Addiction and Health最新文献

Background: Smoking cigarettes leads to serious health problems, and addiction is a major concern. De-addiction therapy includes e-cigarettes and counseling, and the success rate is poor in these approaches, warranting alternate therapeutic interventions. The present study evaluates dry powder inhalation using amino acids as a new method.

Methods: A novel formulation was prepared using nanospray drying and ball milling techniques. SEM analysis was conducted to ascertain particle size, and pharmacokinetic assessment was done to evaluate how rapidly the drug is released from the formulation. The optimized ratio of ingredients revealed the best formula, L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan, and lactose in the ratio of 5 mg:1 mg: 4 mg, which led to the dry powder preparation. SEM analysis revealed that the dry powder comprising L-tryptophan and L-tyrosine had undergone micronization to 2-4 µm.

Findings: An innovative treatment, such as an inhalation powder therapy comprising amino acids, can help reduce mood changes. Depletion of tryptophan to kynurenine controls mood changes, and maintaining a steady tryptophan concentration is expected to help overcome mood changes that trigger smoking recurrence. The microparticles produced by spray-drying were confirmed to include loose agglomerates, which are amenable to inhalation and free dispersion. In-vivo studies revealed that drug action is quick with drug delivery and retention at the site of action.

Conclusion: The synergistic effect of the novel formulation's sustained concentration of tryptophan and tyrosine and inhibition of AChE could diminish the recurrence of smoking. Dry powder inhalation of the formulated drug offers a new and strong method of drug delivery to the alveolus, making it a convenient route of administration that could be superior to other modes of administration in smoking cessation.

Background: Substance abuse, as a major global issue, not only affects individuals but also impacts family members, particularly women. Meanwhile, post-traumatic growth and resilience are important factors in the recovery process for these women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a resilience-based intervention in facilitating post-traumatic growth among women with addicted spouses.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted involving women with addicted partners (n=30) in Qom during the years 2021 and 2022. Participants were randomly allocated to the two groups of intervention and control. A demographic information form, post-traumatic growth questionnaire, resilience scale, perceived stress scale, and the Connor-Davidson coping skills questionnaire, were used to collect data at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up (three months later). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software (version 22.0), with a significance level of P<0.05.

Findings: The findings demonstrated a significant increase in scores of resilience (η ²=0.015), post-traumatic growth (η ²=0.185), emotion-focused coping skills (η ²=0.253), and problem-focused coping skills (η ²=0.131) in the intervention group between pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages (P<0.001). However, the intervention did not influence perceived stress (η ²=0.017) (P=0.473). No significant changes were observed in these variables in the control group.

Conclusion: The findings showed that the resilience intervention resulted in enhanced post-traumatic growth, coping abilities, and resilience in women with addicted spouses. Implementing this intervention in mental health centers and addiction recovery programs not only enhances the mental well-being of these women but also contributes to the psychological well-being of their families.

Research begins with a problem that must be translated into an answerable research question. The research question is a structured interrogative statement based on an unsolved problem, which the researcher tries to answer through the study. The art of articulating a good research question is a crucial part of the research process as it sets the stage for the rest. A critical challenge in biomedical research lies in the frequent shortcomings of research question formulation and presentation. This paper aims to provide a practical guide to assist researchers in formulating answerable and worth-answering research questions in biomedical research. The PICOT/PECOT strategy (addresses population, intervention/exposure, comparator, outcome, and time) is essential to develop an excellent relational quantitative research question. The formulated research question should pass the FINER (feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant) criteria, determining the worth-answering aspect of the research question. Research questions are presented as questions, hypotheses, and propositions.

Background: Besides its physical and psychological effects on individuals, addiction is a major personal and societal issue that threatens cultural, political, and community well-being. Genetic factors play essential roles in susceptibility to methamphetamine dependence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between methamphetamine use disorder in Iranian males and the rs2652511 polymorphism in the promoter of SLC6A3.

Methods: We recruited 100 men with methamphetamine use disorder as cases and 100 age- and ethnically-matched normal men from East Azerbaijan, Tabriz, Iran as healthy controls. From peripheral blood leukocytes, genomic DNA was extracted. PCR-RFLP was utilized for genotyping.

Findings: The genotype distribution of rs2652511 polymorphism in the case group was 56% CC, 33% CT, and 11% 44, whereas in the control group it was 25% CC, 42% CT, and 33% TT. According to statistical analysis, there was a substantial variation in genotype and allele frequencies of the rs2652511 polymorphism between the case group and the healthy control group (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Our research revealed that the rs2652511 polymorphism in the SLC6A3 gene was associated with methamphetamine misuse disorder in the Iranian population. To clarify the exact role of this polymorphism in the pathology of methamphetamine use disorder, further research is required across different racial and geographic groups.

Background: Staying in Juvenile Correctional and Rehabilitation Centers (JCRCs) exposes adolescents to high levels of stress, potentially increasing the risk of substance use cravings and drug-seeking behaviors. Preventive programs should prioritize enhancing protective factors and mitigating risk factors. This research aimed to identify the risk and protective factors related to substance use among adolescents in JCRCs in Iran.

Methods: This study was a content analysis based on individual semi-structured, in-depth interviews with volunteer adolescents (aged 12-18 years) who had experienced JCRCs in Iran within the past 12 months. Snowball sampling was used to identify the participants. Open coding was initially conducted by reading transcripts. Then, similar codes were grouped and placed into categories. We ensured the utmost trustworthiness using constant comparison, member checks, peer debriefing, and revisiting the data multiple times.

Findings: Twenty-three eligible adolescents participated in the study. There was no substance use treatment protocol to treat adolescent substance users. Buprenorphine was the most accessed substance in JCRCs. Risk factors included peer substance use, substance offers during high-stress situations, stress, depression, hopelessness, slow passage of time, positive past substance use experiences, curiosity, poverty, financial problems, and myths about quitting. Protective factors included establishing rapport, providing counseling and social work services, engaging the adolescents in daily recreational activities, and assigning them responsibilities.

Conclusion: Shifting from punitive to supportive and preventive approaches within JCRCs by addressing peer influence, training staff in adolescent substance use treatment, and facilitating meaningful leisure activities could promote healthier behaviors among adolescents in these facilities.

Background: Poor sleep quality and its relationship with other sleep disorders and medical and psychiatric disorders have been noted in many individuals who use methadone as a maintenance treatment for drug abuse. This study aimed to investigate the quality of sleep and its related factors in people undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.

Methods: This study was conducted on 80 individuals who were undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in MMT clinics selected by the convenience sampling method. The researcher-made data collection form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale questionnaire were completed by the participants. Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficient, chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for analyses.

Findings: In the present study, 80 participants undergoing maintenance treatment (86.25% male) were studied. Most individuals (75%) had good sleep quality (average questionnaire score of 4.31). In addition, the majority of participants had anxiety (63.75%; average score of 6.2), depression (66.25%; average score of 7.45), and stress at a normal level (91.25%; average score of 6.25). Women had significantly lower sleep quality than men (P=0.009). The level of education (P=0.036) and the frequency of alcohol consumption influenced sleep quality (P=0.018). However, marital status, employment status, smoking, methamphetamine use, or use of drugs other than methadone were not significantly associated with sleep quality. The average score of sleep quality was significantly influenced by the level of anxiety (P<0.001), depression (P<0.001), and stress (P=0.008). The age of starting methadone had a weak negative but significant correlation with the sleep quality score (τ=-0.2 and P=0.01). The daily methadone dose had a weak but significant positive correlation with poorer sleep quality. (τ=0.173 and P=0.049).

Conclusion: Considering the significant relationship found between the severity of anxiety, depression, and stress and the quality of sleep in the participants of this study, it is recommended to screen these disorders more carefully in this group of people so that the necessary interventions can be carried out to improve their conditions. In addition, patients should be warned about consuming alcohol and increasing the daily dose of methadone.

Background: Addiction is a chronic and debilitating condition associated with compulsive behaviors, cravings, and high relapse rates. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulation technique for the treatment of substance use disorders by targeting brain areas involved in craving and inhibitory control. This study aimed to assess tDCS effectiveness in reducing cravings in opioid-dependent patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT).

Methods: A total of 60 opioid-dependent participants were randomly assigned to either an active intervention group or a sham group. The intervention group received ten sessions of anodal tDCS applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and cathodal tDCS over the right DLPFC. Craving was measured using the Desire for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ) before and after the intervention.

Findings: This study found no statistically significant differences in craving scores between the intervention and sham groups. There was no statistically significant difference in craving score changes between the two groups before and after the intervention.

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the specific tDCS protocol used, targeting the left DLPFC with anodal stimulation and the right DLPFC with cathodal stimulation, did not significantly reduce craving in opioid-dependent patients undergoing MMT. The study highlights the need for further research to optimize tDCS protocols and explore alternative brain targets for the treatment of substance craving and relapse prevention.

Background: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is defined by a loss of control over gaming habits, prioritizing gaming above daily responsibilities, and persistent engagement despite detrimental outcomes. As a rising public health challenge, IGD significantly disrupts individuals' lives. Investigating attentional biases in IGD is vital for designing targeted interventions.

Methods: Attentional bias was measured in individuals with IGD using the Addiction Stroop Task. The participants were classified into three cohorts: IGD, Recreational Game Users, and non-gaming controls. Electroencephalography/event-related potential (EEG/ERP) data were collected and analyzed from electrodes Pz, Cz, and CPz.

Findings: Compared to the RGU and control groups, the IGD group displayed significantly greater P300 amplitudes and prolonged response latencies to both gaming-related and neutral stimuli. Furthermore, the IGD group reported elevated impulsivity, anxiety, and depression levels relative to the other groups.

Conclusion: Contrary to conventional attentional bias models in addiction-which emphasize preferential attention to addiction-related cues-individuals with IGD exhibited intensified neural reactivity to all stimuli. This suggests excessive cognitive resource mobilization, potentially indicative of hyperarousal or dysregulated neurobiological processes.

Background: Morphine dependence is a significant concern because of its potential for inducing addiction and adverse withdrawal symptoms. Naringin, a flavonoid compound found in citrus fruits, has shown promise in various pharmacological activities, including analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its potential role in inhibiting or reducing morphine dependence has not been extensively investigated yet. This study aimed to determine whether naringin can inhibit or reduce physical morphine dependence in rats.

Methods: Morphine dependence was induced in rats through chronic injection of the drug for 7 days. Also, different doses of naringin (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) were administered 15 minutes prior to morphine injection in three experimental groups. The effect of naringin pretreatment on drug withdrawal-associated symptoms, including body weight, jumping, abdominal contraction, grooming, ptosis, diarrhea, and teeth chattering, was evaluated.

Findings: The animals experiencing morphine dependence exhibited significant body weight loss. However, administration of naringin before morphine injection prevented this loss by 50%. Also, drug withdrawal symptoms such as jumping, abdominal contraction, grooming, diarrhea, and teeth chattering were significantly increased in the rats. Interestingly, the prescription of naringin significantly reduced these symptoms. Ptosis was observed in all rats receiving morphine, while naringin did not significantly affect this symptom. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of naringin on morphine physical dependence was found to be dose-dependent.

Conclusion: Naringin pretreatment demonstrated potential in inhibiting or reducing physical morphine dependence in rats. These findings suggest that naringin may have therapeutic potential in managing morphine dependence and associated withdrawal symptoms.

Background: Personality plays a key role in many psychosocial variables. Happiness as a source of motivation can also play a major role in a society's individual and collective development. In this regard, the Instagram platform, as a popular platform among the Iranian population, has attracted a high level of engagement (and can make individuals happy), but it has been associated with the risk of behavioral addiction for a small minority. Therefore, the present study evaluated the relationship between personality traits and happiness with the mediating role of problematic Instagram use.

Methods: The present study comprised an online survey among married individuals living in Tehran (N=418). The survey included the 10-item Big Five Inventory (BFI-10), the 15-item Instagram Addiction Scale (IAS-15), and the six-item Short Depression-Happiness Scale (SDHS-6).

Findings: The results indicated that extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience had a significant negative relationship, and neuroticism had a significant positive relationship with problematic Instagram use. Moreover, conscientiousness and openness to experience had a significant positive relationship and neuroticism had a significant negative relationship with happiness. Problematic Instagram use also has a significant negative relationship with happiness. The results also showed that neuroticism, conscientiousness, and openness were significantly associated with happiness and that problematic Instagram use mediated the relationship.

Conclusion: Personality traits may facilitate or prevent problematic Instagram use. Moreover, addiction to social networks such as Instagram can affect the happiness of users and may lead to further psychosocial problems.