Mandel discusses way to make treatment services more appropriate - using gender sensitive principles. #isam2019

And finally a fantastic presentation by Piyali Mandal on why she put together this session - Women in substance use: through the eyes of women psychiatrists. #isam2019

Women mostly do not present for substance use problems, but for something else eg depression, around 90% are referred from elsewhere, v different proportion to males in India. #isam2019

Differences in stigma and norms of use in different regions of India. #isam2019

Now Shruti Srivastava pointing out the huge prevalence of tobacco smoking in India. Of her sample of women, 83% were smokers. #isam2019

While some issues seem to be the same across cultures, for example the phenomenon of 'telescoping' - where women's symptoms seem to develop quicker and stronger (perhaps because they seek treatment later?) #isam2019

In a fascinating session about women and substance use in India. Huge cultural differences about beliefs around alcohol use, reported by Shilpa Adarkar. #isam2019

Challenges of securing funding to do this work, and of keeping on top of development of new substance within a policy system that moves slowly. #isam2019

Day three of me (@soozaphone) tweeting from #isam2019. In a fascinating symposium exploring the issues when researching #NewPsychoactiveSubstances in India. Great presentation summarising the challenges by Rakesh Lal.

Dr Pallavi Rajhans talking now anout neurobiological similarities between externalising disorders (particularly ADHD) and addiction. #isam2019

Sagar highlighting the importance of prevention - children with externalising problems are a high risk group, a target for interventions? #isam2019

Back! Now in a fascinating session on links between substance use and externalising disorders. Rajesh Sagar up first taking about childhood and adolescence. #isam2019

A bit more radio silence from me now as I'm speaking in a symposium as part of the Neuroscience Interest Group - on cannabis. #isam2019

Its @ArtScienceDoc's plenary. And she starts with a plea for #isam2019 attendees to join twitter! Why not follow us here at Addiction too?? 😘

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sciencefocus.com/the-hum...

(As an aside - I interviewed @ArtScienceDoc about behavioiral addictions earlier in the year, its here if you are interested!) #isam2019 www.google.com/amp/s/www.sciencefocus.c...

Dr Bhargava points out a lack of good quality prevalence work on problematic gaming and a notable lack of qualitative work - so important to speak to the people seeking help to learn more about why. #isam2019

Gaming isn't an adolescent passtime - as it is sometimes portrayed. Average age of people playing games is 30 years old. #isam2019

Final talk in this session from Rachna Bhargava giving the Indian perspective on gaming disorder. Two clinics in India, but very little data on prevalence/scale of problem in India. #isam2019

Its not just the case that women are not gambling - data suggests they are (but maybe extra fear of self reporting behaviours where children are involved) #isam2019

Day 2 of #isam2019 - @soozaphone here again. First session of the day for me is exploring behavioural addictions. Marc Potenza up first discussing treatment of problematic pornography use and compulsive sexual behaviour. He recommends Netflix's Audrie and Daisy documentary.

No tweets for me for a bit as I'm off to chair a session! #isam2019

Sobering findings - opioids and chronic pain linked suicides seem to be linked to fall in life expectancy in USA. Kathleen Brady at #isam2019

First plenary of #isam2019 underway. Kathleen Brady highlighting the scene in USA prior to the dramatic increase in opioid use and opioid deaths in the country.

And finally a v interesting talk about bipolar and comorbid alcohol use disorder by Jayant Mahadevan. Points out 38% of patients in this sample are not prescribed an anti-craving medication at all at present. #isam2019

Some evidence that anti-craving meds (baclofen and naltrexone) protected against relapse to heavy drinking, though not to a lapse in any drinking. #isam2019