RESEARCH ON ADDICTION
Year:2018 | Volume:12 | Issue:46 |Papers Count:17

Objective: The present study aims to measure the level of maturity of citizen's knowledge behavior in the city of Isfahan in the process of the socialization of fight against drugs. Method: This research is descriptive and a survey type wherein a researcher-constructed questionnaire was used to collect data. In order to design the questionnaire, the existing opinions and viewpoints were reviewed. All intended dimensions, components, and indicators were extracted and Delphi technique was used to prepare the initial checklist to be distributed among the experts for determining the degree of fitness and importance of the indicators. As a result of the adjustment and determination of the content validity and reliability as well as the construct validity of the instrument through factor analysis approach, the output was drawn up in the form of a final questionnaire. The statistical population of the research consisted of professors and staff of universities and research centers in Isfahan. From among them, 379 individuals were selected as the research sample by simple random sampling according to the entry criteria of the research. The data were analyzed using factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Results: According to the research findings, individual health, entrepreneurship, individual skills were reported as the three components of citizens' knowledge behavior. In addition, among 135 behavior indicators, knowledge about social health indicators, healthy living environment, emotional health, occupational health were recognized as the key priorities of the dimension of human capital (individual) in citizen's knowledge behavior; and social participation and participation in the transfer of urban knowledge heritage, use of abilities and competencies of others, awareness of social welfare, service awareness development of social networks (NGOs, etc. ), identification of addiction tendency factors, and other social trauma were reported as the five key priority indicators of citizens' knowledge behavior in terms of human capital (collective). Conclusion: The findings of this research showed that citizens of Isfahan are placed at the second level of maturity of citizenship knowledge behavior.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of schema therapy in early maladaptive schemas and insecure attachment styles in heroin-dependent men. Method: A quasi-experimental research design along with pre-test/ post-test and control group was employed for the conduct of this study. The number of 44 male heroin patients was selected and randomly assigned to two experimental (n = 22) and control groups (n = 22). In this study, the experimental group received ten 90-minute sessions of schema therapy and the control group was placed on the waiting list. The participants filled out Young's Schema Questionnaire (Short Form) and Adult Attachment Styles Questionnaire in the pre-test and post-test phases. Results: The results of this study showed that schema therapy could significantly reduce early maladaptive schemas as well as avoidant and ambivalent insecure attachment styles compared to the control group. Conclusion: Schema therapy can reduce early maladaptive schemas and avoidant and ambivalent insecure attachment styles in heroin-dependent men.

Objective: Substance abuse and its complications have devastating effects on individuals, families, and the community. Many factors have transformed substance abuse into a complex and multidimensional subject. One of these factors is the relapse and return to substance abuse. Method: The present study is a qualitative study of discourse analysis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of relapse in substance abusers based on semantic-value components of language. In this study, specific articulations in the discourse were identified using LACLAU and Mouffe's discourse analysis. Based on this model, the researcher attempted to collect descriptions and readings of the participants about the causes of the relapse by using an unstructured interview. The participants were those who had presented to the medical centers of Isfahan and had the history of at least two withdrawal attempts. They were selected via purposive sampling method. After 11 interviews, the sample reached saturation. The data were encoded using content analysis method. Results: In this study, it was revealed that substance abusers with passive identity embark on eliminating the hegemony of the dominant discourse in society under the influence of the dominant discourse in the consumer society. In fight (antagonism) with the ruling authorities, such as the family, counselor, and guide, they have taken refuge into their nodal point, i. e. the use of drugs, and they then turn to the reuse of drugs and fixation of the meaning of drug use with the formation of an empty signifier, i. e. getting distanced from intimacy, affection, and trust; and approaching inefficiency and inadequacy. Conclusion: Relapse is a negative process that involves the return to drugs and is experienced by 20 to 90% of drug addicts. They primarily defend their own hegemonic (semantic) stability and then they go for marginalization in the context of social hierarchy and dominant discourses on the society and family. For relapse prevention, it is better to make changes in the macro discourses of the society and in the educational, training, and therapeutic system.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare neuropsychological function between people with substance abuse and normal counterparts. Method: The present research was a causal study. The statistical population of this study consisted of the male substance abusers presenting to Imam Reza Hospital in Khorramabad city in 2016. The sample consisted of 30 drug addicts under methadone treatment and 30 non-addicted people who were selected via convenience sampling method. For data collection, Wechler Memory Sclale and Continuous Performance Test were performed. Results: The results showed that the substance abuse group's performance was significantly different from that of the normal group (p <0.05). Conclusion: The chronic consumption of psychoactive substances causes damage to multiple brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus; thus, it disrupts the cognitive functions of these regions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to predict the probability of returning to substance abuse based on resiliency and communication patterns in addicts' spouses. Method: A descriptive-correlational research method was employed for the conduct of this study. The statistical population of this research consisted of the addicts in the eighth municipal district of Tehran who had returned to drug use after withdrawal. Based on Cochran formula, 120 sample units were selected through random multistage sampling method. To measure the variables, Koerner, and Fitzpatrick's Revised Family Communication Pattern instrument (RFCP), and Connor-Davidson Resilience Questionnaire were employed. Logistic regression analysis was run to analyze the data. Results: The results indicated that it is possible to predict returning to substance abuse of participants according to the communication patterns which spouses used in their dialogues. The negative coefficient of communication variable indicated that as the score of spouses decrease in this variable, there would be an increase in the likelihood of returning to substance abuse. Therefore, it is necessary to improve communication patterns in order to reduce the rates of returning to substance abuse.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the differentiation of self and cognitive self-control between addicts with a successful withdrawal attempt and drug dependent individuals. Method: In a causal comparative study, 32 patients with substance dependence and 31 addicts with a successful withdrawal attempt were selected via convenience sampling method and were matched together in terms of age, gender, marital status, education, and occupation. The participants responded to Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI) and a demographic questionnaire. Results: The results showed that the mean scores of the addicts with a successful withdrawal attempt were higher than those of the group of patients with substance dependence in terms of the differentiation of self and cognitive self-control. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, differentiation of self and cognitive self-control seem to be among the important factors in the success of addiction abstinence and withdrawal.

Objective: Different studies have been carried out on the effectiveness of psychological therapies in the treatment of addiction and reduction of its long-term complications. This study aimed to aggregate and combine the results of previous studies and to estimate the effectiveness of these therapies in the relapse prevention of drug addiction through meta-analysis method. Method: This meta-analysis was conducted on the published articles in the databases of Sid, Magiran, and Irandoc. After searching, the screening and assessment of the quality of articles were conducted and the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. In the initial search, the number of 4292 articles was extracted. After the removal of duplicates and evaluation of the titles and abstracts, 31 articles were selected. Then, the full texts of articles were reviewed and 19 articles were finally recognized eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The statistical analysis of the obtained data was carried out using STATA (Version 11). Pooled RD extracted from results and Metan command were used to analyze the data. Results: The meta-analysis conducted on studies indicates the significant effectiveness of psychological-based therapy in addiction relapse prevention. Conclusion: Regarding the effectiveness of psychological-based therapies in addiction relapse prevention, policy-makers should pay more attention to this issue and provide the foundation for the application of exercises by providing the necessary training to psychologists of addiction treatment centers.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the structural modelling of addiction severity based on the health and support of the original family through the mediating role of differentiation of self in a group of drug addicts in Mashhad. Method: This research was a descriptive-correlational study of structural equation. Out of 300 addicts presenting to Mashhad's addiction treatment centers, 169 people were selected through convenience sampling method according to Morgan table. The number ofv19 questionnaires were excluded from the final analysis due to lack of clear responses to the items. Therefore, 150 participants (75 men and 75 women) responded to Alcohol Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test, Family-of-Origin Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Differentiation of Self Inventory. Results: The results of this study showed that the health of original family and social support at the family level were directly negative predictors of the severity of addiction (P< 0. 05). The differentiation was not a direct predictor of severity of addiction (P>0. 05). The health of original family with the mediating role of differentiation of self was a negative predictor of severity of addiction (P <0. 05). Social support at the family level with the mediating role of differentiation of self was not a negative predictor of the severity of addiction (P>0. 05). Conclusion: In order to reduce the severity of addiction, it is necessary to improve the level of health of the original family, which leads to an increase in the degree of differentiation and, thus, decreases the severity of addiction. In addition, the promotion of the level of support provided by the family to these people is effective in reducing the severity of addiction.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to examine the casual relationship of perceived support with psychological distress and addiction potential with the mediating role of loneliness in school students of slum area in Qom. Method: The participants of this study included 225 high-school male students who were chose by multistage cluster sampling method. Perceived Support Questionnaire, Psychological Distress Questionnaire, Addiction Potential Scale, and Loneliness Scale were administered to the participant for data collection. Path analysis and Bootstrap tests were conducted to explore direct and indirect pathways of the research model, respectively. Results: The results showed that perceived support was the antecedent and psychological distress and addiction potential were the consequences of loneliness in school students. The results indicated that loneliness has a significant mediating role in the relationship of perceived support and with psychological distress and addiction potential. Conclusion: The findings of this study can help school counselors, education psychologist, and teachers reduce student’ s problems.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the role of therapeutic alliance and attachment styles in the prediction of treatment drop-out. Method: A descriptive-correlational method was used for the conduct of this study. A total of 234 men with substance abuse presenting to the clinics and treatment centers of Tehran were selected through purposive sampling. In case of the enjoyment of the inclusion criteria, these subjects were interviewed and filled out the research instruments, including Working Alliance Inventory/Short (WAI-S) and Adult Attachment Inventory. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that therapeutic alliance and attachment styles can distinguish people dropped out of treatment and people continuing treatment. Conclusion: These findings, consistent with previous studies, indicate the role of variables pertaining to interpersonal relationships in the treatment drop-out of patients with substance abuse.

Objective: Today, services in the health sector have a special status, and measuring quality of services is a prerequisite for quality improvement. The aim of this study was to assess service quality based on the perceptions and expectations of addicts in addiction centers of Bushehr province. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted during the first nine months of 2016 to review the views of 650 patients presenting to addiction treatment centers located in Bushehr province. In the process of data collection, the SERVQUAL tool was used in the form of two 29-item questionnaires (in two parts of expectations and perceptions) to measure the quality of services. The validity and reliability of this tool have been confirmed by Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis. Results: According to the research findings, the highest service quality gap pertained to access dimension (-0. 764) and the lowest quality service gap was related to the responsiveness dimension (-0. 44). The investigation of drug addiction centers in terms of the quality of service scores shows that the three centers Persian Gulf, Jam, and Payam Aramesh had the lowest score of quality of services; and the three centers of Novin, Salamat Gostar, and Assaluyeh held the highest scores of service quality. There was also a significant difference between expectations and perceptions of the services provided in all dimensions of services quality studied in the current research, and the service quality gap was negative. Conclusion: There is a need for improvement in all dimensions of service quality in addiction treatment centers. It is suggested that managers of such centers pay more attention to the needs of their clients and reduce the gap in their service quality.

Objective: The present study aimed at comparing behavioral disorders between children with addicted fathers and children with non-addicted fathers. Method: In a causal-comparative study, 80 students (40 students with addicted fathers and 40 students with non-addicted fathers) were selected through random cluster sampling method. The two groups were evaluated using Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) (teachers, parents, and self-assessment questionnaires). Results: The results of this study showed that the level of behavioral disorders in children with addicted fathers is higher than that in children with non-addicted fathers. In addition, behavioral disorders in boys were more than those in girls. Conclusion: It seems that fathers' addiction along with family disruption can be involved in the incidence of early behavioral disorders in children.

Objective: Substance abuse is a serious global problem that is affected by multiple psychosocial factors, and some personality traits and impulsivity play a central role in its occurrence. The aim of this study was to predict tendency to drug use according to abnormal personality dimensions and the mediating role of impulsivity. Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive study, 303 college students in Tehran University were selected by available sampling in 2016 academic year. Data was obtained by Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), Iranian Addiction Potential Scale (IAPS), and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS). Data was then analyzed using structural equation modeling by AMOS-20 Software. Moreover, descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS-22 Software. Findings: The results showed that there is a significant correlation between abnormal personality dimensions and impulsivity with tendency to substance use in students (p<0. 01). Also, the abnormal personality dimensions and impulsivity could favorably predict the tendency to drug use in students. The proposed model is suitable (χ ² /df = 2. 30, AGFI=0. 91, GFI=0. 95, CFI=0. 96, RMSEA=0. 06), and the results also supported the mediating role of impulsivity in the relationship between abnormal personality dimensions and tendency to drug use. Conclusion: The tendency to drug use affects impulsivity directly and indirectly via reinforced abnormal personality dimensions. In preventing the vulnerability to addiction, intervention in impulsive and unhealthy personality traits of student groups could be of great benefit.

Objective: The current study aimed to assess the factor structure, validity, and reliability of the Persian version of Severity of Dependence Scale in alcohol and substance dependent individuals in Iran. In addition, the SDS scores were assessed in terms of a number of demographic factors. Method: SDS was translated to Persian and was subsequently translated back into English. Furthermore, it was compared with the original scale. Essential revisions were made into the scale after its preliminary administration to 20 participants. Thereafter, 281 alcohol/ substance dependent individuals from prison, dormitory, and various rehabilitation camps were chosen and completed the questionnaire. Questionnaires of demographic information, Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ), Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT), and brain-behavioral systems scale were used in order to obtain data. Data were analyzed via LISREL8/8 software and appropriate statistical tests. Results: The results supported the one-factor structure of SDS. The scale reliability coefficients were obtained equal to 0. 64 and 0. 58 through Cronbach’ s Alpha and Guttman, respectively. Convergent validity of the scale was obtained equal to 0. 46 and 0. 37 by correlating SDS with DUDIT and LDQ, respectively. The results also reported the existence of a significant difference in the mean of SDS scores when the history of consumption in family, the place of habitation, and the type of drug were at play. Conclusion: SDS maintains acceptable reliability and validity. Hence, it appears plausible to use this questionnaire for the assessment of alcohol and substance dependency among dependent individuals in Iran. It is required to pay attention to the demographic factors affecting dependence severity planning on prevention and treatment of this disorder.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between family-social factors and substance use through the mediating role of the components of temperament, character, psychological capital, and beliefs. Method: A descriptive-correlational research method was employed for the conduct of this study. All the 18-35-year-old male substance users in Qom who had presented to addiction treatment camps and Qom addiction centers in 2017 and 2018 constituted the statistical population of the present study. From among this population, the number of 320 participants was selected via convenience sampling method. Mohammadkhani's High-Risk Behaviors Questionnaire for Adults, Scale of Effective Factors in Drug Abuse Tendency among Youth, Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), and Luthans Psychosocial Capital Questionnaire were the measurement instruments used for data collection in this study. The proposed model was evaluated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in Amos software. Results: The model was revealed to enjoy desired fitness indices. Family had indirect effects on substance use through positive attitudes towards substances, self-directiveness, and resiliency. Friends had indirect effects on substance use through positive attitudes toward substances, harm avoidance, and self-directiveness. The market of substances indirectly affected substance use through the mediation of positive attitudes towards substance use. Moreover, positive attitudes towards substance use and high levels of harm avoidance had a direct and positive impact on substance use; and low levels of self-directiveness and resiliency had a direct negative effect on substance sue. From among the exogenous variables, friends with the coefficient of 0. 303 had the highest indirect effect on substance use; and from among the mediating variables, harm avoidance with the coefficient of 0. 782 had the highest direct impact on substance use. Conclusion: The current findings were in line with those of similar prior studies and are considered an important step to explain the factors affecting substance use. The present findings can also be regarded as a model for the design of comprehensive prevention programs for high-risk behaviors.