying specific cues and contexts related to smoking craving for the development of effective virtual environments.
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ABSTRACT: Craving is considered the main variable associated with relapse after smoking cessation. Cue Exposure Therapy (CET) consists of controlled and repeated exposure to drug-related cues with the aim of extinguishing craving responses. Some virtual reality (VR) environments, such as virtual bars or parties, have previously shown their efficacy as tools for eliciting smoking craving. However, in order to adapt this technology to smoking cessation interventions, there is a need for more diverse environments that enhance the probability of generalization of extinction in real life. The main objective of this study was to identify frequent situations that produce smoking craving, as well as detecting specific craving cues in those contexts. Participants were 154 smokers who responded to an ad hoc self-administered inventory for assessing craving level in 12 different situations. Results showed that having a drink in a bar/pub at night, after having lunch/dinner in a restaurant and having a coffee in a cafe or after lunch/dinner at home were reported as the most craving-inducing scenarios. Some differences were found with regard to participants' gender, age, and number of cigarettes smoked per day. Females, younger people, and heavier smokers reported higher levels of craving in most situations. In general, the most widely cited specific cues across the contexts were people smoking, having a coffee, being with friends, and having finished eating. These results are discussed with a view to their consideration in the design of valid and reliable VR environments that could be used in the treatment of nicotine addicts who wish to give up smoking.Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking 03/2011; 14(3):91-7. -
Article: Long-term benefits of adding incentives to the community reinforcement approach for cocaine dependence.
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ABSTRACT: The community reinforcement approach (CRA) with vouchers is a well-established program developed for the treatment of cocaine addiction. It involves an incentive program in which patients earn vouchers that can be exchanged for goods or services contingent upon abstinence from cocaine use. To examine the contributions of incentives to retention, abstinence, and psychosocial outcomes in the CRA+vouchers program at the 12-month follow-up. 58 cocaine addicts were randomly assigned to CRA treatment with or without an added incentive program in a community setting for cocaine dependence in Spain. 65.5% of patients in the group with vouchers completed 12 months of treatment, versus 48.3% in the no-voucher group. In the CRA+vouchers group, mean percentage of cocaine-negative samples was 95.76%, versus 79.31% in the group without vouchers. There were significant improvements in psychosocial functioning in both treatments, but when differences were observed, they supported CRA with vouchers over CRA alone. Combining CRA with incentives improves treatment outcomes in cocaine-dependent outpatients. Additive benefits of vouchers remain 6 months after the incentive program ends.European Addiction Research 03/2011; 17(3):139-45. · 2.53 Impact Factor -
Article: Individual characteristics and response to Contingency Management treatment for cocaine addiction.
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ABSTRACT: Voucher-based contingency management (CM) research has demonstrated efficacy for treating cocaine addiction, but few studies have examined associations between individual baseline characteristics and response to CM treatments. The aim of this study, involving 50 cocaine outpatients receiving CM for cocaine addiction, was to assess the impact of baseline characteristics on abstinence outcomes after six months of treatment. Patients who were abstinent after six months of treatment accounted for 58% of the sample. Patients with higher scores on the Alcohol area of the EuropASI and patients that were non-abstinent during the first month of treatment were less likely to achieve abstinence. These outcome predictors have implications both for treatment research and for clinical practice. Patients who do not respond early to treatment may need a more intensive intervention, and concomitant problematic alcohol use should be detected and treated. The remaining baseline variables examined were not statistically significant predictors of abstinence. This finding is important for the generalizability of CM across the range of individual characteristics of treatment-seeking cocaine abusers.Psicothema 02/2011; 23(1):114-8. · 1.02 Impact Factor -
Article: Evolution of smoking urge during exposure through virtual reality.
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ABSTRACT: The use of Virtual Reality (VR) could be a useful tool for the improvement of Cue Exposure Therapy (CET) for smoking cessation. Nevertheless, it is necessary to know the appropriate parameters of exposure in order to develop efficacious treatment programs. This study was conducted to analyze the pattern of tobacco desire in a sample of smokers exposed to VR. Results showed that the environments were able to generate two different patterns of craving response. These results could contribute to determine exposure parameters when using VR technology in CET.Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2011; 167:74-9. -
Article: Psychosocial risk factors for adolescent smoking: A school-based study
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ABSTRACT: El consumo de tabaco entre adolescentes es uno de los principales problemas de los sistemas públicos de salud en los países desarrollados. Conocer cuáles son los factores de riesgo más determinantes, tanto individuales como sociales, en el desarrollo de la adicción a la nicotina es esencial para mejorar las estrategias orientadas a reducir el consumo de tabaco y ayudaría a desarrollar programas eficaces y también eficientes. El objetivo de este estudio ex post facto fue determinar qué variables psicosociales están relacionadas con el consumo de tabaco en la adolescencia. Participaron 2.840 adolescentes de entre 12 y 16 años. Las variables predictoras fueron la edad, el género, la disponibilidad percibida, los ingresos semanales, la percepción de riesgo, el consumo de tabaco en familiares y amigos, la obsesión por la delgadez y la autoestima. El modelo de regresión logística reveló que el consumo de tabaco en el contexto social de los adolescentes (amigos y pareja fumadora) es la variable más determinante para que éstos fumen. Se proponen futuras líneas de investigación y se discuten las implicaciones de estos hallazgos para mejorar los programas de prevención del tabaquismo.International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology. 01/2011; -
Article: Community reinforcement approach plus vouchers among cocaine-dependent outpatients: twelve-month outcomes.
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ABSTRACT: The aims of this study were to assess the effectiveness of the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) plus vouchers treatment in a cohort of Spanish cocaine-dependent outpatients, and to examine the maintenance of treatment effects after the voucher intervention was discontinued. Sixty-four adult outpatients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions, CRA plus vouchers or standard care. The vouchers program was implemented from weeks 1 to 24. Among patients assigned to the CRA plus vouchers condition, 65.5% completed 12 months of treatment versus 28.6% of those assigned to the standard care condition (p = .003). At the 12-month assessment, 58.6% of patients assigned to the CRA plus vouchers condition were abstinent, compared with 25.7% in the standard care condition (p = .008); furthermore, 34.5% of patients assigned to the CRA plus vouchers condition achieved twelve months of continuous cocaine abstinence, versus 17.1% in the standard care condition. Those treated in the CRA plus vouchers condition also achieved greater improvements in psychosocial functioning than those treated in the standard care condition. Overall, these results reveal an extension of the effectiveness of the CRA plus vouchers treatment to a community sample of cocaine-dependent outpatients, while also supporting the maintenance of treatment effects for 6 months after completion of the voucher program.Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 01/2011; 25(1):174-9. · 2.09 Impact Factor -
Article: Urine testing during treatment predicts cocaine abstinence.
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ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of the variables that predict cocaine abstinence on an outpatient program for the treatment of addiction to this substance. Participants were 80 patients (85% men and 15% women) selected at random from those receiving treatment at a Spanish health service outpatient unit. For detecting the predictor variables the authors carried out a chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) analysis. Logistic regression analysis and discriminant analysis were performed to estimate the probability of abstinence according to/using the predictor variables detected by CHAID analysis. Abstinence rate after six months of treatment was 37.5%. The variable that best predicted abstinence was number of urine tests carried out over the course of treatment. The rest of the variables used did not have statistically significant influence. The mathematical model used correctly classified 80% of cases. A total of 31 tests were necessary for a probability of over 0.75 of being abstinent at six months. Regular screening for abstinence by means of objective tests helps to improve abstinence rates on cocaine-addiction treatment programs.Journal of psychoactive drugs 09/2010; 42(3):347-52. · 1.10 Impact Factor -
Article: Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) for cocaine dependence in the Spanish public health system: 1 year outcome.
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ABSTRACT: The development and dissemination of effective treatments for cocaine dependence is an important public health priority in Europe, and especially in Spain, given the increase in treatment demand over recent years. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) for cocaine dependents at an outpatient clinic within the Spanish public health system. A total of 82 cocaine-dependent patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions: Standard Treatment (n = 35) or CRA (n = 47). Dependent variables were treatment retention, cocaine abstinence and composite scores from the European version of the Addiction Severity Index at 12 month follow up. Of the patients who received CRA, 55% completed 6 months of treatment, versus 40% who received Standard Treatment. At the 12 month follow up, patients assigned to the CRA condition achieved higher rates of abstinence (95.2%) by comparison with Standard Treatment (69.2%). In the CRA group, 27% of the patients achieved continuous cocaine abstinence, versus 21% in the Standard Treatment group. The CRA group also obtained lower scores than the Standard Treatment group in all Addiction Severity Index composite scores. This study showed that CRA is a feasible treatment for cocaine addiction in a public community setting in Spain.Drug and Alcohol Review 09/2010; 30(6):606-12. · 1.55 Impact Factor -
Article: Pretreatment Characteristics as Predictors of Retention in Cocaine-dependent Outpatients
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ABSTRACT: Objective: One of the principal problems traditionally found by clinicians in drug-dependence treatment programs has been the high rate of dropout. This study presents a mathematical model that predicts, through the assignment of probabilities, treatment retention in a sample of cocaine addicts. Methods: The model was defined through a logistic regression analysis. Participants were 70 in number with a cocaine-dependence diagnosis, treated at a public outpatient unit in the city of Valencia (Spain). Patients were assessed at the beginning and end of the treatment period (6 mo). Results: Retention rate was 50%. The results showed that the variables best predicting treatment retention were years of education and family and social situation (sociocultural context conditions). Conclusions: Therefore, we suggest the application of programs, which assess patient needs and include specific intervention strategies in the areas of education and family and vocational counseling.Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment 05/2010; 9(2):93-98. -
Article: Efficacy of virtual reality in triggering the craving to smoke: its relation to level of presence and nicotine dependence.
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ABSTRACT: Virtual Reality environments that reproduce typical contexts associated with tobacco use may be useful for aiding smoking cessation. The main objective of this study was to assess the capacity of eight environments to produce the craving to smoke and determine the relation of craving to nicotine dependence and level of presence. The results show that all the environments were able to generate the desire to smoke; a direct relation was found between sense of presence and craving.Studies in health technology and informatics 01/2010; 154:123-7.
Top co-authors
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Institutions
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2004–2013
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Universidad de Oviedo
- • Departamento de Psicología
- • Facultad de Psicología
Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
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2011
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University of Barcelona
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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