Addiction & Health
Volume:2 Issue: 1, Winter-Spring 2010

Given the university students’ model role in the society and the importance of period of university education in selecting behavioral methods and lifestyles in the future have made it necessary 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.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 student voluntarily. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistic methods, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), t-test, Pearson correlation, and regression coefficient.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 month. The average age of start of smoking was 18 years. There was no significant difference between religious attitude and mental health in smoking students in terms of gender but in non-smoking students there was a significant difference in this regard. Smoking students had lower mental health status and religious attitude in comparison with non-smoking students. Between religious attitude and general health in smoking and non-smoking students was also a direct association.Due to psychological and physiological consequences of cigarette smoking, promoting smoking prevention by religious missionaries and university professors, and helping the students to quit smoking by counselors, psychologists and psychiatrics are necessary.

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.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.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.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.

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.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.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.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.

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.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.MMT 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.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.

Opium-dependence having different effects on the nervous system is a common problem, especially in the Middle East and Iran. The aim of this study is evaluating the effects of opium-dependence on visual evoked potential (VEP) in men.Thirty subjects with both chronic cigarette smoking and opium-dependence (group 1) and 30 subjects with only chronic cigarette smoking (group 2) were included in this cross-sectional case-control study and after urinary tests of opium, the pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (PRVEP) were recorded in the standard condition and variables such as N75, P100, N135 and amplitude were obtained and then analyzed with SPSS16. P value < 0.05 was assumed significant statistically.The mean of N75 (70.426 ± 22.028), P100 (115.457 ± 29.176) and N135 (165.402 ± 66.712) was not significantly different between the two groups. The mean of the amplitude of VEP in group 1 (6.856 ± 3.248) was significantly higher than group 2 (4.933 ± 2.50) (p < 0.05).Our study showed that chronic cigarette smoking and opium dependence have no significant effect on the late components of the VEP (N75, P100 and N135), but chronic cigarette smoking and opium-dependence together significantly increase the amplitude of VEP compared with chronic cigarette smoking alone, probably due to the chronic stimulatory effects of concomitant use of these two substances on the eyes and the visual nervous system.

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.This case-control study was conducted on 40 patients with borderline personality disorder who were referred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kerman from 1383 to 1384 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.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.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.

In general, parental substance abuse is associated with children's emotional and behavioral problems. This study only investigated the internalizing problems (depression, anxiety and physical complains) in children of opioid or heroin-dependent parents in comparison with non-opioid dependent parents in order to determine the effects of drug dependency after excluding the confounding factors.This case-control study compared the internalizing problems of one hundred twenty eight 8 to 14-year-old students in two offspring groups of opioid or heroin-dependent parents (n = 64) and non opioid dependent parents (n = 64). Then we used the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Parents in both groups had no major psychiatric disorders (e.g., personality disorders, mood and anxiety disorders or psychosis), no history of major medical diseases, and no history of divorce. Analysis was performed using chi square or Fisher’s exact test.The anxiety/depression subscales in children of non opioid dependent parents were significantly higher in comparison with children of opioid or heroin-dependent parents.Substance dependence in addition to reducing parental supervision on children may cause lack of knowledge and unawareness of their children's anxiety and mood problems. Considering study limitations, study repetition in larger statistical population is necessary for generalizing the study findings. In order to assess internalizing problems in further studies, usage of behavioral checklists for self-report of children and youth is recommended.

We investigated longitudinally the prevalence of smoking according to three stages of smoking (never smoking, experimenting the smoking, and regular smoking), the rates of transition from one stage to another one, and determinant predictors of transition through these stages of smoking.Of all 10th grade students in Tabriz, 1785 students were randomly selected and assessed twice, with a 12-month interval, with respect to the changes of stage. The predictor variables were measured when the students were in the 10th grade. Logistic regression and principal component analysis were used to analysis data at grade 11.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 experimenters 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) predicted experimentation; and participating in smokers groups (OR = 1.35) and a lower socioeconomic class (OR = 0.36) predicted regular smoking. Among experimenters, students having general high risk behaviors (OR = 2.56) and participating in smoker groups (OR = 2.58) were distinguished as those who progressed to regular smoking in follow-up.Programs aimed at smoking prevention and intervention should incorporate plans which focus on predictors of transition through smoking stages, and targeting participation in smoker groups.