Alcohol Rehabilitation Research Articles

The effects of circadian desynchronization on alcohol consumption and affective behavior during alcohol abstinence in female rats.

Disruption of circadian rhythmicity distorts physiological and psychological processes and has major consequences on health and well-being. A chronic misalignment within the internal time-keeping system modulates alcohol consumption and contributes to stress-related psychiatric disorders which are known to trigger alcohol misuse and relapse. While there is growing evidence of the deleterious impact of circadian disruption on male physiology and behavior, knowledge about the effect in females remains limited. The present study aims to fill the gap by assessing the relationship between internal desynchronization and alcohol intake behavior in female rats. Female Wistar rats kept under standard 24-h, 22-h light-dark conditions, or chronic 6-h advanced phase shifts, were given intermittent access to 20% alcohol followed by an extended alcohol deprivation period. Alcohol consumption under altered light-dark (LD) conditions was assessed and emotional behavior during alcohol abstinence was evaluated. Internally desynchronization in female rats does not affect alcohol consumption but alters scores of emotionality during alcohol abstinence. Changes in affective-like behaviors were accompanied by reduced body weight gain and estrous irregularities under aberrant LD conditions. Our data suggest that internal desynchronization caused by environmental factors is not a major factor contributing to the onset and progression of alcohol abuse, but highlights the need of maintaining circadian hygiene as a supportive remedy during alcohol rehabilitation.

CRAFT Model Approach in Curbing Drug Addiction among Youth

The involvement of youth in drug addiction has raised concerns about the future of the country since human capital is threatened by social problems caused by drug abuse. Adolescent addicts who undergo rehabilitation treatment need continuous support outside the institution to prevent relapse which causes the treatment period to be gainless. This paper aims to (i). identify the types of drugs used by teenagers who are involved in addiction and (ii). discuss the CRAFT approach as a drug rehabilitation strategy for teenagers. This paper uses a survey method where drug information is obtained through a questionnaire. The CRAFT model is discussed as a solution to the problem of adolescent addicts. A total of 81 adolescent addicts aged 13 to 21 years were involved from three drug rehabilitation centers on the East Coast. The data was then analyzed using descriptive analysis to obtain mean values for the types of drugs taken by adolescent addicts. The results found that adolescent addicts have taken various types of drugs since the beginning. The CRAFT model is an approach that is customed in two phases which involve families and communities in the post-rehabilitation process in institutions. The idea of the CRAFT model is to empower families and communities to encourage active participation throughout the recovery process.

A New Drug-Free Life: The essence of professional's presence in drug survivor's family

The story begins at the Galilee Foundation Drug Rehabilitation Center in Palangka Raya City in July 2018. We are a team that provides professional assistance to drug survivors at the Panti (in Indonesia, rehabilitation homes for drugs users are termed Panti). One of the four-drug survivors enrolled in our study was Jeremy, 19 years old. We were helping Jeremy to reconnect with his family. This activity was a part of the social reintegration activity of the drug rehabilitation program.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Financial Incentives to Achieve Heroin Abstinence in Individuals With Heroin Use Disorder Starting New Treatment Episodes: A Cluster Randomized Trial-Based Economic Evaluation

ObjectivesCost-effectiveness analysis of two 12-week contingency management (CM) schedules targeting heroin abstinence or attendance at weekly keyworker appointments for opioid agonist treatment compared with treatment as usual (TAU). MethodsA cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted alongside a cluster randomized trial of 552 patients from 34 clusters (drug treatment clinics) randomly allocated 1:1:1 to opioid agonist treatment plus weekly keyworker appointments with (1) CM targeted at heroin abstinence (CM abstinence), (2) CM targeted at on-time attendance at weekly appointments (CM attendance), or (3) no CM (TAU). The primary cost-effectiveness analysis at 24 weeks after randomization took a societal cost perspective with effects measured in heroin-negative urine samples. ResultsAt 24 weeks, mean differences in weekly heroin-negative urine results compared with TAU were 0.252 (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.397 to 0.901) for CM abstinence and 0.089 (95% CI −0.223 to 0.402) for CM attendance. Mean differences in costs were £2562 (95% CI £32-£5092) for CM abstinence and £317 (95% CI −£882 to £1518) for CM attendance. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were £10 167 per additional heroin-free urine for CM abstinence and £3562 for CM attendance with low probabilities of cost-effectiveness of 3.5% and 36%, respectively. Results were sensitive to timing of follow-up for CM attendance, which dominated TAU (better outcomes, lower costs) at 12 weeks, with an 88.4% probability of being cost-effective. Probability of cost-effectiveness remained low for CM abstinence (8.6%). ConclusionsFinancial incentives targeted toward heroin abstinence and treatment attendance were not cost-effective over the 24-week follow-up. Nevertheless, CM attendance was cost-effective over the treatment period (12 weeks), when participants were receiving keyworker appointments and incentives.

Awareness of hepatitis C virus infection status among people who inject drugs in a setting of universal direct-acting antiviral therapy: The ETHOS Engage study.

Awareness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection status among people who inject drugs (PWID) can empower people with diagnosis, enable treatment uptake, and facilitate elimination. We aimed to evaluate awareness of HCV infection status among a large national cohort of PWID in an era of unrestricted HCV treatment. ETHOS Engage is an observational cohort study of PWID attending drug treatment clinics and needle and syringe programs in Australia. Participants completed a questionnaire containing self-reported HCV data (including infection status: never tested, tested/unknown, no current HCV infection [HCV RNA not detectable], current HCV infection [HCV RNA detectable]) and underwent point-of-care HCV RNA testing (Xpert® HCV Viral Load Fingerstick). Awareness was defined as concordant self-reported HCV status and test result. Awareness was assessed among all participants, those with current HCV infection, and participants who reported a lifetime history of HCV treatment. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with awareness in these three populations. Among 2,305 PWID, 65% (n=1,506) were aware of their HCV infection status (self-reported HCV status matched HCV point-of-care result). Awareness of infection status was higher among those who were not currently infected (70%, n=1,281/1,818) compared to those with current HCV infection (46%, n=225/487). After adjusting, those with current HCV infection were less likely to be aware of infection status (aOR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.30, 0.45). Among those who reported a lifetime history of HCV treatment, 71% (n=592/829) were aware of their HCV infection status. Among a large cohort of PWID in Australia, awareness of HCV infection status is sub-optimal, with particularly concerning levels among those with active infection. Increased and simplified testing, post-test counselling, and post-treatment monitoring is warranted.

SEROPREVALENCE OF HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Anti-HCV, and Anti-HIV IN PATIENTS WITH ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN AN AMATEM CLINIC IN EASTERN TURKIYE: A SIX-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION

Aim
 Substance abuse and concomitant infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality. Yet, the number of epidemiological studies regarding infectious diseases in people with substance abuse are limited in our country. In this study, the aim was to investigate the frequency of illegal alcohol and substance use in an Alcohol and Drug Research, Treatment and Training Centres (AMATEM) clinic in Turkey as well as the HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV parameters between the years of 2016-2021. 
 Material and Method
 HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV tests were conducted using the ELISA technique in 6881 alcohol and substance use disorder (ASUD). Urine samples from ASUD’s were analyzed for alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine metabolites. The results were evaluated retrospectively. 
 Results
 All of the 6881 ASUD’s were male with a mean age of 32.18±9.66 years. Of the 6881 ASUD’s included in the study, 4107 (59.7%) were opioid addicts; 1479 (21.5%) were mixed drug addicts; 897 (13%) were alcohol addicts; and the rest were addicts with other types of substance use. The mean age of the alcohol users was 45.33±13.03 and the mean age of opioid users was 29.90±7.13. The percentage of opioid addiction in 2016 was 71.2% which dropped to 28.7% in 2021. Meanwhile, the percentage of alcohol addiction was 13.6% in 2016 and increased to 21.4% in 2021; and the percentage of mixed drug use was 8.7% in 2016 and increased to 36.8% in 2021. HBsAg-positivity in opioid users (56.7%) was higher compared to cannabis users (2.6%) and mixed drug users (22.3%). Anti-HCV positivity of opioid users (69.4%) was found to be higher compared to alcohol (9.4%), cannabis (2%), and mixed drug (16.2%) users, and this finding was statistically significant (p=0.0001). Anti-HBs positivity of opioid users (63.1%) was found to be higher compared to alcohol (9.9%), cannabis (3%), and mixed drug (21%) users, and this finding was statistically significant (p=0.0001). Anti-HIV was determined negative in all ASUD’s. The highest rates of HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HBs positivity were found in the 26-30 years of age. 
 Conclusion
 These findings indicate a high prevalence of intravenous substance abuse in the 26-30 years age group in our region as well as the high HBV and HCV rates in this patient group.

A mixed-methods study on psychodrama treatment for PTSD and depression in inpatient substance use treatment: A comparison of outcomes pre-pandemic and during Covid-19

This mixed-methods research study (n = 68) examines the effectiveness of psychodrama as a treatment for depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment center. The primary goal of this study was to examine treatment effectiveness, however the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic occurred during data collection which provided us with an opportunity to compare psychodrama’s effectiveness pre-pandemic and during-pandemic with masks and social distancing. Results suggest psychodrama psychotherapy effectively decreases depression symptoms and PTSD symptoms while supporting participants recovery from addiction. Treatment effects were similar between the pre-pandemic cohort and the cohort during the pandemic. Participants in the psychodrama groups experienced more significant decreases in depression than patients in the inpatient program who did not participate in the psychodrama group. Findings also demonstrate clinically meaningful changes in PTSD which is also supported by qualitative survey responses. Furthermore, this study appears to be the first supporting the effectiveness of psychodrama implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic with masks, social distancing, and other limitations. The overall findings of this study contribute to the growing psychodrama literature base while supporting evidence of psychodrama’s effectiveness in reducing depression and PTSD.

Comparison of the acute effects of Tai chi versus high-intensity interval training on inhibitory control in individuals with substance use disorder.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a single session of Tai chi (TC) exercise and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on inhibitory control in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD).MethodsA total 47 males with methamphetamine dependence were recruited from a compulsory drug rehabilitation center; participation in this study was voluntary. The participants were randomly assigned to the TC group or the HIIT group, and computer-based Go/No-go and Stroop tasks were used to assess inhibitory control in an indoor setting prior to and following exercise. Independent sample t-test was applied for baseline comparison of continuous variables, while analysis of variance was applied to test differences in the effect of each intervention before and after a single session of exercise.ResultsIn Go/No-go test, the reaction time of the TC and HIIT groups in the post-test was shorter than that at the baseline, and the response accuracy of the post-test were higher than that of the baseline. In the Stroop task, the reaction time of two groups in the post-test was shorter than that at the baseline; while, greater improvement in response accuracy was observed in HIIT group in the post-test than that of the baseline.ConclusionBoth TC and HIIT can promote inhibitory control in individuals with SUD. Compared with the TC group, the HIIT group showed greater improvements in response accuracy. These findings demonstrate the potential of TC and HIIT in improving cognition in SUD.Clinical trial registration[http://www.chictr.org.cn/], identifier [ChiCTR1900022158].

Depression in Chinese men with methamphetamine dependence: Prevalence, correlates and relationship with alexithymia

BackgroundThe comorbidity between substance use disorder and major depressive disorder is a typical dual diagnosis in the field of substance addiction. However, the prevalence and correlates of depression in methamphetamine addicts and whether it is associated with drug craving and alexithymia have been rarely reported in the Chinese population. MethodsWe recruited 585 methamphetamine-dependent males from a drug rehabilitation center in China and 203 healthy controls. Demographic and drug use data were collected. Depression was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N·I.). Methamphetamine cravings and alexithymia were assessed using the Desire for Drugs Questionnaire (DDQ) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). ResultsThe prevalence rate of depression in methamphetamine-dependent men was 16.58 % (97/585). The scores of DDQ desire and intention, DDQ negative reinforcement, total DDQ, difficulty identifying feelings (DIF), difficulty describing feelings (DDF), and total TAS score of depressed patients were higher than those of non-depressed patients. However, only DDQ negative reinforcement score, DIF, DDF, and total TAS score remained significant after Bonferroni correction. Additionally, logistic regression analysis found that age, DIF score, and DDQ negative reinforcement score were significant factors contributing to depression in methamphetamine-dependent men. ConclusionOur findings suggest that the prevalence of depression is significantly higher in methamphetamine-dependent men than in the healthy Chinese population. Furthermore, age, components of alexithymia and drug craving are risk factors for depression in methamphetamine addicts.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effect of Tai Chi on the Drug Craving in Women.

This study was conducted in the purpose of investigating the effect of Tai Chi on drug craving for women with drug disorders. One hundred and twelve women were recruited from a drug rehabilitation center in China, and 47 and 48 were finally analyzed in the control group and exercise group, respectively. The exercise group underwent a 3-month Tai Chi training, whereas the control group experienced no exercise intervention during the same time period. The drug craving was measured by the visual analog scale. In data analysis, repeated-measures were utilized to test the differences between the control and exercise group over the course of the experiment time. The mean of the craving score significantly dropped from pre-test (control: mean = 5.38, SD = 3.04; exercise: mean = 4.68, SD = 2.93) to post-test (control: mean = 4.03, SD = 2.73; exercise: mean = 1.91, SD = 1.90) in both groups (control group: t = 3.84, df = 46, p < 0.001; exercise group: t = 5.941, df = 47, p < 0.001), with more decrease witnessed in the exercise group. Repeated-measures analysis with a Huynh–Feldt correction showed the significant effect of time (F = 27.383, p < 0.001) as well as the study group by time interaction (F = 3.52, p = 0.024). Tai Chi can ameliorate the drug craving in women and it could be a supportive treatment for drug addiction.

Toward a typology of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Most research on driving under the influence (DUI) has relied upon variable-centered methods that examine predictors/correlates of DUI. In the present study, we utilize a person-level approach-latent class analysis (LCA)-to model a typology of individuals reporting DUI. This allows us to understand the degree to which individuals drive under the influence of a particular substance or do so across multiple substance types. We use public-use data collected between 2016 and 2019 from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The analytic sample was 189,472 participants with a focus on those reporting DUI of psychoactive substances in the past-year (n = 24,619). LCA was conducted using self-reported DUI of past-year alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine as indicator variables. More than 1 in 10 Americans reported a DUI within the past-year. One in five people who reported DUI of one substance also reported DUI of at least one additional substance. Using LCA to model heterogeneity among individuals reporting DUI, four classes emerged: "Alcohol Only" (55%), "Cannabis and Alcohol" (36%), "Polydrug" (5%), and "Methamphetamine" (3%). Rates of risk propensity, drug involvement, illicit drug use disorders, and criminal justice system involvement were highest among members of the "Polydrug" and "Methamphetamine" classes. Drug treatment centers should take care to include discussions of the dangers and decision-making processes related to DUI of the full spectrum of illicit substances. Greater investment in drug treatment across the service continuum, including the justice system, could prevent/reduce future DUI episodes.

THE PRACTICE OF INFORMALITY: Hustling, Anticipating and Refusing in the Postindustrial City

AbstractDrawing upon three years of ethnographic research conducted in drug and alcohol recovery houses and treatment centers in Philadelphia, this article argues that attending to the practice of informality in the subproletariat and precarious working classes of the postindustrial US city helps elucidate the twinned legacies of informality and surveillance in racialized US urban poverty. To do so, it recuperates Bourdieu's practice theory with the invigorating insights of Black studies on the historic legacies of racializing surveillance to theorize the practice of informality in the postindustrial US city. Ultimately, the article argues that informal practice offers a space of concealment forged through the evasion and countersurveillance of racializing surveillance in the postindustrial US city.

Comparison Of The Effects Of Tai Chi And High-intensity Interval Training On Bone Mineral Density In Substance Abuse

PURPOSE: One of the chronic diseases for substance abusers is low bone mineral density (BMD). Studies support that exercises can improve BMD. The study aimed to compare the effects of Tai Chi (TC) and High-intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on the BMD. METHODS: 120 subjects from a compulsory drug rehabilitation center voluntarily took part and were randomly divided into two groups (TC group and HIIT group). The two groups received either TC or HIIT intervention three times a week for 60 minutes a session. The intervention lasted for 12 months. BMD test was used to measure at subjects’ heel with the calcaneus Ultrasound Bone Densitometer (OSTEOKJ3000) at the baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months, respectively. A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to test whether the treatments different after 12 months by SPSS22.0. RESULTS: The baseline of the BMD test showed that the proportion of osteopenia in the TC group reached 70%, and the proportion of osteoporosis reached 18.3% while the proportion of osteopenia in the HIIT group reached 61%, and the proportion of osteoporosis reached 22%. The exercises significantly improved the BMD level in both groups which the T score increased from - 1.98 to - 1.12, F(4,180) = 0.551, P < 0.001 in TC group and from -1.92 to -0.91, F(4,168) = 0.421, P < 0.001 in HIIT group, and the improved range in HIIT group was slightly higher than TC group, but there was no statistical difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The finding suggests that HIIT and TC exercise can improve BMD and reduce bone loss.

PERANCANGAN SISTEM INFORMASI E-INVENTARIS BARANG PADA PUSAT REHABILITASI NARKOBA AR RAHMAN

Currently the use of technology in the dissemination of information is very important for organizations or agencies. An information system is currently very supportive of activities for organizations or agencies which will then be reprocessed to be more useful for users of the information system itself. The Ar-Rahman Drug Rehabilitation Center itself is a rehabilitation center for drug addicts. To support their work, the staff at the Ar-Rahman Drug Rehabilitation Center are currently using the facilities available there. One of them is recording inventory of goods. Currently, the recording is still done manually, namely by recording what items are purchased and borrowed. From these causes, it is urgently needed to build an E-Inventory Information System Design at the Ar Rahman Drug Rehabilitation Center which functions to record any assets that are already owned that were previously recorded manually in the future to be digital. In the design it will use dfd and erd while the database uses waterfall. The expected results are an inventory system design that will be implemented in . Ar-Rahman Drug Rehabilitation Center and can be used as a basis for developers to create an inventory system. Ar-Rahman Drug Rehabilitation Center.

Will I help you or will I not? Occupational social taint, core self-evaluation, and occupational helping identity

ABSTRACT How perceived occupational social taint in the presence of core self-evaluation and role identity salience can influence the formation of a target and context-specific occupational helping identity of members engaged in socially tainted occupations is examined in this study. In alignment with the extant literature, we identify this identity as a prosocial helping identity (PHI). A longitudinal field study was conducted in two waves with individuals engaged in drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres. The findings reveal that perceived occupational social taint significantly influences PHI via role-identity salience when occupational members’ core self-evaluation is high. This study advances identity work and social identity theories by establishing how and when PHI as an occupational helping identity can be formed among occupational members engaged in a “socially tainted occupation” not because of their nature of work performed per se, but their proximity to the service beneficiaries viewed as dirty by the society.

The Association of High-Frequency Nut Intake With a Low Risk of Psychological Problems in Female Methamphetamine Users.

BackgroundRecent years have witnessed a gradual increase in the number of female methamphetamine users. Meanwhile, female methamphetamine users are more likely to have psychological problems than male methamphetamine users. The association between diet and psychological problems have been found among non-methamphetamine user. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between dietary intake frequency and psychological problems in female methamphetamine users.Materials and MethodsA total of 109 female methamphetamine users, collected from a Compulsory Isolated Drug Rehabilitation Centre in northern China, participated in the study. All participants completed the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) questionnaire to assess psychological status. The relation of dietary intake frequency with the SCL-90 score was tested in partial correlation analysis. Multivariable regression models were used to calculate odds ratios to evaluate the association of dietary intake frequency with psychological problems.ResultsOf the current female methamphetamine population, 33 participants were diagnosed with psychological problems using SCL-90. In the terms of dietary intake frequency, the frequency of nut intake in the psychiatric symptom group was significantly lower than that in the asymptomatic group. However, there was no difference in the frequency of other food intakes between the two groups. The frequency of nut intake was negatively correlated with the total score of SCL-90 and 8 different symptom clusters of psychopathologies on SCL-90. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the increased frequency of nut intake was associated with a lower risk of psychological problems.ConclusionIn the female methamphetamine population, increasing the frequency of nut intake may reduce the risk of psychological problems for female methamphetamine users.

Using Crack or Smoking Cocaine, That Is the Question: The Association of Sociodemographic Factors with Self-Labeling Choices in France

ABSTRACT The label “crack user” is profoundly stigmatizing. Such labels are foundational to an individual’s identity, affecting how others view them, their self-perceptions, and subsequent behavior. Individuals can also resist labels such as “crack user,” creating distinctions for the same behavior. To elucidate characteristics associated with self-application of stigmatizing labels, we use data from individuals (N = 50,721) serviced for smoking cocaine in French drug treatment centers (N = 263) from 2010–2020 to assess who self-labels their behavior “crack use” or does not in favor of “smoked cocaine,” which are identical behaviors. Multilevel models reveal higher odds of using the less stigmatizing “smoked cocaine” in earlier years, among those with less risky cocaine use profiles, and among those not using other stimulants. Importantly, this less stigmatizing label is more common among those of high SES and outside the Paris region. An interaction demonstrates that even within Paris, those of high SES have higher odds of using this label than their lower SES Parisian counterparts. Those in privileged positions may use this alternative label to avoid stigmatization of the “crack user” label. Such distinctions potentially perpetuate inequalities associated with the more stigmatized label. We suggest that treatment centers can act as sites to combat these differences.

State resilience and rate of recovery among addicts: Moderating role of social skills.

The present study intended to explore the moderating role of social skills in State Resilience and the rate of recovery among drug addicts. The sample size was 100 recovering addicts from different drug rehabilitation centers were recruited from twin cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi) of Pakistan. The Social Skills Inventory (SSI) was used to assess social skills, while Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and Substance Use Recovery Evaluator (SURE) was used to assess state resilience and recovery among study participants. Results suggest a significant positive correlation between social skills and recovery (r = 0.27; p < 0.01). Similarly, state resilience was found to be significantly correlated with social skills (r = 0.35; p < 0.01), while state resilience was not significantly correlated with recovery. The moderation analysis for the interaction of social skills on state resilience was non-significant [β = 0.002, 95% CI (−0.002, 0.00), t = 1.01, p = 0.316]. Results also indicate the significant relationship of social skills in the prevention of relapse against drug use.

Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among High-risk Populations in Northeastern Iran

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 58 million people globally. The frequency of HCV infection in the general Iranian population is less than 0.5%; however, a concentrated epidemic was reported among people who use drugs, particularly those with a history of drug injection. Objectives: This cross-sectional study was performed to assess the prevalence of HCV infection among high-risk groups outside of prison in northeastern Iran. Methods: A total of 962 participants in Razavi Khorasan province were enrolled from 2018 to 2022. They included drug users referred to drug treatment and harm reduction centers and individuals with a history of crimes such as drug use or imprisonment who worked in a private industrial unit. Serum anti-HCV antibodies were assessed using a rapid or ELISA kit, and seroreactive samples were confirmed by single-step reverse transcriptase or qualitative real-time polymerase chain reactions. A P-value &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of 707 males and 255 females was 39.8 ± 10.2 years. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected from 129 samples (13.41%), of which 117 were available for polymerase chain reaction testing. HCV RNA was detected in 88 cases (75.2%); the total viremia rate was calculated as 9.26% (88/950). Logistic regression analysis revealed that HCV infection among drug users was significantly associated with older age (P = 0.002), being single (P = 0.009), and history of drug injection (P &lt; 0.001) or incarceration (P = 0.04). Conclusions: The findings showed a considerably high prevalence of HCV infection among people who use drugs in northeastern Iran. To achieve the global goal of viral hepatitis elimination by 2030, we strongly recommend stricter screening and treatment of this infection among such hard-to-access populations in Iran.

The Internalized Stigma and Self-Esteem in Individuals with Alcohol and Risky Substance Use Disorder

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between the internalized stigma and self-esteem in individuals with alcohol and risky substance use disorder. The sample of the study is consisted of 233 individuals who have been diagnosed with alcohol and substance use disorder and are undergoing inpatient or outpatient treatment. The researcher’s Socio-Demographic Information Form, Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory (CSEI) and The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMI) were applied to the participants. The data of the study was collected in person between 10th of May – 31st of December 2021 at the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Research, Treatment and Education Center (AMATEM). The mean CSEI score of participants was 39,51 ± 11,84, and the mean ISMI score was 78,70 ± 9,70. It was discovered that the social withdrawal scores of the unemployed are higher than those of the retired (p < .05). There was a positive correlation between social withdrawal and self-esteem r = 0.172, and stigma resistance and self-esteem r = 0.14 (p = 0,033 < 0.05). It was found that the self-esteem and the internalized stigma experienced by individuals with alcohol and risky substance use disorder were moderate, and there was a positive correlation between self-esteem and the ISMI subscales of social withdrawal and stigma resistance.