Community-based relapse prevention for opiate dependents: a randomized community controlled trial.

Relapse prevention (RP) programs mainly focus on patients and their families; however a patient's community can also play a significant role in RP. A randomized-controlled-trial was conducted among opiate-dependents discharging from residential abstinence-based treatment programs to assess the effect of a community-based relapse prevention program (CBRP) on the RP. Seventy-one participants were consented and randomized into CBPR (n = 35) or treatment-as-usual arms. Developing and implementing CBRP, social-workers and peer-group counselors facilitated and advocated thirty-six RP projects across 7 communities during a three-month follow-up period. Negative-drug-tests, 45 and 90 days after discharge from residential programs were considered as the main outcome. Abstinence rates were significantly greater for patients who received CBRP in comparison to the subjects in the treatment-as-usual arm at 45 days (27 and 20, P < 0.004) and 90 days (27 and 21, P < 0.007) after discharge. CBRP was an effective method for RP among opiate-dependents after being discharged from the residential programs.

Sibling cigarette smoking and peer network influences on substance use potential among adolescent: a population based study.

Background Peer and parental substance use are established predictors for substance use among adolescent, little is known about influence of sibling cigarette smoking and its interaction with peer network on substance use potential that can introduce an important way for substance use prevention programs. Objective The aim of present study was to explore the association of sibling cigarette smoking and peer network with substance use potential among high school students in Tehran. Subjects Data were drawn from the population-based cross-sectional study of among 650 high schools students. Methods Multiple linear regression was used in order to determine the adjusted association between cigarette smoking among family members, peer network, their interaction and substance use potential. Result Having a sister who smokes (B = 3.19; p < 0.01) and peer network quality were associated with substance use potential (B = -0.1; p < 0.05). The increase in mean of substance use potential associated with decreases in peer network quality score is much more than in who have a sister with a cigarette smoking habit. Conclusion Having a sister who smokes interacts with peer network quality; appears to be one of the important mechanisms for adolescents' tendency to substance use. These findings can help in a better understanding of substance use potential mechanisms, screening efforts and the formulation of prevention programs.

A systematic review of the prevalence and risk factors of depression among iranian adolescents.

Depression is the most common mood and psychiatric disorder. The aim of this comprehensive study was to provide a complete picture of the prevalence and risk factors of depression. The study employed a systematic review methodology, searching Iranian and international databases. After screening and evaluating the articles, a synthesis of 53 articles was accumulated. A meta-analysis of the studies showed that the prevalence of children and adolescent depression was 43.55% using the BDI, 15.87 % using SCL-90, and 13.05% using CDI. Also, the prevalence of depression was higher among girls than boys based on the BDI and CDI results. The most important factors contributing to depression were: the female sex, poor inter-parental relationship, poor adolescent-parent relationship, low socio-economic status (SES), state of parenting styles, low level of parental education, and poor academic performance. The comparatively high prevalence of depression among Iranian adolescents call for further investigation and measures.