Cognitive and Metacognitive Impairments of Drug Addicted, Internet Addicted and Normal Individuals in Youth Ages: A Comparative Study

Drug dependence or Internet addiction are among the major concerns of today's world. Studies indicate that using drugs and Internet addiction have a profound effect on cognition and by affecting the cognitive function, increase the likelihood of cognitive impairments among people.

The purpose of the study was to compare cognitive and metacognitive impairments among three groups -drug addicted, people with Internet addiction and normal groups.

The study was causal-comparative and the population were three groups. The first group were all healthy university students, the second group were drug addicted people and the third group were those with Internet addiction. The total sample size was 180 people who were selected using simple random sampling method. Data was collected using meta-cognitive questionnaire (MCQ), cognitive failure questionnaire (CFQ), and Young's internet addiction test (IAT). Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Schefft’s post hoc applying SPSS V. 23.

Results showed that negative thoughts, distractibility, blunders and all uncontrollability components were highest among the drug-addicted people and students with Internet addiction (P ≤ 0.01). The difference in the components of positive beliefs, cognitive self-consciousness and cognitive trust in all three groups was confirmed and the highest mean was in the normal group (P ≤ 0.01). Ultimately, memory-related deficiencies and lack of recalling names were in the highest level among the students with Internet addiction (P ≤ 0.01).

Results illuminate the role of cognitive and metacognitive beliefs in the emergence and persistence of any type of addiction. Therefore, it is recommended to start school-related behavioral and mind control training to prevent addiction and high-risk behaviors.