BACKGROUND: The sports sector with all its aspects has become an inseparable part of modern society and its influence is manifested in both, local and global, aspects of the life in every country. Not only does sport create and promote friendship, team play, regardless of gender, age, education, religion, ethnicity, social status, etc., but it is also associated with numerous undesirable consequences. AIM: The primary objective of the research paper at hand was to examine the correlation between the amount invested in sports betting, as a form of gambling, and selected characteristics of...

BACKGROUND: Drug dependence is a public health problem that requires trained professionals to effectively address this issue. The aim of this study was to analyse postgraduate university training programs specialising in addictions in Spain.

METHODS: An exhaustive review of the scientific literature was conducted, and information was collected on university training programs specialising in addictions in Spain. A descriptive documentary analysis of the curricula of Master’s and other postgraduate degrees at Spanish universities was performed. Postgraduate and continuing education programs...

BACKGROUND:

There is a growing trend of development and improvement of education and training in the field of addictions, hand in hand with the increase and changes of substance use-related issues. To ensure a high level of education quality it is necessary to name and define competency-based models and quality standards of different groups of addiction workforce/professionals in various drug demand reduction settings (prevention, treatment/ social reintegration/recovery, and harm reduction) as it is important to guarantee high-quality care to the target group of people dealing with substance...

Tobacco harm reduction is a public health strategy aimed at lessening the health impact of cigarette smoking. This approach involves using non-combustible alternatives to cigarettes, such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), which deliver nicotine without combustion. Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes produce an aerosol without burning, resulting in lower levels of harmful or potentially harmful chemicals.

This narrative review delves into existing literature examining the chemistry of e-cigarette aerosols, associated toxicology in cell culture and animal models, and clinical...

BACKGROUND: The role of physicians is crucial in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders and addiction. The quality of addiction-specific medical education varies, as do postgraduate and continuing medical education programmes in different countries. In order to ensure a high level of quality education, it is necessary to name and define competency-based quality standards that enable physicians to provide the highest quality care to patients.

METHODS: The objective of the study will be the identification of quality standards in competency-based postgraduate and continual...

The Alcohol Use and Mental Health Project ECHO is a no-cost virtual program for health care professionals who are looking for up-to-date and research-based information on working with people who use alcohol. 

The program, which is only in its first year, has the potential to improve care through enhanced screening for severe alcohol consumption and the application of evidence-based therapies, such as behavioural and pharmaceutical ones. The Alcohol Use and Mental Health ECHO has held 11 sessions as of January 2023, averaging 197 participants per session on a standard deviation of 90.2 (Mean...

INTRODUCTION: The high rate of substance use highlights the need to intervene in the initial use prevention of smoking tobacco. The aim was to determine the efficacy of anti-smoking messages to motivate smoking cessation.

METHODS: It was hypothesised that the messages would reduce the frequency of smoking. The influence of the messages on the intention to smoke, negative emotions, perceived self-efficacy, and health behaviour was also measured. Relevant reliable and valid questionnaires were used to collect data for this experimental study.

RESULTS: In this study mean differences were...

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is one of the most important stages in a human life. This period is full of different stimuli and types of influence – from parents, peers, and society. It is related to greater susceptibility to problematic behaviour and to impulsivity. Because of that it is important to explore the topic of impulsivity and impulsive behaviour.

METHODS: This study addresses impulsivity in adolescents using a Czech questionnaire survey method, the Scale of Impulsivity Dolejš & Skopal (SIDS). It also empirically verifies the functionality of the scale and points out its psychometric...

INTRODUCTION: As the prevalence of substance use continues to rise all over the world amidst the ongoing pandemic, substance use prevention professionals are challenged to find alternative ways to enhance their knowledge and competence to use the best practices in the field. In the present global health situation, in which running face-to-face training seminars is extremely difficult, the most feasible option is through online learning. The aim of this study is to explore how the different aspects of a substance use prevention online course affected the overall effectiveness of the programme. ...