Assessment of memory impairment during early full remission phase in methamphetamine abusers

Abstract

Substance abuse is one of the most important social threats. In next decades this phenomenon will increase explosively. So, it seems quite important to examine all its aspects. Nowadays, substance abuse experts are focusing on impacts of dependency to methamphetamine. Cognitive disorders can be mentioned as one of the most noticeable impacts of methamphetamine. This research was carried out with the aim of assessing various aspects of memory deficits in the individuals in their early full remission phase of methamphetamine dependence, the present study was quasi-experimental research. 40 subjects from the hospitalized addicts in Ebne-Sina Psychiatric Hospital of Mashhad city were selected through convenience sampling who were accompanied by 39 non-addict relatives equalized in view of demographic information, they performed Wechsler Memory Scale. Data were analyzed with Chi2 Pearson Tests, Multivariate Regression Analysis and T independent groups. The study of the deficits of memory quotient and its various aspects showed that with the exception of mental control, the mean standard score in all of the assessed aspects of memory in control group were greater than the experimental group. (p<0.001). Results proved the long-term influence of taking methamphetamine on memory aspects even during abstinence.

Keywords

• memory
• methamphetamine abuse
• the‌ early full remission phase.