The Effectiveness of Cognitive Rehabilitation on Increased Attention and Memory Functions in Heroin Addicts

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation on attention and memory functions in heroin addicts.

The present study was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test with control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all addicts of 3 addiction withdrawal clinics in Tehran in 2017. According to the latest statistics, the sample size was 380 in the same year. The statistical sample size as 30 people (15 control group and 15 experimental group) was selected using convenience sampling method. For data collection, Backward Digit Span Task (BDST) and Stroop Test (ST) were used. The experimental group received the cognitive rehabilitation program in 16 sessions and each session for 1 hour.

The results showed that cognitive rehabilitation therapy was effective on increasing the executive functions (attention and memory) of heroin addicts and there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups.

Considering the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation, the attention and memory functions of addicts and especially heroin addicts may be improved.