Constance Weisner
Biographic Data
| ID | 4267645 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Constance Weisner |
| GIVEN NAMES | Constance |
| FAMILY NAME | Weisner |
| SIGNATURE | WEISNER C |
| AFFILIATIONS | Kaiser Permanente |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-7578-8793 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 40 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 20 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1984 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2022 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Characterizing Unhealthy Alcohol Use Patterns and Their Association with Alcohol Use Reduction and Alcohol Use Disorder During Follow-Up in HIV Care
Correlates of Pregnant Women’s Participation in a Substance Use Assessment and Counseling Intervention Integrated into Prenatal Care
Association of the Affordable Care Act With Smoking and Tobacco Treatment Utilization Among Adults Newly Enrolled in Health Care
OBJECTIVES: To examine rates of smoking and tobacco treatment utilization by insurance coverage status (Medicaid, commercial, exchange) among newly enrolled patients in the post Affordable Care Act (ACA) era. METHODS: We examined new members who enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northern California through Medicaid, the California exchange, or nonexchange commercial plans (N=122,298) in the first 6 months of 2014 following ACA implementation. We comp…
Significant Life Events and their Impact on Alcohol and Drug Use
This study used a life-course perspective to identify and understand life events related to long-term alcohol and other drug (AOD) use trajectories across the life span. Using a purposive sample, we conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 48 participants (n = 30 abstinent and 18 non-abstinent) from a longitudinal study of AOD outcomes 15 years following outpatient AOD treatment. A content analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti software…
The Role of Continuing Care in 9-year Cost Trajectories of Patients With Intakes Into an Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program
BACKGROUND: The importance of a continuing care approach for substance use disorders (SUDs) is increasingly being recognized. Our prior research found that a Continuing Care model for SUDs that incorporates 3 components (regular primary care, and specialty SUD and psychiatric treatment as needed) is beneficial to long-term remission. The study builds on this work to examine the cost implications of this model. OBJECTIVES: To examine associations …
Drinking patterns, gender and health I
Drinking status is independently related to physical health, mental health, and vitality, even after controlling for the health-related attitudes, values, and practices expected to confound these relationships. Among current drinkers, women who engage in very frequent heavy drinking have worse physical and mental health than their male counterparts
Drinking patterns, gender and health III
Although models included numerous health, functional status, attitudinal and behavioral predictors, variance explained was similar to previous reports, suggesting more complex relationships than expected. Qualitative analyses suggest several potential predictive factors not typically measured in service-use studies: embarrassment and shame, fear, faith that the body will heal, expectations about likelihood of becoming seriously ill, disliking the…
Drinking patterns, gender and health II
When factors associated with drinking are controlled, patterns of alcohol consumption have limited effects on preventive service use. Individuals with stigmatized behaviors (e.g., hazardous/harmful drinking, smoking, or high BMIs) are less likely to receive care. Making care experiences positive and carefully addressing stigmatized health practices could increase preventive service use
Age and Gender Trends in Long-Term Opioid Analgesic Use for Noncancer Pain
Objectives. We describe age and gender trends in long-term use of prescribed opioids for chronic noncancer pain in 2 large health plans. Methods. Age- and gender-standardized incident (beginning in each year) and prevalent (ongoing) opioid use episodes were estimated with automated health care data from 1997 to 2005. Profiles of opioid use in 2005 by age and gender were also compared. Results. From 1997 to 2005, age–gender groups exhibited a tota…
Stress, Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Primary Care Patients in Cape Town, South Africa
Alcohol Consumption, Medical Conditions, and Health Behavior in Older Adults
Objectives-To examine associations between drinking patterns, medical conditions, and behavioral health risks among older adults.Methods-Analyses compared survey participants (health plan members ages 65 to 90, N = 6662) who drank moderately to those who drank over recommended limits or did not drink.Results-Overlimit drinking was associated with smoking; not trying to eat low-fat foods (in men), and lower BMI (in women).Predictors of not drinkin…
The Excess Medical Cost And Health Problems of Family Members of Persons Diagnosed With Alcohol or Drug Problems
BACKGROUND: Having a family member with substance use problems affects family functioning, which may lead to increased medical problems and increased health care utilization and costs in the other family members. AIM: We sought to estimate the excess medical costs and prevalence of diagnosed health conditions of family members of persons with an alcohol or drug diagnosis (AOD) compared with the family members of similar persons without an AOD. ME…
Community Providers' Views of Alcohol Problems and Drug Problems
This study contrasts community health and social service providers' views on alcohol vs. other drug abuse. A probability sample of 457 social work and other providers from a county's public and private medical and mental health clinics, welfare and criminal justice systems, and substance abuse programs, as well as clergy, private therapists, and physicians were interviewed. For both alcohol and drug problems, providers thought only of severe dysf…
Pathways to Chemical Dependency Treatment for Adolescents in an HMO
This study examines pathways to chemical dependency (CD) treatment for adolescents in a prepaid health plan, including factors influencing treatment referral and access. Data were collected from 419 adolescent CD treatment intakes ages 13 to 18 in a large, private health plan. The study examines predictors of referral from different sources and of mental health treatment prior to CD treatment. Referral patterns, problem severity, and psychiatric …
Utilization and Cost Impact of Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Primary Care
OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of integrating medical and substance abuse treatment on health care utilization and cost. RESEARCH DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial assigning patients to one of two treatment modalities: an Integrated Care model where primary health care is provided along with substance abuse treatment within the unit and an Independent Care model where medical care is provided in the HMO's primary care clinics independently from…
Substance abuse and the course of welfare dependency
OBJECTIVES: New provisions in welfare reform target recipients with addictions, even though there is limited research on how substance abuse affects people's experiences on welfare. This prospective study examined substance abuse as a determinant of subsequent welfare dependency. METHODS: Representative samples of clients on Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and general assistance in a California county were interviewed while applyin…
The Core-Shell Model
Trends in the treatment of alcohol problems in the US general population, 1979 through 1990
OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of alcohol-treatment service utilization trends in the general population during the 1980s. METHODS. Three national surveys of the US household population (1979, 1984, and 1990) were used for trend analysis of treatment utilization. Trends in demographic characteristics of persons with lifetime treatment rates and particular types of treatment were examined by means of …
Drinking in violent and nonviolent events leading to arrest
Financing and Ideology in Alcohol Treatment
This case history of treatment services for alcohol problems in California since 1970 shows how changes in the way such services are financed influences the treatment provided. We look at the history of the treatment system and the reasons why it changed from a government-supplied service to a contracted-out service dominated by private agencies. Then we discuss how these changes have affected the ideology of alcohol treatment and the client comp…
Age and Gender Trends in Long-Term Opioid Analgesic Use for Noncancer Pain
Objectives. We describe age and gender trends in long-term use of prescribed opioids for chronic noncancer pain in 2 large health plans. Methods. Age- and gender-standardized incident (beginning in each year) and prevalent (ongoing) opioid use episodes were estimated with automated health care data from 1997 to 2005. Profiles of opioid use in 2005 by age and gender were also compared. Results. From 1997 to 2005, age–gender groups exhibited a tota…
Substance abuse and the course of welfare dependency
OBJECTIVES: New provisions in welfare reform target recipients with addictions, even though there is limited research on how substance abuse affects people's experiences on welfare. This prospective study examined substance abuse as a determinant of subsequent welfare dependency. METHODS: Representative samples of clients on Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and general assistance in a California county were interviewed while applyin…
Trends in the treatment of alcohol problems in the US general population, 1979 through 1990
OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of alcohol-treatment service utilization trends in the general population during the 1980s. METHODS. Three national surveys of the US household population (1979, 1984, and 1990) were used for trend analysis of treatment utilization. Trends in demographic characteristics of persons with lifetime treatment rates and particular types of treatment were examined by means of …
Financing and Ideology in Alcohol Treatment
This case history of treatment services for alcohol problems in California since 1970 shows how changes in the way such services are financed influences the treatment provided. We look at the history of the treatment system and the reasons why it changed from a government-supplied service to a contracted-out service dominated by private agencies. Then we discuss how these changes have affected the ideology of alcohol treatment and the client comp…
Drinking in violent and nonviolent events leading to arrest
Financing and Ideology in Alcohol Treatment
This case history of treatment services for alcohol problems in California since 1970 shows how changes in the way such services are financed influences the treatment provided. We look at the history of the treatment system and the reasons why it changed from a government-supplied service to a contracted-out service dominated by private agencies. Then we discuss how these changes have affected the ideology of alcohol treatment and the client comp…
The Core-Shell Model
Trends in the treatment of alcohol problems in the US general population, 1979 through 1990
OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of alcohol-treatment service utilization trends in the general population during the 1980s. METHODS. Three national surveys of the US household population (1979, 1984, and 1990) were used for trend analysis of treatment utilization. Trends in demographic characteristics of persons with lifetime treatment rates and particular types of treatment were examined by means of …
Drinking in violent and nonviolent events leading to arrest
Substance abuse and the course of welfare dependency
OBJECTIVES: New provisions in welfare reform target recipients with addictions, even though there is limited research on how substance abuse affects people's experiences on welfare. This prospective study examined substance abuse as a determinant of subsequent welfare dependency. METHODS: Representative samples of clients on Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and general assistance in a California county were interviewed while applyin…
Utilization and Cost Impact of Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Primary Care
OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of integrating medical and substance abuse treatment on health care utilization and cost. RESEARCH DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial assigning patients to one of two treatment modalities: an Integrated Care model where primary health care is provided along with substance abuse treatment within the unit and an Independent Care model where medical care is provided in the HMO's primary care clinics independently from…
Pathways to Chemical Dependency Treatment for Adolescents in an HMO
This study examines pathways to chemical dependency (CD) treatment for adolescents in a prepaid health plan, including factors influencing treatment referral and access. Data were collected from 419 adolescent CD treatment intakes ages 13 to 18 in a large, private health plan. The study examines predictors of referral from different sources and of mental health treatment prior to CD treatment. Referral patterns, problem severity, and psychiatric …
Community Providers' Views of Alcohol Problems and Drug Problems
This study contrasts community health and social service providers' views on alcohol vs. other drug abuse. A probability sample of 457 social work and other providers from a county's public and private medical and mental health clinics, welfare and criminal justice systems, and substance abuse programs, as well as clergy, private therapists, and physicians were interviewed. For both alcohol and drug problems, providers thought only of severe dysf…
Alcohol Consumption, Medical Conditions, and Health Behavior in Older Adults
Objectives-To examine associations between drinking patterns, medical conditions, and behavioral health risks among older adults.Methods-Analyses compared survey participants (health plan members ages 65 to 90, N = 6662) who drank moderately to those who drank over recommended limits or did not drink.Results-Overlimit drinking was associated with smoking; not trying to eat low-fat foods (in men), and lower BMI (in women).Predictors of not drinkin…
The Excess Medical Cost And Health Problems of Family Members of Persons Diagnosed With Alcohol or Drug Problems
BACKGROUND: Having a family member with substance use problems affects family functioning, which may lead to increased medical problems and increased health care utilization and costs in the other family members. AIM: We sought to estimate the excess medical costs and prevalence of diagnosed health conditions of family members of persons with an alcohol or drug diagnosis (AOD) compared with the family members of similar persons without an AOD. ME…
Stress, Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Primary Care Patients in Cape Town, South Africa
Drinking patterns, gender and health I
Drinking status is independently related to physical health, mental health, and vitality, even after controlling for the health-related attitudes, values, and practices expected to confound these relationships. Among current drinkers, women who engage in very frequent heavy drinking have worse physical and mental health than their male counterparts
Drinking patterns, gender and health III
Although models included numerous health, functional status, attitudinal and behavioral predictors, variance explained was similar to previous reports, suggesting more complex relationships than expected. Qualitative analyses suggest several potential predictive factors not typically measured in service-use studies: embarrassment and shame, fear, faith that the body will heal, expectations about likelihood of becoming seriously ill, disliking the…
Drinking patterns, gender and health II
When factors associated with drinking are controlled, patterns of alcohol consumption have limited effects on preventive service use. Individuals with stigmatized behaviors (e.g., hazardous/harmful drinking, smoking, or high BMIs) are less likely to receive care. Making care experiences positive and carefully addressing stigmatized health practices could increase preventive service use
Age and Gender Trends in Long-Term Opioid Analgesic Use for Noncancer Pain
Objectives. We describe age and gender trends in long-term use of prescribed opioids for chronic noncancer pain in 2 large health plans. Methods. Age- and gender-standardized incident (beginning in each year) and prevalent (ongoing) opioid use episodes were estimated with automated health care data from 1997 to 2005. Profiles of opioid use in 2005 by age and gender were also compared. Results. From 1997 to 2005, age–gender groups exhibited a tota…
The Role of Continuing Care in 9-year Cost Trajectories of Patients With Intakes Into an Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program
BACKGROUND: The importance of a continuing care approach for substance use disorders (SUDs) is increasingly being recognized. Our prior research found that a Continuing Care model for SUDs that incorporates 3 components (regular primary care, and specialty SUD and psychiatric treatment as needed) is beneficial to long-term remission. The study builds on this work to examine the cost implications of this model. OBJECTIVES: To examine associations …
Significant Life Events and their Impact on Alcohol and Drug Use
This study used a life-course perspective to identify and understand life events related to long-term alcohol and other drug (AOD) use trajectories across the life span. Using a purposive sample, we conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 48 participants (n = 30 abstinent and 18 non-abstinent) from a longitudinal study of AOD outcomes 15 years following outpatient AOD treatment. A content analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti software…
Association of the Affordable Care Act With Smoking and Tobacco Treatment Utilization Among Adults Newly Enrolled in Health Care
OBJECTIVES: To examine rates of smoking and tobacco treatment utilization by insurance coverage status (Medicaid, commercial, exchange) among newly enrolled patients in the post Affordable Care Act (ACA) era. METHODS: We examined new members who enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northern California through Medicaid, the California exchange, or nonexchange commercial plans (N=122,298) in the first 6 months of 2014 following ACA implementation. We comp…
Correlates of Pregnant Women’s Participation in a Substance Use Assessment and Counseling Intervention Integrated into Prenatal Care
Characterizing Unhealthy Alcohol Use Patterns and Their Association with Alcohol Use Reduction and Alcohol Use Disorder During Follow-Up in HIV Care
Medicine (18 works) · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes (15 works) · Environmental health (12 works) · Psychiatry (12 works) · Psychology (11 works) · Family medicine (8 works) · Health care (6 works) · Nursing (6 works) · Public health (6 works) · Alcohol (5 works)