The concept of Internet addiction, also called Internet addictive disorder or pathological Internet use, entered the medical lexicon in 1995. To investigate the prevalence of Internet addiction among north Iranian Internet users and to explore the epidemiological features associated with Internet addiction, for the first time in Iran, this study performed.

A total of 1856 Internet user volunteers' from Mazandaran province cities were surveyed using Farsi version of Young's Internet Addiction Questionnaire during 2005_2006. Data analysis was done using the SPSS 13.0 Win Program for descriptive and correlational statistics.

Total of 424 Dependents was in our sample. The incidence rate of Internet addiction was 22.8%. Dependents spent an M = 14.42, SD = 13.74 hours per week compared to Non-Dependents who spent M= 9, SD = 10.37 hours per week (P<0.001). The sample of Dependents included 256 males and 165 females (P<0.001). Mean±SD of Income Used for On-line Service Fees was 30.11±25.27 percent in Dependent group and 18.90±20.79 in Non-Dependent group (P<0.001). Dependents predominantly used the two-way communication functions available on the Internet like chat rooms (P<0.001).

The present study suggests that Internet addiction is frequent among northern Iranian Internet users. In addition, chat rooms are most addictive web environment in this population. The results have important implications for further studies of prevalence, implementation of preventive measures, and the development of treatment approaches for Internet addiction.

According to the studies drug addiction is an increasing problem affecting especially children and young people. It is assumed that about 60% of the drug addicts are found in the age range between 10 and 24.

The aim of this study were to estimate the general knowledge about drug addiction among secondary and vocational schools students in Zabrze, Poland and Tomaszów Lubelski, Poland, to compare the scales of the problem between studied schools, and to appreciate the level of drug abuse prevention.

280 students were included into the study. A two-part anonymous inquiry was implemented. The first part included questions about age, sex, living conditions, family and knowledge on drug abuse phenomenon. In the second part the questions regarded psychoactive substances.

The results show that secondary school graduates have a better knowledge about drugs than vocational school students, the scale of drug addiction problem is higher in schools of Tomaszów Lubelski than in Zabrze, the young people use drugs despite their knowledge of their harmful effects on human organism, boys use drugs more frequently than girls, and the drug abuse prevention in schools is not sufficient.

The analysis of the knowledge on addiction among students in two Polish cities may be useful in creating proper prevention programs.

Socio-cultural context of transition society intensifies overall risks of use and misuse of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs.

To determine the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents and young adults in Serbia.

The study included 3180 participants aged between 16 and 35 years from different, both urban and rural, parts of Serbia. Collection of data was conducted in May 2003. Participants completed self-administered anonymous questionnaires (modified YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOUR SURVEY) that consisted of sociodemographic characteristics and experiences related to alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use.

Majority of participants (64%) reported experience with smoking cigarettes at least once, while 51% smoke regularly. Prevalence of smoking was by 10% higher among males. Overall, 75% of the participants reported lifetime alcohol use, and 19% reported drinking alcohol at the age of fifteen or younger. Of the total number 36% experienced alcohol-induced blackouts at least once a month. Males were prone to blackouts significantly more often then females (3:1). The overall prevalence of marijuana use among participants was 32%. During one month before survey 10% of participants had smoked marijuana. Our study showed that the risk of marijuana use in regular cigarette smokers is two-fold higher then in non-smokers. Alcoholism of both parents and family dysfunctionality were related to significantly higher risk of marijuana use.

Early tobacco use, history of family disorganization and parental alcoholism were identified as factors related to increased risk of alcohol and marijuana abuse among adolescents and young adults in Serbia.

Beta thalassemia is a hereditary disease of hemoglobin synthesis that causes mild to severe microcytic anemia and hemosiderosis in many organs that finally results in organ failure in severe cases. Many of them need blood transfusion. Drug dependence is a recurrent and chronic problem that has two aspects: bodily (physiologic) and behavioral.

A total of 207 β thalassemic patients were randomly selected upon 810 β thalassemic patients that referred to Shiraz Coolys Center in May-July 2005, south of Iran. We studied the prevalence of addiction in these patients and compared it with normal population. We also evaluated probable risk factors of drug dependence. There was no other study found worldwide.

Out of 207 patients, 19 (9.2%) patients were drug dependent and their most common motivation was acquisition of enjoyment. Between several risk factors that were studied, only sex (male), marital status (single), history of past surgery and existence of another addict person in their family were statistically important (0.01<P value<0.05).

Although the prevalence of addiction in thalassemic patients (9.2%) was near the same in normal population of Fars province (10.2%) and Iran (12.5%), but it still has a high prevalence and it should be considers as a psychosocial problem. As this study was the first study done on this subject we hope that in future there'll be more studies to help these patients to have a better life style and live longer with better health and life expectancy.

Dysregulation in the neuroendocrine stress system has been attributed repeatedly to the stressful and anxiogenic state observed during alcohol withdrawal. Activity of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been shown to inhibit the release of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and corticotrophin (ACTH) and opioid neurotransmission also plays a role in counteracting effects of sustained stress by facilitating the termination of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis stress response. Thus ANP and ß-endorphin may be involved in modulating the HPA axis activity in alcohol withdrawal. Aim of the study was to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of ANP and ß-endorphin during alcohol withdrawal in mice habitated to chronic alcohol intake.

24 male mice (C57/Bl6J) were studied following 21 days of free-choice and forced alcohol intake. Anxiety related behavior (elevated plus maze, open field) was tested during acute ethanol withdrawal (12 hours after last ethanol consumption). 30 minutes before testing, randomized groups of mice were given i.p. injections of ANP (60 μg/kg), ß-endorphin (2 μg/kg) or saline.

Acute alcohol withdrawal in alcohol habituated mice was associated with increased anxiety related behavior. Application of both, ß-endorphin and ANP, was significantly associated with reduced anxiety related behavior.

Taking into consideration data from studies in humans, where decreased levels of ß-endorphin and ANP were associated with anxiety during acute and protracted alcohol withdrawal, our results suggest a causal relationship between ANP, ß-endorphin and withdrawal-induced anxiety in alcohol related disorders.

The interest on the possible problems that might be associated with heavy use of the web has increased. The aim of this study was to test the correlates and validity of the Finnish version of the Internet Addiction Test.

1825 students filled a web-based questionnaire that included questions on socio-demographic background factors, reasons for use of the internet, symptom score measures and questions of use of substances. The back-translation of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was reviewed by the developer of the scale.

Almost all (99.6%) respondents used the web more than once a week. Those with a CAGE score 2 or above had a mean of 39.4 on the IAT and those below 2 had a mean of 35 on the IAT (p<0.001). Those who were more distressed had a higher mean score on the IAT than those who did not reach the cut-point for being distressed (43.8 vs. 35.2, respectively, p<0.001). High IAT score was also significantly associated with use of the internet for chatting and sexual purposes (p<0.001). Using factor analysis, we found a two factor solution: 1) a depressive isolation factor (eigenvalue 15.02) and 2) loss of control factor (eigenvalue 1.53). The Cronbach-α for the sum factors were 0.91 and 0.81 respectively.

The IAT seems to provide a valid measurement of harmful use of the internet as the score was significantly associated with variables tapping psychopathology. Most of the variance in the score of IAT is explained by depressive isolation.

Children of alcohol addicted mothers often present deficits of memory, attention, hyperactivity, difficulties in understanding abstract terms, low control of impulses.

The aim was to assess the cognitive dysfunction level, and following that to estimate the optimal adjustment of the school environment for particular patients.

We recruited to our study patients aged between 9 and 18, being taken care of by a psychiatrist, and, partly, from a group of patients participating in a special adjustment rehabilitation program for children with FAS and FAE. The patients were examined with a computerized tests included in the VTS (Vienna Test System): COGNITRON, CORSI, RT (REACTION TEST) and, additionally SIGNAL and DAUF in patients matching age requirements.

Qualitative and quantitative deficits were found. In most patients the most significant were deficits in COGNITRON and CORSI tests, which presented a highly disturbed resistance to distractors, and deficits in working memory. The less characteristic were deficits in the RT test measuring reaction time to simple and complex stimuli. The most difficult to perform turned out to be SIGNAL and DAUF tests. Most of the patients did not manage to do the whole task because of a too low resistance to distractors.

The results of the studies confirmed the reports of teachers and caregivers about great problems that this group had with concentration, sustained attention, and vigilance. However they did not confirm or sometimes contradicted the reports concerning the problems with memory presented in school conditions, and when learning at home.

Computerised measurement of reaction times is state of the art in many fields of research and clinical examinations. Usually, these examinations employ only measures of central tendency (median, mean), deviation (standard deviation) and correct reactions (false reactions). The time course (i.e., sequence) of the individual reaction times has hardly been considered so far.

Using an assessment software recently developed for scientific purposes (Procalysis®)the attentional performances of multiple drug users are assessed in the context of time series analyses regarding specific effects of comorbidity (e.g. schizophrenia) or the respective drug use profile.

In addition to the main affects of multiple drug abuse, comorbid schizophrenia is another significant cause of fluctuating reaction times. Besides generally reduced mean reaction times, the time course analyses also indicate comorbidity-dependent specific stage characteristics, which in turn are related to task complexity.

Both in research and the clinic, time series analysis of reaction times should be considered. They can help reveal stage characteristics over time, which can give the clearest indication yet of the extent of subtle brain dysfunctions. This also applies to the ecological validity of single case assessments, such as for determining the ability to drive or operate machinery.

So far, research on the long-term effects of chronic multiple drug abuse regarding specific neurocognitive function deficits has been only tentative. However, also regarding rehabilitation of mostly young long-time addicts, studies are urgently needed (e.g., ability to drive or operate machinery) which are directed at the typical abuse clusters (e.g., alcohol and cannabis) of subgroups in a heterogeneous cohort of drug users.

A group of 750 drug users was examined and the cognitive function deficits in various attentiveness systems compared against the retrospectively detected drug use pattern. Type, extent and stability of drug use were folowed back for 10 years.

The study subjects used drugs of different effects: While morphine was hardly associated with serious cognitive function deficits, with cannabis both the cumulative lifetime dosage and the duration of use correlated with subtle disorders of multimodal stimulus processing and control of eye movement. Cumulative use of alcohol also had a negative effect on the cognitive functions, particularly working memory and the frontal executive functions. The effect of amphetamines, methamphetamines and cocaine varied depending on which other drugs were used. Comorbidity (e.g., schizophrenia) also was important.

These neurocognitive function disorders can lead to impairment of cognitive functions which may be needed professionally. The implications of these results for diagnosis and therapy of comorbid multiple drug users are discussed by means of cases typically seen in rehabilitation centers.

There is an increasing focus on the impact of psychosocial factors and stressors on the course of Alcohol Use Disorders. Exposure to traumatic events is common among individuals with substance use disorders. PTSD symptoms were associated with greater risk of relapse in intrapersonal and negative physiological contexts. Causative chains are multifactorial and complex, and genetic factors can influence life event exposure. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationships stressful life events and alcohol relapse in a clinical sample of Alcohol Dependent Subjects.

Seventy detoxified alcoholics meeting clinical criteria for Alcohol Dependence were consecutively recruited, after a short detoxification period, and then regularly followed for a period of one year. In the occurrence of alcohol relapse, patients were evaluated by the Paykel Interview for Recent Life Events. All patients were assessed by the Global Assessment of Functioning, the Quality of Life Index, and the Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale.

Forty-six subjects were still in treatment at the end of the study period. Stressful life events, did not determine an increased relapse rata and were not associated with alcohol relapse.

This study suggests that the role of psychosocial risk factors should be reconsidered toward a better understand of the factors implicated in alcohol relapse. Other aspects, such as the psychological functioning, the family environment, the peer relationships, and biological and genetic characteristics are further aspect to investigate.

Pregabalin is a new anxiolytic that acts as a presynaptic inhibitor of the release of excessive levels of excitatory neurotransmitters. To the best of our knowledge pregabalin has not been investigated in alcohol dependence, a disorder frequently characterized by high levels of anxiety, panic attacks, and unsteadiness.

Twenty detoxified alcohol dependent subjects meeting clinical criteria for Alcohol Dependence were consecutively recruited, after a short detoxification period, and then orally treated with flexible doses of pregabalin (mean dosage = 260.5 mg/day) for 6 monthss. The level of craving for alcohol was evaluated through a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS). Psychiatric symptomatology was evaluated through the Symptom Check List 90 Revised (SCL-90 R). Effectiveness measures included the Clinical Global Impressions scale (CGI) and the Quality of Life Index (QOL).

eleven patients (55%) maintained an alcohol free condition for all the study period. Subjects experienced a reduction of craving in both OCDS (F=13.2; p<.001) and VAS (F=11.2; p<.001), a decrease of the SCL-90 subscore of ostility-aggression (F=8.1; p<.05). At the end of the study improvements were evidenced on both CGI (p<.001) and QOL (p<.001).

the data of this pilot clinical study, suggest a possible role for this drug in the treatment of individuals with alcohol problems. If it could be demonstrated in controlled randomised trials that pregabalin is efficacious in decreasing alcohol use, lessening craving, and attenuating psychopathological symptom severity, we will have gained a powerful agent for the treatment of alcohol dependent subjects.

Adolescence seems to be a critical period of addiction vulnerability, based on both neurobiological, social, and familiar factors. The earlier onset of behavioural/substance dependence seems to predict greater addiction severity, morbidity, and multiple addictive disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of multiple addictions in an Italian adolescent high-school population.

Data were collected from a sample of 2907 high school students recruited in the area of Barletta (Puglia) and Latina (Lazio). The sample had an average age of 16.69+/-1.89 years. Through different multi-item scales we evaluated different behavioural addictions: Pathological Gambling, Internet Addiction, Compulsive Buying, Sexual Addiction, Relationship Addiction, Mobile Phone Addiction, Exercise Addiction, Work Addiction.

the presence of pathological gambling was found in 4.4%, compulsive buying in 8.3%, internet addiction in 1.1%, work addiction in 7.2%, exercise addiction in 6.7% of the subjects. Males showed higher scores (p<.001) for pathological gambling, internet and exercise addiction, whereas females showed an higher score (p<.001) for mobile phone addiction. A positive correlation (p<.001) was found between all the scale employed, apart from the Compulsive Buying Scale, which was negatively correlated (p<.001) with the other scales.

The high number of subjects reporting a behavioural dependence is an unexpected data, which creates concern, and need an adequate analysis. It should be valued if these typologies of “addiction without the substance” are a temporary phenomenon occurring in adolescents or if they are a stable trait, and a consequent risk factor for a substance misuse.