Transcript Rowdy Yates
Bad Mouthing, Bad Habits and Bad, Bad Boys An Exploration of the Relationship Between Dyslexia and Drug Dependence P. R. Yates, Senior Research Fellow, Scottish Addiction Studies, Department of Applied Social Science, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland. e-mail: [email protected] url: http://www.dass.stir.ac.uk/sections/scot-ad/ Content • • • • • A brief description of dyslexia A brief description of the study The dyslexia findings Some thoughts about relationships Some implications for treatment delivery Understanding Dyslexia - 1 • • • • • • • Congenital Word-Blindness Clumsy Child Syndrome (dyspraxia) The Absent-minded professor Genetic theories of dyslexia Social theories of dyslexia Personal attainment theories of dyslexia Drug, Set and Setting Understanding Dyslexia - 2 • • • • • • • Word and sentence formation Practical writing difficulties The processing of sounds Organisational difficulties Apparent impetuosity Forgetfulness Physical dexterity The Study - Aims • To measure prevalence within drug treatment populations • To examine any correlation in severity of the two conditions • To record the views of individual dyslexics regarding connections • To record the views of individual dyslexics regarding the impact on their treatment “experience”. The Study - Methods • • • • • • Extensive literature review LADS dyslexia software Maudsley Addiction Profile Pilot group Brief interview schedule Testing and profiling of 25 men in community drug treatments • Testing and profiling of 25 men in therapeutic community settings • 10 in-depth interviews with “positives” The Dyslexia Consent The Dyslexia Consent Study Outcomes • 20 (21) of the sample tested positive for dyslexia: 40% • Estimates for general population: 4 – 5% • Dyslexics scored higher than non-dyslexics on all indices • Significant differences were found between the community and the TC populations The Dyslexia Findings Readjusted dyslexia test results across the residential (n = 25) and nonresidential (n = 25) cohorts. 12 10 8 6 Residential Non-residential 4 2 0 Low Probability Borderline Moderate probability High Probability The Dyslexia Findings Total percentage of substances used in the dyslexic (n = 20) and non- dyslexic (n = 30) cohorts. 25 20 15 Dyslexic Non-dyslexic 10 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The Dyslexia Findings % MAP drugs/days in medium and high-risk consumption categories by dyslexic (n = 20) and non-dyslexic (n = 30) respondents. 100% 80% 60% Dyslexic Non-dyslexic 40% 20% 0% Moderate Risk High Risk The Dyslexia Findings % MAP physical health indices in medium and high-risk categories by dyslexic (n = 20) and non-dyslexic (n = 30). 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Dyslexic Non-dyslexic Moderate Incidence High Incidence The Dyslexia Findings % MAP psychological health indices in medium and high-risk categories by dyslexic (n = 20) and non-dyslexic (n = 30). 100% 80% 60% Dyslexic 40% Non-dyslexic 20% 0% Moderate Incidence High Incidence Thoughts about relationships • Drug use born out of profound frustration • Self-triggered disorientation • Part of a Constellation: "It's hard to tell the difference between maps of crime, ill-health, drug addiction or low educational achievement. They all look like maps of poverty". Implications for Treatment • Cognitive approaches may be of limited value • There may be serious issues about treatment episode duration • Reinforced/reinforcing therapies may have more success • Help with memory and organisational issues will be crucial • A prediliction to intoxication?? Limitations of the Study • • • • • Small sample size Retrospective use of Maps Moderate/High use of MAPS Detailed interviews with positives only Possibility of false responses from the community cohort • Disclosure by the researcher Study Details Complete study report is available for download from: Scottish Addiction Studies On-line Library at: http://www.drugslibrary.stir.ac.uk Bad mouthing, bad habits and bad, bad boys