The effect of methadone-maintenance therapy with and without interactive treatment on improving emotion-regulation strategies and resilience among opiate-dependent clients

Background: Due to the chronic and recurrent nature of addiction, many people who quit drug addiction may slip back into the pattern of using drugs shortly after the detoxification period. Emotion-regulation strategies and resilience play an important role in preventing the recurrences of substance abuse. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of methadone-maintenance therapy (MMT) and interactive therapy (a combination of MMT and cognitive-behavioral therapy) on improving emotion-regulation strategies and resilience among opiate-dependent clients. Patients and Methods: This pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study was performed on 60 patients with substance abuse admitted to Methadone Addiction Treatment Centers and Detox Centers in Sari within three months of therapy for their addiction (from October to December 2013). Then, the participants were randomly assigned to two different groups (n = 30) were examined in two groups of 30 people targeted to be available in the selected population. Participants in all three groups, before and after the intervention, filled out the questionnaires of Schutte emotional intelligence scale and Connor-Davidson resiliency questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance method. Results: The results showed that an interactive therapy would be significantly more effective than the MMT on improving emotion-regulation strategies and promoting the resilience level among opiate-dependent clients. Moreover, the results showed that cognitive- behavior therapy combined with MMT may improve emotion-regulation strategies, and promote the amount of resiliency and recovery. Conclusions: The cognitive-behavior therapy combined with MMT can improve emotion-regulation strategies and resiliency and thus prevent the substance-abuse relapse. © 2015, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences

Comparison of female sexual dysfunctions before and during pregnancy

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in men and women. Pregnancy is one of the factors which can contribute to sexual dysfunction, and is associated with a wide variety of organic and psychological causes. This study was designed to compare sexual dysfunction in women before and during pregnancy. Methods: Current study is a descriptive-analyzing study and study units were chosen randomly from different districts of Semnan in year 2006. 100 women who were pregnant or had recent history of labor took part in the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire designed by authors, in order to compare sexual dysfunction before and during pregnancy. Data were analyzed by SPSS11 and descriptive analytic methods. Results: Results showed that 78 of women had minimum one of the sexual dysfunction before pregnancy and 80 of them during gestational period. Altered sex drive, inability to reach orgasm, pain, sexual dissatisfaction, anxiety, fatigue and masturbation were the most prevalent sexual dysfunctions before and during pregnancy. In addition results showed significant relation between all kinds of sexual dysfunction before and during pregnancy. Conclusion: Because of increasing sexual dysfunctions during pregnancy, we suggest to increase public knowledge about sexual dysfunction for increasing sexual health in society through proper management is suggested

Evaluation and Comparison of Short Form Methadone Maintenance Treatment Training Courses Among Iranian General Physician and Psychologist Participants

The evaluation of the effectiveness of education plays an important role in the improvement of training processes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the short form training courses for methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in Iranian general physicians (GPs) and psychologists. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with 203 participants (91 GPs and 112 psychologists) in three 10-day short form MMT training courses at the School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health - Tehran Institute of Psychiatry. After the courses, participants were asked to complete the Kirkpatrick Training Evaluation Questionnaire. Overall, the GPs evaluated the short form MMT training course significantly more positively than did the psychologists. Evaluation scores for Levels 1, 2, and 4 were good, average, and average, respectively. The Level 2 (learning) scores of both GPs and psychologists increased after the short form MMT training course compared with before the short form MMT training course. Similarities in the views of the GPs and the psychologists were more than differences between them. Research findings raised concerns about the implementation, management, monitoring, new guidelines, support, and training for this training course while providing valuable information in helping to facilitate more involvement of GPs and psychologists in the short form MMT training course. © The Author(s) 2019

Demographic risk factors of suicide in savojbolagh city of Tehran province: 2007-2009

Suicide is an important public health difficulty and the third leading cause of death among young population. This study examines some of the demographic risk factors of suicidal behaviors in Savojbolagh city. In a retrospective, descriptive, and cross-sectional study, suicidal behaviors from March 2007 to March 2009 in Savojbolagh city were investigated. A unified questionnaire was designed in mental health research centre for data gathering. A total of 892 suicidal behavior reports were collected from the health facilities. Suicide attempts were more frequent in females, young people, the married, high school graduates, and housewives. The most common motive for suicide attempt was interpersonal quarrels and secondly, economical problems. Completed (fatal) suicide was higher in males, older people, and unemployed subjects. Demographic risk factors in any region or country are dependent upon the local factors such as socioeconomic status and cultural beliefs which need to be considered in suicide prevention planning. © Kamla-Raj 2013