Biography:

Colin LaGalia is the Regional Business Director, Toxicology for the Asia Pacific, China and Japan Region, based in Singapore. He has worked extensively across the Asia Pacific, North Asia, China and Japan regions in both Corporate Commercial and Consulting roles for the past 15 years with strong established business relationships. He is responsible for providing guidance and direction on all toxicology related matters within the region, including drug and alcohol testing, product knowledge, product training and sales and marketing support and key opinion leader advocacy. He has a passion developing people capability and advocates for the importance of drug and alcohol screening to ensure safety on our roads and in our workplaces to reduce accidents and save lives. He works with the APAC Country Leaders, Toxicology Leads and the Toxicology Global Business Community to identify and develop drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures at government, police and corporate levels.

Abstract:

This presentation provides an insight into synthetic cannabinoids; what they are, how they work and their mind altering impact on drug users. The presentation will take a look at the 7 major structural groups for synthetic cannabinoids and associated effects. The author will also discuss the new psychoactive substances and the evolution of these drugs in our society as well as address suitable drug testing techniques available for these products. The presentation takes a look at the features and benefits, analytical specificity, analytical selectivity and drug testing matrices. This presentation also shares which synthetic and psychoactive drugs we can currently test and provide a solution for to our stakeholders, employers and corporate customers.

Biography:

Lissy Ann Puno is the Co-Founder of the International Counseling & Psychology Centre in Singapore. With 27 years of extensive experience practicing in the region, her work started in the USA and has covered Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and now Singapore handling both the local and expatriate community. She offers counseling and psychotherapy across the developmental stages; child, adolescent, adult, couple and family counseling and psychotherapy, talks, trainings and workshops. Her special interest is in parenting, relationships and marital enhancements and midlife transitions. She has completed her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. She is an author of two books entitled Affairs Don’t Just Happen and Stay Connected.

Abstract:

Relationships and Marriages have increasingly been faced with challenges of boredom, disillusionment and infidelity.  Couples are finding themselves faced with the threat of ending the relationship sooner and find themselves at a loss on how to strengthen their relationships. Extra relational and extra marital affairs have been increasingly on the rise. Why has it gotten out of control? When is it out of control? Is addiction the culprit?

Several studies have seen parallel behaviors in one who is having an affair to one that is experiencing an addiction. What does this tell us about the relationship between infidelity and addictions? Because of this, can infidelity be solely attributed to sex addiction or influenced by other addictions?

An understanding of the stages of a love relationship is crucial. The theory of how the unconscious pull of attraction can eventually lead to disillusionment that creates vulnerability towards infidelity will be discussed.  This period of vulnerability can indirectly be setting up the stage for an affair amidst the current trend of relationships being disposable and replaceable.  Patterns of behavior amidst emotional turmoil will be identified as one may find themselves trapped in the web of intrigues, deception, shame and betrayal that comes with affair discovery. The pain, hopelessness and helplessness during this time may also lead to addictive behavior. Discover ways to nurture a relationship back into trust, safety and commitment through effective relational skills versus destructive and ineffective coping actions. Find ways to feel understood and valued through the years.  Stay connected with your spouse to feel cherished and deeply connected as they experience each other at different stages of life.

Biography:

Jacqueline is the founder of Beyond Recovery a social enterprise aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of prisoners in Europe through a pioneering new approach. Their social mission is to revolutionize the way we view and treat addictions and mental health. Jacqueline’s initial evaluation, whilst not perfect, is well designed and has led to interest and funding for further research based on this approach. Beyond Recovery has applied this approach in a number of settings and with different populations. The model used has been built using an iterative approach over the last 5 years of working in this sector. The approach is being adopted by schools and other institutions where this paradigm can be of significant benefit.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Addiction is prolific in the UK Criminal Justice System with 64% of prisoners having used Class A drugs at some point in their life and 22% having drunk alcohol every day in the four weeks before they were admitted to custody. Substance misuse continues whilst people are residing in custody leading to increased violence, debt, family breakdowns and chaotic lifestyles. Mental health issues are closely linked to these problems and people classed as duel diagnosis can often find it difficult to obtain help as many interventions aim to assist one or the other rather than both.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Using a new approach known as the Three Principles, Beyond Recovery designed a study comparing participants receiving the new approach to participants receiving all other interventions but not the new approach. This comprised of one 3-hour session per week for 10 weeks; six separate programs were run. 75 prisoners started and 53 completed the full course; the others dropped out, were transferred to other prisons or were released.

Findings: Prisoners who participated in the program had significant increases in all of the four key factors measured: Thought recognition, innate health via a clear mind, well-being; and purpose; significant decreases in three of the further tests measuring anxiety, anger and depression (with depression being the only one with no significant improvement). Dramatically improved behavior was also recorded by prison staff.

Conclusion & Significance: The conclusion of this study is that the approach used by Beyond Recovery is effective in a prison setting, resulting in improved well-being and behavior. Although this is not a perfect research study (very few are, particularly in prison) it is well-designed using impartial and well-respected psychological measures and supports the view that the Three Principles approach can be effective in prison settings.

Biography:

Kathirasan K is the Founder and Director of Centre for Mindfulness, Singapore. He is also the author of the book Mindfulness in 8 Days. He is an established mindfulness teacher and practitioner, with a background in yoga, yoga philosophy, organizational development, leadership and education. He has been teaching contemplative practices and philosophy for more than a decade. He is currently a Doctoral candidate with the Hindu University of America researching in the subject of Yoga Philosophy and Meditation. He is also a certified Yoga Instructor. He has completed Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wolverhampton.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Mindfulness was originally introduced as a participatory medicine and complementary therapy in hospital settings in the 1970s. Since then, countless research experiments on mindfulness practices have shown positive results in the areas of physical and cognitive challenges with a strong impact on the latter.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The connection between rehabilitation in the areas of addiction and mindfulness has also become dominant discussion since the advent of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and mindfulness- based relapse prevention (MBRP) which are variants of mindfulness practices. Research findings suggest positive effects on relapse prevention for addiction and other associated dysfunctions.

Findings: While the results from these research findings appear to suggest that Mindfulness can be favorable to positive change, it is important to: (1) Distinguish between the practices related to mindfulness and MBCT/ MBRP, (2) understand the uniqueness of this alternative treatment and relief and (3) review early results from trials and other studies.

Conclusion & Significance: Hence a review and discussion about both mindfulness and MBRP can provide significant insights into the uniqueness of mindfulness interventions in helping people with addiction. The different perspectives to addiction could also be examined according to mindfulness traditions. Without such discussions, the effectiveness of mindfulness in addictive disorders cannot be adequately appreciated in spite of its growing success.

Biography:

Girdhari Lal Gupta has received his MPharm degree in Pharmacology and PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in year 2005 and 2009, respectively. He is currently working as an Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology at SPP School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’s NMIMS University, Mumbai, India. He has published several scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and presented his research work in conferences of national and international repute. He has also received Young Scientists Award, Travel grants, best oral presentation award, Government funded research projects from Science Engineering and Research Board, Indian Council of Medical Research. He is a Life Member of several professional bodies including Indian Pharmaceutical Association, Society for Ethnopharmacology, Indian Pharmacological Society, Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India and Indian Pharmacy Graduates’ Association. He has also been nominated as CPCSEA Member by Animal Welfare Division, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Alcoholism is a serious public health problem that often results in medical, social (violent crimes and traffic accidents) and economic consequences throughout the world. There has been increasing thrust worldwide to opt for safer and effective plant-derived anti-addiction drugs mentioned in the traditional medical systems. Green tea (Camellia sinensis, family Theaceae) have huge medicinal uses and traditionally used for the treatment of alcohol disorders. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of Camellia sinensis in alcohol abstinence syndrome, developed following long-term voluntary alcohol intake in rats.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The hydro-alcoholic extract of Camellia sinensis leaves (HECS) was first characterized for the presence of epigallocatechin gallate (15.73% w/w), and subsequently acute, sub-acute toxicity studies were also performed. For evaluation of the effects of HECS in ethanol abstinence syndrome, healthy Wistar rats were enabled to voluntary drinking of 9% v/v alcohol for 15 days. The behavior studies were conducted employing tail suspension test, forced swim test, light-dark model and elevated-plus maze test on day 16^th, 17^th and 18^th and peak ethanol withdrawal syndrome were determined. HECS (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and standard drug diazepam were administered orally during withdrawal symptoms. Oxidative stress parameters, serum serotonin, expression of GABRA1, GABRA2, GABRA3, GABRA4, GABRA5 genes for GABA_A receptor and GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B genes for NMDA-glutamate receptor in hippocampus of rats were also determined.

Findings: The results revealed that no observed adverse effect level was higher than 2000 mg/kg, orally. HECS exhibited significant protective effect at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg, but 50 mg/kg showed insignificant protection against alcohol abstinence syndrome like anxiety and depression. The increased expression of GRIN2A, GRIN2B and decreased expression of GABRA1, GABRA2, GABRA4 following ethanol abstinence were also reversed by HECS at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg.

Conclusion & Significance: Thus, HECS has remarkable protective effects in ethanol abstinence syndrome, which may be due to its antioxidant, serotonergic, GABAmimetic or anti-glutaminergic effect.

Biography:

Abstract:

Adolescent alcohol binge drinking constitutes a major vulnerability factor to develop cognitive disorders. However, the pathways of treatment or prevention against this susceptibility remain less explored. Argan oil (AO), commonly used in traditional Moroccan medicines, is rich in oleic and linoleic acids, polyphenols, sterols, and tocopherols. This composition gives it numerous beneficial pharmacological effects of mental health. In the current study, we evaluated the short-term and long-term AO effects on (i) memory and learning deficits induced by adolescent binge-like ethanol intoxication (ii) the oxidative status of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in Wistar rats. To model binge-like ethanol intoxication, every 2 days, rats received an ethanol injection (3.0 g/kg) for 2 consecutive days across 14 days either from postnatal day 30 (PND30) to 43 (early adolescence). Two weeks before the onset of ethanol intoxication (21PND), rats were daily administered by oral gavage with AO (1 ml/100 g/day), for 5 (PND 53) or 20 (PND 160) weeks. The Y-Maze, Object Recognition and Morris water maze tests were used to assess the working memory, recognition memory, spatial learning and memory performance in adolescent (PND53) or adult (PND160) animals. Also, the catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, the lipid peroxidation and nitrite concentrations were measured using spectrophotometric methods. AO pretreatment increased the performance of working memory, recognition memory and spatial memory in rats previously intoxicated by ethanol, regardless of the age and sex of the animals. These behavioral improvements were accompanied by stress oxidative marked changes in hippocampus and CPF.  AO pretreatment produces significant decrease of the lipid peroxidation and nitrite levels. On the contrary, AO increased the catalase and SOD activities in adolescent and adult animals. For the first time, our results suggest that AO pretreatment is capable of attenuating cognitive impairments and oxidative stress in the hippocampus and CPF of Wistar rats. This indicates that AO may exhibit a neuroprotection against the toxicity of ethanol in brain adolescent rats. Further investigations are in progress to confirm this pharmacological property.

Keywords: Alcohol, Adolescence, Cognitive Impairments, Argan Oil, Neuroprotection, Wistar Rats

Biography:

Abstract:

Background: Alcohol is a psychoactive substance with dependence-producing properties. Consumption of alcohol and the related problems vary widely around the world. The burden of disease and death associated to alcohol remains significant in most countries. Less is known and noted on alcohol misuse in Ethiopia. The main purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude and predictors of alcohol use in Ethiopia.

Method: The WHO stepwise approach to the surveillance of NCDs risk factors was used and, a community-based cross sectional study was carried out. Mix of stratified, three-stage cluster and simple random sampling were used to the study setting or clusters and households. Kish sampling method was used to identify the study participant from the selected households. The sampling frame was based on the population and housing census conducted for Ethiopia in 2007. Data were collected using WHO NCD STEPs questionnaire; alcohol misuse was taken as a dependent variable. Five hundred thirteen EAs as PSUs (404 rural and 109 urban) were selected with probability proportionate to size, followed by selection of households as a secondary sampling units (SSUs). A total of 10,260 households were selected from the 513 EAs (20 households per EA). Eligible individuals were selected from household using Kish method.   Descriptive statistics including frequency table, mean, median, interquartile range and standard deviations were computed. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the independent predictors of Alcohol misuse.  An Estimator of 95% confidence interval was used both in computing frequencies and the predictors.

Result: A total of 9,800 participants were interviewed in the study. The majority, 5,823 (59.4%), of the study subjects were female and 3,959 (40.4%) were 15 - 29 years of age. The overall lifetime prevalence was 49.3% and among them 89.6% drinks alcohol in the 12-months preceding the survey. Among the lifetime drinkers, 92% are current alcohol user. Twenty nine percent (28.6) of life time alcohol user stopped drinking due to health reasons. In multivariate logistic regression,  factors independently  associated  with  alcohol misuse/binge alcohol use  after  adjusting for  other  characteristics  were  sex, residence type, marital status, and current smoking status.

Conclusion: Half of the Ethiopian population reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lives. The findings would be helpful to initiate effective alcohol prevention and control programs focusing on rural and would also serve as a stimulator to conduct further longitudinal studies on this topic in Ethiopia.

Key words: Alcohol misuse, NCD, Ethiopia

Biography:

Ram Dubey is a Registered Clinical Counselor, Accredited Mediator and author of the book From Drunken to Driven. He provides individual and group counseling as well as mediation and training in private and institutional settings. Being a former Regional Director in a Banking Software House, he now engages in building social awareness about alcoholism and the harm it brings to people, families and communities. His aim is to encourage people to seek help early and get on the path to recovery. He has also been awarded the Abdeali Tayebali Family Trust Gold Medal by the Muslim Kidney Action Association in recognition of his social work and publication of his book to help the community.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: There is a lack of awareness about dangers of problem drinking as well as what to do if somebody has become addicted to it. Social acceptance, associated glamour, career and potential life success benefits often encourage indulgence. When the drinking goes overboard the reverse happens. By this time, addiction may have set in and people, family and friends are at a loss what to do.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Review of books and research shows that ad hoc attempts to resolve the problem, by adopting a piece meal approach of seeking either medical, support group or counseling help often meets with limited recovery.

Findings: One needs to get sober and approach impacts of alcohol on them with honesty, openness, positivity and endurance. They need to take a holistic approach to recovery.

Conclusion & Significance: The SPERM model to overcoming alcoholism and leading fulfilling lives encourages people to get a new life away from alcohol. The acronym is to remind people that the new life should go beyond just seeking medical and counseling help and include rebuilding spiritual, physical, emotional, relational and mental health. The model has been put together from the reading of various books and research done in the addiction and alcoholism area. This is not a research book or paper. It is just an effort to demystify the help available for alcohol addiction and an attempt to motivate and encourage people to seek help and take a simple approach to remember and work on all aspects of their recovery.

Biography:

Suchi Deshpande is a Happiness Strategist and Laughter Coach who speaks trains and conducts workshops widely on stress management, laughter therapy and other mental health matters.

Abstract:

Stress has been shown to be a key risk factor in addiction initiation, maintenance and relapse. Stressful life events combined with poor coping skills often bring risk of substance abuse and addiction. Research and review of literature on stress management shows that while it may not be possible to eliminate stress, we can find healthy ways to manage it. Laughter is one such healthy coping mechanism. Laughter has been shown to boost immunity and improve quality of life. It is being shown to be non-invasive and a complementary and alternative therapy in helping people avoid stress and even addiction as well as help in recovery from various ailments. Laughter therapy provides a therapeutic way of dealing with stress. This session aims to share tips with participants on the use of laughter in our daily lives to alleviate stress and use it to get more resilient against addiction and other diseases.

Biography:

Myeong-Sook Yoon is the Founder of Korean Addiction Forum and now Co-President of the Korean Addiction Forum. She is also a Committee Member of Korean National Gambling Control Commission. She has been working in addiction field since 1987, as a pioneer in Korea and has worked for many national projects. She is a former President of the Korean Association of Social Work Practice and Research and Korean Academy of Mental Health Social Work, Korean Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation. She is a certified Mental Health Social Worker (Level 1) and certified Drug and Alcohol Therapist, certified Addiction Supervisor and certified Addiction Social Worker (Level 1).

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: This study is aimed to investigate the mediating effect of depression between marital dissatisfaction and problem drinking among married men and women in South Korea. People with alcohol problems report low confidence about resolving marital disagreements with their partner. High family conflict and low levels of family cohesion and support increase the likelihood of problem drinking and depression.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The subjects of this study are 724 married men and women aged 20-49 years old. AUDIT-K, marital dissatisfaction scale, patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used for assessment. Collected data was analyzed by AMOS 22.0.

Findings: Marital dissatisfaction had a significant relationship with depression, but marital dissatisfaction did not show a significant association with problem drinking and depression fully mediated the relationship between marital dissatisfaction and problem drinking.

Conclusion & Significance: Depression in married men and women was a significant variable for marital relationship status and problem drinking. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed, and directions for future studies are proposed.

Biography:

Mafia Shahzadi is a Clinical Psychologist in Pakistan and visiting supervisor at university of management technology Lahore, Pakistan. Mafia has worked as clinical psychologist at Punjab Institute of Mental Health Lahore Pakistan and Fountain House Lahore Pakistan (Pakistan) Apart from this, Mafia also has worked experience in various drug rehabilitation centers as an Addiction Counselor for more than 2 years (Pakistan). Nowadays, mafia is doing a Post Graduate Diploma in Addiction Sciences from Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences. (Malaysia).This Diploma is fully scholarship based and the duration for this diploma till September 2018.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: There’s no doubt that a friend adds to the fullness of life. Friends become increasingly important to health and happiness in individual’s life. Some friends may even be closer when compared to some of the others and their company affects a lot on individual’s behavior. It is evidence based that humans are influenced by the people they spend their time with. In Pakistan, many adolescents start to take drugs due to the influence of their friends. Friend’s sway has a high impact on individual’s decision making and most of individuals learn how to use drugs. The use of substance leads toward substance dependence and addiction, therefore, drug addiction is a chronic and rapid spreading problem in Pakistan which is destroying the social velvet of the society. 

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: In this case study, the method which the researcher has used to identify the client’s problems deeply was Subjective and Objective components of assessment such as: behavioral observation, clinical interview, mental status examination, subjective rating of the problems, trait anger and expression scale and addiction severity index. The researcher selected a client was case study which was admitted in a XYZ hospital of Lahore of Pakistan for the purpose of substance use treatment and rehabilitation.

Findings: According to behavioral observation technique, this case study showed that client’s weight was below average as compare to his height. Client maintained eye contact most of the time during the session but the speech content was not appropriate because of cocaine’s withdrawal symptoms. Moreover, the result of clinical interview revealed that the client was suffering from anger (8/10), fatigue (7/10), muscle pain, (7/10) and disturbed sleep (6/10). Whereas, the result of ‘trait anger and expression scale’ showed that the client was suffering high level of anger and expression as his score on this scale was 60. Lastly, ‘addiction severity index’ highlighted that the client was suffering a high level of substance use dependence.

Implementation: In this case study, the client reported to researcher that the main cause of his taking drugs was his friends and due to this he could not sustain recovery. It is evidence based that no one client can sustain recovery if the root cause of problem is not sorted. This study is very important in the field of addiction sciences as this case study will help to other researchers to identify root cause of addiction and will provide the psychological interventions e.g counseling, cognitive behavior therapy and rehabilitation related to root cause of individual.

Conclusion: The result of this case study showed that only main reason of client’s problems was friends’ company and this company totally affects his life not only biological but also psychological and social perspective as well.