Depression and Cognitive Impairment in a Spanish Sample of Psychoactive Substance Users Receiving Mental Health Care.

(1) Background: Numerous studies state that the abuse of psychoactive substances produces cognitive, emotional and behavioral disorders. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the consumption of different psychoactive substances with cognitive performance and depression. (2) Methods: The sample was composed of 254 individuals (M = 41.81; SD = 10.74, from 18 to 69; 76% male) who received psychological treatment related to the use of substances. Participants were classified according to the main substance consumed: alcohol (42.9%), cannabis (20.5%), cocaine (15.4%), heroin (13%) and benzodiazepines (8.3%). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Beck's Depression Inventory were administrated. (3) The results indicated no statistically significant differences between levels of depression depending on the substance consumed. Regarding cognitive impairment, it was found that cocaine consumers have the worst level of cognitive impairment, while cannabis consumers have the best level of cognitive functioning. Finally, it was found that participants with severe depression have higher cognitive impairment than those who were diagnosed with moderate depression. (4) Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of depression and cognitive impairment with the abuse of psychoactive substances, early treatment is recommended to avoid a higher cognitive and emotional affectation.

Tratamiento del tabaquismo en los centros de drogodependencias y alcoholismo en España. Estado de la situación y perspectivas / Smoking cessation programs in centres specialised in treating drug abuse and alcoholism in Spain: present situation and future

Se analiza en una muestra de 142 centros, la mayoría de drogodependencias y algunos de alcoholismo, de 11 comunidades autónomas españolas, los programas que realizan para el tratamiento del tabaquismo. El 55.6% llevan a cabo tratamiento de fumadores. A lo largo del año 2004 en dichos centros hubo una demanda de tratamiento por parte de 3.771 personas. Fueron tratadas unas 3.000, finalizando el tratamiento la mitad de ellas. Los niveles de abstinencia indicados para el final del tratamiento como en los seguimientos a los 6 y 12 meses son buenos, en relación a los estudios clínicos publicados. El tratamiento más utilizado es el combinado (psicológico y farmacológico) seguido del psicológico. Suelen ser los distintos profesionales del equipo terapéutico los que llevan a cabo el tratamiento. Indican varias limitaciones para realizar este tratamiento, incluidos los presentes en cualquier adicción (ej., baja motivación de los fumadores), carencia de tiempo, poco personal, etc. Aprecian un claro incremento de la demanda, tanto de personas que acuden con solo dependencia de la nicotina como de sus usuarios clásicos que están a tratamiento por otras dependencias. Tienen clara su relevancia profesional en el tratamiento de esta adicción y la alta eficacia de los tratamientos que llevan a cabo con los fumadores. Ven necesario que se les aporten más medios para hacer frente al incremento continuo de demanda que están teniendo para el tratamiento de la dependencia de la nicotina en sus centros

We analyzed in a sample of 142 Centers of Drug Abuse and Alcoholism, in 11 regions of Spain, the programs that they carry out for smoking cessation. The 55.6% of centers carries out treatment of smokers. Along the year 2004 in this centers had a treatment demand of 3,771 smokers, 3,000 were treated, concluding the treatment half of them. The levels of abstinence for the end of the treatment and in the 6- and 12-months followup are good, in relation to the published clinical studies. The most utilized treatment are the combined (psychological and pharmacological) followed by the psychological treatment. They are usually apply by diferent professionals as therapits. They indicate several limitations to carry out this treatment, included usual in any addiction (e.g., the smokers’ low motivation), lack of time, limited personal, etc. They appreciates a clear increment of the demand, so much of people that they go with single nicotine dependence like of its classic users that are to treatment for other dependences. This data indicated the professional relevance of Centers of Drug Dependence in the treatment of nicotine dependence and the high effectiveness of the treatments that carry out with the smokers. They consider necessary that they have more means to make in front of the continuous increment of demand that they are having for the treatment of the nicotine dependence in their centers

El tratamiento del tabaquismo en los centros de drogodependencias y unidades de conductas adictivas / The treatment of smokers in the centers of drug abuse dependence and centers of addictive behaviors

En los últimos años los Centros de Drogodependencias y Adicciones tienen una nueva demanda de tratamiento, la de las personas con dependencia de la nicotina. En este artículo se presentan tres experiencias prácticas del trabajo que estamos realizando con fumadores en el Centro de Atención a las Drogodependencias de Zaragoza, en la Unidad de Drogodependencias y Adicciones de Córdoba y en la Unidad de Conductas Adictivas, Area 2, de Castellón. Los tratamientos los llevamos a cabo tanto en personas que son usuarias de dichos centros (personas con dependencia del alcohol, heroína, cocaína, marihuana, etc.), como con personas que son remitidas a dichos centros, o bien otras experiencias en donde acudimos a Centros de Atención Primaria para llevar en los mismos el tratamiento de los fumadores. Los tratamientos que estamos llevando a cabo se basan en protocolos de tratamiento eficaces, tenemos una importante demanda de tratamientos para dejar de fumar y los resultados son adecuados. Si sigue la tendencia actual, en los próximos años continuará incrementándose la demanda de este tipo de tratamiento (AU)

In the last years the Centers of Drug Abuse and Addictions in Spain have a new treatment demand, people with nicotine dependence. In this article three practical experiences are presented that are carrying out with smokers in the Centro de Atención a las Drogodependencias of Zaragoza, Unidad de Drogodependencias y Adicciones of Córdoba, and Unidad de Conductas Adictivas, Area 2, of Castellón, in Spain. The treatments was applied in patients of this centers (persons with alcohol dependence, heroine dependence, cocaine dependence, marijuana, etc.), like with people that are derived at our centers. In other cases we go to the Centers of Primary Care to apply in this centers the treatment to the patients smokers. The treatments that we are carrying out are based on effective treatment protocols. We have an important demand of treatments to stop smoke and the results are good. If it follows the current tendency, in the next years it will continue increasing the demand of this treatment type (AU)