Addiction Research Articles

Our Discontents: RD3RD and the Theatre of Cruelty

ABSTRACT Staged at several points in Manila in 2018, RD3RD, Anton Juan and Ricardo Abad’s radical adaptation of Shakespeare’s Richard III, relocates the play from the Wars of the Roses to the War on Drugs waged by Rodrigo Duterte during his presidency of the Philippines. Since its beginnings in July 2016, the Duterte regime in the Philippines has been implicated in the slaughter of thousands of suspected ‘drug addicts’ mostly in slums across the country. This production responds to that phenomenon by attempting to articulate the Philippine experience of violent and random deaths within the language and narrative of Shakespeare’s play on the rise of a famously bloody despot. This essay seeks to reflect upon the process of bodying forth Shakespeare’s play and giving it a local – and horrifically bloody – habitation and a name. Framing the performance as an exemplification of Artaudian aesthetics, this essay examines forms of doubleness – of embodiments and disembodiments, resonances and dissonances, of overdetermined significations and semiotic excess – brought to the fore by the ghosts that embody and modulate traumatic histories and presents that haunt the performance. It concludes with speculations on history and the real as theatre’s ambiguous double.

Emotional Regulation in Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders Treatment: A Systematic Review.

Emotions play an undeniable role in addictive disorders. Given the high relapse and drop-out rates still prevalent in current treatments, it is crucial to explore curative alternatives that take greater account of emotions. The primary objective of this systematic review is to gather literature related to emotion regulation in psychological addictive disorders treatments. The aim is to describe its use for individuals with behavioral (such as gambling disorder, problematic Internet gaming, and Internet addiction) or substance-related disorders. Following a screening of nearly 12,000 articles from six databases and the grey literature, 38 studies that met the selection criteria were included. The results show that 63.2% of the studies had a psychological treatment predominantly based on emotional regulation, with 81.6% (n = 31) of third-wave cognitive-behavioral interventions. The most frequently utilized intervention techniques for emotional regulation were those that facilitated an individual's awareness of their emotional state or provided psychological education to assist in identifying emotions. It would be valuable for future research to explore the most effective content for emotional regulation in treating substance-related and addictive disorders and to determine the specific client population that would benefit the most from this treatment.

EVALUATION OF THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF SALVIA ROSMARINUS ESSENTIAL OIL ON NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is an aromatic plant that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its remarkable therapeutic properties. Rosemary contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective actions, and it is recognized for its beneficial effects on mental and cognitive health. This review explores the therapeutic potential of rosemary in alleviating nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), major depressive disorder (MDD), epilepsy, Parkinson's disease (PD), addiction, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Preclinical and clinical research suggests that rosemary extracts, through their active compounds, may enhance cognitive function, protect neurons from oxidative stress, and modulate neurotransmitters involved in cognitive and emotional processes. The findings indicate that rosemary could be a promising complementary therapy in managing nervous system disorders, offering significant benefits for mental and neurological health. However, further studies are needed to fully understand the efficacy and safety of long-term use.

Psychometric evaluation of smartphone addiction scale – short version (SAS-SV) among young adults of India

ABSTRACT Background: Although smartphones have considerable utility, they also have addiction potential. The early detection of problematic smartphone use (PSU) can have significant implications for managing its psychosocial consequences. Smartphone Addiction Scale – Short Version (SAS-SV), initially developed for South Korean adolescents, has emerged as a reliable measure for adults across countries. However, SAS-SV continues to be used unvalidated in India. Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties of SAS-SV for the Indian adult population. Materials and Methods: Content validation of SAS-SV was done by 10 experts, followed by data collection for validation using a cross-sectional design from 434 participants (Mage = 25.4; SDage = 2.6; 58.8% females). The datasheet consisted of a sociodemographic questionnaire and SAS-SV. Statistical analyses comprised confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), reliability analyses, percentiles, and evaluation of sociodemographic variables. Results: SAS-SV’s content validity index was 0.93, and item wordings were adjusted after experts’ feedback. CFA did not show good fit indices; hence, EFA was used, which explained 44% of the variance from a unifactorial model. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.85, McDonald’s Omega was 0.86, and test-retest reliability was 0.81. There were no significant PSU differences in gender, marital status, and occupational status. Higher PSU was associated with lower age, lower education, nuclear family, and more hours of smartphone usage. Conclusion: The current study established the psychometric properties of SAS-SV for the Indian adult population. SAS-SV can be used for assessment and treatment monitoring of PSU.

Review on Fundamental of Electroencephalography and Detection Techniques in Substance and Behavioral Addiction

Addiction is a chronic relapsing brain disease associated with substantial individual and societal burden. It includes complex phyco-physiological conditions and can be recognized by compulsive and harmful behaviors towards a substance or activity, despite negative consequences or “bio-psycho-social-spiritual” disorder. This paper aims to comprehensively review previous research which applied machine learning to electroencephalography (EEG) signals for automatic detection of addiction. A systematic search was done on 200 relevant papers published between 2018 - 2023. The previous studies applied a variety of machine learning algorithms including support vector machines, neural networks, logistic regressions and brain networks to classify addicted individuals against controls based on resting state, cue-reactivity paradigms and neurofeedback tasks. The features utilized spectral power, functional and effective connectivity, graph theoretical measures and event-related potentials. The output accuracy often exceeded 95% across multiple substances including alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and opioids. In this review, the challenges and open questions around data quality, model interpretation and transition to clinical settings were also discussed. In overall, automatic EEG analysis shows significant potential as an objective and accessible tool for addiction diagnosis, treatment monitoring and relapse prevention that projects worthy of continued refinement and validation.

The complex social, cultural and psychological drivers of the ‘chemsex’ experiences of men who have sex with men: a systematic review and conceptual thematic synthesis of qualitative studies

IntroductionChemsex’ is the sexualised use of drugs among men who have sex with men (MSM). Past systematic reviews have primarily focussed on quantitative research exploring the key characteristics and health consequences of chemsex. However, a large body of qualitative literature exists, drawing on different theoretical frameworks.MethodsA systematic review and thematic synthesis of the qualitative research on chemsex was conducted with the aim of exploring the chemsex experiences of MSM in the context of substance misuse and addictions, and to reviewing their underlying theoretical frameworks. Six databases were searched, and 43 papers were included in the review.ResultsThe thematic synthesis resulted in four key themes: ‘characterising chemsex’, ‘the context around chemsex’, ‘the chemsex experience’, and ‘harms, saying safe, and stopping chemsex’. Only nine papers explicitly drew on theoretical frameworks, which were broadly divided into two categories: those which drew on psychological theories, and those that framed chemsex as a social and cultural phenomenon.DiscussionThe results of the thematic synthesis add further understanding of the key characteristics of chemsex as well as some of the complex social and psychological drivers which may shape why people have chemsex. Finally, the review highlights the clinical implications and inherent complexities in providing clinical services for those reporting chemsex and the need for greater application of theory to advance our understanding of chemsex and continue to develop appropriate forms of therapeutic support.Systematic review registrationhttps://osf.io/j6k9r/.

Substance Use Disorder and Harm Reduction Curriculum in United States and Canadian Undergraduate Medical Education: An Online Survey.

Substance use disorders (SUD) are a significant public health challenge, necessitating that clinicians are trained in SUD treatment and harm reduction (HR) strategies. Despite this, no studies have assessed the extent of SUD and HR training across all medical schools. This study assesses the current state of SUD and HR curriculum among medical students in the United States and Canada. From May to July 2023, we conducted an anonymous online survey via email invitation to student affairs' offices of all 220 accredited US and Canadian medical schools. The survey assessed the curricula students were exposed to related to SUD treatment, HR, and stigmatizing attitudes. A sample of 568 students from 52 medical schools (23.6% of all US and Canadian medical schools) completed the survey. Participants reported that in their medical school they were taught about: recognition of an opioid overdose (80.0%), identifying and treating opioid withdrawal (68.2%), principles and practices of HR (60.6%), administering naloxone (56.6%), the importance of syringe service programs (51.8%), prescribing methadone and/or buprenorphine (29.5%), and counseling patients on safe injection practices (11.4%). In addition, participants reported that they were taught: how to identify drug-seeking behavior (36.4%), that people who use heroin are "drug abusers" (24.4%), to withhold opioid pain medication from patients who are known or suspected to use drugs (15.9%), and that medication for opioid use disorder is another form of addiction (12.6%). We found large curricular gaps related to the administration of medications for opioid use disorder and treating opioid overdose and withdrawal, as well as a significant prevalence of stigmatizing attitudes. Renewed efforts are needed to implement comprehensive and destigmatizing SUD curricula. The study is limited by response bias and is expected to overestimate the extent of HR related curriculum, indicating the true gap is likely higher than reported.

Bishri Hafi Effect: How spirituality might stall off the addiction recovery

This article introduces the Bishri Hafi Effect, a distinctive psycho-spiritual phenomenon that appears to hinder the recovery journey of individuals struggling with alcohol and substance addiction. This effect is characterized by the belief held by addicts that their recovery is contingent upon an external (supernatural) force, rather than their own agency, thereby creating a significant hurdle in their path to overcoming addiction. The phenomenon emerged as a byproduct of a larger study involving 10 individuals undergoing treatment for alcohol and substance addiction at various Green Crescent (Yeşilay) Consultancy Center branches in Istanbul between 2019 and 2021. Employing phenomenological analysis, this effect was identified and examined within the broader context of the study. During spiritual counseling sessions that incorporates Islamic tradition, it became apparent that some individuals, when presented with the recovery story of Bishri Hafi—a key figure in Islamic tradition symbolizing alcohol addiction—tended to idealize his narrative, often to the point of overlooking their own personal progress. The story of Bishri Hafi triggered an outlook wherein recovery was anticipated as a miraculous event. This article aims to introduce and shed light on this unique phenomenon, highlighting its unexpected impact within the realm of spirituality in addiction treatment.

Relationship between Smartphone Addiction and Sleeping Disorder among Senior High School Students

Aims: Smartphones are technical devices that have a huge impact on people’s daily lives, causing them to change their habits and behaviors. Several studies reveal many factors that influence students sleep disorders, and one of them is smartphone addiction. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep disorders Study Design: The study employed a descriptive-correlation type of research. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at UM Digos College (Philippines) under the Senior High School Department and was implemented in the Academic Year 2023-2024. Methodology: This study utilized a standardized survey questionnaire that was contextualized by the researchers. It was participated in by 200 students in grades 11 and 12 at University of Mindanao Digos College and utilized stratified random sampling. Results: The results indicated that the more the student is addicted to their smartphone, the more they will have sleeping disorders. The finding also proved that students with poor sleep quality are addicted to smartphones. Smartphone addiction was found to be associated with sleep disturbances. Conclusion: On this basis, the problem of smartphone addiction and sleep disturbance should be tackled in order to improve the sleeping patterns of students and their overall health.

A IMPORTÂNCIA DO USG NO ÂMBITO DA SAÚDE PRISIONAL

The expressions “prisoner” and “person arrested” designate a person deprived of his personal liberty as a result of conviction for the commission of an offence. It is, therefore, the deprivation of liberty, the highest restriction of movement and inclusion. But difficulties exist and detainees and prisoners continue to constitute an important challenge for the general increase of respect for the human person. Data from the Secretariat of Human Rights. One of the most used imaging tests in medicine is ultrasonography. The procedure consists of using a machine to visualize internal organs, whose capture is made by sound waves. It is a non-invasive test that can be performed even by children and pregnant women, due to their safety. Given the above, this article aims to describe the importance of USG in the prison environment. Thus generating an economy for the state in transport, escort, safer for society, avoiding escape attempts. This is an integrative literature review, which is a method that makes it possible to synthesize previously published knowledge and draw conclusions about one of the topics of interest. The incarcerated, recurrently, come from more vulnerable areas and belong to various genders of society: young, poor, mentally ill, alcoholics and illicit drug addicts, therefore, belong to a risk group with greater probability of acquiring diseases. In prisons, such problems are high in number, due to the poor conditions of the facilities, violence and confinement. Some factors faced by detainees in prisons are overcrowding, stress, illicit activities, among others. It can be observed the importance in the prison scope of the implementation of the USG, as a routine in the unit, since it generates savings for the state, both in relation to transport, escort, thus, safer for society, avoiding escape attempts.

Systematic Review: Coping Strategies Among Individuals with Drug Addiction

<span id="docs-internal-guid-d692a933-7fff-aca9-14e4-544b4dfbdb01"><span>Drug addiction is a major global public health problem characterised by the compulsive use of drugs despite their harmful effects on various health dimensions. This systematic review examines the coping strategies used by individuals struggling with drug addiction and evaluates their effectiveness on the road to recovery. A comprehensive literature search of academic databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar identified 20 relevant studies published between 1990 and 2023. These studies were analysed to classify coping strategies into adaptive and maladaptive categories. The review highlights the importance of promoting adaptive coping strategies and addressing maladaptive behaviours in therapeutic interventions. Comprehensive treatment plans involving multiple adaptation strategies are recommended for long-term recovery. Future research should focus on identifying the most effective combinations of coping strategies and integrating them into drug addiction treatment programs.</span></span>

The relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep disorder among college students: negative emotions as a mediator and gender as a moderator

BackgroundCollege students are disproportionately affected by smartphone addiction, which has been linked to various health impairments, including sleep disorders. This study explores the relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep disorders, with a focus on negative emotions as a mediator and gender as a moderator.MethodsCluster sampling was used to survey 1056 Chinese college students. The Mobile Phone Addiction Index, Negative Affect Scale, and Sleep Disorder Scale were administered. Versions of SPSS 27.0 and PROCESS macro 4.0 were used for data analysis, employing Models 15 and 4 to examine moderation and mediation, respectively.ResultsA strong direct correlation was identified between smartphone addiction and sleep disorder, with negative emotions mediating this relationship, accounting for 33.7% of the effect. Gender significantly moderated the mediation process, with females demonstrating a greater correlation than males between sleep disorders and negative emotions.ConclusionNegative emotions partially mediated smartphone addiction’s association with sleep disorder, whereas gender significantly moderated this mediation. These findings underscore the complex dynamics among smartphone addiction, emotional well-being, and sleep among college students.

The biology of addiction.

The tools of modern genetics and neurobiology have propelled a renaissance of research that has advanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of drug addiction. We know that an individual's risk for addiction is determined by interactions between genetics and environment and that only a minute fraction of chemical agents share the ability to act on this vulnerability to induce a state of addiction. Repeated exposure to these drugs causes addiction through repeated activation of dopaminergic transmission (and many other actions) in the brain, inducing changes at the molecular, cellular, and synaptic levels that, over time, rewire the circuitry throughout the limbic system. In this Review, I discuss how we are gaining a clearer picture of this drug-induced plasticity-some of which is shared by all addictive drugs, whereas other aspects are specific to certain drug classes-and of the ways in which these adaptations mediate the range of behavioral abnormalities that define the addicted state. Despite the challenges, there is reason for optimism in translating this rich biological understanding of addiction into improved treatments for the many individuals burdened by this illness around the world.

The Dynorphin/-Opioid Receptor System at the Interface of Hyperalgesia/Hyperkatifeia and Addiction

Abstract Purpose of Review Drug addiction is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, accompanied by negative emotional states (hyperkatifeia) and heightened pain sensitivity (hyperalgesia) during withdrawal. Both hyperalgesia and hyperkatifeia are integral components of substance use disorders, negatively impacting treatment and recovery. The underlying neurobiological mechanisms of hyperalgesia and hyperkatifeia involve alterations of brain reward and stress circuits, including the dynorphin/κ-opioid receptor (KOR) system. The dynorphin/KOR system modulates pain perception, negative affect, and addictive behaviors. Here, we review the preclinical evidence of dynorphin/KOR signaling in opioid withdrawal-induced hyperalgesia and hyperkatifeia. Recent Findings In opioid dependence models, pharmacological and genetic interventions of the dynorphin/KOR system attenuate somatic and motivational signs of withdrawal and addictive-like behaviors, highlighting its therapeutic potential. Understanding the intricate interplay between dynorphin/KOR signaling, hyperalgesia, hyperkatifeia, and addiction offers novel insights into treatment strategies for opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders. Summary Further research is needed to elucidate precise mechanisms of the sexual dimorphism of dynorphin/KOR signaling and identify targeted interventions to mitigate hyperalgesia and hyperkatifeia and facilitate recovery from addiction.

Machine learning analysis of the relationships between traumatic childbirth experience with positive and negative fertility motivations in Iran in a community-based sample

BackgroundPsychologically traumatic childbirth leads to short and long-term negative impacts on a woman’s health and impacts future reproductive decisions. Considering the importance of fertility growth and strengthening positive fertility motivations in …, this community-based study was conducted to investigate the relationship between traumatic childbirth history and positive and negative fertility motivations.MethodsThe present cross-sectional study was conducted on 900 women of reproductive age. Sampling lasted from March 21 to September 23, 2023, using multi-stage and convenient sampling from health-treatment centers in …. History of pregnancy and childbirth, DSM-A criterion, and Miller’s questionnaire were used to collect data. For data analysis, Python software was used for machine learning and elastic net analysis was conducted in a nested cross-validation framework.ResultsOf the 900 women participating in this study, 387 reported a history of traumatic birth and 513 reported no history of traumatic birth. The positive and negative fertility motivations have a significant relationship with the previous history of traumatic childbirth. Elastic network modeling predicts using RMSE, MAE and R-squared that religious beliefs, married duration, and women’s education have the greatest increasing effect on positive fertility motivation. Drug addiction, traumatic childbirth, and abortion history have the greatest effect on increasing negative fertility motivation.ConclusionsPositive and negative fertility motivations are significantly affected by the history of traumatic childbirth. Therefore, in countries that want to grow their population, preventing traumatic childbirth and providing counseling interventions should be placed in the priorities of maternal care.

Enhancing Integrated Treatment Programs for Severe Concurrent Substance Use and Mental Disorders: Insights on Overdose from the ROAR CANADA Project: Améliorer les programmes de traitement intégré pour les troubles mentaux et les troubles liés à l'usage de substances psychoactives graves et concomitants : aperçu de la problématique des surdoses dans le cadre du projet ROAR CANADA.

This paper summarizes methods and initial overdose-related results from the Reducing Overdose and Relapse: Concurrent Attention to Neuropsychiatric Ailments and Drug Addiction (ROAR CANADA) project. ROAR CANADA is a longitudinal observational study of individuals with severe concurrent substance use and mental disorders (also called dual disorders or dual diagnosis). The study sampled patients treated at two tertiary treatment centres in British Columbia, Red Fish Healing Centre and Heartwood Centre, along with a concurrent treatment unit at St. Joseph's in Ontario. These facilities have implemented evidence-based integrated treatment programs. Our first analysis explores selected baseline characteristics as potential risk factors for drug overdose in this population. Sociodemographic factors, trauma history, and impulsivity were part of a more comprehensive longitudinal assessment. In this first investigation, we use bivariate analysis and logistic and linear regression modelling to examine these variables in relation to overdose history. Overall, 291 of 450 participants (64.7%) reported a history of ≥1 overdose. Across the three centres, patients had a lifetime average of 7.6 (SD = 12.9) overdoses. The prevalence and mean number of overdoses were somewhat higher among Red Fish patients (74.5% and 8.5, respectively). Adverse childhood events, lifetime trauma history, and impulsivity were all high, but only lifetime trauma history emerged as significantly associated with overdose across all treatment centres. Impulsivity indicators were selectively associated with overdose by site, but not consistently within the overall sample. These results highlight the importance of prioritizing trauma-informed care in the treatment of individuals with severe concurrent substance use and mental disorders, who are at high risk of overdose. The integration of trauma treatment into existing programs may enhance patient outcomes and contribute to the ongoing evolution of effective care strategies for this complex population. These findings are particularly relevant in light of the overdose crisis.

The complex relationships among self-acceptance, perceived social support, drug use stereotype threat, and subthreshold depression in people with substance use disorder: exploring the mediating and buffering effects

IntroductionDepression levels are significantly higher among people with substance use disorder (SUD) than in the general population; however, studies on the level of subthreshold depression in this population are scarce. Research shows a significant correlation between self-acceptance and depression, with social support playing a key role in the process of recovery and social reintegration for people with SUD. This study aimed to explore the effects of self-acceptance, perceived social support, and stereotype threat of people with SUD on their subthreshold depression, as well as potential mediating and buffering effects.MethodsThis study was conducted from January-March 2024. 1068 drug addicts (548 males and 520 females) were recruited in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. After signing informed consent, their psychometric data were obtained using the Self-acceptance Questionnaire (SAQ), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), Drug Use Stereotype Threat Scale (DSTS) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale(CES-D). Gender and group differences in relevant scale dimensions were explored. Linear regression models were used to assess the relationships between PSSS, SAQ, and DSTS scores and subthreshold depression in male and female participants. Bootstrap mediation effect tests were used to further test the mediation effect of drug use stereotype threat and perceived social support between self-acceptance and subthreshold depression. Line graphs were used to show the buffering effect of perceived social support on the relationship between self-acceptance and subthreshold depression in different groups.ResultsThe results showed that,gender, HIV-positive or not, education and monthly income level affect subthreshold depression in patients with SUD. Negative correlation between self-acceptance and subthreshold depression among SUD patients. Furthermore, perceived social support and substance use stereotypes threatmediated the relationship between self-acceptance and subthreshold depression, respectively, forming a parallel mediating relationship. Results exploring the buffering effect of perceived social support by subgroup showed that the buffering effect of perceived social support on subthreshold depression was most pronounced in the HIV-negative and and female groups. Social support, group stereotypes discrimination affect the mental health of sud patients.DiscussionOur study provides theoretical support for the alleviation of subthreshold depression among people with SUD, realizing that self-acceptance, perceived social support and reduction of drug use stereotype threat can be a psychoprotective factor for people with SUD.

Investigating 3-CMC metabolism: Insights from liver microsomes and postmortem biological matrix.

3-Chloromethcathinone (3-CMC) is a synthetic cathinone that has been identified as a new psychoactive substance (NPS) by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Despite its increasing prevalence in the recreational drug market since 2014, scientific literature on 3-CMC remains limited. This study employed a multi-step approach to investigate 3-CMC metabolism. First, an in-silico prediction was conducted to compile a list of potential metabolites. Then, in vitro assays were performed using human liver microsomes at two concentrations of 3-CMC. Samples were analyzed using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography system coupled with a high-resolution mass spectrometer. Chromatographic separation was obtained with an Acquity UPLC HSS C18 1.8 µm, 2.1 × 150 mm column on an Ultimate 3000 system chromatography coupled with a QExactivePlus mass spectrometer). Finally, data mining for metabolite identification was conducted using Compound Discoverer software. The combined in silico and in vitro approaches identified four primary metabolites of 3-CMC in HLM assays:1) hydroxylation of the aliphatic group to give M1 2) followed by reduction of the β-keto group, yielding M4; 3) N-demethylation, affording M2; and 4) Reduction of the β-keto group, yielding M3. Subsequent analysis of biological samples from two postmortem cases revealed that urine was the most informative matrix for detecting 3-CMC and its metabolites. The M3 metabolite, was identified as the third abundant metabolite in human liver microsome but was identified as the predominant metabolite in human postmortem samples. Identifying these key metabolites is crucial for improving the accuracy of forensic investigations and extending the detection window beyond the parent compound.

Young Adult Resilience for Recovery From Substance Addiction in Assam, India: Lived Experience Insights From a Photo-Led Interview Study.

Substance addiction can be considered a form of social injustice grounded in interactions between individual, family and community-level risk factors. Although prevention and treatment of substance use disorder is a key target of the United Nations sustainable development goal Good Health and Well-Being, many low-and-middle-income countries lack a culturally validated approach for its management. We contend that a resilience approach may provide a sound basis from which to develop such an approach in non-western, low-resource settings. Hence, the aim of this study is to identify factors supporting resilience for recovery from substance addiction in the lived experience of young adults in Assam, India. We used photo-led interviews to centre the lived experience of young adult addicts-in-recovery (11 men, 5 women; 19-24 years) recruited through two rehabilitation services and their networks. Reflexive thematic analysis of the data produced three clusters of themes: (i) precursors to recovery; (ii) repairing relationships; and, (iii) structuring a life of recovery. Findings are discussed and potential areas for intervention are identified to support a multi-level, culturally informed, community-driven approach to recovery from substance addiction.

Predictors of Relapse in Women after Substance Use Treatment: A Cross-sectional Study in the West of Iran

Background: Many individuals undergo drug addiction treatment relapse after treatment. Additionally, a few studies have focused on the unique challenges faced by women in addiction recovery. Therefore, we aimed to identify predictors of relapse among women who have undergone drug addiction treatment to develop a more effective intervention program tailored to their needs. Methods: The present cross-sectional study evaluated 320 addicted women from Lorestan province, Iran, in 2020 who had used illegal substances. Convenience sampling was used to select participants from outpatient addiction treatment centers, triangular clinics, and rehabilitation centers. Demographic characteristics, drug use patterns, and risk factors for addiction were recorded. Predictors of relapse were evaluated using a negative binomial regression model. Results: The study included women with a mean age of 34.78±9.31 years who had a history of drug addiction relapse. Around 43.44% of the women were married and 36.88% lived with their husbands. Methamphetamine, opium, and heroin were the commonly used drugs. The study found that women with primary school education had a higher rate of relapse (IRR: 1.71, p = 0.01) and women with husbands being substance users (IRR: 1.34, p = 0.014), history of imprisonment (IRR: 1.51, p = 0.002), smoking (IRR: 1.91, p < 0.001), and alcohol consumption (IRR: 1.49, p = 0.005) were also associated with a higher rate of relapse. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study found that women with primary school education, husbands being substance users, history of imprisonment, smoking, and alcohol consumption behavior had a higher rate of relapse. By addressing the identified predictors of relapse, such programs can improve the success rate of addiction treatment and promote long-term recovery among women. In addition, this study highlights that addiction relapse is not necessarily caused by a single factor, and several different personal and environmental factors can influence this issue.