The relationship between substance abuse-associated stigma and deficits in executive functioning

Abstract

Abstract Background: Substance abuse is a common problem worldwide. Among addicts, the perceived stigma of substance abuse harms their quality of life and represents a major treatment barrier. We explored the effect of executive dysfunction on the stigma perceived due to substance abuse. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a validated questionnaire on executive dysfunction and stigma was distributed among eighty drug addicts admitted to Ostad Moharary Neuropsychiatric Hospital in March 2022. Demographic data were also collected. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS v. 25. Results: In this study, 80 drug users were evaluated, of which 28 (35%) were narcotic drug users, 7 (8.8%) were stimulant drug users, and 45 (56.3%) were multidrug users. Materials were simultaneous (multiple). The mean age of participants was 36.56 37 9.37. In this study, the total test obtained from the stigma questionnaire showed a significant and positive relationship with each of the time scales of self-management, self-organization, self-regulation of emotion, self-motivation, self-inhibition, and total executive performance defects. Conclusion: Self-perceived stigma is directly linked with executive dysfunction in drug users who are seeking to quit. Since stigma and executive function both play essential roles in addiction treatment success, interventions should be adjusted to reduce the self-perceived stigma and executive function deficits of substance addicts.