Showing papers in "Addiction and health in 2010"

Comparing the social skills of students addicted to computer games with normal students.

Abstract: Background: This study aimed to investigate and compare the social skills of students addicted to computer games with normal students. The dependent variable in the present study is the social skills. Methods: The study population included all the students in the second grade of public secondary school in the city of Isfahan at the educational year of 2009-2010. The sample size included 564 students selected using the cluster random sampling method. Data collection was conducted using Questionnaire of Addiction to Computer Games and Social Skills Questionnaire (The Teenage Inventory of Social Skill or TISS). Findings: The results of the study showed that generally, there was a significant difference between the social skills of students addicted to computer games and normal students. In addition, the results indicated that normal students had a higher level of social skills in comparison with students addicted to computer games. Conclusion: As the study results showed, addiction to computer games may affect the quality and quantity of social skills. In other words, the higher the addiction to computer games, the less the social skills. The individuals addicted to computer games have less social skills. Keywords: Computer games, Addiction to computer games, Social skills, Guidance school students.

A review on hematological factors in opioid-dependent people (opium and heroin) after the withdrawal period.

Abstract: Background: Long-term use of opioids has acute effects on homeostasis of the body. Discovering the impacts of opioids on hematological parameters of narcotics withdrawal and dependents blood may be helpful in recognizing the homeostasis condition of their body for the useful treatment. Methods: In this study a cross-sectional method was applied. The abusers of opium and heroin for more than two consecutive years were considered as opium and heroin dependent groups, respectively. The dependent people, who passed the 1-month withdrawal period, entered the study as opium and heroin withdrawal groups. In this study, hematological factors of heroin and opium dependent and withdrawal groups were investigated. Findings: The RBC count remained unchanged in all groups. The WBC count had a significant increase in opium dependent group but in heroin dependent group and withdrawal group there was no significant difference. HGB level had a significant increase only in opium and heroin withdrawal groups. The percentage of HCT had a significant increase in all groups. The MCV increased in heroin and opium dependent groups. MCH level increased significantly in heroin and opium withdrawal groups. MCHC level had a significant increase in all groups. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts in heroin and opium addicted groups significantly decreased. Platelet, neutrophil and monocyte counts significantly increased in opium dependent group. Monocyte countshowed a significant reduction in heroin withdrawal group. Eosinophil count showed no difference in any of the groups. Conclusion: The current study indicated that not only the chronic and long-term use of opium and heroin, also withdrawal of addicted people could change hematological parameters related to human serum . Keywords : Hematological Factors, Serum, Addiction, Addiction Withdrawal, Heroin, Iran.

The Prevalence of at Least One-Time Substance Abuse among Kerman Pre-university Male Students.

Abstract: Background: Substance abuse is one of the main health problems in Iran and awareness about its spread and procedure of spread in the society, particularly the susceptible society of students, is very important with regard to the population pyramid of Iran. Methods: This study was performed by cross-sectional method. The sampling size was 610 male students in pre-university grade by a probabilistic cluster sampling. Our research instrument was the WHO questionnaire. Findings: The experience of smoking cigarettes was seen in 34.6% of the students, 51.5% used hookah, 37.7% drank alcohol, 40.7% used non-prescribed tranquilizers, 10.2% used high-dosage painkillers, 6.6% used ecstasy, 6.7% hashish, 4.9% heroin, 8.7% opium and 9.7% used Pam or chewable tobacco.The first age of experiencing smoking cigarette was 14.0, hookah 13.9, alcohol 14.6, tranquilizers 13.1, high-dosage painkillers 15.3, ecstasy 17.0, hashish 16.7, heroin 16.7, opium 16.7 and using chewable tobacco 15.3 years. The improper use of ecstasy pills, opium, heroin and chewable tobacco was more in governmental schools compared with non-profit school centers.There was a relationship between the low educational level of the father and consuming alcohol, strong intoxicants, heroin, opium, pam and excessive use of cigarettes. On the other hand, there was a relationship between the low educational level of the mother with using cigarettes, hookah, alcohol, tranquilizers, strong painkillers, ecstasy, heroin, opium, pam and excessive usage of cigarettesConclusion: According to this study, in spite of the fact that drug abuse is at a warning rate, the tendency toward hookah, tranquilizers and alcohol is noticeable. Keywords: Sbstance abuse, Students, Kerman, Iran .

Estimation of the Active Network Size of Kermanian Males

Abstract: Estimation of the size of hidden and hard-to-reach sub-populations, such as drug-abusers, is a very important but difficult task. Network scale up (NSU) is one of the indirect size estimation techniques, which relies on the frequency of people belonging to a sub-population of interest among the social network of a random sample of the general population. In this study, we estimated the social network size of Kermanian males (C) as one of the main prerequisites for using NSU. A 500 random sample of Kermanian males between 18 and 45 years old were interviewed. We asked the size of their active networks using direct questions. In addition, we received the frequency of six names from the vital registry office among Kermanian males, and we estimated C indirectly using the received frequencies and the frequency of these names among the networks of our sample. Although different methods showed quite different Cs between 100 and 350, the best estimation for C was 303, which means that on average each Kermanian male knows around 303 males between the age range of 18 and 45 years. The estimated C did not have any strong association with the demographic variables of our subjects. Using the estimated C we may use the NSU technique to assess the frequency of many important hidden sub-populations such as drugabusers and those who have sexual contact with men and women. Size estimation, Social network, Networking, Addiction, Hidden population, Hard to reach population 8 3 0 18

Predictors of transition in different stages of smoking: a longitudinal study.

Abstract: Of 1785 students , 14.3% ( CI 95% : 12.3 -16.4 ) and 2.8% ( CI 95% : 2.0 -4.0 ) of the never smokers became experimenters and regular smokers, respectively and 16.5% (CI 95%: 12.4-21.7) of the e xperimenters became regular smokers. Among never smokers, participating in smoker groups (OR = 1.24), having smoker friends (OR = 1.85) and a positive attitude towards smoking (OR = 1.22) predi cted experimentation; and participating in smokers groups (OR = 1.35) and a lower socioeconomic class (OR = 0.36) predicted regular s moking. Among experimenters, students having general high risk be haviors (OR = 2.56) and participating in smoker groups (OR = 2.58) were distinguished as those who progressed to regular smoking in follow -up . Findings:

Physical effects of methadone maintenance treatment from the standpoint of clients.

Abstract: Background Studies have shown that methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) iseffective in improving the client's quality of life and physical health.This study aimed to describe the nature and structure of drugdependents' experiences and the physical effects of MMT. Methods The present study is a qualitative and a phenomenology study on 32clients referred to methadone clinics in the city of Kerman in 2008.Colaizzi's method was used for data analysis and to evaluate the data,validity and reliability criteria were used. Findings Encoded concepts were categorized in general groups of effectiveness ongeneral health, sleep, appetite and weight, sexual desire, appearance andother effects. These six categories showed the main structure of experienceand physical effects of MMT. Conclusion The clients' viewpoints towards this treatment had a role in theirexperience expression and feelings, but MMT had an overall positivephysical effect on the clients.

Religious Attitude Associated with General Health and Smoking in Iranian Students

Abstract: the university students' model role in the so ciety and the importance of period of university education in sel ecting behavioral methods and lifestyles in the future have made it n ecessary to study the smoking pattern and its associated factors and complications among students. The aim of this study was to compare religious attitude and mental health between smoking and non-smoking students . Background: In this research , religious attitude and mental health was studied in 1065 smoking and non-smoking students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. In this study, three questionnaires were used (Demographic Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire and Religious Attitude Scale Questionnaire) which were completed by the students voluntarily. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistic met hods, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), t-test, Pearson correlation, and regression coefficient . Methods: The mean age of smokers was 20 years and most of the smokers were male (78.9%), single (86.5%) and in BS or BA degree (52.5%). Most of them smoked a cigarette or more in the past mont h. The average age of start of smoking was 18 years. There was no significant difference between religious attitude and mental he alth in smoking students in terms of gender but in non-smoking stud ents there was a significant difference in this regard. Smoking stud ents had lower mental health status and religious attitude in comp arison with non- smoking students. Between religious attitude and ge neral health in smoking and non -smoking students was also a direct association . Findings :

The effect of methadone maintenance therapy on harm reduction in opiate dependents in kerman socio-behavioral consulting centers

Abstract: BACKGROUND Socio-behavioral consulting centers offer methadone maintenance therapy which is a very useful method for drug dependents. These centers offer a wide range of services like education, consulting, prevention, care taking of patients and treatment for high risk groups such as AIDS-infected patients. Methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) is helpful in harm minimization and increasing the quality of the drug dependent's life; therefore, reducing infection in HIV patients. This study intends to investigate the importance of MMT on harm reduction in opioid dependents in Kerman. METHODS This descriptive, cross sectional study was performed on 110 patients referred to No. 1 and No. 2 socio-behavioral consulting centers in Kerman city in 2005 and 2006. Data was gathered by questionnaires once at the beginning of treatment and once 6 months after. Then the data was analyzed by SPSS13 and chi square test. FINDINGS Methadone maintenance therapy resulted in a 97.3% reduction in common injections, 96.4% decrease in arrest and imprisonment, 80% decrease in family problems and 68.2% decrease in drug abuse and negative morphine tests in these centers. After 6 months of treatment, drug consumption expenses were also diminished. CONCLUSION This study showed that treatment with MMT in these centers reduced dangerous behaviors, increased the quality of life and controlled transmission of dangerous diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis in the community.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Conduct Disorder in Children of Drug Dependent Parents

Abstract: B ackground: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder are among relatively prevalent disorders during childhood and adolescence. Considering the negative impact of the parents' drug dependency and bipolar disorder, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of ADHD and conduct disorder in children of drug-dependent and bipolar parents. Methods: In this case-control study, the case group included two groups of patients with drug dependency and bipolar disorder hospitalized in Shahid Beheshti hospital in Kerman who had 7 to 11-year-old children. The control group included healthy individuals without any drug dependency or other psychiatric disorders. Data were collected using Rutter scale Form A (parents' form) and a demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed with ANOVA, Chi-square and Tamhane's post-hoc test. Findings: Rutter's abnormal scores were generally 7.11% in children of drug dependent parents, 14% in children of bipolar parents and 1.6% in children of healthy parents demonstrating no significant difference. The frequency of conduct disorder in the bipolar and drug dependent group was higher than the healthy group, but the difference was not significant. The frequency of ADHD was 8.9% in the drug dependency group and 1% in the control group which shows a significant difference. Conclusion: Drug dependency in parents may be a leading factor to mental disorders such as ADHD and conduct disorder in children. Keywords: ADHD, Conduct disorder, Drug dependency .

A comparison of the efficacy of buprenorphine and clonidine in detoxification of heroin-dependents and the following maintenance treatment.

Abstract: Background: This study compared the success rates of buprenorphine and clonidine in detoxification of heroin-dependents and evaluated the recurrence of drug abuse in patients taking naltrexone in a 6 month follow up. Methods: A double-blind study was carried out in Kerman’s psychiatric hospital on heroin-dependents seeking detoxification during the years 2007-2009.These patients were randomized into 2 groups receiving clonidine and buprenorphine. The success rate of detoxification was evaluated at the end of the trial and each patient was discharged with a daily consumption of 25 mg naltrexone. They were monitored for 6 months with respect to naltrexone consumption and withdrawal from drug abuse. Findings: Overall 49 patients participated in the study. The success rate of detoxification with naltrexone was confirmed in all subjects. In the group receiving clonidine, 2 subjects (9.5%) had a clinical opiate withdrawal scale (COWS) above 12 in day 5 (P = 0.186) and none of the subjects in the group taking buprenorphine had a COWS above 12 in day 5. The signs and symptoms of withdrawal and the desire for substance abuse was declined significantly in both groups over time; 19% of subjects detoxified with clonidine and 39% detoxified with buprenorphine continued taking naltrexone for one month and 52% detoxified with clonidine and 53.5% detoxified with buprenorphine entered the maintenance treatment. The average days remaining in treatment and being free of recurrence of drug abuse was not significantly different between the two groups in a 6 month follow up. Conclusion: Administration of buprenorphine within a few days was more efficient in reducing the signs and symptoms of withdrawal when compared to clonidine. However, recurrence of drug abuse was not significantly different between the two groups. Keyword: Clonidine, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, Heroin withdrawal, Recurrence

Identity disturbance and substance-dependence in patients with borderline personality disorder.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Identity disturbance is one of the DSM-IV criteria for borderline personality disorder, but there has been little attention to its nature. Four subsets of identity disturbance (role absorption, painful incoherence, inconsistency and lack of commitment) have been assessed. This study aimed to assess the role of these subsets in patients with borderline personality disorder and to examine the relationship between identity disturbances and substance-dependence. METHODS This case-control study was conducted on 40 patients with borderline personality disorder who were referred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kerman from 2004 to 2005 and 40 healthy people who were matched with the case group in term of gender and educational level. Data gathering was carried out with three questionnaires including a demographic-related questionnaire, disturbance questionnaire (including 35 items) and a questionnaire related to substance-dependence and its related factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 11 for Windows, t test and ANOVA. FINDINGS The mean score of 33 items of the identity disturbance questionnaire were greater with significant difference in the case group (P<0.05). The means differences in the two groups in all subsets were statistically significant, except for role absorption (P<0.05). The means differences in all subsets in substance-dependent and substance-independent subjects in both groups were not significant statistically. The most common substance-dependence in both groups was related to cigarette smoking and cannabis. Opium and cannabis dependence was significantly greater in patients with borderline personality disorder. CONCLUSION Identity disturbance is one of the major criteria for borderline personality disorder, but in different societies the role of its subsets are different. On the other hand, assessing subsets of identity disturbance has no value in assessing substance-dependence in patients with borderline personality disorder.

Tobacco Quit Rates among Youth in an Urban Health Centre of Mumbai: A Cross Sectional Study.

Abstract: The majority of the youth were in the 18 to 21 -year -old age group (43%), Male (82.4%), Muslim (65.4%) and unmarried (57.1%). The tobacco quit rate among these cases was 8.3%. Quitting tobacco use was significantly associated with the person's religion, marital stat us and living with the family . Findings:

Comparison of internalizing disorders in 8-14-year-old offspring of opium and heroin dependent parents: a case-control study.

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Does exercise deprivation increase the tendency towards morphine dependence in rats

Abstract: B ackground: Exercise deprivation has been concluded to have some negative effects on psychological well-being. This study was conducted to find out whether exercise deprivation may lead to morphine dependence in rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats weighing 162 ± 9 g were housed in clear plastic cages in groups of two under standard laboratory conditions. The study had two phases. In phase I, the animals were randomly divided into exercised (E) and unexercised (UE) groups (n = 20 each) and treadmill running was performed based on a standard protocol for three weeks. At the end of the training period, plasma β-endorphin levels were determined in four rats from each group. In phase II, the animals were provided with two bottles, one containing tap water and the other 25 mg/l morphine sulfate in tap water for a total of 12 weeks. At the end of this phase naloxone was injected intraperitoneally to precipitate morphine withdrawal Findings: There was no significant difference between UE and E groups in morphine consumption (mg/kg/wk) [group: F (1,14) = 0.2, P = 0.690; time: F (11,154) =18.72, P < 0.001; interaction: F (11,154) = 1.27 , P = 0.245]. No statistically significant difference between the two groups of animals was seen regarding withdrawal signs. Conclusion: The study showed that discontinuation of exercise does not increase the tendency of morphine dependence in rats. Keywords: Exercise dependence, Substance dependence, Oral morphine self-administration, Rat.

Substance Misuse Patterns and Blood Types of Self-Introduced Addicts to Substance Rehabilitation Centers of Bam City

Abstract: B ackground: With regard to the perceptible population, cultural, social and environmental changes in the aftermath of the earthquake in Bam City, this study was conducted to pinpoint substance misuse patterns and to figure out the probable relationship between substance misuse and blood types of the addicts referred to Substance rehabilitation Clinics from 2006 to 2007 in Bam City. Methods: In this case-control study, the sample size includes volunteering and self-introduced addicts and also a random selection of 360 healthy clients referred to the Blood Transfusion Organization as the control group. Both groups' data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square and the odds ratio was estimated too. Findings: Three-hundred ninety nine individuals from nearly 3000 clients referred to the rehabilitation clinic from 2005 to 2008 participated with complete consent in the study. The highest frequency belonged to opium addicts (85.6%) and the most prevalent addiction type pertains to opium consumption via smoke inhalation (58.2%). The probability rate of AB negative blood type compared to other blood types among the addicts was 6.07 fold the control group. Conclusion: There has been an increasing rate of addiction in bam after earthquake and The substance consumption pattern has moved towards more dangerous methods. The high prevalence of AB blood type brings about a lot of presuppositions for geneticists, epidemiologists, hematologists and all majors in basic sciences. Keywords: Substance misuse, Blood type, Substance rehabilitation centers.

Assessing the Effect of Opium Dependence on Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) in Men.

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