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Published on: February 17, 2023
Sleeping problems among Chinese heroin-dependent individuals
Yanhui Liao1, Jinsong Tang, Tieqiao Liu
1Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China.
Background:
Heroin abuse is a major public health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Treatment-seeking heroin-dependent subjects frequently report sleep-related problems that contribute to high relapse rates. Few studies have systematically studied the prevalence of sleep disorders among Chinese heroin-dependent subjects.
Objectives:
This study aimed to explore the prevalence of sleep disorders with a battery of self-reported questionnaires in 140 heroin-dependent subjects in China.
Methods:
A self-report survey design was used to gather the data, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). A total of 140 drug users participated in the survey.
Results:
PSQI results revealed that poor sleep quality (PSQI ≥ 8) was noted in 130 (96.30%) subjects. Those who displayed depressive symptoms, smoked and drank excessively, and had long-term histories of drug use had poorer sleep quality than those who did not. No correlation was found between anxiety, quantity of drugs, and sleeping disorders.
Conclusions:
This study found that the majority of heroin-dependent patients reported poor sleep quality. Depression, smoking, drinking, and long-term drug use were associated with poor sleep quality in heroin-dependent individuals.
Scientific Significance:
Despite the fact that this study collected data only using self-report measures, focused only on heroin-dependent patients, and did not include long-term follow-up study, given the potential link between poor sleep quality and relapse, factoring in this link is an important consideration as part of a comprehensive heroin-dependent treatment program.
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