Chinese Adolescents and Youth With Methamphetamine Dependence: Prevalence and Concurrent Psychological Problems.

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine is a commonly used illicit drug that threatens many adolescents and youth in Asian Pacific countries, contributing to the heavy burden of disease and drug-related death. Little is known about the prevalence of associated psychological problems in methamphetamine-dependent adolescents and youth. PURPOSE: The study sought to estimate the prevalence of psychological problems in adolescents and youth in China with methamphetamine dependence and to identify factors related to co-occurring psychological problems. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used. Methamphetamine-dependent adolescents and youth from two drug rehabilitation centers in Tianjin, China, took part. Each participant was assessed with a sociodemographic questionnaire and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). RESULTS: A total of 161 adolescents and youth took part. Psychological symptomatology was high, with 59.6% of participants having over 160 points on the SCL-90 total score, indicating significant psychological distress. On the basis of subscale scores, phobic anxiety, depression, and anxiety were common. Male participants, younger adolescents, and those who are addicted to methamphetamine for a longer time with more consumption were more likely to experience psychological problems. DISCUSSION: Nurses should be aware of the type and severity of psychological problems among methamphetamine-dependent adolescents and youth. Nursing care should be designed to relieve psychological problems and improve mental health of the methamphetamine-dependent adolescents and youth.

Effect of cognitive behavioural interventions on the quality of life in Chinese heroin-dependent individuals in detoxification: a randomised controlled trial.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine whether cognitive behavioural interventions would improve the quality of life in Chinese heroin addicts. BACKGROUND: Drug dependence is one of the most serious health problems in the world, representing a real menace to mental and somatic health. However, effects of cognitive behavioural interventions on quality of life in Chinese heroin addicts are unclear. DESIGN: This randomised controlled study was conducted at a Drug-withdrawal Rehabilitation Center in China. METHODS: Following ethics approval and heroin addicts' consent, 240 heroin addicts were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group (n = 120) received a six-month cognitive behavioural intervention comprising education intervention and behavioural intervention developed by the investigators. The control group (n = 120) received the hospital's routine care. The effects of the interventions on patients' quality of life were evaluated at baseline and six months and were compared. A Chinese version of Quality of Life in Drug Addiction Questionnaire was used in this study. Usefulness of the intervention and usual community services was evaluated at six months. RESULTS: The quality of life of participants with heroin addiction with physical and psychological disorders is poor. The experimental group showed a significant improvement in quality of life after nurse-managed cognitive behavioural intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life and the health status of Chinese heroin addicts were improved after they received a nurse-managed cognitive behavioural intervention. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Appropriate nurse-managed cognitive behavioural intervention for heroin addicts can improve their quality of life and promote their health. It is important for clinical nurses to understand cognitive behavioural therapy, appraisal and coping to apply knowledge in practice when dealing with a client who has heroin addiction.

Yoga effects on mood and quality of life in Chinese women undergoing heroin detoxification: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Yoga, as a mind-body therapy, is effective in improving quality of life for patients with chronic diseases, yet little is known about its effectiveness in female heroin addicts. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of yoga on mood status and quality of life among women undergoing detoxification for heroin dependence in China. METHOD: This study was a randomized controlled trial. Seventy-five women aged 20-37 years undergoing detoxification for heroin dependence at AnKang Hospital were allocated randomly into an intervention or a control group. Women in the intervention group received a 6-month yoga intervention in addition to hospital routine care, and women in the control group received hospital routine care only. Mood status and quality of life were assessed using the Profile of Mood States and Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey at baseline and following 3 and 6 months of treatment. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate treatment and time effects on mood and quality of life. RESULTS: Most female heroin addicts were young and single, with a low education level. Most had used heroin by injection. Mood state and quality of life of female heroin addicts were poor. The intervention group showed a significant improvement in mood status and quality of life over time compared with their counterparts in the control group. CONCLUSION: Yoga may improve mood status and quality of life for women undergoing detoxification for heroin dependence. Yoga can be used as an auxiliary treatment with traditional hospital routine care for these women.