RESUMO
One of the most important factors affecting relapse of addiction is craving beliefs of substance use. The goal of the present study was assessment of the effectiveness of coping skills education program to reduce craving beliefs among opium addicts. In a randomized controlled trial, during September 2011 to August 2012, 70 opium addicted men referred to the Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse Research Center in Hamadan, western Iran were assigned to intervention group [receiving coping skills education program] and control groups. The study information was analyzed using SPSS software. Regarding craving beliefs for continuing drug use, the two groups had similar scales at the beginning of interventional program, while the level of these beliefs was significantly reduced in the intervention group [P = 0.002], but not in the control group [P = 0.105]. Also, a significant correlation was also revealed between taking advantage of the educational program and increase awareness of the signs of relapse in the intervention group [P = 0.003] that was not revealed in the control [P = 0.174]. On the other hand, executing coping skills education program led to reduce craving beliefs and improve knowledge towards signs of relapse. Our findings demonstrate positive impact of coping skills education program after detoxification process on decrease of craving beliefs among opium addicts
RESUMO
To observe the effects of progestin-only hormonal contraceptives in our population. Design: Cohort study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Ziauddin Medical University, Karachi and Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi from October 2002 to September 2003. Patients and The study comprised of 50 women of reproductive age group, divided into two equal and matched groups of 25 each, namely, a group of users of progestin-only injectable hormonal contraceptive Norethisterone oenanthate [NET EN] 200 mg used as a 2-monthly injection and a control group not using any hormonal contraception. Complete blood counts, prothrombin time [PT] and international normalized ratio [INR] as well as activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT] were monitored. APTT and prothrombin time were not significantly different in both the groups. Menstrual irregularities were found out by more frequent in users of injectable hormonal contraceptives than in non-users [p= 0.001]. Hemoglobin [p= 0.029] and hematocrit were slightly better preserved in the same group. Use of Norethisterone oenanthate does not predispose to thrombogenesis in current dose for contraception