A Review of Physiological and Cognitive Factors Associated with Drugs (Based on Two Decades of Research in Iran)

Drug abuse has been a very complicated problem challenging humans and a complex phenomenon in modernity, such that drug abuse and addiction are now a great concern of humanity. This phenomenon has detrimental physical, mental, familial, occupational, financial, and ethical impacts. Prevention of addiction is thus a necessity. Given the high expenses incurred by fighting narcotics and drug abuse, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, and a high rate of relapse, it is but logical that preventing drug abuse is much more economical and efficient. To achieve this, identifying risk factors and protective factors- factors against drug dependence- are essential. Recently, much research has been carried out on the etiology and prevention of drug abuse in Iran. This bulk of research has addressed a wide spectrum of associated factors including cognitive and physiological agents. In order to plan for enhancement of research activities in the future, assessment and categorization of results and findings is necessary. In this review, attempt has been made to collect a wide range of cognitive and physiological factors related to addiction in Iran in the last 20 years. This study offers perspectives to authorities, experts, and therapists on identification of contributing factors as well as comments on appropriate interventions.