Addiction and Health最新文献

{"title":"Delinquent Adolescents' Substance Use during Stay in Juvenile Correctional and Rehabilitation Center.","authors":"Masoomeh Maarefvand, Lotfollah Mohseni","doi":"10.34172/ahj.1597","DOIUrl":"10.34172/ahj.1597","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Staying in Juvenile Correctional and Rehabilitation Centers (JCRCs) exposes adolescents to high levels of stress, potentially increasing the risk of substance use cravings and drug-seeking behaviors. Preventive programs should prioritize enhancing protective factors and mitigating risk factors. This research aimed to identify the risk and protective factors related to substance use among adolescents in JCRCs in Iran.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was a content analysis based on individual semi-structured, in-depth interviews with volunteer adolescents (aged 12-18 years) who had experienced JCRCs in Iran within the past 12 months. Snowball sampling was used to identify the participants. Open coding was initially conducted by reading transcripts. Then, similar codes were grouped and placed into categories. We ensured the utmost trustworthiness using constant comparison, member checks, peer debriefing, and revisiting the data multiple times.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Twenty-three eligible adolescents participated in the study. There was no substance use treatment protocol to treat adolescent substance users. Buprenorphine was the most accessed substance in JCRCs. Risk factors included peer substance use, substance offers during high-stress situations, stress, depression, hopelessness, slow passage of time, positive past substance use experiences, curiosity, poverty, financial problems, and myths about quitting. Protective factors included establishing rapport, providing counseling and social work services, engaging the adolescents in daily recreational activities, and assigning them responsibilities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Shifting from punitive to supportive and preventive approaches within JCRCs by addressing peer influence, training staff in adolescent substance use treatment, and facilitating meaningful leisure activities could promote healthier behaviors among adolescents in these facilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":33943,"journal":{"name":"Addiction and Health","volume":"17 ","pages":"1597"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12718418/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145810729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality of Sleep and Related Factors in Individuals Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Treatment.","authors":"Marjan Shamspoor, Mana Aminaie, Farzaneh Raaii, Moazzameh Alidad Parizi, Farzaneh Jahanbakhsh","doi":"10.34172/ahj.1548","DOIUrl":"10.34172/ahj.1548","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Poor sleep quality and its relationship with other sleep disorders and medical and psychiatric disorders have been noted in many individuals who use methadone as a maintenance treatment for drug abuse. This study aimed to investigate the quality of sleep and its related factors in people undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was conducted on 80 individuals who were undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in MMT clinics selected by the convenience sampling method. The researcher-made data collection form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale questionnaire were completed by the participants. Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficient, chi-square, Mann-Whitney <i>U</i>, or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for analyses.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>In the present study, 80 participants undergoing maintenance treatment (86.25% male) were studied. Most individuals (75%) had good sleep quality (average questionnaire score of 4.31). In addition, the majority of participants had anxiety (63.75%; average score of 6.2), depression (66.25%; average score of 7.45), and stress at a normal level (91.25%; average score of 6.25). Women had significantly lower sleep quality than men (<i>P</i>=0.009). The level of education (<i>P</i>=0.036) and the frequency of alcohol consumption influenced sleep quality (<i>P</i>=0.018). However, marital status, employment status, smoking, methamphetamine use, or use of drugs other than methadone were not significantly associated with sleep quality. The average score of sleep quality was significantly influenced by the level of anxiety (<i>P</i><0.001), depression (<i>P</i><0.001), and stress (<i>P</i>=0.008). The age of starting methadone had a weak negative but significant correlation with the sleep quality score (<i>τ</i>=-0.2 and <i>P</i>=0.01). The daily methadone dose had a weak but significant positive correlation with poorer sleep quality. (<i>τ</i>=0.173 and <i>P</i>=0.049).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Considering the significant relationship found between the severity of anxiety, depression, and stress and the quality of sleep in the participants of this study, it is recommended to screen these disorders more carefully in this group of people so that the necessary interventions can be carried out to improve their conditions. In addition, patients should be warned about consuming alcohol and increasing the daily dose of methadone.</p>","PeriodicalId":33943,"journal":{"name":"Addiction and Health","volume":"17 ","pages":"1548"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12718419/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145811196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Impact of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Craving and Relapse Rates in Opioid-Dependent Patients Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Therapy.","authors":"Masoumeh Khoshkbarchi, Mazyar Fathi, Ali Talaei, Farzad Akbarzadeh, Saeed Akhlaghi, Alireza Ebrahimi","doi":"10.34172/ahj.1620","DOIUrl":"10.34172/ahj.1620","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Addiction is a chronic and debilitating condition associated with compulsive behaviors, cravings, and high relapse rates. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulation technique for the treatment of substance use disorders by targeting brain areas involved in craving and inhibitory control. This study aimed to assess tDCS effectiveness in reducing cravings in opioid-dependent patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 60 opioid-dependent participants were randomly assigned to either an active intervention group or a sham group. The intervention group received ten sessions of anodal tDCS applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and cathodal tDCS over the right DLPFC. Craving was measured using the Desire for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ) before and after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>This study found no statistically significant differences in craving scores between the intervention and sham groups. There was no statistically significant difference in craving score changes between the two groups before and after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings of this study suggest that the specific tDCS protocol used, targeting the left DLPFC with anodal stimulation and the right DLPFC with cathodal stimulation, did not significantly reduce craving in opioid-dependent patients undergoing MMT. The study highlights the need for further research to optimize tDCS protocols and explore alternative brain targets for the treatment of substance craving and relapse prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":33943,"journal":{"name":"Addiction and Health","volume":"17 ","pages":"1620"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12718423/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145811199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of Attentional Bias in Internet Gaming Disorder Using the Addiction Stroop Task and Event-Related Potentials.","authors":"Sina Motamedy, Mohammad Navid Ebrahimi, Mazyar Fathi, Maryam Talebi Moghaddam, Shahrzad Mazhari, Ali Mohammad Pourrahimi","doi":"10.34172/ahj.1571","DOIUrl":"10.34172/ahj.1571","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is defined by a loss of control over gaming habits, prioritizing gaming above daily responsibilities, and persistent engagement despite detrimental outcomes. As a rising public health challenge, IGD significantly disrupts individuals' lives. Investigating attentional biases in IGD is vital for designing targeted interventions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Attentional bias was measured in individuals with IGD using the Addiction Stroop Task. The participants were classified into three cohorts: IGD, Recreational Game Users, and non-gaming controls. Electroencephalography/event-related potential (EEG/ERP) data were collected and analyzed from electrodes Pz, Cz, and CPz.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Compared to the RGU and control groups, the IGD group displayed significantly greater P300 amplitudes and prolonged response latencies to both gaming-related and neutral stimuli. Furthermore, the IGD group reported elevated impulsivity, anxiety, and depression levels relative to the other groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Contrary to conventional attentional bias models in addiction-which emphasize preferential attention to addiction-related cues-individuals with IGD exhibited intensified neural reactivity to all stimuli. This suggests excessive cognitive resource mobilization, potentially indicative of hyperarousal or dysregulated neurobiological processes.</p>","PeriodicalId":33943,"journal":{"name":"Addiction and Health","volume":"17 ","pages":"1571"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12718421/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145811511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of the SLC6A3 Gene rs2652511 Polymorphism with Methamphetamine Abuse Disorder in the Iranian Population.","authors":"Mohaddeseh Aminzadeh Khosroshahi, Ali Farrokhi, Hossein Soltanzadeh","doi":"10.34172/ahj.1484","DOIUrl":"10.34172/ahj.1484","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Besides its physical and psychological effects on individuals, addiction is a major personal and societal issue that threatens cultural, political, and community well-being. Genetic factors play essential roles in susceptibility to methamphetamine dependence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between methamphetamine use disorder in Iranian males and the rs2652511 polymorphism in the promoter of SLC6A3.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We recruited 100 men with methamphetamine use disorder as cases and 100 age- and ethnically-matched normal men from East Azerbaijan, Tabriz, Iran as healthy controls. From peripheral blood leukocytes, genomic DNA was extracted. PCR-RFLP was utilized for genotyping.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The genotype distribution of rs2652511 polymorphism in the case group was 56% CC, 33% CT, and 11% 44, whereas in the control group it was 25% CC, 42% CT, and 33% TT. According to statistical analysis, there was a substantial variation in genotype and allele frequencies of the rs2652511 polymorphism between the case group and the healthy control group (<i>P</i>>0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our research revealed that the rs2652511 polymorphism in the SLC6A3 gene was associated with methamphetamine misuse disorder in the Iranian population. To clarify the exact role of this polymorphism in the pathology of methamphetamine use disorder, further research is required across different racial and geographic groups.</p>","PeriodicalId":33943,"journal":{"name":"Addiction and Health","volume":"17 ","pages":"1484"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12377687/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144972249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biomedical Research: Formulating a Well-Built and Worth-Answering Research Question.","authors":"Zahra Bahadoran, Parvin Mirmiran, Khosrow Kashfi, Asghar Ghasemi","doi":"10.34172/ahj.1564","DOIUrl":"10.34172/ahj.1564","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research begins with a problem that must be translated into an answerable research question. The research question is a structured interrogative statement based on an unsolved problem, which the researcher tries to answer through the study. The art of articulating a good research question is a crucial part of the research process as it sets the stage for the rest. A critical challenge in biomedical research lies in the frequent shortcomings of research question formulation and presentation. This paper aims to provide a practical guide to assist researchers in formulating answerable and worth-answering research questions in biomedical research. The PICOT/PECOT strategy (addresses population, intervention/exposure, comparator, outcome, and time) is essential to develop an excellent relational quantitative research question. The formulated research question should pass the FINER (feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant) criteria, determining the worth-answering aspect of the research question. Research questions are presented as questions, hypotheses, and propositions.</p>","PeriodicalId":33943,"journal":{"name":"Addiction and Health","volume":"17 ","pages":"1564"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12127988/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144209697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Laser Therapy and Behavioral Counseling in Tobacco Cessation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Zainab Akram, Naveen Kumar Pg, Mahesh Khairnar, Jadhav Sachin Kumar, Jyotsna Kailashiya, Savitha Priyadarsini S, Alka Singh","doi":"10.34172/ahj.1601","DOIUrl":"10.34172/ahj.1601","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Laser auricular acupuncture is a form of therapy that is non-invasive, aseptic, and painless, thus advantageous over the traditional form of acupuncture for tobacco cessation. The objective of the study is to evaluate and compare nicotine dependence, urinary cotinine level, physical effects, and quit rate among tobacco chewers before and one month after laser therapy and behavioral counseling, and to evaluate and compare extrinsic stains one month post-intervention.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The present study was a randomized controlled trial, with laser therapy and behavioral counseling as the test and control interventions, respectively. The laser was focused on both ears once a week for four weeks. Counseling sessions were held once a week for four weeks. Nicotine dependence, urinary cotinine level, physical effects, as measured using the Visual Analog Scale, and quit rate were recorded before and after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The results showed significant reductions in nicotine dependence in both laser and counseling groups post-intervention (<i>P</i><0.001). Urinary cotinine levels increased significantly in the counseling group post-intervention (<i>P</i>=0.010). Inter-group comparison revealed significant differences in pre- and post-intervention cotinine levels (<i>P</i><0.05). Adjusted analysis confirmed significant post-intervention differences between the groups (<i>P</i>=0.048).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrates that combining laser auricular acupuncture therapy with behavioral counseling yields superior outcomes for smokeless tobacco cessation compared to behavioral counseling alone. The combined approach results in greater reductions in nicotine dependence, lower urinary cotinine levels, slightly higher quit rates, and significant improvements in various physical effects associated with tobacco use.</p>","PeriodicalId":33943,"journal":{"name":"Addiction and Health","volume":"17 ","pages":"1601"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12718414/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145811591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of the Inhibitory Effect of Naringin on the Development of Morphine Physical Dependency in Male Rats.","authors":"Atena Alifarsangi, Saeed Esmaeili-Mahani, Ehsan Salarkia, Elham Alizadeh, Mehdi Abbasnejad","doi":"10.34172/ahj.1543","DOIUrl":"10.34172/ahj.1543","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Morphine dependence is a significant concern because of its potential for inducing addiction and adverse withdrawal symptoms. Naringin, a flavonoid compound found in citrus fruits, has shown promise in various pharmacological activities, including analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its potential role in inhibiting or reducing morphine dependence has not been extensively investigated yet. This study aimed to determine whether naringin can inhibit or reduce physical morphine dependence in rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Morphine dependence was induced in rats through chronic injection of the drug for 7 days. Also, different doses of naringin (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) were administered 15 minutes prior to morphine injection in three experimental groups. The effect of naringin pretreatment on drug withdrawal-associated symptoms, including body weight, jumping, abdominal contraction, grooming, ptosis, diarrhea, and teeth chattering, was evaluated.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The animals experiencing morphine dependence exhibited significant body weight loss. However, administration of naringin before morphine injection prevented this loss by 50%. Also, drug withdrawal symptoms such as jumping, abdominal contraction, grooming, diarrhea, and teeth chattering were significantly increased in the rats. Interestingly, the prescription of naringin significantly reduced these symptoms. Ptosis was observed in all rats receiving morphine, while naringin did not significantly affect this symptom. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of naringin on morphine physical dependence was found to be dose-dependent.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Naringin pretreatment demonstrated potential in inhibiting or reducing physical morphine dependence in rats. These findings suggest that naringin may have therapeutic potential in managing morphine dependence and associated withdrawal symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":33943,"journal":{"name":"Addiction and Health","volume":"17 ","pages":"1543"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12127984/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144209674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Relationship between Five Personality Traits and Happiness: The Mediating Role of Problematic Instagram Use.","authors":"Sayed Ali Sharifi Fard, Mark D Griffiths, Safdar Nabizadeh, Maryam Taheri, Maryam Refaei","doi":"10.34172/ahj.1523","DOIUrl":"10.34172/ahj.1523","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Personality plays a key role in many psychosocial variables. Happiness as a source of motivation can also play a major role in a society's individual and collective development. In this regard, the Instagram platform, as a popular platform among the Iranian population, has attracted a high level of engagement (and can make individuals happy), but it has been associated with the risk of behavioral addiction for a small minority. Therefore, the present study evaluated the relationship between personality traits and happiness with the mediating role of problematic Instagram use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The present study comprised an online survey among married individuals living in Tehran (<i>N</i>=418). The survey included the 10-item Big Five Inventory (BFI-10), the 15-item Instagram Addiction Scale (IAS-15), and the six-item Short Depression-Happiness Scale (SDHS-6).</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The results indicated that extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience had a significant negative relationship, and neuroticism had a significant positive relationship with problematic Instagram use. Moreover, conscientiousness and openness to experience had a significant positive relationship and neuroticism had a significant negative relationship with happiness. Problematic Instagram use also has a significant negative relationship with happiness. The results also showed that neuroticism, conscientiousness, and openness were significantly associated with happiness and that problematic Instagram use mediated the relationship.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Personality traits may facilitate or prevent problematic Instagram use. Moreover, addiction to social networks such as Instagram can affect the happiness of users and may lead to further psychosocial problems.</p>","PeriodicalId":33943,"journal":{"name":"Addiction and Health","volume":"17 ","pages":"1523"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12126615/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144209678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the Effect of Oxytocin and Zinc Sulphate on Reproductive Indices in Opiate-Addicted Men Receiving Methadone Maintenance Therapy: A Randomized, Double-Masked Clinical Trial.","authors":"Nasser Mirzai, Ehsan Saboory, Alireza Faridi","doi":"10.34172/ahj.1552","DOIUrl":"10.34172/ahj.1552","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite considerable advances in comprehending the neurobiology of drug addiction, available treatment options remain limited in terms of effectiveness and are often accompanied by adverse side effects that contribute to relapse. Notably, oxytocin administration has demonstrated potential in influencing neurobehavioral changes related to drug abuse. Furthermore, the effect of zinc on male fertility has been established. This study aimed to assess the impact of combining oxytocin with zinc sulfate on reproductive parameters in men addicted to opioids who are undergoing methadone maintenance therapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This research followed a double-masked randomized controlled clinical trial design and involved 40 men with opioid dependence receiving methadone treatment. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a control group receiving a saline nasal spray and a zinc sulfate placebo, and an intervention group receiving 40 international units of oxytocin nasal spray in combination with 220 mg zinc sulfate capsules, daily. Baseline evaluations of testosterone, oxytocin, sperm characteristics, and zinc levels were conducted three days after a 5-10 mg reduction in methadone dosage. Subsequently, a two-week treatment regimen was administered, followed by post-intervention assessments.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The age of participants was comparable in the control and intervention groups. Zinc levels in the control and treatment groups showed no significant difference before the intervention, while a significant increase was seen after the intervention in the treatment group (<i>P</i>=0.023). A significant increase was reported in testosterone levels (<i>P</i>=0.002) and the active motility of sperm (<i>P</i>=0.015) in the treatment group after the intervention. The intervention led to a significant reduction in the total abnormality of sperm (<i>P</i><0.001). Prescription of nasal oxytocin spray with zinc supplementation can be an effective remedy in improving reproductive indices in opiate-addicted men and could be considered in addiction management guidelines. The present study is one of the first studies evaluating the effects of combined oxytocin and zinc supplementation on improving the reproductive indices in opiate-addicted men.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>According to the results, the combination of oxytocin and zinc supplementation had a positive and significant effect on sperm parameters in opioid-dependent men undergoing methadone treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":33943,"journal":{"name":"Addiction and Health","volume":"17 ","pages":"1552"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12534751/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145330230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}