Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Factors Associated With Opioid Overdose After An Initial Opioid Prescription, Scott G. Weiner, Sanae El Ibrahimi, Michelle A. Hendricks, Sara E. Hallvik, Christi Hildebran, Michael A. Fischer, Roger D. Weiss, Edward W. Boyer, Peter W. Kreiner, Dagan A. Wright, Diana P. Flores, Grant A. Ritter

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Importance: The opioid epidemic continues to be a public health crisis in the US. Objective: To assess the patient factors and early time-varying prescription-related factors associated with opioid-related fatal or nonfatal overdose. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study evaluated opioid-naive adult patients in Oregon using data from the Oregon Comprehensive Opioid Risk Registry, which links all payer claims data to other health data sets in the state of Oregon. The observational, population-based sample filled a first (index) opioid prescription in 2015 and was followed up until December 31, 2018. Data analyses were performed from March 1, 2020, to June …

Substance Use Among College Students During Covid-19 Times: A Negative Coping Mechanism Of Escapism, Manoj Sharma, Kavita Batra

Social & Behavioral Health Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Syndemic Of Opioid Crisis And Covid-19 Pandemic: A Call To Invest In Solutions, Manoj Sharma, Kavita Batra

Social & Behavioral Health Faculty Publications

Preliminary data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC, 2020] indicated a significant surge in the number of opioid involved deaths amidst COVID-19 pandemic and these trends are concerning, which warrant a collective investment in finding the solutions (Baumgartner & Radley, 2021; Becker & Fiellin, 2020). [...]this editorial aims to reflect on the interaction of the COVID-19 pandemic with the existing opioid crisis and its role in widening the gap of the pre-existing disparities, and discusses implications of practice to protect the health of vulnerable drug-users. Recently, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) allowed take-home …

The Psychometric Properties Of The Bergen–Yale Sex Addiction Scale For The Iranian Population, Samaneh Youseflu, Shane W. Kraus, Majid Yousefi Afrashteh, Soudabeh Niroomand, Fatemeh Razavinia

Psychology Faculty Research

Background: The assessment of sex addiction among different populations requires a valid and reliable tool. Since the Bergen–Yale Sex Addiction Scale (BYSAS) was not available in Iran, this study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the BYSAS. Methods: After translation/back-translation procedure, a total of 756 Iranian men and women completed the BYSAS. The structural validity of this tool was evaluated by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. An expert panel review also examined content validity of the items. Psychometric properties of the scale including validity, reliability (internal consistency [Cronbach’s alpha]) and test-retest) and factor structure …

The Relationship Between In-Play Betting And Gambling Problems In An Australian Context Of Prohibited Online In-Play Betting, Sally Melissa Gainsbury, Brett Abarbanel, Alex Blaszczynski

International Gaming Institute Faculty Publications

Internationally, Internet gambling is increasingly permitted under regulated licensing conditions; however, the specific products that are legal varies between jurisdictions. Online sports and race wagering are now legal in many jurisdictions, but in-play betting (also referred to as "live action" or "in-the-run" betting) is often restricted. In-play betting enables bets to be placed on an event after it has commenced. Prohibitionist policies often cite the potential for this type of betting to increase risk of gambling problems. This study aimed to identify which online bettors are most likely to engage in in-play betting, and to investigate the relationship between in-play …

Motivations For Treatment Engagement In A Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program: A Qualitative Study, Patrick J. Dillon, Satish K. Kedia, Oluwaseyi O. Isehunwa, Manoj Sharma

Public Health Faculty Publications

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore perspectives on motivations for treatment engagement from substance use disorder (SUD) clients in a long-term residential rehabilitation program. Design and Methods: A convenience sample of 30 clients who were enrolled in a year-long SUD treatment program at a residential rehabilitation facility took part in in-depth interviews. Interview transcripts were analyzed using the directed content analysis approach. Results: Participant accounts indicated that their treatment engagement was motivated by factors that aligned with the six primary constructs of the Health Belief Model: (i) perceived susceptibility (eg, believing that their substance use required intervention …

Managing Substance Use Disorder Through A Walking/Running Training Program, Chia-Liang Dai, Ching-Chen Chen, George B. Richardson, Howard R. D. Gordon

College of Education Faculty Research

While emerging studies have demonstrated the benefit of exercise in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery outcomes, lack of motivation to engage in exercise has been indicated as one of many perceived barriers that contribute to low recruitment and adherence rates in SUD treatment. The current study aimed to explore participants’ perceptions of attending a supervised exercise program (boot camp workouts, walking/running practice, and a race event) while in treatment for SUD. A total of 109 participants were recruited to a 14-week exercise training program and 61 chose to participate in, and completed, a race at the close of the program. …

Validation Of A Brief Pornography Screen Across Multiple Samples, Shane W. Kraus, Mateusz Gola, Joshua B. Grubbs, Ewelina Kowalewska, Rani A. Hoff, Michał Lew-Starowicz, Steve Martino, Steven D. Shirk, Marc N. Potenza

Psychology Faculty Research

Background and Aims To address current gaps around screening for problematic pornography use (PPU), we initially developed and tested a six-item Brief Pornography Screen (BPS) that asked about PPU in the past six months. Methods and Participants We recruited five independent samples from the U.S. and Poland to evaluate the psychometric properties of the BPS. In Study 1, we evaluated the factor structure, reliability, and elements of validity using a sample of 224 U.S. veterans. One item from the BPS was dropped in Study 1 due to low item endorsement. In Studies 2 and 3, we further investigated the five-item …

The Development Of The Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder Scale (Csbd-19): An Icd-11 Based Screening Measure Across Three Languages, Beáta Bőthe, Marc N. Potenza, Mark D. Griffiths, Shane W. Kraus, Verena Klein, Johannes Fuss, Zsolt Demetrovics

Psychology Faculty Research

Background Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) is included in the eleventh edition of The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an impulse-control disorder. AimsThe aim of the present work was to develop a scale (Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder Scale–CSBD-19) that can reliably and validly assess CSBD based on ICD-11 diagnostic guidelines. Method Four independent samples of 9,325 individuals completed self-reported measures from three countries (the United States, Hungary, and Germany). The psychometric properties of the CSBD-19 were examined in terms of factor structure, reliability, measurement invariance, and theoretically relevant correlates. A potential threshold was determined to identify individuals with an …

A Systematic Review Of Gambling-Related Findings From The National Epidemiologic Survey On Alcohol And Related Conditions, Jasmine M.Y. Loo, Shane W. Kraus, Marc N. Potenza

Psychology Faculty Research

Background and aims: This systematic review analyzes and summarizes gambling-related findings from the nationally representative US National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) data. Methods: Systematic literature searches in accordance with PRISMA guidelines found 51 eligible studies that met inclusion criteria. Eight studies utilized both Waves 1 and 2 NESARC data, and selection of sample sizes varied from 185 to 43,093 individuals, consistent with specified research objectives of each study. Results: The prevalence of lifetime pathological gambling was 0.42% (0.64% among men, 0.23% among women), while past-year prevalence was 0.16%. Pathological gambling rates were generally higher in populations …

Trends And Associated Factors Of Use Of Opioid, Heroin, And Cannabis Among Patients For Emergency Department Visits In Nevada: 2009–2017, Pearl C. Kim, Ji Won Yoo, Chris R. Cochran, Seong Min Park, Sungyoun Chun, Yong-Jae Lee, Jay J. Shen

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

To examine trends and contributing factors of opioid, heroin, and cannabis-associated emergency department (ED) visits in Nevada. The 2009 to 2017 Nevada State ED database (n = 7,950,554 ED visits) were used. Use of opioid, heroin, and cannabis, respectively, was identified by the International Classification of Diseases, 9th & 10th Revisions. Three multivariable models, one for each of the 3 dependent variables, were conducted. Independent variables included year, insurance status, race/ethnicity, use of other substance, and mental health conditions. The number of individuals with opioid, heroin, cannabis-associated ED visits increased 3%, 10%, and 23% annually from 2009 to 2015, particularly …

Post-Overdose Interventions Triggered By Calling 911: Centering The Perspectives Of People Who Use Drugs (Pwuds), Karla D. Wagner, Robert W. Harding, Richard Kelley, Brian Labus, Silvia R. Verdugo, Elizabeth Copulsky, Jeanette M. Bowles, Maria Luisa Mittal, Peter J. Davidson

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Background Opioid overdose deaths have increased exponentially in the United States. Bystander response to opioid overdose ideally involves administering naloxone, providing rescue breathing, and calling 911 to summon emergency medical assistance. Recently in the US, public health and public safety agencies have begun seeking to use 911 calls as a method to identify and deliver post-overdose interventions to opioid overdose patients. Little is known about the opinions of PWUDs about the barriers, benefits, or potential harms of post-overdose interventions linked to the 911 system. We sought to understand the perspectives of PWUDs about a method for using 911 data to …

"The Traps Started During My Childhood": The Role Of Substance Abuse In Women's Responses To Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces), Breanna Boppre, Cassandra Boyer

Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

The gendered pathways perspective seeks to identify the biological, psychological, and social realities that lead to women’s law-breaking behavior. Prior research in this area demonstrates the link between women’s adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and involvement in the criminal justice system later in life. The current study fills an important gap in the literature by providing a phenomenological description of the impacts ACEs had upon 19 community supervised women’s lives. Their stories illuminate the need to consider multiple forms of ACEs, from physical and sexual abuse to the death of a loved one. Interviewees’ most prevalent response to ACEs was substance …

Psychopathology And Hypersexuality Among Veterans With And Without Histories Of Alcohol‐Use Disorders, Jonathan Moisson, Marc N. Potenza, Steven D. Shirk, Rani A. Hoff, Crystal L. Park, Shane W. Kraus

Psychology Faculty Research

Background and Objectives: Little research has examined the clinical characteristics of U.S. post‐9/11 military veterans coping with alcohol problems. Specifically, we examined psychopathology and hypersexuality among male and female post‐9/11 veterans with and without a lifetime history of alcohol‐use disorders (AUDs). Methods: Using data from a baseline telephone interview and follow‐up web‐based survey, we examined frequencies of AUDs, mental health and addictive disorders, sexual behaviors, hypersexuality, and problematic use of pornography in a national convenience sample of 283 U.S. veterans. Results: Many (39.1%) veterans met lifetime criteria for AUDs. Bivariate associations revealed that veterans with lifetime AUDs met clinically significant …

Education, Not Restriction, Is Key To Reducing Harm From Offshore Gambling, Sally Gainsbury, Alex Blaszczynski, Brett Abarbanel

College of Hospitality Faculty Research

Australian internet gambling policies have been refined and prohibitions on illegal gambling sites clarified in recent years. These offshore sites not only pose potential harm to consumers in the form of fraudulent and deceptive dealings, but also have long-term consequences through reducing the tax dollars generated by the licensed market. Our research takes a closer look at why gamblers use offshore sites, and the implications of this for policymaking.

Problem Gambling And Treatment In Nevada, Sarah A. St. John, Andrea Dassopoulos, Bo Bernhard

Social Health of Nevada Reports

This chapter defines problem gambling and provides a history and overview of community and state-led initiatives to address the harms associated with problem gambling. We outline research conducted in the state of Nevada in the past two decades, with both adults and teens, and with the general population and the treatment population, specifically. After presenting a demographic snapshot of the population that has received state-subsidized treatment, we discuss some common challenges they face.

The chapter provides data on treatment effectiveness as measured by improvements in the lives and wellbeing of problem gamblers and reduction of their gambling behaviors. Finally, we …

Time To Talk: The Mental Health Of Adults In Nevada, Ramona W. Denby, Sandra D. Owens, Sarah Kern

Lincy Institute Reports and Briefs

About 11.3% of the adult population in Nevada report a past-year mental illness, with nearly 4% of them experiencing disorders serious enough to impair their functionality. Almost 13% of Nevada adults have substance abuse disorders, this is the second highest statewide substance abuse prevalence rate in the country; the District of Columbia is first at 14.7% of its population (SAMSHA, 2013). With most states (including Nevada) now increasing their mental health care budgets after years of spending cuts—between 2009 and 2012 there was a $4.35-billion drop in state mental health spending (Ollove, 2013)—pertinent questions center on needed treatment, research, and …

Correlates Of Gambling Disorder, Brittaney Benson-Townsend, N. Clayton Silver

McNair Poster Presentations

Gambling disorder is an addictive behavior in which valuables are wagered in neglect of financial losses and delusions of financial gain. To predict problem gambling behavior, a survey of Machiavellian personalities, money attitudes, and impulsive/compulsive buying behavior was administered to 410 students at UNLV. The results suggested that disordered gambling behavior may be predicted by Money Status scores. Specifically, amorality, money worship, and money vigilance were significant in predicting African-American pathological gambling. For Asians, only money vigilance loaded significantly.

An Introduction: Quantification Of The Hippocampal Bdnf Content Of Maternally Separated Rats Using A Western Blot Protocol, Bernajane M. Palisoc, Laurel M. Pritchard, Emily Hensleigh

McNair Poster Presentations

Among industrialized nations, the United States has the worst incidence of child maltreatment with 3 million cases per year (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012). Studies have shown that individuals who were maltreated when they were young are more susceptible to drug abuse such as alcohol, cocaine, and nicotine (Maddahian, Newcomb, & Bentle, 1988). Early life stress (ELS) causes hyperactivation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary- Adrenal (HPA) Axis (Heim et al., 2000; Plotsky et al., 2005). The dysregulation of the HPA axis causes the secretion of glucocorticoid stress hormones by large amounts, which in return attenuates hippocampal Brain-derived neurotrophic factor …

Commercial Sexual Exploitation Of Teens, Tamieka Meadows, Alexis Kennedy

McNair Poster Presentations

This research explores whether commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) abuse drugs or face greater histories of abuse than their delinquent peers. This research will evaluate whether girls who are CSEC victims experience more abuse of drugs or experience more physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. The study also explores whether CSEC victims witnessed more abuse than non-CSEC victims. A survey of needs and issues facing delinquent girls was given to 130 girls between the ages of 13 to 18. Questions asked about their drug use, abuse history, and whether they witnessed abuse. This research found that many girls who are CSEC …

Effects Of Restraint Stress And Allopregnanolone Inhibition On Amphetamine Locomotor Sensitivity, Kelly Abuali, Laurel M. Pritchard

McNair Poster Presentations

The chronic, recurring nature of addiction remains a worldwide problem. Even after apparently successful clinical treatment and long term abstinence, individuals may still relapse many months or years later. Although many individual differences exist among substance abusers, relapse tends to occur during periods of high stress (Sinha et al., 2006). Behavioral training and therapy can help cope during these high stress times, but pharmacological interventions have not been shown to be effective (Ross & Peselow, 2009). Although some therapeutic options decrease relapse rates, more effective treatments for relapse need further consideration.

The effect of stress on use of and relapse …

Predictors Of Smoking Behavior And Readiness To Quit In Addiction Treatment, Arturo Soto-Nevarez, Joseph Guydish

McNair Poster Presentations

Background: Prevalence of tobacco use is 3 times higher for those seeking substance abuse treatment than those in the general population. Clinical practice guidelines recommend addressing smoking cessation. This population has more difficulty quitting than the general population. Methods: This paper analyzes predictors of smoking behavior and readiness to quit in patients enrolled in addiction treatment programs. Data from six substance abuse treatment centers was collected. A total of 235 clients were surveyed on their smoking attitudes and behaviors. Results: Survey data from 139 current smokers was analyzed. In logistic regression analyses predicting readiness to quit smoking, and controlling for …

2011-2012 Unlv Mcnair Journal, Cyndy Anang, Sajar Camara, Pamela Cornejo, Carla Antonieta Farcello, Ilse Anahi Garcia, Natiera Magnuson, William L. Mccurdy, Lorena Munoz, Maxym V. Myroshnychenko, Ricardo Rios, Theodore Waldeck, Barbara Wallen, Ana Zuniga, Brenda M. Aguilar, Tiffany Alexandra Alvarez, Daniel N. Erosa, Paige C. Espinosa, Carla Antonieta Farcello, Julienne Jochel Paraiso, Nathaniel Derek Phillipps, Carmen Vallin, Jacent N. Wamala, Ernesto Zamora-Ramos

McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the McNair Scholars Program

Table of Contents

Biography of Dr. Ronald E. McNair

Statements:

Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, UNLV President

Dr. Juanita P. Fain, Vice President of Student Affairs

Dr. William W. Sullivan, Associate Vice President for Retention and Outreach

Mr. Keith Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach

McNair Scholars Institute Staff

Review Of Interventions To Reduce Risk Factors For Alcohol And Substance Abuse Among Student Athletes, Ilse Garcia

McNair Poster Presentations

Alcohol and drug consumption are a public health concern among young athletes throughout the entire nation. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review substance abuse prevention and intervention outcome studies specific to athletes. A list of common keywords associated with outcome studies targeting substance abuse prevention and intervention among student athletes was generated. Interventions were derived from peer-reviewed journals, government websites and newspaper articles. Two interventions were found to successfully decrease excessive drinking and drug use among student athletes. While some researches may argue that involvement in athletes may serve as a "protective factor" for alcohol or substance …

Collection And Utilization Of Child Abuse Statistics In American Indian Communities, Michelle Chino

Public Health Faculty Publications

Public health research in American Indian communities involves many complex issues that may both help and hinder the development of an effective research methodology and the collection, analysis, and utilization of data. These issues include: 1) the unique strengths and diversity of Indian cultures; 2) the complicated relationships that exist between federal, state, and tribal agencies; 3) the vast distances between communities and services that exist in rural areas; 4) extremely limited human and financial resources; 5) overlapping and often conflicting legal and jurisdictional authorities; and 6) an array of social issues including poverty, substance abuse, modernization, and assimilation. Defining …

Women And Crack Addiction, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

A smokable form of cocaine has recently been introduced to the United States. First documented in New York in 1985, the use of rock cocaine or crack has spread rapidly throughout the country since then. Until crack appeared, noninjectable cocaine use was largely a problem in the middle and upper classes because of its high price. Crack has changed that; five and ten dollar packages are readily available. Crack produces a short-lived high and may enhance sexual desire and performance. The rapidity of the spread of crack in inner cities is extraordinary but the movement into rural areas has been …