A new taper off treatment of opium dependents can lead to cure the addiction as well as improvement of cognitive functions

Abstract

Abstract Opium is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy. Opium addiction is the most prevalent addiction in Iranian society. During the last two decades "congress 60" a nongovernmental organization, has been performed a taper off treatment of opium associated with a package of psychological treatment group classes. Present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of taper off method in opium addiction in Iran, during more than 20 years as well as the effects of the treatment method on addiction associated cognitive dysfunctions. In present study the taper off treatment method of opium addiction called Dezhakam step time (DST) were assessed. We used data collected via the congress 60 non-governmental organization in Iran dedicated to addiction treatment with DST method, since Jan 2018 until December 2020. In addition, executive functions including memory and decision making were analyzed in a large sample size from addicted subjects which were successfully treated with DST method in Congress 60. Results showed high number of successful treatment of opium addiction and very low number of substance abuse relapse. Also, significant improvements in memory and decision making were determined in addicts after therapy and these improvements were correlated with duration of individuals' membership in congress 60. Findings revealed the effectiveness of taper off method in treatment of opium addiction as well as improvement in cognitive functions in opium dependent persons. Findings of the study may help to a better understanding from a novel method of opium addiction treatment called DST and its effects on neuropsychological mechanisms and brain functions of opium dependents.