Addiction and Health最新文献

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.

Background: Despite considerable advances in comprehending the neurobiology of drug addiction, available treatment options remain limited in terms of effectiveness and are often accompanied by adverse side effects that contribute to relapse. Notably, oxytocin administration has demonstrated potential in influencing neurobehavioral changes related to drug abuse. Furthermore, the effect of zinc on male fertility has been established. This study aimed to assess the impact of combining oxytocin with zinc sulfate on reproductive parameters in men addicted to opioids who are undergoing methadone maintenance therapy.

Methods: This research followed a double-masked randomized controlled clinical trial design and involved 40 men with opioid dependence receiving methadone treatment. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a control group receiving a saline nasal spray and a zinc sulfate placebo, and an intervention group receiving 40 international units of oxytocin nasal spray in combination with 220 mg zinc sulfate capsules, daily. Baseline evaluations of testosterone, oxytocin, sperm characteristics, and zinc levels were conducted three days after a 5-10 mg reduction in methadone dosage. Subsequently, a two-week treatment regimen was administered, followed by post-intervention assessments.

Findings: The age of participants was comparable in the control and intervention groups. Zinc levels in the control and treatment groups showed no significant difference before the intervention, while a significant increase was seen after the intervention in the treatment group (P=0.023). A significant increase was reported in testosterone levels (P=0.002) and the active motility of sperm (P=0.015) in the treatment group after the intervention. The intervention led to a significant reduction in the total abnormality of sperm (P<0.001). Prescription of nasal oxytocin spray with zinc supplementation can be an effective remedy in improving reproductive indices in opiate-addicted men and could be considered in addiction management guidelines. The present study is one of the first studies evaluating the effects of combined oxytocin and zinc supplementation on improving the reproductive indices in opiate-addicted men.

Conclusion: According to the results, the combination of oxytocin and zinc supplementation had a positive and significant effect on sperm parameters in opioid-dependent men undergoing methadone treatment.

Background: The present research aimed to identify the maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications experienced by opioid-dependent mothers (ODMs) within the geographical context of Kerman, Iran.

Methods: This study meticulously compared the outcomes of 326 ODMs and an equal number of non-ODMs in Iran, using the data obtained from the Iranian Maternal And Neonatal (IMAN) network, a national health information system in Iran. The selection process involved a census approach, and the participants were carefully matched based on age, gestational age, and nationality. To determine the statistical relationship between opioid dependence during pregnancy and the occurrence of pregnancy and neonatal complications, the chi-square test was employed for analysis.

Findings: Women with ODMs exhibited significantly higher rates of placental abruption (P=0.01) and chorioamnionitis (P=0.04) compared to non-ODMs. Neonates born to ODMs had increased risks of adverse outcomes, including neonatal death (P=0.05), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) related mortality (P=0.01), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (P=0.001), neonatal intensive care unit admission (P<0.001), hypoglycemia (P=0.006), neurological complications (P=0.004), low birth weight (LBW) (P<0.001), and meconium-stained amniotic fluid (P=0.001). No significant differences were found in congenital anomalies, Apgar scores, or intrauterine fetal death.

Conclusion: Pregnant women with opioid dependence exhibit a heightened susceptibility to antepartum and postpartum complications compared to their non-opioid-dependent counterparts. The sequelae of these complications may be modulated by the caliber of antenatal care received. This research emphasizes the critical importance of consistent clinical management and robust support systems for this population throughout the gestational period and the puerperium.

Background: Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder in which non-adherence to medication leads to symptom relapse, rehospitalization, reduced quality of life, and increased treatment costs; therefore, an appropriate tool is needed to assess the attitudes of patients with schizophrenia towards medication.

Methods: Three hundred patients with schizophrenia enrolled at the specialized neuropsychiatric clinic at Shafa Hospital in Rasht 2023 participated in this cross-sectional study. The patients filled out the Drug Attitude Inventory-30 (DAI-30) and a demographic questionnaire. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to evaluate content validity. Face validity was assessed using qualitative content validity, and the content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) were computed for quantitative content validity. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess the normal distribution of the questionnaire scores. Reliability was assessed using test-retest procedures and Cronbach's alpha. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and model fit were performed using Smart PLS version 8.8. A P value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Findings: In this study, 211 participants (70.33%) were male and the mean±standard deviation (SD) of age was 40.32±10.87 years. All items of the Persian version of DAI-30 showed a CVR greater than 0.62 and CVI greater than 0.80, confirming their content validity. Construct validity showed sufficient internal correlations for conducting exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Cronbach's alpha for reliability was 0.983. The test-retest correlation coefficient was high (r=0.936, P<0.001).

Conclusion: The findings of this study recommend that the Persian version of the DAI-30 is a relevant and reliable measure for evaluating drug attitudes in patients with schizophrenia.

Background: HIV partner notification is known as one of the methods to increase HIV testing. Evaluating the barriers, facilitators, and recommendations to improve it can lead to the increased uptake of HIV testing, as well as achieving the 95-95-95 UNAIDS targets. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the approaches, barriers, and facilitators of HIV partner notification from different aspects.

Methods: The barriers and facilitators of HIV partner notification were evaluated. Also, some recommendations were presented to improve the HIV partner notification program in Iran.

Findings: Based on the results, HIV stigma and discrimination were identified as the most important barriers, and the main facilitator was the support from the spouse or sexual/injection partner and family. Also, the results showed that the HIV partner notification program in Iran was in line with the international guidelines introduced by the World Health Organization. However, it had weaknesses and challenges in various aspects such as the content, the method of implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Conclusion: Overall, this study has shown a critical need to strengthen the HIV partner notification program in Iran. HIV partner notification program can be strengthened by considering the introduced facilitators, from different aspects including content, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. These measures will ultimately increase HIV testing and thus achieve UNAIDS targets.

Background: Disturbance in the sense of taste can destroy appetite and change eating habits, causing a significant decrease in the quality of life. The use of opium causes a disturbance in the sense of taste. Opium is a narcotic drug that can cause temporary or permanent damage to the taste system, making it a source of concern in dentistry. This research was conducted to determine the effects of opium consumption on the sensation of the four main tastes.

Methods: This study was conducted in a single-masked and descriptive-analytical manner. The study population included 107 opium addicts and 113 smokers who were in the same age group. None of the studied subjects had any systemic disease or consumed herbal or chemical drugs. The four substances, citric acid, sodium chloride, sucrose, and caffeine, were used to evaluate sourness, saltiness, sweetness, and bitterness, respectively. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and the Mann-Whitney U test. P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Findings: Opium use did not have a significant effect on the perception of sweetness (P=0.437), saltiness (P=0.536), or sourness (P=0.8), but a significant effect was seen concerning the perception of bitterness (P=0.0000002).

Conclusion: It seems that opium addicts do not have significant problems in perceiving the taste of sweetness, sourness, and saltiness, but impairment was observed in the perception of bitterness.

Background: Nowadays, the emergence of new types of substances and the growing prevalence of addiction have made substance use a global challenge for public health. At the same time, the complications of substance use are observed in various physical and psychological dimensions, including a range of acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases. This issue is significant, as many young people are affected by these complications. Therefore, understanding these complications is both important and practical.

Methods: Clinical articles related to the acute and chronic cardiovascular effects of the main groups of substances were searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases from 2015 to 2025.

Findings: Evidence of cardiovascular complications related to the use of major substance groups, including opioids, stimulants, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, cannabinoids, tranquilizers, and anabolic steroids, has been obtained. Some of this evidence only indicates an increase in risk factors for the disease, while some reports also point to acute and chronic cardiac complications and even cardiorespiratory arrest and death.

Conclusion: Given the cardiac complications of substance use, cessation and treatment should be personalized to each patient's circumstances.

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with psychological distress, particularly helplessness, and elevated blood pressure. Yoga as a complementary intervention lacks robust evidence in Indian clinical settings.

Methods: This single-arm, non-randomized pretest-posttest study enrolled 34 adult males (age 21-40) with DSM-5 alcohol dependence at a government-supported de-addiction center in India. Twenty-eight completed a six-week group-based Hatha yoga intervention (five sessions/week, instructor-led; 70% asana, 20% pranayama, 10% meditation;≥85% attendance required). The primary outcome was self-reported helplessness measured by the Self-Managerial Helplessness Scale (HS-MGBR; 0-100, higher scores=greater helplessness). Secondary outcomes included systolic and diastolic blood pressure (measured with a manual sphygmomanometer, non-dominant arm). Paired-samples t-tests quantified mean pre-post changes, with analyses exploratory and no multiplicity adjustment.

Findings: Mean Helplessness Scale (HS-MGBR) scores declined from 81.2 (SD=7.8) to 75.4 (SD=7.2) [t(27)=4.93, P<.0000368]. Systolic blood pressure reduced from 133.2 (SD=6.4) mmHg to 126.4 (SD=6.7) mmHg [t(27)=6.28, P<.00000102], and diastolic from 86.7 (SD=4.6) mmHg to 81.2 (SD=4.4) mmHg [t(27)=7.02, P<.000000151], using paired t-tests. No serious intervention-related adverse events occurred.

Conclusion: The Six-week structured yoga program was associated with moderate, significant reductions in both helplessness and blood pressure among men with alcohol dependence in residential care. Yoga shows promise as a feasible adjunct to addiction treatment. Controlled studies are warranted to confirm effects.

Background: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use constitutes a considerable public health concern, especially in India, where there are more than 300 million users. This study seeks to assess the influence of graphic health warning labels (GHWLs) on smokeless tobacco (SLT) packaging on encouraging cessation among users.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Dental Sciences, BHU, Varanasi outpatient department, from December 2023 to April 2024. The study involved 387 participants, selected via simple random sampling, who were current smokeless tobacco users. Data was collected through structured interviews using a validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0, with a significance level set at P<0.05.

Findings: Awareness of GHWLs was high, with 91.7% of participants recognizing the labels. Among these, 66% considered quitting or reducing smokeless tobacco use due to the labels. Increased health awareness and serious consideration to quit were reported by 50.1% of participants, while 28.9% reported no impact. Awareness of tobacco cessation clinics was moderate at 48.1%, and 66.1% expressed willingness to seek help, primarily due to health concerns. Positive correlations were found between education level and awareness (r=0.387) and education and attitude towards quitting (r=0.227). Younger participants and those with shorter durations of smokeless tobacco use exhibited higher health awareness and a greater likelihood of considering cessation.

Conclusion: GHWLs are a potent tool in tobacco control, significantly influencing smokeless tobacco users' intentions to quit. A multifaceted approach involving GHWLs and comprehensive support systems can substantially reduce smokeless tobacco use and its associated health risks.

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in neuronal plasticity and survival. The BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism is hypothesized to be linked with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS). We studied the relationship between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and the clinical features of ADS, including severity, craving, and perceived stress among alcohol-dependent patients.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study on treatment-seeking north Indian male ADS patients aged 18 to 60 years, alcohol dependence severity (Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire, SADQ), craving (obsessive compulsive drinking scale), and perceived stress (perceived stress scale-4) were measured. The genetic analysis for calculating the BDNF Val66Met allele frequency was carried out using TaqMan assays. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 26.

Findings: The participants' mean age (SD) (n=80) was 37±8.52 years. Half of the participants had tobacco dependence, too. Almost half of the participants showed alcohol dependence with mild severity. The mean OCDS and PSS-4 scores were 26.08±9.34 and 9.08±2.4, respectively. The allelic frequency of the Val and Met alleles were 73.1% and 26.9%, respectively. Among the Met allele carriers, the OCDS (P=0.02) and PSS-4 scores (P=0.03) were significantly higher than observed in the Val group patients.

Conclusion: The study concludes that BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism could impact clinical variables such as craving and perceived stress in alcohol-dependent subjects. It merits the use of genetic analysis in determining the course of clinical maintenance of alcohol-dependent patients.