Neuropsychological Status of Heroin Users Undergoing Methadone Maintenance in Harm Reduction Program and Therapeutic Community

Abstract

The neuropsychological consequences of opioid abuse are particularly evident in attention, memory and executive functioning, but it remains unclear whether these consequences persist in heroin users doing methadone in harm reduction programs and therapeutic community treatments. Thus, the current study aimed to assess these cognitive domains in distinct clinical groups of heroin users undergoing methadone maintenance. The sample consisted of 110 participants divided in four groups (low threshold methadone program, short-term community treatment, long-term community treatment, drug-free controls). These groups were compared regarding memory and attentional abilities. Multiple linear regressions were then conducted to obtain standardized effect sizes for significant comparisons. Results showed a better attentional and memory function in patients that were in opioid dependence treatment in community opposed to patients in harm reduction programs (p's<0.05). Standardized effect sizes suggest larger improvements in cognition in long-term heroin-abstinent individuals doing methadone maintenance. These results highlight the detrimental effect of heroin use in cognitive function, but also suggest that this decrement may be reversed during long-term opioid dependence treatment.

Follow-up Study of Drug Use, Depression, and Anxiety Reduction and Quality of Life in Addicts on Methadone Maintenance Therapy

“…One of these measures is methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) that keeps the patient in a slow and gentle way of reducing mental fluctuations and improving health. In this therapy, the patient receives a set of medical, pharmaceutical, and psychotherapy treatments (3). MMT does not result in a complete disruption in drug use, but can avoid leaving the treatment and reduce depression, social and familial disorders, death, suicide, serious delinquencies, and unsuccessful marriages (4,5).…”

Examining patterns of cognitive impairment among homeless and precariously housed urban youth

“…No research specifically compared levels of cognitive impairment in homeless young people to housed young people (aged 15–24); however, research with younger samples suggests higher cognitive impairment among homeless children and adolescents, with the findings regarding specific impairments being mixed (Rafferty, Shinn, & Weitzman, 2004; San Agustin et al, 1999). Cognitive impairment in homeless young people may be due to multiple factors, including psychiatric disorders (Castaneda, Tuulio‐Henriksson, Marttunen, Suvisaari, & Lönnqvist, 2008; Malhi et al, 2007; Reichenberg et al, 2009), substance use (Jacobus et al, 2015; Oliveira et al, 2016; Potvin, Stavro, Rizkallah, & Pelletier, 2014), brain injury (Silver & Felix, 1999), developmental disabilities (Backer & Howard, 2007) and lower socioeconomic status (Fry, Langley, & Shelton, 2017).…”